He will prove you wrong

[Merv]

I was going to just ignore this, but i can't any longer, as every thread i look at, slight exhageration, there is a reference to Kepler Bradley and his inability to make it at league level,although some are more mellow and just say he won't make it at CHB.

Last year through the season, when he was getting thrashed, before trade period being told he was on the table for a trade, to the present time.It never ends....Well to those of you.....

BE PREPARED TO EAT YOUR WORDS.

Kepler Bradley will develop into one of Essendons best players and imo,will become one of the top CHB's in the game.
Now, this will not happen this year, but it will happen.
He has been judged extremely harshly but will prove what ALL at Essendon and some of the supporters already know.

He should make some further improvements again this year,depending on where he plays, but 2008 is when he will really start to shine.

Show some faith now, and be one of those later that can stand up and shout at the top of your lungs........I TOLD YOU SO


Flame away

 

[Darealrath]

I've never written him off but don't think he'll make it as a CHB. Just let him follow the footy and he'll rack up the possessions and marks.

 

[wazzabp]

Hes been given a lot of unessassary crap on these forums, hes 21 and played about 30 or 40 games. Of couse he would struggle, like most young players, at CHB in a side that wins 3 games.

 

[Crave]

I've never written him off but don't think he'll make it as a CHB. Just let him follow the footy and he'll rack up the possessions and marks.

Totally agree!! Ive just flamed.

 

[sausageroll]

He looked a bit slow last year but from all accounts he's trimmed down on some of the muscle he put on last year and moves much better.

I think he'll do much better than last year if he plays as a KP defender but I'd prefer him to have more freedom to run (wing maybe?). The only problem seems to be his decision making. If he gets into the habit of either kicking long and direct or handballing to a runner he'll be a gun IMO.

Other clubs will say I'm just delusional but I think he's one of the most promising young players in the game.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

From what i've read on BB he's been playing Wing in the practice matches and has done really well racking up a heap of the ball. A tall midfielder is worth there weight in gold. An Adam Goodes type player is the type of player he could become if he plays in the midfeild imo (please not im not saying he'll be as good as Adam Goodes).

 

[Crave]

He looked a bit slow last year but from all accounts he's trimmed down on some of the muscle he put on last year and moves much better.

I think he'll do much better than last year if he plays as a KP defender but I'd prefer him to have more freedom to run (wing maybe?). The only problem seems to be his decision making. If he gets into the habit of either kicking long and direct or handballing to a runner he'll be a gun IMO.

Other clubs will say I'm just delusional but I think he's one of the most promising young players in the game.

For sure, he is very promising, but he's got to show why he was worth a top 10 draft pick now. Maybe it was wrong to carry all that bulk, no doubt it wouldve been demoralising to be beaten regularly by more seasoned opponents. His best game was Round 1 05 against the Dees where he almost single handedly repelled most attacks into our backline. He appeared free roaming and confident. Thats the Kep I want to see this season.

 

[sausageroll]

From what i've read on BB he's been playing Wing in the practice matches and has done really well racking up a heap of the ball. A tall midfielder is worth there weight in gold. An Adam Goodes type player is the type of player he could become if he plays in the midfeild imo (please not im not saying he'll be as good as Adam Goodes).

I also heard that Ryder has been playing a lot in Defence. Is he doing well there?
Maybe Sheeds is planning give Ryder the role Bradley had last year and give Bradley a run. Hope Ryder's up to it.

This will keep Ryder in the team, gaining experience, rather than playing for Bendigo. I think Ryder will struggle to get a game in the ruck if Laycock is fit.

I'm looking forward to all 3 of these players taking the next step this year.

 

[mcphee_is_a_gun]

From what i gather Ryder has benn trialed in just about every position but has mainly a forward target in drills.

 

[Shane Hird]

Interesting to read the training reports on BB the other day and read about KB still having problems in getting rid of the ball quickly.

It said he stands there,holds up play and waves the ball around trying to decide what to do with it. Just like in actual H&A games.

Will he get rid of his bad habits? fruckin hope so..

 

[Pantsless]

I thought this thread was about Bolts!

 

[thebigboy]

I thought this thread was about Bolts!

Nah its safe to say he wont prove essendon supporters wrong.

Personally, Kepler Could become a good CHB, however i personally believe that he could also be dangerous if he were to play on the wing or run off players.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

I suspect Ryder playing down back has more to do with learning defnesive skills than anythign else. Sheedy likes to play forwards down back to teach them how to be defensively orientated when they are nto able to attack. Ryder perhaps needs to work on his defensive side when the ball hits the gourns, and 1 on 1? Or not??

