2009 Player Review - # 42 Jake Spencer

[Demonland 65,575]

Jake Spencer – Jake is a physical ruckman who played six games this year. He is only 20 years old. He had some injuries in the middle part of the season but he was able to work his way out of a flat period during the year, which showed a fair bit of character. He jumps hard at the opposition ruckman and is a real competitor. He's got some areas he needs to work on, like his kicking and ball-handling, but he learned a lot this year against some good opposition players. He is a determined kid who will be pushing hard for the No.1 ruck spot next year – Sean Wellman on Melbournefc.com.au

[Whispering_Jack 28,006]

He is a determined kid who will be pushing hard for the No.1 ruck spot next year.

It won't be an easy task coming from the background of a third year rookie but it takes time for young ruckmen to develop. As is the case with most things about Melbourne, we're going to have to be patient.

[beelzebub 22,225]

It won't be an easy task coming from the background of a third year rookie but it takes time for young ruckmen to develop. As is the case with most things about Melbourne, we're going to have to be patient.

He seems to be heading in the right direction. Appears to be getting a bit more mass about him. Its a much slower path for Rucks..but slow and steady gets there. Keep at it Jake.

[Clanger King 9]

I struggle to find the upside in this kid. I was at the Nth Melbourne game and Todd Goldtein is no game breaker but yet he kicked 5 on him and i mean on him. He wasn't resting in the forward line Jake just didnt follow him down and got caught puffing away in the center square.

He doesnt seem to have the awareness. Still doesnt have the basics in kicking/handballing & the way the ruckmen are heading towards being athletic and having speed he doesnt have either. He has aggression and thats about it. People have to remember he was taken as a rookie and wasn't seem to be in the top 100 players in his year. Just beacuse he is tall doesnt mean he will come on i hate ppl saying hes raw though. Means he doesn't have the basics

I would rather keep going with Messon he was highly touted at the time and has ability in putting hand to foot. Very good around the ground and he is still only 22-23. At least he was regarded as a top 10 player in his age.

Edited October 21, 2009 by Clanger King

[beelzebub 22,225]

Depending probably on Meesen taking to the field Jakes opportunities may be of the 8-12 game nature this comong season. I expect the club will ajudicate upon his development and decide whether perseverence is warranted. But keep in mind he is still very young by rucking measures.

With Russian holding #1.. Meesen backing up ( hopefully ) then theres still plenty of time to bring this kid on. If were looking at this again this time next year and no improvement then some serious questions need to be asked... not quite yet

[H_T 2,941]

Would love this kid to step up to the plate. Keep improving Jake.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

I struggle to find the upside in this kid. I was at the Nth Melbourne game and Todd Goldtein is no game breaker but yet he kicked 5 on him and i mean on him. He wasn't resting in the forward line Jake just didnt follow him down and got caught puffing away in the center square.

He doesnt seem to have the awareness. Still doesnt have the basics in kicking/handballing & the way the ruckmen are heading towards being athletic and having speed he doesnt have either. He has aggression and thats about it. People have to remember he was taken as a rookie and wasn't seem to be in the top 100 players in his year. Just beacuse he is tall doesnt mean he will come on i hate ppl saying hes raw though. Means he doesn't have the basics

I would rather keep going with Messon he was highly touted at the time and has ability in putting hand to foot. Very good around the ground and he is still only 22-23. At least he was regarded as a top 10 player in his age.

They made a similar assessments about Cox when he was a rookie. The kid is 19 and was brought on earlier than anticipated. The fact is he is a raw ruckman and his skills will need tro be honed. I cant find the need for negativity as its a long term investment and I struggle to think what other optinos MFC has in the ruck. Jamar is injured and mediocre. PJ just isn't a ruckman. The only thing going for Meesen was that he was highly touted as a junior good grief. He has had six years in the system, a long list of injuries and the only thing he has really shown is that he was once a top 10 pick. The only upside in his four games is that he was not as bad as he had shown at Casey. And at Casey he was really bad at times. And at AFL level, he is not that good. Unless Meesen gets over his ankle injury soon, the lack of pre season will cruel any opportunity he will have to save his career.

