Jacob Surjan

[Power King]

Wasn't a fan of his until last year, his break out season.

From 2008 and beyond, he was largely a fringe player, with many (myself included) rating him as a spud. Really didn't like his disposal. Now, I'm very happy to see egg on my face as he's proven me completely wrong.

Then all of a sudden last year, he made an EPIC improvement as a player and won me over. As a man on man small defender, he's as strong as they come in my opinion. He's what we've been severely lacking during our atrocious form in 08/09 - that tough at the ball mentality with great defensive accountability. His turn around was massive - went from fringe player to a rock in our defence and vice captain within a season. I thought that it may just have been a one season flicker, however he's continued last year's form all throughout this year, so he's the real deal.

Very happy for him, as he seems to be quite the club man and team player. He's what we need at the club - very good leader.

I've gone from criticising him harshly to I suppose taking him for granted now, as every week I feel quite confident in him beating his man and expecting him to be one of those players that always does his job plus a whole lot more. He's following on from Kane as being one of the hardest working players at the club.

and yeah, it's nice to see this thread started by a non-port fan.

 

[dasler]

Deserves a bump on his 100th game against North Melbourne today. Was excellent again and took a previously red hot Lindsay Thomas to the cleaners.

Surjan is one of the few players who stands up for Port Adelaide under immense pressure week in week out. If he played for a high profile side with more view ability his performances would be applauded on a weekly basis.

I wish I could say that I was surprised but I'm not. He showed everyone in particular the recruiters who overlooked him these qualities in the NAB Championships, WAFL Colts and WAFL League. He's carrying on the great South Fremantle tradition of tough and uncompromising football.

A highly underrated and fantastic defender for the Port Adelaide Football Club. They stole a gem taking him in the PSD 2004.

 

[Dirtywhirl]

One of the few genuine back pockets in the league and a gun one at that. It is a position that is gradually being phased out as athletic mid sized backmen who con rotate between opponents and rebound are becoming increasingly important. Jacob acquits himself as well as any of them though, sorely underrated.

 

[whatwhatsaywhat]

easily my fave player on port's list. travis boak is a workhorse, robbie gray and hamish hartlett show class (well, for the 1 in 4 games they play), but surjan is the rough diamond. an absolute top-class defender these days.

(even if in the pre-season he looked scarily like craig turley.)

 

[Sekaj]

I find him a bit of a try-hard to be honest.

 

[wapower]

I find him a bit of a try-hard to be honest.

We're well aware factions of the Adelaide Crows supporter base don't like players who make their own look like muppets on a regular basis.

Surjan is a gun and we're very lucky to have him. Typifies the Port Adelaide players of old and does all you could ask of a defender.

 

[Sekaj]

We're well aware factions of the Adelaide Crows supporter base don't like players who make their own look like muppets on a regular basis.

I can't ever recall that happening much at all let alone "on a regular basis".

Surjan is a gun and we're very lucky to have him. Typifies the Port Adelaide players of old and does all you could ask of a defender.

Not really. Just runs around trying hard to look like he's trying hard. Just an average player with no standout qualities. It's always amusing when he tries to play the tough guy by sledging only to have his opponent laugh at his high-pitched shrill voice.

 

[wapower]

I can't ever recall that happening much at all let alone "on a regular basis".

Not really. Just runs around trying hard to look like he's trying hard. Just an average player with no standout qualities. It's always amusing when he tries to play the tough guy by sledging only to have his opponent laugh at his high-pitched shrill voice.

Fair enough. You have proven to have slim to no reasonable knowledge of football at all other than continuing Bay 13 troll attempts on main boards. It's always funny watching him play well, especially against the Crows.

It would be unlike you to attempt to hijack another reasonable Port Adelaide thread with your brand of proven stupidity.

 

[Sekaj]

Fair enough. You have proven to have slim to no reasonable knowledge of football at all other than continuing Bay 13 troll attempts on main boards. It's always funny watching him play well, especially against the Crows.

It would be unlike you to attempt to hijack another reasonable Port Adelaide thread with your brand of proven stupidity.

I'm just putting across my opinion of Jacob Surjan. I just don't rate the guy. Are negative opinions not allowed on the main board? Is it a board only reserved for those willing to lavish praise on players however undeserving it may be?

