Does anyone rate Damien Adkins?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Damien Adkins has been named on a HFF for Friday night's match against the Kangaroos.

While I hope he goes well, I'm not sure I understand the thinking behind his inclusion. He's obviously worked very hard to get his spot back, so I don't begrudge him his opportunity.

But I just don't see what he brings to the team.

While he doesn't kick enough goals to be a genuine small forward, he's nowhere near good enough to hold down a spot in our midfield. He doesn't win enough hard ball and doesn't have enough of a defensive side to his game.

The selectors have done a good job this year, but I would have preferred to see Morton, McConnell, McDougall, Rosa or Lecras named ahead of Adkins.

I just don't think Adkins adds much, if anything, to our team.

That said, I hope he proves me wrong.

 

[sinepari]

I don't mind him, but i doubt that he will play. I just can't see us dropping Edwards for him. I would much prefer Doogs and i'd imagine he will come in at the last minute.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Nope don't really rate him but he can occasionally be handy.

I look at a guy like Adkins and have to question whether he'll actually get any better and whether we'd be better off playing an obvious talent like Butler or blooding a rookie.

That said, the best of luck to Chipper.

 

[coasting]

Do you rate anyone at all, Gunnar? and if so, perhaps you can say so now? We know you don't rate McDougall, Judd, Staker, Adkins and a few others I forget. Why don't you just get it all out the way now so we don't have to read your crap threads!

 

[Debaser]

Surpised at his inclusion. I thought some of the games he played before being dropped earlier in the year were very very average. Although, I hope he goes well on Friday because this may end up being his last chance to demand a spot in the team, for this year at least.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Do you rate him coasting?

 

[embleygirl]

He's not the best player going around but he can slip under the radar a bit.
Hope he does well on Friday night.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Do you rate anyone at all, Gunnar? and if so, perhaps you can say so now? We know you don't rate McDougall, Judd, Staker, Adkins and a few others I forget.

Pffttt.... "and a few others I forget"? What is this tripe?

I've said Judd is over-rated by a lot of people. That doesn't mean I don't rate him at all. He's a gun. We all know that. Don't pretend I suggested otherwise.

My assessment of Staker is well-documented. He's a fringe player, and will remain so until he becomes a genuine 3rd tall. He took a big step forward against Carlton.

I believe there is a spot for McDougall in our side. Why do you suggest that I don't rate him? As far as this year goes, I believe Lynch is the better option at FF.

Why don't you just get it all out the way now so we don't have to read your crap threads!

Is someone forcing you to respond to them? The reality is you can't help yourself.

Why do you bother spluttering this crap? Do you think anyone reading it is going to think "Wow - he really has a point"?

You sound like an angry, inarticulate fool desperate to score points. I own you.

Don't waste my time.

 

[Embers]

Doubt he will play, as someone said it doesnt make any sense considering North play with a very tall team.

 

[Mead]

I semi-rate him, and he's had some handy games at the Dome- seems pretty well suited to playing there.

He's very much a bench/burst player, capable of coming in for 10 or 15 good minutes at critical stages of the game- good mark for his height, very aggressive tackler and has a booming, 55m kick. Not a flash decision maker though. At his best, he is a very useful player to have coming off the bench halfway through the third term or something- just adds a bit of spark that can make stuff happen and turn the game.

He tends to be hot or cold at AFL level- either he'll have an excellent game or make a series of horrible blunders. If anything, I think his problem is that he's always playing with one eye on the bench- often he'll get the ball 55m from goal and turn around and bomb it for goal, which although he has a pretty good kick is not always the best option. You can understand his thought processes though, a goal in that situation might be the thing which saves his place in the team from week to week.

Doubt whether he'll be playing for us next year, but I think in a side with less pressure on his spot he'll develop into a good player- got the natural pace and kicking ability to be a quality mid.

 

[coasting]

Do you rate him coasting?

Do your homework.

 

[theorangeapple]

He has pace and skills and has worked very hard in the WAFL.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Do your homework.

Did you hear that, Black JuJu?

