Shane Valenti

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I thought he was terrific today.

91.3% efficiency from his 23 disposals, he looked calm and collected, tens to make good decisions, was at the bottom of many packs and it was only his fourth game.

He and Martin have been two very handy pick-ups from Sandy and on a side note, of all the young defenders I believe that Martin offers the most promise.

[davey_magik 1]

Agree on all points Clint, I thought he played a very good game.

He is very, very strong for his size and very rarely loses his feet. Doesn't seem to have a left foot but I really like the way he plays.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

In the "PREDICTIONS" thread I stated that he would be a better player than Jones and today's performance vindicated that to a certain extent.

[ucanchoose 1,816]

In the "PREDICTIONS" thread I stated that he would be a better player than Jones and today's performance vindicated that to a certain extent.

Because he runs straight and HARD and doesn't handball to someone in a worse position.

[The Backyard Charizard 1,202]

Jones is a real concern for me at the moment.... I fear that his career may not be all I had hoped....

I would even go as far as to say that if V has a strong finish to the season that Jonesy may even be offered as trade bait?!?!?!

Strange, but it would not shock me too much if it happened....

[Beamer 1]

I feel the same way.

Jones has a limited game. Sure he's hard at it but his game is just going backwards.

Lack of skill is also tieing him down.

[Pipefitter 2,163]

Jones kicking into 50 was terrible, tho he wasnt alone in this.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Jones kicking into 50 was terrible, tho he wasnt alone in this.

He hit Miller once in the last quarter, but that was about it.

[waynewussell 5,768]

Jones... Trade bait... Now I've heard it all! The contributors to this thread are obviously younger than No.2... Jones has some limitations but fortunately, like the posters here, he has time to develop. The upside is massive... trade bait, OH YEAH!!!!! (Col Lane inflection required to exhibit full meaning)

[The Backyard Charizard 1,202]

Jones... Trade bait... Now I've heard it all! The contributors to this thread are obviously younger than No.2... Jones has some limitations but fortunately, like the posters here, he has time to develop. The upside is massive... trade bait, OH YEAH!!!!! (Col Lane inflection required to exhibit full meaning)

Mate.... He is a good in and under player, but if Valenti keeps improving the way he is, then IMHO it worth seeing what we could get for Jones.... I realise he is young and has talent.... All the more reason to see who is interested....

We have a strong group of tough midfielders.....

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I thought he was terrific today.

91.3% efficiency from his 23 disposals, he looked calm and collected, tens to make good decisions, was at the bottom of many packs and it was only his fourth game.

He and Martin have been two very handy pick-ups from Sandy and on a side note, of all the young defenders I believe that Martin offers the most promise.

Gee he ran hard, Valenti...

And you think Martin offers more promise than Garland? How so?

In the "PREDICTIONS" thread I stated that he would be a better player than Jones and today's performance vindicated that to a certain extent.

It's vindicated nothing. Jones was closer checked than Valenti, and while he was smashed a lot in tackles he was getting the hard ball more often...

Saying Valenti will be a better player is absurd. How could you POSSIBLY know that. McLean had an awesome breakout year, then was tagged every week. Exactly the same thing happened with him as with Jones. He tried to take on tacklers and create by holding onto it too long. He figured out they were pinging him with the "smartarse" rule, worked on it, and before his injury, was on his way back to his best...

Jones will come back and start getting 25+ touches and get back to being damaging again. Valenti has played exactly one ok game.

Though I will say this. If ever there was a side that would expose Valenti's lack of pace, the bulldogs are that side. And his creativity and leading, particularly in the second half showed why he really is a good FOOTBALLER.

I'm backing Jones to be the more decorated player... I have a feeling you and I might be trading posts in the future on this!!

Game on!!!

[Guest unstable punt]

Jones... Trade bait... Now I've heard it all! The contributors to this thread are obviously younger than No.2... Jones has some limitations but fortunately, like the posters here, he has time to develop. The upside is massive... trade bait, OH YEAH!!!!! (Col Lane inflection required to exhibit full meaning)

getting sick of reading some of the crap on this site, some of you blokes have no idea and couldn't be more that 6 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Gee he ran hard, Valenti...

I love Jones, and by saying that Valenti will be better isn't necessarily saying that Jones will be bad. I just have really high hopes for Valenti. They may be proven entirely wrong.

I do think that Garland will also be very good and they are fairly similar, but Marin has better size and looks a more solid in terms of how he plays. Again, nothing against Garland or Warnock but I'm most excited by the prospect of Martin (form the very little we've seen of them).

[Nasher 33,616]

I struggle a little with the Valenti will be better than Jones thing. I don't think Valenti's body will allow him to bust packs or break and lay strong tackles likes Jones will learn to in time.

