Benny and the Jet

[pringle 42]

I rate Bennell far higher that Jetta. Neville is a hard worker, a neat kick and I like his natural aggression. Unfortunately I just don't think that he has enough tricks for AFL level. I haven't seen him win a lot of contested possession which is important for him as he'll need to play midfield because his pace is not flash. He's too small for the type of player he needs to become. He could well be a very good depth player that won't let you down, but probably never dominant enough to command automatic first 18 selection.

Peter Bell

Diesel Williams

Tony Shaw

Tony Liberatore

Don't give up hope just yet for the short, slow midfielder. Though footy is evolving towards taller, more athletic players, there is also a trend back towards natural footballers.

But specifically on Neville Jetta, not saying he will make it, just not keen on hearing him written off based on lack of pace for his size. He is not that slow, just not super-quick like a stereotypical small indigenous footballer. Don't expect him to be this stereotype. He seems to be one of a relatively rare type of indigenous footballer to make it to the top grade that makes up for what he lacks in pace with toughness and awareness whilst still maintaining some of the freakish indigenous skills. I don't know how we can conclude he doesn't have enough tricks at age 18/19 after 1 season at AFL level. I heard an interview at the end of the 2009 season during which a recruiter recounted how he saw the freakish abilities of a young Neville Jetta whilst preparing for the previous year's draft (he was not talking about the Jetta drafted this year and he also mentioned Cyril Rioli as having similar freakish footballing abilities - was not comparing their pace obviously). I actually rate him as a prospect from what I saw in the 2nd half of 1009, but for sure he has a lot of developing to do.

[pringle 42]

I rate Bennell far higher that Jetta. Neville is a hard worker, a neat kick and I like his natural aggression. Unfortunately I just don't think that he has enough tricks for AFL level. I haven't seen him win a lot of contested possession which is important for him as he'll need to play midfield because his pace is not flash. He's too small for the type of player he needs to become. He could well be a very good depth player that won't let you down, but probably never dominant enough to command automatic first 18 selection.

Peter Bell

Diesel Williams

Tony Shaw

Tony Liberatore

Don't give up hope just yet for the short, slow midfielder. Though footy is evolving towards taller, more athletic players, there is also a trend back towards natural footballers.

But specifically on Neville Jetta, not saying he will make it, just not keen on hearing him written off based on lack of pace for his size. He is not that slow, just not super-quick like a stereotypical small indigenous footballer. Don't expect him to be this stereotype. He seems to be one of a relatively rare type of indigenous footballer to make it to the top grade that makes up for what he lacks in pace with toughness and awareness whilst still maintaining some of the freakish indigenous skills. I don't know how we can conclude he doesn't have enough tricks at age 18/19 after 1 season at AFL level. I heard an interview at the end of the 2009 season during which a recruiter recounted how he saw the freakish abilities of a young Neville Jetta whilst preparing for the previous year's draft (he was not talking about the Jetta drafted this year and he also mentioned Cyril Rioli as having similar freakish footballing abilities - was not comparing their pace obviously). I actually rate him as a prospect from what I saw in the 2nd half of 2009, but for sure he has a lot of developing to do.

Edited February 3, 2010 by pringle

[Axis of Bob 11,674]

Pringle:

Firstly, each of those short slow midfielders were stars in past eras. They also needed to be superstars in order to make up for their deficiencies. Will Jetta be one?

Secondly, what stood out with each of those players (and with Sam Mitchell too) was their amazing ability to win the contested football. And that's what worries me about Jetta. Basically you have to be so good at winning the contested footy as an inside midfielder, because otherwise he's just a bit vanilla to be able to dominate games of footy. I'm not basing my thoughts on him as a flashy outside, pacy indigenous player, but rather as an inside midfielder (which I think will be his best position).

Also, I haven't written him off but I don't rate him anywhere near as much as Bennell. I think Jetta will be a good depth player because he uses the ball well and has a good ethic, which means he won't let the team down. Whether or not he is better than that will depend on how well he wins the contested footy.

[jnrmac 20,053]

Chris Connolly was on SEN this evening. He was very enthusiastic about Jamie Bennell. Mentioned him twice and highlighted his speed and kicking skills. Chris reckoned he could be a big plus on the backline.

He discussed the new recruits and mentioned that scully and trengove would not play in all 22 games this season. They would be rested from AFL at various stages as part of their long term development (similar to Bennell and Jetta last year).

He also gave a big slap to Jack Grimes and added that Sylvia and Rivers both had excellent pre-seasons.

Chris talked about the rucks and the first name he mentioned was Spencer. Apparently the club has long term plans for him. He indicated that Jamar and Johnson had to prove themselves this year.

Connolly was talking about the backline so I wouldn't read anything into him not talking about Jetta

[Roost It 1,434]

Also, I haven't written him off but I don't rate him anywhere near as much as Bennell. I think Jetta will be a good depth player because he uses the ball well and has a good ethic, which means he won't let the team down. Whether or not he is better than that will depend on how well he wins the contested footy.

I think the poster who said Jetta finished off the season more strongly than Bennell has it spot on. I'm confident both will become starting 22 in the years ahead. As for comparing Jetta to the likes of Williams. Can't really see the point. They are very different players and Neville has only played a few AFL games. Don't be surprised that as his fitness improves so does his pace. he's hardly slow when we compare him to brock and most think he'll be handy at carlton.

