Shane Valenti

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

I have recently been thinking of the guy and I can't help but seeing him play a really important role for us this year. Easily in our best 22 in my opinion.

All he needs is more game time.

For me, he reminds me so much of Ladson and Osborne for Hawthorn. I never ever doubt their commitment to a contest. They always go so hard at it and play every MOMENT of a game as though it's their last. They have a real sense of urgency when they play and I can see that with Valenti when his plays. He never leaves anything in the tank and unfortunately there are not a great number of players on our list that do this.

I feel like he has always had to work so hard to make AFL and it shows when he plays.

Really hope he steps up in 09 and is one of many players that take our club back to the glory days.

Go Dee's.

[JACKATTACK 17]

Serviceable at best, probably in our best 22, but only just. Probably won't win a premiership with players of this quality in your best 22.

[45HG 1,539]

Every time I make a best 22, he misses out.

They're also yet to include our new recruits. So whilst I like Valenti and hope he can build on his beginnings I can't claim him as First 22.

[funky41 0]

He's lucky to be in our best 44.

Too small. Crap disposal.

He's a good VFL player at best.

He's not going to impact enough to make us a better side. So I don't know why we persist with him.

I know this is a bit harsh, but Melbourne have too many players who we are carrying and are not up to the standard of any of the top 4 teams. So get rid of them I reckon.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

2nd year player and too hard to make a call either way. What he does deserve though is every opportunity to prove himself. He has been a consistent performer in the 2s and his commitment can't be questioned.

I do believe that given opportunity he can be a consistent clearance and possession winner, problem is that he can really only be played in the guts. The question is whether his deficiencies and lack of flexibility are outweighed by his effectiveness. He needs to be an extremely efficient player to counter his deficiencies.

I like him and I hope he makes it, time will tell.

[titan_uranus 22,565]

Not yet in the best 22. Probably an emergency at best at the moment. Needs to work on his disposal.

[mo64 5,209]

Not yet in the best 22. Probably an emergency at best at the moment. Needs to work on his disposal.

I disagree. His decision making and ability to hit targets is amongst the best at the club. Also, clearances were our biggest weakness last season, and he is one player that is capable of winning clearances. He's not one of Bailey's love-children because run and carry isn't his natural game, so he probably won't get the opportunities he deserves.

[the_russian 17]

I think his endeavour is fantastic, he doesnt give up and his skills were definately passable (especially in comparison to some other players who played a similar game - i.e. Jones).

My only concern is he is a little one dimensional because he is erm..little...With rotations they way they are now he can probably get away with it, like Sam Mitchell, but I think he has to be a more prolific ball winner before he can cement his spot.

[montasaurus 0]

in my best 22 for last year considering injuries etc.

Lucky to bin in best 30 if no injuries and 1st year players live up to expectations.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

In my best 22.

[Weedster 174]

2nd year player and too hard to make a call either way. What he does deserve though is every opportunity to prove himself. He has been a consistent performer in the 2s and his commitment can't be questioned.

I do believe that given opportunity he can be a consistent clearance and possession winner, problem is that he can really only be played in the guts. The question is whether his deficiencies and lack of flexibility are outweighed by his effectiveness. He needs to be an extremely efficient player to counter his deficiencies.

I like him and I hope he makes it, time will tell.

The quality that Valenti brings to the table is that he has a crack..always busting a gut..same can't be said for some of his more gifted team-mates. :angry:

[e25 5]

Barely in my best 40.

[funky41 0]

You guys keep mentioning that he busts his guts and trying hard.

I dont care.

Trying hard doesn't win premierships. This is the mentality we need to change for our football club.

I dont just mean this against Valenti as I am happy to give him a chance. But can anyone seriously see him helping us win a flag???

[mo64 5,209]

But can anyone seriously see him helping us win a flag???

That is just a stupid question. Ok Nostradamus, did you envisage Sewell, Ladson and Osborne helping Hawthorn win a flag when they were fringe players 3 years ago?

