James Strauss v Bombers

[sledbomber]

Hey guys,

I just wanted to get your opinion on the game that James Strauss played on Friday night. Just to give you a bit of a back story, I was kind of thinking that he wasn’t going to work out and that we had wasted our draft pick on him.

But after that game, I saw a lot of positives from him. While I understand he did turn the ball over a bit, I did see him hit quite a few hard targets and I thought his kicking out was very good. He was getting a lot more penetration on his kicks than what Tappy, Chip, Grimes, Garland etc. normally do.

Anyway the reason why I am asking you guys is because I have discussed him with some of my mates (who are Demon supporters) and they didn’t see the same things that I did. They thought he was poor etc. And now I am a little bit worried that I may have just had the rose coloured glasses on (because I so desperately want him to work out for the Dees) and not analysed his game correctly.

So I would appreciate your thoughts about his game against the Bombers?

Thanks.

 

[Capt_Concussion]

He's no different to any other young player with limited games. I think the reason people mark him harshly is because he was drafted as a player with exceptional foot skills. So far we've only seen glimpses of these skills and quite a few horrific clangers.

With expereince I expect his decision making to improve as well as his composure. When this happens we'll have Gilbee mark II.

 

[davey_magik]

Some people on here thought he was awful on Friday night but I thought he was OK, Leroy Jetta is a pretty good player and I don't think he had any impact at all when Strauss was on him.

He reminds me of TJ in his kicking style, I think he is going to be one of those players who knows he is a good kick and will try and pierce the needle with his passes as much as he can, but when it doesn't come off (Which will be the minority) he'll look bad. TJ used to do the same thing and Davey to a lesser extent.

 

[Demon 86]

Hang on- people thought he was awful? Really?

Whilst he didnt stand out or dominate by any means, he was very solid and was about as far away from awful as you could expect from a third gamer.

 

[Eth]

He took the game on - something I didn't see in his two games last year.

Had some clangers, but it was his third game. He's not going to have a deadly impact with every kick.

 

[Captain Jack]

Pretty sure his efficiency was up over 80%... one or two clangers max.

 

[Timmy Houlihan]

13 Kicks, 7 Handballs, 3 Tackles 85% Disposal Efficiency he went well last Friday guys.

 

[Demon 86]

13 Kicks, 7 Handballs, 3 Tackles 85% Disposal Efficiency he went well last Friday guys.

Some weeks when we decide to suck balls that would be close to BOG for us

 

[Captain Jack]

3 clangers from a 3rd-gamer... haters gonna hate. The boy was good, leave him alone for a while.

 

[tynanshinin]

Copped some critisism for being outmarked by Crameri in the last in the review thread.. tbh Crameri has very good hands and Strauss' positioning was good,

His long kicking is very good, i know that at least 2 of his clangers were off kicks he took something off and just tried to guide it the target but overall he was very good... much more confident with him kicking out that i normally am for some reason..

 

[berniemccarthy]

I saw a large number of his games as a junior. He is an athlete first ( 800m ) and a footballer second. He is a beatiful kick - when he has time. This is the key. So kicking in should be good and when he has time he will probably be good but under pressure I am not sure that he makes good decisions. Panics a bit and then the kicking drops off or he takes the wrong option. I always had a nagging doubt as to whether he would make it because of this and also because he has a gentle nature. Not at all sure whether there is enough mongrel. Hope he makes it he is a very nice young man.

 

[melbournemartin]

He played well. I was pretty cold after his first 2 games and his Casey form. I'm still skeptical but he should keep his spot, even if Bartram returns. This is a make or break year.

 

[Petterd4Brownlow]

He was getting a lot more penetration on his kicks than what Tappy, Chip, Grimes, Garland etc. normally do.

Tap has one of the most penetrating/best kicks in our team nfi what you're on about.

 

[eskimo]

I thought Straussy was very good on Friday night. Definately earned his place. Played as well as Tapscott has for most of the year.

Crameri has been very good this year, and has a great pair of hands. He has outmarked much more experienced players than Strauss. He was kept relatively quiet on Friday, so Strauss certainly did his job

 

[Jordie_tackles]

Tap has one of the most penetrating/best kicks in our team nfi what you're on about.

So does Strauss.... Tappy's kicking in the last couple of weeks didnt blow my pants off, not that Strauss's did but i thought i was comparable

 

[thebulldog]

I missed the game Friday but have seen the replay and thought he was good for a 3rd gamer. Definitely something he can build on.
I didn't notice who he was on for most of the night though.
From earlier posts it looks like Jetta mainly and Crameri a little bit is this correct?

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Copped some critisism for being outmarked by Crameri in the last in the review thread.. tbh Crameri has very good hands and Strauss' positioning was good,

His long kicking is very good, i know that at least 2 of his clangers were off kicks he took something off and just tried to guide it the target but overall he was very good... much more confident with him kicking out that i normally am for some reason..

Hi Mr Gotch.

 

[The Dr]

Hi Mr Gotch.

i see what you did there.

 

[master bate]

I saw a large number of his games as a junior. He is an athlete first ( 800m ) and a footballer second. He is a beatiful kick - when he has time. This is the key. So kicking in should be good and when he has time he will probably be good but under pressure I am not sure that he makes good decisions. Panics a bit and then the kicking drops off or he takes the wrong option. I always had a nagging doubt as to whether he would make it because of this and also because he has a gentle nature. Not at all sure whether there is enough mongrel. Hope he makes it he is a very nice young man.

Sorry but I hate this terminology. I presume Strauss started playing football when he was in the Under 9's like most AFL footballers, and probably in his mid teens was both a decent runner (but not national level) and a decent footballer. And as you said he is a beautiful kick (at times). So I'd hardly say that is an athlete turned footballer. The same applies to Watts. Stef Martin on the other hand is an athlete turned footballer.

But yes the rest of your post is correct.

 

[saj_21]

I like many of us on here are or were worried how Struass may turn out. Mainly becuase he is high draft pick and he hasn't progressed in the VFL like others have.

He copped extremely harsh criticism for his game on Friday night, he had 85% disposal efficiency which means he could have only had 2 or 3 mistakes. And yes his was outmarked by Crameri, but even Frawley is outmarked on occasions.

He is good kick of the footy, i feel he is a type of player who will player better at AFL level as opposed to VFL level. There is nothing wrong with his kicking action, he may back himself in more than others which a few more mistakes by foot, which are "bad" or risky decisions as opposed to a flawed kicking style.

Finally heaven forbid we give a young kid who has had a bad run with injuries a chance to establish himself at VFL then AFL level. He has played 3 games with the last game being a marked improvement on his 2 games last year. Give him a chance to develop in the side, his confidence will grow, will have more time and the mistakes will lessen.