James Strauss is such a good kick .... I'd love to see him make the grade.

He has struggled all year - and the coach's comments in several VFL Player Reviews have been less than complementary.

I note that he has been dropped to Casey 2nds this week. Has the FD decided to re-sign him ? If so why wouldn't they want to give every chance of getting some VFL finals experience?

I'm not knocking him by any means. I'm just asking the question? Is he about to be de-listed?

I doubt if he'll be delisted so early. I have seen him in action and his kicking is everything it was supposed to be. I would think that that is worth giving him time. His issue is that he is soft (not soft like Green, Watts and Dunn have been called at various time, but marshmallow-soft). He seems to be unable to make contests at all. Feed him the ball in space and he can nail the pass like few players I have seen, but to play the role they need him to play he has to learn to compete, win his own ball and shut down an opponent. Personally I think it's worth giving him time to see if he can learn how to do it, but how much time? I bear in mind that Bail looked crap for his first year at the club and he was already 20. Given how far he has come this year I think it's not unreasonable to give Straus (and Blease for that matter) another couple of years to show that they are AFL material.

James Strauss is such a good kick .... I'd love to see him make the grade.

He has struggled all year - and the coach's comments in several VFL Player Reviews have been less than complementary.

I note that he has been dropped to Casey 2nds this week. Has the FD decided to re-sign him ? If so why wouldn't they want to give every chance of getting some VFL finals experience?

I'm not knocking him by any means. I'm just asking the question? Is he about to be de-listed?

I too have been a little concerned about Strauss but keep in mind time missed with injury. He won't be delisted not by any stretch but will need a solid preseason and a bit of bulk. Has the skills and nouse just needs time. The term SOFT is a little harsh, I mean how closely has anyone watched his game.

Before expressing the following opinion, I'll acknowledge that it is entirely superficial and based only on hearsay, BUT:

- given the discussion leading up to the relevant draft (I think Strauss was pick 19), I was very surprised we overlooked Zaharakis at this pick. It was my impression that, if Zaharakis was available, he was the midfielder to pick - and we didn't.

Thus far, Zaharakis seems to have shown a lot more than Strauss.

Zaharakis can't kick. How many player have we picked, since Bailey has been in charge, that can't kick?

Zaharakis hasn't really impressed me much.

Good ordinary footballer, but doesn't have any attributes that make him stand out at AFL level... and I don't think he ever will.

There might be a few reasons as to why Strauss was dropped. I'm not "in the know" - but some have questioned as to why Bail has been dropped too. So I put forward, perhaps there is some movement required to help make player(s) eligible for VFL finals and perhaps some had to give way ???

I'm sure we'll eventually find good reason for it. Soon enough.

Zaharakis hasn't really impressed me much.

Good ordinary footballer, but doesn't have any attributes that make him stand out at AFL level... and I don't think he ever will.

.

My thoughts exactly, He's an ok footballer but not damaging.

Strauss is still a baby, boy are we quick to start questioning our youngster!

He's been injured. Will definately need time and a good pre season.

Myself and a few other posters really wanted Swift at pick 19. We would have overpaid if we picked zaharakis. Although I was a fan of his too.

Swift hasn't been too good this year either though.

Harsh on Zaharakis; he 19 years old and has already performed well on the big stage.

I actually think he is going to be a very good player, and can be quite damaging forward of the play. He's a good mark for his size and generally makes good decisions with the pill. At the moment he's lacking a bit in engine and defensive game, but he's a better than a "just OK" prospect. If he were at Melbourne i think opinions around here might be a little different. He's no Scully or Trengove, but he's a good young player. Just because he plays for another club doesn't make him complete carp...

On Strauss. I haven't seen enough of him at Casey to make an informed comment, but i think it's fair to say he's behind where we'd like/expect him to be, considering he lined up in round 1 this year. Injuries haven't been kind to him, so let's hope with a full pre-season he can come out firing next year with a stronger body and, hopefully, a more physical approach.

WHY DIDNT WE PICK DAYNE BEAMS AT PICK 19?

HOW COULD HE SLIP TO 29?

WHY DIDNT WE PICK DAYNE BEAMS AT PICK 19?

HOW COULD HE SLIP TO 29?

Because the club didn't have your crystal ball. What a genius you must be. (psst we didn't pick up James Hird a few years back with pick 79 either....)

Is most likely playing Casey 2's to prepare Casey 1's for the 12-10 rule. Is also a possible of some off season surgery from what I hear. It would be another set back after missing large chunks last year with an ankle injury and a shoulder reco, not to mention the knee injury this year.

As for his form he was BOG against Sandy before injury. Also wasn't the worst in his two games earlier in the year at AFL level, he showed some glimpses. He's definitely not going anywhere near being delisted.

