Cotchin Vs Ward

[CalWard Is Money]

A couple of young guns who are as hard as nails, interested to see, especially from neutral observers, who they think will have the better career and who they would have in their team.

Cotchin - 19yrs, 25 games, ave 16.9disp, 12 goals, #2 draftpick 2007
Ward - 19yrs, 28 games, ave 15.1disp, 20 goals #19 draftpick 2007

 

[doggiesin08]

Have to be backing Cotchin still. To be rated at #2 in the draft and Vic Metro captain as a bottom age player is awesome. Have to remember too on current stats that Ward is playing along side Cooney, Griffen, Higgins, Cross, Boyd whereas most of Cotchin's football has been with just Deledio better than him in the midfield (how much has he played with Cousins).

The thing Ward has though is he recent improvement curve. He went from just making the Jets squad as a bottom age player, to just making their team, then Vic Metro, then rose up the draft order massively and has proved to be a ripper so far at AFL level.

Sure Richmond would like both rather than Cotch and McMahon.

 

[CalWard Is Money]

Have to be backing Cotchin still. To be rated at #2 in the draft and Vic Metro captain as a bottom age player is awesome. Have to remember too on current stats that Ward is playing along side Cooney, Griffen, Higgins, Cross, Boyd whereas most of Cotchin's football has been with just Deledio better than him in the midfield (how much has he played with Cousins).

The thing Ward has though is he recent improvement curve. He went from just making the Jets squad as a bottom age player, to just making their team, then Vic Metro, then rose up the draft order massively and has proved to be a ripper so far at AFL level.

Sure Richmond would like both rather than Cotch and McMahon.

Cotchin leading 11 to 6 early, Can Cotchin's early injury problems be directly related to his success at a younger age, was he overworked too early and does longevity factor in when evaluating these two? To counter the above comment, for balance sake, yes Ward does have more midfield depth around him as Judd did at the Eagles and Selwood does at the Cats, This could also speed his progress rapidly and make it easier for him if/when the guys around him retire. Cotchin may be forced into leading his midfield from a very early age now that Johnson and Coughlan are gone and Cousins is close to the end, Brock Mclean was a former top5 pick who shouldered too much too early and couldn't cope will be interesting to see how he fares in a crack midfield.

Some more stats to ponder as evidence for arguments sake:
From the 2009 season

Cotchin ahead of Ward in Disposals, First Possession, Clearances, Contested Possessions and Rebounds from 50.

Ward ahead of Cotchin in Tackles, Goals, Inside 50's, 1%ers and has less skill errors.

 

[Rosstickle]

I'd love to have Ward at the Tiges. Watching him makes me sad.

If Cotch can stay fit and develop to something like 85-90% of his potential he should end up better.

 

[reidy81]

richmond must be kicking themselves after we traded mcmahon for (pick 19 callan ward) they would b in a much better position if they had ward and cotchin how good was that trade 4 us.

 

[007Tigers]

richmond must be kicking themselves after we traded mcmahon for (pick 19 callan ward) they would b in a much better position if they had ward and cotchin how good was that trade 4 us.

i agree u got a good deal out of the trade but mcmahon was a good player. also tigers did state that if we had of kept pick 19 we would have used it on scott selwood

 

[deledio7]

I'd take Cotchin, Ward will be a gun though.

 

[Dazb86]

Both will be very good. Cotchin for mine though. Needs a proper pre season then he'll be right to explode. Similar to Cooney in missing his first few pre seasons.

 

[Blueboys7]

A couple of young guns who are as hard as nails, interested to see, especially from neutral observers, who they think will have the better career and who they would have in their team.

Cotchin - 19yrs, 25 games, ave 16.9disp, 12 goals, #2 draftpick 2007
Ward - 19yrs, 28 games, ave 15.1disp, 20 goals #19 draftpick 2007

Cotchin will be a far better player if he stays injury free, he just has something 'special' about him. A great mixture of speed, strength, skills and footy smarts.

Ward will be a very good player but I don't think he is in the same class as Cotchin. Now this is not downplaying Ward as I do rate him quite highly and he had a fantastic year. He could quite easily prove me wrong but I'd have to go with Cotchin.

Would love either at the Blues. Top pick up by the doggies at 19.

 

[rado]

ward is a very good player great pick up at 19 i rate him highly but you would have to take cotchin.
he is capable of a handful of unreal moments a game where u just sit back and go wtf.
most talented player on our list followed by deledio then daylight

 

[Axel.]

Cotchin will be a far better player if he stays injury free.

Very good point.