Player Watch #5 Jack Ross

[bc27]

I may be wrong but did not Ross move to half back/wing in the second half last week which is why he had mainly back half possessions.

He has attended 5 centre bounces for the year, most of them would have been in the first half vs Collingwood, where he did play midfield, but those numbers suggest he was moved back. Sidebottom was everywhere early but I doubt Ross was on him for the majority of that time given they swap and interchange so much. Sidebottom killed all our mids early.

7 direct turnovers is pretty normal for us especially in the wet where we just bombed it long and watched it come back at us. We were 1.3 at half time, so 2 score assists was better than any other mid in that half.

I think the eye test is best under those conditions. He seemed one of our few 'safe' players on the weekend. His hand ball especially hit the mark generally and he seemed to have more time with the ball than most others. He had 23 possessions which was equal 4th so not a bad night.

But I agree with you in regard to his position in the team. Wouldn't say he is on his last legs but he surely needs to add a bit more vigour to his game, especially around the coalface. I have seen him tackle really well in games, but that has dropped right off. His midfield days are numbered due to adding thge GWS boys and players like Sonsie coming through. His best position is with Jack Graham as high half forwards, not sure there is room for both in a full side.

Seems a Jack of all trades master of none at the moment, although he is still going pretty well. Difference is Graham has a poor game and keeps his spot, Ross can't afford that luxury. Plus he makes a lousy sub because it seems size or speed late in the game is the way to go.

What would you say Jack Ross’ biggest strength is?

 

[Meteoric Rise]

What would you say Jack Ross’ biggest strength is?

It seems to be his endurance, but he also appears to read the play well.

I agree with you he would be looking to improve upon his 4 contested and 1 intercept possession from 23 touches as well as the amount of damage he is doing ball in hand.

Ross's numbers don't look wildly different from our other wingers McIntosh and Pickett, bar Ross having more receive possessions on the weekend. The team was playing differently last year, but if you look at Ross's numbers for 2022, and allow for him being sub in quite a few matches, his contested and intercept possessions, and score involvements all look good for his role. In the final v Lions he got a goal and 3 x goal assists.

At 22 years old he should still have more upside and I think Riss looks part of our future.

 

[Grrr]

What would you say Jack Ross’ biggest strength is?

He seems to be using the ball really well especially by hand but also by foot where he was a bit iffy early on. He was very creative in the last part of '22 across half forward. He is naturally strong so stands in a tackles really well which allows him to deliver by hand with decent decision making. But he can't get a midfield gig at the moment so he is on the periphery.

His biggest deficit to me, which may be a bit of a surprise, is his lack of hard ball gets. Really thought that was his stock and trade when he started but maybe not. He gets a lot of loose balls and hand ball receives but rarely even at VFL level does he get first hands on the ball.

He is opposite to Dow in that respect who gets a lot of hard ball gets, uses it by hand really well but is not quite strong enough to get free and composed. Dow with 5kg's more will be a player I think.

So Ross whether through lack of development or not being the player we all thought he was is a little disappointing at this stage, but he is improving so hopefully he can add some more vigour ball getting to his game. He is strong enough to do it.

Sorry a bit long winded.

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

Imho is ahead of macca Pickett and JG in selection pecking order , good user of the footy , reliable decision maker , not quickest in the world but not slow either keep him in

Surely a piss take.
Behind Macca & Pickett.Toss up with Graham.
Good user of the ball.If Pie floaters is your go.
Decision making.Not the best but with lack of games i'll give him some slack.
Very vanilla.

 

[tiger_tough]

I just can't get excited about this guy.

 

[Grrr]

Surely a piss take.
Behind Macca & Pickett.Toss up with Graham.
Good user of the ball.If Pie floaters is your go.
Decision making.Not the best but with lack of games i'll give him some slack.
Very vanilla.

Think back to Brisbane final. Thought he was in our top 3.
23 disposals but set up so much play across the half forward line with creative passing in particular. No pie floaters which were there early on for sure.
Lost a lot of confidence being up and down so much that his kicking went to pot, much like Shane Edwards one year where he couldn't hit a barn door.
Tidy player these days.

 

[evo]

I've always been of the belief it's one of Graham or Ross. Not both.

They're too like for like to both player together. Especially given the club developed Ross as an outside gut running type instead of the inside mid he came to the club as.

One has to make way for Sonsie to add some skill to our midfield. On form, it's Graham.

I just wish he would be part of the midfield rotation. As you say, thats his thing. Wing doeant suit him, hes an inside player.

Hopper and Tarrantulas arrival hasnt helped his prospect but I still think he is worth a spot every week off the bench to give those two and meatball a chop out.

