Who will step up?

[nut]

Originally posted by Weaver
15. Fiora - skill, pace and flair and beginning to put it all together.
16. D Kellaway - tough sould of the club.
17. Zantuck - could well be our new FF/
18. Morrison - talented CHF prospect with great apprenticeship.
19. Shultz - genuine blue-chip prospect, more a 2005 talent.
20. Tuck - utility who should be the find of the season.
21. Krakouer - talented and ready to prove it.
22. Houlihan - great skill, needs a good team to give him the ball.
23. Fletcher - honest tagger.
24. Hall - works hard and team-oriented. Not a ruck or KP though.
25. Hilton - enough talent if he gets fit.
26. Rogers - no skill, still can contribute.
27. Rodan - all sizzle, no sausage.
28. Marsh - career back-up.
29. Gilmour - good prospect, not this year though.
30. Fleming - just honest and tough.
31. Pettifer - poor confidence, poor fitness, OK skill.
32. Weller - handy 4th defender.
33. Foley - genuine rover, could force his way in for 2005.
33. Nicholls - some skill, but never been fit.

This extract was taken from Another thread.

The top 14 are pretty much set. Garanteed a game when fit (You could probably almost throw Zantuck in with there). From 34 onwards are project players. I have realised how important it is for the players above to really step up.

I really feel that we have some depth in the side with the inclusion Of Morrison and hopefully Tuck turns out ok.

 

[tige19]

Originally posted by nut

From 34 onwards are project players

One of the more funnier lines i have ever heard on BF. Since when do you Richmond ever have Project players from what im aware of if the young blokes dont perform then there gone.

As for the players who will step up i think D-Rod can become a genune star, maybe not this year but soon enough. I think Krak is 60% there just needs to top him self of with the right fitness base. Aaron Firora has the makings of a genuine good player, needs confidence and the right consitency to do so.

The Tigers have the makings of a very talented list if everything goes right for them they can win 12 games 13 at the most but as long as Frawley is in charge there will be silver wear.

cheers

 

[nut]

Re: Re: Who will step up?

Originally posted by tige19
One of the more funnier lines i have ever heard on BF. Since when do you Richmond ever have Project players from what im aware of if the young blokes dont perform then there gone.

5 seventeen year olds, 2 18 year olds.

 

[Wrenny]

Ok im going to rate the players and what they need to do to step up for This year.

