shawn_lewfatt
Draftee
- Oct 4, 2004
- 7
- 0
- AFL Club
- Essendon
- Other Teams
- Essendon
Given our sides current plight, I thought i may make my first venture into the world of Big Footy. Know I'm new, but thought I'd give my thoughts on each player, and where I think there at. A lot of my comments make an assumption that we probably will not play finals this year (although I do retain hope that we are still good enough), and therefore we must look at developing not just our first and 2nd year players, but all of our draftees 2000-04 who need to start showing something.
Mark Johnson: Has been a good performer this year after this ********test year at the club in '04. I like him up forward, although i do question his pure hardness, his attack on the man in the forward line is useful. Certainly, one exonerated from blame for our plight thus far.
Henneman: Is he the most hatest guy at the club? At least in the top 3- so why does sheeds love him so. You feel for sheedy, because he can really at times look every bit the part. At times has shown he's strong overhead, has good disposal and has a bit of mongrel about him. He is also a big, big unit, so why on earth cannot he not put it together? He played for 90 minutes against geelong, running around by himself yet got 3 touches?????? That is simply inexcusable for a mobile bloke, in what- his 6th season?? Why has he not put it together? Time probably ran out for this guy long ago. Don't necessarily think this should be the end for him, but cetainly back to the two's and if you are worth any of the faith sheedy has shown you, you'll turn it on and EARN your position for the first time in your career.
Dyson: Has pace and uses the ball as well as any. Realistically, only needs to touch it 15 times to warrant selection on the quality of his use. Give him the season on a wing to develop- hopefully can learn about the defensive side of things.
Watson: He is massive, which ordinarily is a bonus, but i think for him is a real shame. Just strikes me as a natural in and under midfielder- i guess not to dissimilar to a haselby, with creative use of handball and a tonne of possessions (ala his junior days). Keeps being mentioned as a CHF type- I haven't seen it, but just hope he can stay on the park, because he should be in our best 18.
Hird: No comment really needed, but should his days be now spent as a permanent forward? As a backman he has always scared me (the carlton game was perhaps the worst i've seen jim play since 1992). As a permanent forward he scares opposition- if only on reputation. If its all about preserving and prolonging his career, i guess the midfield days are fast becoming numbered. Let's not forget what position he won his brownlow.
Monfries: should be developed in and out and of the seniors this year- i reckon sheeds usually gets it right with first year player with promise- in this regard. Will watch with interest his performance when getting full games in the two's to see if he can really dominate and show his class.
Solomon: One word really- consistency. Just needs to give his best on a more consistent basis. He can be so important, in so many different roles but really needs to step up for us week in week out.
Winderlich: Massive question marks on this guy. Its always potential, potential, potential. Time to start to delivering. Just needs to get his hands on the football more. Pure and simple. Should actually be given bursts in the midfield. Not sure about the rest of you, but i am sick of all our players beginning in a back/forward pocket, and forgetting how to play midfield- where they were drafted!! the BP's lose their attacking instincts (see rama, mcveigh) the FP's all confidence by not being able to get a kick from tight marking defenders. For god's sakes why don't these players ever line up where they were drafted, or at least in bursts bursts???
Rama: Was it just me, or before his knee was he just going through the motions? DOn't know how much his cancer has affected him, but is certainly only a shade of his old self. The knee is a horrible setback for the poor guy.
McVeigh: I thought mcveigh was fantastic for us last year, and a midfield slot was going to be his this year. just seems horribly out of sorts though. it could just be a matter of a BP taking time to make the transistion to a midfielder, but maybe he needs to build his confidence back where he has played his best football, and then we revisit the midfield.
Peverill: What a trier, but does anyone really see the value in him continuing to be a permanant midfielder, particulary in a season where we must seriously ponder no finals action? He's tough, without imposing himself on the man, and he obviously lacks some creativity. Perhaps a back flank is where his career lays?
Welsh: To many cheap kicks, to much zoning off, and lacks the pace to keep up with Davey/Medhurst forward pocket types. Needs to get the tough courageous side back in his game, everything that made him the perfect replacement for hardwick.
