Reilly vs Salopek

[cro_Magnum]

There are more than a few similarities between these two. They were both highly regarded first round draft midfielders who most would say have disappointed and underachieved to date.

They are both facing career defining seasons. Who will succeed and who will fail? Salopek was taken a year later and in a weaker draft in 2002 but both are on the line.

 

[*PAF]

There are more than a few similarities between these two. They were both highly regarded first round draft midfielders who most would say have disappointed and underachieved to date.

They are both facing career defining seasons. Who will succeed and who will fail? Salopek was taken a year later and in a weaker draft in 2002 but both are on the line.

No similarities what so ever.
One has had more than enough chances to prove his worth, the other has had a shocking run of luck wrt injuries.
Salopek has not underachieved so far. Wait till he plays a run of games without injury and then we can have this debate properly.
Reilly has played something like 30 games in a row. Big difference.

 

[outback jack]

No similarities what so ever.
One has had more than enough chances to prove his worth, the other has had a shocking run of luck wrt injuries.
Salopek has not underachieved so far. Wait till he plays a run of games without injury and then we can have this debate properly.
Reilly has played something like 30 games in a row. Big difference.

one dud, one potential star. Fragile steven looks very slow and average at the same time and you can see why he fell to pick6, good endurance runner and thats about it. Injuries are just a excuse, he put games together early and its was clear he doesnt have a X factor. Reilly is a late developer and is just adjusting to his body still. Luckily Reilly isnt our great white hope either

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

one dud, one potential star. Fragile steven looks very slow and average at the same time and you can see why he fell to pick6, good endurance runner and thats about it. Injuries are just a excuse, he put games together early and its was clear he doesnt have a X factor. Reilly is a late developer and is just adjusting to his body still. Luckily Reilly isnt our great white hope either

PAF is normally pretty spot on with his appraisals, but I detect just a hint of bias with this one. Its a make or break year for Reilly IMO and as for Salopak. I have watched him play a handful of games for The Bays, when fully fit, and too be honest, I haven't been overly impressed. I reckon Thomson's a better footballer.

 

[outback jack]

PAF is normally pretty spot on with his appraisals, but I detect just a hint of bias with this one. Its a make or break year for Reilly IMO and as for Salopak. I have watched him play a handful of games for The Bays, when fully fit, and too be honest, I haven't been overly impressed. I reckon Thomson's a better footballer.

no, watched thomson V knights and it was a no contest, thomson isnt a very smart player, knights is. Port are in serious trouble there. In relation to salopek and reilly, on a serious note i think both have plenty of time as port literally dont have a midfield and with our super coach you would expect reilly to atleast have some form of midrange career. Hes no dal santo though!

 

[Drummond]

Well at least Salopek is better than Ben Eckerman, I can't believe some actually think he's going to be any good

 

[*PAF]

PAF is normally pretty spot on with his appraisals, but I detect just a hint of bias with this one...

No bias on my part at all.
Never said anything about Reilly other than to say he has now played many games in a row and IMO he should be primed to produce because of it. Some days you say yes he will be good, others not sure. He now needs to bring consistency into his game. Having played so many games in a row he now should. If he will or not I have no real idea.
Unlike Reilly, Salopek has not played many games in a row. This has been because of injury/illness. It will probably be the end of this year or even middle of next year before a proper opinion of him can be made. Consistency probably will not come for a while yet. So far I like some of what I have seen, and that is all I can honestly say about his game at this stage.

Comparisons of where they will end up with their careers cannot be based on what they have done thus far as it is too different. They will end up being solely based on bias depending on which team one supports.

Here is the pudding.

Salopek, games in a row
4
2
2
1
11 Slowed right down after a reasonable start, later found to have Glandular fever.
2
4 and counting


Reilly, games in a row
1
4
2
3
33

 

[Sheeds]

Salopek has played some average games but has played some blinders for Glenelg as well. I have only seen him play live twice for Glenleg, once he kicked a bag of 5 and the other one was last year against Norwood where he was BOG by a country mile.

I think he will surprise some people this season, including a few Port supporters. Many said the same thing last year but he cannot afford any more injuries

 

[*PAF]

... Many said the same thing last year but he cannot afford any more injuries

His injuries have been the frustrating bit.
None of this recurring soft tissue stuff, but more of the unlucky type.

