Toast Josh Caddy

[supahoops]

Wasn't totally convinced a month ago. Am now. This boy will be a cornerstone of our team for the next decade.

The one moment that stood out was his gut run to mark and goal late on, when it would've been easier to suck in a few deep breaths and watch his teammate kick on an angle.

The thing that separates the Chapmans and Johnsons from the rest is they want the ball in their hands at the big moments. And Josh showed today that he does too.

 

[iameviljez]

Wasn't totally convinced a month ago. Am now. This boy will be a cornerstone of our team for the next decade.

The one moment that stood out was his gut run to mark and goal late on, when it would've been easier to suck in a few deep breaths and watch his teammate kick on an angle.

The thing that separates the Chapmans and Johnsons from the rest is they want the ball in their hands at the big moments. And Josh showed today that he does too.

Agree. Now, if only he hadn't sold Varcoe into so much trouble by handball in the last quarter when it would have broken North...

 

[Senatorguesty]

Agreed with OP. We have the basis for an exceptional midfield in 2-10 years time IMO. Caddy, Duncan, Bundy, Selwood, Smedts, GHS, Motlop, Murdoch etc could all become B+ to elite players.
Also agree with iameviljez, but that is the sign of a 20 year old kid. The handball sucked but most of what he did today was good, a huge improvement on last week.
Hopefully we can start seeing him more in the middle in coming weeks and see how he goes.

 

[fpm84]

He made a few dodgy decisions under pressure but what I like about him is that he never dropped his head and kept hitting the contest hard.

Couldn't have kicked his first goal for Geelong at a better time... Oh, and that mark wasn't bad, either!

 

[oozeboss]

Also agree with the OP.

His AFL career may have been conceived on the Sold Coast, but his footballing education will be in the far more healthier environment of the greatest team of all. Like all kids, he will make mistooks, but he's enough quality to learn and adapt.

And I echo the belief that he's going to evolve into one of the gun midfielders of the AFL. A fantastic piece of recruiting!

 

[cynical]

disposal and decision making aren't great

looks fairly solid so far and glad he kicked that goal

wouldn't be calling him a 10 year player just yet

 

[vinum coupe]

disposal and decision making aren't great

looks fairly solid so far and glad he kicked that goal

wouldn't be calling him a 10 year player just yet

Yeah he is. Gives it to legends when he shouldn't at the moment. Give him 2 months.

 

[Biggy_Boy]

He does some good things and seems to have found his place in the team. He's doing better than I thought.

However, despite being involved in some good pieces of play, he also made some poor decisions and turned the ball over a bit. That handpass to Varcoe standing flat-footed was pretty poor.

Nice mark though.

 

[Jimmy Yamazaki]

Needs time like the rest of the kids. Will get better as he plays more.

 

[mac_cat]

I think VC is right, part of it is about confidence and feeling that he not only belongs in the team, but is also just as entitled to use the ball as any of his teammates, rather than looking to pass it on to one of the more established players.

It must be very daunting to walk into a club full of legends of the game, and feel like you deserve to be part of the team. I imagine that because of this, it would be hard sometimes to have the confidence to back yourself when you've got the ball. But I've got no doubt this will improve the more games he plays.

 

[bulletproof]

Highly talented player, not the smartest footballer but he has great athletic gifts, has a high workrate and a fanatical desire to succeed.

He was helluva pick up.

Gee he needs to work on his kicking though.

 

[catswhiskers]

disposal and decision making aren't great

Yes, has plenty to work on in those departments, but his endeavour is good - you can't teach that.

 

[Sttew]

I liked Caddy's game today. How must he love playing in a team that has a never say die attitude.....

 

[manboob]

 

[hoody]

The unfamiliarity cuts both ways. He was ignored a couple of times today when he had got out on his own.
His "corner kick" across the goal line was inventive and very team orientated, my guess is that he'll fit right in soon enough.
It's probably worthwhile remembering that he doesn't turn 21 until another six months.

 

[Jef Costello]

Yep terrific signs. Hitting the contest hard and learning the Geelong way. He'll make it.

 

[manboob]

It's probably worthwhile remembering that he doesn't turn 21 until another six months.

Josh Caddy - 20
Billie Smedts - 20
Mitch Duncan - 21
Allen Christensen - 21
Steven Motlop - 22
Taylor Hunt - 22
Mark Blicavs - 22
Mitch Brown - 22
Selwood and Hawkins - 24

 

[Senatorguesty]

Yep terrific signs. Hitting the contest hard and learning the Geelong way. He'll make it.

I reckon he will more than make it, will be a star without doubt.

 

[Catdog]

Small steps at the moment but will end up big strides before to long!

2 games in and fitting in very nicely.

 

[Menzelevium]

Decision making should come with understanding. His willingness to stand up in big moments in a game at a young age is great.

 

[cats23]

Yep terrific signs. Hitting the contest hard and learning the Geelong way. He'll make it.

I agree with you, I watched him closely today & he was really going in hard for the ball.

I also thought he was a great team player today- he made sure he was always there to congratulate his team mates & give encouragement-loved it

 

[My5t3r10u5]

I was gutted when Ablett left us but I suspect we will look back on that decision in years to come and say it was one of the best things to happen to the club. Yes we lost the best player in the league for 4-5 of his best years but it released pressure on our salary cap meaning we could retain the rest of our list, it made us a more even team (no more relying on him to get us over the line) and has given us what look like 2 gun players for 10 years (early call I know but both Caddy and Smedts show exceptional raw material).

 

[kickazz]

Looks solid in the contest, but at times defensively I think gives his man a bit too much latitude. Would like to see him get a few games as a run-with player just to shore up that side of the game and learn about decision making / where to run from the best.

Good signs though.

 

[oozeboss]

Josh Caddy - 20
Billie Smedts - 20
Mitch Duncan - 21
Allen Christensen - 21
Steven Motlop - 22
Taylor Hunt - 22
Mark Blicavs - 22
Mitch Brown - 22
Selwood and Hawkins - 24

Damn, that's a pity.

I really miss the good ole days of "too old, too slow". All we're being left with by this selfish mob is the "Too good" bit.

 

[Jef Costello]

He was very pumped at the win, that one really meant something to him. Good confidence boost.