Review Rating the 2011 First Year Players So Far

[TradeDraft]

Thought I will put them up as how I rate them and get your Thoughts and Your Own Opinion.

1. Alex Fasolo - He seems to be the Most AFL Ready of all the Rookies. He Reads the Play Very Well and Has a Fantastic Long Kick on Him.Good Descion Maker as well
2. John Ceglar - Did not have a Proper Pre-Season as was getting over a Knee Injury from Last Season. But Shown a Fair bit in the VFL as a Forward/Ruckman where he can take a Massive Contested Mark and Then Compete Fairly well in the Ruck.
3. Paul Seedsman - I real surprise pick at 76 in the National Draft, Was Super Skinny but has Put some Weight/Muscle on over Pre-Season.Also shown Great Desperation with 2 Goal Saving Tackles
4. Kirk Ugle - Came to the Club as a Small Forward with Heaps of Upside and Mostly on the Offensive and Not Defensive side. But I love his Defensive Work with his Speed, Chasing and Tackling and When he is on the Mark he Jumps up and Down like Daisy
5. Declain Reilly - Rookie KPF who I think has shown some good Upside as a Marking Tall. Has Taken some Strong Marks and Coverted Well. Just is it will he become big and strong enough for the AFL
6. Jack Perham - Mature Rookie Pick who has Shown a Bit but his Kicking Really Worries me as he can have some Out Right Shockers but could still Play AFL in a Just in Case Scenario
7. Tom Gordon - Done some things to excite me like playing out of defense and delivering the Ball very well bit does thing that worry me as I think he get's beaten on the Lead to Easily and can get Turned inside out to Easily
8. Jye Bolton - Yes he was Fantasic in the NAB Cup but I think he been Ordinary in the VFL. I have not noticed him Much but I could be wrong here according to other Posters
9. Paul Cribbin - Promising Start for the Irish Boy but long way to go yet
10. Daniel Farmer - Been doing next to nothing in the VFL but people said he played well on the Weekend but not seen Video of Game Yet. Has the Attributes to make it but not put the Performances out yet
11. Trent Stubbs - I just don't see much with Stubbs and I doubt he will make it.

I will do this again later in the Season

 

[Jelly Bean]

Re: Rating the 2011 Rookies So Far

Good work Dve, although the heading is quite deceptive with the term "rookie" meaning a very specific thing in AFL terms.

I hope we get to see Fasolo play AFL soon. I don't expect much this season, but just to give him some exposure would be good for him.

I can't see any others getting a real look in.

 

[TheGreatGrundy]

Re: Rating the 2011 Rookies So Far

Too date they seem a fairly ordinary lot!

 

[TonyFrancis]

Re: Rating the 2011 Rookies So Far

Great post.

Shame Jye Bolton has not gone on with it in the VFL this year.

I've seen some of Ceglars towering marks first hand and he looks a real prospect.

You might also want to check out this website regarding the use of capital letters in a sentence.

http://wordconstructions.com.au/blog/2008/04/capital-letters-2/

Happy typing!

 

[bballscout]

Re: Rating the 2011 Rookies So Far

1. Alex Fasolo
2. Paul Seedsman
3. Kirk Ugle
4. Tom Gordon
5. John Seglar
6. Jack Perham
7. Jye Bolton
8. Paul Cribbin
9. Daniel Farmer
10. Trent Stubbs

 

[Quicky]

Nice read TD!! I think you have been honest and summed them up well. I've liked the look of Fasolo, Bolton and Ceglar so far. Ugle and Seedsman are both willing but I think have a bit more to work on. But there is plenty to work with so a bit to be bullish about too.

 

[Knightmare]

Thought I'd have a go at ordering these also. Agree with many of the above comments, but I have a surprisingly different order.