[Axis of Bob 10,251]

I see a lot to be positive about with Spencer. Remember that he's still a baby, certainly in ruck terms. He's skinny, but he's super competitive and surprisingliy fast for a big man. He certainly has a lot to learn about the game, especially in relation to his running patterns, but he's the sort of robust dinosaur ruckman that will get the most out of himself. That's the type of ruckman that has been able to win premierships - the type that is really competitive in the ruck and supports his midfielders with blocking, tackling and creating space, not winning possessions.

With Meesen, he was very disappointing last year. But I saw the few games he played at Casey before he was promoted and he was genuinely good. I thought that it must have been his birthday, but then he backed it up and played really well the following week too. He's got the running ability to do damage around the ground, but he lacked the competitiveness that Spencer has. Hopefully it was like a switch being turned on about what he needed to do to play AFL and he goes on to become a very good ruckman.

I will watch both of them with interest next year.

[beelzebub 22,225]

he doesnt look quite so skinny anymore !!

[Clanger King 9]

Wow your bring Cox into the topic... If you think Spencer is going to be a 100th of what Cox has become your kidding yourself. Hes aggressive THATS IT. Can't mark, kick, handball and Todd Goldstien blew his motor up by kicking 5goals on him.

Can you see him Taking a marks like Clark does, Tackling someone like Brad Ottens does, Running around like Cox does, Jumping around like Ryder does, Kicking goals like Kruzer does & Dominating like Sandilands and Jolly does.

The game has gone past ruckman that are just plotters. If he was athletic i would say he has upside but he doesn't. You can't teach players to glide over the field or jump around like a gazelle.

I just can't believe people want him to do well when he has no ability yet people try and find fawles in Jamar and Messon when they actually have SOME attributes. Jamar and Messon aren't world beaters AT ALL but they show they "could" earn some respect on the field. If they get there @#$% together. Its about getting the best out of your player and their best is better then Spencers IMO

Just ask yourself this would he be on any other AFL list?

Edited October 22, 2009 by Clanger King

[jacey 333]

Wow your bring Cox into the topic... Hes aggressive THATS IT. Can't mark, kick, handball

Cox was an unco when he was a rookie. Weagles fans laughed at him as he would literally trip over his own shoelaces. Cousins even said back then he often wondered what the hell is this bloke doing on our list.

Hamish Mcintosh blew his engine doing warm ups when he was recruited.

Sandilands as a rookie looked even more awkward then a baby giraffe.

Apparently these three boys were lost causes as well. Just ask yourself which afl clubs would take these duds?

Edited October 22, 2009 by jacey

[beelzebub 22,225]

Yes...we find flaws in Jamar and Meesen,( though its harder with him as rarely sighted..) . They are further along the road and more is expected of them. Spencer is a kid..still... but is working on his game. With maturity will come better results. he can be afforded a year or two even before writing him off.

Its a valid call on discussing Cox..he was all at sea in early days too... kind of came good though didnt he ..

[Clanger King 9]

Cox was an unco when he was a rookie. Weagles fans laughed at him as he would literally trip over his own shoelaces. Cousins even said back then he often wondered what the hell is this bloke doing on our list.

Hamish Mcintosh blew his engine doing warm ups when he was recruited.

Sandilands as a rookie looked even more awkward then a baby giraffe.

Apparently these three boys were lost causes as well. Just ask yourself which afl clubs would take these duds?

Cox can kick on both sides of his body would love to see Spencer TRY and do that would be laughable.

Hamish McIntosh came 2nd in the TAC Goal Kicking in hes year. I've played against him and barely played in the ruck. More MB 2nd ruckman at the time

Sandilands is 300cm Tall.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Cox can kick on both sides of his body would love to see Spencer TRY and do that would be laughable.

Hamish McIntosh came 2nd in the TAC Goal Kicking in hes year. I've played against him and barely played in the ruck. More MB 2nd ruckman at the time

Sandilands is 300cm Tall.

Sandilands has obviously grown in the Spring.

