Toast Max Holmes

[BORIS332]

The contested work and clean hands by he and Close in particular in that 4th qtr sure gave me a lot to be encouraged about the future. Clean use by hand is one area that has been steadily dropping off imo for the past decade in our side. It's so pleasing to see players who can do the basics like this really well. Holmes is definitely one of those.

Felt De Koning was also extremely clean in the last. One handball in particular was brilliant.

 

[FredLeDeux]

FWIW other than the 9 and the hair I don’t think they are similar players.

What about the jumper with hoops on it, eh?

 

[Romeoh1]

I can't help you, then. The way he leans forward when he runs is very similar, not to mention the elusiveness, hardness and tackling.

As I said, everything but the pace and height.

Anyway, whatevs.

Fleeting I’d have thought. De Koning a bit reminding of Nathan Ablett? ( footy brain and slight young giraffe -like awkwardness)

 

[goyoucatters]

Fleeting I’d have thought. De Koning a bit reminding of Nathan Ablett? ( footy brain and slight young giraffe -like awkwardness)

It's not that I can't see some similarities. It's just that even if Sam becomes a very good player for us, there'll be a bunch of feats that Nath could perform on the field that Sam will never ever manage.

His freakish ability really was that far ahead of so many others who have played the game fantastically well.

 

[Romeoh1]

It's not that I can't see some similarities. It's just that even if Sam becomes a very good player for us, there'll be a bunch of feats that Nath could perform on the field that Sam will never ever manage.

His freakish ability really was that far ahead of so many others who have played the game fantastically well.

Oh yep- completely agree with that.

 

[Seeds]

Maybe you're thinking of late in his career? He was very fleet of foot early days, especially before he broke his leg.

true. But he wasnt at holmes level. Holmes is seriously fast. Kelly never was pre or post leg injury. Kelly did have a lot of agility when younger though. Which is different to speed.

 

[feelinfeline]

Fleeting I’d have thought. De Koning a bit reminding of Nathan Ablett? ( footy brain and slight young giraffe -like awkwardness)

Not to me. Perhaps to you.

 

[fpm84]

Great to see Max’s game recognised in AFL.com.au’s ‘nine things we learned this round’ column tonight.

 

[Footy Smarts]

Does anyone know if he's eligible for the rising star? I think it's 10 games maximum before the start of the season and he only played in 9 last year. But I think there were some where he was sub and didn't play and I'm not sure if they count those.

 

[My Tilly]

Fleeting I’d have thought. De Koning a bit reminding of Nathan Ablett? ( footy brain and slight young giraffe -like awkwardness)

Nathan was a prodigy in the making. He even had senior players talking about his natural talent when they were playing alongside him.
We rave on about Hawkins today and his sublime passing skills but Nathan could do that and on either side of the body, coupled with much better agility.
Just a freakish talent in which we saw only a fraction of what could have been.

 

[magic_johnson!]

I think some had a bit of a knock on his kicking? Lol.

View attachment 1362070

I wish this clip showed Max’s run in the 20 seconds leading up to this - from memory he was Involved in a pressure act in defence, a possession getting it out of defence, kept on running with no one willing to run with him and didn’t break stride. Had all of the confidence a young player generally doesn’t have and made something happen.

 

[magic_johnson!]

Does anyone know if he's eligible for the rising star? I think it's 10 games maximum before the start of the season and he only played in 9 last year. But I think there were some where he was sub and didn't play and I'm not sure if they count those.

I believe he is according to betting agencies - was paying the same as Cooper Stephens ($81) to win prior to round 1.

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Nathan was a prodigy in the making. He even had senior players talking about his natural talent when they were playing alongside him.
We rave on about Hawkins today and his sublime passing skills but Nathan could do that and on either side of the body, coupled with much better agility.
Just a freakish talent in which we saw only a fraction of what could have been.

He and Hawkins would have been the best 1-2 punch in the comp for a decade.
Such a shame.

 

[CatToTheFuture]

Does anyone know if he's eligible for the rising star? I think it's 10 games maximum before the start of the season and he only played in 9 last year. But I think there were some where he was sub and didn't play and I'm not sure if they count those.

Unfortunately he won't win it over Daicos

 

[Romeoh1]

Nathan was a prodigy in the making. He even had senior players talking about his natural talent when they were playing alongside him.
We rave on about Hawkins today and his sublime passing skills but Nathan could do that and on either side of the body, coupled with much better agility.
Just a freakish talent in which we saw only a fraction of what could have been.

Yep- agree with this- a real pity he didn’t go on with it- for us and for footy. But good luck to him.
And I’m not in anyway suggesting Sam is the ‘next Nathan Ablett.’ Just thought I saw a minor passing resemblance -physical movement as much as anything.

 

[Kyuss]

Totally! I think I may commented in another thread a while ago how much he reminds me of J.Kelly. Glad I'm not the only one.