The main problem for Strauss is that he lacks defensive skills. I think the club would be best to stop trying to make him into a backman and free him up on a wing. His delivery out of the backline (and kick outs) would be very handy, but it would also be pretty good into the forward line. His pace is good and we can see what he can do when given the ball in space.

I'd be disappointed next year if he didn't step up and play regular very good VFL games, but we have to realise that with an improved side the free AFL games will disappear. Consider Maric who played some handy AFL games in his first two years but with an improved side has struggled to crack a game. Also there have been a lot of very good AFL players who have taken a few years to get it all together. Not everyone can keep a spot in the side from age 18,19 etc.

WHY DIDNT WE PICK DAYNE BEAMS AT PICK 19?

HOW COULD HE SLIP TO 29?

Dayne Beams has serious character issues that make him a perfect fit for Collingwood.

They can keep him.

Zaharakis currently and forever will live off one moment in his life......

If Strauss had been taken pick 50 we would all call for him to be delisted. His first 2 years for mine have been no better than Isaac Weetra when on the list. I would delist and rookie if available.

If Strauss had been taken pick 50 we would all call for him to be delisted. His first 2 years for mine have been no better than Isaac Weetra when on the list. I would delist and rookie if available.

Wow.

You need to watch a few more casey games. Strauss has shown some skills down at casey and has been injured.

Isacc showed very little and was rarely injured.

An opposition recruiter would lick his lips if we tried to put him on the rookie list.

Because to do that he has to be delisted first.

There might be a few reasons as to why Strauss was dropped. I'm not "in the know" - but some have questioned as to why Bail has been dropped too. So I put forward, perhaps there is some movement required to help make player(s) eligible for VFL finals and perhaps some had to give way ???

I'm sure we'll eventually find good reason for it. Soon enough.

I'd be surprised as hell if Bailey is picking his side to make VFL finals.

WHY DIDNT WE PICK DAYNE BEAMS AT PICK 19?

HOW COULD HE SLIP TO 29?

You can say that about dozens of players. Every club can.

Because the club didn't have your crystal ball. What a genius you must be. (psst we didn't pick up James Hird a few years back with pick 79 either....)

Hird was F/S.

We are in a rare position right now that will allow us to spend tome developing players. Why? Because for the first time in YEARS we have some quality youth and depth. Why are we pressing Strauss to some on so quickly? So he can take Bail's spot? Bennell's spot? Trengove's spot? Scully's Spot? Watts' Spot? Grimes' Spot?

It is going to be hard for all this youth to fit into the side. The best thing we can do is be patient and hope that the extra time to develop pays dividends. Strauss will mature, and hopefully he can click and push for a career at the top level.

For now we wait. Question marks should be raised if he doesn't move forward after next season. Give him a go.

Hird was F/S.

Eh? No he wasn't. Sure you're not confusing him with Dustin Fletcher?

Hird was F/S.

Not according to this site.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/team/player.asp?id=19

No mention of F/S. This may be confirmed somewhere else. But he looks like a great draft pick notwithstanding the family connection.

Wow.

You need to watch a few more casey games. Strauss has shown some skills down at casey and has been injured.

Isacc showed very little and was rarely injured.

An opposition recruiter would lick his lips if we tried to put him on the rookie list.

Because to do that he has to be delisted first.

He had been underwhelming since drafted. Injuries dont hide the question marks over his capability to cope with AFL.

He has 12 months to turn it around. He could start by getting a BOG in the VFL 2nds.At real risk of being overrun by other candidates.

I cant see us delisted him at all.

Dayne Beams has serious character issues that make him a perfect fit for Collingwood.

They can keep him.

Seriuously...they're not showing.

He would have been a great pick up on ability. Hate the tatts though.

Maybe a bit too muchbeing read into some of this.. It will centre mainly around ensuring those required to be available for finals with Caseycan be. it might be slightly tainted with the notion Struass has realy done zip, but thats more an added preserve rather thanthe real why. Its numbers times for games (VFL)..simple as.

Strauss has been very disappointing, however, in his first year he had injuries. He seems to need to gain a yard of pace to accelerate away. I doubt he will make a regular in the team,and this is disappointing.

Hird, I believe was available as a F/S selection, but they didn't take him as one.

Beams looks ok on the field, but so did Martin Pike.

He has issues.

In past years when the general standard of depth at Deeland was not what it is now the likes of Strauss etc would have their places without as much scrutiny. The bar is higher, we have a fair smattering of talent, some still to get on the paddock and as such Straus wants to get a wiggle on. More draftees and rookies to come. We don't carry passengers on this freight train !!