1.Alex Fasolo - Physically very mature. Bit like Sidebottom in year 1, good enough to play now. Forward who can push into the midfield. As TD mentioned has a great kick on him. Keeps improving every week and is pushing very hard for senior selection.
2.Jye Bolton - Had a fantastic NAB Cup where he fit into the senior side beautifully. His form has tapered off a little at VFL level, but can't say I agree with TD entirely, he has still been amongst our better VFL players. Has great endurance and skills are not bad either. Will push for senior selection next season. Possible Ben Johnson replacement on a wing. Great find! Has been injured last few weeks which is why there has been little mention of him in recent weeks.
3.Kirk Ugle - Short. But talented forward. Has nice speed and chases and tackles like a machine which is exactly what we want in our forward half. Not nearly as advanced as Blair was at this same stage but a much more natural forward pocket. TD is pretty much on the money with his comments on this kid.
4.Paul Seedsman - Has been a really consistant performer. Doesn't ever dominate but quarter by quarter game by game you know what you are going to get from him. Very skinny. But great tackling technique and for a skinny lad his tackles stick! Will be interesting to see what he is like when he adds muscle to that frame! Skills + speed quite reasonable.
5.Paul Cribbin - Think TD is selling this kid short. Has been fantastic and has been unbelieveably one of the better VFL players. Certainly not out of his depth. Has very good skills and has great speed. Really look forward to seeing the Irishman continue his development.
6.Tom Gordon - Been a rock down back. Very solid kid. 1v1 is very strong and holds his own against most forwards. Has a fantastic long kick which is very accurate for a KPD. Below the knees isn't great and not super agile, but at worst seems to be a solid depth KPP who could step in if an injury hit a key player. Would also like to see him spend some time as a forward at some point.
7.John Ceglar - Has shown some positive signs. Skinny ruckman who has done some positive things up forward. Long term project despite being a year older than this years draft class. Seems to want to make it which is a good sign. Not a super athlete and for a skinny lad. Has probably tapered off a little after a good 2-3 week stretch a couple of weeks back.
8.Jack Perham - Mature rookie selection who is a couple of years older. KPF who has shown some positive signs early but not sure he is good for much more than depth. Kicking for goal questionable. Probably not quite tall or strong enough to play KPP. Rate Eddy higher (Coll VFL KPF). Unless Perham finished the season like a man posessed I'd say most likely that he will be delisted at seasons end.
9.Daniel Farmer - Showed potential at U18 level and has some great attributes. Long kick, speed, strong overhead. We knew it wouldn't all come straight away but has had a notably slow start to the VFL season. Had by far his best game on the weekend for the VFL side and after McNamara I would have listed him as our 2nd best player on the day which was a good sign. Needs to physically get allot stronger so that he doesn't get bumped off the ball so easily and needs to learn to win his own ball more. Allot of upside and give him time.
10.Declain Reilly - Rookie KPF who is very young and very much a project. Last year started to show some clear development late into the year and I think Collingwood hope for him to show strong development late this season. As TD said strong overhead and when he gets the opportunity he usually converts. But certainly don't rate him nearly as highly. In my view unlikely to be retained unless he shows unbelieveable development in the 2nd half of the season.
11.Trent Stubbs - Hasn't played allot of games this season. Not sure if injury? Think he has only played 1-2 VFL games so far this season. Strong marking medium size type. Was our final selection in the national draft and at the moment I am in favour of delisting Stubbs just because we need to make the 3 list changes and with Buckley + McCarthy in form, it is very difficult outside of Rounds to make way on the senior list! If the club is keen to give Stubbs a second year I would recommend delist and then rookie him.

 

[TradeDraft]

Thanks for your Input and I glad you did

5.Paul Cribbin - Think TD is selling this kid short. Has been fantastic and has been unbelieveably one of the better VFL players. Certainly not out of his depth. Has very good skills and has great speed. Really look forward to seeing the Irishman continue his development.

Yeah I might be selling him Short but I agree he be good to see how he Develops

6.Tom Gordon - Been a rock down back. Very solid kid. 1v1 is very strong and holds his own against most forwards. Has a fantastic long kick which is very accurate for a KPD. Below the knees isn't great and not super agile, but at worst seems to be a solid depth KPP who could step in if an injury hit a key player. Would also like to see him spend some time as a forward at some point.

Very Well Put there and I agree I like to see him Tried up Forward. Yeah I can see him coming off the Rookie List and On the Senior List as Cover

7.John Ceglar - Has shown some positive signs. Skinny ruckman who has done some positive things up forward. Long term project despite being a year older than this years draft class. Seems to want to make it which is a good sign. Not a super athlete and for a skinny lad. Has probably tapered off a little after a good 2-3 week stretch a couple of weeks back.

He did not have a Proper Pre-Season because of a Knee Injury from last season in TAC Cup(I guess) and maybe he is getting Tired as the Club is Reporting that his Work Rate has Dropped so I am guessing he is bit Tired at the Moment.

