Adam Pattison: The new Simmonds?

[TigerAntho]

I hate to do this after an uplifting performance like Saturday, but let's to shy away from some of the cold hard facts from the game. Adam Pattison is posing more question than answers at this stage of his career, and doubts are starting to creep into my mind as to whether or not he has a future at the Richmond Football club.

Let's review: Taken at number 16 in the draft in 2004 - the same as Tambling and Deledio. Simon Taylor was the next notable ruck/key position at pick 53, but did we go for needs over talent? Van Berlo, Rusling, LeCras, Sherman, Egan were taken. As a side note Thomson was selected at 11, Meyer at 12.

Ok to date he's played 59 games, predominately as a back up ruck man. I'm told he's meant to be a key position forward - in his careers he's kicked just 15 goals. However he struggles in the ruck despite his 198 cm frame, and his skill level countinues to kill us. Saturday night there was a telling turnover in the back half of the sqaure which result in an easy goal for the Eagles.

This year he averages 11 .67 disposals a game..with an effectiveness o approx 70%.

I just get the feeling though he may be an average player for life. Having played in the ruck for the last 5 years, he hasn't been able to regularlly cement himself and establish a nous as a key forward which you get through game time and experience. We've seen him take the odd spectacular grab from no where, but isn't doing enough for mine. Rawlings and next years coach need to find he a spot in the side...cause the ruck dosen't seem it...and we have Dean Putt waiting in the wings for promtion - which by the way can anyone give a report on how this blokes doing?

Thoughts?

 

[Bojangles17]

he's better than that, a couple of dreadful plays were he looked like he had lead in his boots and butter on his fingers...usually traps the ball fairly cleanly, I'll let him off the hook

 

[Damon_3388]

Not meaning to divert the thread so quickly, but what exactly have Richmond fans expected out of Simmonds over the years? He's a 196cm Ruckman who was never more than a decent #2 before he came to the Tigers, and has only really been Richmond's #1 by default. That being said (probably just due to increased opportunity), he's had his best seasons with Richmond. He's been serviceable, and while not really showing massive improvement, hasn't really played below anything he showed before he came to Richmond either. He was never going to be that great to begin with IMO, so to label him as such a big disappointment isn't really realistic IMO.

That being said, you'd hope to get more out of Pattison with increased opportunity. Still, I think Angus Graham deserves the #1 spot for the Tigers right now on form this year.

 

[Agetigers]

8 years younger than simmonds, got plenty of time to develope.

 

[RichosGuns]

Terrible thread mate

Two entirely different footballers. Simmonds biggest problem this year has been internal, his heart, or that lackof. Patto's biggest strength has always been his heart.

Didn't do alot last night, but does anyone have the stat on how much gametime he had?

 

[Agetigers]

Not meaning to divert the thread so quickly, but what exactly have Richmond fans expected out of Simmonds over the years? He's a 196cm Ruckman who was never more than a decent #2 before he came to the Tigers, and has only really been Richmond's #1 by default. That being said (probably just due to increased opportunity), he's had his best seasons with Richmond. He's been serviceable, and while not really showing massive improvement, hasn't really played below anything he showed before he came to Richmond either. He was never going to be that great to begin with IMO, so to label him as such a big disappointment isn't really realistic IMO.

That being said, you'd hope to get more out of Pattison with increased opportunity. Still, I think Angus Graham deserves the #1 spot for the Tigers right now on form this year.

Simmonds was playing for the Big V this time last year, but has gone downhill from there. Graham had shone promise befor his injury and will in the future, our prblem is the 2nd ruck Simmonds: slow, old ,Vickery: too young, skinny, Pattison: small, once Vickery developes hell be 2nd ruck and rotate FWD.

 

[_RT_]

If the turnover is the one I'm thinking of then you can hardly blame him for it, we were under pressure and he had the ball handballed to him while surrounded by Eagles players.

Pattison spent the summer training with forwards group but once again injury and poor form have forced him to go back into the ruck. Hopefully he can return to being a forward in the future because I still think this is where he will be best suited. He will have the tank to outrun just about any KPD and would be more than capable IMO playing as a lead up CHF who drags his opponent out of the F50 and leaves space behind for the other forwards to lead into.

 

[krustyman]

graham has definately moved well ahead of patto who has stagnated for the past 3 seasons.

 

[coke_zero]

well if we keep all Graham, vickery and gus in it will let him play more up forward while gus and vickery ruck and he can just support them. mis timed a couple of his jumps for marks. but he will improve and still has alot of time on his hands.

