Past Nicholas Graham

[DaVillaBlues]

it didn't make sense on any level, whether from a perspective of "developing kids" or "saving Mick's job" because NG was both a kid, and best 22. Both goals were aligned. It was nonsense to play him one quarter as sub, a quarter in which he performed really well and laid many tackles, and then drop him when he clearly outperformed many older teammates.

The main thing is that Mick is gone and Nick Graham isn't. All good.

I wouldn't have had said at the start of the season that NG was a starting 22 player (he certainly is now though)

 

[Sector 7G]

Maybe they thought a quarter on the ground in the firsts and then back to the twos to process and work on what was learned was development.

Maybe they did, but I am not sure how losing match fitness as the sub was going to help Grahams 2 way running.

 

[Big Sim]

Maybe they did, but I am not sure how losing match fitness as the sub was going to help Grahams 2 way running.

I feel the same way about the sub vest, and for that reason don't want Boek as sub this week.

But the Hawks are developing Hartung with the vest every week and it seems to be working well.

 

[DaVillaBlues]

I feel the same way about the sub vest, and for that reason don't want Boek as sub this week.

But the Hawks are developing Hartung with the vest every week and it seems to be working well.

The sub rule generally stinks and if IIRC Gil has said they will ditch it at the end of the year.

 

[passmark]

I have doubts over Grahams future but like that he's being given every chance to be a real footballer under the new regime.

That's the way it should be.

 

[passmark]

The sub rule generally stinks and if IIRC Gil has said they will ditch it at the end of the year.

Pretty sure it's gone.

They'd ditch it mid season if they could.

 

[Arcticalloy]

Very good player, loved his tackles when the game was there to be won, has good disposals as well.

 

[Sublime]

The tackling has been the part that's raised my eyebrows the most in the past few weeks. Very impressive. Is definitely sticking them really well and it's resulted in a few holding the ball decisions. It's a side of his game that i didn't know was there.

 

[P_Crippy]

I feel the same way about the sub vest, and for that reason don't want Boek as sub this week.

But the Hawks are developing Hartung with the vest every week and it seems to be working well.

Great point. I am very impressed with what I've seen of Hartung and he has had to work and wait for his opportunity. From what I've seen he's making the most of it. Just want hungry players out there on the field and not ones who know they'll ge a game because they have a fat contract or were a high draft pick.

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

The tackling has been the part that's raised my eyebrows the most in the past few weeks. Very impressive. Is definitely sticking them really well and it's resulted in a few holding the ball decisions. It's a side of his game that i didn't know was there.

I'm looking forward to Holman getting a call up at some point too. He's a tackling machine!

 

[HARKER]

I'm looking forward to Holman getting a call up at some point too. He's a tackling machine!

............and very.............unsociable.

 

[passmark]

............and very.............unsociable.

Cool.

We play the Hawks twice in the last month or so of the year.

We re no chance to beat them, but it doesn't mean they should be able to beat us up with impunity.

 

[Sublime]

Holman is one i've hardly seen anything of. Always hear about his tackling, but not much on the other side of the coin. What's his ball finding ability like? Disposal quality?

Always figured him as the opposite of Graham in that Graham could find the ball and dispose neatly without having the solid defensive game (yes he is starting to prove me wrong there clearly).

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

............and very.............unsociable.

That's what I like about him. Holman, Graham, Cripps, Bell....they don't take crap from anyone.

 

[HARKER]

Holman is one i've hardly seen anything of. Always hear about his tackling, but not much on the other side of the coin. What's his ball finding ability like? Disposal quality?

Always figured him as the opposite of Graham in that Graham could find the ball and dispose neatly without having the solid defensive game (yes he is starting to prove me wrong there clearly).

Holman has always been a ferocious tackler and that's not going to change.
He plays just on the edge but will have kicks given against him at times. He, Cripps and Graham will always come strongly to the support of a team-mate.

Was played mostly across half-back last year and was given tagging jobs from about half the year onwards.
This year he did have some tagging jobs but has been getting his hands onto the ball a lot more often being given some freedom.
Spent most of the game as a mid on Saturday and did an excellent job in tandem with Whiley.

He is still a little rough around the edges but he does have AFL qualities through the way he attacks the game.
Has been named in the best players, just about every game, this year to date.
If the CFC find a way to let him go and years end, they have rocks in their head.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

People need to build a bridge over Mick, he's been gone more than a month now and its fantastic to see NG make the most of his opportunity, but everytime he playa a good game, I hope we don't see more posts potting MM for not playing him.

Al Clarkson never rated or played Josh Kennedy (for example) at Hawthorn and now he has become a legit A Grader at Sydney, all the best/most successful coaches have gotten it wrong about good players (Yabby Jeans gave Gary Ablett the flick at Hawthorn)

A little different with Kennedy. He debuted in a premiership year for the Hawks. Hard to find room in a side like that. His second year he played 10 games, including the last 9 in a row. Carlton were a losing team and a lot of players were down on form. You simply don't bring in a multiple time VFL BOG player for a quarter as sub and then drop him again and bring back in the same out of form players.

 

[Sublime]

I think the thing with the sub is that there is no one who you should play in the spot. It's a stupid rule and i'm surprised it's taken this long to scrap it!

 

[Sector 7G]

I feel the same way about the sub vest, and for that reason don't want Boek as sub this week.

But the Hawks are developing Hartung with the vest every week and it seems to be working well.

Hartung holds the Combine Beep test record so his fitness is probably not the Hawks major concern.

 

[mediumsizered]

How sad it is to see posters using this thread to dish crap on Malthouse instead of focussing on the promising signs being shown by Nick Graham. It strikes me that some Carlton supporters will turn any positive into a negative so they can vent their spleen. Such a sad existence they must live.

 

[thylacine60]

MM has been inextricably linked with his playing time you have to admit, msr. Bound to be discussed.

 

[Stig O'Hara]

How sad it is to see posters using this thread to dish crap on Malthouse instead of focussing on the promising signs being shown by Nick Graham. It strikes me that some Carlton supporters will turn any positive into a negative so they can vent their spleen. Such a sad existence they must live.

NG has been terrific in the last few weeks. Not the quickest, but knows where to go, can find and use the footy, and tackles like a bear when he hasn't got it.

By the same token, would be bloody interested as to why MM wasn't playing him.

Just sayin'

 

[Stig O'Hara]

MM has been inextricably linked with his playing time you have to admit, msr. Bound to be discussed.

Dead right.

 

[thylacine60]

NG has been terrific in the last few weeks. Not the quickest, but knows where to go, can find and use the footy, and tackles like a bear when he hasn't got it.

By the same token, would be bloody interested as to why MM wasn't playing him.

Just sayin'

goal savvy too, Numbers......

 

[bmaurizio]

Great to see Nick Graham play wth the passion and tenacity he does what a asset to the team.
Bargin at pick 54 too, we've got to thanks Nick Stevens for this selection.
Hopefully his career at the Blues flourishes further great pick up, quality player ready to do what it takes for the team.
Go Baggers

 

[Weiterbot23]

Mick wasn't the only one at the club that had reservations with Nick.

Good thing though is that Nick hasn't reservations on himself. Good on him for never dropping his head when not loved as much as he should have been.

I've Been critical of his physical attributes at the top level. Pace, kicking distance and height.

But I think he's attitude from the outside seems super confident borderline arrogant is exactly what we need and what will help him succeed.

Strikes as the sort of guy that's been told he's too slow etc and doesn't care and won't let it stop him making it.


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