Practice Match Willi vs. Sandringham

[MarkT]

Not always easy to dominate at the lower level, especially playing down there (VFL), with those guys (Willi) for the first time and playing out of a forward pocket.

I accept that. He didn’t just not dominate he didn’t look up to it. Fitness may have been an issue but he should be 3 times smarter (football wise) than any other player on the ground and probably stronger as well given his time in the system and in the 1s. It’s early days and I’ll accept he’s had some fitness issues but his attitude has also always been questioned. I don’t mind him as a footballer and I think he could be good for us if he can get serious about footy but at this point I wouldn’t contemplate him for round 1.

Thought his work ethic was fine, didnt do anything wrong, he had a run and hopefully got through unscathed (was icing his foot but hopefully own a precaution).

They are the main things.

Longer term perhaps. Not for round 1 though.

 

[understudy]

Agree with your comments timmy and nardz.

I accept that. He didn’t just not dominate he didn’t look up to it. Fitness may have been an issue but he should be 3 times smarter (football wise) than any other player on the ground and probably stronger as well given his time in the system and in the 1s. It’s early days and I’ll accept he’s had some fitness issues but his attitude has also always been questioned. I don’t mind him as a footballer and I think he could be good for us if he can get serious about footy but at this point I wouldn’t contemplate him for round 1. Longer term perhaps. Not for round 1 though.

Definitely looked up to it to me. He's got a bit of form on his side and achieved at AFL level. I doubt you've seen enough of him play during preseason to judge. Not sure how he went in Mildura against the Tigers (?), but I was very impressed by him against the Saints at PP quite a few weeks back before he went down with injury.

Without Didak, Buckley, the loss of Tarrant, abscense of Holland and our forward line looking a bit thin I suspect he's definitely in calculations.

My money's on him playing, injury permitting.

 

[MarkT]

Definitely looked up to it to me. He's got a bit of form on his side and achieved at AFL level. I doubt you've seen enough of him play during preseason to judge. Not sure how he went in Mildura against the Tigers (?), but I was very impressed by him against the Saints at PP quite a few weeks back before he went down with injury.

Without Didak, Buckley, the loss of Tarrant, abscense of Holland and our forward line looking a bit thin I suspect he's definitely in calculations.

My money's on him playing, injury permitting.

Before Sunday I had seen zero of him live this year and wactched the game v North on TV. I’ve seen him being an absolute flop away and a hero at home for a few years which concerns me. I said before the Tarrant trade that held be worth a look at. I am not against the guy but I think he has some deficiencies and his form on the weekend did not impress me at all. hat is all I can comment on. I thought he looked a fair way off senior AFL footy which he hasn’t succeeded at for some time now.

The fact he might be needed is a reflection of the inability of our list to cope with injuries is is clear anyway from our results. I don't doubt he's good enough to get a game at Collingwood this year but he isn't ready to play AFL football right now and there have to be question marks about all players who clubs let go.

 

[Jabso]

Who played for Sandy from Melbourne? I think Sylvia did but that's all I can remember from the article in the Hun. Did Sylvia stand out?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Sylvia Warnock and Bartram played for Sandy.

 

[toommy]

I accept that. He didn’t just not dominate he didn’t look up to it. Fitness may have been an issue but he should be 3 times smarter (football wise) than any other player on the ground and probably stronger as well given his time in the system and in the 1s. It’s early days and I’ll accept he’s had some fitness issues but his attitude has also always been questioned. I don’t mind him as a footballer and I think he could be good for us if he can get serious about footy but at this point I wouldn’t contemplate him for round 1. Longer term perhaps. Not for round 1 though.

how do you know he is not serious about his footy or has a bad attitude

 

[Coin_Toss]

As we see with Egan, the logic behind it is that Egan is quite poor in the VFL, but is much better at AFL level...it happens to most small forwards I find. They perform in front of crowds and just adapt much better to the professional and quick game.

Actually, Nick Maxwell fits the criteria - he struggles in the VFL - believe it or not!