Coasting is far too cool to give you his opinion. You're going to have to read through his old posts and find out for yourself.

I'll excuse you if you don't fall over yourself in your haste to unlock his staggering insight.

Coasting > I thought Kinny was far and away the dumbest person loitering around these boards, but you're making a concerted push for the title.

 

[coasting]

Did you hear that, Black JuJu?

Coasting is far too cool to give you his opinion. You're going to have to read through his old posts and find out for yourself.

I'll excuse you if you don't fall over yourself in your haste to unlock his staggering insight.

Coasting > I thought Kinny was far and away the dumbest person loitering around these boards, but you're making a concerted push for the title.

No. My comments were directed to Black JuJu, and as jaded as he is, i'm sure he is intelligent enough to understand them. Since you are a SIMPLETON I can see I will need to explain it to you. Its called horses for courses. Do your homework on the players. Coaches pick players who play well on certain grounds and against certain opposition. Thats why Damien Adkins is in the team.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

No. My comments were directed to Black JuJu, and as jaded as he is, i'm sure he is intelligent enough to understand them. Since you are a SIMPLETON I can see I will need to explain it to you. Its called horses for courses. Do your homework on the players. Coaches pick players who play well on certain grounds and against certain opposition. Thats why Damien Adkins is in the team.

You're trying way too hard.

Adkins didn't actually play against the Kangaroos in our only hit-out last season.

Almost 2 years ago, he got 3 possessions against them in the wet at Subiaco.

In 2002, while playing for Collingwood, he wasn't selected for their R13 game against the Kangas.

That's 1 game against the Kangaroos since the start of 2002, for a total of 3 possessions. Awesome!

I now know exactly what you meant when you talked about players who play well against certain opposition. I'm so glad I did my homework like you suggested.

Is he a Telstra Dome specialist? Do we have any other players included specifically for games at certain grounds or is he the only one?

Strangely enough, if you look at the games we played at the Dome in 2004, Adkins was only selected for the first 2 (Bulldogs and Essendon). He got 12 and 13 touches, kicking 1 and 2 goals respectively. Not great. Not terrible. Average, you might say.

He wasn't selected against St. Kilda or Collingwood last year, so Woosha must have only just realised that Adkins is particularly awesome at TD.

Next!

 

[coasting]

I'm trying way too hard.

Indeed.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Indeed.

You've been reduced to doctoring my quotes?

Tell me again how Adkins plays well against the Kangaroos.

You just keep falling over.

 

[coasting]

I've been reduced to 'try hard' comments, because I've posted another dud thread and have been found out?

Yes, yes you have.

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Yes, yes you have.

You're not fooling anyone.

People reading this will see that you've been emphatically owned.

Run along. Amateur.

 

[coasting]

I'm not fooling anyone.

People reading this will see that i've been emphatically owned.

Yep.

 

[Altum Volantes]

Can you explain how your horses for courses idea applies for young Chipper please coasting?

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Doubt whether he'll be playing for us next year, but I think in a side with less pressure on his spot he'll develop into a good player- got the natural pace and kicking ability to be a quality mid.

Taking this into account, wouldn't we be better off playing Morton, Rosa, LeCras or McConnell?

 

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Can you explain how your horses for courses idea applies for young Chipper please coasting?

Didn't you hear him the first time, JuJu?

Do your homework.

Chipper has an awesome record against the Kangas, and was an integral part of our performances at TD last year.

I've had a flick through some match archives and it's all spelled out pretty clearly at the bottom of page 1 on this thread.

Coasting definitely knows his stuff. I've really learnt something from his razor-sharp instincts.

 

[Goldenblue]

I rate Chipper more than I do Williams.

Still think we won that round.

 

[Mead]

Taking this into account, wouldn't we be better off playing Morton, Rosa, LeCras or McConnell?

Not giving a player an opportunity because we think he's going to leave due to not being given an opportunity seems to be rather circular reasoning. If he plays well enough to deserve inclusion thats really all there is to it. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a late change to the side though?