Maric - Whats he got to do?

[PaulRB 6,363]

Maric is pressing for a spot (again) with his BOG at Casey. He seems prone to drifting out of play or losing confidence at AFL level, yet he can also have an impact. From his low profile on Demonland I assume most have written him off... So I'm asking the question, what area of his game does Maric need to improve for him to cement a place in the 22 and become a quality AFL player?

Edited July 6, 2011 by PaulRB

[jabberwocky 2,301]

He is small and not particularly quick. He was touted as an exceptional kick and goalsneak. Has not consistently kicked goals or displayed his elite kicking skills.

His work-rate for mine is the issue at AFL level and this bleeds into his lack of defensive pressure.

[PaulRB 6,363]

I'd agree with your description. I find there is a bit of TJ (Travis) about his high risk/reward decisions on where he kicks it as well (i.e. 50m kicks into the corridor). I assume playing him in the midfield at Casey is an attempt to increase his workrate and evolve his decision making. He also hits me as a confidence player who can drops his head and stop working hard (defensively) when the tide is against him... Not sure how you remedy this...

[rhaz 342]

He seemed to get dropped when we had a loss, yet i felt he was far from worst on the ground when we did have these losses. I do think he deserves another chance (4-5 games in a row) but im not sure who we would drop from the current forward line to fit him in? He has shown that he can run through the midfield so at least he has flexibility. If he becomes the annoying, harassing terrier type of forward and gets goals regularly then he'll keep his place. He does have a good kick on him (for goal).

[Tatu 416]

I actually like Maric, think he has a real spark about him. He trains as hard as anyone at the club and IMO Maric has been a bit stiff not tobe playing now, hasn't had ample oppotunity to show all his tricks.

If Addam Maric continues to commit to training the way has so far, he'll definately be in our best 22 and will be one of our best players.

[Guest Artie Bucco]

He is small and not particularly quick. He was touted as an exceptional kick and goalsneak. Has not consistently kicked goals or displayed his elite kicking skills.

His work-rate for mine is the issue at AFL level and this bleeds into his lack of defensive pressure.

I agree with that.

His lack of great pace means he really needs to develop an exceptional work ethic, a hard edge and increased physicality to thrive.

We haven't seen him consistently kicking at a high level, but it is there.

With the substitute rule, it is no longer enough to be a specialist forward pocket - he needs to be able to spend extended periods in the midfield, and considering our other options, he needs to improve considerably to be considered a worthy option.

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

His lack of great pace means he really needs to develop an exceptional work ethic, a hard edge and increased physicality to thrive.

he ran 100m in about 11 seconds, pretty sure that is quick.

but i agree he needs to work harder

[titan_uranus 25,020]

As has been said, for someone of his height, given he isn't quick, he needs to have much more of a work rate and physical presence. He hasn't shown that at AFL level yet.

Moreover, there is a widely held misconception that he is a good kick. He is not. Not at AFL level, anyway. It's just not there.

If he wants to cement an AFL spot, then if/when he gets back in he needs to work harder, for longer. That means running out four quarters, chasing, tackling, making space, blocking etc. The kind of things he probably does at VFL level, but for some reason or another, doesn't show at AFL level.

[Deeoldfart 8,033]

From what I have seen, Addam doesn't seem to have genuine pace, acceleration, contested marking, rat cunning or mongrel which set the best small forwards apart from the rest (players such as Betts, Garlett and Milne all have at least some of these qualities). Unfortunately, IMO Addam is an ok footballer without any special qualities which make me think he is going to make it. To his credit, he seems to be working much harder this year, but I'm not convinced that he has what it takes to earn a regular spot in our best 22.

Having said that, I live in Canberra and have only seen one Casey game this year. Maybe he is showing more in the VFL than what he has shown in his limited opportunities for the Dees.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

he ran 100m in about 11 seconds, pretty sure that is quick.

but i agree he needs to work harder

I looked up his draft camp results from 2007, either he didn't participate or he didn't place in anything. The 20m sprint and 30m repeat sprints are the key ones for footy.

He doesn't appear to have the acceleration of the "quick" players. His deficiencies are such that he needs to be really exceptional in other areas.

[Guest Artie Bucco]

As has been said, for someone of his height, given he isn't quick, he needs to have much more of a work rate and physical presence. He hasn't shown that at AFL level yet.

Moreover, there is a widely held misconception that he is a good kick. He is not. Not at AFL level, anyway. It's just not there.

If he wants to cement an AFL spot, then if/when he gets back in he needs to work harder, for longer. That means running out four quarters, chasing, tackling, making space, blocking etc. The kind of things he probably does at VFL level, but for some reason or another, doesn't show at AFL level.

Christ.

This rubbish again.

He has the tools, he has shown at times that he CAN BE an exceptional kick.

It's just not consistent yet.

It his one weapon.

Like most kids his age, he needs to develop some consistency, and belief in himself at AFL level.

[Guest Artie Bucco]

he ran 100m in about 11 seconds, pretty sure that is quick.

but i agree he needs to work harder

Did he? Source?

[Weedster 174]

He seemed to get dropped when we had a loss, yet i felt he was far from worst on the ground when we did have these losses. I do think he deserves another chance (4-5 games in a row) but im not sure who we would drop from the current forward line to fit him in? He has shown that he can run through the midfield so at least he has flexibility. If he becomes the annoying, harassing terrier type of forward and gets goals regularly then he'll keep his place. He does have a good kick on him (for goal).

