Couch

[autocol]

What's the consensus on Couch? Anyone who's watched any Casey games this year would know he's a serious accumulator at VFL level. I believe he won their B&F and came second in the Liston Trophy, which indicates that he's a jet at VFL level. He's always in the right spot to link up play, distributes a lot of ball to his teammates, and receives a lot of ball on the forward flank to deliver into the fifty.

At AFL level, in his three games, he's averaged 11 disposals and five tackles a game. Nowhere near his output at VFL level, clearly, and already some Dees supporters are calling for a "spud delisting". The epic "Nathan Jones is a spud" thread clearly demonstrates that we don't always get it right, but I'm curious to know how many people here think he can lift his game to AFL standard.

Give some supporting evidence, too. Name similar players, and compare their output.

For example, Sam Mitchell's first season, in which he played nine games, he averaged 11.2 disposals and 3.2 tackles a game. I'm not saying Couch is the next Sam Mitchell, but I do hope to see him get some more games next year. I've got a lot of respect for the battler that continues to try no matter how tough it seems, and I think when they get all their ducks in a row... they can become Josh Kennedy. I think his five tackles per game shows some serious endeavour, and I think his output at VFL level shows that once he gets used to the pace of the game, he could accumulate some serious ball in the AFL.

If I was the type to put a number on my jumper, I'd consider 47.

What's your take?

 

[Bluelegs]

He's slow and second in line to Magner. Unless he can improve the quality he brings to the AFL next year I can't see us holding onto him for much longer. Real trier, battler, son of a gun. But in his senior level games this year he didn't show nearly enough to secure a permanent spot. I'm happy for him to be on the list next year but he'll need to step up his game to renew his contract. He's not a kid, he's a mature developed player, and mature age recruits are pretty much always "make or break" from their initiation.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Shane Valenti?

Couch needs to take his game to another level if he wants a long-term career, but tough to judge him based on just 3 games in the big leagues. In comparison, Magner has shown he can accumulate 30+ and is handy in the air for his size.

 

[CWaffles]

Personally hard to judge a guy on 3 games, but in my opinion I wold like to see him get a few games next year...works super hard so keeping him on for another year could be a good thing for the younger guys to see how hard some guys will bust themselves to get a game.

 

[Demon 16]

Not damaging going forward whatsoever.

 

[Animosity]

Can't believe there is a thread on this after only 3 games. For those that play football at any level will know that stepping up from the magoos is always a tough ask.

Like any inexperienced player, Needs to understand what it takes to get a regular gig, someone with enough determination will get there no matter what the circumstances are, all depends what he does pre season and if he has a good
Nab cup as a good jumpstart that he can do this.

 

[autocol]

Can't believe there is a thread on this after only 3 games.

I started the thread because of the people posting "spud - delist" comments about him, which I can't fathom.

 

[Animosity]

Definatley ... Not a spud by no means.

 

[d33my]

As others have mentioned the jury is still out as far as I'm concerned.
Probably a good depth player to have, needs to take his chances when presented to him if he wants to be a long term contributor.

 

[Svensson]

I hope he gets some more game time next year.

 

[Franky_024]

me too ^

Takes more than 3 games for some players to click and get it together. He'll work hard and get another shot, hopefully he'll take it with open arms

 

[Demonheart]

How many of those three games was he the sub?

 

[autocol]

Good point, Demonheart, not sure. That would most certainly affect his numbers dramatically though.