Strauss will make it for sure .

Good size and can hit long targets from the backline .

Another brick in the wall . B)

I think that sniper Campbell Brown really rattled his cage last year.

Seems when he told him he was the worst player on the field by a mile

he took it to heart and lost a lot of confidence.

Confidence can be a massive difference for developing players. Just really

good to see that he has put hard work in and earned an opportunity to be recalled.

Just watched the last Quarter (again!!) Strauss's shanked kick from half back could have easily cost us a goal as Essendung were charging.

He was lucky. At this point in time he is way off being a "Great Kick" That said he may become one.

Nicholson & Evans were really good on Friday & at this stage are way ahead of James.

But he does deserve more time...He did have a crack. But please no more talk of the elite kicking, that is a mere futuristic dream today.

That kick by Strauss was a miskick. The option was 100% right, but he mishit the kick. It often happens when you are tired late in the game, especially your first AFL game back.

Strauss is a magnificent kick. Probably the best kick on our list, along with Davey.

I thought he started to look more comfortable at the AFL pace on Friday night, which was easily the most pleasing thing. A miskick is the least of my concerns with him.

That kick by Strauss was a miskick. The option was 100% right, but he mishit the kick. It often happens when you are tired late in the game, especially your first AFL game back.

Strauss is a magnificent kick. Probably the best kick on our list, along with Davey.

I thought he started to look more comfortable at the AFL pace on Friday night, which was easily the most pleasing thing. A miskick is the least of my concerns with him.

Miss kick, maybe but as a back man in a final Quarter it is far from elite. He has a long way to go. The option was 100% correct. The execution was not.

I hope he makes it, but those mistakes can cost games.

Miss kick, maybe but as a back man in a final Quarter it is far from elite. He has a long way to go.

I hope he makes it, but those mistakes can cost games.

I thought he showed glimpses of why we recruited him. After 3 games that is all I or anyone else can ask for.

Miss kick, maybe but as a back man in a final Quarter it is far from elite. He has a long way to go. The option was 100% correct. The execution was not.

I hope he makes it, but those mistakes can cost games.

3rd game of his career.

I can't believe you'd even bother criticising this one simple error.

I thought he showed glimpses of why we recruited him. After 3 games that is all I or anyone else can ask for.

Yep, you are right-He played a good 3rd game & deserves more. All i am highlighting is the fact that for the last 3 years i have heard on here that Strauss is an "elite" kick.

He is not that yet. The game was in the balance right at that point and the MFC were lucky to get away with that shanked kick.

If James was knackered at that point, well now he knows he needs more conditioning..A Good backman does not cough up the ball, when the game is tight.

I want this team to win finals...not just get close. The kid will learn i am sure.

Miss kick, maybe but as a back man in a final Quarter it is far from elite. He has a long way to go. The option was 100% correct. The execution was not.

I hope he makes it, but those mistakes can cost games.

A 3-game player makes one mistake. Heaven forbid.

how many of our blokes can wheel around and dob them from 55 metres? his kicking is very good. just needs to work on other areas.

Yes Strauss and Maric have been softish, so can't kick ?? yes he kicked some bad ones, but who has 100% efficiency?

People should be barracking hard for this kid Strauss. he has v good pace, very good kicking skills and could be a valuable weapon for us.

Chris Knights can dob it but i would consider him not a great kick. Some of his field kicking is atrocious.

I just don't see Maric's elite kick. I know you didn't say he was elite but some posters have.

As for Strauss. I can see he is a good kick and has many physical attributes to be a force. Trust me, I'm hoping with Strauss.

3rd game of his career.

I can't believe you'd even bother criticising this one simple error.

Simple error could have cost us the game...Essendon were coming home hard.

Simple error could have cost us the game...Essendon were coming home hard.

3RD GAMER

3RD GAMER

Correct, my point is that many Demonlanders have continually said that Strauss IS an "elite" kick. He is not (yet).

I thought he was dissapointing. He still looks soft and confused. I dont think he is ready, i hope he comes good, but he is a long way off.

3RD GAMER

to be fair, its not like he is Evans, he is 2 years older, he is the same age as McKenzie, but JM has played 25 games because he has earnt his selection.

to be fair, its not like he is Evans, he is 2 years older, he is the same age as McKenzie, but JM has played 25 games because he has earnt his selection.

Damn you C&B, I was going to make a GIF of that mark and use it as my Avatar! Beaten to the punch!

to be fair, its not like he is Evans, he is 2 years older, he is the same age as McKenzie, but JM has played 25 games because he has earnt his selection.

Sorry, I don't see the relevance.

At all.

Rubbish.

I break disposal by foot into 3 distinct categories to be judged on:

1. Kicking skill - the skill of actually kicking the ball to a certain spot on the ground, including aspects like penetration, distance, height, speed, rotation, snaps, and kicking on the non-preferred side.

2. Decision making - choosing the correct option to kick the ball to, choosing where to place it (kicking it to spot A, rather than spot B ), recognising this in enough time to effectively execute.

