Nathan - Changed Ur Minds Yet ?

[Prodigal Sons]

Posted last week about Nathan and how far I thought he had to go before making an impact.

Was really dissapointed in his output again on Friday night .....

1/ Ottens out and Mooney playing deeper inside 50m > another opportunity for Nathan to lead up and provide a target but he was pretty ordinary I thought.

2/ I'm getting sick of posts on this site that get all excited b/c Nathan kicks on his left and can pick the ball up well below his knees > time people realised that this kid is a "project" player at best and in my opinion will still play most of the year in the vfl.

3/ I have'nt seen anything in his 3 pre-season encounters that makes me think I'm that far off the mark.

4/ I reckon if Hawkins get's himself fit by mid season and adjusts to different physical demands of playing against bigger bodies I'd suggest that he'll be the 3rd tall option .... at the minute I don't think Nathan is enough of a presence. Looks to me like a "one trick pony". If he leads up and marks he's good but other than that I reckon he offers little right now other than wipping the locals into a frenzy because of the romance attached to the Ablett name.

Hope he proves me wrong but I think his NAB Cup games show he's still a way off.

 

[spanna050]

Posted last week about Nathan and how far I thought he had to go before making an impact.

Was really dissapointed in his output again on Friday night .....

1/ Ottens out and Mooney playing deeper inside 50m > another opportunity for Nathan to lead up and provide a target but he was pretty ordinary I thought.

2/ I'm getting sick of posts on this site that get all excited b/c Nathan kicks on his left and can pick the ball up well below his knees > time people realised that this kid is a "project" player at best and in my opinion will still play most of the year in the vfl.

3/ I have'nt seen anything in his 3 pre-season encounters that makes me think I'm that far off the mark.

4/ I reckon if Hawkins get's himself fit by mid season and adjusts to different physical demands of playing against bigger bodies I'd suggest that he'll be the 3rd tall option .... at the minute I don't think Nathan is enough of a presence. Looks to me like a "one trick pony". If he leads up and marks he's good but other than that I reckon he offers little right now other than wipping the locals into a frenzy because of the romance attached to the Ablett name.

Hope he proves me wrong but I think his NAB Cup games show he's still a way off.

I don't think there is any doubt he has a while to go, and maybe people on here, and everywhere for that matter have expected too much too early, but considering he was playing in a local footy league three years ago, I'm not surpirsed.

I watched closely on Friday night, and he just seems lost. Times where a seasoned forward would push into open space, he didn't, his timing with his leads is not quite there, and he just lacks footy smarts for mine.

Having said all that, I don't think there is anything there that he still can't learn. One thing is for sure, this guy has all the natural talent in the world - his marking and kicking are excellent.

I still think Nathan will be a star - he'll just take longer than most to adjust.

 

[AM]

What makes you think he'll be a star, 'spanna'? I haven't seen any evidence of it yet. He is not a strong pack mark. Both his pace and agility are suspect. In fact, I'd say if he didn't have the "Ablett" moniker no one would be contemplating him as a future star. For me he has a loooooong way to go to be called a "star". Now his brother, that's a different story!

Cheers.

 

[nananana catman]

He is better suited to a leading HF role than a deep forward role IMO, that is where he played his best footy in the VFL last season. He is mobile and great skills to set up forays further down the ground.

His main problem at this stage is that the players just dont kick it to him.

 

[CF]

Posted last week about Nathan and how far I thought he had to go before making an impact.

Was really dissapointed in his output again on Friday night .....

1/ Ottens out and Mooney playing deeper inside 50m > another opportunity for Nathan to lead up and provide a target but he was pretty ordinary I thought.

2/ I'm getting sick of posts on this site that get all excited b/c Nathan kicks on his left and can pick the ball up well below his knees > time people realised that this kid is a "project" player at best and in my opinion will still play most of the year in the vfl.

3/ I have'nt seen anything in his 3 pre-season encounters that makes me think I'm that far off the mark.

4/ I reckon if Hawkins get's himself fit by mid season and adjusts to different physical demands of playing against bigger bodies I'd suggest that he'll be the 3rd tall option .... at the minute I don't think Nathan is enough of a presence. Looks to me like a "one trick pony". If he leads up and marks he's good but other than that I reckon he offers little right now other than wipping the locals into a frenzy because of the romance attached to the Ablett name.

Hope he proves me wrong but I think his NAB Cup games show he's still a way off.

