about 31 seconds into that video.

Well that proves me right about it bouncing almost on the goal line - but was it from more than 50m out? I can't tell.

Either way, when I said he can't kick more than 35-40m, what I was really thinking was that he can't be relied upon to kick goals from more than 35-40m. I realise that this is a bit of a different thing but I'll stand by it.

If you put a man on the mark and a man on the goal line (who isn't always going to be monstered out of the contest) then the youtube kick was 10m short.

He is definitely a short kick. Would you back him to kick from a mark on the 50m line?

Yeah, will watch this in a second, but I remember being pleasantly surprised with the distance aussie can sometimes get on his kick.

He looks like he shouldn't be able to kick the distance, but he can obviously do it when needed.

Did you change your mind?

Did you change your mind?

I thought it was a pointless post that didn't need to be there since the youtube video showed it all.

Wasted words.

Now we get more.

I thought it was a pointless post that didn't need to be there since the youtube video showed it all.

Wasted words.

Now we get more.

I see. Thanks for those.

If by "bunch of goals" you mean 24 goals over 18 games (1.3 / game) then I guess so.

24 goals in your first season is a sensational effort. simply sensational. can you name many forwards currently who have done that ? Would be a small handful I would suggest.

No, this bloke is a natural footballer, looks to have a superb attitude given the condition he has come back in both last year and this year. With injuries behind him, he will be something to look forward to this year.

He isn't slow, just not fast by aboriginal standards.

If by "bunch of goals" you mean 24 goals over 18 games (1.3 / game) then I guess so.

I'll take that in an instant. IIRC Miller won the goal kicking with 26 so 1 and a bit a game from a small pocket sounds good to me.

Was influential in those 2 classic wins over Freo and Brisbane in 2008. Who remembers that classic run down the wing in the last 10 seconds of the Brisbane game to seal the win? Also kicked 3 goals on 3 different occasions. But I remember him running out of gas over the last 7 or 8 rounds, and people on demonland were starting to rip into him a bit.

Can't wait to see him back in 2010!

Any substance to the idea that they didn't bother rushing Aussie back in the last 6 weeks to ensure we"list managed" ??

He isn't slow, just not fast by aboriginal standards.

He is not quick by AFL standards and he will need to every inch of pace to survive in an FP role.

I hope Wonna can live up to the hype that surrounds him.

He flew under the radar last year when opposition did not respect a weak MFC outfit and were opposition defenders were prepared to zone and run of their MFC forwards.

Wonna was credible as the opportunist but he will need to lift to cope with greater attention. He will also need to develop the engine to be able to run in the midfield from time to time. He may struggle being accountable for quicker defenders.

If by "bunch of goals" you mean 24 goals over 18 games (1.3 / game) then I guess so.

He was ok but pretty overhyped in my opinion. People got carried away by the enthusiasm and the story.

He had a very good game against Freo which was a very memorable game itself.

Can't kick more than 35-40m either which is a shame, but has been very accurate over shorter distances. Contrary to what you will sometimes hear, he is a slowish player (not all aboriginal footballers are "flashy" with "blinding pace").

He seems to have a knack for getting in the right spot which is a fantastic attribute for a small forward. It might also help to explain his impressive tackling rate.

I'm still holding out hope for Maric personally (although admittedly, Austin has looked more comfotable in the red and blue so far).

Hazy, 24 goals from 18 games in a shocking side with a terrible forwardline as a rookie forward pocket is a 'bunch' - in fact it is a 'healthy bunch'. Not a 'heap'...but then small fowards very rarely get that size of picking anyway.

Otherwise, you're agreeing with me. That's good.

Why does it say #33 when he wears 39?

Why does it say #33 when he wears 39?

Upgrading to the Wizard

Hazy, 24 goals from 18 games in a shocking side with a terrible forwardline as a rookie forward pocket is a 'bunch' - in fact it is a 'healthy bunch'. Not a 'heap'...but then small fowards very rarely get that size of picking anyway.