Is a Project but maybe not as long as you think

9.Daniel Farmer - Showed potential at U18 level and has some great attributes. Long kick, speed, strong overhead. We knew it wouldn't all come straight away but has had a notably slow start to the VFL season. Had by far his best game on the weekend for the VFL side and after McNamara I would have listed him as our 2nd best player on the day which was a good sign. Needs to physically get allot stronger so that he doesn't get bumped off the ball so easily and needs to learn to win his own ball more. Allot of upside and give him time.

Very Well Said there Knight and I guess him not being not Fully in TAC Cup playing only 10 Games means he is a bit Behind other Prospects

10.Declain Reilly - Rookie KPF who is very young and very much a project. Last year started to show some clear development late into the year and I think Collingwood hope for him to show strong development late this season. As TD said strong overhead and when he gets the opportunity he usually converts. But certainly don't rate him nearly as highly. In my view unlikely to be retained unless he shows unbelieveable development in the 2nd half of the season.

This Time I think you are Underrating him in my Opinion. If Dawes and Cloke go Down who would come in and play KPF(Not Counting L Brown) and I can see them keeping Reilly to see if he can Develop and get Bigger.

 

[sr36]

This Time I think you are Underrating him in my Opinion. If Dawes and Cloke go Down who would come in and play KPF(Not Counting L Brown) and I can see them keeping Reilly to see if he can Develop and get Bigger.

If Dawes and Cloke go down. We'd be giving some some of our medium defenders big jobs, so that we could release Reid or Tarrant into the forward line.

 

[Knightmare]

This Time I think you are Underrating him in my Opinion. If Dawes and Cloke go Down who would come in and play KPF(Not Counting L Brown) and I can see them keeping Reilly to see if he can Develop and get Bigger.

I'd probably move Keeffe into defence and Tarrant forward as first alternative.

2nd alternative would be Perham. 2 years older than Reilly, played in the NAB Cup to a reasonable standard and would have to be ahead of Reilly at this stage. Probably a poor mans Jack Anthony up forward, but Reilly is still a kid a bit like Toby Thoolan a couple of years back. Perham is really the depth KPF if something happened to either Chris or Trav who is here because we lost Jack.

Doesn't mean Reilly won't develop. Toby Thoolan has been fantastic at VFL level this year. But Reilly like Thoolan is a project guy who will take significant time. Not ready to play yet and should mostly be judged on how he develops more than anything. So I really view him as a guy who needs a very strong 2nd half to the season because I can't see us using more than 3-4 selections in the national draft, so there might be some pressure on the rookie list with a few players we want to add as rookies.

Even Macaffer *assuming healthy* to full forward could be another option. Has previously had success at Full Forward and is an ok, but again undersized marking option.

Gordon also I'd be more willing to play now, even as a forward. Physically he is very strong for a 1st year player and can play some forward even if he is played more as a defender by the club at this stage.

 

[4#Didak#4]

Great work guys.

Fasolo is ready made & would have had 5 games on the board by now at a lot of other clubs.

I am more optimistic on Perham. The guys is a great contested mark. Needs lots of work on other areas - namely kicking - but I would give him some time as all key posi guys do. Possibly capable of becoming a defender.

I can't help but thinking Seedsman is Alan Toovey Mark II. This is not a bad thing!

Ugle, Bolton, Farmer all need a year or 2 at VFL level, but can potentially be players. I worry about where Ugle will fit in - maybe post Leon Davis.

Cribbin could be anything, but as with all Irish guys its about whether they can slog it out in the VFL for years & wait to break in. Home sickness is 10 times worse when playing VFL.

 

[TradeDraft]

Great work guys.

Fasolo is ready made & would have had 5 games on the board by now at a lot of other clubs.

I am more optimistic on Perham. The guys is a great contested mark. Needs lots of work on other areas - namely kicking - but I would give him some time as all key posi guys do. Possibly capable of becoming a defender.

I can't help but thinking Seedsman is Alan Toovey Mark II. This is not a bad thing!

Ugle, Bolton, Farmer all need a year or 2 at VFL level, but can potentially be players. I worry about where Ugle will fit in - maybe post Leon Davis.

Cribbin could be anything, but as with all Irish guys its about whether they can slog it out in the VFL for years & wait to break in. Home sickness is 10 times worse when playing VFL.

I think Seedsman will be better then Toovey.

 

[4#Didak#4]

I think Seedsman will be better then Toovey.

Big call TD, big call!

I think he is the sort of guy that will get the job done, even though he is unlikely looking. He has sound skills, great speed & goes in hard despite his wirey frame. He does lack superhuman possum eyes though, which will makes it hard for him to better the great Alan Toovey.

