Preview Changes/Preview – Round 23 v Hawthorn

[Topkent]

Laurie hasn’t been given a proper go yet at AFL level. A grand total of 2 games and 56% of one game’s worth of time on the field.

Chandler and Bedford also didn’t get proper goes for a long while and each have really come on this year. Both 23 years of age and Laurie is still 21.

That’s doesn’t mean Laurie will do the same. He’s a very different player to Chandler or Bedford.

This year with the exception of one game he’s either kicked a goal or had 20+ disposals in the VFL. Pretty much every time he’s played predominantly as a mid he’s got high 20s to low 30s disposals. He’s played 15 games, averages 23 touches and kicked 11.8.

2022 he was averaging 17 touches and kicked 22.10 in 18 games. It was a decent season.

I was in the “delist” camp earlier last year, but I’ve seen steady development once he started getting some continuity in his fitness. I’m still not convinced Laurie’s physically gifted enough for AFL footy, but Caleb Daniel isn’t, Charlie Spargo isn’t, Jake Bowey isn’t and Daniel Rich never was. All of them have played lots of AFL footy.

Just picking random small blokes doesn't mean anything. Rich had a 60m kick, Bowey is very calm in traffic and Daniel is one of the best short kicks in the comp. What does Laurie actually do at an elite level

 

[Lampers]

Anyone can get numbers in the VFL, Chandler was killing it with efficiency also though, that's what I meant was difference, could tell he was a good decision maker and user, I was always pretty confident he could become a player, while with Laurie it feels like he's stagnated this year or even gone backwards from early last year when looked really promising and was a bit of a match winner like Chandler.

Laurie has played much more mid this year so he has gone backwards in goals but forwards in disposals.

He did have a couple of really big games last year with 30 and 3 and 15 and 4. He’s been more consistent in 2023 but hasn’t had those couple of match winner games like he did in 2022.

I’ve got Harmes in the bin and Jordon sitting on the nature strip next to the bin. Laurie might as well get a go. In 2024 I’d rather have Laurie and Woewodin getting games over Harmes and JJ who have peaked or are in decline IMO.

 

[Capt_Concussion]

Just picking random small blokes doesn't mean anything. Rich had a 60m kick, Bowey is very calm in traffic and Daniel is one of the best short kicks in the comp. What does Laurie actually do at an elite level

I suspect he needs to play more than 1.5 games before we can answer that.

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[Lampers]

Just picking random small blokes doesn't mean anything. Rich had a 60m kick, Bowey is very calm in traffic and Daniel is one of the best short kicks in the comp. What does Laurie actually do at an elite level

We don’t know yet.

At VFL level he is elite for evasiveness, decision making and kick execution.

I’d like to at least see if some of that translates to elite at AFL level. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t. Maybe some will translate but it won’t be enough to compensate for his lack of athleticism/power.

 

[Topkent]

I suspect he needs to play more than 1.5 games before we can answer that.

On Pixel 6 using BigFooty.com mobile app

He's not gonna get the chance when we draft some guys that can actually play

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

What does Laurie actually do at an elite level

He's elite at not being James Jordon so thats good enough for me tbf.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Just picking random small blokes doesn't mean anything. Rich had a 60m kick, Bowey is very calm in traffic and Daniel is one of the best short kicks in the comp. What does Laurie actually do at an elite level

it's not random, he's made his point and you're recreationally missing it. Just say you're lonely and want to talk footy instead of fighting your way across the forum fella.

 

[Topkent]

it's not random, he's made his point and you're recreationally missing it. Just say you're lonely and want to talk footy instead of fighting your way across the forum fella.

Nah tell me something Laurie's good at and will translate at AFL level because no one defending him can actually come up with anything which proves me point.

 

[Topkent]

He's elite at not being James Jordon so thats good enough for me tbf.

Well they can both be elite at it next year in the 2s when we get good smalls in the draft

 

[Scythe]

Fully expect Brayshaw to go back to spudding it up now that my dynamic duo of whipping boys (Harmes and Jesse James) are out

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Fully expect Brayshaw to go back to spudding it up now that my dynamic duo of whipping boys (Harmes and Jesse James) are out

My whipping boy from here on out baring a grand final appearance is Goody for blowing our top two chances with selection over multiple games.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Nah tell me something Laurie's good at and will translate at AFL level because no one defending him can actually come up with anything which proves me point.