Otherwise, you're agreeing with me. That's good.

Hey, I lke the kid, I just think he's overhyped and he has a few flaws that tend to get overlooked (slowish, short kick).

Obviously we just have different ideas about the semantics of "bunch", "heap" etc.

Of course, I hope he goes on to justify the high expectations that many on here have of him.

As Melbourne supporters we must never overlook the flaws of our younger players, especially if those players are overhyped.

In fact, we should overhype the flaws of said player and convince ourselves that he cannot play, so as to allay ourselves of any future disappointment garnered from hopes that are not met.

Remember, no-one is as happy to see hopes fade as the person who predicted the fading.

As Melbourne supporters we must never overlook the flaws of our younger players, especially if those players are overhyped.

In fact, we should overhype the flaws of said player and convince ourselves that he cannot play, so as to allay ourselves of any future disappointment garnered from hopes that are not met.

Remember, no-one is as happy to see hopes fade as the person who predicted the fading.

I calls it like I sees it.

If we had a better team in 2008, Austin would not have been as big a story and I dare say people would not rate him as highly. He was a highlight in an otherwise bleak season.

If you are insinuating that I want to see Austin fail simply becasue I have a lower (more realistic?) opinion of his abilities and potential than many on here, then that is pathetic.

It's a pity that you couldn't just stick to the topic - Austin Wonaeamirri.

Hazy, I don't think that 'we' have an overhyped view of Aussie. I've not read that he is better than jeff Farmer or a ready made replacement for Robbo or clearly superior to Leon Davis/Amob Buchannon/ Milne (no means no, twit)/Schneider (i'm not really a ferret, but my face is just a little pinched)...

He was exciting in his first year and was a glimmer of joy is a shocking season. I saw the frist 15 mins of his preseason against Hawthorn and he looked sharp and presented well...then he did his hammy.

He looks unlikely but plays with a sense of place and timing...with no preseason and as a rookie. That gives me a lot of hope that, as one of those players ranked 16-22 in your team of the day, he could be a very 'likely', the 'lil turtle.

That and the Freo win remains my favourite footy memory from the last three years.

Hmmm. Maybe 35-40 is a little harsh - I don't ever remember him kicking it more than 50 though. Are you sure?

edit: I think I might remember that goal now - it almost bounced on the goal line, was it more than 50m out? It was definitely extreme range for him and the longest kick I can recall him making.

Bounced on goal line, kicked from right on 50m fwiw. It was his limit IMO.

Not everyone needs a booming Wheaters of a kick. Be more than happy if he kicks 25-30 (or more ) from within 30-40

Hazy, I don't think that 'we' have an overhyped view of Aussie. I've not read that he is better than jeff Farmer or a ready made replacement for Robbo or clearly superior to Leon Davis/Amob Buchannon/ Milne (no means no, twit)/Schneider (i'm not really a ferret, but my face is just a little pinched)...

He was exciting in his first year and was a glimmer of joy is a shocking season. I saw the frist 15 mins of his preseason against Hawthorn and he looked sharp and presented well...then he did his hammy.

He looks unlikely but plays with a sense of place and timing...with no preseason and as a rookie. That gives me a lot of hope that, as one of those players ranked 16-22 in your team of the day, he could be a very 'likely', the 'lil turtle.

That and the Freo win remains my favourite footy memory from the last three years.

"you're agreeing with me. That's good."

He isn't slow, just not fast by aboriginal standards.

He wasn't fast by small forward standards either...

I was hoping this facet of his game would improve in 2008 when he lobbed up at pre-season training pretty fit.

Another excitement machine - hope he can get back to his top exciting form - will complement Liam perfectly.

Just watched the 2008 Fremantle vs Melbourne, great come back.

I'd forgotten about how damaging Aussie is.

Can't wait to see him roving to Jurrah, in the Foward 50.