My 3 word player analysis V Wet Toast

[Bobby McKenzie 2,206]

Maric is just so smart, and his ball use is first rate. Not sure why the negative comments.

As for Martin, he is simply phenomenal. To come from his background, having had so little time to adapt to AFL and be thrown into a bottom-team's defence is bloody hard. He has handled it like a champ... cool, calm and collected.

Warnock down back was also terrific by the way.

I too think that young Maric will be a superstar. He has a great football brain and is quick. I also believe Martin is a talent that will shine in 2009. Cale Morton too was excellent today. Can't wait for the new season!

[deanox 8,782]

maric doesnt seem to do anything flashy. but he gets it done, and gets it right almost every time. he gets the ball and makes quick smart decisions and executes them. he doesnt fluff around, or hang onto the ball. and when he disposes of it, we invariably keep possession. as he gets more confidence i think we will see him do some very nice things.

i thought it was one of buckleys better games in that he didnt always try and do it all himself. previous weeks he has tried to take on everyone, today he was prepared to kick it earlier, or give off to a player in a better possie. his disposal seemed improved on previous weeks. i think he was probably originally told 'get out there and back yourself, use your strengths, run around people' etc, now they are probably telling him 'keep doing that, but only if it is the smart option. hopefully he continues to improve.

[beelzebub 22,330]

Deanox..its a bit hard to see it at distance..but the one thing that TBO allowed was some up and close viewing of a player. Maric IS crafty. He has almost a little trademark move of his.. He likes to tap it to his own advantage when he knows he cant get a good clean grab first time out..Its quite subtle at times.. but its dleiberate..and effective. Not sure if others have noted this.

He's defintiely one to watch this guy. Hes clever at using what he has against larger opponnents. Still want to see him closer to goal.. still.. patience...patience !! lol

[Chook 14,614]

The thing about Maric that I don't like is that he looks too much like Clint Bartram. So whenever he does something good, I think Barters has done it. Consequently, I always come away from a game thinking "Gee, Clint Bartram played well today, but I hardly even saw Maric." I think he needs to work on that aspect of his game. Mabe he should dye his hair bright pink like that Australian runner.

[beelzebub 22,330]

Can I recommend OPSM..has done wonders for my enjoyment !!

[Chook 14,614]

Can I recommend OPSM..has done wonders for my enjoyment !!

Yeah maybe.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

The thing about Maric that I don't like is that he looks too much like Clint Bartram...

It was worse when TJ was number 16, Bartram 19 and they both had almost the same hair "styles".

[Chook 14,614]

It was worse when TJ was number 16, Bartram 19 and they both had almost the same hair "styles".

That's true, but for some reason I never had any problem with that. Travis' laconic running style is just so distinctive that I could pick him out from a team full of lookalikes a mile away.

On Trav, does anyone else find themselves watching Lions games just a little more closely than they used to? Or is it just me? I'm embarrassed to admit they may now be my second team. A distant second, of course.

[Rogue 585]

Certainly a quiet day from Bate but I thought he did a bit as the game went on.

Martin's going to be a player.

I though Green was good but 'years best game'?

I agree - not sure this was his best.

Newton - Good I thought. Was a real forward.

Must say, i was pretty happy with Newton's defensive pressure today as well.

I agree - I thought it was easily his best game this year.

This is totally off-topic, but is a goal from outside 50 counted as an inside-50? Does anyone even know what I mean.

I don't know, but I doubt it.

[Eastie Boyz 0]

Default, the 2 greatest words in the human language!

[45HG 1,539]

...

How've you found Wheels' last few weeks 'Bub?

It was worse when TJ was number 16, Bartram 19 and they both had almost the same hair "styles".

Haha I had the issue with those two as well as Dunn when he had the scraggy hair

[LeBron James 41]

It was worse when TJ was number 16, Bartram 19 and they both had almost the same hair "styles".

When was Bartram 19?

[beelzebub 22,330]

How've you found Wheels' last few weeks 'Bub?

Better !! yesterday hardly counts though surely..you need forward pressure to measure a back !! and probably he's tarred with the team brush re Geelong. He probably got to see much more of it at his end after all

Lets see how he gets through the next preseason and fronts the NAB.

I am most happy to eat words...but see nothing but specks on a plate to date !!