1. Rory Hilton: Rory Needs an injury Free year to push for Selection i would like to see him in his form b4 he dislocated his shoulder. Would be good in Backline
2. Darren Gasper: Hoping he has no worries coming of his knee Reco. Needs a full 22 games
3. Duncan Kellaway: Well the 'Glove' is going into his first preseason with out an injury since 3 years ago hoping he has a good year and tags well and it will be his last year.
4. Matty Rogers: Dont know about this guy i would prefer to see him in the Backline playing on Small Forwards eg Milne etc
5. Brad Ottens: Doesnt he need to fire this year. Hoping he is Injury free and can lead us towards Finals
6. Mark Chaffey: Gun player always consistant and uses ball well this is what i like about him if he has the same year as last year i will be happy
7. Nathan Brown: Gun pickup. Will go down as one of the best pickups in RFC history. I would prefer to see him more forward line than Midfield IMO
8. Kane Pettifer: Kane Kane Kane well where do i start. Best game i have seen him play was 2002 against the blues where he kicked 4 goals but other than that hopefully trade bait or delisted and end of year.
10. Greg Stafford: Big Greg is hoping for another good year. He would breathing a sigh of relief that big Ottens is back. Would like to see Greg kick 30+ goals this year.
11. Joel Bowden: Well still one of my favourite players just hoping he uses his head this year and kicks more goals
12. Matthew Richardson: Big Richo is Back in teh Goalsquare hopefully he kicks 60+ and no more dummy spits
13. Justin Blumfield: Well coming off a disasterous year in 2003 Justin will be hoping to repay the faith that the tigers have in him as he is looking good going into this season.
14. Aaron Fiora: Waiting for this guy to explode. He runs like a gazelle and i like it about him. Penetrating left foot would like to see him becoming a forward.
15. Ben Marsh: Backup Ruckman Only. Would rather marsh than Vardy anyday IMO
16. Shane Morrison: Good pickup. Hoping he plays CHF all year and really fits in well to the team and kicks a few goals i would be happy.
17. Wayne Campbell: Doesnt this guy need an injury free season. Hopefully he does and leads us towards the the 8.
18. David Rodan: Would like to see him more in midfield this year swapping with Krakouer in forward line.
19. Tim Fleming: Love this guys Hardness at the ball. Hopefully becomes a really good tagger by frustrating the openent with his physical Nature.
20. Ray Hall: Eyeing CHB. Hopefully his speed and Long Arms can make him a good CHB needs to bulk up a bit.
21. Shane Tuck: Huge Raps about this kid. Heard he is a big kick and is good in midfield so hopefully gets a game or 2.
22. Thomas Roach: Definatly a development year for this young kid. Would be very suprised if he got called up for seniors. Needs bulk
23. Daniel Jackson: Looks like a great prospect. Wont play seniors this year but hopefully gets full 22 games next year. Great Kid IMO and great attitude towards footy.
24. Mark Coughlan: What can i say about this kid. Few years ago tiger faithfull were complaining about not getting Cloke but now they have a smile on their face as the young 21 year old took out the B&F award. Hopefully has a big 2004 aswell
25. Jay Shultz: Like the sound of this kid hopefully developing into a FF or CHF in the Future. Still very young might get a few games this year
26. Billy Nicholls: Showed a glimpst of promise last year but i think he will only play if we are down in the midfield department. Will play most of year at Coburg before being Delisted.
27. Andy Krakouer: Well wouldnt it be great if he was to turn out like his Uncle. He is still very young and i hear people talking about he should be doing more but IMO had a great year kicking 22 goals from just 16 games or whateva it was. Imagine him when is 23
28. Kane Johnson: Love this guy. Great Leader would like to see him Next Richmond Captain. Great Disposal
29. Daniel Gilmour: Number 1 draft pick. I dunno this kid is Light but heard big Raps about him. Needs a solid few games for Coburg to press for Senior Selection.
30. Luke Weller: Solid Youngster. Hopefully Slides straight into Back Pocket for all 22 games this year.
31. Chris Hyde: Needs to make an impression this year. I hope he turns out like one of the lonie Brothers
32. Greg Tivendale: What a gem this guy is. Had a great 2003. Hopefully play more forward and kick more goals.
33. Brent Hartigan: Pickup in the draft. Heard he plays alot across HB line. Could turn into a Mark Chaffey. Hopefully plays Wizard Cup.
34. Simon Fletcher: Only there if we have an injury. Would like to see him Tag.
35. Chris Newman: Great 2003. Won the Rising Star Award. Eyeing a place in the Tigers Midfield for 2004.
36. Ty Zantuck: Hard at it type. Had a great 2003 playign on the gun Forwards. Would give him good experience.
37. Kyle Archibald: Last pick in the draft. Wont play this year but Hopefully makes an impression.
38. Andrew Raines: Another one of our youngsters might get a game this year but will be playin for Coburg
39. Andy Kellaway: Love this guys Courage and Cool head under pressure. Has taken some great marks in his career.
40.Kelvin Moore: Future FB Prospect. Would like to see him play in 2005. Currently on Rookie List.
41. Nathan Foley: Picked up on the Rookie list. Could be the best chance to elevate to the senior list out of the 3 this year but needs to be consistant. Good Midfielder.
42. Mark Dragacevic: He has had a horrific run with injury. 2 knee reco and still young. Delisted then picked up on Rookie list. Hopefully on teh senior list in 2005.
44. Adam Houlihan: IMO play better in a team with good midfield. Possible Deletion

 

[One-eyed Tiger]

Nut, where does that leave Chris Hyde?

My tip to be the surprise packet of 2004.

 

[Rodan#18.]

wow

That's a pretty good effort wrenny boy ...well done

 

[Fishfinger]

Nice work Wrenny.

My tip to step up is Joel Bowden. He is a complete footballer who should be a superstar and I think this is his time.

Joel has seemed almost disinterested at stages during the past 2 seasons, which I'm sure would be his laconic nature rather than actually the case, and has looked lost at half-back.

He is a goal kicker, which the side needs, and seems to play more confidently when the goals are in sight. I think he will make half-forward his own and be our hardest forward to match up on with his strong marking, great evasive skills and long straight kicking.

 

[Weaver]

Re: Re: Who will step up?

Originally posted by tige19
One of the more funnier lines i have ever heard on BF. Since when do you Richmond ever have Project players from what im aware of if the young blokes dont perform then there gone.

What else do you call a guy like Jackson who the club have stated will play mostly school football next year?

