Player Watch #5 Jack Ross

[juss]

The problem is we only have 2 inside mid positions. So until Cotchin retires, he wont get one of them. Even if he has a massive game next week, I dont see how he holds the position when Cotch and Prestia are available this season.

Mids are probably the easiest players to fit in to a starting 22 or sub. With form like yesterday he should be playing the rest of the season if he keeps that up.

He's more important to our future than Cotchin for example.

 

[Rocco sifreddi]

A natural ball winner , I feel sorry for him
We did everything we could to sabotage his career , trying to turn a contested ball winner
Into a skinny winger is insane

 

[TigerPaul71]

He played a great game. Well done Jack!!

 

[juss]

A natural ball winner , I feel sorry for him
We did everything we could to sabotage his career , trying to turn a contested ball winner
Into a skinny winger is insane

Agreed. His failures so far are on the coaches and development staff. Now it looks like the penny has dropped with them and they've realised what he is, I reckon he will play some good footy.

 

[Profop]

Agreed. His failures so far are on the coaches and development staff. Now it looks like the penny has dropped with them and they've realised what he is, I reckon he will play some good footy.

See I’m less sure on bits of this. I think the coaches always knew his best position but equally knew that if that’s the only place he was going to play he just wasn’t going to get AFL games (see RCD)

They tried to get him a bit more flexible so he could get into the senior team for more experience and the plan was always to get him back in the middle once a position opened up

Obviously don’t know any of that for sure but could understand if that was the approach taken

 

[Spluff]

See I’m less sure on bits of this. I think the coaches always knew his best position but equally knew that if that’s the only place he was going to play he just wasn’t going to get AFL games (see RCD)

They tried to get him a bit more flexible so he could get into the senior team for more experience and the plan was always to get him back in the middle once a position opened up

Obviously don’t know any of that for sure but could understand if that was the approach taken

I'm inclined to agree on this. It's obviously an assumption, but I expect they took the opportunity to get him some senior gametime and round out his game while spots opened up in the middle.

 

[Rocco sifreddi]

See I’m less sure on bits of this. I think the coaches always knew his best position but equally knew that if that’s the only place he was going to play he just wasn’t going to get AFL games (see RCD)

They tried to get him a bit more flexible so he could get into the senior team for more experience and the plan was always to get him back in the middle once a position opened up

Obviously don’t know any of that for sure but could understand if that was the approach taken

Yeh get a guy thats got a body that's built for ball winning and try turn him into a skinny winger, be serious they ****ed up.

 

[clark1980]

thought he played a big part of turning the game. funny when a guy plays well in the 2's on ball, it's pretty obvious that he mightn't have the same effect if played wing or half forward in the ones. was a little rushed with disposal but it was a hot game to step into, so he's got an excuse. he tidies that up a bit and he's got a role to play.

 

[Infamy]

I'm not in the camp that thinks they tried to turn him into a skinny winger, I view it that an 18-19 year old cannot physically be expected to carry an inside midfield role for a whole season and that his running capacity was a weakness. I look at it that they focussed on having him build his tank in more of an outside role while his body developed properly and when he finally matures we will have more spots on the inside for him.

 

[tony__montana]

Very happy to see him show what he's clearly capable of. Play him week in week out even when Cotch comes back. It's very important for his and our development.

 

[SumTingWong]

Simple solution.
Keep Ross
**** Edwards off. His career is over

 

[peternorth]

Played very well

 

[juss]

I'm not in the camp that thinks they tried to turn him into a skinny winger, I view it that an 18-19 year old cannot physically be expected to carry an inside midfield role for a whole season and that his running capacity was a weakness. I look at it that they focussed on having him build his tank in more of an outside role while his body developed properly and when he finally matures we will have more spots on the inside for him.

There's quotes somewhere that they tried to slim him down and play him as an outside winger.

Remember when they wanted to push Vlastuin as an inside mid? Sometimes they get things wrong.

 

[Tackle Bag]

He played a Good game this week and needs to play out the year in the ones. We desperately need midfield depth and he is the best option we have.

 

[TigerTank]

As Edwards' and Cotchin's careers wind down, this guy looks ready to go. I want to see him have more opportunities at the centre bounce. I agree he looks best as an inside midfielder rather than a "skinny wingman".
If I'm being generous, perhaps playing him as a wingman may have delayed his development as a pure midfielder, but it may have the longer-term benefit of making him more versatile?