Nathan is going to be a great support in the forward line. Wether he can become a superstar is really is silly arguement. But if he can contest and kick 30-40 goals a year then that wouldn't be a bad result. (ie in conjunction with our main FF kicking 60+) I think some people get blinkered by other peoples expectations. But Nathan has shown enough last year to prove he has the talent. Also I don't understand how you can make your mind up after just 3 practice games? If I was to apply your logic to the whole team then I would have to write off half of them at this stage. Come back about rounnd 15 and tell us what you think then and give the kid a break.

 

[Inferno]

Just remember it took Ablett Snr a while as well...

 

[AM]

Just remember it took Ablett Snr a while as well...

Gotta disagree. Ablett Snr was an exceptional talent from day one. Ask the people at Hawthorn. They fought like tooth and nail to keep him as a kid but he, shall we say, lost focus. I saw him play his first game with us on the wing and he killed-em.

Pleeeeeeese don't mention Nathan in the same breath as the old man. Nathan may yet turn out to be a useful player but he won't get within a bulls roar of his old man.

Cheers.

 

[JUBJUB]

Not sure you can read much into friday nights game.You try being a forward with the s**thouse delivery that they were getting on friday.It took Mooney awhile to get going in that game.

 

[grantyc77]

Not sure you can read much into friday nights game.You try being a forward with the s**thouse delivery that they were getting on friday.It took Mooney awhile to get going in that game.

Have to agree with you there Jub Jub, i think we should play this kid, him and Moons at CHF both rotating leads and a small crumber at there feet leaving otto at FF one out. He proved in the finals last yr, that he can dominate the VFL, it will just take time to be a consistent player.

 

[fuzz23]

Hey guy's Nathan will be a gun at CHB, leave him there, let him get his confidence, then you will see what agreat player he will be...

Have to agree with you there Jub Jub, i think we should play this kid, him and Moons at CHF both rotating leads and a small crumber at there feet leaving otto at FF one out. He proved in the finals last yr, that he can dominate the VFL, it will just take time to be a consistent player.

 

[WE Are Geelong]

Posted last week about Nathan and how far I thought he had to go before making an impact.

Was really dissapointed in his output again on Friday night .....

1/ Ottens out and Mooney playing deeper inside 50m > another opportunity for Nathan to lead up and provide a target but he was pretty ordinary I thought.

2/ I'm getting sick of posts on this site that get all excited b/c Nathan kicks on his left and can pick the ball up well below his knees > time people realised that this kid is a "project" player at best and in my opinion will still play most of the year in the vfl.

3/ I have'nt seen anything in his 3 pre-season encounters that makes me think I'm that far off the mark.

4/ I reckon if Hawkins get's himself fit by mid season and adjusts to different physical demands of playing against bigger bodies I'd suggest that he'll be the 3rd tall option .... at the minute I don't think Nathan is enough of a presence. Looks to me like a "one trick pony". If he leads up and marks he's good but other than that I reckon he offers little right now other than wipping the locals into a frenzy because of the romance attached to the Ablett name.

Hope he proves me wrong but I think his NAB Cup games show he's still a way off.

Looking forward to your weekly updates then on the kid this season....you know track his career let us all know why you are right, your opinions on him etc

Hopefully you will have the guts to ride your footy reputation on it too...that'll be the part I look forward to the most as and when his career gets going.

 

[JUBJUB]

Looking forward to your weekly updates then on the kid this season....you know track his career let us all know why you are right, your opinions on him etc

Hopefully you will have the guts to ride your footy reputation on it too...that'll be the part I look forward to the most as and when his career gets going.

I wonder how PS is going to cope if Hawkins doesn't star each week.
PS might need to be put on suicide watch

 

[scottydeewah]

I have now noted down "ignore all threads started by PS as he is a goose"

Thanks for wasting my time, again, just like last week.

 

[rooie]

Just remember it took Ablett Snr a while as well...

the thing people often forget about gablett snr is that he didnt play full time full forward till the 93 season cos he was getting old and blight wanted to keep him around. He kicked 1016 goals and over half of them were from wing, pocket or flank.

He was spoken of as a star when he was in his first season at geelong because he was right from the start.

sorry, still reliving those days a little

 

[thehoff]

the thing people often forget about gablett snr is that he didnt play full time full forward till the 93 season cos he was getting old and blight wanted to keep him around. He kicked 1016 goals and over half of them were from wing, pocket or flank.

