Demons to unveil Fitzpatrick

Surprising, considering everyone around here thought he was way off the pace for an AFL game. My guess for the 3 omitted are now Bail, Bartram and Bell.

Funny isn't it how little we know? :D

Can't wait to see how another tall goes. How much time do people think he'll play in what positions?

FP.

Ben Holland reincarnate.

I was surprised that Fitzpatrick was selected for this game as I fully expected that Mark Jamar would be used as a substitute for half a game. I hope this doesn't mean that Jamar hasn't had further injury issues and that the club is merely taking precautions with his fitness and giving him the extra time.

Fitzpatrick looked very raw last week and like all big men will take time developing. If he is going to make the final cut of 26 then I don't expect him to have too much game time or that he would have a big impact anyway. However, given the injuries to so many of our big men, we have to have him ready to step up early if required.

He looks even more like Beavis now too...

Edited February 19, 201015 yr by Keyser Söze

FP.

Ben Holland reincarnate.

Unfair comparison imo. Holland's turning circle was are touch better than the QE2, Fitzpatrick is far more agile and alot quicker.

He's still going to need alot of hard work though

Unfair comparison imo. Holland's turning circle was are touch better than the QE2, Fitzpatrick is far more agile and alot quicker.

He's still going to need alot of hard work though

I only saw him have one goofy kick at the intra-club match at Casey. He may have had more but I didn't notice. He certainly moves a lot quicker and more freely than Holland and can turn very nicely. He is reportedly very quick over the ground for a guy his size. He was kicking from a fair way out and looked like he had no rhythm in his action but maybe he was trying too hard. Another tall player, Spencer, also has a goofy kick but they seem to have been working on it. He kicked straight enough last week, and while not poetry in motion, he was reasonably effective in his disposal. The goal for the coaches is to make sure Fitzpatrick develops the best kick that he is capable of. Kicking is learnt over your childhood and teen years but players do improve with attention to technique. BTW. Did anyone else notice that great chase down and tackle by Spencer on Maric? This big guy has a seriously good engine and fantastic attitude.

Edited February 19, 201015 yr by btdemon

It appears the FD is giving Big Jack his "You want to play AFL, then here you go" moment. If last week is a gauge he's no where near ready but he'll wake up on monday knowing exactly what lies ahead if he is to make the grade. I'm confident in his abilities but it's going to take some time.

It appears the FD is giving Big Jack his "You want to play AFL, then here you go" moment. If last week is a gauge he's no where near ready but he'll wake up on monday knowing exactly what lies ahead if he is to make the grade. I'm confident in his abilities but it's going to take some time.

I agree. I don`t think being picked for a NAB Cup match necessarily means you are ``ready``. It`s giving players an opportunity to grasp and perhaps put their hand up or even confirm their selection for Round 1 if they are good enough. Same reason I reckon Bell is being considered. He was unsighted at the intra club, but I wouldn`t be surprised if he has been given the ultimatum, show us something now or it could be a long year at Casey Belly.

Unfair comparison imo. Holland's turning circle was are touch better than the QE2, Fitzpatrick is far more agile and alot quicker.

He's still going to need alot of hard work though

I meant he'll play the same role that Ben Holland filled.

At least at this stage.

Mind you, he fluffed a few kicks in the practice match and Jack's turning circle itself is better than Holland's, but not that great.

I thought Jack showed a bit in his ruckwork and leading last saturday, he shanked that kick at goal, but still showed some good signs. He's being given a go since Johnson and Jamar are both sitting out. He's a great bloke as well

I meant he'll play the same role that Ben Holland filled.

At least at this stage.

Mind you, he fluffed a few kicks in the practice match and Jack's turning circle itself is better than Holland's, but not that great.

Ignore the kick, this guy can mark and moves more like a midfielder then a ruckman. yes he is raw but I was rapped to see he made the squad after seeing him move last sat!

