Analysis Best Young Key-Forward in the Competition

[PhatBoy]

Geelong fans sure do get awfully flustered over the mere statement of fact that Shannon Neale is not in the same class as Darcy and Thilthorpe.

You seem to have gotten awfully rabid over the statement, also from Geelong fans, that he isn’t as well.

 

[BRider]

Trembath is going to be one to watch. 3 games 9 goals. 3 in each. Kid can clunk a contested mark. Not saying he's going to be the best, but think North have finally found that missing piece to partner Larkey.

 

[Osho]

Thilthorpe is a magnificent, imperious creature, in full corporeal splendour. He appears to be perfection personified, with his utilitarianist agility, and bushranging beard.

Darcy has apparently boundless potential. I think he needs a couple of off seasons roaming a well grassed and watered paddock without restraint or fencing. The injuries always come to mind, at least to my mind, whenever I watch him, through fingers. Like a Damocles Sword. I truly hope I'm dead wrong about that.

Thilthorpe has the opportunity to grab the finals by the scruff. However without Rankine, he has lost one of his key exploiters. And oppo will be plotting to Muzzle him, and unfortunately The Fog and the Texan don't get off the ground much. A heavy load for the big fellow.

 

[Nunez]

Thilthorpe is a magnificent, imperious creature, in full corporeal splendour. He appears to be perfection personified, with his utilitarianist agility, and bushranging beard.

Darcy has apparently boundless potential. I think he needs a couple of off seasons roaming a well grassed and watered paddock without restraint or fencing. The injuries always come to mind, at least to my mind, whenever I watch him, through fingers. Like a Damocles Sword. I truly hope I'm dead wrong about that.

Thilthorpe has the opportunity to grab the finals by the scruff. However without Rankine, he has lost one of his key exploiters. And oppo will be plotting to Muzzle him, and unfortunately The Fog and the Texan don't get off the ground much. A heavy load for the big fellow.

Morris is a master of 4D chess. While Thilthorpe and Darcy are busy using their immense physical attributes to kick snags, young Morris will be 15 steps ahead of his direct opponent. on the rare occasion he has to actually compete in a marking contest, he'll use his kung fu grip to mark the ball against any man mountain defender who dares try stop him.

He's not a footballer. He's an artist.

 

[Osho]

Morris is a master of 4D chess. While Thilthorpe and Darcy are busy using their immense physical attributes to kick snags, young Morris will be 15 steps ahead of his direct opponent. on the rare occasion he has to actually compete in a marking contest, he'll use his kung fu grip to mark the ball against any man mountain defender who dares try stop him.

He's not a footballer. He's an artist.

I do fancy young Morris. He is indeed a smart player and has served the Lions brilliantly so far this year.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

It is not even close Darcy by the length of the Flemington straight. A full season in 2026 and 100 goals beckons.

 

[Nunez]

It is not even close Darcy by the length of the Flemington straight. A full season in 2026 and 100 goals beckons.

Very optimistic.

 

[Elixuh]

Morris is a master of 4D chess. While Thilthorpe and Darcy are busy using their immense physical attributes to kick snags, young Morris will be 15 steps ahead of his direct opponent. on the rare occasion he has to actually compete in a marking contest, he'll use his kung fu grip to mark the ball against any man mountain defender who dares try stop him.

He's not a footballer. He's an artist.

It is true. All these other clowns are blunt instruments. Low altitude flyers. Morris is beyond their horizons.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Morris is a master of 4D chess. While Thilthorpe and Darcy are busy using their immense physical attributes to kick snags, young Morris will be 15 steps ahead of his direct opponent. on the rare occasion he has to actually compete in a marking contest, he'll use his kung fu grip to mark the ball against any man mountain defender who dares try stop him.

He's not a footballer. He's an artist.

Logan's footy IQ is off the charts. He's the John McEnroe of forwards.

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Very optimistic.

Yes, but have ever seen a 209cm player doing what he can do at his age. Mark, great below his knees, great on left or right and a dead eyed dick with some much more to offer when gets stronger.

 

[Nunez]

Yes, but have ever seen a 209cm player doing what he can do at his age. Mark, great below his knees, great on left or right and a dead eyed dick with some much more to offer when gets stronger.

I think you should be more realistic mate. 89 goals in 2026.

