Player Watch Wayne Milera

[GreyCrow]

From the club

 

[Go the Guts]

Nah think he's going to Port. Was on their academy list for a while so yeh he's pretty much always wanted to play for Port.

Yup. Said he grew up as a crows supporter in today's interview and loves being at our club. Jeez those wharfies are so full of shit.

 

[mattymac]

Milera extending his contact for 3 years is fantastic news and hopefully an indication the club isn't as shortsighted as some on this board.

Two weeks ago he was cheered as "one of our best". Last week saw almost unanimous feeling that "must play him all year and pump games into him", "good clubs can afford to carry developing talent".

This week some numpties already starting with the "I've been thinking for weeks he is soft", "doesn't run both ways", "needs to sort himself out quicksmart we can't afford to carry that" etc.

I put it to those posters that they just have little clue about player development.

It was a showdown. Young players on both sides looked lost at times and contributed less than usual.

Let's compare Milera's development to Charlie Cameron's. When Charlie started out there were calls that he looked lost, stood off the contest too often, didn't have the tank to run both ways etc. Pretty similar stuff. Yet we carried him because we saw the wisdom in developing him.

In Charles' first year he played 7 games averaging 9 disposals. Wayne played 8 games averaging 11 disposals. Very similar, Wayne with a bit more natural class and a bit higher up the field but not much in it.

Despite his humble start, in his second year we carried Charlie for 22 games. And now we are all the better for it.

Their numbers in their second year (averages per game):

CC: K=7 H=3 D=10 M=2.8 T=2.8

WM: K=9 H=8 D=17 M=3.3 T=2.7

Wayne is tracking nicely for a 19 year old with 11 games of experience.

Give him time to develop and build like we did with Charles. By the end of the year we should have 30+ games into him if we don't submit to shortsighted silliness.

Then put another pre-season of fitness training and weights into him... rinse and repeat... by his fourth season like Charlie he will be a 50-60 game player and on the brink of pure gundom.

But only if we invest in him properly now, which means cutting some slack for inconsistent performances like we did for Charlie in 2015. Put faith in him and build him up then we'll get repaid as he builds confidence in his ability.

Everyone was right last week. Good sides can afford to carry a developing gun. Hopefully this new 3 year deal is an indication that's what we intend to do.

 

[Redleg Crow]

Yep!

That's where he's at! Excellent news

 

[Redleg Crow]

Really good news that he has re-signed. Hope it has him playing like a kid with no fear.

 

[conVINCEd]

What do we think we're paying him?

Standard $300K pa?

 

[Elite Crow]

Ok, he's only 11 games into his career, so it is waaaaay too early say one way or the other what type of career he is going to have.

But right now I just wish I was seeing more from him that had me thinking "yep, he's going to rip apart a game one day"

I'm not seeing top level skill, run or determination. He's clearly not a dud, but he's a first round pick and needs to judged by that level. And right at the moment I feel like his game is a bit... nothing.

Too often we see him stand back while the tackle is there to be made, the defensive effort is very poor, and I'm not getting any sense of him making up for that by being a goal scorer.

I really want him to succeed, but right now I think he needs a good month against (generally) weaker sides to show us what he has.

Yes you need to give kids time to develop, but whereas with CC you'd see a spark of something - a tackle, a run, a kick - that would have you think "woah, if he can do that more often, he's going to be anything" I'm just not getting that with Milera.

Am I'm being too harsh? Too early (clearly it is)? But still, just feeling like I don't know where he is at.

Thoughts?

EDIT - want to make it clear I like him, and am certainly not saying we shouldn't have picked him. I guess this is more of a "what would you like to see more of from him" question... and perhaps a "do you think he will be able to deliver it"? I recall him laying some nice tackles, so not sure why he doesn't get stuck in more. Maybe does just need the confidence of more games?

You need to change your thread title:

Wayne Milera: Where is he at? At Adelaide for another 3 years at least

 

[Elite Crow]

Great news, he will be a star, we are building a very good side if we can hold onto Lever and Gov.

 

[Redleg Crow]

You need to change your thread title:

Wayne Milera: Where is he at? At Adelaide for another 3 years at least

Done!

 

[Redleg Crow]

What do we think we're paying him?

Standard $300K pa?

Wouldn't think it'd be big bucks. The next contract is the one he'd be going for the $$$ (all going well)

 

[Mike Smyth]

Yep, bloke called Doughty played his first or second game in a showdown and was awful. Look what he did.. and Milera has 4 times the upside. Persist for a while yet.

Please don't compare him to doughty. Let's aim a little higher.

 

[spenze]

So for years we have wanted a genuine outside player because we have enough players in and under and then when we get one we call him a squib?

 

[Deaneus!]

Similar stage to McGovern last year. Raw as ****, but you know the kid has it.

We can carry 1-2 like that.

That's the thing about best 22. If the 21st and 22nd players picked are 150+ gamers in their late 20s, you're doing it wrong, they're the spots for kids that need exposure

He was one of our best TWO WEEKS AGO.

DELIST!!!!

 

[WAG]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but he squibbed a contest last night which wasn't good to see. Has got the skills but has a lot of growing and hardening up to do in the next few years.

I don't remember that. What time in the game was it?

 

[rezagun]

250 -300k is the word on the street

 

[Elite Crow]

250 -300k is the word on the street

That's reasonable, his next one will be the big one.

 

[dogs105]

250 -300k is the word on the street

Which street?

 

[Shaz2012]

Well done Wayne. Show em how its done. C.B.A... Schmee B.A

McGovern, Lever, your turn lads.

 

[GreyCrow]

Well done Wayne. Show em how its done. C.B.A... Schmee B.A

McGovern, Lever, your turn lads.

This was my thought as well, and slight worry

 

[Idontpullout]

Think he just needs that breakout game then he'd be hard to drop. Kind of like when atkins had the big one against sydney early last year.

 

[Elite Crow]

Think he just needs that breakout game then he'd be hard to drop. Kind of like when atkins had the big one against sydney early last year.

He had a very good game against GWS

 

[Shaz2012]

Think he just needs that breakout game then he'd be hard to drop. Kind of like when atkins had the big one against sydney early last year.

23 against GWS wasnt a bad game. He is averaging 17 in his first three at 82% efficiency. Think we would damage our own finals hopes if we didnt try to put 20 games into him before finals. He would definitely need a couple of breaks, but he could be streaks ahead of Mackay 19 rounds from now.

 

[Apsaalooke]

Which street?

He's on Easy Street

 

[Idontpullout]

23 against GWS wasnt a bad game. He is averaging 17 in his first three at 82% efficiency. Think we would damage our own finals hopes if we didnt try to put 20 games into him before finals. He would definitely need a couple of breaks, but he could be streaks ahead of Mackay 19 rounds from now.

Good points. My selective memory of that match has already faded. Now he just needs to step up in the close ones like saturdays game.

 

[Shaz2012]

Good points. My selective memory of that match has already faded. Now he just needs to step up in the close ones like saturdays game.

Agree. He has to improve in those high intensity games. But I think that will come and the sooner we get 50 games under his belt the better we will be. I actually think he can be a part of our finals campaign this season, which is why I am keen for us to carry him a bit. By a bit, I mean, while he is picking up Mackay type numbers. If he starts to drop to single digits then he is probably best served in the SANFL. He seems like a confidence player so next week against Essendon will be telling. Will he pick himself up or will he still be in his shell a bit like he was this week.