JON = ... Phar Lap?

[richoatthedisco]

As I've said in other threads I've gone from regarding JON as an absolute nuffy last year to having a 'can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it-but-there's-something-about-him' feeling this year.

It came to me last night. So far, JON has looked like a young colt, tripping over his own overly-long legs and looking decidedly unco. But he's also looked like someone yet to grow into his body. He is beginning to.

Stay with me...

Phar Lap was an ugly, gangling colt, bought on bloodline potential. Couldn't beat a cart horse as a 2-year-old, and was roundly ridiculed before he finally 'got it' and was unbeatable from 3 onwards.

New draftees are like 2-year-old horses. Once a year one wins the Golden Slipper, the rest of the time trainers are developing them for the future.
By my reckoning, a footballer turns '3' at the age of 21; '4' at 24; '5' at 27; '6' at 30; '7' at 33 etc. You can see that Richo is a Vintage Crop, and we're hoping that in 3 years time he can Super Impose himself on the big stage.
JON turns '3' next year. I'd hate to see him win a Derby racing in someone else's colours. Harry Telford has been riding him up sand dunes, now all he needs is a Tommy Woodcock (David King?) to teach him how to win.

 

[nut]

As I've said in other threads I've gone from regarding JON as an absolute nuffy last year to having a 'can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it-but-there's-something-about-him' feeling this year.

It came to me last night. So far, JON has looked like a young colt, tripping over his own overly-long legs and looking decidedly unco. But he's also looked like someone yet to grow into his body. He is beginning to.

Stay with me...

Phar Lap was an ugly, gangling colt, bought on bloodline potential. Couldn't beat a cart horse as a 2-year-old, and was roundly ridiculed before he finally 'got it' and was unbeatable from 3 onwards.

New draftees are like 2-year-old horses. Once a year one wins the Golden Slipper, the rest of the time trainers are developing them for the future.
By my reckoning, a footballer turns '3' at the age of 21; '4' at 24; '5' at 27; '6' at 30; '7' at 33 etc. You can see that Richo is a Vintage Crop, and we're hoping that in 3 years time he can Super Impose himself on the big stage.
JON turns '3' next year. I'd hate to see him win a Derby racing in someone else's colours. Harry Telford has been riding him up sand dunes, now all he needs is a Tommy Woodcock (David King?) to teach him how to win.

I watched him at training and He looks a bit like a German shepherd pup, all bones, but you can see what he'll grow into.

same frame of thought

 

[Darth_Tiger]

i think we should persist with him.

 

[TimeFor11]

Stick with JON he just needs more AFL match practice

 

[T4P]

same frame of thought

i find it interesting how we are all comparing them to animals

 

[tigers_of_old_08]

Good analogy. Yeah he's still a colt, keep playing him.

 

[Chops_a_must]

Looks like a tiger to me.

 

[Truetiger]

The difference with Phar Lap and Oakley Nichols is Pha Lap when in front not often got caught and that horse is a winner Oakley Nichols is not.

 

[skybeau]

and that horse is a winner Oakley Nichols is not.

In 2008, JON has a 100% win record from the games he's played at AFL level.

Sounds like a winner to me.

 

[Chops_a_must]

In 2008, JON has a 100% win record from the games he's played at AFL level.

Sounds like a winner to me.

Ashley Hansen board.

 

[Harvey Leadpipe]

I'm all for writing off our lot, slagging us, bagging us, ripping into them, the works. But, only when they've proven to be duds.

I've had w@nks that have lasted longer than JON's total game time to date, and that's basically f*** all. Give him time, I too "have a feeling" about him, and reckon he can shape up to have the goods. Certainly more upside watching him develop than watching Pettifer roll around the park.

 

[tigertiger]

Nice analogy we do carry on to much about our younger players my feeling is that JON will be ok

 

[_RT_]

As I've said in other threads I've gone from regarding JON as an absolute nuffy last year to having a 'can't-quite-put-my-finger-on-it-but-there's-something-about-him' feeling this year.

