Pat Contin

[RichoGun]

Hey guys, I'm curious to find out how Contin has been going in the VFL this year. I remember when he was a fixture in the reserves back pocket at the start of the year now he is starting on ball in the seniors. Can anyone comment on how his development has been this year and high chances of getting off of the rookie list?

 

[skybeau]

Don't read much into his starting on-ball position at Coburg, our extended injury list is the cause of that.

He's on an upward trend, though. Played his best game for Coburg a week or two ago. Have seen him once or twice and he looks rather promising for a young rookie listed type, fairly solid disposal and works well in the packs. I can't give you a heap of details, I was watching Grimes and Gourdis more than him. The definite problem he has is that we do have a fair few mids coming through, so he'll need to keep improving.

Would think he's a near certainty to be around for a second rookie year. With Polak, Roberts and Gilligan looking like getting the chop and Gourdis (and perhaps Hicks) earning a promotion, there'll be plenty of space for Contin and Westhoff and another full complement of rookies.

 

[TFLUA-Tiger]

Like Sky said, there's not much midfield depth around the club at the moment - and Coburg don't have a hell of a lot of talent in the on-ball department - Kahlefeldt, Piuselli, there's not too much else.

Contin's a guy who I've seen three or four times this year - burrows under packs and gets into the right spots to feed it out. Disposal is only tidy, it's certainly not the stand out part of his game. Pace is good, and he's grown in stature this year as he's got used to the pace and tempo of the VFL.

I'm not too sure if he'll ever be much more than a tidy VFL footballer who at best hovers around the fringes of AFL selection because he doesn't have any X-Factor to set him apart - when looking at kids you look at things like penetration on the kick, quick hands, good decision making, a dynamite first few steps - Contin only really gets just above average on a few of them.

In saying that, give him one more year as a rookie.

 

[Rancid_Beasties]

I haven't seen much of Contin this year but my recollection is that he was drafted as an inside mid who could also play half back with good disposal (and a particularly penetrating kick), decision making and endurance.

Its a bit of a worry if his disposal and decision making have gone backwards as you guys seem to be indicating. I had quite high hopes for him as a handy utility ala connors.

 

[TFLUA-Tiger]

Would have said if anything, Rancid, that his disposal lacks penetration.

Decision making is the thing that stops him from being categorised as not good enough, and moved on.

 

[TimeFor11]

He had 29 on the weekend

 

[TOOs_Finest]

Only time I've seen him was against the Pies in the pre-season game. I thought that his decision-making and disposal were great. Tended to kick short, so didn't see any signs of 'great penetration'. Looked a reasonable build also, but probably not that fleet of foot for his height.