Nathan Ablett

[The Casey Cat]

Byrnes is our weakest link. Easily. I have a lot of time for NAblett. Considering his football upbringing (Modeware) that might as well have been his first year in 07. If (not the sort of word you want to be using I know) he wants it bad enough and throws himself into training like his lil bro did then there is no stopping him.

 

[Tonycam*]

Look... I'm the first one that would love to see the boy succeed, I just think he needs a flogging over summer and to be less reliant on his confidence. He seems to be very much a confidence player, as shown in the GF after he kicked his first goal... to me he just hasn't shown the determination that will get him kicking 50+ goals.
What I want to see is a Reiwoldt type game for him... Lots of leads, lots of MARKS. Obviously he's way off as far as fitness is concerned. Mooney can then just sit in the square with Hawkins.

I can see what Marty is getting at here . Nathan is a confidence guy, when he gets a few touches under his belt he fires. but when he makes mistakes he can be gone for the game. agree a hard summer and the less attention that Hawkins will bring him can only help him. He is a kid and should only get better.

 

[Cattery]

If you had any clue you would know I love getting reactions from people on here. Yourself as an example.
Seriously, who bothers to read through numerous posts from another member going back to the start of the season to find weaknesses in them? You honestly have nothing else better to do with your time? Normally I just get the hook and line bitten, you my friend got the sinker too.. Congrats

That's extremely interesting, are you saying the reason you're wrong 99% of the time is because you're just baiting people with your posts, or is that just a way of covering for your lack of knowledge?

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't putting on posts for the sole purpose of "getting a reaction" the definition of a troll?

 

[sarah.13]

I can see what Marty is getting at here . Nathan is a confidence guy, when he gets a few touches under his belt he fires. but when he makes mistakes he can be gone for the game. agree a hard summer and the less attention that Hawkins will bring him can only help him. He is a kid and should only get better.

Tony..Tony..Tony.!! I see it but I don't believe it. Agreeing with Martyk!!!

 

[martyk]

That's extremely interesting, are you saying the reason you're wrong 99% of the time is because you're just baiting people with your posts, or is that just a way of covering for your lack of knowledge?

And correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't putting on posts for the sole purpose of "getting a reaction" the definition of a troll?

I had a dig at the players when they were playing $hit at the start of the season, just like many others did... which is when all those posts were from. So what?? I've already explained that... I like to take the lest optimistic approach on here because it gets people thinking a little harder. I have a crack on here and make some big statements to make it a little more interesting... people like yourself just come on and sweeten up every player, performance etc.. Pfft.. Boring..

Do you know how many people on here played Nathan up at the start of '07 as a 50+ goal kicker after round 3?? HEAPS.. That didn't happen this year and wont happen next either... simple. Do I dig out all the posts of people who said I was wrong about Nath then? NO!

People like to pull me up on here for the obvious reason that I have stuck it to them throughout the season, questioned their opinions when they have lacked good credible reason for them...

 

[Cattery]

I had a dig at the players when they were playing $hit at the start of the season, just like many others did... which is when all those posts were from. So what?? I've already explained that... I like to take the lest optimistic approach on here because it gets people thinking a little harder. I have a crack on here and make some big statements to make it a little more interesting... people like yourself just come on and sweeten up every player, performance etc.. Pfft.. Boring..

Do you know how many people on here played Nathan up at the start of '07 as a 50+ goal kicker after round 3?? HEAPS.. That didn't happen this year and wont happen next either... simple. Do I dig out all the posts of people who said I was wrong about Nath then? NO!

People like to pull me up on here for the obvious reason that I have stuck it to them throughout the season, questioned their opinions when they have lacked good credible reason for them...

No if you'd taken the time to check you'd find I don't "sweeten up every player" and have been critical on a number of occasions, but hopefully it's been "reasoned" criticsm.

Don't think people like to pull you up for the reasons you give, or at least I certainly don't, but rather it's because of the type of over the top, and incorrect, statements you make, e.g. Enright is a squib, Corey refuses to put his head over the ball, Gaz doesn't win enough contested ball, Harley is dead wood and will be a passenger for the remainder of the season, I'd suggest they are opinions that have lacked good credible reason.