The crowd reaction at the intraclub match when he exhibited a nice turning circle when out on the lead was quite funny.

his kicking is awful, just awful

from what i saw at the champonships he was very ordinary and quite frankly i thought he'll never make it. was disappointed when his name was called out at 50 when taylor was still available. however he's been given a chance and is wearing the best colours goin around so i will give him a chance and hope that i am proven wrong in a few years.

from what i saw at the champonships he was very ordinary and quite frankly i thought he'll never make it. was disappointed when his name was called out at 50 when taylor was still available. however he's been given a chance and is wearing the best colours goin around so i will give him a chance and hope that i am proven wrong in a few years.

Yes would that be nice Taylor, that kid is nothing but trouble wouldn't that be great having a nother Lovett getting arrested

I was surprised that Fitzpatrick was selected for this game as I fully expected that Mark Jamar would be used as a substitute for half a game. I hope this doesn't mean that Jamar hasn't had further injury issues and that the club is merely taking precautions with his fitness and giving him the extra time.

Fitzpatrick looked very raw last week and like all big men will take time developing. If he is going to make the final cut of 26 then I don't expect him to have too much game time or that he would have a big impact anyway. However, given the injuries to so many of our big men, we have to have him ready to step up early if required.

Jack, I thought the same thing when I first saw the Squad. Then I thought the club must be playing safe. With all the injuries to our tall/rucks, I would rest Jamar to protect our main ruck for the home & away rounds, whilst playing Martin & the up 'n' coming Spencer, putting games into him prior to his elevation.

If,,,,,, the rumours someone suggested were to be true, about the club giving Jamar & Miller One year contracts to fit in with the GC-17,,,,,,,,, Then it would make perfect sense to put as many games into Spencer as he can cope with.

from what i saw at the champonships he was very ordinary and quite frankly i thought he'll never make it. was disappointed when his name was called out at 50 when taylor was still available. however he's been given a chance and is wearing the best colours goin around so i will give him a chance and hope that i am proven wrong in a few years.

Oh, I didn't want him first round,,,,,,, But I was very impressed by him (Fitzpatrick) the year before, in the Nab Champs.

I'm very happy to have him @ pick 50 as a "developement Player".

Jack, I thought the same thing when I first saw the Squad. Then I thought the club must be playing safe. With all the injuries to our tall/rucks, I would rest Jamar to protect our main ruck for the home & away rounds, whilst playing Martin & the up 'n' coming Spencer, putting games into him prior to his elevation.

If,,,,,, the rumours someone suggested were to be true, about the club giving Jamar & Miller One year contracts to fit in with the GC-17,,,,,,,,, Then it would make perfect sense to put as many games into Spencer as he can cope with.

Couple of great points. IMO the club's injury management has become first-class and at this time of the year a safety-first policy is the way to go. With so many young players, and with many of our senior players with a history of injuries, this is the right approach for the medium- to long-term.

There's plenty of reasons for getting maximum game-time into Spencer & Martin (& Fitz & Gawn when he's ready). The possibility of Jamar getting an offer he can't refuse is maybe not top of the list, but there nevertheless. On the other hand, if we plan to match any offers he gets, it's also a sound investment not to play him unless he's 100%.

Couple of great points. IMO the club's injury management has become first-class and at this time of the year a safety-first policy is the way to go. With so many young players, and with many of our senior players with a history of injuries, this is the right approach for the medium- to long-term.

There's plenty of reasons for getting maximum game-time into Spencer & Martin (& Fitz & Gawn when he's ready). The possibility of Jamar getting an offer he can't refuse is maybe not top of the list, but there nevertheless. On the other hand, if we plan to match any offers he gets, it's also a sound investment not to play him unless he's 100%.

If we lose Jamar or Miller to the Gold Coast, I'll say we got of quite lightly. I'd be laughing.

Fitzy is a strange one. The club talks about Watts not being ready to play, I don't really see how Fitpatrick could be ready.

Has a great mark, however. Needs to kick better but that'll come.

Does anyone have the final team?

i'm excited about watching mckenzie play actually... I like the look of him, and liked the way he's been training.

Would love to see any flash of what fitzy might do in the future tomorrow.