As for Keps - he worries me - he ain't a CHB - he is not quick enough, never will be. What he is, is a guy who has never had a position and needs one for conifdence. Even if he became a good CHB, it won't be soon. Playing him on a HB flank or on the wing is the way I would go. Since Wellman retired, we lost our marking power doww back - McPhee filled the void briefly, but I think McPhee and Keps would make kicks far more dangerous - Keps floating off a wing with a smaller opponent - Smokey just not fumbling would be good.

 

[dave_27]

Not a CHB.

 

[dave_27]

And if Sheedy wants to continue this experiement with Kepler at CHB then he can give him some time at Bendigo to learn.

Cant understand how this bloke hasnt been given a stint at bendigo to learn his way to play CHB because he is WAY out of his depth trying to learn this position at senior level.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

And if Sheedy wants to continue this experiement with Kepler at CHB then he can give him some time at Bendigo to learn.

Cant understand how this bloke hasnt been given a stint at bendigo to learn his way to play CHB because he is WAY out of his depth trying to learn this position at senior level.

The curse of the high draft pick. They always get better runs in the senior as coaches need to justify their selections so high (ala Bolton).

 

[footy_paul]

i agree with the tall midfielder role, he has good clean skills, and is athletic. He would be a nightmare to match up on, that said he has to work on his decision making and quick ball release skills or he will rack up clangers.
good prospect though

 

[Squeaky]

And if Sheedy wants to continue this experiement with Kepler at CHB then he can give him some time at Bendigo to learn.

Cant understand how this bloke hasnt been given a stint at bendigo to learn his way to play CHB because he is WAY out of his depth trying to learn this position at senior level.

Agreed.
It is hard to make a case for him at CHB when you cast your mind back to games vs Port, Brisbane, Sydney etc where he gets carved up.
Has to show more in 07.

 

[Longy413]

I suspect Ryder playing down back has more to do with learning defnesive skills than anythign else. Sheedy likes to play forwards down back to teach them how to be defensively orientated when they are nto able to attack. Ryder perhaps needs to work on his defensive side when the ball hits the gourns, and 1 on 1? Or not??

I reckon you're spot on.

He's played as much forward and in the ruck as he has down back during the pre-season. It's not just defensive skills to be learnt, it's also having a bloke lead him to the ball and to the contest that educates him about when and where to lead.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

I was going to just ignore this, but i can't any longer, as every thread i look at, slight exhageration, there is a reference to Kepler Bradley and his inability to make it at league level,although some are more mellow and just say he won't make it at CHB.

Last year through the season, when he was getting thrashed, before trade period being told he was on the table for a trade, to the present time.It never ends....Well to those of you.....

BE PREPARED TO EAT YOUR WORDS.

Kepler Bradley will develop into one of Essendons best players and imo,will become one of the top CHB's in the game.
Now, this will not happen this year, but it will happen.
He has been judged extremely harshly but will prove what ALL at Essendon and some of the supporters already know.

He should make some further improvements again this year,depending on where he plays, but 2008 is when he will really start to shine.

Show some faith now, and be one of those later that can stand up and shout at the top of your lungs........I TOLD YOU SO


Flame away

I agree %100.

 

[Crave]

I reckon you're spot on.

He's played as much forward and in the ruck as he has down back during the pre-season. It's not just defensive skills to be learnt, it's also having a bloke lead him to the ball and to the contest that educates him about when and where to lead.

To further illustrate this is Wellman is the Doggie's forward coach. Teaches forwards how to beat their defensive counterparts.

 

[foj1]

Kep's job/role should be a great deal easier if Mal and Fletch both play most games this year. For example against Richmond he would get Cleve Hughes instead of Matty Richardson. probably a better chance for him to excel.

 

[Crave]

Evidently, he'll do more damage around the ground. Pretty hard to match up against a 190cm + mobile player than a stationary one.

 

[Charliebrow 16]

While i agree that Kepler will eventually make it at CHB, i cant see it happening for a year or two.
It's been posted on the Essendon website that KB has been shuffled around continually, and his best position imo will be on a wing.
He's got good pace & agility for his height and you'll find that a lot of opposition wingers will have a very hard time matching up on him.

I am a fan of KB and hope he proves all the doubters wrong in 2007.
Let's hope he has a good year!

 

[monty1104]

For sure, he is very promising, but he's got to show why he was worth a top 10 draft pick now. Maybe it was wrong to carry all that bulk, no doubt it wouldve been demoralising to be beaten regularly by more seasoned opponents. His best game was Round 1 05 against the Dees where he almost single handedly repelled most attacks into our backline. He appeared free roaming and confident. Thats the Kep I want to see this season.

That is the key. He will always have a skinny frame just like Fletch, so he might be better suited to be a loose man in defence. At least thats where he should play this year just to get some confidence up.