The James Strauss dossier

I know this kid will make the grade if we are patient. Has all the tools to be a really damaging HBF or winger...really interesting insight from BP.

I don't rate his defensive capabilities at all, though his kicking is pretty good. I'm of the opinion that a setup with him and Jared Rivers in the same team would be very bad for us. Riv needs to be able to drift off his man, but he can't do that if other players aren't good one on on. Not sure where else Strauss could go in this case. Maybe on a wing, although I'm not too sure.

I know this kid will make the grade if we are patient. Has all the tools to be a really damaging HBF or winger...really interesting insight from BP.

It makes great sense, with the change in the pressure the forwards and Mids apply now.. And thats because halfbacks, setting the play up, is so important to both teams.

I'll stick with him and be patient, and the footy dept'.

I don't rate his defensive capabilities at all, though his kicking is pretty good. I'm of the opinion that a setup with him and Jared Rivers in the same team would be very bad for us. Riv needs to be able to drift off his man, but he can't do that if other players aren't good one on on. Not sure where else Strauss could go in this case. Maybe on a wing, although I'm not too sure.

Moving forward, you would think the only way dissect the press is with immaculate foot skills in the back half. The kid is getting better, he might not make it. but no point in panicking just yet I wouldn't have thought. I reckon he might sneak a few games late in the season and be very important for us in 2012

A really interesting insight from the guy accountable for the decision. Particularly intesting in that they expected him to be available at 19. Obviously not as highly rated by (any) others. I wonder what the reasons were for that? The other issue this raises is the role of our development coaches. BP is adamant the draftees have all of the ingredients - does the problem lie with our "chefs"? Not counting Blease amongst this for obvious reasons, but both Strauss and Watts have not come on yet as could be reasonably expected.

Moving forward, you would think the only way dissect the press is with immaculate foot skills in the back half. The kid is getting better, he might not make it. but no point in panicking just yet I wouldn't have thought. I reckon he might sneak a few games late in the season and be very important for us in 2012

Of course, but the press is irrelevant when your backs are getting marks taken on them left and right.

In finishing, the selection of James Strauss is a bit like the television I bought last week. I should have looked in the box thoroughly and shown more patience in reading the instructions before I rang the manufacturer to say it doesn’t work properly. In fact, tonight I might read the manual thoroughly to see all the great things it can do. In James’ case he has the pieces, but like many others, is taking a little while to put them together.

Really interesting conclusion from BP!

Worth noting the injuries he's had.

Therefore, despite coming into his 3rd season, it is really more like his 2nd season of footy.

I would hope that he keeps playing consistently for VFL and plays 5-6 games in the latter part of the seasons.

His kicking skills are a big asset

Really interesting conclusion from BP!

Indeed. I'd always wondered what that emoticon was for, now I've finally worked it out.

Otherwise it was an interesting article though. I've really enjoyed reading these. I guess the key message was to be patient as it'll be worth the wait. Time will tell, as he (Strauss) is coming from a long way back at this point.

Indeed. I'd always wondered what that emoticon was for, now I've finally worked it out.

Otherwise it was an interesting article though. I've really enjoyed reading these. I guess the key message was to be patient as it'll be worth the wait. Time will tell, as he (Strauss) is coming from a long way back at this point.

The analogy with the TV in his conclusion was in reference to some outsiders who look at strauss' first 3-4 games (their first look at him), which were pretty hopeless, and make conclusions that he'll therefore be a dud. He spent a few paragraphs explainaing how Heath Shaw, Enright, Gilbee and Malceski (4 of the best attacking defenders in the league) took a few years to make it and that they all looked pretty ordinary early in their career. So much like them, Strauss has the tools (kicking, speed etc) to make it, we've just gotta be patient.

It's a relatively simple analogy i would have thought.

It's a relatively simple analogy i would have thought.

Yes, I understood the point he was making, I even said as much in my post. I just chuckled at the way it was written.

will be so important for us in years to come. can really see this run and kick off the hbf in the red and blue for many years

His kicking skills are a big asset

His got the physical attributes of the perfect modern footballer.

Quick and Strong. His kicking looks smooth.

I know we've got a hole in the back half but I would like to see them release him fwd 50. He's kicking in forward 50 would be excellent.

We've also got a bit of a logjam with half forwards but get some confidence in Strauss.

Green isn't exactly lighting it up forward, maybe push him back. Bennell might push back. Wonna's a great kick too so he should be considered.

Every time I see Zaharakis, I think he should be on our list ... with pick 19.

Maybe we should all chip in and buy BP a new TV then....

Every time I see Zaharakis, I think he should be on our list ... with pick 19.

Drafting with hindsight, my favorite sort!

I see your Zaharakis and raise you a Dan Hannebery.

There's no point, you could do it all day. Won't change anything.

We drafted Nick Smith 70 picks ahead of Brent Moloney and Craig Bolton.

There's a real failure

Really interesting conclusion from BP!

I prefer the line just before that quote - what you quoted:

His defence has improved and last week against North Ballarat he gave us a look at the package he will deliver in the red and blue.

We drafted Nick Smith 70 picks ahead of Brent Moloney and Craig Bolton.

There's a real failure

we used pick 14 or something to get Moloney from the Cats

we used pick 14 or something to get Moloney from the Cats

It was actually pick 12 that we traded for Moloney and Richmond used it to draft Danny Meyer (since delisted and rookie-listed by Port Adelaide making it back onto the senior list this year) - I think we did alright out of that one - the only other player below that with much currency was Travis Varcoe. Although the loss of Scott Thompson for pick #13 (Bate) in the same trade period was probably not to our favour.

It was actually pick 12 that we traded for Moloney and Richmond used it to draft Danny Meyer (since delisted and rookie-listed by Port Adelaide making it back onto the senior list this year) - I think we did alright out of that one - the only other player below that with much currency was Travis Varcoe. Although the loss of Scott Thompson for pick #13 (Bate) in the same trade period was probably not to our favour.

Actually we received pick 12 from Adelaide for Thompson and directly on-traded it for Moloney.

Has worked out pretty well for us, given Thompson wanted to leave.

Also, we recieved pick 15 (Dunn) for Jolly in the same period. I wouldn't say we were the winners in that trade, but at least Dunn is starting to repay the faith.