 

[cro_Magnum]

one dud, one potential star. Fragile steven looks very slow and average at the same time and you can see why he fell to pick6, good endurance runner and thats about it. Injuries are just a excuse, he put games together early and its was clear he doesnt have a X factor. Reilly is a late developer and is just adjusting to his body still. Luckily Reilly isnt our great white hope either

Agree about the lack of X factor, for both players actually. While I don't think either will fail, I can't see either being a gun. They both have the "1st round" millstone around their necks, so the expectations will always be high, as will be the groan factor if they don't deliver.

 

[Crow-mo]

Salopek has not underachieved so far.

ahem *bullsh_t*

 

[*PAF]

ahem *bullsh_t*

I'll rephrase it just for you moey.
He has not underachieved because of lack of input whilst on the field.

How's that, better?

 

[Crow-mo]

I'll rephrase it just for you moey.
He has not underachieved because of lack of input whilst on the field.

How's that, better?

maybe he will come on like gangbusters this year; but we still remain unconvinced by the excuses

 

[macca23]

.
Salopek has not underachieved so far. Wait till he plays a run of games without injury and then we can have this debate properly.

An amazing statement really. I enjoy watching young players at all clubs, and while he has a reasonable amount of natural ability, he has shown 2 traits that I loathe, and for that reason I don't rate him.

At times he is very lazy and also at times he is very soft.

I'm expecting him to improve out of sight this year though, because these are not acceptable traits from such a high draft pick, and I understand that Williams has given him the ultimatum to put a rocket up his arse and perform or else.

A bit of effort and a bit more grunt under fire and he could be a good player. The ball's in his court.

He has had his fair share of injury but overall he has under-achieved on a massive scale.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

There are more than a few similarities between these two. They were both highly regarded first round draft midfielders who most would say have disappointed and underachieved to date.

They are both facing career defining seasons. Who will succeed and who will fail? Salopek was taken a year later and in a weaker draft in 2002 but both are on the line.

Reillys 4 relatively uninjured years vs Salopeks injury prone 3 yrs. I would think Salopek clearly has more upside

 

[Crowked]

I cant see either being more than good/average AFL players.

At this stage Reilly has definatley been the better performed, but Salopek probably has more improvement to come.

 

[Macca19]

I wouldnt call Salopek underachieving. He hasnt really had the chance to underachieve yet. When hes played hes done alright...its just he hasnt put any sort of run on together yet.

When he has played, hes done alright. His first half of 2004 was very good and very promising. He got dropped because he was struggling to play for 10 minutes at a time. Then he missed 3 months with GF. I wouldnt call him soft. He is a terrible tackler but ive seen him jump in and get it out more than many other players of his size and age. I saw him get targetted against Fremantle in his 5th game and stand up to it.

It is definately his last chance though. Another injury stuffed year or if he actually does underperform this year and hes gone.

Reilly is a strange one. Looks great at times, looks ridiculously bad at others. I cant see him ever being a first string midfielder. May be a 100-150 game plodder in a Glenn Freeborn mould but I cant see him being in the top 3 midfiedlers at the Crows. Its make or break for him too. He could get overrun by Knights and Van Berlo if he doesnt show some more improvement.

I know ive asked this before...but outback - is there actually any Port player that you rate?

 

[Malibu#27]

I wouldnt call Salopek underachieving. He hasnt really had the chance to underachieve yet. When hes played hes done alright...its just he hasnt put any sort of run on together yet.

When he has played, hes done alright. His first half of 2004 was very good and very promising. He got dropped because he was struggling to play for 10 minutes at a time. Then he missed 3 months with GF. I wouldnt call him soft. He is a terrible tackler but ive seen him jump in and get it out more than many other players of his size and age. I saw him get targetted against Fremantle in his 5th game and stand up to it.

It is definately his last chance though. Another injury stuffed year or if he actually does underperform this year and hes gone.

Reilly is a strange one. Looks great at times, looks ridiculously bad at others. I cant see him ever being a first string midfielder. May be a 100-150 game plodder in a Glenn Freeborn mould but I cant see him being in the top 3 midfiedlers at the Crows. Its make or break for him too. He could get overrun by Knights and Van Berlo if he doesnt show some more improvement.

I know ive asked this before...but outback - is there actually any Port player that you rate?

Brett does better adverts,

"I'm Brett Reilly... from the Adelaide Crows".

