Xavier Ellis vs Chris Masten

[Bic]

Xavier Ellis
22 years old (28th February 1988)
Pick 3 overall, 2005 draft

vs

Chris Masten
21 years old (2nd May 1989)
Pick 3 overall, 2007 draft


Who would you prefer for your club and why?

 

[Butters Stotch]

Masten was pick 3 champ.

 

[Bic]

Masten was pick 3 champ.

Typo, fixed

 

[Schulzenfest]

Both have been very disappointing. I guess you'd pick Masten, just because he's younger so has more time to improve.

 

[Gone Critical]

Neither have looked that impressive. They are likely to make solid AFL players nothing more. You hope for more out of a number 3 pick. If they have 10 year careers and play 150 games you would give them a pass

Hard to split, went Masten on age

 

[Greg Brady]

TBH i've been pretty impressed with Masten when hes actually played. Doesn't have a great kick but his clearance work is fantastic and gets a lot of the ball.
Haven't got that much time for Ellis as he seems just a run of the mill HBF at the mo, but im willing to give both a year before i make a final judgement.

 

[Bic]

I wonder if Xavier Ellis can actually put on weight and muscle... Is seriously skinny for a guy who has been in the system as long as he has...

 

[Hodgepodge]

You have to go Ellis just on his Grand Final performance. Has played some good footy, particularly in 2008, and starting to find some form this year as well.

 

[Mr Rude]

Very good comparison as i wouldn't want either player.

 

[Blueboys7]

Very good comparison as i wouldn't want either player.

Ellis at this stage, but has experience on his side so it is hard to compare. He has neat disposal and can be pretty creative, needs more of the ball though.

Masten has struggled with injury but has shown his fantastic workrate and clearance work but struggles with disposal.

The verdict is still out on both so I won't vote.

 

[wceblog]

A big part of Masten's game is his 'gut running,' so peak fitness is paramount for him. He also has been playing out of position as a high half forward this season which has hurt his performance (I am guessing this may be because the coaches believe he lacked the fitness to play midfield after coming back from injury).

He needs to add more strength and bulk so he can most effectively play his natural position as an inside midfielder. At his best is a gut running, ball magnet play iniator that whilst does not do any real eyecatching things you would typically expect from a top 3 pick, he will make his teammates look good by bringing them into the game with his assist work.

Came to the club with OP and struggled with it in his first year (2008). Was showing some very promising signs mid to late 2009 before he picked up a PCL injury vs North and has had an injury interrupted season this year.

 

[TigerTime88]

Masten will be better in the long run for sure imo. When he gets on the park he is a decent player.

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

Very good comparison as i wouldn't want either player.

Has one of you players ever got 28 touches in a Grand Final like Ellis? No I thought not

 

[jonoman89]

Ellis, but i don't think much of either.

 

[Mr Rude]

Has one of you players ever got 28 touches in a Grand Final like Ellis? No I thought not

And yet i still dont think much of him.

 

[le dominateur]

No contest. Masten should improve greatly, won't be elite, probably just off it. Ellis is a plodder who played 1 ok game in a grand final.

 

[Simon_Nesbit]

I wonder if Xavier Ellis can actually put on weight and muscle... Is seriously skinny for a guy who has been in the system as long as he has...

He's actually put on 12-15kg since he was drafted. Still has another 6-8kg to go though - (IMO he needs that just on the arms).

He's only 4kg lighter than Hodge!


(...about 4 inches taller mind you).

 

[beatlesmith]

There's a bit of a misconception about Masten's disposal.
He has moments of kicking brilliance, his kicking ability isn't what is bad, it's his kicking consistency. Considering his OP past that's not surprising, i'd like to see him with another pre-season or two before judging him.

 

[TigerTime88]

The OP excuse is winding a bit thin now that is all. I don't think his disposal is bad but it is certainly not elite...Masten for me!

 

[DivideandMultiply]

The OP excuse is winding a bit thin now that is all. I don't think his disposal is bad but it is certainly not elite...Masten for me!

Indeed but he also did his PCL.

Another pre-season and game time in the centre will give us a better idea.