Player Review 2001

[Hit The Boundary Saints]

It seems like everybody else is doing it, and doing on on the official forum is not much good because topics don't last very long there (if Grant Thomas gets on you're lucky to have 3 hours kept), so I'll start player reviews here and see if we get a reaction.


#1 For the last few years I reckon he is the barometer of the side. If he is running hard , getting handball receives and moving the ball well, then we are going to have a good day. However he has his days where he is like a rabbit caught in the spotlight. Late in the year he probably did enough to save is spot, but must be on his last chance.

#2 Couldn't fault his endeavour, but his hands were not as clean as I had hoped. I don't think he can be the number 1 forward target at CHF, Hall played much closer to goal than Whitnall did at Carlton, and as a result Hamill was expected to be the main target at CHF. We need to find a CHF (Loewe for a year or so, then somebody to take over), so that Hamill can be more effective.

#3 Had times when he struggled before hurting his knee. I fear his onball days are behind him, but is still smart enough to justify a few more years yet. I'd play him in the forward line, he is clever enough to jag some goals, and desparate enough to pressure the opposition backs.

#4 Tried his guts out all year, lead an undermanned onball division very well. Disposal lets him down a lot, but you cannot question his endeavour.

#5 After 3 years in the wilderness, playing like he was scared of getting tackled, Jones may have found his place. He played some very good games off the backline. Just hope he can kick his personal problems. If he was traded, he would end up another M. Lappin, who needed the kick in the bum to get his act together.

#6 We should learn a lesson from this. Essendon does not let young players go unless they are certain that they won't contribute long term. He could get the footy but his disposal was shocking, helicopter kicks straight up. Has been delisted and won't be missed

#7 Needs to come on, I don't think he has stamped himself as a midfielder that we all hope he will become. Goes missing for long periods at a time, which he must eradicate from his game. Has very good skills, and is probably the best set shot for goal in the team.

#8 Tries his guts out, and is reasonably effective as a stopper. He should not be used much as a linkman out of defence, as he has the tendancy to turn the ball over which catches us on the rebound.


I'll do the next lot in the next few days. As always please feel free to agree or disagree

 

[sainter]

Originally posted by Hit The Boundary Saints
It seems like everybody else is doing it, and doing on on the official forum is not much good because topics don't last very long there (if Grant Thomas gets on you're lucky to have 3 hours kept), so I'll start player reviews here and see if we get a reaction.

Great idea. I'm sure we all have our own thoughts on particular players and where the team is heading. It's a shame that the official forum is set up the way it is because I think the standard is a lot higher than it used to be. I've had to rely on the transcripts of what Grant has had to say. From what I've read, I'm really impressed with him.

#1 For the last few years I reckon he is the barometer of the side. If he is running hard , getting handball receives and moving the ball well, then we are going to have a good day. However he has his days where he is like a rabbit caught in the spotlight. Late in the year he probably did enough to save is spot, but must be on his last chance.

He definitely saved his career with his second half of the season. I agree with your assessment. He is downright awful on his poor days but is a valuable player when on song. I still have nightmares over his occasional blunders when kicking out. All in all I'm happy he has been retained because he showed that he still has a lot to offer late in the season.

#2 Couldn't fault his endeavour, but his hands were not as clean as I had hoped. I don't think he can be the number 1 forward target at CHF, Hall played much closer to goal than Whitnall did at Carlton, and as a result Hamill was expected to be the main target at CHF. We need to find a CHF (Loewe for a year or so, then somebody to take over), so that Hamill can be more effective.

Agreed. Definitely needs to be played more as a third tall to be at his most effective. I loved his attack on the ball and willingness to work hard to keep the ball in the forward line. You just don't usually see the tackles, shepards and smothers from a forward. With Stewie back and the likelihood of either Koschitzke or Riewoldt moving forward in the future, he should come into his own.

#3 Had times when he struggled before hurting his knee. I fear his onball days are behind him, but is still smart enough to justify a few more years yet. I'd play him in the forward line, he is clever enough to jag some goals, and desparate enough to pressure the opposition backs.

Again I agree. Possibly he could be played in bursts on the ball, spending the rest of the time as a small forward. The ball would never leave the forward line with the likes of him and #2 fighting to keep the ball down there. Champ!

#4 Tried his guts out all year, lead an undermanned onball division very well. Disposal lets him down a lot, but you cannot question his endeavour.

Blighty definitely erred in playing him as a small defender on the likes of Ronnie Burns and Phil Matera. He'll never be that kind of player. He had an excellent second half of the season and really came into his own when taking over the captaincy. His disposal is probably his weakness but like you said you can't question his endeavour

#5 After 3 years in the wilderness, playing like he was scared of getting tackled, Jones may have found his place. He played some very good games off the backline. Just hope he can kick his personal problems. If he was traded, he would end up another M. Lappin, who needed the kick in the bum to get his act together.

I have to admit I thought he was gone. His run and disposal out of the backline was excellent. Dare I say it but much like #1 and #20 in 1997. As good as he was this season down back, I'd love to see him moved back to a wing. He could be even more damaging gaining his possessions forward of the centre.