 

[Drummond]

Ain’t Darcy.

 

[My Tilly]

Patrick Voss has put together a hugely impressive second season.
He plays a bit like Jonathan Brown but more agile.

 

[Mr Cheese]

Going to sing Treacy's praises again. He has been huge around the ground all year. As a pure forward, I'd agree on the names ahead of him, in terms of first name on the team sheet? Hard to go past him to be honest; Thilthorpe's the only one who comes close for contribution outside the 50. Beast.

 

[Cleric]

Just out of interest, who were the last forwards who have had the impact that Darcy and Thilthorpe had at a similar age? Would be interesting to see how their careers are tracking with previous good forwards.

 

[Mr Meow]

Just out of interest, who were the last forwards who have had the impact that Darcy and Thilthorpe had at a similar age? Would be interesting to see how their careers are tracking with previous good forwards.

Tom Hawkins was a year older than Thilthorpe is now in his dominant 2012 season, although was huge as the 2011 finals series went on. 62 goals and 19 goal assists in 2012.

Jack Riewoldt was 22 years old just after the season where he kicked 78 goals.

Josh Kennedy was like Hawkins, his first "dominant" season coming a year later than Thilthorpe. Although still 41 goals the year before.

Obviously Darcy is a year younger, so I'd say more remarkable in the level of early impact for a key forward.

 

[bungalow_bill]

Couple of interesting stats for Lions tyro Morris.

Youngest player since Lloyd in 1997 to kick five goals in consecutive games.

On target to become the first player since Hogan in 2015 to average multiple goals per game at 20 years old.

 

[KissKiss]

Morris is a master of 4D chess. While Thilthorpe and Darcy are busy using their immense physical attributes to kick snags, young Morris will be 15 steps ahead of his direct opponent. on the rare occasion he has to actually compete in a marking contest, he'll use his kung fu grip to mark the ball against any man mountain defender who dares try stop him.

He's not a footballer. He's an artist.

47 goals as a 20 year old in their second season putting him the top 10 for the Coleman is a massive effort. Plays way over his height and age

 

[catstorm]

Just out of interest, who were the last forwards who have had the impact that Darcy and Thilthorpe had at a similar age? Would be interesting to see how their careers are tracking with previous good forwards.

I mean Buddy kicked 73 goals at 20 years old and 113 at 21.

Thilthorpe has kicked 55 at 23

Hawkins kicked 62 at 24.

Cameron kicked 62 at 20 and then 63 at 22.

They’re good but come on it’s not like they are unprecedented.

 

[Mr Meow]

I mean Buddy kicked 73 goals at 20 years old and 113 at 21.

Thilthorpe has kicked 55 at 23

Hawkins kicked 62 at 24.

Cameron kicked 62 at 20 and then 63 at 22.

They’re good but come on it’s not like they are unprecedented.

Morris is closer to unprecedented, especially if he improves again next year and kicks 65+ goals as a 21 year old.

 

[gungho]

Morris is closer to unprecedented, especially if he improves again next year and kicks 65+ goals as a 21 year old.

Jeremy Cameron is the only guy that is unprecedented for the talent he had at a young age IMO. I think he kicked 70 odds goals in his second season from memory.

 

[Cleric]

I mean Buddy kicked 73 goals at 20 years old and 113 at 21.

Thilthorpe has kicked 55 at 23

Hawkins kicked 62 at 24.

Cameron kicked 62 at 20 and then 63 at 22.

They’re good but come on it’s not like they are unprecedented.

Where in my post did I say there the most dominant fowards ever? It was merely a post looking to see where they fit compared to previous good forwards. Your post was a good reply until the last sentence.

 

[Big_Birdy]

Just out of interest, who were the last forwards who have had the impact that Darcy and Thilthorpe had at a similar age? Would be interesting to see how their careers are tracking with previous good forwards.

Darling kicked 53 goals as a 19 year old for half the year.

EDIT: Also while getting the best defender for most of it.

 

[Cleric]

It is not even close Darcy by the length of the Flemington straight. A full season in 2026 and 100 goals beckons.

The daylight crew are back.

 

[janty]

Cameron kicked 62 at 20 and then 63 at 22.

Have always said Cameron kicking 62 goals in a 1 win Giants team has never gotten the credit it fully deserved.