If the game has indeed gone past plodders can you please inform Jolly, Sandilands, Jamar and Hille? Thanks

[Clanger King 9]

LOL okay you hang your hat on Spencer... If you think hes the answer to our Ruck Department then gee nothing else needs to be said. All the players you have mentioned can kick goals... Spencer CANNOT KICK

Scully and Trengove will be licking there lips with Spencer patrolling the center circle....

[H_T 2,941]

LOL okay you hang your hat on Spencer... If you think hes the answer to our Ruck Department then gee nothing else needs to be said. All the players you have mentioned can kick goals... Spencer CANNOT KICK

Scully and Trengove will be licking there lips with Spencer patrolling the center circle....

You would be naive to dismiss Spencer at such a young age.

[Clanger King 9]

Its not about his age. I just think in 3-7years time or when ever he is at his best i dont see him doing anything special just a Mark Blake Clone (Yes a premiership player but no one wanted him on the drafting forums). It just baffles me that people want him to be on the list for another few years just cause hes young. Would rather take a chance with Majak Daw. At least he has the basics down.

Maybe we have just been blessed with Jeff White and Jim Stynes over the years and i hate our club accepting mediocrity..

[Rogue 585]

There's no reason not to keep Spencer on for another year, given the size of the rookie lists. However, much of the positivity about Spencer is really just about hope.

I think that's fine - a season or two back I posted a list of all the AFL rucks and their draft origins, and they're certainly not all high picks.

However, it is reasonable to conceder that apart from being tall and having a bit of aggression about him, he's not showing much at the moment.

If the game has indeed gone past plodders can you please inform Jolly, Sandilands, Jamar and Hille? Thanks

Hudson's hardly a mobile ruck either.

[Guest delicious jurrah coffee]

I struggle to find the upside in this kid. I was at the Nth Melbourne game and Todd Goldtein is no game breaker but yet he kicked 5 on him and i mean on him. He wasn't resting in the forward line Jake just didnt follow him down and got caught puffing away in the center square.

He doesnt seem to have the awareness. Still doesnt have the basics in kicking/handballing & the way the ruckmen are heading towards being athletic and having speed he doesnt have either. He has aggression and thats about it. People have to remember he was taken as a rookie and wasn't seem to be in the top 100 players in his year. Just beacuse he is tall doesnt mean he will come on i hate ppl saying hes raw though. Means he doesn't have the basics

I would rather keep going with Messon he was highly touted at the time and has ability in putting hand to foot. Very good around the ground and he is still only 22-23. At least he was regarded as a top 10 player in his age.

there a difference between meeson and spencer, spencer plays footy and meeson doesnt, meesons contract is worse than newtons, at least if newton kicks a bag of goals, he mite play AFL the following week,meeson is never on the ground, and the reason the crows gave away a first round draft pick.

[rpfc 27,526]

Has to be the No1 ruckman, and be dominant.

Not enough strings on his bow to be anything else.

Good luck to him.

Low risk, high reward.

[Axis of Bob 10,251]

A lot of the criticism for Spencer from people on this thread has been about his poor kicking and general lack of coordination. Everyone just assumes that because, at 20, he is ungainly that he will remain the same for the rest of his career.

Firstly, I couldn't give a toss whether or not a ruckman is a great kick. A ruckman isn't in the team to kick the footy, he's there to provide dominance in the stoppages through his ruckwork and ALSO through his follow up work to create space of his midfielders. I want a ruckman to want to get his hands dirty in stoppages rather than skirt wide and pick up cheap kicks around the ground. My personal belief is that a ruckman actually slows the ball down around the ground. Spencer shows enormous promise in the primary role of a ruckman, and that is the most important thing. Darren Jolly and Aaron Sandilands certainly showed no more promise around the ground at the same age as Spencer does.

Secondly, he is an ungainly ruckman with the attributes you expect at his age who is still growing into his body. Why do you think Cox was such an unco at Spencer's age, yet somehow became a skilled running ruckman? It certainly wasn't because he just decided that he would, but instead it was because he simple grew into his body. As ruckmen put on more and more weight they are better able to control their limbs and their coordination and ball skills improve. Spencer willimprove in this area, just as someone like Justin Madden did. There is a reason why so many of the best ruckmen are picked up in the rookie draft, especially monster ruckmen like Spencer, Jolly, Sandilands etc. The ones that get the coordination early end up being early picks.

