Resign Drum

[MadMac]

Trade him to Melbourne, with Conolly and Schwab over there we could probably push for their 1st rounder.

hahaha, we shouldn't be surprised if that happens

 

[Stronzo]

Trade him to Melbourne, with Conolly and Schwab over there we could probably push for their 1st rounder.

If he has an axe to grind (and judging by his complaining about being dropped he does), we won't get squat for him.

 

[j0nni]

It's a tough one, he has tried but once he gets a new contract he might just turn to shit again. But as mentioned might not be worth trading.

I've really got nfi

 

[dominguez]

Several people have suggested bulking him up but he already lacks pace so can't afford to gain weight.

 

[Belnakor]

Went through the years WAFL reports with Malaxos to try and see how the club would be feeling with him.

Mate, Malaxos is the kind of guy who see a positive in it for the Germans invading Russia. You can't base anything but jack and shit on that garbage Malaxos writes in his "reviews" (and i use the team very ****ing losely). And Jack left town.

The guy saying he shouldn't have been dropped just sums up Drummy - pull your ****ing socks up mate, this isn't a free ride, in spite of what half the team apparantly appear to be on. You need to work. He ducked his head and he got dropped, if he'd taken a page out of Duffields book instead of sulking like a pussy maybe he'd have played a few more games.

 

[pavtastic]

Mate, Malaxos is the kind of guy who see a positive in it for the Germans invading Russia. You can't base anything but jack and shit on that garbage Malaxos writes in his "reviews" (and i use the team very ****ing losely). And Jack left town.

The guy saying he shouldn't have been dropped just sums up Drummy - pull your ****ing socks up mate, this isn't a free ride, in spite of what half the team apparantly appear to be on. You need to work. He ducked his head and he got dropped, if he'd taken a page out of Duffields book instead of sulking like a pussy maybe he'd have played a few more games.

^ agree

drum's attitude doesn't seem to fit the harvey mould, thats why he's fallen out of favour at freo. drum head peake and gilmore package trade for anyone with a heart and/or footy smarts

 

[jinxd]

Sounds to me, like his pride is getting in the way of playing good footy, more than anything else. As Chopper says.. "HTFU Sunshine!"

Having said that though, I still believe that motivation is the key to success. He could have the worst attitude in the AFL, but if he can find the right motivation, then he'll still do well.

I haven't seen him produce anything special on field, so I wouldn't offer him a contract extension.

 

[smkwd]

I haven't seen him produce anything special on field, so I wouldn't offer him a contract extension.

He's got 2 more weeks to produce something, otherwise he'll be gone.
Think of all the coming-and-going players we've had this year. All of them will be gone come season's end.
This year was carrying the 2008 passengers for depth reasons. Those same passengers all played 1/2 dozen games, have all been found out, and will no doubt be gone next year.
We'd all rather have youngsters having a crack than all the 23/24/25 years olds we've been carrying for 2 years. And once the trade period is done, we'll have roughly 20 who have been drafted over 3 years.
Just need to focus on a quality mid with pick 3 to push McPharlin & Grover back and Pav forward. The rest of the picks can be on FB/CHB/FF players.

 

[Kickett Punches Read]

i am definetly no drum fan, but the more i think about it, with GC coming in, im starting to think that we give him a one year deal... his attitude has not been right, but if we can get it right, he could be a handy player, the fact is, is that talented youngsters are going to be harder and harder to find now, and if we can get his mind right, we should keep him.... id have him on the list ahead of gilmore/obrien/thornton/murphy/peake/campbell/browne/grover (i think he is past it now)

id be filthy if drum left and then dominated

 

[george2]

i think with such a young list you cant afford to trade away players with his versatility. he hasnt exactly set the world on fire as of yet but while he has been in the team for the last couple of weeks he hasnt been our worst player by far. i think maybe if we just sign him on for 1 year to see how he goes it could pay off.

 

[Belnakor]

i think with such a young list you cant afford to trade away players with his versatility.

the only versatlity Drum has, is the abillity to perform poorly in all conditions.

he hasnt exactly set the world on fire as of yet but while he has been in the team for the last couple of weeks he hasnt been our worst player by far. i think maybe if we just sign him on for 1 year to see how he goes it could pay off.

That kind of attitude is what got us in this mix - give Murphy another year, give Campbell another year, etc etc

 

[rgauci]

the only versatlity Drum has, is the abillity to perform poorly in all conditions.



