Past Nicholas Graham

[chunkylover53]

He's not even that slow..

 

[mediumsizered]

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'

I have no idea why he wasn't getting a game, but I would rather enjoy the positives we are seeing from Pussa than continue to wallow in negatives.

What Graham is showing is just part of his development curve. I think there is little doubt he is a better/more rounded player now than he was this time last year & I have no doubt he still has more upside to come. At the end of the day he is only in his 3rd year on our playing list & he didn't come as highly credentialled as Cripps or Menzel, so he was always going to have to work harder to become a regular at AFL level.

 

[T2B_]

Why's he called 'Pussa'?

 

[Ellas Ellas]

Graham has talent to burn don't worry about that. He's come so far in just the last three weeks, it was almost criminal what Mick was doing to the poor kid. Really looking forward to seeing him go around again this week.

 

[thylacine60]

Why's he called 'Pussa'?

Has a leg ulcer that won't heal...

 

[LanceRomance]

Why's he called 'Pussa'?

Same nickname as one of which we will not speak until his dues are paid

 

[rp84]

Meat and potatoes can be good. You just can't have too many meat and potatoes.

Needs the likes of Yarran, Menzel, Buckley, Boekhorst etc to make good of the receives when they start coming their way.

I would prefer the ball in his hands over 3 out of those four players you mentioned. Probably even more than Yarran at the moment (was awful with ball in hand on the weekend).


Graham is lifting his work rate to get lots of possies in important positions. I would like to see his heat map, but to me it looks like he gets most of his possessions centre and forward of centre. Seems to regularly hit smart targets. Is hitting the score board. Tackling well. Went head to head with some star midfielders on the weekend, and came out at least even.

He appears fitter, and faster. Maybe a function of finally building an AFL quality tank?

He is in our top 3 for most improved IMO. Crippa, Nicky and maybe Levi (purely based on his goal kicking).

I am well and truly on the hype train for this guy now.

 

[Sublime]

Same nickname as one of which we will not speak until his dues are paid

Didn't know Voldemorts nickname was Pussa.

Learn something new every day.

 

[Sublime]

I would prefer the ball in his hands over 3 out of those four players you mentioned. Probably even more than Yarran at the moment (was awful with ball in hand on the weekend).


Graham is lifting his work rate to get lots of possies in important positions. I would like to see his heat map, but to me it looks like he gets most of his possessions centre and forward of centre. Seems to regularly hit smart targets. Is hitting the score board. Tackling well. Went head to head with some star midfielders on the weekend, and came out at least even.

He appears fitter, and faster. Maybe a function of finally building an AFL quality tank?

He is in our top 3 for most improved IMO. Crippa, Nicky and maybe Levi (purely based on his goal kicking).

I am well and truly on the hype train for this guy now.

Maybe this is something that Mick had an issue with (rightly or wrongly)? Seems like the sort of thing he would have an issue with. I don't have an issue with guys who 'cheat' a bit, especially when they do their defensive tackling etc as well like he clearly is.

 

[T2B_]

I would prefer the ball in his hands over 3 out of those four players you mentioned. Probably even more than Yarran at the moment (was awful with ball in hand on the weekend).


Graham is lifting his work rate to get lots of possies in important positions. I would like to see his heat map, but to me it looks like he gets most of his possessions centre and forward of centre. Seems to regularly hit smart targets. Is hitting the score board. Tackling well. Went head to head with some star midfielders on the weekend, and came out at least even.

He appears fitter, and faster. Maybe a function of finally building an AFL quality tank?

He is in our top 3 for most improved IMO. Crippa, Nicky and maybe Levi (purely based on his goal kicking).

I am well and truly on the hype train for this guy now.

And kudos to you for admitting a change of opinion, there would be some who would stick to their guns no matter what.

And I think one of your past criticisms might have been that Graham didn't have much hurt with his disposals, which was probably fair enough, but I reckon it's one of the areas he's really improved on.

