Opinion Gaff: why does he escape criticism?

[Blue and Gold Blood]

This bloke provided us with a lot of hope in his first 2 seasons, and he was tracking well for a #4 draft pick. But its fair to say that his first month in 2013 has been abysmal.

He doesnt appear to have put on much muscle over the pre-season, which means he is reluctant to get the hardball, and he cant stick tackles. It also appears that he can barely kick 45m. When he does kick the ball, he often chooses the wrong option. And dont get me started on his right foot. There is no right foot.

Put bluntly, he looks like being a softer, slightly quicker version of Priddis. But at least priddis gets his hands dirty and fetches his own ball. Now that opposition coaches are paying more attention to Gaff, he looks like a complete passenger. I wonder how he is going to improve and add value to the side now that he isnt flying under the radar.

How is this bloke escaping criticism from Eagles fans? I personally think he could do with a run in the WAFL.

 

[West Coast 06]

How is he escaping criticism? You have dedicated a whole thread to it, and many others have brought his name forward for criticism in other threads.

Some of us are prepared to let a third year player who is being tagged for the first time find his feet for a while. Especially seems there are so many other more senior players that deserve a serve before Gaff does.

 

[Chris_6678]

If he had kicked 3 goals along with his 27 possessions on the weekend would there be a discussions about this...?

He is getting better as the season goes on and its a bit unfair to heap this onto a 3rd year player.

 

[Shupe]

Never did I think I would see the day where Gaff and Priddis are compared as players.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

If he had kicked 3 goals along with his 27 possessions on the weekend would there be a discussions about this...?

He is getting better as the season goes on and its a bit unfair to heap this onto a 3rd year player.

Getting better? Are you serious. He was a liability against Port.

One question: Why does Gaff escape criticism when Masten was copping left right and centre up until 2012?

 

[ChampRevesby]

Even Woosh said in one of the press conferences that Gaff has been struggling. Its not going unnoticed by the coaching staff.
He was terrible against Port but he is young and will definitely turn it around. He just needs a massive preseason to bulk up so he can be confident to lay tackles and get the hard ball.

 

[Chris_6678]

Getting better? Are you serious. He was a liability against Port.

One question: Why does Gaff escape criticism when Masten was copping left right and centre up until 2012?

He has had it easy in the last 2 years and now he is getting a hell of a lot attention from the opposition taggers. This will be one hell of a learning experience and its better to be learning it when he is young than when he is later in his playing days. He might struggle throughout the year but he will learn to deal with the tag and will be better off for it.
You could say the same for Shuey as he is getting more and more attention.

 

[ChampRevesby]

He has had it easy in the last 2 years and now he is getting a hell of a lot attention from the opposition taggers. This will be one hell of a learning experience and its better to be learning it when he is young than when he is later in his playing days. He might struggle throughout the year but he will learn to deal with the tag and will be better off for it.
You could say the same for Shuey as he is getting more and more attention.

Exactly, its better to learn the hard lessons early so you can put in the hard work to over come it. Both Gaff and Shuey are going to absolutely monster teams in the next 2-3 years.

 

[Xsess]

Why does our club attract fools as supporters.

 

[mick06]

I don't think he is escaping it, but your criticism is pretty harsh. Over the majority of his games he has shown he is a great decision maker and when out in the open as is his role he is an elite kick. ATM he is in some poor form but he has had far more good games than bad over his short career

 

[Mighty Eagles]

Fair point. When the game was up for grabs in the last quarter, he was no where to be seen.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Fair point. When the game was up for grabs in the last quarter, he was no where to be seen.

along with everyone else...

 

[Mighty Eagles]

along with everyone else...

No, there were several players such as Kennedy, Brown and Butler who tried there guts out, just not enough of them.

 

[The Passenger]

he hasn't escaped criticism from what i can see. and i think rightly so, has been well down. haven't seen the port game but 27 disposals indicates a much bigger effort.

he's gotta sort out the issues with his right foot, because he's been caught a few times trying to get on his left.

i'd say he'll always be the sort of player who's name will be thrown up as trade bait. the fact he is victorian so there is "go home" factor as will contribute to that.

fwiw, he's a real good player but i certainly wouldn't consider him untouchable. but you'd want to be getting a very good player in return.

 

[Blue and Gold Blood]

Why does our club attract fools as supporters.

Well you can bury your head in the sand if you wish. But a player isnt elite just because they play for WCE and were taken with a high draft pick. He needs to put in a lot of work.

 

[Spooky17]

Gaff is a great young player, and will come along in leaps and bounds once he gets used to a tag. Having Rosa back too will help ease some of the attention no end

 

[Matera92]

Gaff is a great young player, and will come along in leaps and bounds once he gets used to a tag. Having Rosa back too will help ease some of the attention no end

This. Rosa back we have guys on both wings capable of covering huge amounts of ground. Having that out on both sides for the defenders to look for will make a big difference.

 

[Natho]

Having a form slump at the present. Maybe needs to lift his work rate.

 

[Xsess]

Well you can bury your head in the sand if you wish. But a player isnt elite just because they play for WCE and were taken with a high draft pick. He needs to put in a lot of work.

It clean snaps the bounds of credulity that damn fool supporters would jump on our 20 year old gun so quickly. Its a credit to Gaff that he has been singled out for a tag so early in his career. Conversely Masten has never had to cope with a tag (nor will he). Neither has Selwood. Neither has Priddis Embley, Rosa, Cripps, Lecras (in the midfield), Dalzeil and ... Shuey rarely. Gaff is tagged because he is deadly with the footy in his hands. Interesting that he got 30 touches on the weekend but struggled for touch. That touch will come. Wait until Kerr gets a couple of extra games in him and Wellingham/Rosa/Embley replace spuds like Cripps and Dalziel. He'll be killing it again and you'll all look like idiots.

 

[Bacchus]

Well you can bury your head in the sand if you wish. But a player isnt elite just because they play for WCE and were taken with a high draft pick. He needs to put in a lot of work.

With respect, I do not agree with this comment. Gaff is a good to very good young player who is being expected to carry a major load in our under powered midfield. Other teams have recognised his importance to the team's performance and have put a lot of work into shutting him down. This is actually a compliment to his talent and effectiveness. As others have pointed out above, not having our other regular winger makes it easier to focus heavily on him. I am sure he will come back a better player in the future. Very harsh on a lightly built third year player. Size and weight appears to be a club focus.

 

[QS]

I hate losing, the only saving grace is the lulz on here.

 

[The Dodger]

He gets the appropriate amount of criticism that a mid in his 3 rd year should cop for having a form slump, a very small amount.

 

[Bender_]

We should sacrifice him to our god.

 

[The Dodger]

Cant we sacrifice one of the lower picks in our team?

 

[Bender_]

No, the tribe has spoken and the sun thirsts for his virgin blood.

It must be done.