Training 13/6

[KUNG FU]

Everyone talks about the quality of Meese but where is it? Nothing at SANFL level, nothing at AFL level.

FFS! That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard.[edit: I know thats an overstatement - but its the Internet]

At SANFL in 2006, he was absolutely brilliant as an 19/20 yo, first choice ruckman. His tap work wasn't the best in the league, but that is because of the type of ruckman he is (man-on-man). It takes a little longer for this type of ruckman to develop, because of the necessary muscle required, but once they develop, they are difficult to stop. This is the main reason why Maric was selected ahead of him. He has excellent skills around the ground (he can actually kick, handball and win his own possession) and he is excellent overhead.

In 2007 he had a great pre-season and then suffered an unfortunate injury in the first few minutes of his first PS game. It could have happened to anyone.

You haven't seen his quality cos your eyes are closed.

By the way, I'm a big fan of Varcoe, but players like Meese don't come around everyday. He's a gamble, but every ruckman is. It only enhances their value in my eyes, because an AA-quality ruckman is so hard to find. We need Meese to consolidate our midfield strength in the mid/long-term view.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I would look at giving either Meesen or Maric a game this week. I would either take a punt and play jonahing Griffin as a tall forward or give him a week or 3 (with the bye) in the SANFL. Griffin has been tremendous this year but over the last few weeks it’s not like he has been offering us any thing to keep his place.


In the SANFL this week; Norwood has the bloody bye as well so that sucks. It would have been good for John Meesen to get a senior game and put in a good performance

With the Legs having the bye & Griffin needing a break at SANFL level, it would make logical sense to release the Meese this week.

 

[lacrow]

Fellas (and ladies),

I don't wanna tread on anyone's toes here, considering the love that's being thrown at Meesen, BUT....

I honestly believe Griffin is going to be better than either Meesen or Maric. From what I've seen (and I know I'm a foreigner, but I've watched a lot of football in the past 10 years) Griff just has two things that don't come around often: Aggression and Swagger.

Look at the kid, how many times have you seen him just take on opposition players? Have you seen the look on his face when he does it? Then also ask yourself when's the last time you saw a Ruckman do that? The kid backs himself and so am I.

Like I said, watch his face the next time he plays and you can see it... that all-important swagger that marks a champion; the mental toughness and look that says 'NOBODY is going to beat me". Roo has it, so did Carey, so does Treadrea, and other champions. Trust me, it is an important element in the makeup of an extraordinary player.

 

[jmorg1]

Fellas (and ladies),

I don't wanna tread on anyone's toes here, considering the love that's being thrown at Meesen, BUT....

I honestly believe Griffin is going to be better than either Meesen or Maric. From what I've seen (and I know I'm a foreigner, but I've watched a lot of football in the past 10 years) Griff just has two things that don't come around often: Aggression and Swagger.

Look at the kid, how many times have you seen him just take on opposition players? Have you seen the look on his face when he does it? Then also ask yourself when's the last time you saw a Ruckman do that? The kid backs himself and so am I.

Like I said, watch his face the next time he plays and you can see it... that all-important swagger that marks a champion; the mental toughness and look that says 'NOBODY is going to beat me". Roo has it, so did Carey, so does Treadrea, and other champions. Trust me, it is an important element in the makeup of an extraordinary player.

Yes, he has that competitive fire but fact is, he's done close to nothing the last 3 games (albeit one due to injury). Kid will be a player of the future (I hope) but needs a break in the SANFL.

 

[bus24]

Craigy PLEASE

UNLEASH the MEESE !!!!

 

[jo172]

Wow i get the feeling your all going to be disappointed when the team's read out in an hour

I think the Meese's best chance would be in about 3 weeks time when he gets a couple of SANFL league games under his belt, i would also be surprised if Ivan wasn't ahead of him at the moment.

 

[Drummond]

I’ve never had a drink in my life. There’s a greater chance of me getting drunk tonight than Meesen being selected.

But he isn’t without a chance of being named as an emergency. Normally a player in a team who has the bye is named as an emergency.

He'll probably play for Westies reserves, as will Pfeiffer, and I might head down to have a look.

 

[Alex99]

Wow i get the feeling your all going to be disappointed when the team's read out in an hour

I think the Meese's best chance would be in about 3 weeks time when he gets a couple of SANFL league games under his belt, i would also be surprised if Ivan wasn't ahead of him at the moment.

Of course we are, but it is nice to dream. Realistically – we will only make the one change this week. .

In: Massie

Out: Goodwin

The only other casualty I can see might be Luke Jericho; Griffin will not get dropped for someone coming up from the magoos. Neil Craig is all about risk taking, except when it comes to selection.