 

[Calthorpe14]

Both have the potential to be stars of the game in the next 5years or so. Personally, Id Rather have Reilly on my list than salopek as salopek is to injury prone

 

[QPower]

I like both players. Feel the Crows fans are being a bit tough on Reilly and Salopek does have an upside which is that he has outstanding footskills which you only see in class players.

 

[noddy]

Both players still have to prove themselves at AFL level but on what's been seen so far (sorry PAF but no ifs & buts as we can only go on whats been on show ) Reilly has more going for him at this stage.

Salopek granted has had an injury interrupted career so far but as someone else has already said in the games i have seen him play he does seem to lack that second effort as well as drop the head far to easily (something along the lines of our Jericho )

Time will tell & i hope both young players have a very successful AFL career ahead of them.

 

[Jars458]

PLENTY of upside in both players

Reilly has done better so far but he has been relatively injury free compared to Salopek.

Whether they reach their potential remains to be seen

This thread again shows the folly of trying to comapre players. Dare I say, "polls board".

 

[Malibu#27]

Both players still have to prove themselves at AFL level but on what's been seen so far (sorry PAF but no ifs & buts as we can only go on whats been on show ) Reilly has more going for him at this stage.

Salopek granted has had an injury interrupted career so far but as someone else has already said in the games i have seen him play he does seem to lack that second effort as well as drop the head far to easily (something along the lines of our Jericho )

Time will tell & i hope both young players have a very successful AFL career ahead of them.

Long term I see them playing different type roles. I might be wrong, but to me Sal looks like he'll end up a more 'in tight' type player. reilly - from the bits I've seen looks more outside than inside, but could also end up a wing or flanker I suppose.

I must admit one thing I haven't seen from Sal is the 'head dropping' that a few from Crow-land have mentioned (but I have seen him nod a couple times). I have seen a couple touches here and there that suggest he has class.... his challenge is to use the class and add some consistency and non-injured time to his resume'.

 

[*PAF]

An amazing statement really. I enjoy watching young players at all clubs, and while he has a reasonable amount of natural ability, he has shown 2 traits that I loathe, and for that reason I don't rate him.

At times he is very lazy and also at times he is very soft.

I'm expecting him to improve out of sight this year though, because these are not acceptable traits from such a high draft pick, and I understand that Williams has given him the ultimatum to put a rocket up his arse and perform or else.

A bit of effort and a bit more grunt under fire and he could be a good player. The ball's in his court.

He has had his fair share of injury but overall he has under-achieved on a massive scale.

All I have said is that it's too early to judge him too harshly. I also think it's too early to judge Reilly too harshly just yet.
All I personally look at is what traits they are good at and Sal has shown plenty in that area.
Exactly the same methodology I used when I said that you lot were being too harsh on Bock too early. Plenty of faults, but he was strong and he could take a grab. Coaches worked on his strengths and he has improved out of sight. This year we'll find out if he has further improvement left.

As far Salopek being soft and not go in for second or third efforts, then go back and see some of his early games before injuries struck. He was anything but. Miles and miles away from that statement. Surprised you said that.
His few games at the end of last year should just be seen as him getting game-time for the sake of it. Perhaps another coach with different selection strategy/aims would not have picked him.
He will never be a Ricciuto type player, but could easily be a Francou cross Stevens type of player.
There are plenty of good things he has shown to work on.
Now that he is injury free, he has to start putting in big efforts at getting his body right. Let's hope he is doing that as we speak, because nobody else can do it for him.

Reilly, whilst being too early to judge him too harshly on things like consistency just yet, by the end of this year he will be a 50 game player where he has also played plenty of games in a row.
If he will not be consistent by then, then chances are he will never be.
This year he has to approach it as all or nothing, and as nobody likes to see players fail regardless of who they play for I am sure we all wish him all the best. The ball is in his court so to speak.
Well almost nobody wishes for players to fail. Sorry about making such a general statement as above Jack, I promise not to do it again.

Sal is about one year behind the stage that Reilly is at IMO, thus comparing the players wrt consistency etc is not exactly fair.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

I think it was in the Wizza cup GF where Reilly stood his ground and was polaxed by Tarrant. One of the commentators, Brereton I think, said something like that kid has just put his hand up to play AFL footy. That's the Reilly I hope we see more of in 2006.