Surprise surprise, heppell won rising star nomination did not know NAB performances countered for it

Heppell was very good against the dogs

Looks the goods to me

Tapscott will do his nomination aspirations no harm on his debut game performance

The task for Tapscott is a similar performance against the Hawks

Looking forward to it

NAB games have no influence on this award

IMO being a higher draft pick does but Heppell was a deserving nomination

For those that missed it or want to see it again...

Great hit, but if he had gone for the ball he probably would have prevented an inside 50...

Great hit, but if he had gone for the ball he probably would have prevented an inside 50...

He wouldn't have made it in time.

He had to assume that Shaw would grab the ball rather than tap it on. Full credit to Shaw. He knew the hit was coming and still went in 100%

100% goer ala Grimes.

Very much like a Paul Chapman, only tougher at the same age, and with a bigger kick.

I reckon he will stay in the team all year, maybe only out for a rest.

couldn't really be happier with a debut than that, Watts has played 19 and none as good as that

couldn't really be happier with a debut than that, Watts has played 19 and none as good as that

i think watts had a good game last year, 27 or 28 disposals against the lions, but this isnt a watts thread

tappy is going to be a gun, his kicking is lethal, and i feel much safer with him kicking out than most.

and his rig is ridiculous, the kid is a monster, i cant wait to see him lay a full blown tackle!

I'm not going to roost it up anyone. I took the opposing line before sunday and now I'm just looking for a discussion about him as a footballer. I have no intention to say I told you so, especially since what I said was wrong!!

Apologies... I think I might have skipped the section with that in it. And yes, that's good. Rare to see people admit they were wrong.

As for discussions on the kid. I think we're overwhelmed by the fact that in the off season, the general consensus was that we needed 2 things. A FF and a rebounding defender. And we got neither. Well... we got KP players, but not plug and play ones like Hurley.

A bone of contention, and one raised by Gerard Healey in the media was our delivery from defence. So when Tappy comes in and shows smarts, courage, toughness and skill that we've probably not seen on debut in the last 10-20 years... that's going to make most of us gooey in the nether regions.

The thing is, it won't last. 19 year olds, even ones like Tappy, need many things to go right. Pretty soon opposition sides will have the book on him, and they'll start to exploit his game. Every player except the VERY VERY best have faults you can exploit. They'll try to expose him on the lead. Try to confuse him going back the other way, try to take advantage of his lack of height... and as the season grinds on his lack of preseason will show. He WILL play some bad games soon, and likely make way at some point for some other guys who we can use. And worse still, given how he seems to want to decapitate every opposition player he sees, using nothing but his neck... he may get injured.

Yes he's beyond our wildest dreams so far in defence. All the strengths you want besides pace.... but things will change. He can't keep up that pace forever as a nineteen year old. That's my only real concern I think.

It's not criticism it's my observation of him as a footballer. The modern footballer is tall and agile or short, agile and very quick. Tapscott doesn't fit into either category. Time will tell whether he gets exposed because of it. And yes he was terrific yesterday.

But didn't you admit at some point in this thread, that you had never actually see him play? Judging someone by what you have read about their physical stature is hardly an observation... it is conjecture at best.

RI - Just admit you were wrong and that you should have deferred judgement to those in a better position to judge.

Honestly, I have no idea why some people just cannot put their hand up and say "I was wrong."

It's like when people apologise by saying - "If I have offended anyone, I apologise."

That's not an apology, it's a failed mathematical equation.

"If I have done X, then Y. But I am not saying I have done X, but if you believe I have done X, then Y."

Agree. I think others should be a little more respectful considering you've put your hand up and recognised this. There's no need to go overboard. A little sledge is more than enough.

Now back to Tapscott...you should include him on your favourite players.

No he's too short!!

RI - Just admit you were wrong and that you should have deferred judgement to those in a better position to judge.

Honestly, I have no idea why some people just cannot put their hand up and say "I was wrong."

It's like when people apologise by saying - "If I have offended anyone, I apologise."

That's not an apology, it's a failed mathematical equation.

"If I have done X, then Y. But I am not saying I have done X, but if you believe I have done X, then Y."

I already did, but I'm not going to apologize for making a poor call. It certainly got people talking which I enjoyed to a point.

But didn't you admit at some point in this thread, that you had never actually see him play? Judging someone by what you have read about their physical stature is hardly an observation... it is conjecture at best.

I was at the game on Sunday and have since watched the replay so I've seen him play at the top level as many times as everyone else on this site perhaps even more since i watched the replay.

Apologies... I think I might have skipped the section with that in it. And yes, that's good. Rare to see people admit they were wrong.

As for discussions on the kid. I think we're overwhelmed by the fact that in the off season, the general consensus was that we needed 2 things. A FF and a rebounding defender. And we got neither. Well... we got KP players, but not plug and play ones like Hurley.

A bone of contention, and one raised by Gerard Healey in the media was our delivery from defence. So when Tappy comes in and shows smarts, courage, toughness and skill that we've probably not seen on debut in the last 10-20 years... that's going to make most of us gooey in the nether regions.

