Worst afl player you've seen (and why)

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Dale Thomas is sitting on 47 games for Carlton, if you excluded his Collingwood career he would be in the conversation.. Liam Jones is on 83 career games

 

[boydee]

Zephi Skinner had no discernible weapons whatsoever and he could not do even the simple things well. Was a speculative late draft pick and played like one.

Zeph came from a small community near Fitzroy Crossing in the East Kimberley. The change from going there to Melbourne would have been a different world for him and a massive cultural change. He was an absolute gun playing footy up there, so to say he had no discernible weapons is well and try off the money. He was quick for his size, agile, fantastic leap and mark. If you travel up around where he can from and lived there, you would realise that there are many indigenous players up there that are easily as good as many AFL footballers playing today. The reason they dont succeed in the AFL has nothing to do with a lack of ability.

 

[Damon_3388]

Im yet to see a player worse than Jarrod Oakley-Nichols

Legend has it that he was picked sight unseen by Greg Miller.

He never saw him play in the flesh or met him. Only watched him on tape.

Hard to believe...but

AFL Tables says he played 13 games with Richmond across 4 seasons, with an average of just 57.69% gametime. He also spent a further two seasons on West Coast's list, without playing a game.

I honestly never remember seeing him play, but remember plenty of derision, and know he was a bit fragile and had a few injuries as well. Was he honestly that bad that he wasn't even worth giving a game or hardly any gametime too? Could he have at least been serviceable, if they'd had more faith and pumped more games and gametime into him early?

I just find it bizarre and shocking that a top 10 pick at a struggling club like mid-2000s Richmond didn't at least get 25-30 charity games given to him, based on draft position and potential and "Let's just see if he's got something", even if he was bad. If he was genuinely that poor in the limited exposure he did get that he just wasn't worth persisting with, even considering his age, then that's bizarre and shocking in itself, given his draft position and alleged "sight unseen" status. No fault of the guy - he didn't ask to get drafted that high - but seems like a major misjudgement from recruiters, one way or another.

 

[Damon_3388]

Zeph came from a small community near Fitzroy Crossing in the East Kimberley. The change from going there to Melbourne would have been a different world for him and a massive cultural change. He was an absolute gun playing footy up there, so to say he had no discernible weapons is well and try off the money. He was quick for his size, agile, fantastic leap and mark. If you travel up around where he can from and lived there, you would realise that there are many indigenous players up there that are easily as good as many AFL footballers playing today. The reason they dont succeed in the AFL has nothing to do with a lack of ability.

He might have had footy talent, but it may not have fit or may not have been able to be harnessed into productivity within the AFL environment and structures, both on and off the field. That's no knock on him, as sometimes it just doesn't work out, regardless of where you come from. The question is always there for guys like Skinner though, from remote areas and non-traditional or comparatively unstructured footy pathways - How will they adapt, and how long will it take?

 

[boydee]

He might have had footy talent, but it may not have fit or may not have been able to be harnessed into productivity within the AFL environment and structures, both on and off the field. That's no knock on him, as sometimes it just doesn't work out, regardless of where you come from. The question is always there for guys like Skinner though, from remote areas and non-traditional or comparatively unstructured footy pathways - How will they adapt, and how long will it take?

Yes you are right. Zeph Skinner was happy to spend his time fishing and hunting and having a kick on a Saturday afternoon. Having taught in a remote indigenous community before, in many ways it was like a third world country. The chances of Zeph Skinner making it as an AFL player were very small. Not because of lack of talent, because of where he comes from. If people are going to name players as the worst AFL player they have seen, they need to be bit better and not name someone like Zeph Skinner.

 

[ioppolo]

Not 50 games but Nathan Djerkurra. Or however you spell it.

 

[Rotayjay]

Surely Ty Vickery owns this thread

 

[MISFITS]

He might have had footy talent, but it may not have fit or may not have been able to be harnessed into productivity within the AFL environment and structures, both on and off the field. That's no knock on him, as sometimes it just doesn't work out, regardless of where you come from. The question is always there for guys like Skinner though, from remote areas and non-traditional or comparatively unstructured footy pathways - How will they adapt, and how long will it take?

From memory he left the game through homesickness.
He wasn't delisted.
He was close to another indigenous player.(who transferred from Geelong..name escapes me)
When he left, Zeph lost all interest.
The reports about him were very positive.
AFL was a depth too far.
I know of Victorian teams that fly in talented indigenous players for appearance games.(some regular)
Seems a good wager.
Maccas breakfast while boarding a flight.
Play a game.
Home for dinner.
Might be better that way for Zeph.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Todd Elton giving it a real shake...

 

[StillAtLarge]

This thread was settled on the first page.
Post #8. No one else comes close...