Would tend to agree - seems to suffer from LIFO syndrome at selection - for the non-accountants Last In First Our - every time we lose. Not sure whether he is up for it or not ..

[dees_rule_4eva 22]

I think the key for Maric is that he just doesn't perform consistently enough at AFL level when given the chance. He floats in and out of games, and you just can't afford to have passengers in the team in this day and age. Doesn't work hard enough, I agree with most of the comments here. If you look at Petterd's pressure over the past few weeks, that is what we need to see from Maric. I know he does it at Casey, I've seen him do it. I'm not sure what it is, but at AFL level he has never really looked at home.

I think he's a good depth player to have, but like Bate, Dunn, Warnock and co., just isn't a best 22 player.

[old55 23,576]

Like most kids his age, he needs to develop some consistency, and belief in himself at AFL level.

He's out of contract and out of the 22 - that's not a good hand.

[drdrake 3,163]

To me its all about his defensive pressure. These days small forward needs to lay 4-5 tackles per week and apply that forward pressure. I think he is a very smart footballer and I would love for the club to give him 5-6 games straight so he can prove himself.

[old dee 23,791]

Whats he got to do?

That was the opening question.

Be given as many games as Bennell!

[Mad_Melbourne 877]

Did he? Source?

i went to school with him so i was the source haha, and he killed all our athletic events, never lost the 100m, and 200m.

[Diablo Deemon 220]

Maric is pressing for a spot (again) with his BOG at Casey. He seems prone to drifting out of play or losing confidence at AFL level, yet he can also have an impact. From his low profile on Demonland I assume most have written him off... So I'm asking the question, what area of his game does Maric need to improve for him to cement a place in the 22 and become a quality AFL player?

Needs to improve by 25% across all facets of his game to be a regular quality player.

After the massive talk amongst the club officials about his preseason this is a major concern.

He is in the bottom 5 players at the club and is a likely delisted, is unlikely to be traded (no one would offer anything)

and is a 20% chance to be looked at by GWS

[titan_uranus 25,020]

Christ.

This rubbish again.

He has the tools, he has shown at times that he CAN BE an exceptional kick.

It's just not consistent yet.

It his one weapon.

Like most kids his age, he needs to develop some consistency, and belief in himself at AFL level.

Do you hear yourself?

I'm sure Matthew Warnock has at one time or another delivered a laserpoint pass. I could too if given lots of chances (well, maybe not).

Point is, Maric was drafted, and is still touted, as being and exceptional kick. Occasionally looking like an exceptional kick does not cut it.

If his kicking is his 'one weapon' he won't make it.

[Guest Artie Bucco]

Do you hear yourself?

I'm sure Matthew Warnock has at one time or another delivered a laserpoint pass. I could too if given lots of chances (well, maybe not).

Point is, Maric was drafted, and is still touted, as being and exceptional kick. Occasionally looking like an exceptional kick does not cut it.

If his kicking is his 'one weapon' he won't make it.

I didn't say there was one single isolated instance.

He has shown many instances of elite kicking skills, but like many young players, he is yet to perform consistently.

Once again - he has the tools to be an elite kick and is putting it together.

Impatience will get you nowhere.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Artie Bucco

[DemonWA 3,934]

I haven’t seen a great deal of Maric other then the AFL games he's played so I cant comment on his form at Casey. But i like what i see in patches, and yet at other times you just don’t see him! I actually think he's got alot of upside and in many cases has been unlucky to be dropped. If he was playing in the forward line against Richmond or Essendon he may have gotten allot of scoring opportunities? If he was tall and skinny people would hold onto him for years to come.

Howe and Petterd showing some form makes it difficult for Maric and Jetta to get back into the 22, but prior to that its seemed to me that Jetta and Maric were playing for the same spot - a small forward/midfielder, probably starting on the bench. Jetta's upside is his tackling. Maric is his goal kicking and I guess field kicking too? Tackling is probably more of a pre-requisite for a small forward in today’s game. The other issue is that we already have Jurrah in the forward 50 who has the agility and goal sense of a small goal sneak and the obvious attributes that no one else has. Problem for Maric is is that Jurrah doesn’t chase or tackle enough either and they are unlikely to play Maric and Jurrah together when they are both perceived to be lacking in this area?

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,177]

Maric is pressing for a spot (again) with his BOG at Casey. He seems prone to drifting out of play or losing confidence at AFL level, yet he can also have an impact. From his low profile on Demonland I assume most have written him off... So I'm asking the question, what area of his game does Maric need to improve for him to cement a place in the 22 and become a quality AFL player?

He does not apply defensive pressure and he is prone to not wanting to go when its his turn. If only he had the drive of someone less talented like Jake King and he would be playing alot more games.

[praha 11,240]

Maric + Petterd next to Jurrah is a formidable front line. Leave Watts the room to lead, allow Jurrah, Petterd and Maric to roam and crumb. Also got Jamar, Martin, Sylvia and Green, or able to kick a few.

We really do have superb potential across the board now. 2012 is going to be great when you really think about this team and disregard the fact that, well, it's Melbourne...

[old dee 23,791]

Maric + Petterd next to Jurrah is a formidable front line. Leave Watts the room to lead, allow Jurrah, Petterd and Maric to roam and crumb. Also got Jamar, Martin, Sylvia and Green, or able to kick a few.

We really do have superb potential across the board now. 2012 is going to be great when you really think about this team and disregard the fact that, well, it's Melbourne...

Cudi_420 Thats a really Big "Disregard"