What a transformation this bloke has made.
From a stop gap, workman like plodder at best (last 2 years), to probably the dominant ruckman going around at this very early stage of the season.
His display against the might of Ports big 3 (Primus, Lade, Brogan), almost won us the game (along with several other courageous efforts).
But he looked absolutely shocking at times in 03 & servicable at best last year.
At times it was like looking at Corey Mckernan mark II, with his inability to time his jumps & general uselessness.
His previous injury problems have been well documented & overcoming these have obviously "freed" the guy up.
Its fair to say he will never become a Jeff White or Gardiner around the ground, but he contests well at the Centre square & boundry, drops back into defence very well to help out & can kick a goal when needed.
I think this will enable us to be satisfied with what we have for the next few seasons & give us the opportunity to draft a good ruckman next season in the first or second round, rather than trade good picks for an established ruck.
I think the battle next week with Sandilands will be brilliant & if Barny can win that it will go a long way to helping us pull off a massive upset win.
From a stop gap, workman like plodder at best (last 2 years), to probably the dominant ruckman going around at this very early stage of the season.
His display against the might of Ports big 3 (Primus, Lade, Brogan), almost won us the game (along with several other courageous efforts).
But he looked absolutely shocking at times in 03 & servicable at best last year.
At times it was like looking at Corey Mckernan mark II, with his inability to time his jumps & general uselessness.
His previous injury problems have been well documented & overcoming these have obviously "freed" the guy up.
Its fair to say he will never become a Jeff White or Gardiner around the ground, but he contests well at the Centre square & boundry, drops back into defence very well to help out & can kick a goal when needed.
I think this will enable us to be satisfied with what we have for the next few seasons & give us the opportunity to draft a good ruckman next season in the first or second round, rather than trade good picks for an established ruck.
I think the battle next week with Sandilands will be brilliant & if Barny can win that it will go a long way to helping us pull off a massive upset win.