I find it funny though that you would consider Surjan a "gun". All I can say is that you must have extremely low standards for what consitutes a "gun" in this league. Ok, the guy tries hard (or at least tries hard to look like he's trying hard) but trying hard is hardly grounds for considering a player a "gun".

Or perhaps it's the fact that the Power have been completely bereft of players actually putting in the effort over the last few years that when one of their players actually looks like he's trying hard, he's automatically labelled a "gun"?

 

[wapower]

I'm just putting across my opinion of Jacob Surjan. I just don't rate the guy. Are negative opinions not allowed on the main board? Is it a board only reserved for those willing to lavish praise on players however undeserving it may be?

I find it funny though that you would consider Surjan a "gun". All I can say is that you must have extremely low standards for what consitutes a "gun" in this league. Ok, the guy tries hard (or at least tries hard to look like he's trying hard) but trying hard is hardly grounds for considering a player a "gun".

Perhaps you should read the responses in the thread celebrating his career and rising football follower appreciation. It appears more people disagree with you placing you in the minority.

It's not gone unnoticed that you trash him where possible. That much is obvious.

 

[Sekaj]

Perhaps you should read the responses in the thread celebrating his career and rising football follower appreciation. It appears more people disagree with you placing you in the minority.

It's not gone unnoticed that you trash him where possible. That much is obvious.

People are allowed to celebrate players who try hard if they want to. At the end of the day he really is just an average player who makes up for his deficiencies by trying hard (or trying hard to look like he's trying hard). Hardly a "gun" ... unless you play for the Power where trying hard is the exception rather than the rule.

 

[wapower]

People are allowed to celebrate players who try hard if they want to. At the end of the day he really is just an average player who makes up for his deficiencies by trying hard (or trying hard to look like he's trying hard). Hardly a "gun" ... unless you play for the Power where trying hard is the exception rather than the rule.

Take your hijack mentality back to Bay 13 where it belongs and stop derailing this thread celebrating a fine career of a player who has rightfully earned the status of gun defender.

 

[Sekaj]

Take your hijack mentality back to Bay 13 where it belongs and stop derailing this thread celebrating a fine career of a player who has rightfully earned the status of gun defender.

So putting forth an alternate opinion is considered hijacking?

What exactly has Surjan accomplished for his career to be considered so "fine"?

And let me guess, you once considered Michael Pettigrew a "gun" as well?

 

[Macca19]

He'd make the Crows side every week, no question. He isnt a superstar, but theres no doubt hes a very effective small defender who can create and also shut down his opponent to have as little effect on the game as possible.

 

[Sekaj]

He'd make the Crows side every week, no question.

Debatable.

He isnt a superstar

So you agree he's not a "gun"?

but theres no doubt hes a very effective small defender who can create and also shut down his opponent to have as little effect on the game as possible.

Calling him a creative defender is stretching it a bit but probably not as bad as calling him a "gun" which is just flat out wrong.

 

[wapower]

So putting forth an alternate opinion is considered hijacking? Let me guess, you once considered Michael Pettigrew a "gun" as well?

Pettigrew isn't a gun but a very solid footballer who was playing through knee tendonitis issues. We didn't have the depth in our squad for him to not be playing. I hope he can regain his fitness and become a contributing member of the Port Adelaide football club as I believe he has something to offer.

Your alternative opinion has been flogged to death and an obvious association in dislike built over time and posting history. You would have solid grounds for comment if it was only Port Adelaide people referring to him as a gun. Unfortunately for you neutral supporters all appear to agree that he is in fact a very very good footballer.

It appears that the wider football community has woken up to his talent and standing which directly contradicts the one person in the thread with a proven dislike for Jacob Surjan. You're hijacking this thread for your own purpose and dislike of Jacob Surjan.

Every club would be better for having people that sacrifice themselves for the team and lead from the front. You don't appear to rate those players and that's fine. Dale Morris is a gun and he's hardly a creative or damaging defender but always does his job and is integral to the Bulldogs defensive system. And for the record Sekaj, there's only about 12 genuine superstars in the game.

Move on.

 

[Macca19]

What exactly has Surjan accomplished for his career to be considered so "fine"?

He hasnt had a great career, but he had a very very good year last year, and is having a very very good year this year. Dont see what the issue is with a player who performs his role every week.

