Opinion Jade Gresham

[bird_man]

I think a lot of people have really underrated Jade Gresham's season this year. He's kicked more goals than any of our small forwards including Billings. He's also the leading goal kicker in the AFL for any first or second year player.

He's ridiculously smart in the forward 50. It'll be interesting to see where he plays the majority of his footy, as elite small forwards like him are bloody hard to find.

I think he'll spend more time in the midfield eventually, but it would be great if we could build a strong enough midfield so that Gresh can spend the majority of time in our forward 50 in my opinion. He's ahead of Eddy Betts at the same stage and I think he has the potential to be as good as him and Milne to be honest.

Where do you see him playing his footy?

 

[VDS66]

Never looked at it that way.

Almost too good to not play midfield, yet you are correct that he'd make a ripper small forward.

 

[PaddyMcClunkin]

I still feel the club will be developing his midfield game as a priority. Perhaps it will depend on how our other small forwards in Long and Lonie come along.

 

[Glen Buterol]

As I've said from day dot, has the ability to keep his feet & compete in the air with opponents much taller than him similar to GAJ - Strong legs & core. Has the same tank issues that Ablett had when he started his career. Worse case scenario he's a wingard style high half fwd capable of 40+ goals per year. Best case he builds a tank & runs thru the midfield like GAJ. Gun.

 

[saintsrfreak]

It's weird, wasn't he pretty much purely a midfielder at underage level? If anything, I remember reading that he was perhaps too vanilla to be considered at a high draft pick, but now he's pulled out this mercurial goal sneak side, it could be the difference between him ending up as a very good midfielder and an elite one imo.

 

[The Punter]

For a small forward to be elite in today's game, you need to be able to play some midfield time. But you also need someone to play small forward. I don't really have a problem with him spending most of his time in the front half.

 

[#gosaintas]

For a small forward to be elite in today's game, you need to be able to play some midfield time. But you also need someone to play small forward. I don't really have a problem with him spending most of his time in the front half.

70/30 fwd/mid looks about right. He's gonna be a gun this kid.

 

[bird_man]

For a small forward to be elite in today's game, you need to be able to play some midfield time. But you also need someone to play small forward. I don't really have a problem with him spending most of his time in the front half.

Unless you are Eddy Betts.

But I agree, pretty much everyone coming through can spend time through the middle which I think he will. But I think we'd be a better side with him spending majority of the time forward.

 

[Saint_Matt]

I reckon he becomes our Robbie Gray.

 

[theprospect]

Imagine if he kicked a bit straighter, he could easily have anywhere from 25-30 goals if he'd converted the ones he normally would. Kid is a jet

 

[hayes]

Was actually going to start a similar thread to this one. I think because of his inaccuracy his season is going under the radar, if he was converting he'd be at the top of everyone's post game reviews! For a second year player he's having a pretty awesome season.

Definitely don't think he ends up just being a small forward and he won't need to be, he'll keep kicking goals when he does become a full time midfielder anyway. He will be a star.

 

[VDS66]

If we can build our midfield to a point where Gresh can spend most time up forward... then look out!

 

[CALL ME SNAKE]

Never looked at it that way.

Almost too good to not play midfield, yet you are correct that he'd make a ripper small forward.

Not that I'm comparing him to Gazza.
But I can see him being a very dangerous small fwd until he gets a bit stronger/fitter then he could very well develop into a gun mid.
Very bloody exciting prospect.

 

[hayes]

It's weird, wasn't he pretty much purely a midfielder at underage level? If anything, I remember reading that he was perhaps too vanilla to be considered at a high draft pick, but now he's pulled out this mercurial goal sneak side, it could be the difference between him ending up as a very good midfielder and an elite one imo.

It was just his height really. He did everything you want from a midfielder, his stats were every bit as good as the other mids he was just a bit short. Good for us.

 

[cooperrules]

If we can build our midfield to a point where Gresh can spend most time up forward... then look out!

I reckon steven could be just as good in that role. Pending 2 gun mids.

 

[bird_man]

I reckon steven could be just as good in that role. Pending 2 gun mids.

Steven always looks dangerous when he goes forward. If we had a couple more mids it would be great to see him sneak forward more.

 

[saint_]

Gresham has had more shots on goal (37 shots total) than any other player in the team too.

 

[Glen Buterol]

It was just his height really. He did everything you want from a midfielder, his stats were every bit as good as the other mids he was just a bit short. Good for us.

It must've been. Speed, running, skills & accumulator all featured in his pre draft bios. If he was 2-3 inches taller surely he goes top 5?

 

[t_94]

Long term id look 70 /30 split between mid and fwd, with Billings 30 /70

 

[StCicatriz]

with each game that goes by he reminds me more and more and more of how aker played. he will be a beauty

 

[Gavinmitchell11]

Won the goal kicking comp?? What happened Gresh? Too much stkilda coaching.

 

[Gavinmitchell11]

It must've been. Speed, running, skills & accumulator all featured in his pre draft bios. If he was 2-3 inches taller surely he goes top 5?


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His best asset is his evasive skills which are born from that low centre of gravity. His change of direction is phenomenal, the sort of player I hated to play against because you just can't go with them. I think being shorter helps him.

 

[Mighty_sainter]

Won the goal kicking comp?? What happened Gresh? Too much stkilda coaching.

Probably stopped practicing his goal kicking because the sports scientists tells them it's not good to have such and such shots at goal a day. It's BS

 

[70s sainter]

Compares favourably with Riolis season stats which most people would be pretty happy with. Interesting just 3 picks apart and same games played so far .

 

[Glen Buterol]

View attachment 389025
Compares favourably with Riolis season stats which most people would be pretty happy with. Interesting just 3 picks apart and same games played so far .

Gresham leads Rioli in just about every key stat - goals, goal assists, score involvements, disposals, etc. Rioli only really has him in tackles, just. But saying that, both very good young players & if I were a Tigers supporter I'd be extremely happy with Rioli.