On a side note, Denis Cometti said today that Valenti is "built like a fire hydrant."

I also thought Stefan Martin looked the part today. Would love to know what those at the game thought.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

I struggle a little with the Valenti will be better than Jones thing. I don't think Valenti's body will allow him to bust packs or break and lay strong tackles likes Jones will learn to in time.

On a side note, Denis Cometti said today that Valenti is "built like a fire hydrant."

I also thought Stefan Martin looked the part today. Would love to know what those at the game thought.

Martin was one of the big plusses today IMO. Played on Hahn who has a much bigger body and consistently spoiled him. Good signs

[Beamer 1]

I thought Martin played on Minson. Im sure he did..

[Roost It 1,434]

I thought Martin played on Minson. Im sure he did..

He did, This is what we're up against on this site!

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

He did, This is what we're up against on this site!

Yep , I`ll take that. At least I got the bigger body thing right!

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

I love Jones, and by saying that Valenti will be better isn't necessarily saying that Jones will be bad. I just have really high hopes for Valenti. They may be proven entirely wrong.

I do think that Garland will also be very good and they are fairly similar, but Marin has better size and looks a more solid in terms of how he plays. Again, nothing against Garland or Warnock but I'm most excited by the prospect of Martin (form the very little we've seen of them).

Mmm. I'm a bit the same, I do like them both for varying reasons, but I have a feeling that once Moloney, Grimes et al come back into the side next year, we may find this debate carries more oomph... They are going to be in DIRECT competition with one-another as both are career midfielders only. Neither has great defending abilities, and I wouldn't put either forward...

And that's a good point with Martin, that he has the size... Not to mention vision, work ethic, courage... But I reckon Garland's results speak for themselves. Would you have put Martin on Franklin, Murphy or any of these other fast athletic KP forwards?

Martin has a little more height and size to him, but I reckon that'll only come in handy for opposition resting ruckmen. I wouldn't want to risk him on a Barry Hall or Johnathan Brown. Also his kick is a source of problems for him. If for no other reason that it's obvious he doesn't trust it...

I'm happy for him to be played on appropriate types, and for that reason, be dropped next week... and have him go back to Sandy. I've seen enough to allow him to be snuck into the team here and there over the next year or so. It was a fantastic first step. He knows he can play and be useful against one of the fastest combinations in the history of football. He knows the pace of the game. Now just let him go away and add some tricks...

[Yze_Magic 3]

In the "PREDICTIONS" thread I stated that he would be a better player than Jones and today's performance vindicated that to a certain extent.

Wll Nathan Jones is the dumbest footballer on our list. Many of our other youngsters will surpass him.

[Don24 103]

Dont understand why everyone is turning on Jones. He remains one of our best players. Valenti has proven nothing and hasnt even proved he is worth a spot on the list next year let alone going ahead of Jones! I dont think Valenti will make it, but happy to be proven wrong.

[Jaded No More 68,966]

Love Jones' attitude and application, but he plays beyond his limitations and he let frustration get the better of him today.

Got into a niggle with an opposition player where he lost his concentration, then tried to prove himself by taking off too early after a mark and stuffing up the kick.

He has got to learn to play within his limitations, he is not quick enough to break a pack and evade a tackle, he just isn't.

As for Valenti, I like him because he's a smart footballer. He understands the play, and that's something you can never teach a player.

Also I have yet to see any evidence to suggest his body will stop him from becoming a decent player at this level. He may be small (so is Sam Mitchell), but he has good core strength and he can more than hold his own in a tackle.

[Pates 9,660]

I don't know where to begin on this thread! Firstly i'll say i'm really pleased with Valenti's progress, i watched him a bit at Sandy last year and was glad Melbourne picked him up, i've still got a few question marks about him but today was a great step in the right direction.

Secondly, some of the comments on this thread are a friggen joke. 12 months ago we were hailing him as our saviour and future captain, some of you guys give fickle a new name. With Beamer and McLean out, Jonesy is getting tagged and for such a young player i think he's handling it quite well.

YM: "dumbest football on our list", you'll be eating your words along with some sweet humble pie within 12 months. I know i am RE: Miller

[Rogue 585]

I thought Valenti was one of our better players.

Martin's form was one of the positives to come out of today.

Both still have a long way to go, and I'm not sure how much up-side Valenti has.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Mmm. I'm a bit the same, I do like them both for varying reasons, but I have a feeling that once Moloney, Grimes et al come back into the side next year, we may find this debate carries more oomph...

Without doubt, Jones is a better player with Moloney, McDonald and McLean around him.

I guess I just really like the look of Valenti.