As for Nathan, think we'll have to wait another couple of seasons to find out one way or the other with him, disappointing overall this year but still has the ability to turn it around IMO.

 

[martyk]

"e.g. Enright is a squib" - Least ratio of contested possessions : uncontested possessions in the team. When the team was down early in the season, he sure as hell wasn't prepared to put his head over it.

"Corey refuses to put his head over the ball" - Early in season Thompson had to put him in defense at one stage purely because he couldn't win the ball.

"Gaz doesn't win enough contested ball" - Pre '07 there was a good case. He's not a Simon Black type ball winner who gets tagged, gets lot 'o' handball receives. Improved in this area after early slump.

"Harley is dead wood and will be a passenger for the remainder of the season" - Came into the side too early, took the place of an inform defender when not match fit. Improved as the team improved and picked up form during the year. The best defensive unit in the league(easily) pulled him through, if we lost many games in '07 he would have struggled. He still got beaten by better forwards in '07... and can't be relied on to take the big boys.. Johnson, Reiwoldt etc.

This is all very early season stuff that you could pull up many people for... Geelong played crap early... bottom line.

 

[Tonycam*]

Tony..Tony..Tony.!! I see it but I don't believe it. Agreeing with Martyk!!!

LOL Sarah , see what a premiership will do for people.

Marty always has good points , sometimes we agree , lot of times we dont . But always entertaining.

 

[sarah.13]

LOL Sarah , see what a premiership will do for people.

Marty always has good points , sometimes we agree , lot of times we dont . But always entertaining.

Gotta admit, never a dull moment with Martyk.
We won the premiership and ALL cat fans are great.

 

[Cattery]

"Least ratio of contested possessions : uncontested possessions in the team. When the team was down early in the season, he sure as hell wasn't prepared to put his head over it." .......

Ratio of contested/uncontested possessions doesn't prove that a players a "squib," and has absolutely nothing to do with a players willingness to put his body on the line when he has to, which is something I've never seen Enright refuse to do; it's also a bit rich that criticism coming from someone who continually makes excuses for Josh hunt.


"Early in season Thompson had to put him in defense at one stage purely because he couldn't win the ball." .......

"Couldn't" win the ball is a far cry from "refusing to put his head over the ball" which suggests he was shirking the hard contest, something I don't anyone would accuse Corey of doing.


"Pre '07 there was a good case. He's not a Simon Black type ball winner who gets tagged, gets lot 'o' handball receives. Improved in this area after early slump." .........

Gets lots of handball receives agreed, but is also one of the top Cats players at winning the contested footy and has been for quite a while, certainly prior to 07.


"Came into the side too early, took the place of an inform defender when not match fit. Improved as the team improved and picked up form during the year. The best defensive unit in the league(easily) pulled him through, if we lost many games in '07 he would have struggled. He still got beaten by better forwards in '07... and can't be relied on to take the big boys.. Johnson, Reiwoldt etc." ........

Now I agree with the first part of that statement, actually said so at the time as I thought he was rushed back to quick, but it took him about one or two weeks to hit his straps and since then has more then earned his place with one of his best years since joining the club, played KP and also taken on, and beaten, medium/small forwards, one of the reasons why we are the best defensive unit in the competition, hardly been a passenger for the entire year as you suggested.


"This is all very early season stuff that you could pull up many people for... Geelong played crap early... bottom line." ..........

Some of it may be, and yes we did play poorly early on, which doesn't account for the fact that your statements were over the top as well as being wrong.

 

[martyk]

Gotta admit, never a dull moment with Martyk.
We won the premiership and ALL cat fans are great.

Exactly... It's all light hearted fun and games.

Cats premiers in '07 !!! F*CK YEAH !!!

 

[Claude Balls]

If you had any clue you would know I love getting reactions from people on here. Yourself as an example.
Seriously, who bothers to read through numerous posts from another member going back to the start of the season to find weaknesses in them? You honestly have nothing else better to do with your time? Normally I just get the hook and line bitten, you my friend got the sinker too.. Congrats

By the way... I'll bet all those were written within the first 5 rounds when everyone was having a crack at the side... I can't believe someone actually dedicated a good portion of their time trying to dig those out... pretty sad..

