Ryan Gamble

[Selective Retention]

I still hold out hope that he can turn it around, he certainly has talent.

Gamble needs to work 30 times harder than he does now. Sadly it isn't an exaggeration either.

This is perplexing to me. You'd think any person in Gamble's position would work as hard as possible to be apart of the Geelong sides of the past few years and grab a flag. It's not as if he would be that far back for it to be improbable. An injury to SJ and he'd be in if he had knuckled down and put the runs on the board in the twos.

 

[Copernicus]

Gamble needs to work 30 times harder than he does now. Sadly it isn't an exaggeration either.

Yeah those are my thoughts. When he did get a go last year he just didn't seem to work hard enough. Can't know what was going through his mind but he must realise that if he doesn't step it up this year, it's his last on the list you'd think.

He does seem to have a fair bit of talent, so it'd be a shame to see it go to waste or come to fruition somewhere else.

 

[Barabbas]

Like that bloody Matthew Scarlett kid! Can't play midfield OR forward!!

Fine if you're a KPP but flankers and pockets are a dime a dozen.

 

[Partridge]

Yeah those are my thoughts. When he did get a go last year he just didn't seem to work hard enough. Can't know what was going through his mind but he must realise that if he doesn't step it up this year, it's his last on the list you'd think.

He does seem to have a fair bit of talent, so it'd be a shame to see it go to waste or come to fruition somewhere else.

I've mentioned this before (and this is just my opinion), I think he probably thought it was just going to happen for him. After the 2008 Grand Final, he most likely heard all summer that he was sorely needed in the forward line, and when a spot was there in round 1 he probably didn't realise how hard he had to work (a little like Tom Hawkins early on). Hopefully now the realisation has come.

I still think he's an extremely talented player, and if he can work hard enough there's a spot in the team for him. We haven't seen the best of him by a long shot.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

Fine if you're a KPP but flankers and pockets are a dime a dozen.

NO, good flankers aren't a dime a dozen - i'm putting Gamble down as the poor man's 'Dog' at this stage. He has the same abilities as Stevie J, thats what gets me about him, and i think a lot of other people see that about him too, especially after watching him in the 2's sometime.

I remember the Ottens comeback game against the bullants and it was firecly windy, but Gamble picked up 30 odd touches and was literally carving circles around his opponents, just looked so far above the VFL standard. I hope it is similar to Stevie J and he gets the appropriate kick up the ass that is needed - he could be very good....lets just hope he takes his opportunities this year.

I have confidence it will happen this year - he seems respected by all around him, but just needs to put his hand up and take a bit more responsibility.

 

[Barabbas]

NO, good flankers aren't a dime a dozen - i'm putting Gamble down as the poor man's 'Dog' at this stage. He has the same abilities as Stevie J, thats what gets me about him, and i think a lot of other people see that about him too, especially after watching him in the 2's sometime.

I remember the Ottens comeback game against the bullants and it was firecly windy, but Gamble picked up 30 odd touches and was literally carving circles around his opponents, just looked so far above the VFL standard. I hope it is similar to Stevie J and he gets the appropriate kick up the ass that is needed - he could be very good....lets just hope he takes his opportunities this year.

I have confidence it will happen this year - he seems respected by all around him, but just needs to put his hand up and take a bit more responsibility.

Hey I'm not bashing the guy, he might be above VFL standard, I'm just saying he would have a better chance of holding his spot in the team if he could add a few strings to his bow. Maybe he does need a kick up the arse, but he looked down on confidence more than anything in the games he played in the seniors last year, and TBH his 09 season was worse than 08, so hopefully he can bounce back.

 

[thufrinthukutash]

I remember the Ottens comeback game against the bullants and it was firecly windy, but Gamble picked up 30 odd touches and was literally carving circles around his opponents ...

He has no defensive side as seen in that game plus no team ethos as also seen in that game.

Selfish and lacking any ability to go pick up a man and look after his team mates.

Kick up the arse required...doubt it will do him any good though. He just doesnt have the brain to realise what he needs to do to cement a position within the senior team.

