Player Watch Nathan Freeman

[TradeDraft]

Just watching the intro vid on the official website, anyone else picking up on how much Bucks likes Freeman's attitude? Seems quite amused by his confidence, it's funny to watch him grinning while Freeman talks to him.

Sure did look like Bucks and Freeman got along very well

 

[Hva sher a]

Much of the concern around Freeman on this board is probably because it was predicted we would pick up Salem, Lennon, Acres or even Aish with pick 10. Many assumed the Dees would go for Freeman.

Freeman is one of us now and he'll have my support (unless he turns out to be a Ben Sinclair)
His pace will be valuable when we run and spread. Look forward to it

 

[Obese Arachnid]

Much of the concern around Freeman on this board is probably because it was predicted we would pick up Salem, Lennon, Acres or even Aish with pick 10. Many assumed the Dees would go for Freeman.

Freeman is one of us now and he'll have my support (unless he turns out to be a Ben Sinclair)
His pace will be valuable when we run and spread. Look forward to it

Yep now he's a Collingwood boy let's all get behind him. Except that bastard Sinclair.

 

[TradeDraft]

http://truezebras.net/2013/11/25/dragons-draft-profile-nathan-freeman/

 

[Ketchup]

Freeman doesn't even have to try to be better than Sinclair. The only comparison they have is speed. Freeman looks a much more natural footballer than Sinclair.

The only concern I have, and I mentioned it before the draft when it was rumored hes coming to us. In 2-3 years time when hes a more mature midfielder, I question whether his game is going to have the consistency to get 20-25+ touches of the pill every week. But only time will tell.

 

[TradeDraft]

Freeman doesn't even have to try to be better than Sinclair. The only comparison they have is speed. Freeman looks a much more natural footballer than Sinclair.

The only concern I have, and I mentioned it before the draft when it was rumored hes coming to us. In 2-3 years time when hes a more mature midfielder, I question whether his game is going to have the consistency to get 20-25+ touches of the pill every week. But only time will tell.

As you say we won't know how good a Player he will be.

Hopefully he won't be another Wellingham as averages 15-20 Touches. Where as you say he is up 20+ Possessions.

I like the Kid reckon he can

 

[Baird]

As you say we won't know how good a Player he will be.

Hopefully he won't be another Wellingham as averages 15-20 Touches. Where as you say he is up 20+ Possessions.

I like the Kid reckon he can

One of his cons is his ability to find the ball, but he should improve.

 

[Dundalis]

Anyone confirm his height? I've seen anything from 181-184cm. He has a few too many weaknesses for me for a #10 pick, but at least for a smaller player (though he looks strong and well developed) he has genuinely elite speed, unlike Kennedy. I personally think it means Kennedy ought to be developed as a small forward, as in midfield they play pretty similar roles, but Freeman clearly has better physical tools.

 

[Duggy31]

I dunno what everyone is worried about, the way he tucks it under his arm and runs is as Judd-like as I've ever seen.

 

[Robroy22]

Hopefully he won't be another Wellingham as averages 15-20 Touches.??? Seriously Dave...you think Wellers was a dud?
Him getting 15-20 touches a game was pretty good in that midfield ( I mean seriously Swanny would have 40, Pendles 30, Ball and Beams 25 each) Wellers and the other secondary mids were only in there for 2-3 minutes at a time!
If Freeman is a good as Wellers I'll be happy. (personally I think he's got the scope to be better but we'll see how he goes in our system)

 

[TradeDraft]

Hopefully he won't be another Wellingham as averages 15-20 Touches.??? Seriously Dave...you think Wellers was a dud?
Him getting 15-20 touches a game was pretty good in that midfield ( I mean seriously Swanny would have 40, Pendles 30, Ball and Beams 25 each) Wellers and the other secondary mids were only in there for 2-3 minutes at a time!
If Freeman is a good as Wellers I'll be happy. (personally I think he's got the scope to be better but we'll see how he goes in our system)

Wellers was a Good Player but I alway felt he could be Better then he was

 

[TradeDraft]

I dunno what everyone is worried about, the way he tucks it under his arm and runs is as Judd-like as I've ever seen.

They say that about almost all player who tuck the ball under when going for a Run

 

[Duggy31]

Yeah but he really tucks it up there. I remember one game against Northern Territory he actually lost the ball in his arm pit. They had to call the game off and he needed to have it surgically removed.

 

[Obese Arachnid]

Yeah but he really tucks it up there. I remember one game against Northern Territory he actually lost the ball in his arm pit. They had to call the game off and he needed to have it surgically removed.

So the more PSI in the armpit from ball thrust is a determining factor in the quality of player.

Why isn't this tested at the combine!

 

[Duggy31]

So the more PSI in the armpit from ball thrust is a determining factor in the quality of player.

Why isn't this tested at the combine!

I think it comes in next year, they're doing it just after the vertical leap

 

[Obese Arachnid]

I think it comes in next year, they're doing it just after the vertical leap

Nice edit, I had something up my sleeve.

 

[Duggy31]

Yeah the vertical sleep is a much under rated part of our game

 

[Duggy31]

Raph Clarke and Richard Tambling are some verticle sleep prime examples that come to mind

 

[motr]

Anyone confirm his height? I've seen anything from 181-184cm. He has a few too many weaknesses for me for a #10 pick, but at least for a smaller player (though he looks strong and well developed) he has genuinely elite speed, unlike Kennedy. I personally think it means Kennedy ought to be developed as a small forward, as in midfield they play pretty similar roles, but Freeman clearly has better physical tools.

Who would you have taken at #10?

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Sinclair's been fine down back. People need to give him a break.

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

http://truezebras.net/2013/11/25/dragons-draft-profile-nathan-freeman/

That's a really encouraging write up Dave. It also confirms my view of his kicking from the vision I've seen. I think he has a great kicking style and plenty to work with. The view that Bucks will make him play 4 or 5 quality VFL games before debut is something I hope to see applied to all our younger players. We have so much depth and so many promising young guys that you can afford not to give any of them a free lunch. Let's hope it translates into some stellar performances at VFL level.

 

[TradeDraft]

That's a really encouraging write up Dave. It also confirms my view of his kicking from the vision I've seen. I think he has a great kicking style and plenty to work with. The view that Bucks will make him play 4 or 5 quality VFL games before debut is something I hope to see applied to all our younger players. We have so much depth and so many promising young guys that you can afford not to give any of them a free lunch. Let's hope it translates into some stellar performances at VFL level.

Well Depends when he Debuts how his Pre-Season Game Goes. Still could Debut RD 1

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

Well Depends when he Debuts how his Pre-Season Game Goes. Still could Debut RD 1

The NAB Cup is the time to experiment. Love to see Freeman, Kennedy, Broomhead, Martin, Marsh, Langdon etc. given major game time and if they 'tear shit up' as people on here like to say, then I'm all for bringing through the youth. Otherwise should be a case of do your apprenticeship, no easy games. Part of our 'cultural deficiency' in recent years I believe has been some players assuming they had a mortgage on best 22.

 

[mattys123]

Picture from today's training session (off the club's twitter);

He's definitely not going to have to build himself up too much to have a "senior body".

 

[Heater39]

Freeman will play senior footy next year. Already has the speed and endurance and looks to have a strong body as well. All things going to plan, he should be a regular by 2015.