Farren Ray Article

[dogman22]

Farren Ray

Interesting article - shows some of the fears and insecurities of moving state to play AFL footy

 

[One-eyed Tiger]

No offence to you guy's, but if I were a Doggies supporter then there is a fair bit in that article that I would find a tad worrying.


“I would’ve much preferred to stay (in Western Australia)”

“Melbourne’s so much different to Perth. When we get into the season it’ll be good, but I went straight into the Doggies and we’ve gone down and did this huge camp and that was really hard. It doesn’t make things (easy and) you don’t feel good about it.”

“Everyone would’ve much preferred to stay in their home state, but it’ll get better.”

“Obviously you get the impression that you can’t go down and you can’t do much worse,” Ray said about his new club.

“I guess I’ll probably play a couple of games for Werribee and see how we go and then I might get a senior game. If I don’t go too well in that, I’ll go back and play for Werrribee,” Ray said.


Overall impression I got was that he obviously doesn't want to be in Vic and that he seems to think he'll waltz into the side after a token couple of weeks at Weribee. I think the guy will need to toughen up a bit, both physically and mentally before being considered. What do Doggies supporters think? Are you expecting him to play seniors this early? Having said the above I recall Coughlan looking distressed when he was drafted to Richmond, but that's turned around, so Ray's lack of joy might not be concerning.

 

[Captain Sensible]

Originally posted by One-eyed Tiger
No offence to you guy's, but if I were a Doggies supporter then there is a fair bit in that article that I would find a tad worrying.


“I would’ve much preferred to stay (in Western Australia)”

“Melbourne’s so much different to Perth. When we get into the season it’ll be good, but I went straight into the Doggies and we’ve gone down and did this huge camp and that was really hard. It doesn’t make things (easy and) you don’t feel good about it.”

“Everyone would’ve much preferred to stay in their home state, but it’ll get better.”

“Obviously you get the impression that you can’t go down and you can’t do much worse,” Ray said about his new club.

“I guess I’ll probably play a couple of games for Werribee and see how we go and then I might get a senior game. If I don’t go too well in that, I’ll go back and play for Werrribee,” Ray said.


Overall impression I got was that he obviously doesn't want to be in Vic and that he seems to think he'll waltz into the side after a token couple of weeks at Weribee. I think the guy will need to toughen up a bit, both physically and mentally before being considered. What do Doggies supporters think? Are you expecting him to play seniors this early? Having said the above I recall Coughlan looking distressed when he was drafted to Richmond, but that's turned around, so Ray's lack of joy might not be concerning.

I got that impression too 1ET. A couple of weeks in the company of guys like Rohan Smith and Brad Johnson might change his mind about Victoria generally and the bulldogs in particular.

I also hope that the work he will do between now and the satart of the season will show him how important preperation is in relation to AFL footy.


BTW no offence taken.

 

[K9-54]

The "home state" stuff is him just being honest. Most adjust, some don't. Time will tell. Nothing particularly concerning there.

I agree that he seemed to have expectations regarding senior football that may be unrealistic. I'd be surprised if he played much at all next year. I hope his confidence is justified (I've never seen him), but he does appear to be getting a bit ahead of himself.

 

[OldSchool]

Originally posted by K9-54
The "home state" stuff is him just being honest. Most adjust, some don't. Time will tell. Nothing particularly concerning there.

I agree that he seemed to have expectations regarding senior football that may be unrealistic. I'd be surprised if he played much at all next year. I hope his confidence is justified (I've never seen him), but he does appear to be getting a bit ahead of himself.

Most of the youngsters don't want to move interstate but enjoy the freedom when they do. Chris Judd is a good example of a player who is very close to his family and friends yet chose to stay interstate. Luke Power is another.
I would much rather see the likes of Cooney and Ray be cautious about the move rather than being over confidient.
Ray appears just to be nervous about whats ahead and the expectations on him. If the club manages him and the others well, he will end up being a long term player for the Doggies.

 

[stefoid]

Cooney also said he hopes to slot straight into the midfield next year

I agree, Ray seems to be a guy who speaks his mind rather than mouthing 'good to be drafted, happy to play anywhere' nonsense. No 17yo kid wants to move interstate away from his familly and mates - really scary.

 

[tige19]

Originally posted by stefoid
Cooney also said he hopes to slot straight into the midfield next year

I agree, Ray seems to be a guy who speaks his mind rather than mouthing 'good to be drafted, happy to play anywhere' nonsense. No 17yo kid wants to move interstate away from his familly and mates - really scary.

