Gamble big disappointment

[Gazza Greatness]

Going back a couple of seasons ago I ran into Ryan Gamble outside the Clubs car park. I was chatting to him about both Darren Milburn & Corey Enright when they struggled at some point early in their carreers but I always felt that they both had the ability to go on to be top players for our club which they have & that I seen similar paralells with himself struggling earier on in his career but had the ability to go on to also be a top player with our club. He thanked me for my vote of confidence & hoped I would be right but what really surprised me was that he went onto say that there were alot of great players in the team & it would be difficult to get a game. I told him if he works hard at his game he had the ability to more than match it with some of our senior players in time, he said I HOPE SO.
He had no confidence at all in his own ability to be good enough to play at senior level, I was dumb founded, from that point I had a big query on whether he had the belief that he really could be a top player & although with his one game this year he was played out of position it seems to me the few times he plays in the seniors he plays with NO CONFIDENCE, not sure what to do, concerned about what coaching staff is thinking? As it stands at present he will need to work alot harder to become a senior player & I'm not so sure he has the confidence, dedication or aptitude to do so, great waste if that was to be the case. Sure hope that our other younger players at Geelong don't have same negative thoughts, as a youngster you must always have the belief you can be as good if not better than those above you, thats what strives you.

 

[betchsta]

Going back a couple of seasons ago I ran into Ryan Gamble outside the Clubs car park. I was chatting to him about both Darren Milburn & Corey Enright when they struggled at some point early in their carreers but I always felt that they both had the ability to go on to be top players for our club which they have & that I seen similar paralells with himself struggling earier on in his career but had the ability to go on to also be a top player with our club. He thanked me for my vote of confidence & hoped I would be right but what really surprised me was that he went onto say that there were alot of great players in the team & it would be difficult to get a game. I told him if he works hard at his game he had the ability to more than match it with some of our senior players in time, he said I HOPE SO.
He had no confidence at all in his own ability to be good enough to play at senior level, I was dumb founded, from that point I had a big query on whether he had the belief that he really could be a top player & although with his one game this year he was played out of position it seems to me the few times he plays in the seniors he plays with NO CONFIDENCE, not sure what to do, concerned about what coaching staff is thinking? As it stands at present he will need to work alot harder to become a senior player & I'm not so sure he has the confidence, dedication or aptitude to do so, great waste if that was to be the case. Sure hope that our other younger players at Geelong don't have same negative thoughts, as a youngster you must always have the belief you can be as good if not better than those above you, thats what strives you.

Why did he yell at you ???

 

[SJ]

Gamble has a lot of talent and has performed well in a number of matches, both in big wins and also when the Geelong forward line has been in a time of need and he has stood up. The bloke can play tall but is agile and crafty around goals like Johnson.

In the 2009 NAB Cup Grand Final, a Collingwood bloke turned around and told me "that bloke Gamble is going to be a star, Geelong should give him every game this year (2009)". I agreed, and expected him to step up after a damn good latter part of 2008. Big games against the Bulldogs in Round 16 and Hawthorn in Round 17 in that year filled me with confidence that he could play on the big stage.

He had a few disappointing games last year, but looked really good once again against the Bulldogs in Round 9 (from memory) before taking a great mark and landing on his neck. We just held on in that match, but it was clear the Dogs had no answer to him.

It annoys me how he seems to have been written off, both by the coaching staff and by everyone here. Most of the current team have been 'on the outer' at one time or another (here I am thinking of Bartel, Kelly, Enright, Johnson etc.) and I believe it can forge a better player on the other side.

Then when he gets a game, he is a fish out of water down back, and everyone calls him to be dropped. It is clear he is lacking confidence, however another club would snap him up and it would disappoint me greatly that a club with our player development skills cannot get Gamble going.

 

[Turbocat]

Fair point. Confidence , borderline arrogance would be needed to think you can get a game at Geelong yet if you don't think you can force your way in how can you motivate yourself to lift your performance.

Now , he may well be right. He has certain talents but Im not sure if his skills are good enough in a quality side. He may well have a better chance at club like Adelaide where their players are closer to their end.

 

[longtimecat]

I agree with Turbocat, a young player MUST have amazing self belief to come into a side of champions and feel like they belong. We have found one this year, which is great, but there are a lot of kids on the list that must wonder how do you get a game and how do I get these champions to kick it to me.

