Pies' Dangerfield

[Hinequarters]

NATHAN Freeman wants to bring a dynamic new edge to Collingwood's forward line while he serves his midfield apprenticeship this season.

Freeman, who was taken at pick No.10 in last year's national draft, has been likened to Crows star Patrick Dangerfield for his explosive pace around the stoppages.

He is confident the Pies can achieve "special things" this year after their surprise first-round finals exit last season.

Last year Collingwood's midfield slipped from fifth to 15th in centre bounce clearance differential and from second to 13th in scores from centre bounce stoppages, according to Champion Data.

Freeman, an 184cm clearance specialist, said he wanted to eventually give coach Nathan Buckley a speedy on-ball option to help accelerate the Pies' midfield ball movement.

"It's not that we are slow, but it's just an average-paced midfield and hopefully I can add that extra weapon to that midfield," Freeman said at the AFL Players' Association induction camp.
"But the inclusion of 'Jono' (Jonathon Marsh) and we have Caolan Mooney down there and a couple of others who are still pretty quick.

"The ball movement drills are looking pretty sharp at the moment, so it's exciting football."
In the interim, Freeman, 18, is happy to learn his trade as a speedy small forward.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...ard-half-in-2014/story-fni5f6hd-1226804266305

 

[jmac70]

A spot is there if he wants it...and it sounds like he does. Bring it on!

 

[Wooljay]

I like Freeman because he seems solid already, he won't be some flighty kid getting roughed off the ball early on.

 

[Vicky Park]

I like the way Bucks is beaming in that photo.

 

[Hinequarters]

Even his head is bigger than Buckley's

 

[Big Bryza]

Man, this kid is going to something special. Can just feel it. Tough as nails, quick as lightning. Will play plenty of footy in 2014.

 

[Reykjavik]

Even his head is bigger than Buckley's

That avatar....

Cannot look away.

Serious case of the Sharon Stones......

 

[Knightmare]

He's more Luke Shuey than Dangerfield. Just hopefully without the same injury issues Shuey has experienced in his career to this point.

He's not as tall or powerful on that same level as Dangerfield so his inside game doesn't nearly have that same scope to be dominant. He has some explosion and tricks with ball in hand though which will be fun to watch and much better endurance than Dangerfield so you're likely see him run through the midfield a little earlier.

 

[Robroy22]

If Freeman's truly 184 then he won't be too much shorter than "Danger". Patty just looks bigger when he plays. As for explosive speed...Freeman's gonna have to be quick over 5-30m to keep up with Patty there. The real thing Freeman is going to need to have to match Danger is desire. Patty D has had a huge desire to make the most of himself and the teams he's played for since he began playing. If our boy is half as good as young Patty has become we'll regard his drafting as a huge win for the Pies.

 

[Bard]

He's not as tall or powerful on that same level as Dangerfield so his inside game doesn't nearly have that same scope to be dominant. He has some explosion and tricks with ball in hand though which will be fun to watch and much better endurance than Dangerfield so you're likely see him run through the midfield a little earlier.

Shouldn't that extra power be something he can develop? He certainly looks like he can bulk up pretty well.

 

[jmac70]

If Freeman's truly 184 then he won't be too much shorter than "Danger". Patty just looks bigger when he plays. As for explosive speed...Freeman's gonna have to be quick over 5-30m to keep up with Patty there. The real thing Freeman is going to need to have to match Danger is desire. Patty D has had a huge desire to make the most of himself and the teams he's played for since he began playing. If our boy is half as good as young Patty has become we'll regard his drafting as a huge win for the Pies.

I don't reckon that half as good is really that much to be excited about.

 

[Robroy22]

Oh ok...some people don't rate danger, each to their own I say. More strength to your arm sir.

 

[jmac70]

Oh ok...some people don't rate danger, each to their own I say. More strength to your arm sir.

I rate him very highly, just wish we could get more than 50% for Freeman. Why does my arm need to be strong?

 

[Robroy22]

the strong arm is for keeping up the fight jmac. It's an old saying from an old man sorry.

 

[jmac70]

the strong arm is for keeping up the fight jmac. It's an old saying from an old man sorry.

I'm a lover not a fighter. I'll use the strong arm to hold up my beer instead, as well as other things.

 

[Knightmare]

If Freeman's truly 184 then he won't be too much shorter than "Danger". Patty just looks bigger when he plays. As for explosive speed...Freeman's gonna have to be quick over 5-30m to keep up with Patty there. The real thing Freeman is going to need to have to match Danger is desire. Patty D has had a huge desire to make the most of himself and the teams he's played for since he began playing. If our boy is half as good as young Patty has become we'll regard his drafting as a huge win for the Pies.

Apologies. I naturally think that I've got all the height/weight measurements memorised in my head but Dangerfield while I was assuming was 188/189cm is only 185cm so the height difference while there isn't as pronounced as I had initially imagined.

Freeman for the record is 181cm and Collingwood FC/Champion Data sadly have the listing incorrect as they do with Marsh and Paine who are not 194cm as they have recorded. Freeman may grow to 182/183cm but he won't be a super tall midfielder.

He's not a light body at 85kg which for an 18 year old is exceptional. For his age he's a good-very good inside player but not nearly as dominant as Dangerfield is/was at the same stage. Dangerfield in an AIS v one of the VFL sides showed absolutely dominant contested ball winning ability when around the ball which is more with Freeman is moderately good but not great.
It's less clear than Dangerfield that from an inside ability standpoint that he's made of AFL stuff to the extent that I'm to an extent concerned that he'll become more reliant on being a part of a strong midfield and being a receiver and not winning the contested ball numbers we're accustomed to with our recent onballers.