The idea of the club not giving youngsters a fair go is a myth. Mills had 4 years, Vardy had 3, Hyde and Krakouer are in their 4th years. Had guys like McGrath and Sipthorp shown some commitment and professionalism they would still be there.

It is not just Richmond. Throughout the league a player must show something in his first two years to earn a new contract. It is not a charity.

As for not giving kids a go in the seniors, we have been crying out for new talent for years. If a player plays well at Coburg he gets a go in the team, in many cases they don't even have to earn their place in the seniors.

 

[Weaver]

Originally posted by One-eyed Tiger
Nut, where does that leave Chris Hyde?

My tip to be the surprise packet of 2004.

Hyde has good character, but can't win the ball and when he does get his hands on it has worse kicking than Matty Rogers. If he makes an impact next year we are in trouble.

 

[rfctigerarmy]

I think Hyde seems like the quiet type. IMO, he is nervous. I dont think he will ever be the AFL type but if he give it a real go in the summer and next year he may get more games then he thought.

 

[Weaver]

Originally posted by wrennyboy
1. Rory Hilton: Rory Needs an injury Free year to push for Selection i would like to see him in his form b4 he dislocated his shoulder. Would be good in Backline

Is slow, unfit, selfish and a showboat. He thinks tough is throwing his arms around or jumping into people's backs. Tough is winning the contested ball. He is meant to be a centreman, but we have to carry him in the pockets. He has to go.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
4. Matty Rogers: Dont know about this guy i would prefer to see him in the Backline playing on Small Forwards eg Milne etc

Don't want to see him down back. His kicking when bringing the ball out would cost us dearly. He has always kicked goals in important games. If we can get our forward line to work he could be handy as the 'other' option. Get some big blokes, get some rovers and Rogers could be the 'in-between' guy.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
6. Mark Chaffey: Gun player always consistant and uses ball well this is what i like about him if he has the same year as last year i will be happy

Modern AFL defences have some big blokes, they have a couple of little dashers to run the ball out (eg Chris Johnson) and they have a mid-sized guy who is tough and can do it all (eg Solomon, B. Scott).

Chaffey isn't really any of those things. He is not a KP player, he is not a dashing runner out of defence (his lack of pace means he has to go wide and can't come through the middle), he is not really that good one-on-one and not able to physically dominate guys. He needs to be tried as a rover.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
8. Kane Pettifer: Kane Kane Kane well where do i start. Best game i have seen him play was 2002 against the blues where he kicked 4 goals but other than that hopefully trade bait or delisted and end of year.

Has no stamina, only plays 5 minute bursts. Is not tough and looses concentration and confidence. Needs to play as a midfielder at Coburg, not a FF. Even HBF at Coburg. At least give him a chance to show that he deserves a senior spot.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
11. Joel Bowden: Well still one of my favourite players just hoping he uses his head this year and kicks more goals

Thinks he is David Beckham, cruising around elegantly, executing skills. He needs to lift the tempo and play with intensity. He is not a playmaker in soccer, he is a game-breaker in AFL.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
12. Matthew Richardson: Big Richo is Back in teh Goalsquare hopefully he kicks 60+ and no more dummy spits

Couple more years and Richo will retire and we can put a decade of mediocrity behind us and start building for the future. The guy is a liability to the football team but 'untouchable' because he is popular. Sooner he is gone the better.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
13. Justin Blumfield: Well coming off a disasterous year in 2003 Justin will be hoping to repay the faith that the tigers have in him as he is looking good going into this season.

Should be playing for a contract so might actually push himself to get on the field and contribute this year. Bit of a fair weather player who picks and chooses when he plays well. Hopefully he is in the mood this year.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
14. Aaron Fiora: Waiting for this guy to explode. He runs like a gazelle and i like it about him. Penetrating left foot would like to see him becoming a forward.

Moving him forward takes his pace and long-kicking out of the game. He is one of our only players who can start behind the ball, run-on to receive a handbal, kick it long and then run-on again to get the ball again at half-forward. Campbell used to do it, Bowden used to do it. Now only Tivendale and Fiora have that sort of hard-running. Best way to create a loose-man. He'll play off HBF.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
18. David Rodan: Would like to see him more in midfield this year swapping with Krakouer in forward line.

To play midfield you have to be able to win your own-ball. You have to be able to lay a tackle, you have to be able to block, bump and shpehard. Rodan can't do any of that. He needs to be fed the ball so he can use his pace. He should have played a dozen games for Coburg last year but we had no other options. Give him a go in the backline where we can feed him the ball and he can run it.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
20. Ray Hall: Eyeing CHB. Hopefully his speed and Long Arms can make him a good CHB needs to bulk up a bit.