He was spoken of as a star when he was in his first season at geelong because he was right from the start.

sorry, still reliving those days a little

1021 goals actually.

 

[Oscarlett]

If NAB sticks to it, and doesn't get too much exposure to the sort of crap I've just read, mark my words - 2009 and beyond, when we are a team of stars, he will be a shining light.

 

[martyk]

Posted last week about Nathan and how far I thought he had to go before making an impact.

Was really dissapointed in his output again on Friday night .....

1/ Ottens out and Mooney playing deeper inside 50m > another opportunity for Nathan to lead up and provide a target but he was pretty ordinary I thought.

2/ I'm getting sick of posts on this site that get all excited b/c Nathan kicks on his left and can pick the ball up well below his knees > time people realised that this kid is a "project" player at best and in my opinion will still play most of the year in the vfl.

3/ I have'nt seen anything in his 3 pre-season encounters that makes me think I'm that far off the mark.

4/ I reckon if Hawkins get's himself fit by mid season and adjusts to different physical demands of playing against bigger bodies I'd suggest that he'll be the 3rd tall option .... at the minute I don't think Nathan is enough of a presence. Looks to me like a "one trick pony". If he leads up and marks he's good but other than that I reckon he offers little right now other than wipping the locals into a frenzy because of the romance attached to the Ablett name.

Hope he proves me wrong but I think his NAB Cup games show he's still a way off.

I actually agree. I believe he lacks the intensity of the better AFL footballers. He's been in the system for nearly 2 years, it's long enough I'm afraid.

 

[Oscarlett]

I actually agree. I believe he lacks the intensity of the better AFL footballers. He's been in the system for nearly 2 years, it's long enough I'm afraid.

and I'm not afraid you're wrong, the guy has had no main stream exposure until he hit the cattery, I can't wait until he proves all the naysayers wrong, and it will happen!

 

[martyk]

and I'm not afraid you're wrong, the guy has had no main stream exposure until he hit the cattery, I can't wait until he proves all the naysayers wrong, and it will happen!

I'm afraid until he improves a hell of a lot, YOU are wrong sunshine. Do you have any idea how many young dedicated payers don't get a chance at AFL level because their name doesn't end with Ablett? The club shouldn't have to pump lots of resources into a guy and wait for him to shine one day, even though we've seen it with Playfair.

I hope he improves but am not expecting anything more than an average AFL forward at best. Realistic.

 

[grantyc77]

and I'm not afraid you're wrong, the guy has had no main stream exposure until he hit the cattery, I can't wait until he proves all the naysayers wrong, and it will happen!

Im with you big fella, its not long enough, he is playing the start of his second season, give him a break.

 

[martyk]

Im with you big fella, its not long enough, he is playing the start of his second season, give him a break.

Wrong. He played his first game in '05.

 

[Djarcoe]

Give nablett sometime, he will be a star. By this seasons end we will all be as happy as larry when we see the goods of our labour. End of last season in the VFL he showed class. End of this season AFL he will show class. Trust me I had a vision.

 

[sarah.13]

Playfair Drafted in 2001.
N.ablett Drafted in 2004.

It's obvious who has more potential and has more time to show it in.

N.Alett hands down, so get off his back and give the kid the same chance others have been given.

 

[Big Nasty]

In my honest opinion I dont think he will be a great player. Good yes, just not great. I would expect him to be in our future best 22 though, and a lot better than past fringe forwards.

 

[Oscarlett]

I'm afraid until he improves a hell of a lot, YOU are wrong sunshine. Do you have any idea how many young dedicated payers don't get a chance at AFL level because their name doesn't end with Ablett? The club shouldn't have to pump lots of resources into a guy and wait for him to shine one day, even though we've seen it with Playfair.

I hope he improves but am not expecting anything more than an average AFL forward at best. Realistic.

OK, ok then, with your use of the word 'sunshine' I surrender.

Neck up fool, you have no idea, and your line - "Do you have any idea how many young dedicated payers don't get a chance at AFL level because their name doesn't end with Ablett"? - Is plain and over-used! Yes, my little friend, lots of kids don't get a chance because their name is not connected or known; that has happened for decades in all sports! THE reason recruiters/coaches etc keep an eye out for the connected is because the odds of their success is somewhat better. Keep reading and you might learn - secondly he has the movement, pre-eptiveness and clean skills to become a top tier forward...

and the Playfair comparison - wtf!