Toast Andrew Welsh's first half

[yaco55]

Think there is some misinformation in this and other threads about Welsh.

Yes, some posters believe that Welsh has a limited shelf life - The criticism has come because Welsh played 3 games for bendigo - after missing the preseason - was elevated against the GC - injured in the pre-game warm up - missed 4 weeks - Came straight back into the seniors - for one game - rested for one game and then back into the team. Due to the nature of his injuries ( soft tissue ) - he has lost residual fitness and match fitness. And Bendigo watchers were surprised at his selection against Fremantle.

As a matter of fact watched Welsh play 3 games for bendigo early in the season - Thought his form and fitness warranted selection - Its what happened from the GC game onwards that has raised questions.

 

[The House]

This might be what you've been saying, I'm not sure, but most people on our board have spent the last 3 weeks absolutely slamming Welsh.

All I've heard is how terrible a footballer he is and he he isn't an AFL standard footballer. Should never ever represent the EFC again etc.

The way such a great servent or our clib has beenn slammed by our so called supporters has been pretty disgusting.

It's true - many here will stand on the wall for Stanton defending him as an imperitive part of our make up, even in the face of costly turn over after costly turn over, and yet seem so quick to write Welsh's entire career off as done and dusted.

When Stanton's flaws (that once again nearly cost us what i'm sure we all agree was a wonderful victory) are pointed out, it's argued he's a great servant almost to suggest one shouldn't be so ungrateful, yet Welsh doesn't seem to get the same perspective from the exact same people.

Still a very good afl standard defensive minded player when he can get a run at it, and comparitively to a few others, has more than enough runs on the board to deserve another chance to get some momentum in his fitness and hopefully nail down a role.....


.

 

[yaco55]

It's true - many here will stand on the wall for Stanton defending him as an imperitive part of our make up, even in the face of costly turn over after costly turn over, and yet seem so quick to write Welsh's entire career off as done and dusted.

When Stanton's flaws (that once again nearly cost us what i'm sure we all agree was a wonderful victory) are pointed out, it's argued he's a great servant almost to suggest one shouldn't be so ungrateful, yet Welsh doesn't seem to get the same perspective from the exact same people.

Still a very good afl standard defensive minded player when he can get a run at it, and comparitively to a few others, has more than enough runs on the board to deserve another chance to get some momentum in his fitness and hopefully nail down a role.....


.

Are you confused ?

Dont you mean H'Slattery

 

[Duckworth]

It's true - many here will stand on the wall for Stanton defending him as an imperitive part of our make up, even in the face of costly turn over after costly turn over, and yet seem so quick to write Welsh's entire career off as done and dusted.

When Stanton's flaws (that once again nearly cost us what i'm sure we all agree was a wonderful victory) are pointed out, it's argued he's a great servant almost to suggest one shouldn't be so ungrateful, yet Welsh doesn't seem to get the same perspective from the exact same people.

Still a very good afl standard defensive minded player when he can get a run at it, and comparitively to a few others, has more than enough runs on the board to deserve another chance to get some momentum in his fitness and hopefully nail down a role.....


.

To be fair, the most staunch Stanton defender (BTG), did say to give Welsh a few weeks to come back from injury before we judge him.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

This might be what you've been saying, I'm not sure, but most people on our board have spent the last 3 weeks absolutely slamming Welsh.

All I've heard is how terrible a footballer he is and he he isn't an AFL standard footballer. Should never ever represent the EFC again etc.

The way such a great servent or our clib has beenn slammed by our so called supporters has been pretty disgusting.

Correction Jimi. He's not a great servant of this club. If being at the club for 10 years is the criteria then he fits the bill. If it's football related then he's way off the mark.

His football has never been anything more than good average at best and it's never been anything more than a handful of games in a season.

The realists know what Andrew Welsh provides. A good honest contest and he gives his all. 2-3 years ago he might have been part of our best 22 and would have been a handy role player.

A broken leg, changing face of the game, soft tissue injuries have pretty much made him redundant in today's football. The supporter base is sick and tired of this so called senior brigade who have not fired any shots in the past 5 years.

Our so called leaders are borderline best 22 yet are on TV shows and parade on the social pages and spend a fair bit of time in fashion. Quite easy to see why the average punter who puts out his hard earned to buy membership and support his club gets riled up over over exposed and overpaid average players.

 

[HurlsMeister18]

He was very good in the first half, a real catalyst for us.

When he recovers from his hammy does he come back through The VFL or does he return straight back to the seniors ?

Even though he was great last night until he done his hammy I would be tempted to give him 2 weeks in The VFL to build up match fitness.

 

[Darealrath]

Credit to him he was really good. Not sure how sustainable that role is though, and can't see him playing anywhere else on the field, but he deserves another game to prove his worth if he can get himself fit soon.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

To be fair, the most staunch Stanton defender (BTG), did say to give Welsh a few weeks to come back from injury before we judge him.

I actually called for Welsh to be included for the Freo game iirc.

House, you can mention that kick at the end, but no mention of the other 26 or whatever it was which were so vital in setting up the win? Seems like you're making an opinion then choosing the facts to fit it.

