Consolidated Taylor Walker thread

[King Elvis]

Craig, Goodwin and Edwards (the three most Senior people in the Footy Club) all stated in the last fortnight that Walker was in good form and pushing for selection.

Why the hell say a thing like that, and then turn around and complain about the hype and pressure on him, and that he wont be played?

 

[macca23]

Re: Afc Website.......walker Not The Answer

Congrats if you're still reading. I didn't plan for it to go that long.

Well done on an excellent post, VC. Thoroughly enjoyed the read.

I think your point about Dangerfield and Walker making their debuts together next year is just one of several good points in that post.

Iddy Biddy did raise an excellent point though in respect of that poorly worded article on the club's website, which reads to some degree as if Craig is putting Walker down somewhat. It is poorly worded and can very easily be taken out of context.

I think the club would be better served to take that article down and replace it with a better worded one that actually came from the club which does more accurately reflect Neil Craig's thinking.

 

[Vader]

Re: Afc Website.......walker Not The Answer

As the year as gone on, I think we are now seeing where we are. Having said that I think the club should be congratulated in trying so many first year players that we have and while some have not yet been as successful as hoped, it would have to be the biggest season of debut players the club has seen since inception.

Not sure about that. In 2004 there was just one solitary player on our senior list who didn't get a game (Josh Krueger). Without doing the research, one can only assume that there were no shortage of players debuting that year.

The following players debuted that year:
Fergus Watts (R13)
Ben Hudson (R3)
Luke Jericho (R4)
Nathan Bock (R5)

We might have had more debutants this year, but I guarantee that these guys got more gametime in 2004 than our 5 debutants have in 2008 (Tippett being the notable exception).

How many debutants did we have back in the mid-90s? We started off with a lot of players on our list in their late 20s, players who were at their best in the SANFL in the 1980s. I suspect there might have been a reasonable amount of list churn when these guys departed the scene.

 

[Kennyrocks]

Perhaps Craigy has his eye on Walker and Dangerfield for his Dream Team next year? By not playing them this year they'll be nice and cheap for 2009.

 

[-VC-]

Perhaps Craigy has his eye on Walker and Dangerfield for his Dream Team next year? By not playing them this year they'll be nice and cheap for 2009.

Something I wanted to bring up in my long post, but thought it would detract from trying to get taken seriously. Purely from a self interest point of view I don't want them to debut this year because they'll be DT locks next year.

 

[Kennyrocks]

Something I wanted to bring up in my long post, but thought it would detract from trying to get taken seriously. Purely from a self interest point of view I don't want them to debut this year because they'll be DT locks next year.

I am a little ashamed to admit it but I was thinking the exact same thing

 

[marvin]

Re: Afc Website.......walker Not The Answer

How many debutants did we have back in the mid-90s? We started off with a lot of players on our list in their late 20s, players who were at their best in the SANFL in the 1980s. I suspect there might have been a reasonable amount of list churn when these guys departed the scene.

The turnover was pretty high through the 2nd year of Shaw and then through the Blight era.

Debuts, and games in debut season:

1995: Tyson Edwards (12) (also Jason McCartney, Matt Connell new to club)

1996: Matthew Collins (8) Peter Vardy (7) Kane Johnson (2), Ashley Fernee (2) (also Darren Jarman, Kym Koster, Shane Ellen, Peter Caven, Troy Bond new to club)

1997: Chad Rintoul (11), Simon Goodwin (10), Brent Williams (7) Tim Cook (4) Aaron Keating (3), Tom Gilligan (3) (also Trent Ormond-Allan, Barry Standfield, Clay Sampson and Brett James new to club).

1998: Andrew Eccles (18), Nathan Bassett (13), Ben Marsh (9), Lance Picioane (4), Ian Perrie (3), Linden Stevens (2) (also Ian Downsborough, James Thiessen, Mark Stevens new to club)

1999: Brett Burton (21), Lucas Herbert (14), David Gallagher (12) Bryan Beinke (11), Ken McGregor (9) Matthew Golding (7), Tyson Stenglein (4), Darryl Wintle (3), Dean Howard (2) (also Brodie Atkinson new to club)

In comparison, the 2008 debut list: Tippett (16), Mackay (13), Jacky (3) Sellar (1), Otten (1) (plus Symes and Moran) is not historically high.