The thing is, it won't last. 19 year olds, even ones like Tappy, need many things to go right. Pretty soon opposition sides will have the book on him, and they'll start to exploit his game. Every player except the VERY VERY best have faults you can exploit. They'll try to expose him on the lead. Try to confuse him going back the other way, try to take advantage of his lack of height... and as the season grinds on his lack of preseason will show. He WILL play some bad games soon, and likely make way at some point for some other guys who we can use. And worse still, given how he seems to want to decapitate every opposition player he sees, using nothing but his neck... he may get injured.

Yes he's beyond our wildest dreams so far in defence. All the strengths you want besides pace.... but things will change. He can't keep up that pace forever as a nineteen year old. That's my only real concern I think.

Thanks for bringing some discussion to the thread, you're actually the first to do so. He will get exposed at times which is why he will need to perform his strengths very well to make it. He seems to have the confidence in his ability to give it a real shake which is great. To his benefit the club lacks players with his strength and kicking ability.

I already did, but I'm not going to apologize for making a poor call. It certainly got people talking which I enjoyed to a point.

It wasn't a poor call.

It was a call based on nothing but second hand conjecture - text on the internet! - I mean come on...

A poor call was when I thought Garland would be delisted after a few rounds of 2008.

Yours shouldn't even graduate to 'call' level...

It was more of a 'poor thought instance' or a 'poor keyboard moment'...

Excellent first up game. [censored] that's a great kick coming off half back. Was super impressed as my expectations were very very low. Could be a tad short or does he just look short because he's so wide! Noticed twice where he kicked it long to players who expected it to fall shorter, both had to really stretch to reach the ball. Hope they bring in Gysberts and Frawley for the hawks. Out: Maric, MacDonald.

Agree, with Gysberts sub, or maybe Bartrum.

It wasn't a poor call.

It was a call based on nothing but second hand conjecture - text on the internet! - I mean come on...

A poor call was when I thought Garland would be delisted after a few rounds of 2008.

Yours shouldn't even graduate to 'call' level...

It was more of a 'poor thought instance' or a 'poor keyboard moment'...

Bugger off

Yes he's beyond our wildest dreams so far in defence. All the strengths you want besides pace.... but things will change. He can't keep up that pace forever as a nineteen year old. That's my only real concern I think.

If he was a perfect footballer he would have been a number 1 pick (actually there is no such thing as a perfect footballer, but for argument's sake).

I agree that pace could be his only worry but if the sub rule stays and the pace of the game is reduced consequently, it may not be an issue for him.

I still think he will end up as a half forward because he lacks a bit of pace, but he brings a whole new dimension to the side with his toughness and long penetrating kick. He is totally different to anything we've had coming through in the last 3 years and that's a good thing.

Agree, with Gysberts sub, or maybe Bartrum.

You can't be serious. Bartram is our small fast tough back pocket. Who else do you think will take Rioli?

So you don't feel like entering a discussion about his strengths and weaknesses?

How would you know what they are?

All you have pointed out is his 'body shape' is not the current 'ideal' whatever that is.

How would you know what they are?

All you have pointed out is his 'body shape' is not the current 'ideal' whatever that is.

Read all my posts before adding your dribble.

If he was a perfect footballer he would have been a number 1 pick (actually there is no such thing as a perfect footballer, but for argument's sake).

I agree that pace could be his only worry but if the sub rule stays and the pace of the game is reduced consequently, it may not be an issue for him.

I still think he will end up as a half forward because he lacks a bit of pace, but he brings a whole new dimension to the side with his toughness and long penetrating kick. He is totally different to anything we've had coming through in the last 3 years and that's a good thing.

Yeah, obviously if he was better we'd have missed out on him... but we're not comparing draft picks, we've just been asked to place him in this list, in this league as we see it. Stuff the picks.

I like your thinking though. If the game slows down, he's gonna be a ripper. It'll return to contested footy a bit more, and he has shown he is BORN for that kind of game. Some players come in and they just have it. He has it. The Chappy association is right... Thought Chappy is probably quicker, though he might not have the distance on his kick or the ability to throw his weight around like Tappy does. His toughness for his age is so good it's almost hard to believe.

Oh... and earlier this week people have been saying his debut was the best of a dee in the last 10 years... But I think maybe Davey has him covered. Still. Awesome.

I was at the game on Sunday and have since watched the replay so I've seen him play at the top level as many times as everyone else on this site perhaps even more since i watched the replay.

Hey, I think you know very well that I was referring to your comments prior to the game.

His bag of tricks is so much bigger than you gave him credit for (one-trick I believe you said?) as was evidenced in his very first outing at the top level. Is it really so hard to admit you got it wrong?

Hey, I think you know very well that I was referring to your comments prior to the game.

His bag of tricks is so much bigger than you gave him credit for (one-trick I believe you said?) as was evidenced in his very first outing at the top level. Is it really so hard to admit you got it wrong?

He likes the attention...

Read all my posts before adding your dribble.

Which if these gems did you want me to read??

"I've got a feeling he's a one trick pony."

"No I haven't seen him play."

"I think Tapscott will be exposed at AFL level."

"And yes Viney is a little suss on his left and I haven't even seen him!"

You're a regular Nostradamus.

It's interesting, Roost It, that you say Tapscott is too short.

Are you aware of how he compares in height to a guy like Paul Chapman, who he is often compared to, & is a Norm Smith medallist & 2-time premiership player..?

Edited March 30, 201114 yr by e25