 

[thegerman]

It is a bit sad at the moment, I really like watching Gamble play. That defensive pressure he put on a year or so ago was the most amazing show of heart I've seen from any of our team in a long, long time. Add in that there was three smothers too.

Throw that into a guy who plays tall and is extremely agile and you have a winner. Why he isn't in the lineup is confusing.

Injury is a killer of motivation, I bet after two or three years of it he'd be getting a bit down. If he goes nowhere this year, I'd be thinking trade.

 

[kicksome]

massive gamble fan right here, it's tough that we have so many good players that are ahead of him. If i had it my way he would be picked every week as a stay at home forward pocket
but sadly im not in charge

 

[noclashjumpers]

Gamble has a lot of talent and has performed well in a number of matches, both in big wins and also when the Geelong forward line has been in a time of need and he has stood up. The bloke can play tall but is agile and crafty around goals like Johnson.

In the 2009 NAB Cup Grand Final, a Collingwood bloke turned around and told me "that bloke Gamble is going to be a star, Geelong should give him every game this year (2009)". I agreed, and expected him to step up after a damn good latter part of 2008. Big games against the Bulldogs in Round 16 and Hawthorn in Round 17 in that year filled me with confidence that he could play on the big stage.

He had a few disappointing games last year, but looked really good once again against the Bulldogs in Round 9 (from memory) before taking a great mark and landing on his neck. We just held on in that match, but it was clear the Dogs had no answer to him.

It annoys me how he seems to have been written off, both by the coaching staff and by everyone here. Most of the current team have been 'on the outer' at one time or another (here I am thinking of Bartel, Kelly, Enright, Johnson etc.) and I believe it can forge a better player on the other side.

Then when he gets a game, he is a fish out of water down back, and everyone calls him to be dropped. It is clear he is lacking confidence, however another club would snap him up and it would disappoint me greatly that a club with our player development skills cannot get Gamble going.

I've said it before, but it makes no sense developing his B & C game, when he's not given a chance to develop his A game.

Basically his very few recent chances have almost been sabotaged by the coaching staff.

I would be disappointed, but would completely understand if he wanted to leave

 

[BarryG]

he said I HOPE SO.
He had no confidence at all in his own ability to be good enough to play at senior level, I was dumb founded

Ever heard of modesty?? Do you expect him to be selling tickets on himself and pumping up his own tyres to some random bloke he ran into in the car park.

 

[Brasil2007]

Most of the times I've seen Gamble play he doesn't look like he's trying to play the team game. He often looks like he's trying for mark/goal of the year. I was a big fan early on but have been less impressed as he's gone on.

 

[bulletproof]

I like the backline experiment. I like him but have been pretty disappointed in recent times. Worth another shot for mine.

 

[SJ]

I've said it before, but it makes no sense developing his B & C game, when he's not given a chance to develop his A game.

Basically his very few recent chances have almost been sabotaged by the coaching staff.

I would be disappointed, but would completely understand if he wanted to leave

Completely agree.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

BarryG I have great respect for individuals that are modest & have humility & Ryan is certainly a person that comes under this category. My surname is also happens to be Gamble which he found quiet amusing at time & I also chatted with him about how I had already approached the club to sponsor him but his sponsorship had already been taken by someone else. I only chose to do this because I truly believed at time he would go on to be top player for us, still do, it's not too late for him by any means, but I stand by what I said as far his lack of confidence in his future football abilities at time of conversation. No one more than I would be thrilled to see Ryan go on & be a valuable footballer for the GFC, here's hoping.

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Ever heard of modesty?? Do you expect him to be selling tickets on himself and pumping up his own tyres to some random bloke he ran into in the car park.

BarryG I have great respect for individuals that are modest & have humility & Ryan is certainly a person that comes under this category. My surname is also happens to be Gamble which he found quiet amusing at time & I also chatted with him about how I had already approached the club to sponsor him but his sponsorship had already been taken by someone else. I only chose to do this because I truly believed at time he would go on to be top player for us, still do, it's not too late for him by any means, but I stand by what I said as far his lack of confidence in his future football abilities at time of conversation. No one more than I would be thrilled to see Ryan go on & be a valuable footballer for the GFC, here's hoping.

 

[Copernicus]

Just doesn't work hard enough when gets into the seniors recently. I'd like to see him become a regular but if he tries for the speccy every game instead of really putting the hard yards in, then he'll never improve to become a regular. Competition for spots is too bloody hard in this team at the moment to be a lair like Ryan has been.