 

[Barry_Badrinath]

I never thought anybody could challenge JON but Todd Elton is making a strong case.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

John butcher is terrible. Still on ports list but can't get a game which is telling

Isn't he "the future"???

 

[TerryWallet]

Todd Elton giving it a real shake...

Todd is about at that ex Melbourne guy Michael Newton's level...ie very very ordinary.

But they both have a bit on Liam McBean i reckon.

 

[Ancient Tiger]

Todd is about at that ex Melbourne guy Michael Newton's level...ie very very ordinary.

But they both have a bit on Liam McBean i reckon.

I think you're giving him too much credit...

 

[Sedat!]

Zeph came from a small community near Fitzroy Crossing in the East Kimberley. The change from going there to Melbourne would have been a different world for him and a massive cultural change. He was an absolute gun playing footy up there, so to say he had no discernible weapons is well and try off the money. He was quick for his size, agile, fantastic leap and mark. If you travel up around where he can from and lived there, you would realise that there are many indigenous players up there that are easily as good as many AFL footballers playing today. The reason they dont succeed in the AFL has nothing to do with a lack of ability.

I can only go on what I saw on the field at senior AFL level and he simply wasn't up to it on any conceivable level - all the attributes that he might have shown in his local league were never showcased in the AFL, or even the VFL to be honest. The pressure to perform even the simplest and most basic skills against the best players in the country was proven to be well beyond him - I'm sure there were factors outside of the game that contributed but he gave it a crack at least. I wish him well.

 

[boydee]

I can only go on what I saw on the field at senior AFL level and he simply wasn't up to it on any conceivable level - all the attributes that he might have shown in his local league were never showcased in the AFL, or even the VFL to be honest. The pressure to perform even the simplest and most basic skills against the best players in the country was proven to be well beyond him - I'm sure there were factors outside of the game that contributed but he gave it a crack at least. I wish him well.

No worries Sedat. I think that Zeph just came from a different world and wasnt happy with life in Melbourne. Couldnt get used to the training required. Saw him playing in Darwin a few years ago and he looked happy and was doing some pretty special things out there.

 

[Louis Slungpue]

nick suban averages 13.2 disposals a game as a midfielder and has some how managed to play 146 games

 

[ImperialPurple]

nick suban averages 13.2 disposals a game as a midfielder and has some how managed to play 146 games

How this has been allowed to occur is one of the greatest mysteries of all times. You forgot to mention the 5 clangers and 3 HTB FA... but apparently he puts on a few decent blocks per game and has a decent left hoof. Other than that, we are devoid of clues that will allow us to solve this perplexion. Although it does appear he has run his race, which makes us all feel rather grateful. Anyone want him at the end of this year?

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Has Steven Morris been mentioned?

 

[DelRe]

I can only go on what I saw on the field at senior AFL level and he simply wasn't up to it on any conceivable level - all the attributes that he might have shown in his local league were never showcased in the AFL, or even the VFL to be honest. The pressure to perform even the simplest and most basic skills against the best players in the country was proven to be well beyond him - I'm sure there were factors outside of the game that contributed but he gave it a crack at least. I wish him well.

In any event he didn't play 50 games so doesn't fit the criteria for the thread.

 

[SweetD]

Todd is about at that ex Melbourne guy Michael Newton's level...ie very very ordinary.

But they both have a bit on Liam McBean i reckon.

No chance, McBean won a VFL leader goalkicker award (yes I know this is about AFL players), was very strong in the reserves but just wasn't able to put that into AFL performance as he wasn't physically strong enough to play key forward, played like a small forward.

Elton on the other hand, he has never lit up the VFL, hasn't shown much at AFL level, and I don't think I've ever seen a worse set shot.

 

[Theprofessional]

Ed "Cheese" Barlow would be a good shout- shame he hadn't planed a dozen more games. A deer in the headlights, was a good athlete (rarely showed it outside of preseason) and just would not keep his head over the ball or make a quick decision.

Frustrating days when he was in the side. Went to Bulldogs and was concerned for about a game that he'd put it all together.

 

[Aramis]

Taylor Hunt is fairly garbage and annoying.
Ty Vickery is extremely average but cops way more flack than he deserves, doesn't change the fact his extremely average at best.
Zac Dawson obviously is rubbish and is just lucky that the 1 person who likes him is a head coach.
Israel Folau is the worst I've ever seen play at AFL level but that had some strings attached it, more a marketing venture than someone actually playing the game.
Raph Clarke was crap, shit nickname too.
Dean Polo rubbish

 

[Doss]

Israel Folau is easily the biggest fish out of water I've seen on an AFL field. And it's not even remotely close either.

 

[Laverde2Smack]

He only played in the pre season for Richmond but Nick Jewell is the worst player to ever play AFL. Good bloke, gun cricketer but very average footballer. Doubt he was even in the best 10 players at East Brighton but got picked up by Richmond because of his old man.