Is not tall enough to ruck. Would be a handy forward if he could actually take a mark. In defence he is slow to read the play, slow off the mark and shows his lack of football knowledge in that he doesn't cut angles and gets caught on the wrong side of his man. Trying to trade him was the right idea. Just a handy spare-part.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
23. Daniel Jackson: Looks like a great prospect. Wont play seniors this year but hopefully gets full 22 games next year. Great Kid IMO and great attitude towards footy.

Will be a slow maturer rather like Fiora. Won't play this year and probably not next. Will then probably play 10-12 games in his next two seasons.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
24. Mark Coughlan: What can i say about this kid. Few years ago tiger faithfull were complaining about not getting Cloke but now they have a smile on their face as the young 21 year old took out the B&F award. Hopefully has a big 2004 aswell

Anyone who had seen a young Jason Cloke knew he would just be a handy 3rd defender and nothing more. Coughlan is super-special.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
25. Jay Shultz: Like the sound of this kid hopefully developing into a FF or CHF in the Future. Still very young might get a few games this year

A genuine blue-chip talent. KP take time so will only be a fringe guy again next year.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
26. Billy Nicholls: Showed a glimpst of promise last year but i think he will only play if we are down in the midfield department. Will play most of year at Coburg before being Delisted.

4 weeks with Richmond, 8 weeks with Coburg and 12 weeks with soft-tissue injuries. Never been AFL-fit in his life. What a dud pick-up.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
31. Chris Hyde: Needs to make an impression this year. I hope he turns out like one of the lonie Brothers

The new Clinton King, just not as good.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
35. Chris Newman: Great 2003. Won the Rising Star Award. Eyeing a place in the Tigers Midfield for 2004.

Would like to see him replace Chaffey as the running, go-to guy in defence. If we play with a loose defender it should be Newman. I would prefer to see him have a good year as a BP than a development year in midfield. He can be our tagger in 2005 after DK, Fleming and Fletcher are replaced.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
36. Ty Zantuck: Hard at it type. Had a great 2003 playign on the gun Forwards. Would give him good experience.

Really like the cameos at FF. Straightened us up and gave us a genuine target to kick to. Lets Richo roam around and jump into the side of other people's packs. Initially his goal kicking was a problem but he did OK with that last year.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
37. Kyle Archibald: Last pick in the draft. Wont play this year but Hopefully makes an impression.

Probably never play, but is a good athlete and has some size about him.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
38. Andrew Raines: Another one of our youngsters might get a game this year but will be playin for Coburg

Won't ever play.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
40.Kelvin Moore: Future FB Prospect. Would like to see him play in 2005. Currently on Rookie List.

Would have to really improve to get a place on the senior list let alone a senior game. Still light and raw. Was recruited because he might become a tall-wingman in the Ben Harrison mould but that plan has been abandoned.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
41. Nathan Foley: Picked up on the Rookie list. Could be the best chance to elevate to the senior list out of the 3 this year but needs to be consistant. Good Midfielder.

Foley is at least as good as Ednie, Haynes and Hollands who got promoted off the rookie list. He is better than King or Hyde.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
42. Mark Dragacevic: He has had a horrific run with injury. 2 knee reco and still young. Delisted then picked up on Rookie list. Hopefully on teh senior list in 2005.

Lost his pace, can't change direction, has lost penetration on his kicking and is nervous when tackled or when laying tackles. Is a shadow of his former self and even when at his best was not a genuine senior player. Good luck and all that.

Originally posted by wrennyboy
44. Adam Houlihan: IMO play better in a team with good midfield. Possible Deletion

Pure receiver. If the team plays well he can look good. What saves him is that he is very skillful. He can kick 4 goals from 5 touches. His goal-kicking is awesome.

 

[Fishfinger]

Weaver, please stop building the optimism and excited anticipation of the season ahead to fever pitch.
If individual players can't perform to your lofty standards you may end up suicidal.

 

[evo]

Pretty good summation weaver although I'm gonna have to pull you up on a couple.

Modern AFL defences have some big blokes, they have a couple of little dashers to run the ball out (eg Chris Johnson) and they have a mid-sized guy who is tough and can do it all (eg Solomon, B. Scott).