Medhurst would be in the same category.

FWIW, He pushed up the ground, presented well, and setup a few goals today, put his name forward for selection that's for sure. I didn't stay to the end, but I saw enough of him to suggest he could be a good contributor for Collingwood. As far as I'm aware, he used to be a (very) selfish footballer, so I was happy he setup a few goals and looked for a teammate in the clear.

I don't know which game MarkT was watching, but he is entitled to an opinion as much as I am.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

how do you know he is not serious about his footy or has a bad attitude

For once I agree with you. How the hell can you draw conclusions about his attitude after one practice game, especially when he's come in with a minor injury.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I didn't draw any conclusions on Medhurst based on that practice match. If you're a leading forward and the ball isn't kicked to you, it's very hard to get involved. At AFL level you'll notice the difference, IMHO, as the kicking to leads is >>>> better.

 

[RustyG]

I didn't draw any conclusions on Medhurst based on that practice match. If you're a leading forward and the ball isn't kicked to you, it's very hard to get involved. At AFL level you'll notice the difference, IMHO, as the kicking to leads is >>>> better.

Couldn't agree with you more there,Sampler.
It's very hard to mark the ball on the lead,if it's landing before you or flying over your head.Rocca or Tarrant had the same problem last year.
As far as being selfish goes.He seemed to have gotten most of the selfishness out of his system last year,when he played those few games for Freo.He set up a fair few goals for his team mates.
He does like to wheel around onto his right boot and have a shot a goal from 50m,but that is a forwards job,to kick goals.
I'm sure he's not the only forward who likes have a ping at goals when its there.

 

[MarkT]

For once I agree with you. How the hell can you draw conclusions about his attitude after one practice game, especially when he's come in with a minor injury.

I didn’t. I commented on a fairly comment perception and criticism of him, particularly last year. It was not a comment about his game. Of that I merely said he didn’t look very good on Sunday when I expected him to look a class above. I reckon his body doesn’t look like he has the fire in the belly. There were better builds out there that’s for sure.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Quite a few skinny kids in Willi jumpers.

Mark, you're becoming a dial-a quote. Were there better builds than Medhurst out there or worse builds?
Or does your reply depend upon what suits your argument?

 

[MarkT]

Mark, you're becoming a dial-a quote. Were there better builds than Medhurst out there or worse builds?
Or does your reply depend upon what suits your argument?

Both. There were 40 players + benches out there. How is that hard to understand? There were boys with pimples out there in Willi jumpers. That isn’t a criticism it is just how a virtually no AFL player VFL squad lines up at times. I really don’t care what the players who play for Willi look like if they aren’t Collingwood players.

Guys that have been around a while have better build than the kids. Williams and Johnson for Willi have Medhurst covered for muscle and skin folds. A few Sandi boys likewise. A few Willi guys who I don’t know that look 20+ had better definition. Do you disagree? What do you think of Medurst's build?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I didnt like his haircut, preferred his Beatles mop-top of previous years. Apart from that he looked like a footballer with a sore foot.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Guys that have been around a while have better build than the kids. Williams and Johnson for Willi have Medhurst covered for muscle and skin folds. A few Sandi boys likewise. A few Willi guys who I don’t know that look 20+ had better definition. Do you disagree? What do you think of Medurst's build?

Williamstown look faster than last year. They will be a side to be reckoned with when they add a few Collingwood listed players into the side.

Who were out there. Williamstown twos? I didn't notice a few senior players from their best 22. Did Meyer ruck? If so, he hasn't put on any weight since last year. David Stretton is in the same mould as Daniel Nicholls. He's improved out of sight in the last 2 years.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Medhurst certainly didn't look very big, as I understand it they wanted him to trim down somewhat in order to play more in the midfield. I really don't know if he's on target or not.

 

[Jabso]

Medhurst just needs to work on his stanima. He does look a bit thinner but he doesn't need to be too big since he is very strong anyway one on one.