[montasaurus 0]

That is just a stupid question. Ok Nostradamus, did you envisage Sewell, Ladson and Osborne helping Hawthorn win a flag when they were fringe players 3 years ago?

Fair call, but in terms of this position that he plays I'm sure everybody would agree he is well behind Brock, Maloney, Jones, Jnr and Buckley. therefore unlikely to get a chance unless many long term injuries like last year.

Some of his games last year were real highlights, but moving forward i think thats about all he will amount to. Good chance for B+F at the scorp's

[jabberwocky 2,301]

You guys keep mentioning that he busts his guts and trying hard.

I dont care.

Trying hard doesn't win premierships. This is the mentality we need to change for our football club.

I dont just mean this against Valenti as I am happy to give him a chance. But can anyone seriously see him helping us win a flag???

Interesting post.

You dont care about people busting thier guts and trying hard?

Um, trying hard doesn't win premierships?? We need to change the mentality of trying hard?

Yes, I can see him helping us win a flag, should he manage to make the next step.

Personally I want to see evertone busting thier guts for the club, from the boardroom to the coaching staff, to the players, to the medical staff to the members and supporters etc etc and this is exactly the mentality we ned at the football club. If each part of the club functioned at its best, we would again have a succesful football club.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Valenti > Jones.

[Guest JACKtheRIPPER]

He's lucky to be in our best 44.

Too small. Crap disposal.

He's a good VFL player at best.

He's not going to impact enough to make us a better side. So I don't know why we persist with him.

I know this is a bit harsh, but Melbourne have too many players who we are carrying and are not up to the standard of any of the top 4 teams. So get rid of them I reckon.

agreed.

[joeboy 2,809]

Valenti > Jones.

Good call .

From my observations at training Valenti has certainly fined down and looks and moves remarkably like Jones , but with hair .

I remarked last week that he and Sylvia vied for most impressive movers at training ( in that session )

[Little Goffy 12,707]

Valenti could be the next James McDonald. Or could be the equivalent of that at VFL level.

Having a guy with his attitude around is certainly doing no harm, and if he improves just a little then he deserves a spot on an AFL list.

Remember at the moment he's on the rookie list, which makes him ridiculously good value for both the money and the 'space'.

And again, I'm gonna pull people up on the 'not win premierships with this guy in our team'. It's my personal pet hate, that line.

Quite a few orindary players have got premiership medallions because they filled a need at a basic level in a team with numerous other strengths.

Let's start with Steven Armstrong and figure it out from there -

Delsited by Demons.

Rookie listed and then played by Eagles to fill an entirely vacant small forward role.

Wins premiership, makes a good contribution over that season.

Delisted at the end of the next season.

Next.

[deanox 8,692]

is valenti not still on the rookie list?

[Redleg 37,891]

Easily in our best 22 in my opinion.

Disagree. If he is we are going nowhere.

[montasaurus 0]

Disagree. If he is we are going nowhere.

Totally agree and if the club saw him in even our best 30 he would have been elivated in an instant at the end of last season. Its still great to have a guy with this work ethic around though, it can become infectous.

[Rogue 585]

In a word - no.

[robbo24 66]

He is in my best 22. What do you guys want from a midfielder?

In my opinion, the following is what i want from a midfielder, and also how i rate Valenti in the categories against the rest of our mids.

Clearances - Great (Probably 2nd best behind Mclean

Tackles - Great (2nd behind McDonald)

Skill - Good (If he had a bigger kick then it would be great) (well... any1 in our midfield got great skills? He's better than Jones, McDonald, Moloney at least)

Decision Making - Good (Maybe a little too unselfish, but if he cements his spot then he may back himself more)

Pace - Average (Not quick at all due to his stocky stature)

ABILITY TO STAND UP IN A TACKLE - (FANTASTIC AT THIS. IS SO STRONG AROUND THE HIPS 'ala Judd' AND THIS HELPS HIS CLEARANCES.

Give him an opportunity and he will be our very own Sam Mitchell.