Rate a Player: Jarryd Allen

[Sheezel2Wardlaw]

Hey guys and girls, did get to see this game last night.

How was J.Allen last night? Is he a chance for best 22 during the H&A?

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Kicked 2 goals and could have had 4 if not for a miss and a ridicuous reversal by the umpire. He didn't have a heap of game time and didn't get much of the ball, but he seems to be a very good mark and a smart player.

It's hard to tell whether he is good enough to be an AFL player, but he has done enough to show that he is worth persisting with. Can't see him playing much this season though - he is behind Riewoldt, Gehrig, Koschitzke and C.Gardiner for a forward spot and I don't think he is quick enough to play in defence.

 

[Kildonan]

I like him.

The acquisition of Charlie Gardiner has thrown a cog in the works of the Jarryd Allen progression plan.

This is a great thing for the Saints, though and both players look like they will make the grade. Gardiner is more advanced, and has a beautiful kick, IMO Allen has more natural talent and is already a better overhead mark. He has been working with the other Key Forwards for two preseasons and is quite advanced. Had he not been injured (elbow) last season I believe he would already be considered an (almost) automatic selection.

 

[Squizz]

Allen showed he got ability, but agree he would struggle to leapfrog Chucky G who it fit as a fiddle and the hard lead-up player we need. But he's got time and is another sorely needed depth player.

 

[Persevering Saint]

Is he more a chance of slotting into the forward mix as a replacement for Gehrig, either next year or if the big fella gets injured?

 

[Rough_Edges]

Hopefully developes a bit more, don't think he is near our best 22 ATM.

I'm not as sure him being a lock as a lot of other Saints fans are.

 

[Fryze]

hey all congrats on the win friday nite im glad i was pissed as a fart cos i cant remeber it lol... anyway hopefully Allen turns out good i remember playing against him in the local leagues and he was a gun player in our comp and always tore us to shreds, hopefully he comes good would love to see more of him

 

[Monika72]

I saw him play last year and I was impressed. The injusry set him back, but no doubt he is going to be the smokie of 08.

 

[Squizz]

Is he more a chance of slotting into the forward mix as a replacement for Gehrig, either next year or if the big fella gets injured?

Agree that there is a post Gehrig role in '09 with his name all over it. Not sure how much of a role he has this year though. I think the elbow injury has cost him a bit, but I think he will make it.

 

[Sheezel2Wardlaw]

Looked good on saturday, Looked quick and can kick a ball.

 

[Sheezel2Wardlaw]

Surely Jazza will be pushing for best 22 after his pre-season form

 

[Persevering Saint]

I'm more and more convinced that Gehrig is only going to play 60% of games this year, at best. That's going to be perfect, because it will give Allen plenty of game-time in the seniors, without the pressure of being the next big thing. He's just slotting in for Gehrig while he's out injured, and learning his craft at the big level.

 

[goodie23]

It's only the kid's second year, no need to rush him. The signs are great, but I wouldn't put him in the 22 just yet

 

[bubblegoose]

Surely Jazza will be pushing for best 22 after his pre-season form

He's been looking pretty good, huh?

I'm more and more convinced that Gehrig is only going to play 60% of games this year, at best. That's going to be perfect, because it will give Allen plenty of game-time in the seniors, without the pressure of being the next big thing. He's just slotting in for Gehrig while he's out injured, and learning his craft at the big level.

While it's great to have Frase back on the paddock this year, we still need to plan, train & play towards life after G. And at this stage, it doesn't seem as ominous now we have Kosi there & also a few newer, younger guys ready to jump into the mix.

 

[Rough_Edges]

Still not in our best 30 imo.

2009 will probably be in our best 22. Struggles to mark under pressure atm.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Does anyone know why he slipped to late 3rd round during the 2006 draft, when he was originally expected to go second or even first round?

 

[Squizz]

Was obviously some doubt about how quickly he would develop. Burgatron's assessment :

36 - ESSENDON - JARRYD ALLEN
Calder Cannons, 14 January 1988, 193.2cm, 87.7kg
Touted as a potential top 30 selection by some AFL recruiters, Allen is also seen as a genuine third round prospect. Essendon has been linked to the key forward, while West Coast and Melbourne could also be options for the goalkicker, if he lasts through to the mid 40s. He could prove to be a fine selection at this point in the draft, considering many of the more fancied key position have already found homes.Highlights/achievements: Versatile player who can play in the ruck or as a tall forward where his marking is a feature. Had outstanding NAB AFL U18 Championships winning All-Australian honours and returned to state league kicking eight and nine goals in consecutive weeks as a key forward. Runner-up in Calder Cannons best and fairest for 2006, kicking 46 goals. From Riddells Creek F.C.

 

[Squizz]

Noticed he was Top 10 is repeat sprints at draft camp, so recruiters would have know he was capable of hard work (multiple leads).

Saw an article that said that if the Bulldogs knew he was going to slide to 59 they might have retained the pick (rather than going for McDougall).

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Interesting that it was also the Bulldogs who are rumoured to have been interested in Brad Howard if we didn't get him that round.
Also many commentators predicted that the Bulldogs would pick up David Armitage first round. Did we have the spy's out west that year.

 

[unsheathed]

From the article re: davis on saints.com.au it sounds like he's primed for what i suspect is the full-foward position. Shame he came down injured against the Hawks as it would have been very interesting to see if he could have kicked a couple on the big stage. I would be very happy if he snagged 30 for the year playing 60-70% of game time at FF. That would leave kozi as a genuine follower playing wherever he is required for impact ruck and around the ground. Also leaves the option of having a king/gardner ruck combo on game day though that may leave us 1 short in another position.

With Roo kicking 50 odd, Milne 40 odd, Allen 30 odd and Schnider 25 odd
we'd have a reasonably consistent and productive foward line.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

I don't know where to find the Stats but I think he would have been struggling to kick that many for the Scorpions. It would be a good trick for him to be a better player with the Saints than in the VFL.

 

[Squizz]

Was second in the goalkicking with 33 in 16 games (winner was Dunne with 34 in 21 games).

Missed plenty, so could've kicked 50 easy. Would hope that they can work on his technique over summer.

For a guy who can kick 50m comfortably this really shouldn't be too hard. If he gets confidence in front of goal he will improve quickly.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

LOL , I found the stats and it was me that posted them.
Allen did kick 33 for the Scorpions, ( out of 16 games) and was the second highest goal kicker for the team ( Chris Dunn played 21 games ).

I hope he improves a bit over the pre-season but I think it would still be a stretch for him to kick 30.

How about Roo 50, Milne 40 , Schneider 30 ( kicked nearly that many this year after a slow start ), Armitage 20 , Allen 20, Cousins 15, Dal Santo 15, Kosi 15.

 

[Armitage2Riewoldt]

Jeez you'd want Allen to kick more than Armo!

 

[Squizz]

Depends on whether Armo plays 20 games and Allen plays 12.

It's all about getting a better spread of goals.

In 2007 we had only 4 players kick more than 12 goals (159 goals combined).

This year we had 5 players (203 goals).

As comparisons, Hawthorn had 8 (including 2 of the top 3 goalkickers), Geelong 13 and the Bulldogs 13.