Player Watch #6: George Wardlaw - two-time RS nominee ('23 &'24) - the Warlord - managed vs Hawthorn

[barnrokn]

Playing in the scoobs didn’t do Tucky, Dipper and various other multiple premiership players any harm
Our ones shouldn’t be a development team anymore
When form demands it promote
That goes for everyone not just the Warlord

 

[JGreezy]

I think that if he is playing VFL in round 1 then he will be in the AFL side before round 10.

 

[Nylex]

Playing in the scoobs didn’t do Tucky, Dipper and various other multiple premiership players any harm
Our ones shouldn’t be a development team anymore
When form demands it promote
That goes for everyone not just the Warlord

Agree. That was when there was an under 19 comp as well. We are recruiting the kids at 18 yrs of age these days with the TAC cup set up. Not many are going to be ready for senior AFL footy untill 3-4 years. Examples on our list alone include, Cunnington, McKay, Larkey, LDU, Bailey Scott, Zurhaar

 

[DunderHead]

Aside from the fact he is a completely different footballer to daicos, one which isn’t suited to a high accumulation half back (or back pocket). The reason he will play vfl is that his minutes will be managed.

Wardlaw is currently unfit for a rookie pre season. I wouldn’t think he will play vfl until mid season, and once he does I’m certain it will be under severely reduced/managed minutes.

Wardlaw won’t debut until 2024 at afl level imo.

I thought they were just uncertain on his progression given the nature of hammy recurrence issues. That’s a long way behind in terms of conditioning based on your assessment. I suppose we’ve seen with Taz there is a higher expectation at the club now regarding who’s ready to play (what sort of volume or base you need).

 

[Jonnoo]

Prob gonna depend a lot on how his hammy’s stand up to increased loads and allowing him to train/play at full tilt over a prolonged period of time.

 

[the big lebowski]

I thought they were just uncertain on his progression given the nature of hammy recurrence issues. That’s a long way behind in terms of conditioning based on your assessment. I suppose we’ve seen with Taz there is a higher expectation at the club now regarding who’s ready to play (what sort of volume or base you need).

It’s just an opinion, based on logic, so don’t take it as gospel. I base it on

- relatively poor endurance at his fittest a year ago

- 3 hammies in a year

- basically no training other than a few laps and stationary skills for 8 months

- he’s a player who we don’t require exposure to in 2023

It just seems like expectations need to be managed as it seems we are quite rightly being ultra conservative with him.

I think the number 1 goal this year would be to increase his fitness and don’t ping a hammy. Playing afl would be well behind this.

 

[Horizons_00]

It’s just an opinion, based on logic, so don’t take it as gospel. I base it on

- relatively poor endurance at his fittest a year ago

- 3 hammies in a year

- basically no training other than a few laps and stationary skills for 8 months

- he’s a player who we don’t require exposure to in 2023

It just seems like expectations need to be managed as it seems we are quite rightly being ultra conservative with him.

I think the number 1 goal this year would be to increase his fitness and don’t ping a hammy. Playing afl would be well behind this.

The 3x hammies in a year is quite concerning…

 

[JGreezy]

It’s just an opinion, based on logic, so don’t take it as gospel. I base it on

- relatively poor endurance at his fittest a year ago

- 3 hammies in a year

- basically no training other than a few laps and stationary skills for 8 months

- he’s a player who we don’t require exposure to in 2023

It just seems like expectations need to be managed as it seems we are quite rightly being ultra conservative with him.

I think the number 1 goal this year would be to increase his fitness and don’t ping a hammy. Playing afl would be well behind this.

I think that we would want to get him some AFL run.

Bringing in, essentially, 4 first round talents next year would be a lot.

 

[the big lebowski]

Did the time trial today.

Positive

 

[czero]

Aside from the fact he is a completely different footballer to daicos, one which isn’t suited to a high accumulation half back (or back pocket). The reason he will play vfl is that his minutes will be managed.

Wardlaw is currently unfit for a rookie pre season. I wouldn’t think he will play vfl until mid season, and once he does I’m certain it will be under severely reduced/managed minutes.

Wardlaw won’t debut until 2024 at afl level imo.

That's an interesting take. He might not be AFL fit, but he will be OK to play VFL round 1.

 

[Fish Sticks]

It’s just an opinion, based on logic, so don’t take it as gospel. I base it on

- relatively poor endurance at his fittest a year ago

- 3 hammies in a year

- basically no training other than a few laps and stationary skills for 8 months

- he’s a player who we don’t require exposure to in 2023

It just seems like expectations need to be managed as it seems we are quite rightly being ultra conservative with him.

I think the number 1 goal this year would be to increase his fitness and don’t ping a hammy. Playing afl would be well behind this.

I think he has done quite a bit more training than you suggested.
From reports at the time of the draft & what Wardlaw said himself, he could have easily played the last game or 2 of the season, but held back a little so he was primed for a full AFL pre-season.

Unless he has had some set backs between when he got drafted & now, or we are being ultra conservative with him, he should be pushing for round 1 start in the VFL or AFL.

Hearing he participated in most of the training today, which is a good sign.

 

[Nugget 83]

 

[Shermanator]

View attachment 1583690View attachment 1583691View attachment 1583692

Is that a Bionic leg?..

 

[Jasemon]

Georgie gets my vote for the player who has spent the least amount of time in the sun this summer.
Sun smart = Smart footballer!!!(?)

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Quadlaw.

 

[Nugget 83]

 

[Ligma]

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Nugget 83]

TikTok - Make Your Day

Geez, Jy made him earn it didn't he?

 

[Lomas]

TikTok - Make Your Day

I'm assuming this wasn't paying for lunch.

 

[Ligma]

Someone just requested to follow me WHICH ONE OF YAS

 

[shintemaster]

Is that a Bionic leg?..

View attachment 1583765

Almost the opposite of most draftees. Lighter on top and big legs. Lot of power there and hopefully that also means pretty much ready to go pending loading of the hamstrings.

 

[r00boy96]

He is going to be an absolute tank in 3-4 years. His shoulders are already quite built up. Once he's on an AFL dieting program and in the gym everyday wow. Can't wait to see him crashing packs and hurting opponents with crunching tackles.

 

[shintemaster]

He is going to be an absolute tank in 3-4 years. His shoulders are already quite built up. Once he's on an AFL dieting program and in the gym everyday wow. Can't wait to see him crashing packs and hurting opponents with crunching tackles.

Yep.

Power footballer. Him and LDU will hopefully be a terrifying 1-2 punch.

 

[BRider]

Has big quads as well - why he is such a powerful mid I guess.

 

[DunderHead]

I know those legs. I reckon he has no fat on him and as big as his legs look they’re probably even stronger than you think - it’s all lean muscle.

Very unique body. Should motor around. No wonder he has spring and good burst speed.