Chaffey isn't really any of those things. He is not a KP player, he is not a dashing runner out of defence (his lack of pace means he has to go wide and can't come through the middle), he is not really that good one-on-one and not able to physically dominate guys. He needs to be tried as a rover

Load of rubbish Weaver.Midfielder?Surely u jest. While I agree he isn't a key position player he's a re marvelous hbf or bp player.Busts his arse every week,rarely beaten in a marking duel even by substantially larger players.Fairly cool under pressure although agree not the fastest player.Has become a leader of the backline in a Quaterback type of way.Would much prefer him bringing it out of the backline than A.Kellaway,Gasper or Hall.

Couple more years and Richo will retire and we can put a decade of mediocrity behind us and start building for the future. The guy is a liability to the football team but 'untouchable' because he is popular. Sooner he is gone the better.

Come on Weaver,ussuallly when I see Richo bashing like this I assume its some know nothing opposition supporter echoing something he read in a stupid Hun article.I know you know better than that.Richo lead the contested marks in the league last year and averaged 9.1 marks/game.If he 's a liability I'd bloody love to see what u consider an asset.I'm hoping a couple of other forwards will put their hand up this year so he doesnt have to be tripled teamed each week.Having said that I hope he isn't played at FF as has been suggested.He's an attrocious set shot.Hard to believe he's a worse kick than 8 years ago but there ya go.HFF is his position.Much like Cornes is used for Port.

To play midfield you have to be able to win your own-ball. You have to be able to lay a tackle, you have to be able to block, bump and shpehard. Rodan can't do any of that. He needs to be fed the ball so he can use his pace. He should have played a dozen games for Coburg last year but we had no other options. Give him a go in the backline where we can feed him the ball and he can run it.

Last season Rodan was perpetually beaten in one on one marking duels.Hardly suprising considering his size. To put him in the bp is a ridiculous idea IMO.I must admit I'm a bit stumped where we can actually play him.Perhaps his disposal will improve and we can play him regularly in the centre, but at this stage off the bench to give one of our better midfielders a rest at times or perhaps a pinch hit down at FP is all we can really use him for.

Apart from those 3 I do agree with the rest however.We're still 4 or 5 top players short of a decent side and will be vunerable again this year if injuries strike.I hope your hopes for Schulz are founded.Thats quite a rap.

 

[CJH]

Chaffey always appears slow - maybe its that funny gait - but he does seem to cover the turf OK.

I remember a game a few years back at Telstra Dome where he was tagging Paul Kelly (who was genuinely quick). On more that one occasion. Kelly would burst off the marks but every time. Chaff had him covered for pace.

A good test of seeing how quick players are is seeing them in a footrace against someone else. Some slow looking players cover the ground very well. Glen Jakovich and David Rhys-Jones are classic examples. Ty Zantuck and Scotty Turner are others. It was the only thing that Damien Ryan had going for him!

On the other hand, there are players who look quick but don't really cover the ground that well. Players like Rodan or Peter Matera were/are more elusive than quick. I remember once seeing Denis Cometti getting all excited about Matera in full flight. streaming down the wing. In the backround, however, was the boundary umpire who was easily tracking Matera for pace with a long loping 3/4 pace stride.

 

[cairo tiger]

you guys struggle to put superlatives together obviouly did not read my post good cattle poor cattle terrible cattle.
No matter how you pump them up we do not have the cattle.
Will stuggle to finish 8th.
we need a clean out again and i am tipping earlierr than later.
Hope i am wrong but our list cannot cut it with the top 6.

 

[Pirate]

Weaver - you seem like an intelligent person, you make some insightful comments at times, and I like your style of writing. However, you make pronouncements like you have a hotline to the "God of Footy". It's as if what you say is the gospel truth rather than merely an opinion (eg Raines won't ever play), and that you act like you have a rare insight into the future (perhaps you do....who will win the brownlow in 2005???).Most of your comments in the above post are negative. You seem like you are a "glass is half-empty" kind of person. You are also not always factually correct (eg the number of games Nicholls played versus times injured).
Despite my comments above, I still like reading your posts, and believe that they are a worthwhile addition to this site.

 

[Weaver]

Originally posted by Fishfinger
Weaver, please stop building the optimism and excited anticipation of the season ahead to fever pitch.
If individual players can't perform to your lofty standards you may end up suicidal.

I can't be disapointed. While you are all agonising over another poor season, heat-broken and suicidal, I will be shrugging my shoulders saying "knew it".

Lower the bar far enough and we might just get over it.

