Toast Josh Caddy

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Have always liked Caddy, even before he got to the club, he was very good in his junior years at getting clearances and going forward for kicking goals.

Last year in that awful thread that questioned why we picked him up, I said give him time to settle in at the club and he has seemed to have done that mid last year and since then, he has been very good.

If he and Duncan can step up this year, I think it will be massive for our chances. (of course and a decent ruck)

Good to see.

 

[Bobby_]

I can remember reading your posts in the 'Josh Caddy to Geelong rumors' thread Alkanphel You thought highly of him then.

Round 1 against the likes of Sloane, Dangerfield, Douglas, Thompson & van Berlo...solid test for Caddy, Duncan, Horlin-Smith.
We'll see how much anger they have kept bottled inside them all summer long due to last years preliminary final exit.

 

[manboob]

Bobby_ do you live in OZ or elsewhere?

 

[Bobby_]

Melbourne, night owl obviously

 

[dazbroncos]

Melbourne, night owl obviously

Bobby's a real hoot!

Go Catters

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Caddy has something you can't teach, which I saw right from his GC days, and that's will. He's a competitor, he hates being beaten, and he with that desire will work to improve at all costs.

I found it funny that back early last year so many were roasting him, because apart from his football ability, is was always clear to me that a kid with that attitude would always succeed under a good coaching and development structure, he just needed time to find his feet, and to improve his endurance and learn our structures.

Having done that he has really turned the corner and is set for a big year.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

I can remember reading your posts in the 'Josh Caddy to Geelong rumors' thread Alkanphel You thought highly of him then.

Round 1 against the likes of Sloane, Dangerfield, Douglas, Thompson & van Berlo...solid test for Caddy, Duncan, Horlin-Smith.
We'll see how much anger they have kept bottled inside them all summer long due to last years preliminary final exit.

Yeah I remember we had a discussion too Bobby about his potential. Still early days but he is starting to show awesome signs.

 

[Jon Douglas]

Most exciting midfield talent that we've had since Selwood. Looks like developing into a Dangerfield type (fingers crossed).

Huge call in my book. Not saying he wont be that good but the jury is still out.

Mitch Duncan and Thurlow may be contenders as well for this tag (if you including non mids).

 

[thegerman]

Caddy has something you can't teach, which I saw right from his GC days, and that's will. He's a competitor, he hates being beaten, and he with that desire will work to improve at all costs.

I found it funny that back early last year so many were roasting him, because apart from his football ability, is was always clear to me that a kid with that attitude would always succeed under a good coaching and development structure, he just needed time to find his feet, and to improve his endurance and learn our structures.

Having done that he has really turned the corner and is set for a big year.

TBH I heard the rumours come out that he was lazy etc, all at the time of his departure from GC. So I think it was more the move from GC, where previous coaching staff may have stated such just to burn his chances at getting to a club of his choice.

After watching one game most knew how good he would be. Just his skills in and under are outstanding. Just seems to bullock his way through and make
something from nothing. That's what I enjoy the most from his game.

 

[vinum coupe]

I reckon a lot of people have been slightly pessimistic (or reserved) on Caddy because we didn't actually draft him.
We've had years of developing our own. And I think people are too used to it. Even protective of it.

But the fact is, Caddy really struggled at the gold coast.
And when he becomes a great player it will be because of our development systems. And his attitude.

 

[meto]

Huge call in my book. Not saying he wont be that good but the jury is still out.

Mitch Duncan and Thurlow may be contenders as well for this tag (if you including non mids).

On Caddy being the possible equal of Selwood one day, I would include Duncan in that, but Thurlow that's a big call although the material is there.
What we need is all 3 to step up which is what they're doing.

 

[Jon Douglas]

Its a big call on any Geelong youngster IMO. That's why I said maybe.

Its rare to get someone the quality of Selwood - but if I was naming two early candidates Duncan would be one (I called him early on when I rarely do such a thing) and I just have this feeling about Thurlow - could be a really good one. Time will tell.

Then there is Bundy but his career and progress has been hampered by injury already.

In his own way maybe Motlop a rising star.

By rising start I mean we should have our own rising star (this Board) - not just best first year player. For any player less than full 3 years in the system or under 50 senior games (because it does usually take that long to establish yourself). This would allow such players as Simpson and Brown, who have been cruelled by injury, still to get recognised for their persistence and application in the face of major injuries - and still allow a kid like Thurlow to get an award.

 

[manboob]

and I just have this feeling about Thurlow - could be a really good one.

Totally agree! He has that certain je ne sais quoi and like Pendles he runs counter to Harvey's theory of time–space compression.