GC or bust.

 

[David the Cat]

He has no defensive side as seen in that game plus no team ethos as also seen in that game.

Selfish and lacking any ability to go pick up a man and look after his team mates.

Kick up the arse required...doubt it will do him any good though. He just doesnt have the brain to realise what he needs to do to cement a position within the senior team.

GC or bust.

Thats a pretty negative appraisal. One question I would ask is, IF that was the case why wasnt he traded??

 

[NEMINI]

Thats a pretty negative appraisal. One question I would ask is, IF that was the case why wasnt he traded??

Maybe for the same reason Kane Tenace was never traded ... the Cats thought there was more to the kids ability then there was.

 

[TheCattery2007]

Gamble has the potential to be a quality player, I think he got ahead of himself after the GF loss in 08 and thought the Cats would need him as a forward and he was virtually guaranteed a spot. Possibly was even told that during the preseaon.
I think the problem with Gamble is that he wasn't the type of personality to be thinking that he would be guaranteed a place in the side. Last year would have been horrible for him, and he probably knows he has this year to make an impact. He has things to work on, but he's only 22! I'm hoping for a big year from him, things can chance pretty quickly for a player sometimes. We all thought last year would be his big year, but it seems that his head wasn't screwed on right (see game against Carlton where he tried to take speccies!) - perhaps it will be this year.

 

[Turbo911]

I think Gamble is as good as gone.

He has potential but I don't think he will ever be consistant.
All in all he reminds me of Brent Grgic (how ever you spell his name).

Gamble will only get a game if we have a massive amount of injuries, as seen last year.

Ship him off to try & get a pick on him, but good luck to him if he does get moved on.

 

[Partridge]

I think Gamble is as good as gone.

He has potential but I don't think he will ever be consistant.
All in all he reminds me of Brent Grgic (how ever you spell his name).

While I agree he hasn't stepped up (yet), I think it's a little early to pull the pin on him now. He's not the first player to take a while to come to grips with the workrate and dedication required (Tom Hawkins wasn't too different in his first year).

I certainly wouldn't advocate an automatic selection for him, but if he can knuckle down he could yet be a handy player.

 

[Ninty]

Did he not debut in 2006? It's about time he stood up, and if it's not this year I can definitely see him as good as gone.

I hope I'm wrong though.

 

[Partridge]

Did he not debut in 2006? It's about time he stood up, and if it's not this year I can definitely see him as good as gone.

I hope I'm wrong though.

He did, but it was in round 22. But agree he has to step up this season.

First thing he has to do is break into the team, and with Byrnes having his best ever season and Varcoe slowly improving that won't be easy. But that's good; as it should be.

 

[Jumping Jack]

He did, but it was in round 22. But agree he has to step up this season.

First thing he has to do is break into the team, and with Byrnes having his best ever season and Varcoe slowly improving that won't be easy. But that's good; as it should be.

From memory he had a good game against Bulldogs in the game where Johnson missed the shot after the siren and we won. Did'nt he fall in a marking contest and hit his head hard before going off ?

Watching him that night I thought he was an important player ...... can play small as well as strong leading target if the Mooney - Hawkins plan is'nt working. It's been mentioned a few times already, but wether it's a laconic approach or just his style - no doubt looks to coast along and not have the mental application to work himself into a game if things are'nt going his way. His best games seem to be when we're on top, whereas the games we need him to step up he seems to go missing.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

He has no defensive side as seen in that game plus no team ethos as also seen in that game.

Selfish and lacking any ability to go pick up a man and look after his team mates.

Kick up the arse required...doubt it will do him any good though. He just doesnt have the brain to realise what he needs to do to cement a position within the senior team.

GC or bust.

Agreed. Gamble had talent but just doesn't work hard enough and play team footy. I suspect 2010 will be his last year.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Thats a pretty negative appraisal. One question I would ask is, IF that was the case why wasnt he traded??

I assume because no other club came to us and wanted him.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

He has no defensive side as seen in that game plus no team ethos as also seen in that game.

