Player Watch #34: Jack Graham

[TigerImposter]

The 'Larke medal' and the second division 'Hunter Harrison medal' have had some really interesting winners over the years. Now I am cherry picking here but just to show that Jack Graham is a tantilizing possibility here are some of the recipients:
04: R. Tambling (H. H.)
05: M. Murphy (L) G. Birchall (H. H.)
06: T. Hawkins (L) R. Petterd (H. H.)
07: C. Morton (L) C. Bird ( H. H.)
08: J. Watts ( L) M. Robinson (H. H.)
09: D. Swallow (L)
10: H. Bennell (L)
11: S. Coniglio (L)
12: L. Whitfield (L) J. Neade (H. H.)
13: D. Sheed (L) K. Kolodjashnij and T. Nankervis (if you don't mind) (H. H.)
14: C. Petracca (L) I. Heeney (H. H.)
15: J. Schache (L) B. Keays (H. H.)
16: J. Graham (L) J. Bowes (H. H.)
Enough good names there to certainly whet the appetite.

Stopped reading at Tambling.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Looking at his video and the description of being a 2-way gut runner without extreme pace, he reminds a bit of Dane Swan.

Clearly, if Jack can get somewhere near Swan's output that would be outstanding.

I prefer to nominate a player from the Tigers; Jack Dyer would be turning in his grave to hear a Tiger player being compared to a Collingwood player.

I nominate Mervyn Keane, he is not a name that readily comes to mind but was a steady dependable player for the Tigers especially in the 1980 Grand Final

 

[Lacustrus]

I prefer to nominate player from the Tigers; Jack Dyer would be turning in his grave to hear a Tiger player being compared to a Collingwood player.

I nominate Mervyn Keane, he is not a name that readily comes to mind but was a steady dependable player for the Tigers especially in the 1980 Grand Final

Although I had his footy card in grade 2, I can't recall much of him other than a dour back pocket. Tell us more...

 

[Wackelpudding]

Although I had his footy card in grade 2, I can't recall much of him other than a dour back pocket. Tell us more...

Kicked a ripper goal on the run from 55+ metres in the 80 GF.

 

[guruisatiger]

Although I had his footy card in grade 2, I can't recall much of him other than a dour back pocket. Tell us more...

He was not happy about David Rodan wearing his number

 

[jreesosb]

Mervyn was the most reliable and DEFINITELY the most unobtrusive player ever.

I remember the cheer that went up in the room on Brownlow night (no idea which year) when he polled his first ever vote. (It was a bit of a good natured joke as I recall, as he had played many super solid games and never got one). He'd probably played 150 odd games, (thats a guess btw), in what was a superbly powerful team. I'm pretty sure his team mates loved him cos of his reliability. He just got the job done, week after week, year after year.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Although I had his footy card in grade 2, I can't recall much of him other than a dour back pocket. Tell us more...

Mervyn Keane is a former Australian rules football player and coach who played in the VFL between 1972 and 1984 for the Richmond Football Club.

Predominantly a back pocket or half-back flanker, Keane later showed his versatility by frequently playing as a ruck-rover. He was generally regarded as one of the most underrated players in the VFL, and did not poll a Brownlow Medal vote in his first ten seasons. Although Keane was in Richmond’s country zone, he mistakenly trained with Melbourne before joining the Tigers.

Despite some trouble settling in, Keane became a vital member of the Tigers’ 1973 premiership side and his solid defensive work was vital for the club as it declined in the period following the resignation of Tom Hafey at the end of the 1976 season. In 1980, Keane moved from defence to fill an on-ball position made vacant by Kevin Bartlett’s permanent move to the forward line and his drive from this position was a valuable part of perhaps the most potent attacking team in League history with over 3,000 points scored. In the Grand Final Keane had 27 possessions and kicked two fine goals, but his 1981 season was wiped out by a serious knee injury requiring a reconstruction.

Nonetheless, back in defence, Keane was effective as ever in 1982, and he was still playing very well when he was approached by SANFL club Sturt as a playing coach to replace John Halbert. Keane coached the Double Blues for four consecutive seasons (retiring as a player after 1985) before the committee controversially sacked him[3] after a season in which he had taken the club from ninth to fifth,[4] feeling he had not done enough to sustain the traditions the club had developed under Jack Oatey. Most historians argue that Sturt did not recover from Keane’s sacking until under Phil Carman following an 0-22 season in 1995.

Keane then served as an assistant to his old teammate Kevin Sheedy at Essendon for a few of years during the early 1990s,[3] before taking the reins at TAC Cup side the Western Jets. At the Jets, Keane played a key role in the development of such players as Brad Johnson[5] before being appointed to coach a Williamstown club that ironically just finished with a winless record in the very same season Sturt did in the SANFL. Keane rebuilt the club, if not to the same extent his former employers were by Carman, and coached Caulfield Grammarians Football Club in 2003 and 2004 before returning to assist Sheedy in his last days at Essendon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mervyn_Keane

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Mervyn was the most reliable and DEFINITELY the most unobtrusive player ever.