 

[Geelong_Sicko]

Melbourne, night owl obviously

Yep. A lot of us keep odd hours

 

[The rabbi]

Totally agree! He has that certain je ne sais quoi and like Pendles he runs counter to Harvey's theory of time–space compression.

I disagree. But I do think that he has that intangible quality that I cannot quite put my finger on.

 

[FredLeDeux]

Totally agree! He has that certain je ne sais quoi and like Pendles he runs counter to Harvey's theory of time–space compression.

If Mark Harvey has any theories, someone put them in his skull with a sledgehammer and drill.

 

[Partridge]

I reckon a lot of people have been slightly pessimistic (or reserved) on Caddy because we didn't actually draft him.
We've had years of developing our own. And I think people are too used to it. Even protective of it.

But the fact is, Caddy really struggled at the gold coast.
And when he becomes a great player it will be because of our development systems. And his attitude.

The only thing I was reserved about with Caddy was his eagerness to try and break tackles when he didn't need to. Often resulting in him flinging the ball out without looking. That was my main objection by far. Already that looks much better. Disposal still needs to sharpen up a tad but he already looks a far better player.

Absolute certain selection for Round 1 as far as I can see and quite rightly too.

 

[meto]

The only thing I was reserved about with Caddy was his eagerness to try and break tackles when he didn't need to. Often resulting in him flinging the ball out without looking. That was my main objection by far. Already that looks much better. Disposal still needs to sharpen up a tad but he already looks a far better player.

Absolute certain selection for Round 1 as far as I can see and quite rightly too.

Probably happening a little to often because they've encouraged him to do so. That is, run through the defence and literally defy the tackler at times.
That he's now strong enough to do, but he'll need to pick his moments when opponents are off guard or off balance to greater effect.

 

[bulletproof]

I agree with PO what stands out is that he is a competitor. I don't think he is the brightest guy but he is exactly the sort of guy that thrives in an AFL environment, takes instruction well and will do anything to succeed.

He was an absolute steal for that compensation pick.

 

[Partridge]

I agree with PO what stands out is that he is a competitor. I don't think he is the brightest guy but he is exactly the sort of guy that thrives in an AFL environment, takes instruction well and will do anything to succeed.

He was an absolute steal for that compensation pick.

It's starting to look like that. Nice thing about him getting 25-odd games at Gold Coast too is that he's nearly at 50 games already.

That 2010 draft is looking like it's going to be very nice for us indeed.

 

[Jon Douglas]

Think we are still a year away from seeing Caddy at his best. Needs to learn as Partridge says when to try break a tackle and when dispose of earlier. In other words as I have said before - he needs to make better decisions and I think he will with some more experience.

Love his competitiveness, aggression and uncompromising way of going about it. Just add some class and he could be the real deal.

 

[dazbroncos]

Think we are still a year away from seeing Caddy at his best. Needs to learn as Partridge says when to try break a tackle and when dispose of earlier. In other words as I have said before - he needs to make better decisions and I think he will with some more experience.

Love his competitiveness, aggression and uncompromising way of going about it. Just add some class and he could be the real deal.

Agree on the tackle breaking vs the dish off. The stiff arm / dont argue is a great weapon in the armoury but its best used not all the time... Will only get better as he gets stronger too...

GO Catters

 

[meto]

Agree on the tackle breaking vs the dish off. The stiff arm / dont argue is a great weapon in the armoury but its best used not all the time... Will only get better as he gets stronger too...

GO Catters

Don't know if that's legal any more, works a treat though.

 

[Farmer2Goggin]

Think we are still a year away from seeing Caddy at his best. Needs to learn as Partridge says when to try break a tackle and when dispose of earlier. In other words as I have said before - he needs to make better decisions and I think he will with some more experience.

Love his competitiveness, aggression and uncompromising way of going about it. Just add some class and he could be the real deal.

Hi Jon Douglas
I agree you can't be a one trick pony and try to break every shackle as he tried against the Pies
I actually thought he tried much harder to spread with the footy in hand but using speed and evasion against the Dees - as a result he looked so much cleaner and dangerous. He also took contact but that's di rigeur for an inside mid - thought he got clear more often and as a result his DE was much better. It's a work in progress but I think he'll find the right balance.

 

[witsend]

I reckon a lot of people have been slightly pessimistic (or reserved) on Caddy because we didn't actually draft him.
We've had years of developing our own. And I think people are too used to it. Even protective of it.

But the fact is, Caddy really struggled at the gold coast.
And when he becomes a great player it will be because of our development systems. And his attitude.

Agreed..I watched him pretty closely at GC and couldn't see what the fuss was all about, although he clearly had talent and a good body shape for an inside mid. I found it hard to see what role he played at GC tbh. Maybe that hampered him a little?
Either way, he looks very, very promising right now and will be invaluable in giving Sel a chop out inside the engine room.