Like I said, recreationally missing the point. Nobody is saying he'll make it, just saying he could. He's got better tools than Spargo and Jordan, similar to Woey. He might make it, he might not. He's not clogging the list when there's 6-10 blokes who need the arse before him. Not everything is binary thing worth fighting over. I watch a lot of VFL, Lampers watches even more. What he said was entirely reasonable and if you weren't such a reactionary campaigner you could have learned something from it.

 

[Topkent]

Like I said, recreationally missing the point. Nobody is saying he'll make it, just saying he could. He's got better tools than Spargo and Jordan, similar to Woey. He might make it, he might not. He's not clogging the list when there's 6-10 blokes who need the arse before him. Not everything is binary thing worth fighting over. I watch a lot of VFL, Lampers watches even more. What he said was entirely reasonable and if you weren't such a reactionary campaigner you could have learned something from it.

Righto so you're getting your knickers in a twist over a bloke who I don't think will make it and that you aren't sure will either.

I'm not even fighting lol I asked what he's elite at which is apparently the worst thing ever

 

[schmuttt]

TK you're a weird dude sometimes

 

[Bluelegs]

Just saw it was ANB's 150th. Pretty sure he played his first or second game in Max's breakout game against Geelong. Kicked 3 goals that day from memory.

Pretty crazy Max had been on the list 5 years prior to that and has only managed 50 more games.

 

[Topkent]

TK you're a weird dude sometimes

Don't bully me

 

[Topkent]

I'll bet someone any amount of money that Laurie doesn't play 50 AFL games seeing as apparently he's Gary Ablett Jnr in waiting

 

[Lampers]

He's not gonna get the chance when we draft some guys that can actually play

Of course if Melbourne end up with Duursma it’s going to hurt a guy like Laurie’s chances.

Once Melbourne get outside the really pointy end for talent in the draft I can’t see them targeting half forward types that push Laurie further down the pecking order.

Pickett, Chandler, ANB, Spargo, Laurie, Sparrow, Woewodin, Moniz-Wakefield. It’s already heaps of depth for players who can play half forward and it’s even more depth if they add Duursma.

Other parts of the ground need much more list attention be it through trades or other draft picks.

 

[Topkent]

Of course if Melbourne end up with Duursma it’s going to hurt a guy like Laurie’s chances.

Once Melbourne get outside the really pointy end for talent in the draft I can’t see them targeting half forward types that push Laurie further down the pecking order.

Pickett, Chandler, ANB, Spargo, Laurie, Sparrow, Woewodin, Moniz-Wakefield. It’s already heaps of depth for players who can play half forward and it’s even more depth if they add Duursma.

Other parts of the ground need much more list attention be it through trades or other draft picks.

Think it's gonna be more midfield types that role through half forward rather than out and out half forwards that'll push Laurie down. Those guys have benefited from us really not taking a midfield for about 4 years.

 

[Lampers]

I'll bet someone any amount of money that Laurie doesn't play 50 AFL games seeing as apparently he's Gary Ablett Jnr in waiting

I’ll roll with the GAJ hyperbole.

I think the odds are against Laurie getting to 50 AFL games too. But I’m trying to be positive and avoid the

 

[Topkent]

After all the crying on his behalf Lampers isn't even offended at the questions lol cause I was clearly going at Laurie not him

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

TK you're a weird dude sometimes

He really doesn't like letting things slide. Every disagreement must be a 2 page back and forth minimum.

Very feisty

 

[Topkent]

He really doesn't like letting things slide. Every disagreement must be 2 page back and forth minimum.

Very feisty

**** off campaigner

 

[Lampers]

Think it's gonna be more midfield types that role through half forward rather than out and out half forwards that'll push Laurie down. Those guys have benefited from us really not taking a midfield for about 4 years.

You might be right. I’m all for Melbourne somehow hoovering up so much elite talent that everyone sees it as a no brainer that Laurie should be turfed. It would be an excellent problem to have.

 

[Lampers]

After all the crying on his behalf Lampers isn't even offended at the questions lol cause I was clearly going at Laurie not him

You’re right, I’m not offended. None of us have to agree with each other. It would be boring if we all did. I like the different perspectives and the debate.

It makes me rethink my own opinions.

Some of my opinions on what might happen end up spot on, and plenty end up way off track. Just like all of us here.