Son Son Review

[apuchar]

Michael Walters Season Review

Costa Kastanis October 23, 2013 6:09 PM

​

Michael Walters of Fremantle celebrates a goal during the 2013 Toyota Grand Final match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Fremantle Dockers at the MCG, Melbourne on September 28, 2013. (Photo: Sean Garnsworthy/AFL Media)​

author2013 GAMES: 21 - 2013 GOALS: 46

2013 Home and Away Season (2012 in brackets)

Disposals per game: 15.4 - 16th / (11.9 – 23rd)
Contested possessions per game: 6.5 - 13th / (5.4 – 19th)
Uncontested possessions per game: 9.2 - 16th / (6.8 – 23rd)
Disposal efficiency: 69.1 - 21st / (68.1 - 25th)
Marks per game: 5.1 - 10th / (4 – 18th)
Tackles per game: 2.5 - 17th/ (2.9 – 19th)
2013 Brownlow Medal votes: 6

*rankings are at Freo and players must have played at least four games to qualify.

Highlight – Walters burned Collingwood in round 7 to help an injury-hit Freo claim a memorable win. His four-goal evening was capped off with a brilliant sealer and colourful celebration in the last quarter.

Summary – Walters had a sensational season, entering the realm of elite small forwards in the game. His finishing in front of goal was a huge asset to the team.

Finals

Qualifying Final – 15 disposals, 1 goal
Preliminary Final – 14 disposals, 3 goals
Grand Final – 11 disposals, 2 goals

Summary – Walters battled manfully throughout the finals series and was among Freo’s best in September. It was revealed after the Grand Final that he had played the last six weeks of the season with a torn posterior ligament in his knee.

Outlook: The small forward showed the football world how good his skills were in attack in 2013, but senior coach Ross Lyon flagged midfield as a possible future destination for ‘Son Son’. To play there, he’ll need to improve his fitness and strength.

 

[Righteo]

What's so exciting is that 2013 was his first full AFL season and he ripped it up, bloke has a scary ceiling and the only weakness I'd want him to correct is set shots. Will kick 50 goals for sure next year and be AA.

So ****ing grateful to Lyon for getting Sonny to sort his shit out because he's just a delight to watch.

Having said all that I'm still undecided on him getting more midfield time next year. On one hand I have no doubt he's capable of such a transition and his passes into the 50 would be invaluable but then again he's so dangerous up forward (not to mention with Ballantyne's inconsistency we need him there more than we need him in the middle) you'd be loath to unsettle his role.

 

[electricfeel]

Star.

 

[Schauermann]

Having said all that I'm still undecided on him getting more midfield time next year. On one hand I have no doubt he's capable of such a transition and his passes into the 50 would be invaluable but then again he's so dangerous up forward (not to mention with Ballantyne's inconsistency we need him there more than we need him in the middle) you'd be loath to unsettle his role.

I'd prefer him in a more forward role, too. But will get some rotations for sure. And most players follow the ball anyway...

 

[13then7]

Sat next to a young Essendon supporter at the GF. Probably 7-10 years old. Asked who his favourite players were and I did not specify from what team, Jobe (too young to understand) and Walters. His mum intervened and said "We came today cause he wanted to see Walters play".

 

[pokerspiv]

His kicking distance was a bit of a weakness this year. It might have been because of the PCL but Walters really struggled to make the distance from 50 this year, either from set shots or on the run. Which kind of restricts you as a forward because a lot of shots are taken from there.

 

[Freofalcon]

10/10 for attitude.

Was found wanting and instead of slinking off in a sook, he did what was required to make himself a better player for our club and a better person for himself.
If everyone had his attitude......

 

[electricfeel]

I think having his own family must've helped shape his attitude and put things into perspective for him as well. I think he's got another bub on the way too...hope he's a future father/son.

 

[Freofalcon]

I hope he's Catholic and pumps out a football team.