Astbury the swing man

[Ruanaidh]

Each week I have to keep reminding myself that this bloke is only in his first year of AFL football. His ability to be our 'swing-man', and do it effectively at such an early age is amazing. He reminds me of a taller (and eventually better) Kel Moore. We have needed someone of this ilk for years and finally have landed him.

 

[TigerTime88]

Just progressing beautifully slowly.

I still like him up forward though but his decision making and kicking off he HBF is good.

 

[leighroy]

I AGREE. for a first year player at his height in his first year, you cant ask for any more.

his spoiling , closing speed and marking are all very good and im looking forward to watching him grow as a player.

 

[Madtiger2006]

He's filling the hole nicely in defence. Will be interesting to see how Post and Gourdis fit in when they get a game

 

[coke_zero]

Looks very classy. Will only get better. Needs to make sure he threads those goals.

 

[Punt Road Feral]

I'm just glad we are pumping games into him

 

[folester41]

really rate him, some of his spoils last night were very good and its handy having a tall defender who can actually hit targets.

when he gets stronger he wont drop those marks that he has been in his last few games.

also looking foward to gourdis coming in for mcguane

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

Reads the game really well and no whats around him like last night when he smashed amon b he knew he had to hold up play and he did.

 

[TimeFor11]

Doesn't mind getting his hands dirty and gets in there may be his best attribute atm.

 

[sante]

Only issue at the moment is that he loses his man in traffic to easily, but he will learn this as he plays more games, no doubt.

 

[UpTheGuts]

My favourite story thus far. Dusty is great but I kinda knew that, but this chap could be a real find

 

[bigstyletiger]

Has been very impressive for his age and experience. Skills are top notch and decision making is pretty decent as well. Wouldn't mind having two of him. One at CHF and one at CHB. If only Rance had some of his calmness.

 

[Darth_Tiger]

Has been very impressive for his age and experience. Skills are top notch and decision making is pretty decent as well. Wouldn't mind having two of him. One at CHF and one at CHB. If only Rance had some of his calmness.

who is this 'rance' you speak of?

 

[Del65166]

good game, the whole backline worked well.

 

[mcuzzy]

forward line, pup getting heavily tagged so astbury and co. can take big leaps while being barely marked

 

[Roachy8]

Doesn't mind getting his hands dirty and gets in there may be his best attribute atm.

Very, very pleased with Astbury...
A 19 year old KP player in his first season, he has shown ability up forward but does not look out of place or overawed in the backline. As you say, 'get's in there' and understands how to put his body in hard.
Another 'footballer' recruited to The Tigers I would suggest.

My favourite story thus far. Dusty is great but I kinda knew that, but this chap could be a real find

Lot's of hype (fair enough too) over Martin & to some degree Nason & possibly even Griffiths but Astbury has slotted into the 22 and looks unlikely to drop out!

Has passed Post already IMO & seriously, Rance may be in a bit of strife!

 

[Heisenberg_]

In his half a season so far he has shown more then the multiple "athletes" with X-Factor we drafted over the 5 years prior.
A natural footballer

 

[freezer]

Astbury>>Post>>>>>>>>>Rance

Astbury and a few others have gained so much this year through getting game time so early in their careers. Will be so much better off coming into next preseason knowing exactly what's required of him. Can't wait to see him combine is footy smarts with a bigger body, should be able to hold CHB or CHF moving forward.

Am prepared to be surprised by Post, showed a bit in a few games last year. Although think that Rance is gawn, just hasn't got enough polish for Dimma's game plan imo.

 

[coke_zero]

Has passed Post already IMO & seriously, Rance may be in a bit of strife!

Post should be given a few games in the forward line. While Astbury is playing down back. Rance will find it hard to get games but he should be playing on the wing. Play like a midfielder but still needs to work on his marking and he will be another player we have turned around since Wallace.

 

[Roachy8]

Post should be given a few games in the forward line. While Astbury is playing down back. Rance will find it hard to get games but he should be playing on the wing. Play like a midfielder but still needs to work on his marking and he will be another player we have turned around since Wallace.

I was thinking similar things...

Post, (assuming he plays well at Coburg for the next couple of weeks) needs to get back into the seniors... but not at the expense of Astbury IMO. (Perhaps Griffiths in 2 or 3 rounds if Griff finds it hard to get more than a handfull of touches)

I certainly have not given Posty away... just that Astbury has really jumped past him already for sure.
(I just had a look and Astbury is 14 months younger than Post too)

Rance? I dunno about the wing... would have to take the place of an Edwards or a Collins or a Nason... I can't see it.
His marking is a real worry & I don't think that is something that can really be learned. You look at natural good marks... like Jack & IMO still our best mark Deledio... they have sticky hands whereas the ball comes to Rance overhead and it's like a brick hitting the side of a building... no touch.

I had hopes for Rance but if the alternatives develop over the next 10 weeks as we all hope, it could be trade table time for Alex... back to WA perhaps or to GC17?

Was a high draft pick with good pedigree... what's his contract position I wonder?

 

[coke_zero]

Rance? I dunno about the wing... would have to take the place of an Edwards or a Collins or a Nason... I can't see it.
His marking is a real worry & I don't think that is something that can really be learned. You look at natural good marks... like Jack & IMO still our best mark Deledio... they have sticky hands whereas the ball comes to Rance overhead and it's like a brick hitting the side of a building... no touch.

I had hopes for Rance but if the alternatives develop over the next 10 weeks as we all hope, it could be trade table time for Alex... back to WA perhaps or to GC17?

Was a high draft pick with good pedigree... what's his contract position I wonder?

I know it doesnt mean much but when Coburg where playing GC his hands looked much better than they did when he was in Richmond.

 

[Madtiger2006]

Astbury>>Post>>>>>>>>>Rance

Astbury and a few others have gained so much this year through getting game time so early in their careers. Will be so much better off coming into next preseason knowing exactly what's required of him. Can't wait to see him combine is footy smarts with a bigger body, should be able to hold CHB or CHF moving forward.

Am prepared to be surprised by Post, showed a bit in a few games last year. Although think that Rance is gawn, just hasn't got enough polish for Dimma's game plan imo.

I think Rance will be a pretty good player. Not sure which is his best spot but think he'll become some sort of danger player. His only real deficency has been his overhead marking because we don't often see him take them but he actually took some nice strong high overhead marks at Coburg so he obviously can take them. Once he gets his confidence up he'll be very good imo. Could play a Max Rooke type forward role or may even surprise as a big midfielder. Can help out in defence too

 

[Pugnosis]

Have a look at the West Coast game again. I think the 1st quarter (may have been 3rd - we were kicking city end) their was a chain of handballs on the wing under pressure and it reached Astbury. The obvious kick was a bomb long down the line. Instead under pressure he spotted up a player 30m on the lead. I remember being impressed by this on the day and it was still impressive watching it on replay. Showed quick decision making skills.

 

[folester41]

post needs to regain his athleticism which will take time with all the size he has put on, looked very sluggish at vfl level.

i dont think we will see him until next season, he needs a preseason to maintain his height and build his fitness level to deal with the added weight.

as for rance i cant really see him ever establishing himself in our best 22, just lacks composure

 

[juddtrain]

Have really enjoyed watching astbury this year as i coached him for 2 years in under 16's. He has always had ability at both ends of the ground but my biggest concern was his pace? But after travelling to watch him against west coast he put that to bed. One instance he was on the back flank/wing and tigers turned the ball over and Lecras was left free and was leading back into an open forward line. Astbury quickly started chasing and after about 100m caught lecras and got a fist in.
Great kid aswell