Back to the topic.... Nathan. Weakest link in our side?

Speaking of having nothing better to do with ones' time... what type of person feels the need to troll their own team's board? Martyk obviously...

And on the topic of Nathan Ablett, you're wrong. He is not he weakest link in our side, for he brings structural stability and can kick goals. I'd say someone like Byrnes, or possibly Hunt... though Hunt is a dangerous player due to his kicking ability.

 

[martyk]

Speaking of having nothing better to do with ones' time... what type of person feels the need to troll their own team's board? Martyk obviously...

And on the topic of Nathan Ablett, you're wrong. He is not he weakest link in our side, for he brings structural stability and can kick goals. I'd say someone like Byrnes, or possibly Hunt... though Hunt is a dangerous player due to his kicking ability.

Hunt?? Funny how he consistently plays on the most dangerous opposition forwards.. No way are any of our defenders weak links.. Nath and Byrnes are the weakest atm.

Well, it's debatable whether Nath or Byrnes is the weaker link.. All you can say is Nath provides stability?? How do you know this? It hasn't yet been proven what his structural importance is because he has been in the side all year. He will be gone if he doesn't improve... simple as that. We have other younger forwards who will be knocking on the door and Nath's spot is the first under question... Heck, he nearly got dropped late in the season when we really have nothing else quality enough to bring in the side.

 

[tin can sam]

Hunt?? Funny how he consistently plays on the most dangerous opposition forwards.. No way are any of our defenders weak links.. Nath and Byrnes are the weakest atm.

Well, it's debatable whether Nath or Byrnes is the weaker link.. All you can say is Nath provides stability?? How do you know this? It hasn't yet been proven what his structural importance is because he has been in the side all year. He will be gone if he doesn't improve... simple as that. We have other younger forwards who will be knocking on the door and Nath's spot is the first under question... Heck, he nearly got dropped late in the season when we really have nothing else quality enough to bring in the side.

So will Hawkins, West, Djekurra, Varcoe, Hogan, Gamble, Grima, Davenport... do you see the point I am trying to make?

 

[martyk]

So will Hawkins, West, Djekurra, Varcoe, Hogan, Gamble, Grima, Davenport... do you see the point I am trying to make?

What is your point? Nath has had 3 seasons with lots of opportunities at senior level, all of the above have not. If Nath doesn't start producing in '08 (4th season), the club MUST give someone else a chance. I know everyone wants the 'Ablett' kid to succeed, and I realise he will be given every chance... Problem is there will come a time when we NEED him to kick goals / perform to WIN games. He has been carried through '07 with very little reliance.
'08 will be the shape up or ship out year for Nath...

 

[JUBJUB]

He will be gone if he doesn't improve... simple as that. We have other younger forwards who will be knocking on the door and Nath's spot is the first under question... Heck, he nearly got dropped late in the season when we really have nothing else quality enough to bring in the side.

You've really got to take this comedy act on the road.

 

[catempire]

Stephen Wells on Nathan Ablett:

"Just raw, natural ability with good endurance and all the skills. He's going to be some player."

 

[martyk]

You've really got to take this comedy act on the road.

Why? Whats so unrealistic? Why not reply to the post rather than trying to appeal to the dopes on here?

 

[tin can sam]

What is your point? Nath has had 3 seasons with lots of opportunities at senior level, all of the above have not. If Nath doesn't start producing in '08 (4th season), the club MUST give someone else a chance. I know everyone wants the 'Ablett' kid to succeed, and I realise he will be given every chance... Problem is there will come a time when we NEED him to kick goals / perform to WIN games. He has been carried through '07 with very little reliance.
'08 will be the shape up or ship out year for Nath...

Trust me, it won't be. At this stage of his career I'm more then happy with what Naths done, He's in our best 22, would you delist somebody in your best 22?