Cupido: I think he needs to play in the two's until he earns his spot by ripping games apart. SHould no longer be picked on potential, as not on any stage is he delivering. (not sure where he is getting this big game player tag- i remember one anzac day when he kicked a few, but correct me if im wrong when else??).
Alvey: Next. Just has not shown enough. If we were a premiership contender, he would be a useful fringe, icing on the cake type player, but he is not what this club needs to go forward.
Jason Johnson: Don't really need to say much. He is our one genuine midfielder. For all his disposal queries, without him in our side, our midfield would be more of a laughing stock than it already is.
Bradley: Is this bloke the best reader of the play in our side? Not sure I have seen too many ruckman size boys average 25 touches from half back. Hopefully he is the star we are looking for. Early stages, but sheeds looks vindicated in the tenace vs bradley debate. (on a seperate note-thank christ we actually went for a player with a pick based on who we thought was the best- not what we "apparently" needed)
Thomas: I dunno on this one, will hold judgement, but I thought he looked very very ordinary on sat night. really looked like he shat himself everytime the ball was in his hand against geelong. disposal is a real question mark, as is poise.
Lloyd: No comment needed.
Hille: Injuries keep curtailing his pre-season but its simple-for Essendon to improve, no more excuses he just needs to start dominating. Has all the potential so please just stand up.
Richards: Does he not strike anyone else as someone who should be left to be a Key defender? Perhaps even replacement Full back? He is now nearly a 100kg, he is strong in the air, a real good athlete and probably the biggest trier at the club. I think his desperation is something that is quite handy for our backline. Suggestion only, but does anyone agree that this year should perhaps be him serving an apprenticeship oppositions leading key forward, leaving Fletcher to be freed up to take the 2nd or 3rd best tall and in-turn increase his drive out of the backline with more freedom? Certainly, would be a great learning curve for the youngster, and in a year where taking a step back to take two forward may be the case, is it the worst idea?
Cartledge: Our 2 first ruck options are injured- why on earth is Henemman, Bolton, Bradley and Laycock playing there ahead of him? The first 2 are so ridiculously not suited to ruck its not funny, Bradley should be stamped CHB and left there and Laycock is better suited down forward cum back up ruckman. Cartledge is a genuine ruckman, some of his tap work against carlton was useful, his reserves form is good- play the boy in the ruck and lets see what he can do.
Bolton: My opinion on bolton is just there is no position on the footy ground that suits him. Gets smashed in key defensive posts, doesn't touch it as a forward, nor as a midfielder, where he is also just too big. Can run all day, and certainly try's hard, but maybe he's go is at another club.
Stanton: Proven ball winner (or as much as any of our young midfielders) and has pace- given this should be a fixture in the side, and should regularly start right in the middle- see winderlich comments. Disposal is of course an issue, but we just have to hope it improves. We lack ball winners at the moment, this youngster has to play, disposal forgotton. Knives have come out for him already this season, which really has surprised me- has had very limited time on the ground and we forget he was not just the best of our youngsters in pre-season but just about our best across all the whole squad.
Lucas: Is there a more under apprecicated footballer at this club? Absolutely performs in big games, steps up when lloyd is out, runs hard all day, constantly presents, is a thumping kick, and was perhaps the best CHB in the comp in 03- what more does he need to do be really recognised as a champion for this club. I have been in his bagging bridgage before, but he has totally turned me around- perhaps since his 2001 Grand final performance. As a CHF target (while not quite in the tredrea/brown/riewoldt league) don't know if he can offer anymore.
Laycock: All potential at this stage but does look the goods. Reminds me of Ottens (dare i say it) with his strong hands, ruckwork and mobility- hopefully he can live up to his potential.
Allan: If this a "no finals year" other should be preferred.
Murphy: We all know why he is on our list- just needs to consistently give us the good use he is capable of with his high possesions and kick some goals. If his patchy week on, week off form continues- maybe others should be preferred.
Reynolds: ??? I'll leave it to you guys- just to hard to read for me with injuries- this season though is nearing make or break.
