Past Nicholas Graham

[AlecDuncan]

I think we've found our replacement for Scotland.

 

[Jeremias]

I think we've found our replacement for Scotland.

Not sure that comparison is apt, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Nick spends more time forward of centre than Scotland has in the past.

 

[zeeCFC]

I think we've found our replacement for Scotland.

Not sure that comparison is apt, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Nick spends more time forward of centre than Scotland has in the past.

Agree with J here. If he and Menzel get into the side next year they'll be an upgrade on Curnow/Cachia and Armfield.

 

[AlecDuncan]

Not sure that comparison is apt, but it will be interesting to see how it plays out.

Nick spends more time forward of centre than Scotland has in the past.

He might now, but I can see him streaming out of the backline ball in hand, making decisions and delivering better than most a la Scotty. I forgot to pay attention on Saturday - can he kick with both feet?

 

[zeeCFC]

He might now, but I can see him streaming out of the backline ball in hand, making decisions and delivering better than most a la Scotty. I forgot to pay attention on Saturday - can he kick with both feet?

He's not nearly as well skilled as Scotland. He's tidy on the right and that's all we've seen so far.

Trying not to get my hopes up so at the moment I see him as a ball magnet who has time and space and midfield smarts who can kick a goal or two a game (very similar to McLean)

 

[Bradschi]

I think graham is mentored by scotland this season so I get why people are saying he's gonna replace scotland, personally I see him as a midfield forward role where he can bob up in the forward line and snag a couple more than a halfback flanker type.
However he does have the composure and smarts to play there, plus players often adjust and play at different positions at the top level. Think we're just all glad to see him back out there and having a crack after a pretty promising pre-season, especially at pick 54, I'm still laughing in my sleep for that

 

[HARKER]

Nick has been in our best just about every week since coming in after a knee injury and in three of those games he has arguably been our best player.

Graham is very close to an AFL debut and if the next game wasn't on the Gold Coast, his chances would be very good.
Whichever way Nick is very close and can't be ignored for too much longer.
Mick has rewarded good and disciplined form to the boys in the NB's so far this year and I doubt this will change.

 

[Bradschi]

His debut will definitely be within the next 3 weeks I reckon

 

[zeeCFC]

He has nothing but time on his hands.

Still needs to work on adapting his game style to the seniors' and his defensive work rate but the signs so far are very promising.

Dare I say it, next Andy Collins. Andy not happy about it either in my avatar.

 

[HARKER]

Nick has now played 7 in the VFL after his knee injury.
In that time he has been one of our best in every game and is now pushing hard for a deserved senior debut.

What we've known about Graham:

1. He knows how to find the ball and positions himself well at stoppages.
2. Can lose a tagger quite regularly. Doesn't stop moving about.
3. Has good vision in traffic and spots up team-mates very well.
4. Nick is also a good tackler. He may not hurt the opposition with his tackle but he secures the ball inside very well.
5. Graham is a good shot on goal whether it be on the run or from a set shot.
6. Graham is one-paced but he's quite agile in close.

Things I've noticed through the games I've seen.

1. Generally finds his way in front of his opponent through stoppages early in game but then seems to get pushed behind later in the game. May be a fitness thing.
2. Something I noticed on the weekend which I really like: Nick regularly observes the field and not just what's in front of him. Now, I have little idea how much he can take in but I guess that he does it for a very good reason. In the way a batsman looks around as to where the fieldsmen are, Graham seems to take into account opposition positioning, seemingly to make the most of the possession should he take hold of the ball.
Even when he's some way away from the ball he'll look around and then decide where his ground positioning may serve him best.

Graham hits me as someone who will thrive in the AFL environment.
Only time will tell but I have seen nothing to suggest he won't be a good player for us for some time to come.

 

[bluelad]

When will this kid get a game? Good opportunity against the dogs?

 

[mediumsizered]

When will this kid get a game? Good opportunity against the dogs?

If he does everything right for the Northern Blues tomorrow he would have to be a certainty to play against the Dogs. With our season hanging by a thread, now is as good a time as any to see what Graham can do. I am quite confident, from what I have seen of him, that he will adapt to AFL football comfortably.

 

[etsal1]

It's time.

 

[TommyMcG]

God dammit MC!!!

 

[Mister Carlton]

Congratulations Nick Graham. 1148th player to debut for the club. Lets smash Richmond.

 

[Sin City]

Gee that's a lot of debuts against Richmond. We do play them every round one though I guess......

 

[AceAndy]

Congratulations Nick Graham. 1148th player to debut for the club against Richmond.

Gee that's a lot of debuts against Richmond. We do play them every round one though I guess......

That seems a little high to me given this is the 211th game against the Tiges, perhaps a typo here MC

 

[King of Ruin]

 

[HARKER]

I imagine Nick would be pretty happy for reading what his coach has to say about him.

He also praised teenaged midfielder Nick Graham, who will make his debut against Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

The 2012 Morrish Medallist had a delayed start to season due to a a knee injury, but Malthouse praised his work ethic, saying he was close to the last player to leaving training and ''that says a lot about his professionalism as a young man, it's fantastic to have him on board''.

 

[ferrisb]

First of all, congrats to Nick Graham. It sounds like his VFL form has been impressive and he more than deserves his spot.

Admittedly I'm about nine months too late, but just a question about where he went in the draft.

I understand that drafting is based on a combination of output, potential, football ability, athleticism, psychological testing etc but I'm still surprised that a Morrish Medallist would be picked as low as #54 in the draft.

Yes, some kids blossom early, players have different ceilings etc, but surely a Morrish Medallist is a kid that dominated underage comp and you would expect that player to go higher than #54?

Thoughts?

 

[Silvagnis]

"It's not rare that as I'm leaving, Nick's still in the rooms. Either getting treatment, doing some touch or just trying to improve himself."

 

[HARKER]

Well done Nick. Not a bad first game at all.

 

[T2B_]

Did not look overawed at all, but I can't say I expected any less.

Was surprised how slim and smaller he looked compared to many of the other AFL players, but I guess that is to be expected. Still not at Bootsma levels in that regard.

 

[HARKER]

Did not look overawed at all, but I can't say I expected any less.

Was surprised how slim and smaller he looked compared to many of the other AFL players, but I guess that is to be expected. Still not at Bootsma levels in that regard.

He's actually not that slim compared to many of his counterparts.

Has a terrific build for his age already and not sure we're going to see him much heavier than the 80 kgs he's carrying.
Scotland is the same height and is 82 kgs.

 

[T2B_]

Wow, I wouldn't have picked him for 80kgs, but I'd trust the figures over my eyes. He'll probably be one of those player's who's deceptively strong, but regardless, he's probably also the sort of player who doesn't need to rely on that.

Anyway, I like what I see