Player Watch Ed Allan

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I want him to succeed. He's clearly getting better. And he's fit, which means he gets to lots of contests which is a great platform to build on. But I still don't really see his weapon.

Crisp is an elite marker and runner, above average kick, clearance machine on top. At the moment Allan is a link man, like Lippa.

You need to compare like for like though. Allan has played 8 games. Crisp was a Lions player still at the same stage.

 

[Rorzza]

IMO, is better as an inside mid which is where he's been very good the past year in the VFL. Loved his work in congestion last night, has good hands and foot skills too.....Bright future!

 

[Kes1984]

I’ve been unsure about Ed. The jury was out. Seen enough now. There’s something there. He’s improving by the week.

One thing I noticed was how he is at most contests. He just makes his way anywhere on the ground to where the ball is. His endurance is a big asset.

 

[MoreMoore]

Plays a lot like Lipinski. Still not convinced (his best moments were all in the landslide) but he's definitely finding his feet and showing he can be a contributor. There's definitely no room for both by finals time.

Big difference is he contests ball in the air and he tackles
Also heaps quicker than Pat

 

[Exambolor]

I’ve been unsure about Ed. The jury was out. Seen enough now. There’s something there. He’s improving by the week.

One thing I noticed was how he is at most contests. He just makes his way anywhere on the ground to where the ball is. His endurance is a big asset.

He’s been better than Lippa in that role the past 2-3 weeks IMO

 

[manicpie]

We can put the lack of pace argument to bed. He's got stacks

 

[sr36]

Plays a lot like Lipinski. Still not convinced (his best moments were all in the landslide) but he's definitely finding his feet and showing he can be a contributor. There's definitely no room for both by finals time.

That second half was really promising. However, if we get everyone fit, I think it's probably neither Patty nor Ed - with a combo of Crisp, Sidey and Perryman playing wings.

But that's a big if - they're both outstanding runners, and if choosing between the two, I think it'd come down first to positioning and then whether offensively you'd prefer Ed's ability to get involved in linking chains or Patty's better kicking ability in that outside role.

 

[Kirby]

We can put the lack of pace argument to bed. He's got stacks

Yeah no problem with pace at all, or with endurance running.

 

[sr36]

IMO, is better as an inside mid which is where he's been very good the past year in the VFL. Loved his work in congestion last night, has good hands and foot skills too.....Bright future!

No chance he goes ahead of these guys for an inside role this year: Nick, Pendles, Sidey, Long, Crisp, Perryman. I don't think he'll go past Sully on the inside either. And that's without mentioning Titch and JDG who hopefully get themselves ready. Or Beau's threat as a chop out.

Wing is his way into the team for now.

 

[manicpie]

That second half was really promising. However, if we get everyone fit, I think it's probably neither Patty nor Ed - with a combo of Crisp, Sidey and Perryman playing wings.

But that's a big if - they're both outstanding runners, and if choosing between the two, I think it'd come down first to positioning and then whether offensively you'd prefer Ed's ability to get involved in linking chains or Patty's better kicking ability in that outside role.

I'd pick Ed. Yesterday, Ed showed all the upgrades I've wanted for Lipinski.

 

[sr36]

Yeah no problem with pace at all, or with endurance running.

They're why he's on a list.

 

[Pleasedontfail11]

Looked good tonight. Been slowly improving. But his body still doesn't quite look AFL ready. Would love to see him put on 5Kg of pure muscle by the start of next year and see how that changes his game.

 

[sr36]

I'd pick Ed. Yesterday, Ed showed all the upgrades I've wanted for Lipinski.

I think it probably depends on the mode we want to play. When we went into fast mode in the second half - Ed was very good. Probably Lippa when we're moving it more conservatively. Hopefully Ed kicks on from here and we have two solid options.

 

[manicpie]

They're why he's on a list.

There's been quite a few on here that say he lacks both. It's never been an issue. It was always just lack of confidence

 

[pablo disco bar]

A serious break out game is around the corner imo

 

[lenny20]

I've been a critic with some poor tackling and contested efforts, but I'm convinced. Confidence growing by the week, hands getting cleaner, and then there's his one wood...

...he just glides across the turf and chews through the KMs like he isn't even trying. There was one passage of play where he competed for a ball on the half back flank. He was then ten metres ahead of his opponent on the wing to win the ball at the next contest. By the time he bobbed up on the half forward flank to collect again, his opponent wasn't even on screen.

At one stage he even cruised past both Daicos boys in second gear.

