Williams or Embly?

[jod23]

Ive noticed a few of you seem to really like Embly and he pops up in most of your best sides yet Williams sometimes gets relegated to the interchange or even the emergencies.

Personally i think Williams is the better of the two and would be one of the first picked if i was a selector. He's no superstar but i think he is fairly consistent and is usually effective down back or up forward where he can kick goals.

Embly on the other hand COULD be the better player if he could just get some consistency rather than showing glimpses followed by weeks of nothing.

Thought?

 

[kodie]

I think they both have a lot of potential but at times fail to show it. Embers for one is very like Phil Matera in personality. Phil used to always put himself down and not believe in his ability and embers does as well. With Andrew his problems could have been on the more personal front as he was coping with a disgruntled girlfriend who wanted to come back to Melbourne. At the end of last season she was trying to talk him into going for a trade and leaving us. A fact his parents here in Melbourne were very unhappy with. He had stated to his Mum that he wanted to stay with us but the girlfriend was putting pressure on him West Coast won out so that is a good side. I think you'll see a difference in both players this year as they would be well aware they are fighting for a place in the side each week and more importantly their futures. Kodie

 

[MDB]

I would like to know how you know all of that information, because I can tell you only 5% of it is true.....

 

[kodie]

If your refering to Willo. Myself and a friend spoke to one of his family at an aftermatch in Melbourne last year. So as they are part of his family I would trust what they have said. Kodie

 

[Goldenblue]

I like Williams for stability and Embley does need more consistency to his game. He seems to play in fits and spurts, but I am hoping he will come good soon as he needs to knuckle down or he may be relegated to the reserves. (Freo frockers)

In seriousness, he has a lot of talent, but needs to temper his want to do the spectacular things that cause him to make mistakes more than do the job at hand

 

[Thrawn666]

Williams was definitely the better of the two early on, but his game seemed to go downhill, he had the pace and a good strong overhead mark for his size but his disposal, and particular his kicking leaves a lot to be desired. I cringe when he gets a set shot on goal, he's better with a running shot and even that aspect of his game could stand some improvement. Embley is a very up and down player, one I prefer because of his physical presence, a couple of years ago he took out 2 or 3 hawks players on a friday night at subi and i'd like to see him do that more often. Fairly of course . He seems to have the ability to kick a couple of goals no matter what the circumstance of the game which is always handy too. All thta being said he really needs to step up this year and show that the club hasnt just been carrying him.

 

[TheRealBuzz]

I'm a big Embly fan.

He's a lot bigger and stronger than what people think, but still has that great athleticism and pace that is required for today's football.

I can see him thriving under Woosh. He'll have the self belief and killer instinct that the players lacked under Judge, and that's when Embers plays his best footy.

Williams is a very underrated player.

With Wirra and Roo playing the majority of their footy in the middle this year, I'd like to see him settle on a half back flank or back pocket.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

I've always favoured Williams. I just always saw him as the natural replacement for Mitch White. But both have unfullfilled potential.

 

[mentalgrind]

Last year I thought Williams took a half step up when Embly didn't. Lets just hope that they both step up to higher levels this year as I'm sure they will.

 

[Voice of Reason]

As we emerge from the malaise that was "the Judge Years", these are two players who can emerge as really good players for the Eagles.

Embley is still only 20 (we drafted him as a 17 year old), he's had two serious, year-interrupting injuries already and is a damaging player (eg goals off the half forward flank and THAT celebration against Melburne last year). Tough as nails. Needs to be taught how to channel it.

Williams is nearly 23 (which for the Victorian journalists reading means that he's a veteran in our ageing squad) with 66 games experience. Came through at about the same time as Rowan Jones. Is versatile, strong, brave and fast. Can take a mark. Is flexible and can play in many positions. Has to work on his disposal, but would look better in a team under less pressure.

As with so many, let's see how they thrive under new management.

 

[Portia]

About 18 months ago, I'd have probably said Williams, but his development since then just seems to have stopped - hit the wall. Will he get better, or is this where he stops? I'm thinking the latter at the minute.

