Ward

[Mofra]

Josh Hill didn't suffer from them.

Most players do. Everitt being a case in point.
Hill was a virtual first year player in any case.

 

[a_mac]

I think people need to realise that Everitt was injured for the first half of the season, he has had a very much interupted year.

 

[fronkalicious]

Higgins' speed (or lack thereof) and ability to cover ground concern me a little re: him entering the midfield. Ward seems like more of a natural runner.

Higgins' has the same sticky fingers, poise under pressure, and vision of Ward though. Tough bugger too.

STill the mix is definitely starting to look good in the middle (put Coons in both categories). Finally we have some size, strength and marking power in there, and a lot of the lads are still v young:

INside - Boyd, Cross, Ward, Higgins, Addison, Cooney
Outsie - Griffen, Cooney, Hill, Harbrow, Gia

 

[X_box_X]

It's interesting how this thread about Ward has involved a lot of Higgins talk. I rate the two very similarly and highly also. Not top three picks like Cooney and Griffen, but both Ward and Higgins will be potentially just as, or almost, as good as them.

I rate Ward highly like most here, but are we putting too much pressure on him? I watched Williamstown's second half fade out against Port Melbourne a couple of weekends ago, and despite kicking two goals, he didn't rip the game apart like I was expecting him to. He was actually disappointing.

Hopefully with school out of the way and a full pre-season, he'll be a regular for us next year.

I'm not a fan of the second year blues myth. Selwood stepped up from a good player to a very good player in just his second year. Franklin was better in his second year, as were Judd, Riewoldt and Murphy to name a few high draft picks of recent years.

 

[Palace03]

I like the fact that slowly, but surely, our midfield is filling up with solidly built guys over 6ft who can win their own ball and are good overhead - basically can win a contest on the ground or in the air. It means we wont have to exclusively rely on moving the ball in an uncontested fashion as much as we used to.

This is what is really exciting me about the next 6-8 years, we are slowly building a midfield capable of winning a premiership. Tough, hard at the ball players who love the contest but also have the skill to play great footy.

Ward is an absolute steal at 18?? A fantastic trade. He has a great build, good footy brain, good skills and is genuinley tough. I'm really looking forward to watching his career progress.

 

[Bulldog Joe]

I expect Ward to play every game barring injury setbacks.
He will go close to winning the rising star regardless of any of the 2008 draftees.
If he was still available for this years draft he would be top 5.

 

[Claudonious]

Loved Wards courage at the contest and his smarts. With more opportunity he will get more of the ball. Has a good natural footy build - looking forward to him with 5 extra kgs and the pace and strength that will come with that. I am looking for him, higgo and everitt to really step up next year