Greg Stafford for beginners

[Bloodstained Angel]

Ok you got him (and we got you know who) so if you don't know much about him hers a quick Pro and Con :

Pros

- Athletic
- Good hand skills close to ground
- Is actually usefull when dropped into a Forward pocket, can mark, can goal.
- reasonable spring, good arm extension.
- Disposal can be very good indeed when given unobstructed run out of the square.
- Sirprisingly good tackle
- Like most other big men, is awesome when at the top of his game.
- Nice guy, if a little idiosyncratic

Cons

- Just on idyosyncratic : he seems at times to be completely disinterested in football alltogether. Has some interesting hobbies, and, typically for a Sydneysider is/was preoccupied with rebuilding his house.
- Easily bustled off the ball, especuially if its loose.
- Lacks physical and mental aggression, easily dominated by somebody like Luke Darcy for example.
- Cannot match it with taller and stronger ruckmen in a head-on clash.
- Can turnover the ball in tight situations.
- Seems a bit lost down the back sometimes.
- Fitness a worry at times.
- Can throw in the towl mentally big ime. When his head drops, ooohhhhhh dear
- Knows absolutely nothing about Melbourne at all (except for the inside view of sundry hotel rooms, locker rooms, mini vans, gyms, etc)

He'll do OK for you guys, if he can stay fit.

The unrelenting cauldron that is Melbourbne football life and culture (esp. the Tiges) will snap him out of his soft headed / soft co(k ways quick smart.

we were, in the end, pretty glad to get rid of him

cheers

 

[CJH]

Well BSA, as you alluded to, we were probably more keen on getting rid of the other bloke than we were to get Stafford!

With the amazing development and excellent form of Ray Hall - another NSW native - I don't think our dependance on Stafford will be that high. If he is able to play good football for us, well and good, otherwise I don't think we will be hurt greatly.

Apparently he has one year left on his contract - time will tell if he is to head back up north to permanently continue renovating his house.

And he better believe that if he doesn't pull his weight, the Tiger collective will give it to him by the truckload. Perhaps he should be made aware that in Nick Daffy's last 2 years, he didn't participate in the pre-match on ground warmups because he couldn't tolerate the constant abuse coming from over the fence.

Let's hope that Stafford doesn't get to find out the hard way they we do tend to eat our own!

 

[Rodgerramjet]

Stafford

Stafford is a lot better than that, the main reason he left the swans was he didn't really get a long with the coach.

Make no mistake ferals, stafford is vital to us this year, even if you can't see it at the moment it will be come clearer as the season unfolds. When he's fit and mobile he is a good player.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

well CJH

Staff was so down on his form last year that even the Sydney crowds started to openly and loudly boo him whenever he came off the bench.

Believe me, a player has to right off his game (RIGHT off), before a generally light hearted crowd like the SCG will boo him.

So, um yeah - a couple of rollickings from the Tiger Army should clear up any doubts in his mind about this Aussie Rules caper for once and for all.

And yeah Ray Hall - just goes to show that good players from NSW are around, you just have to look. I think he seems set for a huge season atm

cheers

 

[Mooster7]

Appropriately titled, BsA as I am a beginner.

Everything I've read (and been told by people I trust) is that Richmond isn't so much looking for Stafford to perform like a premier god. Rather, we want him to play up to form, stay uninjurred and thus allow us to release Ottens forward. Let Ottens play god.

At the very least, what I am reading from BsA's post is that Stafford can perform up to this level - even if he doesn't match up to his full potential?

 

[TigerGar]

GREG STAFFORD

He was very good for us tonight against the pies.
All we wanted was for him to stay uninjured and have Otto up forward, BUT what a bonus played a terrific game makes him another Great pickup.

GO TIGES

 

[CJH]

That would be the most work that #10 jumper has done in years!