He'll be a genuine player. It's been such a long time since I've been so confident in so many of our youngsters. Our development system has done a full U-turn to the point where it's almost the best in the league.

 

[TradeDraft]

We can put the lack of pace argument to bed. He's got stacks

Sure does but at times you don’t see it

 

[TradeDraft]

 

[901023]

I've been a critic with some poor tackling and contested efforts, but I'm convinced. Confidence growing by the week, hands getting cleaner, and then there's his one wood...

...he just glides across the turf and chews through the KMs like he isn't even trying. There was one passage of play where he competed for a ball on the half back flank. He was then ten metres ahead of his opponent on the wing to win the ball at the next contest. By the time he bobbed up on the half forward flank to collect again, his opponent wasn't even on screen.

At one stage he even cruised past both Daicos boys in second gear.

He'll be a genuine player. It's been such a long time since I've been so confident in so many of our youngsters. Our development system has done a full U-turn to the point where it's almost the best in the league.

I've been a critic too. He did some nice things against North and needs to back himself, especially when the opportunity presents itself to spread.

 

[Mark W]

We can put the lack of pace argument to bed. He's got stacks

I always found the criticisms of Ed along the lines of "what does he offer?" "what are his weapons?" completely bizarre and can only presume that such punters dont watch any VFL games. Anyone who has watched anything of Ed in the VFL would know he has pace to burn, its a weapon, not a weakness. Similarly for disposal; it's very good at VFL level, that it hasnt quite translated into his AFL games is cause he hasn't yet use to the increased pace of the AFL. Saturday was definitely a step in the right direction.

The 1 criticism of Ed that is valid IMO, is the varying intensity - sometimes it's fine. Other times its not good and he ball watches and doesn't tackle ...This is the area that needs improvement...but both pace and disposal are good

 

[manicpie]

I always found the criticisms of Ed along the lines of "what does he offer?" "what are his weapons?" completely bizarre and can only presume that such punters dont watch any VFL games. Anyone who has watched anything of Ed in the VFL would know he has pace to burn, its a weapon, not a weakness. Similarly for disposal; it's very good at VFL level, that it hasnt quite translated into his AFL games is cause he hasn't yet use to the increased pace of the AFL. Saturday was definitely a step in the right direction.

The 1 criticism of Ed that is valid IMO, is the varying intensity - sometimes it's fine. Other times its not good and he ball watches and doesn't tackle ...This is the area that needs improvement...but both pace and disposal are good

Just on the last paragraph. If he's being asked to play purely outside, then he'd be instructed not to dive into every contest. Also, his role requires him to help us keep our shape and stay within the structure. His game on the weekend was really good

 

[Pistol Night]

Looked good watching the replay. Only North but his pace and link up work was good to see

 

[RobJD]

I always found the criticisms of Ed along the lines of "what does he offer?" "what are his weapons?" completely bizarre and can only presume that such punters dont watch any VFL games. Anyone who has watched anything of Ed in the VFL would know he has pace to burn, its a weapon, not a weakness. Similarly for disposal; it's very good at VFL level, that it hasnt quite translated into his AFL games is cause he hasn't yet use to the increased pace of the AFL. Saturday was definitely a step in the right direction.

The 1 criticism of Ed that is valid IMO, is the varying intensity - sometimes it's fine. Other times its not good and he ball watches and doesn't tackle ...This is the area that needs improvement...but both pace and disposal are good

Nailed it Mark W - so often he's flatfooted around the ball, he hasn't caught onto the the tempo of AFL - once that happens, he'll be really well placed to have the time and opportunity to show off his weapons.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

I've been a critic with some poor tackling and contested efforts, but I'm convinced. Confidence growing by the week, hands getting cleaner, and then there's his one wood...

...he just glides across the turf and chews through the KMs like he isn't even trying. There was one passage of play where he competed for a ball on the half back flank. He was then ten metres ahead of his opponent on the wing to win the ball at the next contest. By the time he bobbed up on the half forward flank to collect again, his opponent wasn't even on screen.

At one stage he even cruised past both Daicos boys in second gear.

He'll be a genuine player. It's been such a long time since I've been so confident in so many of our youngsters. Our development system has done a full U-turn to the point where it's almost the best in the league.

Well if this post doesn't give you a feather on your freckle sensation you need to check your pulse!

 

[partypie]

Watched the game again this evening and I'm even more bullish on Allan now than I was before.

What really stood out is the power in his running especially in that last quarter, it is a real asset and there aren't many players who can move like that while making it look effortless across the competition.