 

[Macca19]

Debatable.

Not really. What shutdown defenders do the Crows have? Johncock? Hes got no premierships, no all australians, no BnFs. Is he a gun? Or is he shit as well? Symes? Next. Armstrong? *giggles*.

So you agree he's not a "gun"?

Depends. Most people on the Crows board think Myke Cook is a gun? Most think Sloane is a gun. Most think Walker is a gun. Gun is different to superstar.

Calling him a creative defender is stretching it a bit but probably not as bad as calling him a "gun" which is just flat out wrong.

Well, for the role he plays, he'd be in the top 4-5 small defenders in the league.

 

[wapower]

Can you tell me what Surjan has accomplished in his "fine career"? Premierships? All-Australian? Best and fairests?

1. Premierships are the measure of team success. None.
2. No All Australians to date.
3. Equal fourth in the best and fairest 2009.
4. NAB Rising Star nomination in 2006.

As Macca19 has said he's taken his career to another level after pretty good 2006,2007 and a down 2008 seasons. 2009 and 2010 have been very good seasons and people have begun to recognize his standard of play and influence on beating dangerous small forwards. They have become critically important in today's forward make up and if their influence can be controlled, then that's certainly helpful. It would be a shame for a player to do his job week in week out wouldn't it.

You are hijacking this thread to prove some strange point that everyone else is wrong and you're right. You aren't a credible poster and have an obvious bias against everything Port Adelaide. You yourself have made that publicly known.

I guess that means Patrick Dangerfield is just an average plodder considering he has no personal accolades of note.. even though I consider him on the verge of becoming a gun. Of course that will be perfectly acceptable because he plays for the Adelaide Crows.

Feel free to call the posters who aren't of Port Adelaide ilk calling him a gun delusional too.

 

[Macca19]

Can you tell me what Surjan has accomplished in his "fine career"? Premierships? All-Australian? Best and fairests?

Take away the two flags and list Tyson Edwards achievements. Cupboard is pretty bare isnt it. No AA, No BnF. What about Johncock, who Crows fans call 'nearly AA' on a yearly basis but hes never done anything. Porplyzia doesnt have any achievements....is he not a gun? Or is he just a one season wonder? You can be a gun without official achievements.

 

[Sekaj]

Jacob Surjan = slightly richer man's Clinton Jones

 

[wapower]

Jacob Surjan = slightly richer man's Clinton Jones

I'll take that. Clinton Jones is an excellent tagger, arguably top 3 in the AFL. More often than not Clinton Jones performs his job in the St.Kilda midfield and allows the creative types the freedom to do what they do. If Surj is a richer version of Clinton Jones then that makes Surj a gun defender.

Glad to have that established.

 

[RangaInTeal]

Can you tell me what Surjan has accomplished in his "fine career"? Premierships? All-Australian? Best and fairests?

Rising star Nomination, Runner up premiership player, Coaches Award/Most Improved player one year, Clubs Vice Captain.

Do tell me Sekaj, what has your illustirous Back pocketer "Achieved" in his career? Well more than the Dozen or so Drink Driving Charges? Didn't he also pay someone hush money for an assult claim or something?

 

[AG]

What about Johncock, who Crows fans call 'nearly AA' on a yearly basis but hes never done anything.

lol.

Not every players needs accolades to be rated. Surjan is a good reliabe, solid defender who plays his role. Probably won't ever get a B & F or AA but he can still be remembered as a decent footballer.

 

[wapower]

Rising star Nomination, Runner up premiership player, Coaches Award/Most Improved player one year, Clubs Vice Captain.

Do tell me Sekaj, what has your illustirous Back pocketer "Achieved" in his career? Well more than the Dozen or so Drink Driving Charges? Didn't he also pay someone hush money for an assult claim or something?

It's not about comparing players RangaInTeal. I happen to think Graham Johncock at his best is a gun footballer. Like all players his form can be punctuated at times too. Roger Hayden has gone largely unnoticed for the greater duration of his AFL career and I happen to think he's been an outstanding footballer. This is about recognizing talent for what it is, not berating players because of personal stupidity and club bias.

Not everyone can win personal awards every year. That doesn't devalue their contributions to their respective sides. Tyson Edwards was my favourite Crows player and he has no personal accolades of note. Enough said there.