Selfish and lacking any ability to go pick up a man and look after his team mates.

Kick up the arse required...doubt it will do him any good though. He just doesnt have the brain to realise what he needs to do to cement a position within the senior team.

GC or bust.

I wouldn't argue with any of that...he has limited defensive side and he definitely seems a bit slack in his approach, but he has got ability - this is plainly evident, he is almost steve johnson like in the way that he can create and he has presence in a marking contest. To me, i think there is still a big big upside to this kid.... Wouldn't deny any of the critique on him from other posters, but compared to 95% of other fringe players at all clubs, you just get the feeling that Gamble could be a lot more than what he is!

With Mitch Brown's injury today, i would imagine there will be further opportunities.

Just like Harley and the Boys pulled SJ out of the dirt, would love to see Lingy and co get Gamble to where he should be!

 

[TheCattery2007]

What is going on with Gamble - is he injured? If not, I'm worried for his future, looks like Motlop and Duncan have moved ahead of him based solely on NAB Cup games played.

Anyone know more?

 

[Premiers2007]

Looks set to play his first game for the year in VFL this weekend along with Drum.

Link: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/03/11/153871_gfc.html

Geelong travels to Melbourne for its first VFL practice match against Collingwood and coach Dale Amos said they expect to have a mix of the club's AFL-listed players and VFL hopefuls making up its squad.
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2010/03/11/153871_gfc.html#comment
Forward Ryan Gamble and Fremantle recruit Marcus Drum are both expected to play their first competitive games of the year at Gosch's Paddock after recovering from pre-season injuries while Amos also expects to have some of the Cats' draft picks in their squad.

 

[TheMightyAchilles]

hinkley should sign him up as an uncontracted star

gtee himself the gfc coaching position once bomber goes

 

[Gazzajr is god]

Maybe he should really bulk himself up. At the moment, his really just a poor mans Rob Murphy from the dogs.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Although his injury from sat seems minor and he should play VFL round 1, it's not helpful that he's had such an interrupted pre season coming into what is a critically important year for him.

 

[Bomber Man]

From an outsider's perspective...

I think Gamble is fairly harshly rated in this thread (although not so much historically on the Cats board).

Granted I may have a slight bias and am a fan of the guy, but his career output so far is actually pretty good, all things considered. It aint easy breaking into a side as dominant as Geelong has been for the last 3 years, and when he does break into the side it's not easy to get a lot of game time.

I don't get the dissatisfaction with his work rate on-field, Gamble has averaged well over 4 marks and 12 disposals per game, and kicked a goal in all but 1 game from the 21 games in his first 2 full seasons (excluding the 1 game in R22 of 2006 - in which he also took 4 marks). He may be a slightly late bloomer, but he kicked 21 goals from 13 games in 2008 - his first real, full season, and managed 10.11 in 8 games in 2009. They are very good numbers, especially for a guy getting limited game time.

Although it may be a little hard to rememebr amongst the success, Geelong did not start 2009 in fantastic form - Hawthorn and Richmond gave them a fair shake in the first two rounds and the forwards were not getting great delivery. Gamble was a bit undisciplined, but not unusually so for a forward receiving worse than their typical delivery - I thought he was unlucky to be dropped, especially when Mooney was kept in the side playing what I thought was some really awful footy. But that's what happens with a younger guy in a powerhouse side, it's VERY hard to keep your spot and get game time to prove yourself, and experienced guys are backed over you.

As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, Gamble was having a very good game against the Bulldogs in round 9 before getting ko'd, I was at that game and thought he was finally having his breakthrough match. He started on the ground, lead strongly, had already kicked a goal (I think he went down in Q2), and was ko'd when his legs were taken out from under him while taking his 6th mark - was a cracker of a mark and would have been a pretty certain 2nd goal too.

I don't think there is a player his height who is better overhead in the league, and having turned 22 in September I think he's way too good to give up on, pity his pre-season wasn't injury free.

If the Cats don't want him, don't let him go to GC, send him to the Dons!

 

[AM]

Gamble for Hurley - done!