Not a fan of Graham personally, but i get why others like him. Personally i think we should move on from Graham to the likes of Sonsie , Clarke ect.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Kid should go to elsewhere and you’d suspect most likely will at seasons end . Another inside mid drafted and played in every other position on the ground . Dow will end up the same .

 

[DickieKnee]

Unlucky not to be playing this week. Think we went for more pace.

 

[voorhees]

The in the team/out the team would have to be playing on his mind.
deserves to and should be playing this week
confidence and a team embrace is what Jack needs

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

The in the team/out the team would have to be playing on his mind.
deserves to and should be playing this week
confidence and a team embrace is what Jack needs

Too many of similar leg speed (Lack of)
Hopper/JGTI/Dusty/Kmac.

 

[fargothegreat]

Unlucky not to be playing this week. Think we went for more pace.

It seems like they decided to play the kids that have upside. Ross has played close to 50 games now and doesn't seem like he's going to get much better.

 

[tunksy]

It seems like they decided to play the kids that have upside. Ross has played close to 50 games now and doesn't seem like he's going to get much better.

Hard to get better being a yo yo and never playing as a mid.

 

[Profop]

He’s extremely stiff, no two ways about it

You do have to worry that his level might be that 20-24th player on the list spot which would have to be extremely frustrating for him

 

[juss]

I just can't get excited about this guy.

He's not an exciting player, he's as vanilla as they come. Vanilla isn't necessarily a bad thing, they can play a role.

The club has absolutely butchered his development though. He's been bulked up, slimmed down, played inside, outside, wing, half-back, in and out of the side, sub, emergency, etc.

Should have been drafted and built up as a centre from day 1 in the guts and stoppages, and we might have had a reasonable inside mid by now.

I wouldn't hold a grudge at all if he left for a club who will probably just play him outright as the 5th or 6th mid.

 

[tiger_tough]

He's not an exciting player, he's as vanilla as they come. Vanilla isn't necessarily a bad thing, they can play a role.

The club has absolutely butchered his development though. He's been bulked up, slimmed down, played inside, outside, wing, half-back, in and out of the side, sub, emergency, etc.

Should have been drafted and built up as a centre from day 1 in the guts and stoppages, and we might have had a reasonable inside mid by now.

I wouldn't hold a grudge at all if he left for a club who will probably just play him outright as the 5th or 6th mid.

Yeah hes gone for sure.

 

[DickieKnee]

Hard to get better being a yo yo and never playing as a mid.

I think his ceiling is as a good honest footballer. I'd love to find him a role in the team. Players like Sonsie have a lot more upside. Sonsie could be a genuine A grader

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Anyone else remember when the club put players on ice in the lt round ( v Hawthorn ) and played the kids ( like Ross) in roles they were recruited as and accustom to and they exceeded most people’s expectations ?
if only that game didn’t have a impact on the club .
Development of onballers has been sub-par since chocco williams left .

 

[peternorth]

He's not an exciting player, he's as vanilla as they come. Vanilla isn't necessarily a bad thing, they can play a role.

The club has absolutely butchered his development though. He's been bulked up, slimmed down, played inside, outside, wing, half-back, in and out of the side, sub, emergency, etc.

Should have been drafted and built up as a centre from day 1 in the guts and stoppages, and we might have had a reasonable inside mid by now.

I wouldn't hold a grudge at all if he left for a club who will probably just play him outright as the 5th or 6th mid.

aka the Utility

 

[Rioli2Rioli]

Unlucky to miss this week and hopefully gets the game as a sub atleaset

will be between Ross/MRj on the sub

 

[Bojangles17]

Surely a piss take.
Behind Macca & Pickett.Toss up with Graham.
Good user of the ball.If Pie floaters is your go.
Decision making.Not the best but with lack of games i'll give him some slack.
Very vanilla.

I think you need to take the beer goggles off Pickett and macca arent great kicks by anyone’s estimation , without looking at the stats I’d suggest his eff is all over there’s . He prob doesnt cover the ground like these blokes and I agree above his contested isn’t a standout , if it’s improved ball use we re after than he should be in the 22

 

[Meteoric Rise]

If this bloke is missing from our best 23 when the whips are cracking then we will have 23 blokes absolutely flying. There are plenty worse than him going around in other sides.

 

[Football Tragic]

Ross should have a new nickname - 'TAMPON' -

In 1 week, out 3.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

Dan Rioli ( hbf ) and Taranto ( mid) only two players averaging the same or more than him from games played ( not including as sub )

For disp eff. Last week they went at 48 % and 53%. Ross went at 78% .

 

[All Aust]

The trend v Wobbles was to chain handball around the 50 metre arc until we gave the ball back to them. Ross provided the solution by snagging one clean, 53 out.
Previous possessions mostly involved a providing a clean in link forward progressions.
Not sure as to his role in the team defence plan. This may be the reason for non selection.