Nathan Vardy

[kicksome]

come on vardy lets go party!

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

It is certainly frustrating knowing we have two potential superstars in Vardy and Menzel who have both been plagued with serious injuries.

I am hopeful that both can just get out there and play a solid year of footy this year.

On another topic....people should be very careful in criticism of Josh Walker. He has more upside than most and is just a huge competitor. Having just turned 20 and being an elite athlete, he is going to have a big impact around the club. Will be promoted to senior list at some stage. I still think there is a role for him as mobile ruck, just covers a lot of ground!

 

[The rabbi]

I am keeping a lid on what I think of Vardy......not saying anything.

Still think he is a KP forward rather than a ruck.

Ruck in small doses.

But that's just my opinion.

 

[Partridge]

On another topic....people should be very careful in criticism of Josh Walker. He has more upside than most and is just a huge competitor. Having just turned 20 and being an elite athlete, he is going to have a big impact around the club. Will be promoted to senior list at some stage. I still think there is a role for him as mobile ruck, just covers a lot of ground!

I only criticise Walker as a ruckman, not as a player. I'm quite confident he'll turn into a good young key forward in time. He's still very young and inexperienced.

If he is to be a mobile ruckman, there are two things he needs to do he couldn't do last year - get possessions and win hitouts. I just don't see it, and don't see why you'd try it unless you're absolutely desperate. I'd have Vardy ahead of him in the ruck without blinking. 10 times out of 10.

 

[SleazySimon]

Still think he is a KP forward rather than a ruck.

Ruck in small doses.

But that's just my opinion.

going by this forum I think people are in for a surprise. There is no way he will play predominantly as a forward this year. The reality is we NEED another ruckman more than another KPF. I think there is a very good chance he and West will share ruck duties until we get either Simpson or McIntosh back. Same as late last year and in 2011 so I don't see how this year will be any different.

Also Shane Kersten should be given a shot as forward this year after kicking 38 goals 14 behinds so he is a very accurate kick for goal, then there's Brown and walker, and before we can start talking about that pods has to lose form for any of them to get a spot in the side.

 

[footscore]

going by this forum I think people are in for a surprise. There is no way he will play predominantly as a forward this year. The reality is we NEED another ruckman more than another KPF

tell me apart from Hawkins, what key forwards do we have?

 

[footscore]

Podsiadly?
He'll likely be retired come 2014 and I fear that RD1 match-up on Brian Lake will be exactly what Clarkson is hoping for

 

[SleazySimon]

tell me apart from Hawkins, what key forwards do we have?

tell me, apart from west, what rucks do we have right now? Our other kpf stocks are kersten, Brown and walker. Unproven I know, but so is Vardy. Pods will get back to form this year and kersten will be a gun whichever team he plays for. If he's not given a go next year he'll want out. Probably back to Perth. Bookmark all this.

 

[TheJimmyCartel]

I think Walker has to groomed for somewhere outside of the forward line & don't see him as a ruckman. If our 2015/16 forward structure wants to look something like

Motlop - Vardy - Varcoe
Kersten - Hawkins - Smedts

I see Kersten as more of a natural forward than Walker and it's too top heavy with Walker, Vardy, Hawk & Kersten. I really like Walker and it's going to interesting to see where he fits into the structure in time, cause I can't see him in the ruck or being able to stay in the forward line if Kersten rises. I think he would put some fear into opposition forward lines if he played back though....Pod's has to step aside after this year IMO for the benefit of the team for 2015 onward or trade him if he wants to play on. Sounds harsh but we have some decent KPP's that need experience or we risk losing long-term prospects

 

[footscore]

tell me, apart from west, what rucks do we have right now? Our other kpf stocks are kersten, Brown and walker. Unproven I know, but so is Vardy. Pods will get back to form this year and kersten will be a gun whichever team he plays for. If he's not given a go next year he'll want out. Probably back to Perth. Bookmark all this.

We have West who played most of the 2012 season as the sole ruckman.
In RD1 he was up against Roughead and McCauley (or whatever his name was) and we won that game.
Kersten has not played a single AFL game, Brown has played 5 AFL games while Walker 7.
Brown kicked a total of 5 goals, Walker 3 and Vardy has kicked 8 from 11 games.

At least whenever Vardy has played forward or ruck he's been impressive as commentators elude to but due to injury, he just didn't get matches under his belt last year, had he not have been injured...we'd be seeing a top end talent on the rise.

Personally, I'm expecting West to ruck majority of the game in RD1 while Vardy pushes forward to expose Hawthorn's lack of height and whenever West goes to to the bench and rest, we'll see Vardy take over ruck duties for 5 minute periods.

 

[footscore]

Kersten is still a while away from senior footy, his engine is very poor...may have built that up pre season but Brown, Walker are clearly ahead at this stage.

 

[The rabbi]

going by this forum I think people are in for a surprise. There is no way he will play predominantly as a forward this year. The reality is we NEED another ruckman more than another KPF.

Geelong may very well have NEEDS, and Vardy may very well NOT play predominately forward this year. But I still think that he is a KP forward rather than a ruckman regardless of the needs for the season and where he predominately plays.

 

[footscore]

Geelong may very well have NEEDS, and Vardy may very well NOT play predominately forward this year. But I still think that he is a KP forward rather than a ruckman regardless of the needs for the season and where he predominately plays.

gonna be interesting when HMac come into the side isn't it, like you wonder if we would play all of Vardy, West, McIntosh at the same time?

 

[dazbroncos]

Who?

blokes no good... cant even keep the same number... must be a hack....