 

[Knightmare]

Great work guys.

Fasolo is ready made & would have had 5 games on the board by now at a lot of other clubs.

I am more optimistic on Perham. The guys is a great contested mark. Needs lots of work on other areas - namely kicking - but I would give him some time as all key posi guys do. Possibly capable of becoming a defender.

I can't help but thinking Seedsman is Alan Toovey Mark II. This is not a bad thing!

Ugle, Bolton, Farmer all need a year or 2 at VFL level, but can potentially be players. I worry about where Ugle will fit in - maybe post Leon Davis.

Cribbin could be anything, but as with all Irish guys its about whether they can slog it out in the VFL for years & wait to break in. Home sickness is 10 times worse when playing VFL.

Agree on Fasolo.

With Perham have to remember he is older. Born the year before Sidebottom/Rounds and that group who have been around 2-3 years. So you really expect that higher level of performance. But certainly at VFL level has been solid. Just won't get as long as others to stand out.

A Toovey comparison for Seedsman i've never heard before. Seedsman like Toovey for a pretty thin bloke can tackle well which might be what you are thinking of. Both similar height + stature. Seedsman is a much better user of the ball though and is a bit more classy while Toovey came to the club as a primarily high endurance guy without the same skill set. Definitely more of a midfielder than a defender I would say with Seedsman.

Ugle is a real forward pocket specialist. Can play other positions if he needs to, but not with nearly the same effect. There is a position for him if he can show significant development and keep improving. Doing many of the right things with his attitude defensively and his tackling which I suspect is exactly what the coaches want from him.

Cribbin has great footskills + decision making. Better than Dyas. If he finishes the season off hard and can have a big preseason, I wouldn't put it past this guy.
Mooney will be another nice addition to the rookie list from Ireland next year. Tall and has standout speed + athleticism.

 

[Quicky]

On Ugle Knight i'm not sure i'd pidgeon hole him as a forward pocket specialist. I think he could play half forward equally as well and has scope to become an outside midfielder in time too. His defensive game is good enough for the midfield and his footskills are also very damaging. He could be creative setting up our forwards. At this stage we don't know if he has the endurance, ability to win the ball and size to play in midfield but he hasn't been tried here yet and shouldn't be expected to this early in his development. But I think the scope is definitely there.

 

[Wooljay]

I think Seedsman will be better then Toovey.

Why do you say that?!

 

[Knightmare]

On Ugle Knight i'm not sure i'd pidgeon hole him as a forward pocket specialist. I think he could play half forward equally as well and has scope to become an outside midfielder in time too. His defensive game is good enough for the midfield and his footskills are also very damaging. He could be creative setting up our forwards. At this stage we don't know if he has the endurance, ability to win the ball and size to play in midfield but he hasn't been tried here yet and shouldn't be expected to this early in his development. But I think the scope is definitely there.

I think the club has similar ideas and you are right.

You'd certainly want him to add a few more tricks to the arsenal and these days you want players to be able to play a variety of positions to help cover for injuries and rotations. He looks best as a forward pocket which is why I'd say specialise there because few others play it as well as he can. But you'd want him to be able to set up goals like Medhurst used to and finish like Didak + Thomas can as well as build the endurance base + add some size.

 

[TradeDraft]

Why do you say that?!

Just see a More Compete Player as Seedsman can use the Ball better then Toovey can

 

[shawthing09]

There is a long way to go before Seedsman can do the defensive jobs that Toovs can do. At times on Saturday Toovs matched up on Darling and even Lynch, whilst it was only for short times they are some big strong guys, dunno Seeds will have the physicality to match up in that way.

As for Ugle I certainly see scope for him to play much higher up the ground. In the first half on Saturday I thought he was probably our best along with Dick (I only caught the first half) got involved high up the ground, worked really hard defensively and to get into space, and wasn't scared to go when it was his turn. Looked like a pretty likely type.

 

[Quicky]

Toovey is the best defensive player we have in this side. He beats everyone else and we have some very good defensive players. Sometimes people don't rate this skill highly enough. Seedsman would be doing very well to become even close to the player Tooves is. It's funny but if Tooves had an extra two or three inches I think he would now be recognised as one of the best KPD in the league but he just doesn't quite have the height and reach for that position. Long live the Possum.

