Toast Tom Curren

[stkildathunda]

Firstly, I'll admit at times over the journey I questioned if Tommy Curren had it in him to step up to AFL level. But I'm happy I was wrong.

As TC said in recent interview, he never doubted he could make it as a player. He had concerns that others did but he used that as motivation to prove everyone wrong.

From what I saw this year in VFL those questions disappeared though. After dominate 18 months playing for Sandringham TC was finally given the chance to play on the big stage.

In his first game he collected 7 disposals (5 of them contested) and kicked goal as the sub. Was solid performance.

His 2nd game was down at the Cattery, and as with every player that day it was a day to forget.

Some players would get down after only collecting 2 disposals but since that day TC has taken his game to the next level, averaging 21 disposals (8 contested) in 5 games. His last 4 games he has collected 20+ disposals, something no other of our young players has been able to achieve.

Curren has shown hard work and determination is the key to success. He did a long 3 year apprenticeship in VFL on rookie list and now he has cemented his place in Saints best 22 for hopefully a long time.

He should be rewarded with AFL Rising Star this week, if not the award truly is an absolute disgrace.

#TheTCEffect

 

[God Save Max King]

The thing I have loved most about Curren is his defensive effort. Some really team lifting chases have been made on the wing by TC in the last couple of weeks. With Ledger, Curren and Ross our midfield isn't as screwed as some may say.

 

[Defacto]

great post shaun!!!!!

everyone would be forgiven for at time doubting whether or not a rookie, not blessed with sublime silky skills of say a rioli, could make it.

at various times i think we've had some doubt, but gee you are right. he has come in and just looks like he belongs

the thing i love about him is that he can play a variety of roles to effect. from run with mid, to small fwd, to goal kicking mid to an in and under clearance player.

his pressure and tackling is also developing nicely. he has a natural instinct to find an opponent to apply pressure too

he reminds me of a better skilled clinton jones, remembering clinton was not too bad at hitting the score board during his prime

 

[Sainttony]

I see him long term being our Steve Baker /Clint Jones type run with player. One who could be very damaging to oppositions because he does collect possessions and does kick goals.

I can see him playing on the likes of Marc Murphy keeping him to say 15 possessions, collecting 20 himself and kicking a goal or two.

His hard work over the past few years is really paying off and we hope he can take his game to the next level in the coming years

 

[Grav]

The part I personally like is the way he goes to get the ball, a bit like Lenny he already walks where no man dares. Showing us his football nous, skills, speed & toughness, definitely something to like about TC for many years to come.

 

[Grav]

Now to sign Tommy Ledger.

 

[stkildathunda]

Now to sign Tommy Ledger.

(dont want make this into Ledge thread) but I see some similarities between Armo/Steven/Curren. Had to wait a long time whilst they developed. Now look at Steven/TC!

 

[Plugger35]

The kid is gonna be a star, tough, skillful, great workrate.



Ledger and Ross were impressive too and Jack Steven is approaching elite superstar status.

Very exciting midfield we're building, people that say we don't have any good young players are clueless.

 

[saintsrfreak]

Looks like he has the best chance of becoming A-grade of any of our young mids other than Steven (he's undoubtedly A-grade now anyway though)

 

[hayes]

Has been extremely impressive. Reminds me of Kieran Jack in so many ways. Rapt for him because all we ever hear about is how hard he works. Love that he has a tagging side to his game as well.

 

[L_W_P]

K.Jack is the perfect comparison player.

I couldn't even expand on that haha He really is just developing into a KJ clone which is going to be fantastic for us.

 

[Ian Dunross]

Tom Curren deserves all the raps that come his way and I agree that he should be a great club man and 200 gamer. Great to hear him getting plaudits from commentators after playing only a handful of games.

Ledger I'm less sure about at this early stage. He seems to lack awareness of opponents and team mates. A couple of time yesterday he either burned or set-up team mates with poor decision making and awareness. It may be something he will develop as he loses his nerves and gathers the pace of the AFL. Could make a fair comparison to Armo as a younger player. Used to blaze away a bit, now a very composed player. Early days, happy to be proven wrong.

Well done TC43.

 

[Manimal_Dunstan]

Great post, hopefully re-signed.

 

[Rors]

That chase down the wing was unbelievable! One of the greatest individual selfless efforts I've seen from a player all season. Awesome stuff TC!!!

 

[SK248]

Perfectly expressed. That chase down is burned into my memory. Awesome.

 

[Falchoon]

Tom Curren deserves all the raps that come his way and I agree that he should be a great club man and 200 gamer. Great to hear him getting plaudits from commentators after playing only a handful of games.

Ledger I'm less sure about at this early stage. He seems to lack awareness of opponents and team mates. A couple of time yesterday he either burned or set-up team mates with poor decision making and awareness. It may be something he will develop as he loses his nerves and gathers the pace of the AFL. Could make a fair comparison to Armo as a younger player. Used to blaze away a bit, now a very composed player. Early days, happy to be proven wrong.

Well done TC43.

Ledger certainly missed Lyon's outstretched hand post game.

almost had no awareness

 

[Persevering Saint]

While I agree that his skills are a bit better than Jones, even at Clint's prime, I love them both for precisely the same reason - true grit, hard work. For several years now, we've been hearing about how Curren has come in early for training, before pre-season officially starts, and is always the first in the morning and the last at night to leave. That work ethic is why he's going so well now. Jones has become the great player he is, not because he's the most talented, but because he's the one who'll do the extra yards, and put the team over himself.

Twice now we've seen Curren do the hard chasing down tackle of a player who represents the "talent" of the competition. At the risk of being too poetic, but it's like those tackles were the living embodiment of, "talent will only get you so far, but the harder work ethic will win out in the end."

And that reminds me of the two defining moments of Jones' early career: 1, him barrelling into a more talented swan (I can't remember who - and doesn't that say something), to the point where the skin came off the bones in his face; and 2, his chasing down Franklin, just before Buddy was about to stream into the fifty for a goal. I think those were the moments when a lot of us realised, Jones was going to be a player that Saints fans would always have a special place in their heart for.

 

[Munga]

That chase down the wing was unbelievable! One of the greatest individual selfless efforts I've seen from a player all season. Awesome stuff TC!!!

And not rewarded! The long chase down was awesome, but the follow up efforts over the next minute were just as good. I reckon he laid another two or so tackles, must have been stuffed.

 

[mysainters]

TC is a great nickname for yelling at the footy btw, simple but effective

 

[goodie23]

So much to like about Curren. Great endeavour, chase, ferocious tackling and decent by hand and foot. Definitely a keeper

 

[Jack Stevens]

I was at the game with a Richmond supporter, who now desperately wants TC at the Tigers. That chase down is the perfect example of his ability and determination; he ran the entire length of the wing, waiting until the perfect time to launch himself.

 

[Munga]

My smokey for the B&F next year, top 5 I reckon.

 

[saint_larry]

Love how hard he runs, both ways.
Love that he seems to run into good positions to receive.
Love that he doesn't shirk a contest.
Love the fact that it looks like he has decent goal sense.

"That number 43 is so hot."
Yes he is, girl sitting behind me.
Yes he is.

 

[goodie23]

I was at the game with a Richmond supporter, who now desperately wants TC at the Tigers. That chase down is the perfect example of his ability and determination; he ran the entire length of the wing, waiting until the perfect time to launch himself.

It's been too long since we've had opposition supporters frothing over our kids. Jack Steven and Curren give them something to be envious about

 

[SaintsSeptember]

26 disposals and a goal yesterday, does he get a rising star nom?