The impression i got from Ray was that he is a bit ahead of him self, very confident and belives things are gonna happen for him because of his junior days.
Im sure given some guidance and some knowledge on whats required even at VFL level first things will end up fine.
In saying that there is a huge amount of work for this kid to do to even excel at VFL level, we all know the difference in standard between WAFL and VFL.

cheers

 

[stefoid]

Cooney also said he hopes to slot straight into the midfield next year

I agree, Ray seems to be a guy who speaks his mind rather than mouthing 'good to be drafted, happy to play anywhere' nonsense. No 17yo kid wants to move interstate away from his familly and mates - really scary.

 

[BatteredBulldog]

IMO these are worrying signs. Lets hope that its just a bit of early nerves.

It seems even his manager was trying to convince him he was going to become a Bulldog , but he just refused to accept it. This is a long way from saying , "I prefer to stay in WA".

Also I believe he is far from the finished article. He still needs to put on some size and his skills are far from AFL standard. Scott Clayton has based his punt on a rapid development over the past 3 years. Its a big jump to AFL , but SC's view is, if he improves at the same rate "watchout" we have a gun. If not, then we may just regret not picking up a local boy with existing outstanding skills and mental application to succeed at this level i.e Brock Mclean.
Potential is a dangerous word and plenty of clubs have been bitten by attempting to uncover the next Simon Black

Lets hope in 12 months time we are applauding SC not commiserating!

 

[SCRAY72]

Freo picked up 4 guys from Country Victoria. Ask them what it is like moving to Western Australia. Of course Ray would have preferred to stay home. Nothing wrong with a bit of honesty instead of cliched responses to the same questions.
I also like the fact that he expects to play seniors next year.
Nothing wrong with raising the bar.

 

[footyman]

Originally posted by One-eyed Tiger

“I guess I’ll probably play a couple of games for Werribee and see how we go and then I might get a senior game. If I don’t go too well in that, I’ll go back and play for Werrribee,” Ray said.

Might be worth someone reminding him that success will come through hard work. Very few players get their first game handed to them on a platter - Cooney might be one who does.

He's built like a twig, is not that accountable and is still a "hoverer" (outside player) so I'd worry about things like that being fixed before talking about AFL games. Dreams are a wonderful thing, hard work is how you achieve them.

 

[kyza47]

i just hope not picking up a player like Brooke Mclean(SP?) or Dunn doesnt come back to bite us...

 

[HK_Bulldog]

Rather than worry about his comments. Lets all make that extra effort to make him feel welcome in a foreign (to him) environment.

Welcome Aboard Farren!!
Lets kick some butt and blitz the comp next year!

 

[79Vintage]

Ray's a kid who speaks his mind. If I was a Bulldog's supporter I wouldn't bother about tin pot evaluation evaluations on Ray's deficiencies, Clayton picked him because of his character and footballing ability. Farren Ray is an intelligent breathe of fresh air.

 

[desipura]

Do need read to much into it as he has just moved from one side of the country to the other and is only 17yo!
Farren is being totally honest unlike previous players (no need to mention names).
And so he has a bit of confidence in his ability to get a game fairly early in the season............thats great!
Its why players like Farren stand out from the rest, they believe in themselves.
I would hope Gilbee would realise his long kicking and ability to carry the ball is important to our team.
Also hope to see Guido would believe in himself so much that he becomes one of the better midfielders in the AFL.
Just as negativity is contagious, so is confidence!

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Have to agree with one eye tiger. If Harry Miller, our interstate draftee said that I would be very disappointed.

I know many of you might consider the stock standard response cliches but the truth is many of these kids are just wrapped to get an opportunity at AFL level and would do anything, including moving interstate.

Ironic given he made the comments at a seminar where one of the lectures would be on handling the media. I suspect in hindsight he would have said a few things differently.

But as pointed out, the likes of Coughlan and Hay were desparately homesick a few years ago, they are fine now. Just a matter of ensuring a good support network is set up.

 

[The Doctor]

It's called growing up folks.

It's probably all a bit spooky at the moment. He's just moved across to a new big city. He's just been lectured by serious looking men on all the do's and don'ts of footy. He's just been told he's public property etc etc.... He must be wondering 'Geez what have I got myself into?"

Once he's playing footy he'll be right.

 

[SonOfScray]

Yopu can't read too much into these sort of things, he was being honest about moving but I am sure that he would be happy to be playing AFL anywhere.

It'd be good if he could earn his spot in the team to get a taste for senior footy in 2004.

 

[dasler]

Interesting article, you can read it many ways. I wonder if Rhode will "gag" him after that one......

Almost as good as the Spaanderman "I want my mum to come with me so she can drive me to games because I play well when she does that."

 

[Bloody-Redhead]

Well its nice to see that all the recruits are taking the AFL PR sessions in public speaking. Putting it to good use.
I bet that they are so bored that they colluded in a bet to make the most outragious comment after going through the program.
Winner gets the first $50 of each players wage!