Players who didn't live up to expectations

[MO FINE 146]

Which player or player looked like becoming a star on arrival at the club but failed to live up to your expectation?

Name and reasons why and also if you know where they are now.

Special category for similar players at other clubs.

I'll kick things off with Darren Cuthbertson. Started off kicking a swag of goals in his early days but other clubs soon worked him out (he was even given the famous jumper no 9) and he faded to oblivion.

[Strawbsodwyer 0]

sean charles

[ox_5 163]

Craig Smoker.

16 games in 1998 with a bag of 4 in Round 3 in a close match against Brisbane.

Was too small and didnt have enough tricks, but could kick a goal.

Last year he was playing for West Perth - not sure about 2010.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The list is long and there have been many. And it all started with Diamond Jim Tilbrook for me.

Tilbrook

Ditterich

Templeton

Crosswell

Ger Healy

Warren Dean

Luke Molan

Nick Smith

Scott Thompson

Trav Johnstone

Brock McLean

....for starters

Its hard call on Cuthbertson. He was no star on arrival. He debuted in the No 48 guernsey after some good games in the ressie. Starred early where he used his one or two tricks well but got found out at VFL/AFL level and withered away. Full credit for his early games.

[reynolds46 823]

David Cordner

looked like he had it all to become a real superstar but just faded away

[H_T 2,941]

Ben Beams. Recall seeing him tearing it up at Princess Park before the main game in the 90's. Had no expectations on him really, just thought he might be a useful player (*no star*) in the forward pocket; thought he'd make it. My young eyes got the better of me.

Jamie Duursma. Loved the way he played. Took Kernahan to the cleaners in the '88 Prelim Final. He lived up to my expectations on that day. But I wanted to see much more of him do the same for a much longer period. Saw him up in Albury a while back - in a pub of all places on an end of season cricket trip. Had a good chat; good bloke.

[Tim 2,886]

Going back a bit - Robert Walters kicked 9 in his 13th game, including 6 in a quarter, against Essendon, the week after we were mega-hammered by Fitzroy in 1979.

The team didn't go on with it for a few years after that resilient winning effort, and neither did young Robbie. Although he did kick 7 in the return bout with Fitzroy, r.1 1980. Similar playing profile to Darren Cuthbertson.

[dazzledavey36 49,002]

steven armstrong

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

David Cordner

looked like he had it all to become a real superstar but just faded away

Good pick up there. He was the U19 star who kicked 100+goals and looked like our answer up forward (Deja vu methinks)

Unfortunately, could not cope with the phyisical aspect of AFL and just disappeared.

Ben Beams. Recall seeing him tearing it up at Princess Park before the main game in the 90's. Had no expectations on him really, just thought he might be a useful player (*no star*) in the forward pocket; thought he'd make it. My young eyes got the better of me.

Jamie Duursma. Loved the way he played. Took Kernahan to the cleaners in the '88 Prelim Final. He lived up to my expectations on that day. But I wanted to see much more of him do the same for a much longer period. Saw him up in Albury a while back - in a pub of all places on an end of season cricket trip. Had a good chat; good bloke.

The most memorable thing I recall Beams doing was getting injured against Collingwood in the third qtr that allowed the Wiz to come on and kick 8 in one of the most amzing cameos I have seen.

I actually thought Duursma exceeded expectations given he was a 3 Club journeyman who played above himself in 1988.

Going back a bit - Robert Walters kicked 9 in his 13th game, including 6 in a quarter, against Essendon, the week after we were mega-hammered by Fitzroy in 1979.

The team didn't go on with it for a few years after that resilient winning effort, and neither did young Robbie. Although he did kick 7 in the return bout with Fitzroy, r.1 1980. Similar playing profile to Darren Cuthbertson.

Robert Walters was a medium sized marking forward with a good kick. Had a couple of days out but did nothing after that. Went to Collingwood and got in trouble with the law. What is it with that Club?