#6 We should learn a lesson from this. Essendon does not let young players go unless they are certain that they won't contribute long term. He could get the footy but his disposal was shocking, helicopter kicks straight up. Has been delisted and won't be missed.

I'm a little disappointed for him. He had a good season last year and this year had quite a few injuries. But you've summed him up perfectly. It doesn't matter how many times you get the ball if you can't dispose it properly and his disposal was very average.

#7 Needs to come on, I don't think he has stamped himself as a midfielder that we all hope he will become. Goes missing for long periods at a time, which he must eradicate from his game. Has very good skills, and is probably the best set shot for goal in the team.

I was saying the same thing about him earlier in the season. Players like Shane O'Bree had played roughly the same amount of games yet were developing into consistent midfielders. I'm not too concerned at this stage though. Probably unfairly likened to #35 which is a bit of a burden. He has excellent skills and evasive ability and is someone I have very high hopes for.

#8 Tries his guts out, and is reasonably effective as a stopper. He should not be used much as a linkman out of defence, as he has the tendancy to turn the ball over which catches us on the rebound.

I think his major problem is that he's been forced to play on much bigger and stronger opponents. With his height and weight, he'll never be anymore than a 3rd tall defender. The otehr criticism I have of him is that he seems to lose his feet too often. It has costed us goals in the past. On the other hand, I love the way he goes about his job. Good point about him turning the ball over although I don't mind that occassionally because I love seeing our players back themselves a little.

 

[thegoldenbear]

I thought Hamil looked like a fish out of water in the forward line when Hall was there. But I guess that's why we sacked Blight for thinking Hall was diciplined enough to play at full-back.

No real surprises from the trade period - except for maybe Aussie. I heard a very strong rumour Denis Pagan wanted to take him under his wing and straighten him out.

With Ken Sheldon back at Moorabin, I can hear the knees shaking in their boots already. He may be the assistant publically - but I can imagine within the club he's gonna pulling as much weight if not more than Thomas which can't be to bad considering he's done this caper before.

 

[StrengthThroughLoyalty]

htbs and sainter i pretty much agree with your assesment's of this first batch of players.

#1 i have been one of the few peckett supporters in my group but he has stretched my loyalty nearly as far as it will go. i still close my eyes and prey when he kicks out from full back but i'm prepared to give him one more year to see if he can regain some of his confidence and dash. when he gets his confidence up he can be a good player unfortunately he seems to drop his bundle too easily.

#2 has been superb and will get better, a natural on field leader who is professional and his attack on the footy is 2nd to no one, my four year old will be wearing his number next year.

#3 still has plenty to offer in the midfield rotation and i agree with sainter should be played up forward to show that exciting but erratic steve milne how to work hard to get the footy and also to work hard when you haven't got it. next to harvey there is still no one better at getting the ball in and around pack situations than the great little man. he may be getting on but as a burst player on the ball he will still find a way to get it.

#4 had an absolute shocking first 1/2 of the season, his disposal was ordinary at best, in fact it was awful. when things got tough after blight's sacking thompson showed his class by displaying onfield leadership. his work rate and desire were excellent when he was thrust into the leadership role and his footy improved immensely.

#5 had his best season at the club for some years. his game against collingwood was superb before he injured himself. i still have a problem with the likes of jones being at the club, especially when i compare his character to the blokes above wearing #2, #3, #4. i know the club tried to trade him again this year without any takers from any clubs, this fact alone tells me that he has problems and imo we should get rid of him. once again i'm forced to say that i hope he proves me wrong next year. his best position is definately off the back line where he can be made accountable for an opponent as well as create some forward attacks with his pace and excellent foot skills.

#6 delisted due to his age and shocking disposal. played some usefull games for us the previous year.

#7 . i thought lenny hayes was just starting to find his place as a midfielder and develop some confidence before he went down with injury. i think he will be a better player next year and might spend some time in the forward line as he is a good shot at goal. he has played close to 50 games now and is my tip to be the big improver in 2002.

#8 tries hard and is an effective stopper, but he is another one that i have to close my eyes and prey when he's 'dashing' across the face of goals looking to swap the play. will find the going easier as kossi develops into a chb, gehrig at fb leaving max in his rightful position as the 3rd tall defender.

 

[Winmar]

I thought I read that St Kilda wouldn't trade Jones??

 

[StrengthThroughLoyalty]

Originally posted by Winmar
I thought I read that St Kilda wouldn't trade Jones??

winmar, the trading period is over so aussie will remain on our list for next year. for the sake of the team i hope he takes this year as his last chance and matures off the field and plays football to the best of his capabilities, which as we know is of a pretty high standard.

i'll support the little fella again as he is still wearing the red, white and black but i will be extremely pissed off if i hear that he is continuing with the same off field crap that he has over the last couple of years.

 

[Winmar]

Yeah I know....I just read it during the trading period...when they were trying to do deals I read that Aussie was off limits.

If he continues the off-field bull**** he should be given the arse at the end of next year. Hopefully he builds on this year's good season though.