During the round one game against Essendon I had this exact thought.
Some of the things he did or the way he moved (kicking style maybe?) gave me flashbacks to Kel

 

[Drunkcat]

The sub counts so Max played in 12 games not 9

 

[Heckler]

Max's early games were exasperating as he was particularly prone to panic.
Making several frustrating clangers, especially near goal.
I questioned whether this was more that simply beginners nerves... eg Kolo
Delighted to see his brain speed and body speed are now in sync.
With ongoing improvement, his game style, physical attributes and skill-set indicate:-
Max will develop into an highly effective midfielder.... sooner than originally hoped for.

 

[standupand]

During the round one game against Essendon I had this exact thought.
Some of the things he did or the way he moved (kicking style maybe?) gave me flashbacks to Kel

The way he moves (big time), kicking style too perhaps, and also the taste for the hard stuff despite having a fairly light frame and youthful appearance.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

He lifted when the team needed him. That's the sign of a very good player on the horizon.

 

[dazbroncos]

I’m just happy with the return so far on the pick 19 it cost us.

He’s gonna be up and down and will have sone more stinkers no doubt.. but the flashes with what I’ve seen suggest the ceiling can be really really high.

Take care if his development and manage when required.. but he keeps getting games for mine…

Go Catters

 

[DanA]

Holmes kicks like James Kelly

James Kelly

Age

41

Ht

183cm

Wt

85kg

Pos.

D/M

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.8

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

10.5

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

5.6

5star

MG

273.2

4star

No current season stats available

D

20.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

6.8

5star

but he’s not as inside. I think he’s more like a Travis Boak

10

Travis Boak

Age

37

Ht

183cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

23.7

5star

K

11.6

4star

HB

12.0

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

4.4

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

22.0

5star

K

11.0

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

4.4

5star

CL

4.9

5star

D

16.4

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

9.0

5star

M

5.4

5star

T

2.4

4star

or Bontempelli that plays inside/outside. I do see his field kicking and running being a big feature of his in years to come.

At 205cm and with the athleticism Dekoning has you’ve got to think Dekoning is a ruckmen in waiting. It will do his development the world of good playing as a defender and pinch hitting up forward. Needs another 10kg to hold his own in the ruck though.

 

[00VicWard001]

Max was immense in that last quarter- the speed but also the physical pressure he brings impacted nearly every key contest he was in. His vision and quick reflex long handballs are a weapon.
I was most blown away by that 40 metre precision pass to Blitz. Wow! Was that through off-season coaching and practise or was it always there but hidden by first year nerves?! Either way - if he can do that once running at speed and under some pressure he’s capable of doing it again. Loved the earlier assured kick for a goal.

He also had an excellent pass in the 2nd quarter to Selwood from the back 50, that found itself in our forward 50 and ended up a goal.

He finds a way to get involved which is a great thing.

 

[goyoucatters]

He also had an excellent pass in the 2nd quarter to Selwood from the back 50, that found itself in our forward 50 and ended up a goal.

He finds a way to get involved which is a great thing.

Cameron JTG Goal is at about 3.15 to go in the second. Isaac squares the ball across half-back and Max takes possession heading the wrong way. Tries an ambitious handball forward to Atkins that goes to ground. Pies have the ball momentarily before Holmes knocks the ball clear and steadies the ship with a short kick forward to Selwood. Ball then goes through several sets of hands before Jez bangs one through untouched.

Again, it's the ability to just stay in the contest after things haven't worked out that is really impressive. I get how young he is. And how many 'ordinary' games he'll probably have while he's building his experience, his body and even his tank. But he's become one that I'm genuinely looking out for every time we play. Does some 'special' things out there, at 19 years of age and after only 15 games.

Doing the legacy of the #9 some justice already, I figure.

 

[00VicWard001]

Cameron JTG Goal is at about 3.15 to go in the second. Isaac squares the ball across half-back and Max takes possession heading the wrong way. Tries an ambitious handball forward to Atkins that goes to ground. Pies have the ball momentarily before Holmes knocks the ball clear and steadies the ship with a short kick forward to Selwood. Ball then goes through several sets of hands before Jez bangs one through untouched.

Again, it's the ability to just stay in the contest after things haven't worked out that is really impressive. I get how young he is. And how many 'ordinary' games he'll probably have while he's building his experience, his body and even his tank. But he's become one that I'm genuinely looking out for every time we play. Does some 'special' things out there, at 19 years of age and after only 15 games.

Doing the legacy of the #9 some justice already, I figure.

I also loved his huge smile when Selwood had that blonde haired pies player in a chokehold. Obviously a bit going on there (Selwood probably being niggled and then losing his cool and giving away a free kick that didnt look that goo), but in the background is Holmes smiling, clearly enjoying some of the by-play.