That kind of attitude is what got us in this mix - give Murphy another year, give Campbell another year, etc etc

It doesn't happen often but i have to agree with Belnakor. That extra list spot may just find another gem at the end of the draft.

Drum has been given years already. He's not 211cm and unco-ordinated. He's barely managed to change his body shape since arriving at the club. Everything points to a poor work ethic.

He might turn it around at another club. But chances are he won't. He's never reached any amazing heights.

Even Medhurst is doing his traditional run. 1 good year, 1 amazing year, now he's just heading downhill.

 

[Chris25]

I think some people might be getting swayed by the success we had late in last years draft. This year is nothing like last year, after the first two rounds the whole draft is just a lottery. Personally, I can't imagine there being too many gems at the end of the draft.

As for Drum, if he doesn't request a trade, I would offer him a one year deal and start from scratch. As soon as our season is over, lure him into a weights room and lock him in. No matter how much he screams, don't open that door. Leave him in there until the rest of the players return for pre-season training, and then tie Drum to Solomon and make him do exactly what Solly does.

Bulk him up and teach him to fight, and it'll be like having a brand new player.

 

[rgauci]

I think some people might be getting swayed by the success we had late in last years draft. This year is nothing like last year, after the first two rounds the whole draft is just a lottery. Personally, I can't imagine there being too many gems at the end of the draft.

As for Drum, if he doesn't request a trade, I would offer him a one year deal and start from scratch. As soon as our season is over, lure him into a weights room and lock him in. No matter how much he screams, don't open that door. Leave him in there until the rest of the players return for pre-season training, and then tie Drum to Solomon and make him do exactly what Solly does.

Bulk him up and teach him to fight, and it'll be like having a brand new player.

Are you telling me you can't think of a dozen WAFL players who are under 23 that are better than some of the crap on our list.

Guys like Drum are part of the problem at Fremantle. Everyone is given years to make the grade. If only his foot wasn't sore for 2 weeks. If only he hadn't been given the tough matchup. Its all crap. We are far too forgiving on our players. 1 or 2 above average performances and everyone can see a future champion. Champion players are champions from day dot. The club could see it in their work ethic. Their commitment. Their skill. We get a glimpse on the field of their time at the club.

Someone like Ibbotson took a couple years to break into the team. But from year to year you could see the development in his body. His conditioning was top notch. His fitness base grew and his skills were always good. I don't remember him spitting chips and sulking at WAFL level. In fact many were calling for his inclusion for a long time, he didn't sulk. He kept working hard and is now picked in the first 10 every week.

Drum has been at the club 4 years. That includes 3 full preseasons. He's yet to make inroads into our best 22. Name your best 22 next year. If someone who's been at the club 4 years isn't in it. They should be cut.

Yes you can keep some depth players. But Drum hardly fills that role. Thats generally left to the guys with the big heart without too much talent. They'll give you an honest go every week. They can easily fill a role in a successful side or will be made to look crap in an average side.

 

[Belnakor]

Someone like Solomon or Kepler are genuine depth players - you know if you give them a game they are going to give it a red hot go. Drum on the other hand...

 

[Belnakor]

The club could see it in their work ethic. Their commitment. Their skill. We get a glimpse on the field of their time at the club.

Exactly. Not one of the top players in the comp got handed anything. You have to take it. Even a guy like G.Ablett, natural footballer, freak. But he didn't put in the hard yards early on and he didn't get anywhere.

Drum on the other hand is an average player who needs to put in alot of work to get the best out of himself. So far all we have seen is sulking and low commitment. He will never make it, even if he did a complete 180 on attitude he still would be an average player

 

[dominguez]

Very good post rgauci.

 

[jinxd]

+1 rgauci

I could name quite a few WAFL players I'd rather have in our team, instead of Drum. IMO if you want to be AFL player, then try your arse off! Otherwise, stop wasting the club's time.

 

[IbbosBFF]

Face it guys. Since we lost the PP we don't have the luxury of throwing away 22 y.o. KP players.

If we had the extra pick 18 I would be all for cutting our losses and delisting him.

I would much rather have Drum on the list list than:
Head, Gilmore, Browne, Campbell, Peake, OBrien, Foster... chuck in Murphy than we all know will be delisted in 2010 but we will probably keep him for 1 more year.

To many good midfielders in this draft to be getting a KP player 1st or 2nd round.

Keep Drum to shore up CHB and go for some young WA CHF's that should be around in the 4th and 5th round.

