Players who didn't live up to expectations

[loges 6,114]

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.

Pickett talking about his 1st season not the second. Crosswell was at the end of his career and required to play at chf in a side that was bottom. Thought he worked pretty hard most weeks

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Pickett talking about his 1st season not the second.

So was I in regard to his pre season and his efforts after returning from injury late in that year. Some good but definitely some bad there.

[Guest Redleg_24]

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

Why would he be mentioned. I had never heard of Grgic before he came to Melbourne. How can there be any expectation of a guy who is 18 and an unknown? I dont interpret this thread to mean the same as you.

I think the James Cook example is a better one.

Perhaps one could even throw Craig Turley in there as ell.

I think the OP is looking for guys who came to the club with big wraps on them and did nothing or underachieved.

As far as I can recall Brent Grgic was just some mid to late pick from Bell Post Hill that became more of a laughing stock than Newton.

[rpfc 27,534]

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned Chris Lamb.

I remember a number of people were adamant that Lamb was the future of our backline if only Daniher could be persuaded.

He wasn't and he wasn't.

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

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.

Played a number of good games for us actually, then did his hammy just at the wrong time. But yes, still didn't live up to expectations. Was signed for two years, and pretty much only turned up for one. Not the club's greatest ever call. Was certainly a desperate trade.

Why would he be mentioned. I had never heard of Grgic before he came to Melbourne. How can there be any expectation of a guy who is 18 and an unknown? I dont interpret this thread to mean the same as you.

Well as luck would have it I'm not required to check in with you when I respond to a thread. But since you mentioned it... Grgic was pick #11. Since the OP states "when they arrive at the club," sure... pick 11 is a touch obscure. But given he's a first rounder, and given he showed he had talent... I think I'm justified in saying I was disappointed. I think he's up there as far as I'm concerned...

Edited October 25, 2010 by Dappa Dan

[praha 10,293]

James Cook definitely comes to mind. Could have been a Coleman medalist. Would have given us a VERY potent forward line with Neitz and Farmer at the time. Started the season off very well, then hurt his ankle and put on a lot of weight.

Sean Charles is another.

Jakovich also. Boy it was good to see him in 1993 and 1994 when I was a kid.

Edited October 25, 2010 by calabreseboy

[Roost It 1,434]

Why would he be mentioned. I had never heard of Grgic before he came to Melbourne. How can there be any expectation of a guy who is 18 and an unknown? I dont interpret this thread to mean the same as you.

I think the James Cook example is a better one.

Perhaps one could even throw Craig Turley in there as ell.

I think the OP is looking for guys who came to the club with big wraps on them and did nothing or underachieved.

As far as I can recall Brent Grgic was just some mid to late pick from Bell Post Hill that became more of a laughing stock than Newton.

Grgic was hailed as the next Gary Lyon. He played 2 good games, one at CHB one at CHF

[John Crow Batty 8,266]

I wonder if Jack Watts will get a nomination on this list down the track.

[rpfc 27,534]

I wonder if Jack Watts will get a nomination on this list down the track.

I have faith but the expectations are high enough.

And we are Melbourne supporters...

[John Crow Batty 8,266]

I have faith but the expectations are high enough.

And we are Melbourne supporters...

I hope he does well but needs to start moving or he will become another David Cordner.

As for Chris Lamb, I thought he would have been a good defender. Looked a little slow at times but got under the skin of some heavyweight forwards like Carey and Co on a regular basis. I don't know why but Daniher had it in for him.

Edited October 25, 2010 by america de cali

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

The big disappointment to me from the 1980's Ray Jordan squad besides David Cordner was John Fidge.

As a red head 18 year old I thought he had it all. Fast. could, kick well, take a grab. He put in a couple of brilliant performances and I thought we had one here. He never cashed in on his ability whether through injury or attitude. He got trucked off to the Bris Bears where he did a couple of cameos at Carrera and disappeared. Pity.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

As for Chris Lamb, ....

Lamb was slow and his decision making suspect under pressure. MFC did hold onto Lamb for too long though.

Watts is already better than David Cordner. B)

[rpfc 27,534]

As for Chris Lamb, I thought he would have been a good defender. Looked a little slow at times but got under the skin of some heavyweight forwards like Carey and Co on a regular basis. I don't know why but Daniher had it in for him.

Yeah, Daniher had this issue where he wouldn't play people he didn't think were up to it.

Just odd.

[John Crow Batty 8,266]

Watts is already better than David Cordner. B)

By how much?

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

By how much?

Alot......

[Guest Rojik of the Arctic]

I wonder if Jack Watts will get a nomination on this list down the track.

Jack gets better each game. The players mentioned in this thread either came on in a blaze of glory and faded away por never came on at all.

[praha 10,293]

Lamb was slow and his decision making suspect under pressure. Daniher did hold onto Lamb for too long though.

Fixed for accuracy

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

At every club there will be a huge passing parade of players who don't live up to expectations because we build up our expectations of incoming players to what are often unreasonably high levels.