With Freeman he doesn't seem to have that same desire Dangerfield has, though few do. For me the big thing I'm hoping like anything for from Freeman is that he does continue to expand and continue to develop his inside game because if he does, the we've really got someone because athletically he's in all categories elite which added to our relatively one slow midfield would be big.

Don't be concerned about Freeman the athlete though. He'll rate top 5 at the club in the 5,10,20,50,100,repeat sprints, beep test, time trial and anything you put in front of him. And it's not not like Caolan Mooney who is a track star and on field hesitates when getting up to speed either, Freeman is a guy who and the same can be said about Marsh uses his speed and has no hesitation and will go for it and ramp up to full speed whenever he gets his hands on the footy which is what makes him exciting. I'm more concerned about how much of the footy he finds and whether he can continue to play dominant on the ball against stronger competition so that he can show time and again his athletic attributes in game.

Shouldn't that extra power be something he can develop? He certainly looks like he can bulk up pretty well.

He's not a lightweight. He's 85kg which is solid already which for his age is excellent. It's just not that same level of strength and power of Dangerfield which can't be expected of others.

 

[Reykjavik]

Why does my arm need to be strong?

Beer drinking

 

[jmac70]

Beer drinking

Over the last four days I have drunk enough beer to fill a jacuzzi.

 

[Robroy22]

Apologies. I naturally think that I've got all the height/weight measurements memorised in my head but Dangerfield while I was assuming was 188/189cm is only 185cm so the height difference while there isn't as pronounced as I had initially imagined.

Freeman for the record is 181cm and Collingwood FC/Champion Data sadly have the listing incorrect as they do with Marsh and Paine who are not 194cm as they have recorded. Freeman may grow to 182/183cm but he won't be a super tall midfielder.

He's not a light body at 85kg which for an 18 year old is exceptional. For his age he's a good-very good inside player but not nearly as dominant as Dangerfield is/was at the same stage. Dangerfield in an AIS v one of the VFL sides showed absolutely dominant contested ball winning ability when around the ball which is more with Freeman is moderately good but not great.
It's less clear than Dangerfield that from an inside ability standpoint that he's made of AFL stuff to the extent that I'm to an extent concerned that he'll become more reliant on being a part of a strong midfield and being a receiver and not winning the contested ball numbers we're accustomed to with our recent onballers.

With Freeman he doesn't seem to have that same desire Dangerfield has, though few do. For me the big thing I'm hoping like anything for from Freeman is that he does continue to expand and continue to develop his inside game because if he does, the we've really got someone because athletically he's in all categories elite which added to our relatively one slow midfield would be big.

Don't be concerned about Freeman the athlete though. He'll rate top 5 at the club in the 5,10,20,50,100,repeat sprints, beep test, time trial and anything you put in front of him. And it's not not like Caolan Mooney who is a track star and on field hesitates when getting up to speed either, Freeman is a guy who and the same can be said about Marsh uses his speed and has no hesitation and will go for it and ramp up to full speed whenever he gets his hands on the footy which is what makes him exciting. I'm more concerned about how much of the footy he finds and whether he can continue to play dominant on the ball against stronger competition so that he can show time and again his athletic attributes in game.



He's not a lightweight. He's 85kg which is solid already which for his age is excellent. It's just not that same level of strength and power of Dangerfield which can't be expected of others.

Please Knight: No apologies necessary. So many people over estimate Patty's dimensions it's become a game for those of us that have watched him grow up. He's still so small when he stands next to you, he's certainly filled out a lot but I'm always amazed at how big he can make himself look on the field!

 

[Mkcaptain]

If Freeman's role is as a forward in 2014 in the AFL and VFL sides then he'll be very useful on the fast break. I can easily see him losing his opponent on the break hopefully to find himself alone in the 50.

I'm not sure the Dangerfield comparison is warranted as of yet. Dangerfield has a lot more strings to his bow than simply being a super quick and powerful midfielder. Like Knightmare said, he has a phenomenal and dominant inside game to match his outside ability. He also has the unique ability of a midfielder to play full forward. Though I do really hope that that Freeman is in the Dangerfield ilk as he is one of my favourite players to watch. Its just I'm a bit skeptical when it comes to comparing 18 year olds to champions of the game. A lot of the time they turn out to be a long way off the mark

 

[Reykjavik]

Over the last four days I have drunk enough beer to fill a jacuzzi.

A beer jacuzzi....

My brain just orgasmed and its now smoking a cigarette.

 

[Robroy22]

Patty Plays pretty much the same today as he did as an under 13....he's just a lot bigger!

 

[Knightmare]

Please Knight: No apologies necessary. So many people over estimate Patty's dimensions it's become a game for those of us that have watched him grow up. He's still so small when he stands next to you, he's certainly filled out a lot but I'm always amazed at how big he can make himself look on the field!

Same could be said about Joel Selwood at 182cm who inside is a beast like few at that same height.

But for one reason or another I thought Dangerfield was the same height as Judd at 189cm. #Mustbetheheat

 

[Robroy22]

I'll tell him you think he's as tall as Juddy....he'll be chuffed. Then I'll tell him he's losing his hair like Juddy and he'll punch me!

 

[loki04]

Man, this kid is going to something special. Can just feel it. Tough as nails, quick as lightning. Will play plenty of footy in 2014.

and despite what many think he is actually a very good kick.