Past Nicholas Graham

[Silvagnis]

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.

Will get rid of his non-functional weight if he gets a proper haircut and removes all the product he puts in his hair.

 

[King of Ruin]

Will get rid of his non-functional weight if he gets a proper haircut and removes all the product he puts in his hair.

Has to be adding 5kg.

Shave his bloody head and get the kid a beard!
Real talk!

 

[Jeremias]

Didn't look out of place on Saturday afternoon and showed he's a prospect certainly worth persevering with.

Can certainly find the ball with ease and it's not for pace that he's able to get in the right position time and time again. Clever footballer who knows where to go and when he needs to get there.

Needs to work on certain aspects of his game but that will come and he certainly won't shy away from that.

Terrific effort to force his way into the side in his first year, especially after missing a large chunk of it through injury.

Would like to see him spend the remainder of the season at senior level.

 

[HARKER]

Two Nicks with a lot in common

NICK Graham made an impressive debut in Carlton's win over Richmond last week. The teenager also made a striking impression when he arrived at Visy Park late last year.
Almost immediately, Graham's new teammates started calling him "Pussa".
The nickname is more fitting than most.
It highlights Graham's resemblance to former Port Adelaide and Carlton midfielder Nick "Puss" Stevens.
But the link between the blond duo goes way beyond mere looks.
Stevens coached Graham last year at TAC Cup club Gippsland Power and had a profound influence on the youngster.

Thanks Stevo. It's all thanks to you.

 

[Bradschi]

 

[HARKER]

I guess they only worked with the little material they may have had but there were plenty of moments much better than anything on this set of highlights.

 

[Bradschi]

I guess they only worked with the little material they may have had but there were plenty of moments much better than anything on this set of highlights.

no doubt about it, I've seen better plays from him than that.
But I guess the Box Hill win was a big game for the Northern Blues, and he performed well, it was either him or Robinson as BOG that day.

 

[HARKER]

no doubt about it, I've seen better plays from him than that.
But I guess the Box Hill win was a big game for the Northern Blues, and he performed well, it was either him or Robinson as BOG that day.

Yep. Your memory serves you well.

 

[zeeCFC]

I guess they only worked with the little material they may have had but there were plenty of moments much better than anything on this set of highlights.

loved in his debut that late in the match he was running into the middle with the ball behind him and out bodied Steve Morris to almost take a very difficult mark...the very next play he found McLean types of space and let us get out of defense and release the pressure late in the match.

He has under stated footy smarts and is very tidy. Exactly the type of player a premiership side needs - consistent solid performer who is a capable midfielder.

 

[Silvagnis]

Surely it wouldn't be too much to ask for Graham to be a gun and bargain?

Seattle's Superbowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson was pick 75 in the 2012 draft.

 

[zeeCFC]

The early signs are good. Just hope he doesn't turn out a slightly better Ellard. Would really like a better skilled Carrazzo type

 

[Jeremias]

Somewhat surprised that Nick has not featured more at senior level in 2014.

He's a class above at VFL level and with Judd, Carrazzo, Curnow all missing from the senior side for extended periods, I thought we'd see him feature more prominently.

Clearly has aspects he needs to work on to take the next step but he's one I think would benefit more from playing at the higher level. Just won't die wondering and can have an impact.

 

[etsal1]

Wiley says he needs to make his disposals more effective. Which I agree with, but at the same time being sub every time he plays seniors probably doesn't help his cause.

 

[Sin City]

Another 32 touches today, 31 last week.

 

[HARKER]

Graham is racking up the possessions but they just haven't been as effective compared to last year.
Not sure why but Nick seems to be rushing a lot more, making some of his disposals shabby at times.

Nick is also holding himself back from hitting the stoppages as hard as he had been doing.
There may be some instruction there to work on defence as much as attack, as he seems to be giving his opponents a lot more respect.
I didn't see much that he really had to work on last year but if Mick sees different then it's for a very good reason.

A good kid and hard worker that will put the pieces together sooner than later.

 

[BM123]

I have to ask the question.

Is Graham faster then Mclean?

 

[King of Ruin]

Is rabbit faster than snail?

 

[mediumsizered]

I have to ask the question.

Is Graham faster then Mclean?

Graham is a bit quicker than McLean (not a lot quicker), but he has to learn to run smarter. Whilst Graham regularly gets back in defence to win the ball, as McLean does, he doesn't manage to get forward often enough on the transition to become dangerous as McLean has in the past. A perfect example of this with McLean was in our Rd 18, 2012 last gasp win over Richmond. After being involved in a contest in the back pocket, McLean worked hard to get forward & of course kicked the winning goal. Graham is yet to consistently do this & no doubt this is why the Match Committee are holding him back from AFL selection.

With finals now out of the question, I hope to see Graham get some AFL time in the second half of the season, as he will be part of our future & he will learn to run smarter, as McLean already does.

 

[LordLucifer]

Graham needs to be given sustained game time so he can either show that he has what it takes (ie. fast-track his development) or prove for once and for all that he isn't up to it.

I think he will end up being a good player for us but he won't ever if he wallows in the magoos.

Either way, its a win for the club.

 

[HARKER]

We say that but Graham has been given explicit instructions for what he needs to do and it isn't to run faster.

The club doesn't care for his 30 possessions games as much as what he needs to clock up before becoming a senior regular.

 

[etsal1]

Yep. Graham has been told he needs to run a kick forward of the contest. Runs too far the other way (defensively). It's his offensive running that needs to improve.

 

[AB_Blue]

Yep. Graham has been told he needs to run a kick forward of the contest. Runs too far the other way (defensively). It's his offensive running that needs to improve.

Wow a defensive minded midfielder who runs back into defence! Hardly a bad trait to have. I'm sure he could work on his downhill skiing in the seniors with the rest of them???

 

[etsal1]

Wow a defensive minded midfielder who runs back into defence! Hardly a bad trait to have. I'm sure he could work on his downhill skiing in the seniors with the rest of them???

Same thing I think most weeks.

 

[HARKER]

Best game of the year from Graham, for me.

He may have got more than his 32 possessions other weeks but his this week they really counted.
Some of his passes into leading forwards (yes, leading forwards) were sublime.
His use by hand was also terrific and just seemed to tackle harder than the past few weeks, also.

He'd have to be half a chance for a senior berth again.

 

[etsal1]

Just not as sub. Doesn't suit him.