3. Kicking under pressure - the ability to ignore/absorb physical and perceived pressure whilst executing the skill.

Strauss is a very good kick, his decision-making and executing under pressure have required work, but are improving drastically.

This is normal for a developing player.

With more time at AFL level he will adjust and find a comfort level where he can properly showcase his kicking skill.

Maric is also a very good kick, and is also working on areas 2 & 3.

Your categories are all fine.

I just have no idea where you're getting the impression that Strauss is as good as you think he is.

I honestly look at him and think, 'he's good, quite good for a third game player', but I most certainly do not think, 'wow he's an elite kick'.

Really, there is no evidence in any of his three games that he is anywhere near as good as these kind of comments suggest.

Same goes for Maric.

And for the last time, I liked Strauss' game immensely. Moreover, there's no reason why he won't end up being one of our team's elite kicks. There's just no evidence at all to base those comments on right now.

Strauss' disposal efficiency was 85% whilst Scully's was 62.5%.

If you call Strauss' kicking poor, what are your comments on our great one Titan.

They have chosen a 3rd gamer to do the kick-outs, but from now on, those in the actual know are irrelevant.

Titan > Dean Bailey

First of all, disposal efficiency is a bogus stat that does not take into account decision making or pressure. So I don't care what either player's efficiency rating was.

Second of all, the fact a player kicks the ball out does not mean the FD rates his kicking, nor does it validate the outlandish claims that he is an 'elite kick'.

Third of all, you are dumb.

That kick by Strauss was a miskick. The option was 100% right, but he mishit the kick. It often happens when you are tired late in the game, especially your first AFL game back.

Strauss is a magnificent kick. Probably the best kick on our list, along with Davey.

I thought he started to look more comfortable at the AFL pace on Friday night, which was easily the most pleasing thing. A miskick is the least of my concerns with him.

First line, and third line, are totally true.

Second line is ridiculously OTT.

Damn you C&B, I was going to make a GIF of that mark and use it as my Avatar! Beaten to the punch!

hahah yeah I have been waiting a while for JW to do something worthy of it! and its a memento of a great win

No idea where you pull that statement from. His kicking last night wasn't anything special; in fact, it was on the sub-standard side for mine. Especially for someone who was drafted under the pretense of being a superb kick.

That being said, I liked his game last night. Worked really, really hard, is much more confident than he was last year (which might be due to his increased strength, he's really built up his upper body mass), and looked much more willing to get his hands dirty. Pleased me, even if his kicking wasn't that good.

Read his first sentence.

Obviously his kicking was fantastic at Casey last weekend, otherwise he wouldn't have played Friday. But yes, he miskicked a few the other night.

Nonetheless, that has to be expected from a 3rd gamer but there's A LOT of things to like about him, reasons you have highlighted in your post.

I think many assume that being an elite kick at junior level means that this will translate to elite kicking in the AFL from debut. Players need time to adjust to the tempo and pressure of AFL. Once he does, we'll see those kicking skills on display. it's quite obvious from BP's dossier on Strauss that we rated him a lot higher than other clubs (and hence took him a few places before he was predicted by the media to go at), purely because of his kicking. The fact that he has not displayed elite skills in his three games must mean he is simply struggling to adapt, as all debutants do (to differing extents). The FD anticipated that he would take a while to come along. Strauss simply needs patience and continuity (I hate that word) at AFL level. He'll flourish in time. I'm not writing him off yet.

I have no worries at all about Strauss' kicking, frankly, you're none too bright if you are concerned about it.

It's his ability to find the ball and the hunger for the contest.

Finding the ball - he was given the kick ins and kicked to himself and took off, obviously a tactic, and one that'll greatly help develop him, give him some easy possies so he can learn to adjust to the pressure of AFL.

Popped his shoulder in a tackle at Willy when he was a skinny kid. He's a completely different size now and I saw good signs from him around the contests on Friday, though he did look nervous.

Leadership, and players busting a gut into space are all needed to help players like Strauss develop.

I really hope he doesn't get dropped, deserves another game.

I liked his pace when he ran that (can't think who) [censored] down, fluffed the tackle, but at least it affected the turn over.

There was a pretty poor spoiling effort from him on Crameri, I was disappointed in Chip Frawley when he saw it, put his hands on his head and just walked away.

I think he should've shown some leadership and told him what to do next time or to keep his chin up or whatever, but that's just me.

I don't think there's anything wrong with picking out flaws in someone's game (even if it's their third).

I also don't think there's anything wrong with defending a mistake by pointing out that it's only that player's third game.

I think that sniper Campbell Brown really rattled his cage last year.

Seems when he told him he was the worst player on the field by a mile

he took it to heart and lost a lot of confidence.

Confidence can be a massive difference for developing players. Just really

good to see that he has put hard work in and earned an opportunity to be recalled.

He just wasn't ready,,, everyone has the time they need, and we're all different. He may need more time too, yet...

I don't think there's anything wrong with picking out flaws in someone's game (even if it's their third).

I also don't think there's anything wrong with defending a mistake by point out that it's only that player's third game.

Absolutely...i want him to play next Monday, but he must tighten up, particularly as a defender. That is his job.