Past Tom Rockliff (2008-2017)

[Hollow Knight]

Almost certainly carrying one or more injuries.

 

[Triple R]

He's in the first form slump of his career. He's just not able to get into the game. His disposal counts are being flattered a bit with some junk time possessions.

He hasn't been the best since he smashed up his knee.

 

[ZoBlitz]

Almost certainly carrying one or more injuries.

Agreed. You'd almost wonder if he is due for a rest.

 

[Ceebee]

Agreed. You'd almost wonder if he is due for a rest.

Being in the leadership group he probably feels he needs to keep playing.

 

[ZoBlitz]

Being in the leadership group he probably feels he needs to keep playing.

I'm sure that's absolutely the case.

 

[Baby_Jenks]

See Brown circa 2010 for why this is not an advisable idea.

 

[whatboutbob]

See Brown circa 2010 for why this is not an advisable idea.

It is not as simple as 'he's injured and under-performing therefore don't play him'. I recall overhearing after a game in Melbourne many years ago that 14 of the players weren't cherry ripe. The game was a bit listless but we still got the 4 points and most of the players played the following week IIRC. I'll leave the call as to who's right to play to the experts.

 

[Baby_Jenks]

...I'll leave the call as to who's right to play to the experts.

Yes, mediocs should have first and last call on whether a player is right to play and I'm not going as far to say they've got it wrong with Rockliff this year but Brown 2010 is a clear example of where being in the leadership group/captain vetoed their opinions and it hurt everyone.

 

[Ceebee]

It is not as simple as 'he's injured and under-performing therefore don't play him'. I recall overhearing after a game in Melbourne many years ago that 14 of the players weren't cherry ripe. The game was a bit listless but we still got the 4 points and most of the players played the following week IIRC. I'll leave the call as to who's right to play to the experts.

Our 2003 Grand Final side was a prime example.

 

[dlanod]

Yes, mediocs should have first and last call on whether a player is right to play and I'm not going as far to say they've got it wrong with Rockliff this year but Brown 2010 is a clear example of where being in the leadership group/captain vetoed their opinions and it hurt everyone.

If the medico says "he needs eight weeks rest to get over it fully, but he can play each week without it getting worse", what do you do? With the type of injuries people are talking about, it's not a clear cut case of medical staff saying straight-out "don't play him" and getting overruled - I would be shocked if that actually happened, because of the huge issue of the duty of care owed to the players by the club.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Keeps playing like this he's in danger of being overtaken by other players and won't hold his place in the team [/hammo]

 

[Grimreepah]

I suspect Vossy loves his aggressive nature, but he gives away some unneccessary costly free kicks. He's got to be a bit smarter and know when to apply the niggle and when not to.

 

[BuntonRules]

His body work in marking contests is extraordinary. If Rocky was 6 inches taller our key forward problems would be solved.

As to playing injured (which he is,IMO) he is still better for the team than any replacement, so he plays.

 

[blynd_freddie]

Keeps playing like this he's in danger of being overtaken by other players and won't hold his place in the team [/hammo]

Was pretty close to BOG at the Vic Players Sponsors function in many peoples eyes, even after his green vest selection - (he was a late arrival due to tv commitments)

 

[Grimreepah]

Rockliff's popularity among the supporters (as a whole) seems to have dropped off a bit. I reckon this is because:

1) he is having much less influence on the game since he has moved forward;
2) his cockiness, which was once seen as being precocious, may now be wearing a bit thin; and
3) he gives away silly free kicks.

 

[jjami15]

Rockliff's popularity among the supporters (as a whole) seems to have dropped off a bit. I reckon this is because:

1) he is having much less influence on the game since he has moved forward;
2) his cockiness, which was once seen as being precocious, may now be wearing a bit thin; and
3) he gives away silly free kicks.

I have to agree with this statement. Last week and this week I saw somethings that I don't like seeing. When it is his time to go he doesn't. It irks me when I see blokes shy away from making strong body contact when they have to.

 

[acuguy]

Another issue I have with Tommy is his lack of awareness in his limitations of the footy. He isn't an elite kick and yet he demands the footy from little behind the back handballs. Some tapes of Brad Sewell would be good for him as well. Pretty sure he is playing hurt, so let's just get through the rest of the season Rocky!

 

[Hollow Knight]

The injury is at the root of it. Has plenty of credit in the bank with me.

 

[dlanod]

Rockliff's popularity among the supporters (as a whole) seems to have dropped off a bit. I reckon this is because:

1) he is having much less influence on the game since he has moved forward;
2) his cockiness, which was once seen as being precocious, may now be wearing a bit thin; and
3) he gives away silly free kicks.

3's the only reason he's being a bit on the nose at the moment with me. Not much he can do about 1, and I'm fine with attitude on the field.

 

[Dom PC]

Rockliff's popularity among the supporters (as a whole) seems to have dropped off a bit. I reckon this is because:

1) he is having much less influence on the game since he has moved forward;
2) his cockiness, which was once seen as being precocious, may now be wearing a bit thin; and
3) he gives away silly free kicks.

1)Kicked 1.5 over the past two weeks. So it's more a matter of kicking straight for the 1st one.
2)All great sportsmens have a sense of cockiness about them, some like to show it more than others. Wonder if it would be wearing thin if he was playing at his best.
3) I agree, but he will learn; still only a 22 years old. Redden is just as guilty, as was Merrett against port.

Love to hear how his training has been over the 6 weeks...my tip is he hasn't been able to maintain his fitness with the niggling injuries, resulting in him not being able to put as much time in the midfield as he was in the 1st half of the year.

 

[cotter101]

Rockliff's popularity among the supporters (as a whole) seems to have dropped off a bit. I reckon this is because:

1) he is having much less influence on the game since he has moved forward;
2) his cockiness, which was once seen as being precocious, may now be wearing a bit thin; and
3) he gives away silly free kicks.

I'd agree with reasons 1 and 3. He does give away sill free kicks off the ball which is starting to get a bit annoying.

 

[ZoBlitz]

I wouldn't be surprised if the fact that he's giving away silly free kicks is linked to his frustration with whatever injuries are holding him back from playing the way he wants to.

And saying that, he's still not anywhere near as bad as Leppa and Browny were in their early days in terms of giving away stupid free kicks. If he's still doing it in a couple of seasons then it would be an annoyance.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Knowing the type of person Rocky is, I have very little doubt that his form slump - whatever it be down to - is eating him up a million times more than it is any of us. If there's anyone I trust to do whatever it takes to fix things, it's him.

 

[Faz 2000]

I'm a big fan of Rock-lobster, so I hope his pretty disappointing season is down to some fitness concerns and he can get himself right over the summer. Lost his prolific ball-winning, and (let's face it) doesn't have the body to be taking overhead body-to-body marks all day deep forward. Bring on 2013 - if he re-captures his best, the Lions' future just looks brighter and brighter.

 

[Cousin Jed]

I would call it a disappointing last 6 weeks more than a disappointing season