Toast Mitch Duncan

[footscore]

Maybe a premature toast but does anyone else think Mitch has began to play the type of footy many of us envisioned he would from the start of the season?

Since capitulating to the Lions in rd13, a number of the 3rd/4th year players were looked at as needing to stand up instead of leaving it upto the usual suspects.
Mitch has shown flashes of breaking out this season but since that loss...he's really began to impose himself when games have been in the balance.

Since round 13, he has been averaging 24 disposals (7 contested), 6 marks & 3½ tackles. His defensive pressure has been much improved too.


Anyone else think similar about Mitch's game in recent months?

 

[vinum coupe]

Yeah it has improved. I still thought he was really good being the runner down the wing early in the year without a lot of reward.

Some may remember him throwing his arms in the air when he ran to position and wasn't given the ball.

And then he seemed to drop off on his running through the middle.
Seems to have the intensity back.

 

[footscore]

basically what I'm getting at, is he in the vicinity of becoming an A grader by the end of this season?

Or would there still need to be a dramatic rise in his performance to match similar consistencies of Kelly and Selwood, so not for another year or two could he become elite?

 

[dazbroncos]

I think elite is the level you are referring to ( Bartel, Selsy, Kelly, Chap) and correct me if im wrong. I would call him short of that currently but as you point out, he has lifted his efforts over the last month.

By this time next year, Im pretty sure and perhaps a little hopefully that we will be quite happy with the results of the Mumford trade..

Go Catters

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

He's nowhere near elite. Firstly his accountability needs to improve, closely followed by consistency.

Makes too many errors at the minute and is a little too cocky, as harsh as it sounds. Has enormous potential and upside, but the question is whether he has the desire to improve himself further.

I expect to be berated, but that's how I've seen him for a while now.

 

[bulletproof]

Such a crucial player, has definitely stepped it. Getting a harder edge to his natural class. Plays a bit like assistant coach Caracella.

 

[footscore]

Such a crucial player, has definitely stepped it. Getting a harder edge to his natural class. Plays a bit like assistant coach Caracella.

Interesting, the player I felt he resembles is Caracella's teammate in Nigel Lappin.
Obviously Lappin was a champion footballer almost from the start but he had a similar running gait, keen goal sense & terrific disposal use as Duncan now has.

 

[vinum coupe]

basically what I'm getting at, is he in the vicinity of becoming an A grader by the end of this season?

Or would there still need to be a dramatic rise in his performance to match similar consistencies of Kelly and Selwood, so not for another year or two could he become elite?

No he is not A grade.
He'll get there though. Of all the kids we have he is the one I'm most confident of replacing a champion and being their equal.

Reckon he will get to Coreys best level.

 

[vinum coupe]

Interesting, the player I felt he resembles is Caracella's teammate in Nigel Lappin.
Obviously Lappin was a champion footballer almost from the start but he had a similar running gait, keen goal sense & terrific disposal use as Duncan now has.

Definitely. I think that is one area of his game that people completely ignore.
The majority of Duncans disposals come when he has already busted a gut. And he pretty much doesn't miss at pace.

It's a definite gift.

 

[GeelongFTW]

He's nowhere near elite. Firstly his accountability needs to improve, closely followed by consistency.

Makes too many errors at the minute and is a little too cocky, as harsh as it sounds. Has enormous potential and upside, but the question is whether he has the desire to improve himself further.

I expect to be berated, but that's how I've seen him for a while now.

Come on he is in his 4th season. Not everyone can become elite quickly like selwood.
Give him time duncan will be a gun.

 

[manboob]

He's nowhere near elite. Firstly his accountability needs to improve, closely followed by consistency...

He does a lot more now but its still quantity over quality. Often his kicks into the forward line are terrible.

 

[Senatorguesty]

He does a lot more now but its still quantity over quality. Often his kicks into the forward line are terrible.

I think it's just an experience thing because usually his field kicking is pretty good, no doubt though he is one of the better "gut" runners at the club.
I never see him stop.
Is a very impressive young guy and will be a core member of our team shortly.

 

[manboob]

I think it's just an experience thing because usually his field kicking is pretty good, no doubt though he is one of the better "gut" runners at the club.
I never see him stop.
Is a very impressive young guy and will be a core member of our team shortly.

No doubt, that's what makes it so frustrating. He heats the grill but doesn't cook the sausages.

 

[Senatorguesty]

No doubt, that's what makes it so frustrating. He heats the grill but doesn't cook the sausages.

It'll come.
It isn't like he is BAD in that regard, just it is one of his weaknesses, which is hard to say as it isn't like how Blake had HIS weaknesses....
It was less than 2 years that he was sub of our best 22 (and barely that), now he is comfortably in our top dozen players, he will continue to climb IMO, likewise Bundy.

 

[meto]

For me he's one of the first picks, a key player now.

 

[SJ]

basically what I'm getting at, is he in the vicinity of becoming an A grader by the end of this season?

Or would there still need to be a dramatic rise in his performance to match similar consistencies of Kelly and Selwood, so not for another year or two could he become elite?

No, I think he's actually dropping off the curve a bit (although has been a little better lately). I rated him further ahead of his peers two years ago than I do now.

 

[footscore]

He heats the grill but doesn't cook the sausages.

are you thinking what I'm thinking

 

[FredLeDeux]

I am going to surprise some people and go out on a limb here, but....
I think he is a good player.
There, I've said it.

 

[GeelongFTW]

A post from meto without a varcoe reference?

 

[Senatorguesty]

No, I think he's actually dropping off the curve a bit (although has been a little better lately). I rated him further ahead of his peers two years ago than I do now.

I think that would be down to players around him and the slight change in his role, I think his improvement has been at a steady upward curve.

 

[SJ]

Come on he is in his 4th season. Not everyone can become elite quickly like selwood.
Give him time duncan will be a gun.

Exactly, I don't see how MD 's opinion is at odds with yours.

 

[Senatorguesty]

A post from meto without a varcoe reference?

Well this thread was fun while it lasted

 

[romeoh]

A good player and will continue to improve but nowhere near elite and agree with someone above that I expected him to be a bit further by now. Does a lot of good stuff but seriously his disposal by hand and foot needs to improve.

 

[cats_09]

He does a lot more now but its still quantity over quality. Often his kicks into the forward line are terrible.

Being honest, he isn't along in that respect this year - more than a few teammates are in the same boat.

Some of the best kicking I have seen into our forward line has actually been from other forwards - Hawkins kicking to Pods/Vardy or Pods kicking to Hawkins - seems that they know where to kick the ball to put it to advantage of the other forward, but for a few of our other players they just keep bombing it in long and hoping for the best half the time.

 

[sarah.13]

Has had a few down games but generally been good to very good.
I expect him to finish top 5 in B&F