 

[Mad Dog]

Fellas (and ladies),

I don't wanna tread on anyone's toes here, considering the love that's being thrown at Meesen, BUT....

I honestly believe Griffin is going to be better than either Meesen or Maric. From what I've seen (and I know I'm a foreigner, but I've watched a lot of football in the past 10 years) Griff just has two things that don't come around often: Aggression and Swagger.

Look at the kid, how many times have you seen him just take on opposition players? Have you seen the look on his face when he does it? Then also ask yourself when's the last time you saw a Ruckman do that? The kid backs himself and so am I.

Like I said, watch his face the next time he plays and you can see it... that all-important swagger that marks a champion; the mental toughness and look that says 'NOBODY is going to beat me". Roo has it, so did Carey, so does Treadrea, and other champions. Trust me, it is an important element in the makeup of an extraordinary player.

Agree - The Griffatron is a 200+ game proposition

 

[Stiffy_18]

With the Legs having the bye & Griffin needing a break at SANFL level, it would make logical sense to release the Meese this week.

There is no reason why Meesen can't play in the SANFL reserves. You don't bring in a young ruckman who hasn't mad a debut in the AFL on the back of 2 SANFL ressies games. If anyone does get the game it would be Maric since he at least has had more games under his belt.

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Travis Varcoe has enormous value right now because he is playing AFL games and the type of player our forward line is craving for. I don’t think he will become much more than a very good small forward. IMO He will never take that next step like Andrew McLeod and become superstar midfielder.

John Meesen has the potential to become a Mathew Primus/Michael Gardner (type player when they were in there prime) clone and dominate game around the ground; I believe if we do that trade (Varcoe for Meesen) will look silly in a few years.

It is imperative that we keep him in crow’s colours and the first step is to give him a few games ASAP to entice him to stay in Adelaide.

If Neil Craig and the Adelaide match committee desperately want Travis Varcoe, they should be looking at different avenues to get that deal done.

Meesen for Varcoe (today is good for us), in 5 year time Geelong will be loving it.

as much as it pains me to say it

good post

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

Fellas (and ladies),

I don't wanna tread on anyone's toes here, considering the love that's being thrown at Meesen, BUT....

I honestly believe Griffin is going to be better than either Meesen or Maric. From what I've seen (and I know I'm a foreigner, but I've watched a lot of football in the past 10 years) Griff just has two things that don't come around often: Aggression and Swagger.

Look at the kid, how many times have you seen him just take on opposition players? Have you seen the look on his face when he does it? Then also ask yourself when's the last time you saw a Ruckman do that? The kid backs himself and so am I.

Like I said, watch his face the next time he plays and you can see it... that all-important swagger that marks a champion; the mental toughness and look that says 'NOBODY is going to beat me". Roo has it, so did Carey, so does Treadrea, and other champions. Trust me, it is an important element in the makeup of an extraordinary player.

I dont disagree with anything you have said, Griffin has exceeded my expectations, but I feel he will gain more from having a rest than he would playing.

I like the way Geelong have handled Tom Hawkins, he proved he is a player but they are not rushing him.

 

[WheresGroomgone]

I dont disagree with anything you have said, Griffin has exceeded my expectations, but I feel he will gain more from having a rest than he would playing.

I like the way Geelong have handled Tom Hawkins, he proved he is a player but they are not rushing him.

On that same vein what is the progress with Jimmy Sellar I realise that he had an injury riddled preseason but last week he was named in the Bays ressies and he didn't rate a mention, does anyone have any recent info on the lad, cheers.

 

[betterthanu]

On that same vein what is the progress with Jimmy Sellar I realise that he had an injury riddled preseason but last week he was named in the Bays ressies and he didn't rate a mention, does anyone have any recent info on the lad, cheers.

Hes playing in the seniors this week

 

[Crow-mo]

You know what can I say? I die hard. ^5s and banana milks for all. ^_^

squib

 

[Crow-mo]

And Crow-Mo, he has the potential to be an elite ruckman (not just AFL standard, but AA standard), he deserves as many years on the list as we can afford. 5 years at least barring some horrendous injury run. If its good enough for Jericho, its definitely good enough for Meese.

that's not what I was saying

 

[Crow-mo]

I’ve never had a drink in my life.

that explains a lot

 

[Mad Dog]

before the draft - the only query over Gill was whether his body could withstand the rigours of AFL training.

It appears some chickens are coming home to roost

 

[WheresGroomgone]

]I’ve never had a drink in my life[/B]. There’s a greater chance of me getting drunk tonight than Meesen being selected.

But he isn’t without a chance of being named as an emergency. Normally a player in a team who has the bye is named as an emergency.

He'll probably play for Westies reserves, as will Pfeiffer, and I might head down to have a look.

Now I understand.