 

[Ed D]

It's not really Toovey's skills that make him the player he is, it's his determination and dedication, putting his body on the line and being able to read the play that makes his a good player. His speed obviously helps too, but it's his stopping ability, not his play making ability that makes him valuable to the side. So really to compare someone with Toovey it would be on attitude, not skills.

 

[Knightmare]

Just see a More Compete Player as Seedsman can use the Ball better then Toovey can

I'm hoping you mean by age?

Toovey is best 22. Defensively he is as good as anyone in our side. Matches up on players of any size comfortably.

I kind of see what you are saying in that Toovey is a more limited players. Has some things he does significantly better than most, but other areas where he has had to put in allot of work just to get up to a ok standard. While Seedsman is someone who has a few more strings to his bow potentially.

Skills by age Seedsman is certainly better than Toovey was when first rookied and probably a better all rounder. Toovey only really stood out at the time for endurance. So his development largely came from his strong work ethic which is a credit to his personality.

On likely career though, it's very hard to say that Seedsman will have the better career because Toovey is proven and will probably go on to have a very long career. Seedsman on the other hand is still very much a 50/50 proposition at this stage because even though he has shown promise this year, he is nowhere near best 22 standard and like all our other 1st year players has a long way to go to break into our best 22 to become a potential premiership player.

 

[TradeDraft]

There is a long way to go before Seedsman can do the defensive jobs that Toovs can do. At times on Saturday Toovs matched up on Darling and even Lynch, whilst it was only for short times they are some big strong guys, dunno Seeds will have the physicality to match up in that way.

I would also say Seedsman is not a Stopper like Toovey us and he does a fantastic Job. Seedsman is better user than the Ball then Toovey.

Seedsman is more an outside player who probably like a Tall Wingman

 

[The 10th Letter]

Great idea for a thread TD, there has been some excellent discussion.

My personal rankings so far would be:

• Alex Fasolo
• Kirk Ugle
• Jye Bolton
• Paul Seedsman
• Jonathon Ceglar
• Paul Cribbin
  
• Jack Perham
  
• Tom Gordon
• Daniel Farmer
  
• Declain Reilly
• Trent Stubbs

That's based purely on current performance, with perhaps a bit of loading afforded to Ceglar considering the roles he's had to play.

Fasolo is the clear standout and you could make a case for any of Bolton, Ugle and Seedsman being second. I've given Ugle the nod based largely on his most recent performance, where unfortunately Bolton was missing.

We probably had high expectations on Bolton considering the signs he showed during the NAB Cup and even though his numbers haven't been exceptional on paper, he's been doing a lot of grunt work for us this year. Both Fasolo and McCarthy benefited from his presence in close when he was out there.

Ugle though has really impressed me in the last 2-3 weeks, culminating in his game against Coburg. His defensive work rate has been the best out of our first year players, he's extremely active in the tackle stakes and it's starting to happen for him offensively as well. If he polishes up his finishing, he could come into contention later in the year to give a chop out to one of our small forwards.

I agree with Shawthing and Quicky in that he has scope to play higher up the field as well. Despite his size he brings down larger opponents with his tackling, moves well in traffic and has some zip. He doesn't yet have the all-round game of Blair, but I could see him giving Blair a chop-out if he needs a rest at some point and that's not based solely on being of comparable size. Ugle would hold up his end in terms of forward pressure and is lively around the packs. His ethic very much suits our game plan when the press is in full effect.

A debut in the seniors is just a faint possibility though, as I still consider it unlikely for him at this point. Largely because if J-Mac holds his form in the seniors; combined with the hopeful return of Macaffer; the likely debut of Fasolo as a half-forward; some consolidation on form and fitness from Dick; all of these things would probably round out our list of 30 or so potential senior candidates heading into finals.

Naturally, a few injuries could change all of that.

Seedsman has surprised me, didn't think he'd be able to get as involved as he has considering his size. I wouldn't liken him to Toovey in the long run, as I can't see him ever being as valuable in defence but he does possess better offensive weapons. He works hard both ways, I'd imagine if he makes it we'll look to utilise him off a wing, perhaps model him on Thomas to some degree.

Cribbin has been impressive considering where he's coming from, still a long way to go but we could be onto something; he's returned good numbers in multiple games this year.

Gordon and Reilly as key position players are hard to gauge so early in the piece, especially Reilly who is a rake. I've liked some of Gordon's defensive efforts in the straight line stakes, but his agility worries me at times. Some of Reilly's work on the lead has been good as he does head to spots that straighten us up, but considering his lack of size he needs to work his man over with multiple leads a bit more than he currently does.

