Player Watch #49 Kaleb Smith

[THE_GUN]

Can someone care to enlighten me as to why Smith has copped a pasting in the game day thread?

He’s played 9 games, a handful of those as a sub and missed the entirety of his first season injured.

He actually got his hands on the footy last night and did some nice things. I’m genuinely confused as to how he is judged so harshly?

Because he is not a Rioli after 20 games

 

[RockJobster0312]

Um no he is not afl standard and never will be. Terrible skills and slow decision making. Papers stamped

Yeah don’t see this guy making it.

Calling it after less than 10 AFL games is some sort of attitude.

Was at the game and he was better than okay. His skills were fine (80% from 14 disposals) and his decision making isn’t slow at all. It’s got a lot to do with trying to be creative which due to a) Sydney’s defensive structure after Q1 and the lack of positioning from our forwards was extremely difficult. Vlastuin, Broad, Banks weren’t any quicker or creative with their decision making than Smith.

Not sure his long term prospects noting the depth and talent we have in the position, but certainly not calling career based in that game - or 10 in total - which is frankly laughable.

 

[Wrenny]

I like the look of this kid

 

[crackertiger]

He is another that shirks the contest. And he plays in defence where contested possession is a fundamental requirement...

He needs to make some adjustments very soon as it is his 3rd year in the system. Still plays like an under 18s junior.

 

[DeseRigs]

He is another that shirks the contest. And he plays in defence where contested possession is a fundamental requirement...

He needs to make some adjustments very soon as it is his 3rd year in the system. Still plays like an under 18s junior.

He’s a weird one. Took a nice mark standing under a high ball knowing contact was coming. Then another contest, Heeney handpasses to a Warner who is bent over trying to win the ball, Smith has to go but be-musingly runs away from the contest allowing what should’ve been a contested ball to win, an uncontested easy goal to Warner. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now and say it’s a confidence thing but he’d want to get those moments out of his game quick-smart.

 

[Grrr]

He’s a weird one. Took a nice mark standing under a high ball knowing contact was coming. Then another contest, Heeney handpasses to a Warner who is bent over trying to win the ball, Smith has to go but be-musingly runs away from the contest allowing what should’ve been a contested ball to win, an uncontested easy goal to Warner. I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now and say it’s a confidence thing but he’d want to get those moments out of his game quick-smart.

And you do learn from that, it will be discussed and next time he will be more aware. It's called learning, some kids have it and some take longer, but he has some other good attributes so keep playing and see how he goes.

 

[Grrr]

Just watched the whole replay and Smith's disposal was fine. He got the ball in tight on a few occasions and got through the traffic really well considering the Swans were tackling and pressuring really well, and had to bang it out of the congestion, which is better than being caught like most of his team mates. Kept his composure which is a good sign, and again was very tight checking around goal. He is progressing well.

 

[tiger_tough]

Just watched the whole replay and Smith's disposal was fine. He got the ball in tight on a few occasions and got through the traffic really well considering the Swans were tackling and pressuring really well, and had to bang it out of the congestion, which is better than being caught like most of his team mates. Kept his composure which is a good sign, and again was very tight checking around goal. He is progressing well.

Psychopath

 

[ROYCY HART A TRUE CHF]

I like the kid.
Reckon he is tracking nicely.

 

[tigs2010]

Just watched the whole replay

 

[Groupie_]

yeah nah

 

[Coach_Required]

Can someone care to enlighten me as to why Smith has copped a pasting in the game day thread?

He’s played 9 games, a handful of those as a sub and missed the entirety of his first season injured.

He actually got his hands on the footy last night and did some nice things. I’m genuinely confused as to how he is judged so harshly?

some posters need a whipping boy and because he doesnt have flashy pace like a Bolton or Rioli or Shane Edwards like smarts then he becomes an easy target when he makes an error in 11 games of footy.

 

[Coach_Required]

Can't make his mind up when he gets the ball

11 games of senior elite footy, how dare he.

 

[Grrr]

the ox is slow or something... like that, MM

 

[Woodstock]

I’d prefer him make mistakes taking the game on as opposed to making mistakes playing slow and stagnant. Give him the rest of the season and assess at end of year.

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

His biggest problem right now is his haircut... Needs to visit dusty and Lalors barber

 

[Drunken Wookie]

doesnt break lines, does the exact opposite, pivots and goes backwards. Not sure if it's a lack of confidence or lack of decision making skills. Might as well give him the year but he's not displaying much that you could project into premiership half back.

 

[Grrr]

doesnt break lines, does the exact opposite, pivots and goes backwards. Not sure if it's a lack of confidence or lack of decision making skills. Might as well give him the year but he's not displaying much that you could project into premiership half back.

A lot of that has to do with confidence you would think. He has played primarily as a defensive small on some pretty good offensive smalls and in regard to stopping them he has done well.

He will get more aggressive with his run and receive as he goes because he has the pace and on a few occasions on the weekend got out of tricky situations by holding the ball, not panicking and working his way through the traffic. That was the first time I have seen him do that, so maybe small steps. They may have been dump kicks, but he wasn't caught.

 

[sregit]

A lot of that has to do with confidence you would think. He has played primarily as a defensive small on some pretty good offensive smalls and in regard to stopping them he has done well.

He will get more aggressive with his run and receive as he goes because he has the pace and on a few occasions on the weekend got out of tricky situations by holding the ball, not panicking and working his way through the traffic. That was the first time I have seen him do that, so maybe small steps. They may have been dump kicks, but he wasn't caught.

He is improving slowly and has great pace. Watch and see for me. Needs at least to seasons end. Others I’d let go before Kaleb.

 

[THE_GUN]

doesnt break lines, does the exact opposite, pivots and goes backwards. Not sure if it's a lack of confidence or lack of decision making skills. Might as well give him the year but he's not displaying much that you could project into premiership half back.

20 year old pick #50 with 11 games and half as a sub
you sure your not expecting a bit much here so quickly ?

 

[lizard man]

I like this guy … worth persevering with

 

[Ralll]

Still early days but needs more Liam Baker

3

Liam Baker

Age

27

Ht

173cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.7

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

7.9

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.7

3star

D

14.6

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

7.9

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

1.8

3star

CL

0.5

3star

D

14.4

4star

K

6.2

3star

HB

8.2

5star

M

1.6

2star

T

1.8

4star

CL

1.2

4star

campaigner in him to make it imo.

 

[THE_GUN]

He needs to watch some vision of Sinclair / Clark (freo)

 

[Drunken Wookie]

20 year old pick #50 with 11 games and half as a sub
you sure your not expecting a bit much here so quickly ?

as you said a late pick and had a few years now in a professional environment, shouldnt be great expectations on him but we should be seeing something a bit more substantial if he's going to be the other hbf'er next to banks. its an offensive, creative role that he seems way to hesitant to perform. but banks was the same prior to this season so not a lost cause.

 

[THE_GUN]

as you said a late pick and had a few years now in a professional environment, shouldnt be great expectations on him but we should be seeing something a bit more substantial if he's going to be the other hbf'er next to banks. its an offensive, creative role that he seems way to hesitant to perform. but banks was the same prior to this season so not a lost cause.

He had a year interrupted by injury in his 1st year
Has been doing what we want at VFL level
Played as a sub in half his games so not really ideal
kids need 50-60 games to get to the level punters here are expecting him to be

maybe a bit of patience required