Chris Connolly - Aish not Good Enough

[Cousin of Daicos]

3rd highest posessions in the team for NAB 2 with 19. Would have translated to 25+ in a full length game not being played in 40 degree heat.

Good disposal when he had time and space. Showed willingness and ability to get the ball in traffic rather than hanging on the outside.

Not sure what anyone could have asked more of him given he's still adjusting to playing to a new gameplan with new team mates? If the game had been played in normal conditions and he'd picked up those 5-6 extra touches would anyone be criticising him?

I dunno man. I find people's thought processes strange sometimes.

You have people who will defend Travis Cloke to the death despite no real reason to (logically) and yet will question a 20 year old 3rd year player coming off an injury riddled 2nd season at a new club based on 2 and a bit practice games?

I mean...I just....I....sigh.

 

[Good_Old]

Honestly Aish was probably taken aback by the large crowds. He wouldn't have been used to that in qld. Can take some people a while to get used to.

 

[Morganashlee]

Still sulking? Aish needs a lot of support and TLC after his time in the wilderness. Unlike DeGoey who had the privilege of starting with us.

You can tell yourself that's the reason, I don't mind.

It was all a bit of a joke I thought, I don't care who we support but played along for a laugh. Contrary to popular belief, he isn't even my favourite let's keep that between us though

 

[mattys123]

It's hard to say either way that Aish will succeed or not, so for Connolly to make a rather extreme claim like he has stinks of some sort of persona grudge either against the kid or our club.

I'll give Aish till the middle of next season to show me what he has, my expectations for season 1 with us aren't high, it's his 3rd season as an AFL player and last year was almost a complete write off for him in so many ways.

There's not much wrong with his kicking, it may lack penetration but there's been plenty of AFL footballers who can't kick the ball a long distance that have had long careers.

The aim for Aish should be to play 12-15 senior games this year and then push his way into our best 22 sometime next season. There's plenty of players on our list who want a midfield spot but not a lot who can play half forward almost permanently, which is something Aish might be able to do.

Be patient with him, he's not there yet, and may not be for a year or two.

 

[PicaBoo]

You can tell yourself that's the reason, I don't mind.

It was all a bit of a joke I thought, I don't care who we support but played along for a laugh. Contrary to popular belief, he isn't even my favourite let's keep that between us though

FWIW, my main reason: his journey and off field activities are a lot more interesting then that of DeGoey who was here from the start and who has been well documented.
Everything else on Aish; the skills, the puns and the Lions ex-factor are a bonus.
And your secret is safe with me. I am not aishamed to say he wasn't my first choice either.

 

[Hardas]

Wish I was 20 again.

I'd settle for 30!

 

[yeee_haaaa!!!!!]

Played 21 games in his debut season in 2014, total of 370 possessions at disposal efficiency rate of 71%. Pretty bloody reasonable figures for an 18yo playing in a crap team in his 1st season if you ask me. In 2015, was given stuff all opportunity by the coaching staff to ply his trade in his best role, managed 157 disposals in 11 games at 63% effectiveness. This bloke will be a star

 

[Hardas]

Anyone who can competently kick on both sides of their body is welcome in our team. Phillips is too for that matter.

Well maybe not anyone, but I'm with you in spirit.
I think 24 year old Aish is going to be a beauty for us - 20 year old Aish: I'm not sure yet.

 

[Hardas]

It's hard to say either way that Aish will succeed or not, so for Connolly to make a rather extreme claim like he has stinks of some sort of persona grudge either against the kid or our club. It's the old 'write something a bit controversial involving Colllingwood and see if it stirs up some attention' trick...

I'll give Aish till the middle of next season to show me what he has, my expectations for season 1 with us aren't high, it's his 3rd season as an AFL player and last year was almost a complete write off for him in so many ways. Yeah, it'd be a real surprise if we saw the best of him so quickly.

There's not much wrong with his kicking, it may lack penetration but there's been plenty of AFL footballers who can't kick the ball a long distance that have had long careers. Above average skills but not elite.

The aim for Aish should be to play 12-15 senior games this year and then push his way into our best 22 sometime next season. There's plenty of players on our list who want a midfield spot but not a lot who can play half forward almost permanently, which is something Aish might be able to do. Half forward or half back too.

Be patient with him, he's not there yet, and may not be for a year or two. I think he's the type that needs more physical development / preseasons than the natural bigger mids like JDG - anyway, it's 'slightly premature' to be predicting the outcome for the year.

 

[Finnishpie]

Aish has looked solid, and as people rightly point out, he's only 20. His disposal looks fine to me, and it will improve with confidence (see Taylor Adams's). It's true, he might not end up an All-Australian, but then again, he might.

 

[Bard]

You have people who will defend Travis Cloke to the death despite no real reason to (logically) and yet will question a 20 year old 3rd year player coming off an injury riddled 2nd season at a new club based on 2 and a bit practice games?

The same could be said about people who think he should be dropped for not being best 22... He's flawed as shit but still the best we have at this very moment!

 

[Bard]

It's hard to say either way that Aish will succeed or not, so for Connolly to make a rather extreme claim like he has stinks of some sort of persona grudge either against the kid or our club.

I'll give Aish till the middle of next season to show me what he has, my expectations for season 1 with us aren't high, it's his 3rd season as an AFL player and last year was almost a complete write off for him in so many ways.

There's not much wrong with his kicking, it may lack penetration but there's been plenty of AFL footballers who can't kick the ball a long distance that have had long careers.