Neat kicks inside 50 to advantage and kicking goals is a sure fire way to be damaging and the defensive pressure is sure nice too...

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Why's he called 'Pussa'?

Dunno, but it really creeps me out when HBF yells out "GO PUSS!" at the footy.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

Dunno, but it really creeps me out when HBF yells out "GO PUSS!" at the footy.

Some terrible nicknames out there. Though I think some nicknames should be reserved for the social group they were formed in or for those that know a guy at least.

Football player nicknames should be a more broad church. Nicky G for mine ... Menz ... Crippa ... Smurph or Murph. Boult or Casbah ... Simmo .... Carrots .... things that are cheering fans would recognise.

 

[rp84]

Maybe this is something that Mick had an issue with (rightly or wrongly)? Seems like the sort of thing he would have an issue with. I don't have an issue with guys who 'cheat' a bit, especially when they do their defensive tackling etc as well like he clearly is.

See, I don't think he cheats. His defensive pressure acts are excellent. But his spread (due to footy smarts) is becoming very good.

 

[Sublime]

See, I don't think he cheats. His defensive pressure acts are excellent. But his spread (due to footy smarts) is becoming very good.

That's the tough part of there not really being any 'positions' as such these days. Mick might have wanted him to push back more as a mid, meaning that he was kind of cheating if he was forward of the ball too often. We're all just really guessing on this unfortunately. Clearly this is a role that suits him, so keep playing him there. His tackling and pressure has been invaluable lately, especially forward of centre.

 

[blues4flag]

He is in our top 3 for most improved IMO. Crippa, Nicky and maybe Levi (purely based on his goal kicking).

I haven't been a fan of his in the past, but a big bloke named Bell wants in on that list.

 

[LanceRomance]

Dunno, but it really creeps me out when HBF yells out "GO PUSS!" at the footy.

Its Nick Stevens nickname

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

Its Nick Stevens nickname

Ugh yuck.

 

[Neese]

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

I think he is still in therapy for THAT Power match

 

[MrsEddieBetts]

I think he is still in therapy for THAT Power match

So am I. Waste of time and money, that weekend!

 

[Neese]

Yep and I paid $600 to go down to the rooms, it was a graveyard. Holman was there with his family though

 

[rp84]

I haven't been a fan of his in the past, but a big bloke named Bell wants in on that list.

Ok, yep. He is ahead of LEvi on my list....how could I forget about him!?!

 

[Cripps 'n' Blue Bloods]

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'

Unfortunately not every player can be a regular part of the 22 each week, even when they seem like they deserve it. Fringe players (either young and inexperienced or lacking in star ability) will be in and out of the side for 8-12 games a year.
Nick played last year from round 17 to 22. From round 18 onwards he didn't play any less than 60% game time. In fact in his 8 games last year, he only played in 2 that were under 60% time on ground (22 and 23% in those two). That might have been due to early injuries, but he was getting the game time.
I don't think Mick made a secret of the fact that he wanted him to work on a few things. Defensive pressure, including tackling and running both ways, and scoreboard pressure (I think I remember hearing him say that he wanted him to play a high half forward type role that can push up through the middle - I guess similar to what Bell is doing).
In his 8 games last year, Graham had a total of 20 tackles (never more than 4 a game, but usually 2) and 2 goals. In 4 games this year, he already has 22 tackles (only once under 5 and that was 3 tackles in 18% GT) and 3 goals.
Could this potentially be Mick's influence? I don't care if people want to hate on him, because it's clear that he just wasn't the right fit, even if he was brought in with good intentions, but he does deserve some credit for some things too.

 

[T2B_]

Its Nick Stevens nickname

Nicky G can you get a new nickname pls

 

[Neese]

Yeah I don't like that nickname either
Surely we can think of a better one for him

 

[BluStreak]

Nicky G can you get a new nickname pls

How about Ali G