Tarrant, Grover and McPharlin arent going to be around forever. Who is coming through as a KP defender for us? I can only think of Shepheard

 

[rgauci]

Face it guys. Since we lost the PP we don't have the luxury of throwing away 22 y.o. KP players.

If we had the extra pick 18 I would be all for cutting our losses and delisting him.

I would much rather have Drum on the list list than:
Head, Gilmore, Browne, Campbell, Peake, OBrien, Foster... chuck in Murphy than we all know will be delisted in 2010 but we will probably keep him for 1 more year.

To many good midfielders in this draft to be getting a KP player 1st or 2nd round.

Keep Drum to shore up CHB and go for some young WA CHF's that should be around in the 4th and 5th round.

Tarrant, Grover and McPharlin arent going to be around forever. Who is coming through as a KP defender for us? I can only think of Shepheard

The bombers have been in exactly the same predigament for ages. What happens when fletcher retires? Well they only just nabbed Hurley who looks a star.

Grover looks close to finished. Tarrant probably has a couple years left and McPharlin looks good for a while yet.

We won't fix all our needs this draft. We can afford to wait another year or two before grabbing a KPD.

 

[SupersonicDocker]

Agree with most of it.
The bold bit is rubbish though. 26-27??? Give me a break. Why bother drafting KPPs then and investing 7-8 years in them? It's not like he's 211 like Sandi to need that long. Might as well just trade for KPPs when they develop at other clubs.

I should have worded mine a tiny bit better but I am referring to the fact that majority of the talls in the system aren't playing their best football until they hit 26+... Sandi is a great example of that...

Prestigiacomo is a good example of a guy with average football ability that you can turn into a good key position shutdown player with the right body size and commitment (its also taken him a long time to get there). We are cleaning out enough garbage this year so i think at 22 years of age Drum deserves another year to prove himself.

Also we cant say he has had 4 years to show something because he has spent the equivalent of about 3 with injury problems. Talls will always be breaking down like that until their bodies mature properly. I just think Drum is one of those guys who needs a bit of confidence and a great pre-season before giving a very serviceable contribution.

The Lance Franklins and Rhys Palmers of this world have pumped up everybodies expectations on what a young mid of KPP should be able to do at a very young age

 

[MadMac]

I should have worded mine a tiny bit better but I am referring to the fact that majority of the talls in the system aren't playing their best football until they hit 26+... Sandi is a great example of that...

Prestigiacomo is a good example of a guy with average football ability that you can turn into a good key position shutdown player with the right body size and commitment (its also taken him a long time to get there). We are cleaning out enough garbage this year so i think at 22 years of age Drum deserves another year to prove himself.

Also we cant say he has had 4 years to show something because he has spent the equivalent of about 3 with injury problems. Talls will always be breaking down like that until their bodies mature properly. I just think Drum is one of those guys who needs a bit of confidence and a great pre-season before giving a very serviceable contribution.

The Lance Franklins and Rhys Palmers of this world have pumped up everybodies expectations on what a young mid of KPP should be able to do at a very young age

That's all good and you won't get an argument from me apart from that 26+ bit. Again, I think it is reasonable to expect, even from talls to hit their peak after 4-5 seasons in the system [note that I'm not necessarily talking about Drum here, but in general] assuming they were drafted as 18 or 19 year olds. Pushing that to 7-8 seasons on the list is a bit too far and certainly not viable for clubs. Also, you can't compare Drum to Sandi because Drum is 191cm and just bordering on being regarded as a "tall" in the AFL system. Sandilands was always going to take a long time and have a question mark hanging over him if he was going to make it at all, being a 211 giant.
Again, I agree with you on Drum's situation because he was injured a lot and I'm not advocating for him to be delisted. Sometimes I wish one of my favourites in Robbie Haddrill was given another year.

 

[Bradesmaen]

Are you telling me you can't think of a dozen WAFL players who are under 23 that are better than some of the crap on our list.

People overrate WAFL players all the time. I remember when Harry Taylor was in the WAFL... people couldn't stop talking about him. He looks completely out of his depth at AFL level.

 

[IbbosBFF]

People overrate WAFL players all the time. I remember when Harry Taylor was in the WAFL... people couldn't stop talking about him. He looks completely out of his depth at AFL level.

now Harry Taylor is bad... (sigh)

 

[MadMac]

People overrate WAFL players all the time. I remember when Harry Taylor was in the WAFL... people couldn't stop talking about him. He looks completely out of his depth at AFL level.

Oh dear...