Back in 1968 we recruited George Lakes, a centreman from Broken Hill who was supposed to be the best youngster in the country. He made his debut with the Demons that year and a couple of years later, when he was still struggling to get a game, I met him. Nice bloke but very laid back and I suppose that was why he never kicked on. We cleared him to South Melbourne and he was soon gone from the scene.

Sean Charles used to play junior football for a team called Carnegie that wore the Melbourne colours. Played against my son and was simply brilliant, a one man team who ran around like lightning picking up kicks here there and everywhere. Kicked five goals as a 16 year old for Melbourne on debut but, between the club and him, they stuffed up his career after he broke a wrist in a pre season Ansett Cup game against the Eagles.

Then there was Les Bamblett who played in the early 1980's and who really could have been anything. He was sensational in our Under 19's under Ray "Slug" Jordan but he never looked comfortable in the Melbourne senior colours and he left too. I think in many ways, his story and that of Sean Charles underlines the difference between how Melbourne looked after its indigenous players then and the way things are now. I did some research into Les Bamblett recently and I'll revisit the material I collected for a Demonland article on him. I think it will make fascinating reading.

[Guest Redleg_24]

Grgic was hailed as the next Gary Lyon. He played 2 good games, one at CHB one at CHF

Well I sure hope you weren't one to get excited by him Roost It, i mean on the back of a whole 2 games!

Brad Miller...he had 2 good games to..let's throw him in there...Glen Molloy..he had a good couple...we all know about Prymke...Leigh Newton...sh'it we have had a lot of unfulfilled potential haven't we..Greg Doyle...Jeff Hilton...Brock McLean..Travis Johnstone.

I will tell you the saddest, and by know fault of his own, STINGA!!!!! If it wasn't for that bloody hammy this guy would have been one of the all time elite mids!

Edited October 25, 2010 by Redleg_24

[mauriesy 6,815]

Then there was Les Bamblett who played in the early 1980's and who really could have been anything. He was sensational in our Under 19's under Ray "Slug" Jordan but he never looked comfortable in the Melbourne senior colours and he left too. I think in many ways, his story and that of Sean Charles underlines the difference between how Melbourne looked after its indigenous players then and the way things are now. I did some research into Les Bamblett recently and I'll revisit the material I collected for a Demonland article on him. I think it will make fascinating reading.

Interview With Les Bamblett if you haven't come across it.

[John Crow Batty 8,266]

Alot......

Yes, I would guess that about 98% of all players who ever played for Melbourne were a lot better than Cordner. Still can't figure what percentage are better than Watts at this stage though.

Edited October 25, 2010 by america de cali

[Dee Fan 3,247]

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

Rod Owen was a very good footballer who was given the flick by the Saints because of drinking and gambling problems, we picked him up in 1991. He was very good for us until he suffered a strained calf in round 9 I think it was and never played another game. It appears he got back on the soup and that was the end of him. He went to the Bears after us and played a few there but he never got anywhere near where he should have. Finished up doing a bit of time in the slammer.

[Guest Thomo]

I will tell you the saddest, and by know fault of his own, STINGA!!!!! If it wasn't for that bloody hammy this guy would have been one of the all time elite mids!

I remember going down to watch Sandringham one day because it was Tingays comeback game and he was one of my favourite players. I think they also had Alistair Nicholson and a few other Melbourne players playing. The whole senier side was there watching.

Tingay was ok in the first half, big Al got injured. After half time Tingay did not come out with the players, so I assumed he was injured. Nicolson got injured in the second quarter, and spent the remainder of the game sitting on the bench with the other players, so I was surprised there was no Tingay.

About 10 minutes into the third quarter, I spotted Tingay near me (about 50 metres away from the other players), no injury, showered and in his street clothes, talking to a couple a blond girls. He left with them half way through the final term. Big Al continued to sit on the bench for the remainder of the game supporting his teammates. The reports after the game were that Tingay was only suposed to play one half, and pulled up well.

I knew then that Tingay would never make it back to the top with that sort of attitude, and lost a lot of respect for him.

[Roost It 1,434]

Well I sure hope you weren't one to get excited by him Roost It, i mean on the back of a whole 2 games!

Brad Miller...he had 2 good games to..let's throw him in there...Glen Molloy..he had a good couple...we all know about Prymke...Leigh Newton...sh'it we have had a lot of unfulfilled potential haven't we..Greg Doyle...Jeff Hilton...Brock McLean..Travis Johnstone.

I will tell you the saddest, and by know fault of his own, STINGA!!!!! If it wasn't for that bloody hammy this guy would have been one of the all time elite mids!

Paul Prymke's career was ruined by a serious back injury.

Jeff Hilton was a C grader

[Old Man Rivers 326]

Paul Prymke's career was ruined by a serious back injury.

Jeff Hilton was a C grader

Darren Kowal - Had huge wraps but failed was simply too small & not polished enough

Phil Gilbert - Hard nosed defender however his football skills where non existant.

Both very poor draft choices in the late 80's/ early 90's