Toast Esava

[Cataholic]

Whilst I don’t disagree that Hawkins does not seek big contact - it’s hard not to blame him after every time he throws his size around he gives Free kicks away or gets reported and suspended. Classic Pavlov’s dog at this point. He’s been conditioned to be gentle - and imo that’s not his fault

Go Catters

Get your point, and agree to that extent.

But the point is that Hawkins has NEVER had any mongrel in him, and that can’t be taught.

On the other hand, Sav has some natural aggression and isn’t afraid to crash a pack. As long as he controls it, which he’s done so far, he’ll have a natural advantage over Hawkins imo.

 

[Turbocat]

Get your point, and agree to that extent.

But the point is that Hawkins has NEVER had any mongrel in him, and that can’t be taught.

On the other hand, Sav has some natural aggression and isn’t afraid to crash a pack. As long as he controls it, which he’s done so far, he’ll have a natural advantage over Hawkins imo.

I get your point, and I mostly agree.... its classic nature or nurture. I wonder if he was on the end of a few boxing lessons from some boys just as big as him... whether nurture would overcome his nature. Its that moment in Saving Private Ryan when the circumstance can harden the weak and fearful.. Conditioning is one term I have heard , of course Im not saying we have to go full blown MKUltra. I don't want to turn Hawk into the unabomber

Basically I do agree with you .. some guys come in and one can see straight away they enjoy the contact.

 

[Scottland2007]

Shannon Byrnes doing really well as a forward this year.... also, has he had a growth spurt?

 

[iameviljez]

Shannon Byrnes doing really well as a forward this year.... also, has he had a growth spurt?

And been on the Stephen Dank Special Juice

 

[iameviljez]

I get your point, and I mostly agree.... its classic nature or nurture. I wonder if he was on the end of a few boxing lessons from some boys just as big as him... whether nurture would overcome his nature.

Not every big forward needs to have that natural love of contact and aggression in order to be successful, though. Nick Riewoldt, Dunstall, Loewe, Stoneham, Josh Kennedy... none of them had that streak if my memory serves me correctly, but played bloody good football.

 

[MaybeItsGreg]

I thought he was a really long shot when he was drafted, a great athlete but not a footballer. But boy oh boy wowee. He's just about the most exciting 19 year old key forward in the comp.

 

[darrenmorgan]

absolutely loving his work. once he starts clunking those marks, look out.

 

[dazbroncos]

Still short a yard in the tank but only his 2nd year. And when he gets the full tone of the iron from the gym and the tank.... good luck standing in the hole in front of his leads.

Fair sized jukes hes got too. The best CHF option since JPOD.

GO Catters

 

[Turbocat]

Not every big forward needs to have that natural love of contact and aggression in order to be successful, though. Nick Riewoldt, Dunstall, Loewe, Stoneham, Josh Kennedy... none of them had that streak if my memory serves me correctly, but played bloody good football.

Sure... I watched Larry the Lamb play a few games...kicked 8 straight one day out at arctic park...

 

[Larry Donohue]

Esava has raised hope in this place that there just may be a key forward at the cats post Tommy.
This kid has flare, good hands a good work ethic and brings fear to opposition backs. Thank goodness he has arrived.
Hope he bags 8 next week

 

[candiehappy]

Sure... I watched Larry the Lamb play a few games...kicked 8 straight one day out at arctic park...

that was one of the great nick names

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

that was one of the great nick names

What, 'arctic park'? A deserved one - it was like there was a vortex portal between the sky over Waverley Park and a point of origin somewhere above the far Southern Ocean. A mass of thick black clouds permamently stationed itself above the ground, the carpark was a permanent bog and there was no sunshine. Ever.

'Antarctic Park' was a bit of a mouthful though - gotta keep it monosyllabic

 

[Generalissimo]

Ratugolea still runs under the ball a bit. Maybe he hasn't quite adjusted to how hard and far AFL midfielders can kick it.

 

[Stocks_go_Up]

Ratugolea still runs under the ball a bit. Maybe he hasn't quite adjusted to how hard and far AFL midfielders can kick it.

Noticed that as well - has the attributes let's hope he keeps developing. Needs to get his fitness base up as time goes on which he should barring injuries.

 

[Down at K Park]

Ratugolea still runs under the ball a bit. Maybe he hasn't quite adjusted to how hard and far AFL midfielders can kick it.

Or do they keep kicking it over his head?

 

[Seeds]

I thought he was a really long shot when he was drafted, a great athlete but not a footballer. But boy oh boy wowee. He's just about the most exciting 19 year old key forward in the comp.

lets not go to nuts. vardy was playing like this in his first year too and look how that turned out.

 

[Pack Specialist]

Big Sav Rat.

Going to be an absolute GFC cult hero.

Freak athlete
Strong hands
Loves the contest

He can be a star IMO.

 

[The rabbi]

Ratugolea still runs under the ball a bit. Maybe he hasn't quite adjusted to how hard and far AFL midfielders can kick it.

Yep, I picked that up too.
But I am fairly confident that he will work out the flight of the footy.
He also needs to learn to take a mark with one grab, like the clean one grab mark that he took in front of the Hickey stand against GWS last week. (unfortunately I cannot find any footage or images of that mark).

 

[Rosso]

Would love to see him get a bit of space inside 50 for a few games. Really looks like he is starting to feel like he's good enough to impact games so you'd love him to kick a bag early on to give him that extra boost of confidence .

Looks very promising both on the air and when the ball hits the turf.

 

[God Mode]

lets not go to nuts. vardy was playing like this in his first year too and look how that turned out.

You're right that its still early. Motlop was an absolute gun in 2013 and look how that turned out. There are no guarantees with any players. That being said I feel like Sav has shown more ability than Vardy. He just seems to have IT.

 

[catempire]

 

[Mad_Hatter]

The mark was great. The kick straight through the middle was awesome.
15 touches and 8 score involvements today, we’ve found something a bit special I reckon.

 

[Art Vandelay_]

This kid could be anything once he believes in himself and gets a seasoned player's tank.

 

[Landgraft]

What I love is the impact he's having while he still has tons of improvement to come in his game. If he was just that little bit tighter in the early stages he could easily have finished up with four goals today.

 

[Hood007]

Is it too early to call him Gary Savlett?