Norwich Rising Star is a Hell Of A Competition.

[Richmondfan#1]

Paul Hasleby, Adam Ramanauskas and David Spriggs are my favourites for the award.

Everyone thinks it is out of Ramanauskas or Hasleby. They could be right. Although, no body has said much about Spriggs (well,not in WA). It will be VERY CLOSE and the judges will obviously cop some slack as there will be others that also deserve the award.

No matter who gets it-i will be dissapointed. 2000 has been a year of up and coming talent. Potential, talent and enthusiasm.

If only the award could be split.....

 

[geelong4eva]

Yeah The norwich rising star award is a a very good gauge of potential/future champions. Look at the class of 93 for instance. Some of the nominees of that season were - Nathan Buckley (inaugural winner), Peter Everitt, Joe Misiti, Mark Mercuri, James Hird, Shane Crawford, David Neitz, Leigh Colbert, Scott West, Mark Riccuito, Matthew Richardson, and Glenn Archer. What a sensational group of players (two brownlow medalists, a few b&f winners, a norm smith medalist, and a couple of premiership players and all australians in that mix. Tha augers well for the Freo dockers who have had a few good nominees this year, including Hasleby (my tip for the award) But 1996 (only 4 years ago) also had a top notch group in Adam Simpson, Steven King (all-australian ruckman at 21 !) Peter Bell, Matthew Lloyd (i can't stand him but he's a handy player isn't he !), Daniel Chick (West Coast's prized recruit at season's end), Matthew Primus (Port's next captain), Chad Morrison, Jeff Farmer, Adem Yze, Ben Cousins (champion) and Luke Darcy.
Of course their were a couple of Duds (Craig Biddescombe and Nick Carter) but on the whole, the Norwich Rising star award is a very prestigous and worthy award and indicatior for future champions

 

[Richmondfan#1]

g4e,
I agree with everything you said apart from Biddiscombe being a dud. He plays a good part at Richmond and is handy to have around. I don't think he'll become a STAR (sorry Craig) but he can play footy at AFL level.

 

[geelong4eva]

nah i think geelong did the right thing by ditching biddiscombe, he's not excactly a dud , however i doubt he would get a game with some of the more stronger sides in the AFL (eg Brisbane, Essendon, North etc)

 

[dons_r_tops]

I may be biased but if ramanauskas doesn't win the norwich It will be the biggest robbery since those dudes stole the train in pommeyland.
and if Hasleby doesn't win all the whingers over here will have a spasm over it.

Do Finals Performances count

 

[Eagle_Fan]

I don't think finals count do they? Much the same as the Brownlow, it has to be fair to all nominees.

I think (and hope) Haselby will win this year. Whether he's played much better than Rama... (sorry) is difficult to tell, but in terms of the role he's played in the team, Paul's done more. To be close to the B&F in your 1st season is outstanding, no matter which club you're at. And it is his first season at AFL level. I believe Rama... played ~9 games last year, which means a whole extra year of training, weights, and generally fitting in with the other players. And while it doesn't count in the actual award, it's still something to bear in mind.

BTW/ A bit of self-congratulary crap here -I remember posting here in about mid-March, telling everyone to 'keep an eye on young Haselby at the Dockers, the kid's a gun...'. Made enough predictions worthy of the D'oh file, I'm just glad one was right!

 

[Lionsrock_15_26]

There are some pretty good nominations from brisbane - beau mcdonald has done well all year in the rucking position - something i think alot of people forget , and jonathon brown should have a nomination - although i don't think he does.

 

[Richmondfan#1]

I don't think finals count as it wouldn't be fair to players like Hasleby as his team isn't in the finals. Ramanauskas would probably win if finals would be counted. Did anyone see his stunning mark against the roos? EXCELLENT ONE HANDER!

 

[The Ball]

Eagle_Fan,

Rama played 2 senior games in 1999, not 9.

He also won the reserves Best & fairest in that year.

 

[golions]

Surely Beau McDonald would be up there. HE has had to carry pretty much all of Brisbane's rucking duties in his second year and he has been awesome. He is only second to Steven King in hit outs this year and he was a matchwinner early against the Crows

 

[Bernie]

Here's one that snuck under the radar - Brad Green.

How good was his 2nd. half !! I like the cut of his jib.

 

[i_luv_westcoast]

Everyone knew Paul Haselby would be a fine player this year Eagle_Fan, it wasn't exactly a huge observation on your part.

How can Ramunaskes even be compared to Haselby. They had his stats in the paper the other day compared to Haselby. Haselby averaged in the low 20's, while Ramunaskes was around 15 possesions per game. Haselby also kicked many more goals. And as it has already been mentioned this was Haselby's first year, compared to Ramunaskes's second year.

 

[FreoRules]

The norwich rising star award is a great competition but if anyone else says that Ramanskus should beat hasleby they have got to be kidding. Have a look at where they play. Hasleby gets tagged each week by an opposition midfielder and still manages to gather 20 odd possesions but in some games over 35. Ramamanskus plays in the back half on the 6th worst player in the opposition forward line and while no-one will deny he has class you can't say that he is a better player. Players will always look better in good sides. Look at Barry Young last year. Looked great but this year in a middle of the road side struggles.
Hasleby has been the best player by a mile in one of the toughest areas of the game with a top tagger each week.
Enough said.

 

[RICE80SF]

"Ramanauskus plays in the back half on the 6th worst player in the opposition forward line and while no-one will deny he has class you can't say that he is a better player."