Hunt: If he can't get a game when every preferred key defender is out injured and his reserves form is solid- he must be doing a helluva lot wrong. Can't see a future based on this alone.
Fletcher: again no comment really needed. best full back over the past decade in the comp.
McPhee: Is he injured? Let's just hope he can regain 2004 form. Is making an extraordinary amount disposal errors this year or is that just me? Was so crucial last year- thus far this has made no impact whatsoever, bar round 1, quarter 1, 2005, where it just appeared he was picking up where he left off.
Zantuck: I like him, maybe just coz of the head slamming incident with the gunman, but i think his toughness is what we need. Offside at richmond, I think he can be a top 10 B & F performer. Hopefully the stress fractures wont curse his year
Bullen: What went wrong? Has he not gone backwards each of the last 2 years to anyone else? Is one of our rare younger types to get a regular go in the midfield and has quite simply not shown anything in the past season and a half which forces me to say i don't think he is good enough.
Nash: Reserve judgement. Pre-draft commentary back in '02 was very promising, hopefully he earns a run this year and shows us what he can do.
Haynes: Such a dangerous type. beautiful kick for goal, but at this stage, holding back on bagging the guy- may just not be up to it.
Rioli: Is this guy ever going to really live up to his expectations? Remember the Voss comparisions? Well you know, we've all seen him do things that are the equal to voss. the creativity, vision, the disposal and the hard nosed brute force. Why is he not the hardest training bloke at the club? Injuries aside, he is the answer we are looking for in the midfield. He's creativity, disposal and physical presence can bring the runners into the game and all of the sudden our midfield has some potency. We don't get what we wish for, but give this bloke the engine of a top line midfielder and i think we would have a top 10 afl footballer.
Lovett: Geez he shows some class, time will tell, but if he was ever to get enough of the ball to really hurt clubs then we could have really found a player.
Lovett-Murray: Amongst my other complaints, he is the worst kick of a football on our list. Forget not being able to hit a target this kid cannot even kick a drop punt. Would love to be wrong as he has good pace and size, but probably should go.
Johns: More than enough has been written about him. Let's hope for the kids sake he can one day grace the field for an afl game. If he lives up to even a hint of what these forums have written about him- Wayne Carey your standing in the game is about to be surpassed.
Slattery, Lee: Good luck first years.
Think that's them all- be interested in all your thoughts...
Mark Johnson: Has been a good performer this year after this ********test year at the club in '04. I like him up forward, although i do question his pure hardness, his attack on the man in the forward line is useful. Certainly, one exonerated from blame for our plight thus far.
Henneman: Is he the most hatest guy at the club? At least in the top 3- so why does sheeds love him so. You feel for sheedy, because he can really at times look every bit the part. At times has shown he's strong overhead, has good disposal and has a bit of mongrel about him. He is also a big, big unit, so why on earth cannot he not put it together? He played for 90 minutes against geelong, running around by himself yet got 3 touches?????? That is simply inexcusable for a mobile bloke, in what- his 6th season?? Why has he not put it together? Time probably ran out for this guy long ago. Don't necessarily think this should be the end for him, but cetainly back to the two's and if you are worth any of the faith sheedy has shown you, you'll turn it on and EARN your position for the first time in your career.
Dyson: Has pace and uses the ball as well as any. Realistically, only needs to touch it 15 times to warrant selection on the quality of his use. Give him the season on a wing to develop- hopefully can learn about the defensive side of things.
Watson: He is massive, which ordinarily is a bonus, but i think for him is a real shame. Just strikes me as a natural in and under midfielder- i guess not to dissimilar to a haselby, with creative use of handball and a tonne of possessions (ala his junior days). Keeps being mentioned as a CHF type- I haven't seen it, but just hope he can stay on the park, because he should be in our best 18.
Hird: No comment really needed, but should his days be now spent as a permanent forward? As a backman he has always scared me (the carlton game was perhaps the worst i've seen jim play since 1992). As a permanent forward he scares opposition- if only on reputation. If its all about preserving and prolonging his career, i guess the midfield days are fast becoming numbered. Let's not forget what position he won his brownlow.