Go Catters

 

[SleazySimon]

We have West who played most of the 2012 season as the sole ruckman.
In RD1 he was up against Roughead and McCauley (or whatever his name was) and we won that game.
Kersten has not played a single AFL game, Brown has played 5 AFL games while Walker 7.
Brown kicked a total of 5 goals, Walker 3 and Vardy has kicked 8 from 11 games.

At least whenever Vardy has played forward or ruck he's been impressive as commentators elude to but due to injury, he just didn't get matches under his belt last year, had he not have been injured...we'd be seeing a top end talent on the rise.

Personally, I'm expecting West to ruck majority of the game in RD1 while Vardy pushes forward to expose Hawthorn's lack of height and whenever West goes to to the bench and rest, we'll see Vardy take over ruck duties for 5 minute periods.

we didn't play west as sole ruckman last year out of choice - we had no one else! It's why we recruited hmac. Stephenson was the better tap ruckman but he was never fully fit and couldn't run out games, likewise Simpson. Wasn't until vardy was fit he was automatic choice as 2nd ruck/forward. West may still be no1 ruck but he still needs a chopout and backup.

As for the rest of your post you miss my point. I'm nowhere near questioning vardys ability in either position I actually think he may well be our next best forward to Hawkins but he's also our one of our few ruck options unlike our other kpf options.

 

[SleazySimon]

Kersten is still a while away from senior footy, his engine is very poor...may have built that up pre season but Brown, Walker are clearly ahead at this stage.

Well you'd think Brown would be better - he's been on our list for 4 more years!
Kersten is a much more accurate kick than walker and a better contested mark. Which makes him a better forward.

But I think walker will improve alot this year though, whichever position he plays.

 

[Partridge]

Podsiadly?
He'll likely be retired come 2014 and I fear that RD1 match-up on Brian Lake will be exactly what Clarkson is hoping for

Lake will be superglued to Hawkins when the opening siren goes. He was recruited specifically to stop guys like Hawkins annihilating Schoenmakers. Again.

Gibson or Schoey will get Pods, but there's no way they'll not put Hawkins on Lake after what he's done to them the last 3 times they've met.

 

[Partridge]

At least whenever Vardy has played forward or ruck he's been impressive as commentators elude to but due to injury, he just didn't get matches under his belt last year, had he not have been injured...we'd be seeing a top end talent on the rise.

Personally, I'm expecting West to ruck majority of the game in RD1 while Vardy pushes forward to expose Hawthorn's lack of height and whenever West goes to to the bench and rest, we'll see Vardy take over ruck duties for 5 minute periods.

Vardy hasn't been nearly as impressive as some fans wish he was. He's got a ton of promise, but he still hasn't actually done a hell of a lot.

Agree completely with how he and West will share the ruck in Round 1. Seems the most logical way. Of course if we're too top heavy up forward either Pods or Vardy will spend time on the bench too.

 

[Partridge]

Well you'd think Brown would be better - he's been on our list for 4 more years!
Kersten is a much more accurate kick than walker and a better contested mark. Which makes him a better forward.

But I think walker will improve alot this year though, whichever position he plays.

But at senior level, Walker is next to unproven and Kersten is totally unproven. So we don't know who the better forward is. Could easily be a year or two before either get a sustained run in the seniors. Can't play everyone.

 

[Cattery]

tell me apart from Hawkins, what key forwards do we have?

Geez how quickly we forget.

Podsiadly?
He'll likely be retired come 2014 and I fear that RD1 match-up on Brian Lake will be exactly what Clarkson is hoping for

Answered your own question mate.

Pods "may" be retired come 2014 but let's not get ahead of ourselves, still our number two KPF by a mile at the moment.

And as Partridge points out, there's a 99% chance Lake will go to Hawkins, I'd be gobsmacked if "The Hack" got the job again, delighted but gobsmacked.

 

[footscore]

Vardy hasn't been nearly as impressive as some fans wish he was. He's got a ton of promise, but he still hasn't actually done a hell of a lot.

Agree completely with how he and West will share the ruck in Round 1. Seems the most logical way. Of course if we're too top heavy up forward either Pods or Vardy will spend time on the bench too.

fair point, not suggesting he's the next Hawkins of our forward line but I wouldn't be surprised we see Podsiadly play in defense which then allows Vardy and/or Walker/Brown to play as well.

 

[Partridge]

fair point, not suggesting he's the next Hawkins of our forward line but I wouldn't be surprised we see Podsiadly play in defense which then allows Vardy and/or Walker/Brown to play as well.

In home and away? No chance. We've already got Taylor and Lonergan. Pods isn't quick - you'd love to have him minding you as a forward.

 

[walker80]

Can someone please come out from the club and definitively say whether Vards is injured and how bad it is or that he is good to go and they are just easing him into the season???

He was interviewed just before our round 1 NAB Cup games and said how he was feeling great and looking forward to the year. He looked in great nick and has put on a heap of weight and muscle which is awesome.

But since then all we've heard, apart from the silence, is that he might be injured, might be his hip and he hasn't be really sighted on the track.

Please Cats, give us something rather then leaving your loyal fans hanging!!!

 

[Senatorguesty]

Can someone please come out from the club and definitively say whether Vards is injured and how bad it is or that he is good to go and they are just easing him into the season???

He was interviewed just before our round 1 NAB Cup games and said how he was feeling great and looking forward to the year. He looked in great nick and has put on a heap of weight and muscle which is awesome.

But since then all we've heard, apart from the silence, is that he might be injured, might be his hip and he hasn't be really sighted on the track.

Please Cats, give us something rather then leaving your loyal fans hanging!!!

He's not injured.

 

[FredLeDeux]

He's not injured.

That's the good oil, I take it?