Ever heard of the Wing Freo? I don't think Rama has played down back at all this year. Get your facts right before you downgrade a guy who's made a big contribution to the team with the most wins ever in the AFL/VFL H&A.

Rockin' Rama hasn't got a hope in hell of winning the award (even though he'd be a worthy recipient) because the panel has to balance up the fact there was no member in the All Oz side from WA. Having said that, I take nothing away from Hasleby, of whom I've seen little of this year so I can't say "he shouldn't get it".

Unlike our friends from WA (ever unbiased toward their own state), who obviously saw every game Rama. and Hasleby played. Isn't that right guys/gals (mmmmmyeah).


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BOMBER BLITZ IN 2000!

 

[joshhem]

Big Beau has to get it.

First year in the comp and achieved such high levels. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FreoRules]

What I was referring was to the fact that Raman. comes out of the back half when he gets most of his possessions, even if he does play on the wing. He is able to roam free and as you would admit that the Bombers have a much better setup and thus he is able to get more cheap possessions.
I am not denying he is a class player and would be a worthy winner but when you look at who they have in teh side and who they match-up on each week, halsleby has a much tougher job and still gets more possession and uses it well.
As for All-Australian selection, there was noone in our team that was worthy although I thought Waterhouse may get a spot in the touring Irish team as he played well last year but i think he wants to spend time with his father.

 

[Arch]

theres two schools of thought on this one I reckon:
That a good player in an essentially bad side stands out more, making him look an even better player when comparing him to his teammates. (ie Buckley)

The other (and the one I adhere to) is that its tougher for a youngster of 19 yrs to stand out as a star in a side which is already packed with great players. That takes something extra special.

I think ramanauskas is a better player (not by alot) than Hasleby, as Rama is a more finely skilled player, with better athleticism, and kicking skills. Hasleby is a good in and under player, but I dont think you can judge these things by possesions per game, and goals scored. I think in the future, Rama will be a genuine superstar, while Hasleby will be considered "a great player".

I also think Ramas performances in huge blockbuster games with massive crowds and intense pressure, set him apart from Hasleby.

But Hasleby will no doubt win the Norwich, im sad to say.

A.

 

[sandie]

Arch, you stole my thunder.
It is definitely easier to stand out in an average team, than when you're playing in a team with a lot of excellent players.
I think Rama has been outstanding this year & should get the award.

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Mantis

 

[sainter]

While I agree in a way Arch and Sandie, the other school of argument is that it is easier for a player to stand out when his side is getting in excess of 100 more possessions than their opposition every week.

Personally I also think Haselby will win and that he deserves it.

Of course, that is not to say that he will/won't be a better player in 5 or 6 years time.

 

[Grendel]

Going with sainters thinking on this.. While Rama is an awesome developing talent, with all the other stars that need to be covered in the Dons line up, he doesnt exactly get first choice taggers (at least not yet). Hasselby has copped head to head match ups against the likes of Ratten/West/Riccuto in clashes this year. He has stood tall against all of them, he gets a very deserving Norwich. Rama will more than likely get a premiership medallion im sure he will take that anyday of the week as compensation hahaha.

 

[FreoRules]

The one thing we all agree on is that they will both be great players and both have exceptional talent. But who wouldn't want to play with the Bombers getting the ball lace out every time you lead rather than having to clean up the skill errors that some of our players (ok, most) make. But i think if you reversed the players positions in each club and Hasleby played for the Bombers he would stand out more than if Raman. played for the Dockers.

 

[BJ]

Hasleby deserves the Norwich. he totally deserves it!
Whoever said that shite about the norwich judges (or whateva ya wanna call em) taking into consideration that there were no west aussies in the All Australian......thats just a load of crapola. As if they give a shit! Hasleby will and should win the award....and it will have nothing to do with people giving it to him coz there are no west aussies in the All Australian! I would bet my life on that!
BJ

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Eagles Rock!Go Ben and Jaxon!

 

[Daniel]

My vote is for Brad Green. Not because he was the best, but because he is probably the most gifted. This guy captained the U/19 Australian cricket team and apparently had a trial with Manchester United. Judging by the qualifying final, he’s also a natural footballer and future star. Oh, to have that kind of sporting talent..

I disagree with the Dons fans on the Hasleby v Ramanauskas competition, otherwise known as the Norwich Rising Star Award. In my opinion, a champion team can carry young players and make them look better, as others have mentioned. An average player (not talking about Ramanauskas) can appear better than he is in a quality team that has players to help him.

If Ramanauskas was in a different team, it is safe to say he would not be as prominent. The other benefit of being a young player in a champion team is that the opposition’s best players are all assigned to bigger names, giving the young player a chance to shine.

The opposite applies for Hasleby. While it is true that he can be noticed more because of the dearth of talent around him, it also makes it that much more difficult to get possessions and play well. In other words, there is no support. The other factor against Hasleby is that as one of his side’s few decent players, he WILL attract the attention of one the opponent’s better players, making it harder for him to impress.

That is why Paul Hasleby should be crowned Rising Star.

It’s also a little harsh on the part of Dons supporters to suggest the Freo fans may be biased yet at the same time declaring your own player deserves the award.

 

[Lionsrock_15_26]

Go Big Beau for the norwich rising star!!!

 

[pjc]

Although an Essendon fan I think Haselby should get the award for his whole year's work in the teams engine room.

However I'd take issue with the statement that Rama gets poor oponents on the wing. For instance he played on Camporeale the whole game against Carlton in the home/away and did very honourably. In the final against Nth most of the game was on Motlop but he also had spells on Peter Bell.