 

[martyk]

Trust me, it won't be. At this stage of his career I'm more then happy with what Naths done, He's in our best 22, would you delist somebody in your best 22?

Slow down champ... I never said delist. If he doesn't improve he must go back to the VFL to develop there. He simply doesn't get enough of the ball in the seniors and it would be more beneficial for him anyway. It's been shown the kid is a confidence player, why not drop him back and get him kicking bags in the VFL / taking more marks etc..
An Ablett in the VFL??? I'm sure to hit a few nerves there...

 

[tin can sam]

Slow down champ... I never said delist. If he doesn't improve he must go back to the VFL to develop there. He simply doesn't get enough of the ball in the seniors and it would be more beneficial for him anyway. It's been shown the kid is a confidence player, why not drop him back and get him kicking bags in the VFL / taking more marks etc..
An Ablett in the VFL??? I'm sure to hit a few nerves there...

I'd be happy to see Luke play there.

Anyway, when you said ship out I immediately thought de-list, and I have no doubt, with Hawkins, Lonners and maybe even Grima, Ablett will need to pick up his game to stay in the team, but I also think he'll do that, and keep the others waiting.

 

[martyk]

I have no doubt, with Hawkins, Lonners and maybe even Grima, Ablett will need to pick up his game to stay in the team, but I also think he'll do that, and keep the others waiting.

Lets just hope we get a 40-50+ goal kicker out of one of those guys... I don't care who it is. If this happens we will be unstoppable!!

 

[Rosso]

Nath ended up kicking 37 I think so he wasn't too far off the 40 - 50.

And even though he fell short, we were still unstoppable.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Nath ended up kicking 37 I think so he wasn't too far off the 40 - 50.

And even though he fell short, we were still unstoppable.

I think Ablett really has the ability to be a 50+ goal kicker. I just watched (another!) replay of the GF and was very impressed by his game. He hit some contests pretty hard, had strong hands (especially in a great 3rd quarter) and most importantly played to the Teams gameplan perfectly. Ablett actually gave up a couple of contests which he was in good position for, to let mooney take the mark. I would say that Nath is doing extremely well for a young 22 y/o forward.

Looking at other forwards during their development at that age, there are not too many even close to where Nath is at. Mooney was fooking terrible at 22 for instance and hardly got a kick back then. I think we all agree that Nath has to go away and put in a big pre-season, but i think many agree that the seeds have been sown and he is a fine prospect (and lets not forget a player who has kicked 3 goals in a GF! - not any ol mug can do that!)

My tip is for Nath to be a bit stronger on his feet next year and to really put in harder on those second and third efforts. I think he will suprise a lot of people next year!

 

[cat in sydney]

martyk, I enjoy your banter... just a couple of responses below though...

You'll find that when I had a crack at Corey and Enright they were playing crap, which they were. It is true that opposition do not rate either enough to tag. That's a stupid post. When you have Bartel and Ablett in the centre, it has nothing to do with whether or not opposition teams rate them enough... what it comes down to is do they rate them above Bartel and Ablett? As you said in another post on here, most teams only have one genuine tagger. If that's the case, they can only choose one player to tag. So, if they chose Corey or Enright, would you then be saying that Ablett and Bartel are no good because other teams don't rate them enough? Corey and Enright don't get a tag because no team can tag our whole midfield. It's not because they don't rate them.

Harley came back too early into the side when there were in form defenders ready to go, obviously because he was captain.. etc, etc.
You had a point when you said that he came in too early. Not too many of us disagreed on that. However, you consistently said that he would not improve, and that he would continue to hurt the team. This is where you need to eat some humble pie. And don't give us this, 'he was still beaten' and 'doesn't get the good forwards'. He was in our top 10 players by seasons end, and was dominant in several games, including on some dangerous forwards.

In the scheme of things N.Ablett has had the worst season in the team for a player that played the majority of games (excl Byrnes,Tenace).
Of course he's not where we'd like him to be yet... but he is improving, and because he is a confidence player (as you agree), his confidence will increase the more marks he takes and goals he kicks, and so he will continue to improve. The reason he has been in the side is because we have had no-one else to replace him.