 

[StuPendus]

Re: Afc Website.......walker Not The Answer

The turnover was pretty high through the 2nd year of Shaw and then through the Blight era.

Debuts, and games in debut season:

1995: Tyson Edwards (12) (also Jason McCartney, Matt Connell new to club)

1996: Matthew Collins (8) Peter Vardy (7) Kane Johnson (2), Ashley Fernee (2) (also Darren Jarman, Kym Koster, Shane Ellen, Peter Caven, Troy Bond new to club)

1997: Chad Rintoul (11), Simon Goodwin (10), Brent Williams (7) Tim Cook (4) Aaron Keating (3), Tom Gilligan (3) (also Trent Ormond-Allan, Barry Standfield, Clay Sampson and Brett James new to club).

1998: Andrew Eccles (18), Nathan Bassett (13), Ben Marsh (9), Lance Picioane (4), Ian Perrie (3), Linden Stevens (2) (also Ian Downsborough, James Thiessen, Mark Stevens new to club)

1999: Brett Burton (21), Lucas Herbert (14), David Gallagher (12) Bryan Beinke (11), Ken McGregor (9) Matthew Golding (7), Tyson Stenglein (4), Darryl Wintle (3), Dean Howard (2) (also Brodie Atkinson new to club)

In comparison, the 2008 debut list: Tippett (16), Mackay (13), Jacky (3) Sellar (1), Otten (1) (plus Symes and Moran) is not historically high.

Well done, I stand corrected. Well sitting anyway.

 

[Vader]

Many thanks Marvin.

 

[Alex99]

bump - wrong page.

 

[smoovy]

Cornesy tonight after debate about whether Walker should have been picked.

"Luke Jericho demanded to be picked because of his form."

Someone please get these guys off the air.

 

[marvin]

Cornesy tonight after debate about whether Walker should have been picked.

"Luke Jericho demanded to be picked because of his form."

Someone please get these guys off the air.

He might have demanded. He could even have stamped his feet. It doesn't mean the selectors had to listen.

 

[Drummond]

Cornesy tonight after debate about whether Walker should have been picked.

"Luke Jericho demanded to be picked because of his form."

Someone please get these guys off the air.

I no longer bother listening to 5AA because after 10 minutes I can't take any more. Can't we get better head footy media personalities?

Cornesy last night admitted that he had not seen Taylor Walker this year.

That means he didn't see Jericho's games vs South and North.

So that also means that he has no idea whether his form demanded he be picked. He kicked 1 goal in 2 weeks (Walker kicked 9) and he averaged about 15 possessions. How is that demanding to be picked?

 

[SydCrow]

I no longer bother listening to 5AA because after 10 minutes I can't take any more. Can't we get better head footy media personalities?

Cornesy last night admitted that he had not seen Taylor Walker this year.

That means he didn't see Jericho's games vs South and North.

So that also means that he has no idea whether his form demanded he be picked. He kicked 1 goal in 2 weeks (Walker kicked 9) and he averaged about 15 possessions. How is that demanding to be picked?

As a matter of interest, how many possessions has Tex been averaging? Seems to be less than 10 but kicking goals with most of his kicks? Is this part of the issue, ie he is not getting enough of the ball at SANFL level? I'm trying to read between the lines re NC's comments. None of the press seem to ask the right question!

 

[smoovy]

I no longer bother listening to 5AA because after 10 minutes I can't take any more. Can't we get better head footy media personalities?

Cornesy last night admitted that he had not seen Taylor Walker this year.

That means he didn't see Jericho's games vs South and North.