Embley is still getting better, keeps showing good signs, so I'd be backing him.

 

[Methuselah]

In keeping with most of your comments about these two players, I would put them in the large basket of WCE players who have yet to realise their full potential in our eyes. For mine neither has set the world on fire in the last two seasons, but that might be due to circumstances beyond their control - the "Judge factor".
However, when you look at the team and its recruits over the last 6-7 years there are a few standouts, but also lots of people who appear to have not reached the heights we hoped for. How much of that is due to the talents of the individuals themselves... and how much is due to the management of the club is hard to determine. The aim of the draft system is to even up the competition by channeling the best young talent to the teams that need it, but some astute trading by MM meant we got the best pick in a number of drafts, and those people, Banfield, Wirrpunda and Gardiner have shown the ranking they had was justified.
The futures of a number of WCE players will be decided this season. Embly as a 20 year old can expect perhaps one more season of grace if he cannot demonstrate his worth this year...his age, height, and the glimpses he has shown suggest he is worth another opportunity, as he could with some discipline turn into a key player.
Williams on the other hand has none of those advantages and I would suggest that if he cannot cement a place for himself this year he will be delisted.
If you were looking to trade right now, which of the two would you be interested in?

 

[ONE EYE]

I agree with VOR.

I am unsure what Williams position is. I think we have to view him in the Chris Waterman mode. A very very useful utility. He is not a flashy player and his good things can be overlooked. Remember the night he took 13 marks (I think that is right). Other times he is used in a negative role. He can be deceptively quick. He is strong. But then not quite tall enough. As I said, he is a useful part of the Club. I think he will prosper under Woosha.

Embley is one of my favourites. But in the past just as he started to hit his straps he got suspended or injured. He is fast and strong. Could be a mix of Karl Langdon and Brett Heady I reckon. Permanent forward flank for mine. One thing he lacks is football smarts. This may be just inexperience.

As with most players Judge was messing with their heads. Previously to that Malthouse wouldnt give the kids a go.

Another player of this ilk is David Haynes. I would hate to see any players of this ilk play anywhere else. They may not be champions but these are the hardnosed types that can make up a successful team with a bit of confidence boosting faith.

GO EAGLES!

 

[iceman]

For me it would have to be Williams, i just think that Embley is a bit too inconsistent at the moment

However, if Embley can improve his game to become more prominent then he can definently become a better player than Williams

 

[GoEagles]

daddy_4_eyes summed it up perfectly "both have unfullfilled potential". I'm a huge fan of Andrew Embley, this kid has a lot of talent and we've been lucky enough to have seen glimpses of that during last year. He also has a bit of fire in his belly which is what I like to see, although this may have distracted him from the game at times. His youth is his advantage, he's only 20 and should now be starting to make the half forward flank HIS position (which I already think he's done).

Williams has always been a 50/50 player for me. I think he's a good player all teams should have, a versitile player who can suprise opponents and set up great passages of play. Unfortunately Williams lacks useful disposal of the ball at times, he can and should do more with the footy at times, although I look at Williams as a bottle of red. The older he gets, the better he'll get!

 

[jod23]

Methuselah - Delisted???? Williams wont be delisted. I would delist 10 15 players before Williams.

Just on Embly though, i didnt know he was only 20!!! I thought he was pushing 24/25??? Man am i in the dark. Maybe im being a bit unfair on him then and perhaps he will start to show a bit on a more regular basis than in previous seasons under Whoosh.

 

[Goldenblue]

Originally posted by jod23
Methuselah - Delisted???? Williams wont be delisted. I would delist 10 15 players before Williams.

Just on Embly though, i didnt know he was only 20!!! I thought he was pushing 24/25??? Man am i in the dark. Maybe im being a bit unfair on him then and perhaps he will start to show a bit on a more regular basis than in previous seasons under Whoosh.

I still think regardless of age, that Embley still needs to pull his finger out a bit more. He has been with the club for a few seasons now, had a few matches out on the ground, and needs to settle himself within the team.

And I also think Williams has a lowly chance of ever being delisted....he is coming along nicely