"A-Grade Players"

[LongBombFromOutside50]

When Connolly came over at the end of 2001, he said the main objective for 2002 was to continually improve and to "develop A-grade players". At the time, our only real A-grade players were Bell, Parker and Farmer.

In 2001, Pavlich, Hasleby and Simmonds all developed into A-grade players.

This season, Headland came over as an A-grade player, our backline consisting of Haddrill, Woods and Hayden have already developed into A-grade players and are getting the recognition they deserve, Polak is showing encouraging signs, Cook has taken his game to a new level, Carr is also continuing to improve, Longmuir has been in outstanding form over the last three weeks recovering from his knee injury taking some great contested marks and I'm confident that when Haines makes his way back into the side, he will develop in another "A-grade player" and be a quality midfielder for us.

 

[ACT exile]

What about Medders, sure he had a bad one yesterday but everyone does from time to time. To my way of thinking if he can get near to 50 goals this year he can be called an A grade small forward.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Yeah, I forgot to mention him. He's certainly on his way to being an A-grade small forward. The thing about Medders is he's very hard to match-up on because he is quick and skillful at ground level and has a great leap, upper body strength and a great football brain which also makes him tough to beat in the air.

 

[masai]

It's hard to define the term "A grade player", but I would take it as a player who would warrant inclusion into the top teams best 22, as a comparison.

At the start of CC's reign, we may have only had one - three, we now may have another one or two, with others coming up the track. To be an A grade player, you must be consistent year in year out.

 

[Freo Hitman]

The good thing about having a few A grade players at the club is at training standards will be much higher & that reflects on our game. Someone like Des Headland & Peter Bell are Aest Grade we have cause they have played in premiership teams & know what it takes to pick up a young kid to raise there levels. Pavlich , Hasleby , Justin Longmuir , Paul Medhurst , Troy Cook , Sean MaManus( Yes excellent and showing great form that deserted him for 2 season ) are all A Grade. Our Backline are on the verge but the more this team plays together the more our A grades stretch the opposition and allow lesser lights to step up very much in the same vain as DJ stepped up when the A graders at Brissy stretched other teams

 

[FreoDocker]

I would definitly put Matty Carr in our group of "A list" players.
He does a job each week and still manages to damage teams when going forward. I would say that he is also one of our best kicks at goal.

 

[Freo Hitman]

Originally posted by FreoDocker
I would definitly put Matty Carr in our group of "A list" players.
He does a job each week and still manages to damage teams when going forward. I would say that he is also one of our best kicks at goal.

Agreed

 

[funky_monk]

I wouldn't put any of our backline in the A grade player list yet. I sorta think that Connolly was talking about players who are in the top echelon of the league.

 

[ACT exile]

Parker is in the backline, and I dont think there is a more reliable defender in the league. Given that Robbie "the wall" Hadrill has the potential, Celen Woods is better than potential, Rog the Dodge is on the way, none of them are therr yet but hey given liscence to dream - Polack, Mc Farlap and 5 flags in a row