Monfries: should be developed in and out and of the seniors this year- i reckon sheeds usually gets it right with first year player with promise- in this regard. Will watch with interest his performance when getting full games in the two's to see if he can really dominate and show his class.
Solomon: One word really- consistency. Just needs to give his best on a more consistent basis. He can be so important, in so many different roles but really needs to step up for us week in week out.
Winderlich: Massive question marks on this guy. Its always potential, potential, potential. Time to start to delivering. Just needs to get his hands on the football more. Pure and simple. Should actually be given bursts in the midfield. Not sure about the rest of you, but i am sick of all our players beginning in a back/forward pocket, and forgetting how to play midfield- where they were drafted!! the BP's lose their attacking instincts (see rama, mcveigh) the FP's all confidence by not being able to get a kick from tight marking defenders. For god's sakes why don't these players ever line up where they were drafted, or at least in bursts bursts???
Rama: Was it just me, or before his knee was he just going through the motions? DOn't know how much his cancer has affected him, but is certainly only a shade of his old self. The knee is a horrible setback for the poor guy.
McVeigh: I thought mcveigh was fantastic for us last year, and a midfield slot was going to be his this year. just seems horribly out of sorts though. it could just be a matter of a BP taking time to make the transistion to a midfielder, but maybe he needs to build his confidence back where he has played his best football, and then we revisit the midfield.
Peverill: What a trier, but does anyone really see the value in him continuing to be a permanant midfielder, particulary in a season where we must seriously ponder no finals action? He's tough, without imposing himself on the man, and he obviously lacks some creativity. Perhaps a back flank is where his career lays?
Welsh: To many cheap kicks, to much zoning off, and lacks the pace to keep up with Davey/Medhurst forward pocket types. Needs to get the tough courageous side back in his game, everything that made him the perfect replacement for hardwick.
Cupido: I think he needs to play in the two's until he earns his spot by ripping games apart. SHould no longer be picked on potential, as not on any stage is he delivering. (not sure where he is getting this big game player tag- i remember one anzac day when he kicked a few, but correct me if im wrong when else??).
Alvey: Next. Just has not shown enough. If we were a premiership contender, he would be a useful fringe, icing on the cake type player, but he is not what this club needs to go forward.
Jason Johnson: Don't really need to say much. He is our one genuine midfielder. For all his disposal queries, without him in our side, our midfield would be more of a laughing stock than it already is.
Bradley: Is this bloke the best reader of the play in our side? Not sure I have seen too many ruckman size boys average 25 touches from half back. Hopefully he is the star we are looking for. Early stages, but sheeds looks vindicated in the tenace vs bradley debate. (on a seperate note-thank christ we actually went for a player with a pick based on who we thought was the best- not what we "apparently" needed)
Thomas: I dunno on this one, will hold judgement, but I thought he looked very very ordinary on sat night. really looked like he shat himself everytime the ball was in his hand against geelong. disposal is a real question mark, as is poise.
Lloyd: No comment needed.
Hille: Injuries keep curtailing his pre-season but its simple-for Essendon to improve, no more excuses he just needs to start dominating. Has all the potential so please just stand up.
Richards: Does he not strike anyone else as someone who should be left to be a Key defender? Perhaps even replacement Full back? He is now nearly a 100kg, he is strong in the air, a real good athlete and probably the biggest trier at the club. I think his desperation is something that is quite handy for our backline. Suggestion only, but does anyone agree that this year should perhaps be him serving an apprenticeship oppositions leading key forward, leaving Fletcher to be freed up to take the 2nd or 3rd best tall and in-turn increase his drive out of the backline with more freedom? Certainly, would be a great learning curve for the youngster, and in a year where taking a step back to take two forward may be the case, is it the worst idea?
Cartledge: Our 2 first ruck options are injured- why on earth is Henemman, Bolton, Bradley and Laycock playing there ahead of him? The first 2 are so ridiculously not suited to ruck its not funny, Bradley should be stamped CHB and left there and Laycock is better suited down forward cum back up ruckman. Cartledge is a genuine ruckman, some of his tap work against carlton was useful, his reserves form is good- play the boy in the ruck and lets see what he can do.