 

[krisholio14]

Has played a 'me first' game in the VFL on the several occasions i've watched him play there in the last 18 months.

 

[BarryG]

Fair enough Gazza Greatness. Hopefully he still has time and can develop into a great player for the club. How many years do they give you these days?

It would be very tough for an up and comer trying to break into the cats first grade side, I wonder if this could have some sort of negative affect on a player like Gamble when he does get the call up. He only really gets a chance when someone is injured, and it would be difficult to come into the side and take it on rather than just trying not to stuff up.

 

[bigdroppunt]

Duncan >>>>> Gamble

 

[CroftyV1]

Yeah he has S.Johnson, Byrnes, Varcoe (when fit) & probably Duncan all ahead of him as a half forward. They obviously saw someting special in him though when they had Peter Riccardi hand down the No. 15 guernsey to him before our last game of 2006.

 

[vinum coupe]

Gamble has a lot of talent and has performed well in a number of matches, both in big wins and also when the Geelong forward line has been in a time of need and he has stood up.

I'm really surprised you said that.

That's my biggest knock on him, I don't think he ever stands up.
I agree that in the Bulldogs game he finally looked like he was willing to throw everything at it, but he has never done it again.

I know he gets limited opportunities, but he doesn't even provide a par performance, they have all generally been crap. (I didn't see the Freo game)

As I said in another thread a long time ago, he's in danger of becoming another Paul Brown.

Only a lack of useable draft picks later this year will save him. Unless he quickly turns it around of course, but before he gets in this year he'd have to knock over Pods, Hawk, Duncan, Varcoe, Rooke, Stokes

 

[Kent_Kingsley]

i think he can still make it...we persisted with shannon byrnes didn't we?

he came good last year.

 

[cats2rise]

I am a huge fan.

Thompson seems to give players extended runs even when the majority of the public dont see why early in their careers (Byrnes, Varcoe, to an extent Hawkins) and not sure why he has not done it with Gamble, as he is (in my opinion) better than Byrnes.

Hope he makes it and plays 10+ games in a row this season, shows some form and goes on with it next year.

He's one of my favourite players at the cattery.

 

[SJ]

I'm really surprised you said that.

That's my biggest knock on him, I don't think he ever stands up.
I agree that in the Bulldogs game he finally looked like he was willing to throw everything at it, but he has never done it again.

I know he gets limited opportunities, but he doesn't even provide a par performance, they have all generally been crap. (I didn't see the Freo game)

As I said in another thread a long time ago, he's in danger of becoming another Paul Brown.

Only a lack of useable draft picks later this year will save him. Unless he quickly turns it around of course, but before he gets in this year he'd have to knock over Pods, Hawk, Duncan, Varcoe, Rooke, Stokes

As I wrote in the post, the Round 16 and 17 games from 2009 came to mind. Tight and tough in an eventual win against the Bulldogs, where from memory he kicked four and looked very dangerous. The week after on the big stage of the MCG in a very tight game against Hawthorn, he did some great things too.

 

[ninjacat]

Fact is, there are more players drafted (throw in rookies as well) than can fit into the seniors at any one time, there will always be a few found wanting and that is what makes for a stronger senior team. Those with self confidence and ability will generally gravitate upwards to the 1s, and those with ability, but lack the will to apply it, or honest sloggers that aren't remarkable footballers, will be found out.

I thought at the beginning of 2008 that Gamble would play all 22 H and A games.

Now we have Mitch Duncan who hopefully will spend 10+ years up in the HF line - just lucky for us Steve Wells picked this guy out. He is gonna push Gamble aside and that's just how the system works. Adam Varcoe looks like he could be a good player but he might get squeezed out too. 40 odd into 22 does not fit.

Good idea to try and reinvent Gamble, we have too many good small forwards (okay, willing to be corrected on this one...) and midfielders to get Gamble in the team, so the backman experiment just might have to work for him.

There are plenty of stories where a guy has gone to another club and felt more confident there because they gave him more game time and they had a gap in their jigsaw puzzle. Gamble will probably have to leave to become a more complete player than he would at the Cats.

 

[Topper]

Duncan >>>>> Gamble

Duncan >>>>>> Gamble >>>>>> SJ atm