Ablett & Bartel

[Mullo]

Just a question for you all as im struggling to remember...

In regards to G ablett and Jimmy, as we all know they had standout/breaout years last year, becoming some of the best mid's in the comp.. However, im trying to remember what they were like in the years leading up to 2007... Bartel was a high draft pick but from memory was never really mentioned in the best midfielders' debate, and from memory, gary was struggling at time and not living up to potential?.. Just looking for a bit of a rundown on how they were going pre 07, the expectations on them and what cats fans honest opinions of them were pre 2007.. Just havng a mental blank on how their careers were going before 2007, when it seems every cats player played their best season yet, lol

For example, if someone were to ask me about Joey montagna pre 2007 (his best season yet) - i would probably say that he had potential to be a decent player, but was a bit inconsistent and did not damage teams when he got the footy.. All changed in 07 for some reason... etc etc..

Cheers

 

[JUBJUB]

Just a question for you all as im struggling to remember...

In regards to G ablett and Jimmy, as we all know they had standout/breaout years last year, becoming some of the best mid's in the comp.. However, im trying to remember what they were like in the years leading up to 2007... Bartel was a high draft pick but from memory was never really mentioned in the best midfielders' debate, and from memory, gary was struggling at time and not living up to potential?.. Just looking for a bit of a rundown on how they were going pre 07, the expectations on them and what cats fans honest opinions of them were pre 2007.. Just havng a mental blank on how their careers were going before 2007, when it seems every cats player played their best season yet, lol

I think Bartel was about pick 7 or 8 in his draft.He had a quiet patch early in his career but has been a ball magnet for the past 2 or 3 years.

Ablett got more fit last pre-season which allowed him to spend more time in the midfield.Prior to 2007 he was better known as a half forward flanker who would have short stints in the midfield.Now it's probably the opposite way.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

I think Bartel was about pick 7 or 8 in his draft.He had a quiet patch early in his career but has been a ball magnet for the past 2 or 3 years.

Ablett got more fit last pre-season which allowed him to spend more time in the midfield.Prior to 2007 he was better known as a half forward flanker who would have short stints in the midfield.Now it's probably the opposite way.

Yeah, pick eight, JUBJUB. Our highest pick in recent times has been pick seven - the superstar Kane Tenace

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Yeah, pick eight, JUBJUB. Our highest pick in recent times has been pick seven - the superstar Kane Tenace

+ Joel Selwood.

 

[takeabowtredders]

+ Joel Selwood.

Selwood wasn't 7 was he? I know Mackie was also 7 with Tenace.

Bartel: I've thought he was Brownlow material for the past 4 years or so. He was always one of our best midfielders, hard at it and a ball winner. I think he was probably up there with the elite at times, but 2007 was a breakaway for him.

As for Ablett, we always knew he was good, but he surprised us with just how good. He showed flashes of brilliance in the forward line but he wasn't fit enough for the midfield. Now he is and I'm impressed!

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Selwood wasn't 7 was he? I know Mackie was also 7 with Tenace.

Most certainly was. I didn't include Mackie because I was going post-Tenace

 

[Fooseball]

Bartel: Solid Player, Really shone when the heavens opened up (wet weather)

Ablett: HFF, pretty solid, shone in patches.

 

[SJ]

In the first half of 2004 I remember Bartel really struggled as the team began to find some success and didn't get a game in the seniors. He eventually came in to the side and polled strongly in Brownlow votes per match from then onwards as we played some matches in the wet.

 

[chapmanmagic35]

Most certainly was. I didn't include Mackie because I was going post-Tenace

Correct. Sorry, Tenace has been more spectacular than Selwood

In the first half of 2004 I remember Bartel really struggled as the team began to find some success and didn't get a game in the seniors. He eventually came in to the side and polled strongly in Brownlow votes per match from then onwards as we played some matches in the wet.

That's right. I remember he was dropped after that horrible game at Princes Park. Ended up polling 13 votes from 13 games.

 

[SJ]

Correct. Sorry, Tenace has been more spectacular than Selwood



That's right. I remember he was dropped after that horrible game at Princes Park. Ended up polling 13 votes from 13 games.

And that was the reason he was my massive tip for the Brownlow last year, even until Brownlow night when Junior was unbackable and Bartel at sevens or so. If only I had put my money where my mouth was! The guy just polls votes.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Bartel had been a consistent performer. Before 2007 I lumped him with all our other midfielders who 'lacked leg-speed.' This probably remains so, the difference however is the Ablett moved into the midfield and became a player who to break the midfield lines, like Judd. This really relieved the pressure on guys like Bartel, who could really do what he does best which is roam around the ground and not only be strong in the stoppages, but but into the backlines and take contested marks (which is by far his best asset).

Ablett was an under-performer. He has freakish skill, but lacked fitness - unable to deal with a decent tag. As such he was stuck in the forwardline where his talents were not really utilised. Noone couldve predicted though that he would improve that much. Amazing what a solid preseason does.

You go on about the entire midfield though. Prior to 2007, Kelly and Ling were trade bait at best, some supporters calling for them to be delisted. If 2007 showed anything it dismissed the importance of leg-speed in the midfield.

 

[hamG]

I'm always thankful for Richmond finishing a half game ahead of us in 2006 since we couldn't make the finals and crikey, sucks to have finished below Richmond yeah, but we ended up with Selwood + Premiership the next year and I don't need to illustrate where they ended up.

Football is a funny game ... especially when the tigs are playing.

In all technicalities the highest draft pick in our team is Otto at #2. Where'd he come from again?

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Correct. Sorry, Tenace has been more spectacular than Selwood

Hey now! I wasn't suggesting that in the least. I was just saying he was the same pick!

 

[stevothedevo]

As someone said earlier Jimmy had a few good wet weather games that gave him some football cred but mark #4, in the link below, got me to take some serious notice.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7s8X5gXFlY&feature=related

As for Ablett. His last name alone always made it tough to judge him like a regular football player. But that's exactly what I thought of him. The bonus was that whenever he kicked a goal you could yell out YAABBLETTT. Of course these days he so much more than that and the yelling of his name dosn't look like ceasing any time soon.

 

[winty]

I remember going to watch the both of them run around with the Falcons the season before they were drafted. Both stood out even back then, Ablett with his flashes of brilliance, and Bartel with his helmet.

I remember one game when Ablett kicked 4 goals from the centre in just over a quarter of footy, and it looked like a guy playing against boys, as his skill level just seemed so much higher than that of the opposition. We're only really starting to see him do that in senior footy.