 

[Pweter]

I was one who thought the game had passed Welsh by. I think as a midfielder and a defender it probably has. Out of Saturday night, what we've found is a niche where he can still be valuable.

I do not think this means he is a walkup start though. He has to return via Bendigo and get through consecutive full matches imo to prove he can at least get through the majority of an AFL game. Even then, he has to get through those games with some form behind him.

We did this at the start of the year with him. Why, after no preseason and only 3 Bendigo games, did we treat him differently when he returned from injury first time round? I don't think he is good enough to be a walk up start, he has to earn it. If earned, then I don't have an issue with him coming in.

 

[Kong]

Watching the replay, he was definitely quite good in parts, but he also made 2 or 3 standard Welsh errors. The dropped sitter was terrible.

Credit for an important role in the first half, but:

- He's still an average player
- He's not going to be able to play that role against every side, and offers little elsewhere
- His body can't stand up to AFL football
- We have better players to replace him with
- Please retire him

 

[60sbomber]

I was rapt for Welsh that he made such a contribution in what turned out to be a memorable win for us.
I think everyone knows he is in his twilight and that he is struggling to get fit enough to command a regular spot. Lloyd's comments on Sat night about his lack of confidence in his body, and the fact that he has been this way for 2yrs, were enlightening.
But let's not get too critical of him. He is giving it his best shot, and over the journey he has been a great contributor, and given his heart and soul to the team for a long time. Let's acknowledge him as a great Essendon person who is coming to the end, but hold back on knocking him.

Same goes for McVeigh and Hille, who are headed in the same direction, but not as far down the path as Welsh.

I think supporters who criticise their efforts are on the wrong tram. OK to say they shouldn't get a game if you reckon they can't do the job, but they deserve recognition for their efforts. I don't think anybody can say they don't give it all they have got.

 

[The House]

I actually called for Welsh to be included for the Freo game iirc.

House, you can mention that kick at the end, but no mention of the other 26 or whatever it was which were so vital in setting up the win? Seems like you're making an opinion then choosing the facts to fit it.

Don't forget a couple of minutes earlier the handball from Hurley to him in the middle during which he showed a complete lack of awareness and somehow got tackled and spilled it straight to the Geelong boys....instead of us going inside 50 for a scoring opportunity to potentially seal the match, the ball rebounded and Geelong took the mark 40m out directly in front and converted, which kept them in the match and put the whole side under much more pressure....esentially his last 2 errors cost us Geelong's last 2 goals as we didn't get to touch the footy again after he'd given it up, and both were situations in which an afl midfielder should have done better.

It's not that i'm trying to confirm any opinion by selectively addressing facts, it's just that week in week out he does a lot of good things, and a number of bad things that undo a lot of his good work.....it's all very well to set up 3 goals, but when you give away 3 goals it kinda cancells things out a bit (not saying he was 3 & 3 this week btw, just a figure of speech).

I do think he played an overall good game, but his problem is that often his mistakes are so bad that they cost us goals/scoring opportunities that directly hurt us on the scoreboard, and it happens consistently.

For me he was a good player on the day and overall i was happy, but i think from memory you gave him 2nd best on ground, whereas for me i think he was somewhere between 5-10th due to giving up a few costly scoring opportunities.

 

[yaco55]

Good post House.

I rated Stanton our 7th best player.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

Our so called leaders are borderline best 22 yet are on TV shows and parade on the social pages and spend a fair bit of time in fashion. Quite easy to see why the average punter who puts out his hard earned to buy membership and support his club gets riled up over over exposed and overpaid average players.

Exactly why he and McVeigh need ot be moved on at seasons end.

We have been too soft and accepting of mediocre perfromances with the odd good one thrown in.

The younger players are the ones leading our club on the filed which is embarassing for the older ones.

Wow they can train well and know what to say in fornt of the camera. Actions speak louder than words.

Oh and Fletch dosn't count - he is in a different stratosphere to these plodders.

 

[yaco55]

Unsure where to place this post.

Four hamstrings in three weeks - Hooker, Watson, Myers and Welsh.

Something is wrong with out conditioning team - Shades of 2008 re-occurring.

 

[whats_at_stake]

Unsure where to place this post.

Four hamstrings in three weeks - Hooker, Watson, Myers and Welsh.

Something is wrong with out conditioning team - Shades of 2008 re-occurring.

Just the change in gameplan. In 2008 we had this ultra attacking sprinting gameplan that Knights brought in which was a massive change for the players. In 2011 Hird has brought a more demanding gameplan. We should have less injuries (soft tissue) in 2012 as the players get used to the demands of the gameplan.

 

[yaco55]

Just the change in gameplan. In 2008 we had this ultra attacking sprinting gameplan that Knights brought in which was a massive change for the players. In 2011 Hird has brought a more demanding gameplan. We should have less injuries (soft tissue) in 2012 as the players get used to the demands of the gameplan.

Hope so.

No excuse if this is happening under a third Fitness and Conditioning coach.

 

[DVD Player]

Such a nice bloke. Would marry.