Athletes or footballers

[e25 5]

Um. It was MY post that was sarcastic! (I have no idea what Dee-luded was on about...)

Think I'll have another drink...!

I think jcb must have been referring to how he is deluded (sic).

[Harrisonrules 273]

My understanding is that the coaching staff are impressed with Millers athleticism,

Bartram has been an elite distance runner all his life and hence he is used as a small tagger despite VFL level skills.

Dunne..oops..Dunn is a great distance runner for a tallish player, tantilizing skills just haven't clicked as we had hoped. He should be Sylvia like but never breaks packs etc and rarely a contested mark..

Bell solid body with great pace but VFL level skills.. .

Spencer has a great leap and reasonably good mobility but as a Basketball player is far away from the required skill level for what we need - a final eight level player. His are really still at VFL seconds level. What's the rush, big guys take longer - let him develop at VFL level.

[Adzman 2,154]

Skill first for me. I have seen some great athletes move to football in my time. Can run rings around most, but cannot hit a target to save themselves.

[dee-luded 2,959]

I think jcb must have been referring to how he is deluded (sic).

NO, JCB31 was referring to the time we met at the Junction oval & i had a old mate with me that told JCB-31 a few stories of his cousin Norm Smith.

JCB & I talked a bit about stuff & footy & chatted to Dean & Alves & Connolls & Ricky Petterd, Russian, etc. I think I saw him @ Casey as well.

[Swampfox 190]

I have always belived that its footballer first athlete second

Obviously all footballers must have some athletic ability which is getting more important these days

This from a Collingwood supporter in replying to the Naitanui hype

Thought it was an excellent assessment of the most overhyped player in the competition

The thing that irritates me is the assumption that he's new to footy. He's been playing for years so as far as footy IQ goes, he's not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

he can do the spectacular stuff uncommonly well. he can do things that few if any other players can do. For that, he gets a lot of attention and comment based on the potential if he does that more often.

He does the common place stuff badly. Any other player who averaged that few possessions per game would be on the rack of public opinion or playing in the 2's. Nic is lauded for his 30 second cameos.

The kid is athletically gifted, no doubt, but the gap between his best and worse is a chasm. He needs to learn how to do the basics well, cos at the moment he's all icing and no cake.

[jnrmac 20,186]

The general trend in the AFL has been to increasingly value the Athlete as a footballer. Many footballers are exceptional athletes, but in numerous cases the lesser skilled player is still tolerated. At Melbourne our coaches are lagging behind other teams in solving this matter. We continue to play footballers with skill way below final four level. If it is believed they can develop the required skill they should do this in the VFL. They wear Red and Blue so we love them, but Bartram, the great survivor Miller, Spencer (to early to play him) Bell, Dunne (disappointing, are all holding the team back. Why do supporters see but the coaching team don't?

If you think Bartram is holding the team back you have very little knowledge of footy. He is up there with the highest disposal efficiency in our team, plays a tagging role every week and has re-captured his stellar first year form.

And if you need to get real if you think that all teams have 22 a grade players every week. Bartram is a good honest trier that does a good job each week.

Dunn is the same. Stiff to be dropped IMO. (and BTW you could learn how to spell his name correctly if you really think of yourself as a supporter who knows a bit about his team)

Does a good tagging job most weeks and can be quite an offensive player at times. Probably doesn't justify his high ranking but is solid nonetheless.

[Harrisonrules 273]

I agree Bartram has improved his skills this year, but question his long term potential. I have been a great supporter of Lyndon Dunn but as the FD has given up on him as a forward he is only being seen as an onballer. I really think you can only have one tagger in the team whose skills are not their dominant asset. So who is it Dunn or Bartram. Personally I go for Dunn.