So that also means that he has no idea whether his form demanded he be picked. He kicked 1 goal in 2 weeks (Walker kicked 9) and he averaged about 15 possessions. How is that demanding to be picked?

I've asked this question before and unfortunately we don't really have anyone in this state. Hence why these buffoons continue to have a job with a combined age of approximately 1000.

 

[RoosterLad]

I haven't listened to those clowns for years, I don't know why people bother. They are arrogant ***** who only care about what they have to say and most of the time it's dribble.

 

[TheLeftFist8]

Almost choked on my way home from work tonight. Heard the end of the show when Cornes announced Gill got off at the SANFL tribunal and rightly suggested he is a possible inclusion this week.

In his considered opinion, Gill shouldn't come in because he is too much like Tippett They would play quite different games i would have thought with Gill covering far more territory and playing up the ground instead of the big, strong, predominantly stay-at-home, contested mark type in Tippett.

Given this, guess who Graham would prefer instead of Gill...McGregor...a stay-at-home, contested mark forward.


I never thought I'd say this but with Cornes and Cunningham's poor knowledge of SA footy beyond Port Power and the top 15 Crows players, i would even prefer McDermott to host the show.

 

[Elite Crow]

Almost choked on my way home from work tonight. Heard the end of the show when Cornes announced Gill got off at the SANFL tribunal and rightly suggested he is a possible inclusion this week.

In his considered opinion, Gill shouldn't come in because he is too much like Tippett They would play quite different games i would have thought with Gill covering far more territory and playing up the ground instead of the big, strong, predominantly stay-at-home, contested mark type in Tippett.

Given this, guess who Graham would prefer instead of Gill...McGregor...a stay-at-home, contested mark forward.


I never thought I'd say this but with Cornes and Cunningham's poor knowledge of SA footy beyond Port Power and the top 15 Crows players, i would even prefer McDermott to host the show.

You were spot on until the part about McDermott, he knows even less about the Crows just ask Edwards.

Firstly I want Walker in now. But in a couple of games if we cant make the finals we have nothing to lose by playing Walker. The pressure would be off the club and off Walker as the games wouldnt be cutthroat, we can afford not to win. His performance would have no impact on us making the finals.

We then get 2-3 games out of him and an understanding going into 2009 of exactly where he is at. Otherwise the speculation will continue and no one will no for sure either way. He also gets a taste of the level required. Of course there is the question of whether Craigs pride will stand in the way in case he was proven wrong.

 

[SydCrow]

Of course there is the question of whether Craigs pride will stand in the way in case he was proven wrong.

You think the only reason Walker is not picked is because Craig is too proud to play him in case he plays well? In other words, he would rather him play badly so he could say "I told you so?" This is the most bizarre thing I have heard yet in the increasingly bizarre We Must Play Tex thread!

 

[Elite Crow]

You think the only reason Walker is not picked is because Craig is too proud to play him in case he plays well? In other words, he would rather him play badly so he could say "I told you so?" This is the most bizarre thing I have heard yet in the increasingly bizarre We Must Play Tex thread!

No, at the moment in Craigs warped way he believes there are reasons not to play him and it doesnt have to do with his pride but stubborness. What I am saying if there is nothing to lose in the season why not play him.

If Craig does eventually pick him I never said Craig would not want him to perform, thats just ridiculous. But Craig has a history of stubborness, and that stems from thinking he is right even when its obvious he is wrong, alah Massie v Buddy. After all the attention I can see Craig digging his heels in. I believe a major factor behind his stubborness is his pride and he doesnt like to be proven wrong.

 

[Cap]

No, at the moment in Craigs warped way he believes there are reasons not to play him and it doesnt have to do with his pride but stubborness. What I am saying if there is nothing to lose in the season why not play him.

If Craig does eventually pick him I never said Craig would not want him to perform, thats just ridiculous. But Craig has a history of stubborness, and that stems from thinking he is right even when its obvious he is wrong, alah Massie v Buddy. After all the attention I can see Craig digging his heels in. I believe a major factor behind his stubborness is his pride and he doesnt like to be proven wrong.