To have Spencer being competitive in the ruck contests at AFL level in his second season is remarkable.

[1858 219]

There's no reason not to keep Spencer on for another year, given the size of the rookie lists. However, much of the positivity about Spencer is really just about hope.

That's how I see it.

The club identified Spencer as a project player so he should be treated as such. Whether the positivity about him is hope or whether some see great potential, I think it can vary but there is also the reality that he may be "needed" more than anything next year.

We have nothing to lose by re-rookieing him atm and I think there is still great purpose in continuing his development for at least another year (ie too early to say if we are merely going through the motions).

[Deeman 1,403]

I struggle to find the upside in this kid. I was at the Nth Melbourne game and Todd Goldtein is no game breaker but yet he kicked 5 on him and i mean on him. He wasn't resting in the forward line Jake just didnt follow him down and got caught puffing away in the center square.

He doesnt seem to have the awareness. Still doesnt have the basics in kicking/handballing & the way the ruckmen are heading towards being athletic and having speed he doesnt have either. He has aggression and thats about it. People have to remember he was taken as a rookie and wasn't seem to be in the top 100 players in his year. Just beacuse he is tall doesnt mean he will come on i hate ppl saying hes raw though. Means he doesn't have the basics

I would rather keep going with Messon he was highly touted at the time and has ability in putting hand to foot. Very good around the ground and he is still only 22-23. At least he was regarded as a top 10 player in his age.

Goldstein kicked 5 that day but not against Jake. Goldstein kicked the goals against undersized defenders. One of DB's less successful experiments.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

A lot of the criticism for Spencer from people on this thread has been about his poor kicking and general lack of coordination. Everyone just assumes that because, at 20, he is ungainly that he will remain the same for the rest of his career.

Firstly, I couldn't give a toss whether or not a ruckman is a great kick. A ruckman isn't in the team to kick the footy, he's there to provide dominance in the stoppages through his ruckwork and ALSO through his follow up work to create space of his midfielders. I want a ruckman to want to get his hands dirty in stoppages rather than skirt wide and pick up cheap kicks around the ground. My personal belief is that a ruckman actually slows the ball down around the ground. Spencer shows enormous promise in the primary role of a ruckman, and that is the most important thing. Darren Jolly and Aaron Sandilands certainly showed no more promise around the ground at the same age as Spencer does.

Secondly, he is an ungainly ruckman with the attributes you expect at his age who is still growing into his body. Why do you think Cox was such an unco at Spencer's age, yet somehow became a skilled running ruckman? It certainly wasn't because he just decided that he would, but instead it was because he simple grew into his body. As ruckmen put on more and more weight they are better able to control their limbs and their coordination and ball skills improve. Spencer willimprove in this area, just as someone like Justin Madden did. There is a reason why so many of the best ruckmen are picked up in the rookie draft, especially monster ruckmen like Spencer, Jolly, Sandilands etc. The ones that get the coordination early end up being early picks.

To have Spencer being competitive in the ruck contests at AFL level in his second season is remarkable.

Very good post and I agree 100%. I'm not sure why people are so down on a rookie ruckman who is still well short of his proper playing weight but who isn't scared to mix it with the big boys. The Russkie has only just figured out how much strength he has, PJ probably will never get it and I haven't seen enough of Meeson to comment so a boy that isn't scared to throw his weight around is more than worth keeping on the list for a couple more years to see what he will become. This grunt will be even more useful as the kids we are/will field over the next 24-36 months will need big bodied players to provide muscle in the contests.

[Deeoldfart 7,778]

There's no reason not to keep Spencer on for another year, given the size of the rookie lists. However, much of the positivity about Spencer is really just about hope. ........................

That's a very good point Rogue.

A number of posters have mentioned Jake's competitiveness as his main attribute. I have also heard that he has an outstanding attitude and willingness to learn. If this is the case, there is a fair chance that our hopes will be realised.