[Rogue 585]

as well as Dunn when he had the scraggy hair

They were Shaggy and Mini-Shaggy for a short while there.

[Chook 14,614]

It's interesting that Newton has kicked 2 goals a few times this year but been lambasted. He did the same yesterday but has been widely praised, and that's on the back of just a few more marks and tackles. It just goes to show how much more guys in the forward line have to do these days in order to be seen to have played a satisfactory game.

[45HG 1,539]

From memory, we had the Whelan debate before the Brisbane match.

A match against a team looking at the better end of the ladder, where he had 32 touches at 91%

Since then he's had at least 14 touches in every game, including 31 against the Cats when he was the only player to stand up, and is averaging 4 touches more per game than any previous year (and i don't recall him being beaten)

I'd say that's a pretty good start in showing why he is necessary in our backline

[Rogue 585]

It's interesting that Newton has kicked 2 goals a few times this year but been lambasted. He did the same yesterday but has been widely praised, and that's on the back of just a few more marks and tackles. It just goes to show how much more guys in the forward line have to do these days in order to be seen to have played a satisfactory game.

Stats don't ever tell the full story, let alone much of it.

Newton's effort was good yesterday.

[45HG 1,539]

If we were going off goals, 2 goals for a forward isn't a great return to be judged on.

You're incredibly naive if you think he was "lambusted" for kicking two goals in previous weeks. His biggest problem, as I see it, is his intent and attitude.

He has needed to work on his attack on the footy, his run and his defensive pressure, which were all on display yesterday but were not evident during the North Melbourne game.

He kicked two goals against the Hawks in Round One, did you think he played a good game?

[beelzebub 22,330]

.......

I'd say that's a pretty good start in showing why he is necessary in our backline

What were doing at present is all but irrelevant really.Its going to be the makeup of the team next year..and more importantly the year after. So do we put match time into someone who wont be there then..or continue to develop somone else. Do you see Wheels being in the 22 in 2-3 years time ?

[Chook 14,614]

Stats don't ever tell the full story, let alone much of it.

Newton's effort was good yesterday.

Don't get me wrong, I agree and was very happy with him. I'm just pointing out that it takes very little to turn a poor game into a good one. Especially for a young forward.

[45HG 1,539]

I see us putting time into a quality small defender who not only helps other younger players around him out but also helps the team.

Personally, I think an injury-free Whelan is worth playing over a young player because I think he could play for another 2-3 years easily. I could see him fulfilling his role at 31 if his body can take it.

Problem with Wheels is that being injury-free is almost an alien concept. If, in a year's time by round 12-13 he's missed 4-5 games, then I'd be opting for a younger player. But i think he can fulfill the role needed for the team better than any other player on our list at the moment.

But yes, personally I think it's worth playing him

[45HG 1,539]

Don't get me wrong, I agree and was very happy with him. I'm just pointing out that it takes very little to turn a poor game into a good one. Especially for a young forward.

I wouldn't call accountability, hard running, good attack on the footy, good team play and much improved defensive play "very little." They're each necessary attributes in playing AFL footy, especially the way i hope Bailey will be getting the team to play, and i think he should be commended (to a degree) for getting them into his game.

He needs to do it consistently now

[Chook 14,614]

I wouldn't call accountability, hard running, good attack on the footy, good team play and much improved defensive play "very little." They're each necessary attributes in playing AFL footy, especially the way i hope Bailey will be getting the team to play, and i think he should be commended (to a degree) for getting them into his game.

He needs to do it consistently now

Again, I agree. I'm just saying that there was a time when all of that didn't matter. All that used to matter was the number of goals kicked. Not any more, and that's a good thing.

Carn the Juice!

[Guest unstable punt]

You were harsh on Martin and Maric. Both are young, lets not expect to much of them. Having said this, I still think both were great today.

Bate was OK. Constantly presented.

this is the trouble with these 3 word stuff, gets it so wrong on many aspects, Bate was pretty good IMO, as what is said with Martin and Maric, played 10 games between them, give me break :angry:

[beelzebub 22,330]

Problem with Wheels is that being injury-free is almost an alien concept.

Aye..theres the rub !!..For me this is the crux of the matter..and my hesitation to want him going forward.

But yes, personally I think it's worth playing him

Fair enough..we differ