I think you should en devour to meet Craigy and have a chat about football to him.

 

[SydCrow]

No, at the moment in Craigs warped way he believes there are reasons not to play him and it doesnt have to do with his pride but stubborness. What I am saying if there is nothing to lose in the season why not play him.

If Craig does eventually pick him I never said Craig would not want him to perform, thats just ridiculous. But Craig has a history of stubborness, and that stems from thinking he is right even when its obvious he is wrong, alah Massie v Buddy. After all the attention I can see Craig digging his heels in. I believe a major factor behind his stubborness is his pride and he doesnt like to be proven wrong.

There is a perception that he is stubborn. I say perception because observers think that he doesn't make onfield changes quickly enough. NC made a comment last year that in the box it is easy to see what changes have to be made, the tough thing is deciding when to make them. He prefers to back his players and the strategy longer than some coaches. This so called stubborness is arguably a strength as it shows faith in the blokes on the field (ask Craig Bolton what it was like at Brisbane being dragged every time he made a mistake).

He seems to have changed this year to a degree as we have seen many more moves than last year, eg Stiffy, Rutten forward. Perhaps he is becoming more flexible or maybe just making the moves faster. Calling him stubborn or proud is selling him short. Choco on the other hand

 

[crowsup]

Vic Crow, you seem to be saying that the main reason for holding Walker back is because of the pressure from the media and supporters. That seems to be a pretty weak reason for holding someone back who could in fact be ready to play now. There's a lot worse things that players need to get over besides not living up to the expectation of the media.
God knows how many players have debuted despite being been less AFL-ready than Walker.

I would like to put another slant to the reason why Walker hasn't been selected yet.
M-O-D-R-A Symptom.
Modra was our most prolific goal scorer, ever. But why was he dropped and eventually traded? Why did we not win more premierships with such an outstanding goal scorer? In fact, why didn't Fremantle win a couple of premierships with him in their side? Or for that matter, why didn't Geelong win a premiership when Abblett was playing?
I would say that the reason is that it takes more than one goal scorer to win a premiership. Maybe it takes attitude and sacrifice and work ethics.
I'm, by no means, able to say that the reason why Walker has not been selected is because he lacks the above mentioned points. One of the things I can point out is that when Sellar and Jacky played, their endeavor to get the ball couldn't be questioned. They may not have had the ability to get it and or do something good with it, but they tried hard.
Does Walker try hard to get the ball and if he doesn't get it, does he try to chase it? Or is he another Modra?
A lot of people would say that it doesn't matter! As long as he scores goals. But is that true? Do we want Walker to grow up with Favola attributes and temperament or do we want Walker to grow up with Favola like ability but with an attitude we can be proud of?
Maybe making Walker wait for his debut is just making sure that he knows that there is more to football than just kicking goals.

 

[Bomber Man]

As a matter of interest, how many possessions has Tex been averaging? Seems to be less than 10 but kicking goals with most of his kicks? Is this part of the issue, ie he is not getting enough of the ball at SANFL level? I'm trying to read between the lines re NC's comments. None of the press seem to ask the right question!

SANFL Norwood Seniors averages per match:
Kicks 8.4
Handballs 2.8
Marks 5.5
Goals 3.4
Behinds 1.7
Tackles 0.7
Shots At Goal 5.1

37.19 for the season in 11 matches, accuracy 66%

As a comparison to AFL, similar stats to:
Fevola (lower ave SAG, Fev 6.4, same accuracy)
Bradshaw (slightly lower accuracy, Brad 72%, same SAG)
Daniel Motlop (more SAG, Mot 3.1, slightly lower accuracy, Mot 73%)

Ref: http://www.finalsiren.com/AFLPlayerStats.asp?SeasonID=2008&Round=&Sort=Goals Desc

 

[SydCrow]

Thanks Bomber Man, not too shabby stats. I wonder how many tackles, shepherds, 1%s, goal assists etc NC needs to see?