Bolton: My opinion on bolton is just there is no position on the footy ground that suits him. Gets smashed in key defensive posts, doesn't touch it as a forward, nor as a midfielder, where he is also just too big. Can run all day, and certainly try's hard, but maybe he's go is at another club.
Stanton: Proven ball winner (or as much as any of our young midfielders) and has pace- given this should be a fixture in the side, and should regularly start right in the middle- see winderlich comments. Disposal is of course an issue, but we just have to hope it improves. We lack ball winners at the moment, this youngster has to play, disposal forgotton. Knives have come out for him already this season, which really has surprised me- has had very limited time on the ground and we forget he was not just the best of our youngsters in pre-season but just about our best across all the whole squad.
Lucas: Is there a more under apprecicated footballer at this club? Absolutely performs in big games, steps up when lloyd is out, runs hard all day, constantly presents, is a thumping kick, and was perhaps the best CHB in the comp in 03- what more does he need to do be really recognised as a champion for this club. I have been in his bagging bridgage before, but he has totally turned me around- perhaps since his 2001 Grand final performance. As a CHF target (while not quite in the tredrea/brown/riewoldt league) don't know if he can offer anymore.
Laycock: All potential at this stage but does look the goods. Reminds me of Ottens (dare i say it) with his strong hands, ruckwork and mobility- hopefully he can live up to his potential.
Allan: If this a "no finals year" other should be preferred.
Murphy: We all know why he is on our list- just needs to consistently give us the good use he is capable of with his high possesions and kick some goals. If his patchy week on, week off form continues- maybe others should be preferred.
Reynolds: ??? I'll leave it to you guys- just to hard to read for me with injuries- this season though is nearing make or break.
Hunt: If he can't get a game when every preferred key defender is out injured and his reserves form is solid- he must be doing a helluva lot wrong. Can't see a future based on this alone.
Fletcher: again no comment really needed. best full back over the past decade in the comp.
McPhee: Is he injured? Let's just hope he can regain 2004 form. Is making an extraordinary amount disposal errors this year or is that just me? Was so crucial last year- thus far this has made no impact whatsoever, bar round 1, quarter 1, 2005, where it just appeared he was picking up where he left off.
Zantuck: I like him, maybe just coz of the head slamming incident with the gunman, but i think his toughness is what we need. Offside at richmond, I think he can be a top 10 B & F performer. Hopefully the stress fractures wont curse his year
Bullen: What went wrong? Has he not gone backwards each of the last 2 years to anyone else? Is one of our rare younger types to get a regular go in the midfield and has quite simply not shown anything in the past season and a half which forces me to say i don't think he is good enough.
Nash: Reserve judgement. Pre-draft commentary back in '02 was very promising, hopefully he earns a run this year and shows us what he can do.
Haynes: Such a dangerous type. beautiful kick for goal, but at this stage, holding back on bagging the guy- may just not be up to it.
Rioli: Is this guy ever going to really live up to his expectations? Remember the Voss comparisions? Well you know, we've all seen him do things that are the equal to voss. the creativity, vision, the disposal and the hard nosed brute force. Why is he not the hardest training bloke at the club? Injuries aside, he is the answer we are looking for in the midfield. He's creativity, disposal and physical presence can bring the runners into the game and all of the sudden our midfield has some potency. We don't get what we wish for, but give this bloke the engine of a top line midfielder and i think we would have a top 10 afl footballer.
Lovett: Geez he shows some class, time will tell, but if he was ever to get enough of the ball to really hurt clubs then we could have really found a player.
Lovett-Murray: Amongst my other complaints, he is the worst kick of a football on our list. Forget not being able to hit a target this kid cannot even kick a drop punt. Would love to be wrong as he has good pace and size, but probably should go.
Johns: More than enough has been written about him. Let's hope for the kids sake he can one day grace the field for an afl game. If he lives up to even a hint of what these forums have written about him- Wayne Carey your standing in the game is about to be surpassed.
Slattery, Lee: Good luck first years.
Think that's them all- be interested in all your thoughts...
