- Mar 16, 2022
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Save him from being contracted at AFL level for another three seasons.Save him from being traded and therefore not in Mitchell’s long term plans.
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Save him from being contracted at AFL level for another three seasons.Save him from being traded and therefore not in Mitchell’s long term plans.
Well rounded doesn't get you a career though. Strengths that stack up at AFL get you a career.I think Ryan is clearly more rounded presently as a player compared to TJ.
You’ve been duped by the occasional run and carry that makes TJ look great - but that’s not enough to make him a well rounded player, compared to Ryan.
I fear TJ may ended up like his brother- who Mitchell clearly thought was not up to the mark or worth persisting with despite similar run and carry highlights.
Patience grasshopper patience - egregious deficiencies are the death knell at Ryan and TJ’s career stage.Well rounded doesn't get you a career though. Strengths that stack up at AFL get you a career.
I wouldn't buy shares in either of them tbh.
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I think your philosophy is back to front.Patience grasshopper patience - egregious deficiencies are the death knell at Ryan and TJ’s career stage.
There’s a way to go, could see some similar traits in Josh Daicos early when he was struggling. It was a North game Josh spun out of trouble straightened up and laced someone up in the middle on his left, could have gone with the right. I like Hayes there was a bit of chatter about him going a bit earlier in the draft, time will be the arbiter but I think we have a 200 + gamer.I have a ton of faith in this kid and I think his size is the only thing holding him back right now.
Had some freakish moments in the VFL and in the North game it was noticeable that despite his current size he is not afraid of the contest. He also showed the ability to work from contest to contest.
With some size I can see him becoming something really special for us.
Agree 100%, there is no doubt in my mind that Will is something special.I have a ton of faith in this kid and I think his size is the only thing holding him back right now.
Had some freakish moments in the VFL and in the North game it was noticeable that despite his current size he is not afraid of the contest. He also showed the ability to work from contest to contest.
With some size I can see him becoming something really special for us.

So you don't think an serious deficiency in a kid once exposed post drafting ends careers?I think your philosophy is back to front.
If they've got genuine strengths they survive and get played in a role where their strengths can do damage and their weaknesses are less exposed. Markov got a decade in the industry and is a premiership player. Coxy too. Long is a senior player. Lippa is having a good career. Big strengths and big weaknesses. If they're well rounded without any genuine strengths in AFL terms they play VFL and then get cut.
So you don't think an serious deficiency in a kid once exposed post drafting ends careers?
I think you need to reconsider your view.
No.So you don't think a serious deficiency in a kid once exposed post drafting ends careers?
You're saying lack of strengths which effectively means a weakness.No I don't. I think a lack of strengths that translate to AFL level ends careers.
It's why the development guys all talk about kids honing and focussing on their strengths first and foremost.
Your focus on weaknesses is why you're shocked when solid footballers like Macrae, Ruscoe and Bianco get cut. You're looking for the wrong thing - they haven't got AFL strengths so there is no role for them.
true - the above were corrected with development - and if they'd not improved then Maynard would have been cut.No.
Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.
Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.
No, he isn’t.true - but its the exception to the rule.
Go back - I clarified my thoughts.No, he isn’t.
I agree, the difference between Maynard and Ryan/TJ is that Mayanrd had obvious strengths to build his game upon. He was always going to be a weapon if he could iron out those weaknesses.Go back - I clarified my thoughts.
I always find it funny seeing Bruzzy described as a small/medium. He always seems so big on the field.No.
Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.
Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.
No.
Maynard at TJ’s age had a poor tank, terrible composure and appalling decision making ball in hand.
Now he’s one of best small /medium defenders in the comp.
Good thing he has thenHe'd probably wanna be making top 10 in the BnF to claim to be one of the best defenders in the comp
Good thing he has then
Came 9th last year and not in the top 10 this year.
I think he and Moore have a lot more to give in 2026. Both are a long way from best defenders in the league convo right now…
Basic difference between Maynard and the players like Ryan is Bruzzy was AFL level from season 1. He earned a spot in the 23 early and was a lock quickly. His career is on a completely different trajectory from season 1 when he was recognised as a much higher level talent.true - the above were corrected with development - and if they'd not improved then Maynard would have been cut.
So we go back to my earlier point that patience is required with kids.
If Bruzz had a fundamental weakness such as a very poor kicking technique that was not improving, then he would not have received an extensions despite other perceived strengths when recruited.
Basic difference between Maynard and the players like Ryan is Bruzzy was AFL level from season 1. He earned a spot in the 23 early and was a lock quickly. His career is on a completely different trajectory from season 1 when he was recognised as a much higher level talent.
True but some of the blokes that finished in top 10 this year not among best in their area. Perryman #5 for instance? Pendles and Sidebottom would not really be top echelon mids would they? They btw finish top 10 every year anyway so it is hard for the likes of Maynard to push them out. Josh finished sixth but would not be one of the top defenders either because he cannot stay on a man which seems to frustrate the other defenders yet does not play a lot of midfield either.He'd probably wanna be making top 10 in the BnF to claim to be one of the best defenders in the comp