[Axis of Bob 11,674]

Yes, Jetta had a better end to the season than Bennell did. However I don't see how relevant this is because we're trying to forecast their roles and importance into the future. Jetta had a good game against Carlton where we were both playing a wide open uncontested form or Russian roulette football - the perfect type of game to play when you pick 4 ruckmen and are trying to lose to Carlton. Jetta played in the midfield in this game and did very well since he was able to cruise around in the midfield and pick up possessions. While it was nice to see him do well, I'm not basing many of my thoughts on that game because that's not how real footy is played - certainly not when we're trying to win!!

Jetta is definitely not slow compared with Brock, but who is? What Brock did do is win the contested footy, and that's what Jetta needs to be able to do to be a good player. What Jetta does have going for him is that he's clever and moves well inside traffic, which he needs to with his style.

Roost It, what role and position do you see Jetta playing in the future when you're confident he'll be in the best 22?

[Roost It 1,434]

Roost It, what role and position do you see Jetta playing in the future when you're confident he'll be in the best 22?

Wing, midfield, interchange

[Bobby McKenzie 2,383]

Bennell and Jetta are two players whom we don't talk enough about. I seriously rate both of them and would expect them to become important players for the club going forward. Jamie Bennell already has the best part of a season under his belt and rarely looked out of place. His game against West Coast over there was as good a game you could expect from an undersized first year player. Neville Jetta, although not as impressive still showed he had what it takes to play AFL. Hopefully the puppy fat has left him during this preseason and he can take his game to another level. His marking ability and appetite for the contest will make him very handy forward of the middle. With Bennell and Strauss working of half back and with the talent recruited through the middle a golden age beckons. Other players who I expect big things from are Ricky Petterd, Nathan Jones and Brad Green

Talking to one of our fitness guys, I was told that Jonesy was so very fit and that he could even be a smokie for the Brownlow. He has produced amazing fitness improvement according to my source. Have a great year Nathan.

[pringle 42]

Pringle:

Firstly, each of those short slow midfielders were stars in past eras. They also needed to be superstars in order to make up for their deficiencies. Will Jetta be one?

Secondly, what stood out with each of those players (and with Sam Mitchell too) was their amazing ability to win the contested football. And that's what worries me about Jetta. Basically you have to be so good at winning the contested footy as an inside midfielder, because otherwise he's just a bit vanilla to be able to dominate games of footy. I'm not basing my thoughts on him as a flashy outside, pacy indigenous player, but rather as an inside midfielder (which I think will be his best position).

Also, I haven't written him off but I don't rate him anywhere near as much as Bennell. I think Jetta will be a good depth player because he uses the ball well and has a good ethic, which means he won't let the team down. Whether or not he is better than that will depend on how well he wins the contested footy.

Regarding the old players I mentioned, I wasn't trying to compare Neville to those past greats. That was a separate point about not writing off small, slow players just because they are small and slow. I used the greats as examples, but league history is littered with other very seviceable small, slow middle-tier players who were valued clubmen. I like to think that good footballers can still make it if they are good enough regardless of their shape and size (within reason obviously). It is getting harder these days in a world of giant athletes, but I still think it can be done.

Anyway, agree with most of your post above except for not rating him as highly as Bennell at this stage. They have both delivered about the same output vs their potential thus far. I guess time will tell. Bennell has the potential to be a very explosive and exciting player which I feel may lead people to rate him higher than a no-frills, hard-at-it player like Jetta. But a footy team requires many different types of contributors and the less flashy types are no less important than the live-wires. Both boys are promising and both excite me moderately. Like you I also worry about Jetta's lack of height and pace considering he wants to be a midfielder. But he is smart, has good skills and can hold his ground. If he is good enough and applies himself, he will make it. On the other side, Bennell has a very slim body type and got pushed off the ball very easily at times last year. Yet he has pace to burn, moves gracefully and looks beautiful in space. Again, if he is a good enough footballer he will make it.

[H_T 3,043]

Don't know about that - I predicted before last season that Bennell would play the first game and most of the season.

He's built for AFL and barring injury he'll rack up 50 games deceptively quickly.

Its his movement that was telling for me; he moves like a cat. Much like Michael Jordan did.

Watch closely how he moves; it looks so much more fluid than other players around him.

Really looking forward to how these two progress this season. Agree regarding Bennell's movement and if any of the reports regarding his evasiveness in training (pre-season reports) is anything to go by, he will provide problems for the opposition running out of defence in setting up attacking moves for the Demons.

[Hellaintabadplacetobe 4,294]

Talking to one of our fitness guys, I was told that Jonesy was so very fit and that he could even be a smokie for the Brownlow. He has produced amazing fitness improvement according to my source. Have a great year Nathan.

Love your enthusiasm BM, but Brownlow? Nowhere near it! I`d be stoked if he finished top 2 or 3 of the Bluey!

[Keyser Söze 0]

Love your enthusiasm BM, but Brownlow? Nowhere near it! I`d be stoked if he finished top 2 or 3 of the Bluey!

Brownlow would be nice, but Col Sylvia will steal too many votes off him!