 

[Weaver]

Originally posted by Pirate
However, you make pronouncements like you have a hotline to the "God of Footy". It's as if what you say is the gospel truth rather than merely an opinion (eg Raines won't ever play), and that you act like you have a rare insight into the future (perhaps you do....who will win the brownlow in 2005???).

I work on the assumption that most people understand that I am merely offering my opinion and not 'pronouncing'. These sort of forums work best when you can keep comments snappy.

Long sentances of the type "Based on what I have seen I think X, even though it is only my own opnion and others are free to disagree" become clumsy.

One of the other penalties of this form of communication is that you can't see the smirk on my face when I write some stuff. I love going OTT on Richo because I know it is going to trigger some peoples' buttons.

Originally posted by Pirate
Most of your comments in the above post are negative. You seem like you are a "glass is half-empty" kind of person. You are also not always factually correct (eg the number of games Nicholls played versus times injured).

That is the nature of this thread. We are focussing on guys who are going to step up. Guys who are almost exclusively out of the team or who have dissapointed, and we are talking about next year. Hard to be positive when you are talking about the duds and kids.

Anyway I said good things about Rogers, Fiora, A.Kellaway, Schulz, Coughlan, Newman, Zantuck and Foley. I am also a supporter of Bowden and am one of the only people it seems who can see any merit to Houlihan. I even say give Pettifer a new position whereas most people want him cut.

 

[Weaver]

Originally posted by evo
Load of rubbish Weaver.Midfielder?Surely u jest. While I agree he isn't a key position player he's a re marvelous hbf or bp player.

On Chaffey I am not saying that hes not played well. He has been one of our best.

If I was ranking him out of 10 (for his position) I would say he was a 7. He will always be a 7 (soon a 6 as he ages). Other guys are not as good. I see his position as the leader of the counter-attack. The guy who should be running the ball out and creating the loose man. He does OK and has been our best at it.

However for us to get better as a team we need to 'modernise' our style of play. When Fiora runs by he leaves his opponent behind and a loose man is created. When Chaffey comes out his opponent can drift down the ground and create a crowd in the centre.

Our defence is slow and unskillful, we have a pure 'old-school' defence-only backline. We rely on flooding and always walk the ball out of the backline, normally via the boundary because that is the only space and there are no loose men.

For us to get better we need some hard-running defenders who can create loose men. A guy like Chris Johnson. For us to get a guy like that we have to replace Chaffey. If we want to get an 8 or 9 in the backpocket we have to move our 7 first.

His body shape, his experience, his toughness should suit him to the midfield. If he contents himself to be a defender he is acepting mediocrity. The likes of Nathan Burke and Adam Simpson could have settled for being back-pockets but they pushed themselves.

That is why I think Chaffey should be forced to go try to go up a level and become a midfielder.

 

[Pirate]

Originally posted by Weaver
I work on the assumption that most people understand that I am merely offering my opinion and not 'pronouncing'. These sort of forums work best when you can keep comments snappy.

Long sentances of the type "Based on what I have seen I think X, even though it is only my own opnion and others are free to disagree" become clumsy.

One of the other penalties of this form of communication is that you can't see the smirk on my face when I write some stuff. I love going OTT on Richo because I know it is going to trigger some peoples' buttons.



That is the nature of this thread. We are focussing on guys who are going to step up. Guys who are almost exclusively out of the team or who have dissapointed, and we are talking about next year. Hard to be positive when you are talking about the duds and kids.

Anyway I said good things about Rogers, Fiora, A.Kellaway, Schulz, Coughlan, Newman, Zantuck and Foley. I am also a supporter of Bowden and am one of the only people it seems who can see any merit to Houlihan. I even say give Pettifer a new position whereas most people want him cut.

Thankyou for giving a reasonable and reasoned response to my criticism, Weaver. Furthermore, anyone who is a supporter of Bowden can't be too bad.

 

[Wacko^Jacko]

Weaver, the thing about having an opinion is that you dont need to know anything to express it, thats handy in your case

 

[Tigerblood]

If Chaffey does one thing well, it's dash out of the backline. I can't believe he's being criticised for it. He also kicks beautifully, and long, and has a good handpass on him - even when in hot water. Furthermore, he is an excellent mark, and is prepared to take graps while backing into oncoming opposition. He is also a very good tackler (see the goalsaver he pulled off in that frantic game we lost to Geelong last year), and is able to stick close to his man when defending against leads (as James Hird discovered to his dismay last year). If that isn't enough, he is a reliable designated kicker after points have been scored.

Chaffey is at least an 8 IMO - one of the leagues premier back flankers.