It came to me last night. So far, JON has looked like a young colt, tripping over his own overly-long legs and looking decidedly unco. But he's also looked like someone yet to grow into his body. He is beginning to.

Stay with me...

Phar Lap was an ugly, gangling colt, bought on bloodline potential. Couldn't beat a cart horse as a 2-year-old, and was roundly ridiculed before he finally 'got it' and was unbeatable from 3 onwards.

New draftees are like 2-year-old horses. Once a year one wins the Golden Slipper, the rest of the time trainers are developing them for the future.
By my reckoning, a footballer turns '3' at the age of 21; '4' at 24; '5' at 27; '6' at 30; '7' at 33 etc. You can see that Richo is a Vintage Crop, and we're hoping that in 3 years time he can Super Impose himself on the big stage.
JON turns '3' next year. I'd hate to see him win a Derby racing in someone else's colours. Harry Telford has been riding him up sand dunes, now all he needs is a Tommy Woodcock (David King?) to teach him how to win.

Great analogy.

People just need to ease up on the kid and give him time to string togeter a couple of pre seasons, IIRC this year was his first full pre season since arriving, as well as some actual games at AFL level before just writing him off.

Another club had a kid who they wrote off because he didn't look likely in his first few years at their club, yet after being cast aside he was picked up be us and is now arguably our most important midfielder and that player is Shane Tuck.

 

[Truetiger]

In 2008, JON has a 100% win record from the games he's played at AFL level.

Sounds like a winner to me.

the team yes. However by watching what he has done i would not class him as a winner.

 

[didak04]

Phar Lap would have better ball skills and football smarts than JON

 

[Sausage roll]

Couldn't agree more...they are both stuffed!

 

[richoatthedisco]

Phar Lap would have better ball skills and football smarts than JON

Gangsters shot at Phar Lap from moving cars; Didak rides in those cars.

 

[Wallaby]

It's a fact that males grow until they are 22 (on average) - not necessarily in height, but definitely in body shape, muscle orientation and bone density.
First thing to check out is whether or not he has reached his physical potential (fairly simple physiological tests). If not - give him some more time. (I'm sure the club would have done something like this already).
If he has grown all he is going to - well, I am struggling to see how he can turn it around. Where is this phenomenal athlete we hear about? He might be great on the aths track, but to be honest, on the field he looks very slow - maybe his 'brand' of athleticism doesn't translate well to AFL.

I'm all for giving kids time - but at the same time they have to show a couple of glimpses of some potential - so far I haven't seen it in JON.

 

[1980GFVideo]

I've had w@nks that have lasted longer than JON's total game time to date, and that's basically f*** all.

I would like to see him get more game time but given our chances to make the finals on paper, he must be taken off if he is hurting us.

Would be suprised to see him in the side this week.

BTW - where are you sitting at the G on Saturday. Im going with a conservative type of person and I dont think he would react too well to someone in front of us doing that.

 

[tucker777]

lets keep JON away from arsenic then

 

[cormick]

wasn't phar lap a gelding?
Maybe if we gave JON the old snip snip...

I agree... JON will be a gun!!!

 

[Harvey Leadpipe]

BTW - where are you sitting at the G on Saturday. Im going with a conservative type of person and I dont think he would react too well to someone in front of us doing that.

It's ok 1980GFV, I'm not an exhibitionist until 11.00pm.

 

[Rayzorwire]

Good analogy Rattd. I doubt JON will ever be a champion player, but he's certainly very raw and got massive improvement still left in him.

 

[Sausage roll]

Good analogy Rattd. I doubt JON will ever be a champion player, but he's certainly very raw and got massive improvement still left in him.

LMAO!

So has my 10 year old.

Massive!

 

[T4P]

LMAO!

So has my 10 year old.

Massive!

you just owned yourself...

he said that he has massive improvement in hijm - same thing as saying great potential
you just agreed with him
you sir have the i.q of a wombat (10 more i.q pts than a carlton supporter)