Perham showed good signs early but has struggled of late, needs to show a bit more considering he's a mature aged recruit as Knightmare mentioned. I like that he's prepared to go the length to help out our defence and get involved, but he seems to be getting lost amongst Eddy and our other talls up forward at the moment. He has shown some glimpses though where he looks to have some genuine tricks/class.

Farmer finally showed some reassuring signs on the weekend, hopefully he'll build from that now that he's broken the rut somewhat. Stubbs has barely had a sniff, been missing since the Bendigo game but isn't listed amongst our injuries to my knowledge -- not sure what the deal is there.

 

[swan69]

Great idea for a thread TD, there has been some excellent discussion.

My personal rankings so far would be:

• Alex Fasolo
• Kirk Ugle
• Jye Bolton
• Paul Seedsman
• Jonathon Ceglar
• Paul Cribbin
  
• Jack Perham
  
• Tom Gordon
• Daniel Farmer
  
• Declain Reilly
• Trent Stubbs

That's based purely on current performance, with perhaps a bit of loading afforded to Ceglar considering the roles he's had to play.

Fasolo is the clear standout and you could make a case for any of Bolton, Ugle and Seedsman being second. I've given Ugle the nod based largely on his most recent performance, where unfortunately Bolton was missing.

We probably had high expectations on Bolton considering the signs he showed during the NAB Cup and even though his numbers haven't been exceptional on paper, he's been doing a lot of grunt work for us this year. Both Fasolo and McCarthy benefited from his presence in close when he was out there.

Ugle though has really impressed me in the last 2-3 weeks, culminating in his game against Coburg. His defensive work rate has been the best out of our first year players, he's extremely active in the tackle stakes and it's starting to happen for him offensively as well. If he polishes up his finishing, he could come into contention later in the year to give a chop out to one of our small forwards.

I agree with Shawthing and Quicky in that he has scope to play higher up the field as well. Despite his size he brings down larger opponents with his tackling, moves well in traffic and has some zip. He doesn't yet have the all-round game of Blair, but I could see him giving Blair a chop-out if he needs a rest at some point and that's not based solely on being of comparable size. Ugle would hold up his end in terms of forward pressure and is lively around the packs. His ethic very much suits our game plan when the press is in full effect.

A debut in the seniors is just a faint possibility though, as I still consider it unlikely for him at this point. Largely because if J-Mac holds his form in the seniors; combined with the hopeful return of Macaffer; the likely debut of Fasolo as a half-forward; some consolidation on form and fitness from Dick; all of these things would probably round out our list of 30 or so potential senior candidates heading into finals.

Naturally, a few injuries could change all of that.

Seedsman has surprised me, didn't think he'd be able to get as involved as he has considering his size. I wouldn't liken him to Toovey in the long run, as I can't see him ever being as valuable in defence but he does possess better offensive weapons. He works hard both ways, I'd imagine if he makes it we'll look to utilise him off a wing, perhaps model him on Thomas to some degree.

Cribbin has been impressive considering where he's coming from, still a long way to go but we could be onto something; he's returned good numbers in multiple games this year.

Gordon and Reilly as key position players are hard to gauge so early in the piece, especially Reilly who is a rake. I've liked some of Gordon's defensive efforts in the straight line stakes, but his agility worries me at times. Some of Reilly's work on the lead has been good as he does head to spots that straighten us up, but considering his lack of size he needs to work his man over with multiple leads a bit more than he currently does.

Perham showed good signs early but has struggled of late, needs to show a bit more considering he's a mature aged recruit as Knightmare mentioned. I like that he's prepared to go the length to help out our defence and get involved, but he seems to be getting lost amongst Eddy and our other talls up forward at the moment. He has shown some glimpses though where he looks to have some genuine tricks/class.

Farmer finally showed some reassuring signs on the weekend, hopefully he'll build from that now that he's broken the rut somewhat. Stubbs has barely had a sniff, been missing since the Bendigo game but isn't listed amongst our injuries to my knowledge -- not sure what the deal is there.

re Stubbs, it was discovered about 6 weeks ago that he had been playing & training all season with a torn tendon in his ankle, causing inflamation and reducing his leap, speed and agility. That had been caused by pins still in his ankle after a break last year. They removed those pins and stitched the tendon with surgery about 5 weeks ago. Strange they haven't listed him as injured. Just an oversight I imagine. He should be back in the next few weeks