 

[theyellowsash]

his effort is worth his place. there was a passage on the wing last night where it was him and lids on 3 eagles players. patto stuffed a handball to lids but preceeded to run past lids to tackle/smash the eagles players. i think they ended up getting it in the end but for a big slow bloke he made 2-3 reall good crunching tackles and nearly won it back by himself.

 

[Tumble]

Think at times Pattison skills are a concern but think he usually gets into good position to create play which is important.
Probably a Mark Blake type , never going to be your number one ruck , put is solid enough to do his job.
Simmonds is finished which ever way you look at it and think playing Graham and Pattison is much better anyway , like the way they go about it.

 

[coke_zero]

his effort is worth his place. there was a passage on the wing last night where it was him and lids on 3 eagles players. patto stuffed a handball to lids but preceeded to run past lids to tackle/smash the eagles players. i think they ended up getting it in the end but for a big slow bloke he made 2-3 reall good crunching tackles and nearly won it back by himself.

we cant drop him because no one else in coburg is better than him yet and he will always give 2nd, 2rd, 4th efforts

 

[mattdwyer]

Simmonds was playing for the Big V this time last year, but has gone downhill from there. Graham had shone promise befor his injury and will in the future, our prblem is the 2nd ruck Simmonds: slow, old ,Vickery: too young, skinny, Pattison: small, once Vickery developes hell be 2nd ruck and rotate FWD.

he is 2 cm shorter than vickery and 3 cm shorter than graham .. but he is to small ?? ..think about it .. 3 cm .. <--------------> that much shorter .. oh no ..

 

[TigerAntho]

Terrible thread mate

Two entirely different footballers. Simmonds biggest problem this year has been internal, his heart, or that lackof. Patto's biggest strength has always been his heart.

Didn't do alot last night, but does anyone have the stat on how much gametime he had?

Well "MATE" I think 12 responses warrants a good enough thread. That's besides the point anyway. I think we need to pull our heads out of our arses and realise he is a lost sheep at the moment. If he is a player for the ruck the in the words of Gordon Ramsay '**** me senseless'...

But that's entirely my view...not doing enough and disposal is not up to par for someone who, if a key position forward, should be so much better.

Oh and I'm NOT comparing him with SIMMO - IF he keeps up what his doing then he's on track. Not entirely a bad thing - but not something we need.

 

[Kyusss]

in ruck terms his a baby
will give him time
definately a competitor

 

[Spluff]

Not great, probably doesn't have any real future once Vickery or Browne develop. Nothing like Simmonds - Simmonds was one of the best athletic ruckman who had age catch up with him.

 

[chrisjie]

One amazing effort in the 2nd half. I think it was 3 on 2 or something and he just kept running and putting pressure on, even after it looked like they were gong to get the ball out. I think the WCE player made a skill eror and because of his effort and pressure he ended up starting a goal sequence.

 

[Darth_Tiger]

he isnt having a great year, but i would persevere. one of the commentators on 3AW last night said he is in real danger at the end of they year, but he is only 23 which is young for a tall. i would give him more time as at least he tries his guts out. plenty of other deadwood to cut before patto.

 

[RichoRox12]

I'm not a fan, at times he looked like a giant goose last night and just couldn't get a clean possession. Not sure he'll ever be a standout.

 

[Madtiger2006]

He had a shocker last night, but he's usually pretty solid. Stick with him

 

[RichosGuns]

Oh and I'm NOT comparing him with SIMMO - IF he keeps up what his doing then he's on track. Not entirely a bad thing - but not something we need.

Ummm.... the thread title "Adam Pattison: The new Simmonds?" suggests differently

58% gametime by the way. 12 touches in 58% isn't attrocious by any means

 

[TheProwler]

Patto cops a fair bit of flak. Always has. When he was 21 in 2007 he was the main ruck for 12 weeks while Simmonds was injured. He made a great and valiant effort at the time. He is still very green even after 59 games.

Rucks take longer to develop than most other positions and I can see Patto's best footy is still ahead. I just hope he is given the best chance to develop and prove to us all.

And for those that say he is too small for the ruck job he is 198cm and 97kgs compared to Simmonds 197cm and 99kgs.

 

[peejay]

i have plenty of time for Patto. Heart as big as phar lap. and a good footy brain - something that has been in short supply down at tigerland recently.

 

[folester41]

just hold onto him until one of browne or vicerky step up, drafting another ruckmen with a late pick or a rookie pick will cover the "loss" of simmonds, and add to graham, vickery, browne and pattison. post will not be a ruckmen so hes not included.

 

[thecotch]

Huge heart and a lot of passion but let's face it, patto's a plodder with average skills and poor decision making abilities. Will take time and im happy to persist with him.