[daisycutter 28,636]

Can't remember the name (Rod someone?) - help me out

Was in the early 80's (maybe late 70's). Medium size forward - HF flanker

Recruited from Aints - guy had off-field issues

Could turn it on and could kick a bag. Classy when on-song, had big expectations

Played a few ripper games, became inconsistent, left after a year (I think)

went to a third club, but not much heard of after leaving dees

[Guest Redleg_24]

The Cookatoo - Collins'

How did they last so long on the list and play so few games!

[Swampfox 190]

Can't remember the name (Rod someone?) - help me out

Was in the early 80's (maybe late 70's). Medium size forward - HF flanker

Recruited from Aints - guy had off-field issues

Could turn it on and could kick a bag. Classy when on-song, had big expectations

Played a few ripper games, became inconsistent, left after a year (I think)

went to a third club, but not much heard of after leaving dees

That would be Rod Owen

[Mazer Rackham 14,970]

Fabulous Phil Carman

[Pates 9,537]

James Cook comes to mind. He joined us after a stint with the Doggies and kicked 6 goals in one match, looked like he could play and then got an ankle injury and had to retire.

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

Kid that was captain of the U/19's back in the 80's. Started with a "B" I think. Came with huge wraps and did nothing so we traded him.

[e25 5]

More recently, Brent Grgic comes to mind...

He had one game at CHB where I thought he'd arrived.

Turns out he only stayed a day.

Although, I think on the back of that game we managed to swap him for Bizzell, who was handy enough.

[Mazer Rackham 14,970]

Kid that was captain of the U/19's back in the 80's. Started with a "B" I think. Came with huge wraps and did nothing so we traded him.

Adrian Battiston?

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

Adrian Battiston?

Might have been. I'm terrible with names.

[jayceebee31 671]

Leigh & Michael Newton- both seemed to have the ability- but unfortunately did not produce when needed..Michael may still surprise us.I here Leigh is with the Hawks- ruch coach.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

More recently, Brent Grgic comes to mind...

Can't believe it took this long to mention him.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

That would be Rod Owen

Yep. He was a punt when he came to MFC. Loads of talent but loads of issues. He did have one fantastic game at the G where he kicked 7 and starred.

Fabulous Phil Carman

Good get and of course how could he be forgotten.

James Cook comes to mind. He joined us after a stint with the Doggies and kicked 6 goals in one match, looked like he could play and then got an ankle injury and had to retire.

I think he did an ACL in the game after the six goals. Injury killed it for him.

Adrian Battiston?

Yes. Lacked pace and his skills got found out at the higher level.

I thought after a couple of good seasons, Greg Healy plateaued as a footballer.

Leigh & Michael Newton- both seemed to have the ability- but unfortunately did not produce when needed..Michael may still surprise us.I here Leigh is with the Hawks- ruch coach.

Leigh Newton did a knee badly and it finished him. Did not have the opportunity of Juice 2.

One more for books....Craig Turley

[Back Flanker 2]

David Flintoff - had the nickname 'Magic' at the club, but I never saw any magic.

Scott Chisolm - came across from Freo I think. I remember talking to Brett Lovett about why we picked him up, and he said "he will be a star, just needs a new environment". He was horrible.

Byron Pickett - might have played one good game for Melbourne. I can't remember what he cost us, but I don't think it was much.

Luke Williams - I always thought he would be alright. Never clicked for him.

[Curry & Beer 5,444]

This thread is the property of Brock McLean cos he owns it

[loges 6,143]

Byron Pickett - nothing wrong with his first season at all. Crosswell harsh call Rhino

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Byron Pickett - nothing wrong with his first season at all. Crosswell harsh call Rhino

Pickett arrived at pre season fat and unfit. Had a brief flurry of form then got injured then returned to slothful ways. His failure to attend a match as an emergency due to night before issues in his last season was an appalling slap in the face to his teammates he should have been sacked for it.

At Carlton and North, Crosswell was at times a star player. At MFC he was a shadow of that player.