I remember the cheer that went up in the room on Brownlow night (no idea which year) when he polled his first ever vote. (It was a bit of a good natured joke as I recall, as he had played many super solid games and never got one). He'd probably played 150 odd games, (thats a guess btw), in what was a superbly powerful team. I'm pretty sure his team mates loved him cos of his reliability. He just got the job done, week after week, year after year.

 

[Snooza 100]

I like this guy, he won the larke medal, i think he will win a brownlow medal!!

Handy pick up..

 

[TigerImposter]

Mervyn Keane is a former Australian rules football player and coach who played in the VFL between 1972 and 1984 for the Richmond Football Club.

Predominantly a back pocket or half-back flanker, Keane later showed his versatility by frequently playing as a ruck-rover. He was generally regarded as one of the most underrated players in the VFL, and did not poll a Brownlow Medal vote in his first ten seasons. Although Keane was in Richmond’s country zone, he mistakenly trained with Melbourne before joining the Tigers.

Despite some trouble settling in, Keane became a vital member of the Tigers’ 1973 premiership side and his solid defensive work was vital for the club as it declined in the period following the resignation of Tom Hafey at the end of the 1976 season. In 1980, Keane moved from defence to fill an on-ball position made vacant by Kevin Bartlett’s permanent move to the forward line and his drive from this position was a valuable part of perhaps the most potent attacking team in League history with over 3,000 points scored. In the Grand Final Keane had 27 possessions and kicked two fine goals, but his 1981 season was wiped out by a serious knee injury requiring a reconstruction.

Nonetheless, back in defence, Keane was effective as ever in 1982, and he was still playing very well when he was approached by SANFL club Sturt as a playing coach to replace John Halbert. Keane coached the Double Blues for four consecutive seasons (retiring as a player after 1985) before the committee controversially sacked him[3] after a season in which he had taken the club from ninth to fifth,[4] feeling he had not done enough to sustain the traditions the club had developed under Jack Oatey. Most historians argue that Sturt did not recover from Keane’s sacking until under Phil Carman following an 0-22 season in 1995.

Keane then served as an assistant to his old teammate Kevin Sheedy at Essendon for a few of years during the early 1990s,[3] before taking the reins at TAC Cup side the Western Jets. At the Jets, Keane played a key role in the development of such players as Brad Johnson[5] before being appointed to coach a Williamstown club that ironically just finished with a winless record in the very same season Sturt did in the SANFL. Keane rebuilt the club, if not to the same extent his former employers were by Carman, and coached Caulfield Grammarians Football Club in 2003 and 2004 before returning to assist Sheedy in his last days at Essendon.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mervyn_Keane

Champion

 

[Cleric]

I am watching how Graham goes for you guys. He jr resume should of had him going well before he did. He is a natural footballer, hard at it and a leader who leads from the front.

 

[TJTIGER]

I am watching how Graham goes for you guys. He jr resume should of had him going well before he did. He is a natural footballer, hard at it and a leader who leads from the front.

From all the things I've read about the young fella, seems the quad injuries were the only reason he dropped down the draft order. He's certainly one that I'm quietly excited about.......

 

[RedmanWasHere]

From all the things I've read about the young fella, seems the quad injuries were the only reason he dropped down the draft order. He's certainly one that I'm quietly excited about.......

Out of the 4 picked, Jack's the one for me.

Just doesn't look the sort to take s**t from anyone.

I like it.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Prolly why Lids left...

 

[THE_GUN]

Really look like a kid that will leave no stone unturned and will fight for his club, Not expecting much but similar level to Joel Selwood will do

 

[Grockadoc]

From all the things I've read about the young fella, seems the quad injuries were the only reason he dropped down the draft order. He's certainly one that I'm quietly excited about.......

Kicking was a knock as well from memory, as recruiters felt he turns it over frequently and isn't overly damaging with the ones he doesn't. Remember reading somewhere people rated his disposal as "Priddis-like"

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

checked his highlights package...kicking looks direct and long...no helicopter punts..

 

[sregit]

Really look like a kid that will leave no stone unturned and will fight for his club, Not expecting much but similar level to Joel Selwood will do

I'd hope for a bit better than that!

 

[Goldust]

Loved Mervyn as a player geez we had some good no nonsense sml/med defenders thru our golden era.
Imo it is something that has been lost and forgotten.

Always on my mind when I drive through Wycheproof!

 

[JR82]

I'd hope for a bit better than that!

Selwood has a very good Finals record. i'd take that in a heartbeat

 

[mopsy]

Always on my mind when I drive through Wycheproof!

Cant really see Graham playing in defense. I think Vlastuin would be a better comparison to mervyn.

 

[Goldust]

Cant really see Graham playing in defense. I think Vlastuin would be a better comparison to mervyn.

Was going to post that I hope our brains trust resist the option to try and convert Graham into a defender or forward and plonk him in the guts where he is a clearance machine.

 

[Tiger_4_Life]

More pressure on this guy than Shai Bolton I feel.... Hopefully has an impact

 

[Tango67]

has the size, footy smarts and maturity will be a no brainer this guy.... when he gets a run in the seniors he won't look back

 

[sregit]

Selwood has a very good Finals record. i'd take that in a heartbeat

If he was anywhere near as good as Selwood he'd be an A grader. I was joking.