 

[Muddiemoose]

As Edwards' and Cotchin's careers wind down, this guy looks ready to go. I want to see him have more opportunities at the centre bounce. I agree he looks best as an inside midfielder rather than a "skinny wingman".
If I'm being generous, perhaps playing him as a wingman may have delayed his development as a pure midfielder, perhaps it many have the longer-term benefit of making him more versatile?

I think the game on the weekend highlights the latter, if it had affected his development he wouldn’t of played the game he did on the weekend all it did was help develop him into a more well rounded player that you need to be in the afl these days
No player can really get away with being effective at one position due to the nature of rotations

 

[Grrr]

I think the game on the weekend highlights the latter, if it had affected his development he wouldn’t of played the game he did on the weekend all it did was help develop him into a more well rounded player that you need to be in the afl these days
No player can really get away with being effective at one position due to the nature of rotations

The club knew this the day they made him a half back. We had Dusty, Prestia, Cotchin, Edwards, with Bolton, Graham and Lambert also running through there. He was not logically going to replace them so they took a longer term approach. The started him wing over Pickett this year, although an injury brought Pickett in last minute from memory. So they have backed him in pretty much.

With Martin out they could have brought him in earlier but he lost a bit of form and confidence so didn't really perform to the required level when he was back, or even in the VFL until 2 weeks ago. Besides Prestia and Cotchin were having good years, so no place for a mid who couldn't rotate elsewhere.

Long term he will be Cotchin's replacement, in fact I think short term he should nudge Cotchin into a role where he rotates forward more, have said that preseason and it is more relevant now given Ross's good game on the weekend. Besides I think Cotchin and Martin could rotate in tandom, as I have said before I think Cotchin would make a good forward. For example he could have manned up on Stewart this week when down forward and just hammered him (legally) as only Cotchin can do. I guarantee Stewart would not have had 29 and do as he pleased.

 

[Kegs]

Would have gained a lot of confidence from his performance on the weekend. Hopefully what he needs to back it up and build from it.

 

[beema limapep]

Convinced of waht?


The whole game did not convince me by the team.

Can't see him being delisted this year, hopefully he grows and develops even further

Its not about possessions for me, I am not a stats guy, I prefer wins across the park, even one percenters

I think he needs to get fittter. Not saying he is unfit, but to play on a premiership team and develop he will need to get fitter probably

You've lost me and sundry. Inside mids are almost the easiest to quantify on numerical performance.

Enjoy your position of refuge whilst the world moves on.

 

[captain cotch 9]

He is only 21. Seems like his been around for a lot longer. Once he gets to 50 games he will lock in his position

 

[Mr Magic]

You've lost me and sundry. Inside mids are almost the easiest to quantify on numerical performance.

Enjoy your position of refuge whilst the world moves on.

I have already moved on, in case you had not noticed.

Again my focus is on quality not quantity

But my replies are more about Tigerimposter getting on RCD's back while pumping up Ross for little reason and I am acting as part of a devils advocate. I am not trying to drive Ross down and frankly if it means Ross gets better, great!!

 

[bc27]

A natural ball winner , I feel sorry for him
We did everything we could to sabotage his career , trying to turn a contested ball winner
Into a skinny winger is insane

I don’t think learning a bit of outside craft will hurt his overall game. If anything…gaining that experience on the wing will hopefully only benefit Ross.

 

[Cdog71]

I don’t think learning a bit of outside craft will hurt his overall game. If anything…gaining that experience on the wing will hopefully only benefit Ross.

100%
If the Oppo shut down his inside game he didn’t have a lot to contribute and they force us into less options

 

[austyn08]

There's quotes somewhere that they tried to slim him down and play him as an outside winger.

Remember when they wanted to push Vlastuin as an inside mid? Sometimes they get things wrong.

They try things yes, but surely they have the idea that these players have a fall back and they will not lose the player or hinder his development.
For every Vlas scenario we get a Short and D Rioli this year - total revelations.
I still think Vlas has a cameo in the middle in him.

 

[TigerImposter]

I have already moved on, in case you had not noticed.

Again my focus is on quality not quantity

But my replies are more about Tigerimposter getting on RCD's back while pumping up Ross for little reason and I am acting as part of a devils advocate. I am not trying to drive Ross down and frankly if it means Ross gets better, great!!

Ross is miles ahead of RCD in both quality and quantity at this stage of their careers and yes I would love both of them to make it.