Shields

[THE AISSASSIN]

I decided to watch him closely at training today and I must say I was super impressed by his development since I watched him train pre Xmas.

If you were asked to pick the guy new to the game from the squad he would be difficult to identify.

I only saw him kick with his right foot but technique is now good and he weighted his kicks well, and he has already mastered kicking at different trajectories. His handballing is fine.

He competed very well in the air, and was able to stay very close to quick players when they were leading hard. Also showed good hands on the lead on 1 occassion.

There is plenty to like about this guy and it may be a case of sooner rather than later than most of us expect.

 

[thylacine60]

Great post, thanks for the info. The odds on a bloke like this making it are so remote. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Irish recruitment door slammed shut at some stage in the future so if we can get AFL footballers from what we have on our list it would be absolute cream. Here's hoping.


PS: **** Clarke.

 

[THE AISSASSIN]

Great post, thanks for the info. The odds on a bloke like this making it are so remote. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Irish recruitment door slammed shut at some stage in the future so if we can get AFL footballers from what we have on our list it would be absolute cream. Here's hoping.


PS: **** Clarke.

I think he is a huge chance to make it and his rate of adapting is amazing.

Reminds me a bit of A McKay but probably a little quicker

 

[Horsebox]

I think he is a huge chance to make it and his rate of adapting is amazing.

Reminds me a bit of A McKay but probably a little quicker

Is he being groomed for any particular position? Never thought he was particularly quick when he was playing for Cork but he might be one of those deceptive guys.

 

[Blueinblood]

HBF i would think

 

[THE AISSASSIN]

Is he being groomed for any particular position? Never thought he was particularly quick when he was playing for Cork but he might be one of those deceptive guys.

training in the defenders group.......i think deceptively quick is spot on.
Saw Jake Edwards go on a lead and couldnt get 30cm seperation on Shields.
Every time he followed a player on a hard lead he stayed as close as you could possibly get

 

[thylacine60]

training in the defenders group.......i think deceptively quick is spot on.
Saw Jake Edwards go on a lead and couldnt get 30cm seperation on Shields.
Every time he followed a player on a hard lead he stayed as close as you could possibly get

Very nice.

 

[Bluebear]

training in the defenders group.......i think deceptively quick is spot on.
Saw Jake Edwards go on a lead and couldnt get 30cm seperation on Shields.
Every time he followed a player on a hard lead he stayed as close as you could possibly get

Puts him ahead of some of the guys we have coming through.

Bower in particular seemed to let his man get space on him, as did Setanta at times.

If he can stick with his man and spoil effectively then he leaps up the list, and if his skills, especially by hand are good (to dish off to the mids lurking) then as suggested he may just leap up the order quicker than we think.

At worst it will put some heat on the other guys who might be fighting for this position.

 

[Kooley]

he has massive thighs in the mould of leigh matthews. he is also moves with a permanent bent elbow which is very distinctive.

 

[thylacine60]

he has massive thighs in the mould of leigh matthews. he is also moves with a permanent bent elbow which is very distinctive.

Interesting. What chance we pounce on Murali as an international rookie? Probably need to put some weight on the little fella quick smart.

 

[Silvagnis]

training in the defenders group.......i think deceptively quick is spot on.
Saw Jake Edwards go on a lead and couldnt get 30cm seperation on Shields.
Every time he followed a player on a hard lead he stayed as close as you could possibly get

Thanks mate.

There's going to be so much competition for spots this year I feel we can't help but improve.

But I wouldn't put him ahead of some other guys we have coming through.

 

[Silvagnis]

he has massive thighs in the mould of leigh matthews.

Or Nicholls.

 

[Kooley]

Or Nicholls.

by his complexion it looks like he has been raised on boiled potatoes and sausages.

 

[thylacine60]

Relatively narrow top half but good luck the tackler trying to knock him off his feet. Legs like an African elephant.

 

[BlueDevil]

where the hell are we finding all these tall irishmen. i thought the irish were ment to be the little people (well my great granny was anyway). the guys a tank.

 

[Kooley]

where the hell are we finding all these tall irishmen. i thought the irish were ment to be the little people (well my great granny was anyway). the guys a tank.

sheilds isn't very tall.

 

[BlueDevil]

sheilds isn't very tall.

not seen him in person , who's size on our current list would you compare him to?

 

[THE AISSASSIN]

not seen him in person , who's size on our current list would you compare him to?

Maybe about Wiggins height or a 1 or 2 cm shorter

 

[Silvagnis]

Top name for a defender.

 

[marcmurphy3]

I think he is about 185cm on his profile.

 

[one_twelve112]

Reminds me of prosciutto

 

[thylacine60]

Reminds me of prosciutto

That would certainly "cure" our problem of too few "small/good" backmen.

 

[one_twelve112]

Have we found the new Luke "Rhino" O'Sullivan?

 

[thylacine60]

Have we found the new Luke "Rhino" O'Sullivan?

You mean will he take a decade to play 50 games and be persisted with because he is a great "clubman"? I hope not.

 

[one_twelve112]

You mean will he take a decade to play 50 games and be persisted with because he is a great "clubman"? I hope not.

Or kick 4 goals in the second half against St Kilda in 1992 in one of the best games I have ever been to and win the game for us you mean?