Paul Wheatley - Thoughts?

[CaptainDavey]

I'll be brave, I honestly thought he'd be facing the chop this year. Very surprised he kept his spot. He's a depth player but I think the game has passed him by. He's not very quick and his football brain as kinda melted, if anyone can remember the Carlton game late in the season at the Dome. This surely has to be his last season unless he improves dramatically. I don't mean to stick the knives into a bloke that has had played some very good games but it's becoming somewhat of a rariety.

If he gets back on the horse in 07 I'll be happy to say I was wrong but I just think it was a bit surprising to see him still hanging around. There are many halfback flankers in our team above the pecking order than Wheaters. Having met him, seems like a great bloke...But you know how it is

 

[melbournemartin]

He's a bit of a nothing player. We try to exploit his long kicking ability but to little effect. He ain't even a great kick in player anymore when he does occasionally play. Wouldn't be happy to see him picked over young guns like Pettard

 

[benrey_demons]

lets get him one more game, so he gets his hundred

 

[The Great Gabsby]

lets get him one more game, so he gets his hundred

You really think his offspring will be that good?

 

[Deestroy]

He has played some good footy in the past, a couple of years back he was a starting 18 player. Unfortunately he really went backwards this year and I would be surprised if he was able to get back in the 22.

 

[davey_magik]

He has played some good footy in the past, a couple of years back he was a starting 18 player. Unfortunately he really went backwards this year and I would be surprised if he was able to get back in the 22.

Agree on all points Deestroy.
I actually used to rate him fairly highly, sure he did have his brain explosions but I thought he often shut down his opponent week in week out. He's only a depth player now though, as the likes of Ward and Bartram have passed him by.

 

[CaptainDavey]

If we offered him in a trade, in which I'm sure we have in the past, we wouldn't have attracted much interest, that'd be right wouldn't it?

 

[Bartram_Class]

He's a bit of a nothing player. We try to exploit his long kicking ability but to little effect. He ain't even a great kick in player anymore when he does occasionally play. Wouldn't be happy to see him picked over young guns like Pettard

If we are serious about wanting to challenge for a flag next year, Wheatley is the kind of depth that we will need.

If he gets picked behind Pettard, Dahiher would be tanking.

 

[CaptainDavey]

If we are serious about wanting to challenge for a flag next year, Wheatley is the kind of depth that we will need.

If he gets picked behind Pettard, Dahiher would be tanking.

With that being said, did it come as a surprise to you that ND decided to play Nathan Jones in the final against Freo? Given that he had only played, what was it...12 games? Maybe less? Sometimes the first year players can provide more than those who have been in the system alot longer

 

[Bartram_Class]

With that being said, did it come as a surprise to you that ND decided to play Nathan Jones in the final against Freo? Given that he had only played, what was it...12 games? Maybe less? Sometimes the first year players can provide more than those who have been in the system alot longer

Of course, but Nathan Jones had been given the chance originally because of the lack of other options and had managed to keep his place.

If Wheatley and Petterd were both available, you'd have to think Wheatley would play before Petterd.

 

[rick James]

Just remember guys we were all saying the exact same things about Daniel Ward after 2004 and he's just come off his best season ever, and is our best HBF.

 

[melbournemartin]

Bell also improved dramatically and is fighting for the same spot as Wheatley. Add in Ward, possibly Bizzell and then perhaps some youngsters like Pettard then that's a fair few going for one maybe two spots. Bartram is also in the mix though I'd like to see him move back into the middle more.

 

[rick James]

Well, we have 4 absolute "must have's" in our backline:

Whelan, Rivers, Carrol, Holland/Ferguson... then I'd take Ward as first flanker, without doubt he is worthy of a spot for 22 rounds provided he isn't injured.

Then you have Chris Johnson and Daniel Bell being first pick for the other spot, ALTHOUGH, Cameron Bruce, Byron Pickett and Adem Yze have all been used there as well, so really, we have 5 true defenders most weeks and those spots are all taken.

I cna't see Wheaters getting back in unless injury forces it - but he is the kind of guy who could really take that oppurtunity and earn his spot back if it happens.

 

[Marns]

If we are serious about wanting to challenge for a flag next year, Wheatley is the kind of depth that we will need.

If he gets picked behind Pettard, Dahiher would be tanking.

We might've said the same thing this time last year if you replace Pettard with some kid called Clint Bartram.

 

[Pipefitter]

I dont rate him at all. anyone who saw the 2nd carlton game at the dome would agree.

 

[davey_magik]

Well, we have 4 absolute "must have's" in our backline:

Whelan, Rivers, Carrol, Holland/Ferguson... then I'd take Ward as first flanker, without doubt he is worthy of a spot for 22 rounds provided he isn't injured.

Then you have Chris Johnson and Daniel Bell being first pick for the other spot, ALTHOUGH, Cameron Bruce, Byron Pickett and Adem Yze have all been used there as well, so really, we have 5 true defenders most weeks and those spots are all taken.

I cna't see Wheaters getting back in unless injury forces it - but he is the kind of guy who could really take that oppurtunity and earn his spot back if it happens.

If that ever happens again I will throw a chair through the coaching box window.

 

[Bring-Back-Powell]

One of the rare MFC players I have spoken to and he is a really nice top bloke!

And he was a key catalyst to our round 5 win over the Kangaroos when he kicked a booming 60 metre goal to level the scores with a few mins to go at the city end. Also kicked another freak goal in the VFL GF from almost 75 metres out (with the wind)

If he only he could use this wonderful asset to use more often, he really could be the perfect modern day AFL player - Speed and penetrating kick are a lethal combo!

But the rd 18 game V Carlton exposed his perceived softness, and I can recall some MFC supporters claiming that either Whealtey goes or they go next year.

In conclusion - Depth. But he along with Biz, Ward, Brown and C Johnson should be given ample opportunity in the NAB Cup series to prove who is at the head of the 'depth' line.

 

[CaptainDavey]

I hope to see Frawley running around in the number 31 given how significant the number is to the club!

 

[Brock Machine]

I hope to see Frawley running around in the number 31 given how significant the number is to the club!

The new Kelvin Templeton?

 

[CaptainDavey]

The new Kelvin Templeton?

Haha...Yeah...I wish

 

[demonfan9]

I have never rated him too highly, although he did play well in 2004-2005. But his long kicks usually end up out of bounds and his decision making is average. Him, Doggy and Biz are definately back-up flankers for us now. It's good to have these experienced types just in case but I would rather see the likes of Bell, Tracey and CJ getting a game first.