The aim for Aish should be to play 12-15 senior games this year and then push his way into our best 22 sometime next season. There's plenty of players on our list who want a midfield spot but not a lot who can play half forward almost permanently, which is something Aish might be able to do.

Be patient with him, he's not there yet, and may not be for a year or two.

Should edit it to 'plenty of Brownlow medalists who can't kick the ball'.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

The same could be said about people who think he should be dropped for not being best 22... He's flawed as shit but still the best we have at this very moment!

But Cloke has been playing for a decade or more and is one of the highest paid (if not THE highest paid) players on our list. The shit he does is far less defensible than Aish not being a superstar in 2 practice matches.

People are suggesting Aish not being Best 22 based on current form. Think about that for one second. Current form. So, even if you go with that ludicrous notion, Cloke being dropped is STILL more justifiable than Aish.

 

[Bard]

But Cloke has been playing for a decade or more and is one of the highest paid (if not THE highest paid) players on our list. The shit he does is far less defensible than Aish not being a superstar in 2 practice matches.

People are suggesting Aish not being Best 22 based on current form. Think about that for one second. Current form. So, even if you go with that ludicrous notion, Cloke being dropped is STILL more justifiable than Aish.

I agree. Also think Aish was v good in the intraclub/nab 2. Easily our best youngster in those games behind JDG (Gault/Fasolo too old).

 

[augie]

CC is probably right at this stage, but I suspect he will change his opinion by season's end. My prediction is that Aish will take a while to settle, but when we review the season in the second week of October we will reflect on the steps he made and his substantial contribution to the side.

 

[TradeDraft]

Think Aish may end up getting similar treatment on here to Adams in his first season. Adams received plenty of criticism. People must have been expecting the complete player from day 1.

Personally I think there is some validity in Connolly's comments. Aish is skilled of both foot but it lacks penetration. That should come with time. He needs to build his overall size and power.

We didn't recruit Aish for round 1 or for this year. We recruited him for the next ten years. He is a work in progress. Let's just sit back and watch him develop with a level of patience. Kid has talent, just needs time.

Adams be a Great Example with Aish IF People have a Crack at him this year for not living up there Expectations

 

[TradeDraft]

It's hard to say either way that Aish will succeed or not, so for Connolly to make a rather extreme claim like he has stinks of some sort of persona grudge either against the kid or our club.

I'll give Aish till the middle of next season to show me what he has, my expectations for season 1 with us aren't high, it's his 3rd season as an AFL player and last year was almost a complete write off for him in so many ways.

There's not much wrong with his kicking, it may lack penetration but there's been plenty of AFL footballers who can't kick the ball a long distance that have had long careers.

The aim for Aish should be to play 12-15 senior games this year and then push his way into our best 22 sometime next season. There's plenty of players on our list who want a midfield spot but not a lot who can play half forward almost permanently, which is something Aish might be able to do.

Be patient with him, he's not there yet, and may not be for a year or two.

3 I put up with that are Robert Harvey, Luke Ball and Steele Sidebottom. They are 3 really good Players

 

[Saintly Viewed]

I dunno man. I find people's thought processes strange sometimes.

You have people who will defend Travis Cloke to the death despite no real reason to (logically) and yet will question a 20 year old 3rd year player coming off an injury riddled 2nd season at a new club based on 2 and a bit practice games?

I mean...I just....I....sigh.

At the end, it actually doesn't matter, Aish will have to earn his spot and then keep it with good play to become a major player for us. But he has to go and do it.
Travis also has to maintain his spot though there is NO one in the club remotely close to him as a monster forward. You may not like him, that's a fair enough, but NO player takes as much defensive attention as he does.

 

[mike123]

Adams be a Great Example with Aish IF People have a Crack at him this year for not living up there Expectations

I do remember Adams getting 30 possies on his Nab debut though.

 

[jmac70]

Would have been more credible if Billy Connolly has said it

Not sure, but it would have been a hell of a lot funnier.

 

[domin8tors]

Lets all remember hes basically a straight swap for Nathan Freeman. So fair chance we've upgraded!

his already surpassed him by playing 2 Full pre Season games lol

 

[danielnajdek]

Aish will be fine. Gotta remember that the poor bloke had to play for Brisbane.

 

[Knightmare]

Aish has the work ahead of him to do.

He isn't winning the contested footy or impacting contests. Not breaking the lines or kicking it 60m and hitting guys lace out.

I'm still waiting to see Aish have an impact.

Unless he proves otherwise on Saturday I probably wouldn't be picking Aish for round 1 simply because he isn't one of our 22 best players. He fits in my best 23-30 until he offers greater impact.

In terms of long term prospects. It's such an unknown. I don't consider it a given that Aish makes the grade, though he certainly can, but like everyone I'm very keenly hoping he eliminates any and all doubt through performance.

 

[TradeDraft]

Aish has the work ahead of him to do.

He isn't winning the contested footy or impacting contests. Not breaking the lines or kicking it 60m and hitting guys lace out.

I'm still waiting to see Aish have an impact.

Unless he proves otherwise on Saturday I probably wouldn't be picking Aish for round 1 simply because he isn't one of our 22 best players. He fits in my best 23-30 until he offers greater impact.

You make him sound like at Best a Ordinary Player Knightmare

So he be spending most of 2016 in the VFL?

 

[Knightmare]

You make him sound like at Best a Ordinary Player Knightmare

So he be spending most of 2016 in the VFL?

With Aish I tend to think he'll split his time depending on form between AFL and VFL play.

His relative lack of a weapon troubles me, but at the same time I think he can perform solidly enough to play at AFL level as an outside/flanker who can fill the required gap style utility.