Liam's shoulder is OK

[RudeBoy 164]

For those interested, the good news on Liam is that his shoulder is OK - just jarred but no structural damage.

The bad news is he has a cracked bone in his wrist, which took the full weight of his body when he landed from taking that ripper mark. I actually feel a bit guilty as I told him he had just 2 remaining games to take mark of the year! For the first time since very early in the season, in the 2nd quarter he started to fly for pack marks again, so it's disappointing that that's what led to his injury.

So his season is over one week early, but given he managed 40 goals from 18 games, in a season where he was playing a somewhat different role, I think he's had a pretty good year.

It will be interesting to see who his coach is next year and how they choose to use his exciting talents, but hopefully he'll return for round one fitter and stronger than ever.

[Chicken Deelicious 0]

Get well soon Liam. A 'good' year - lets see what another pre-season and a different coach give him in 2012. I think we all want him to deliver on the sublime promise he offers.

[Neita3000 37]

For those interested, the good news on Liam is that his shoulder is OK - just jarred but no structural damage.

The bad news is he has a cracked bone in his wrist, which took the full weight of his body when he landed from taking that ripper mark. I actually feel a bit guilty as I told him he had just 2 remaining games to take mark of the year! For the first time since very early in the season, in the 2nd quarter he started to fly for pack marks again, so it's disappointing that that's what led to his injury.

So his season is over one week early, but given he managed 40 goals from 18 games, in a season where he was playing a somewhat different role, I think he's had a pretty good year.

It will be interesting to see who his coach is next year and how they choose to use his exciting talents, but hopefully he'll return for round one fitter and stronger than ever.

Great to hear RudeBoy.

Was there any particular reason why Liam lost confidence in aerial contests? In previous season he's attacked the ball in the air akin to that of a pack busting full forward but as you said since the early part of the year up and till that unfortunate attempt yesterday it's been almost non existent.

[Rogue 585]

Thanks for posting, Rudeboy. Good to hear that there's no serious shoulder injury.

[DemonDave 1,082]

Great to hear RudeBoy.

Was there any particular reason why Liam lost confidence in aerial contests? In previous season he's attacked the ball in the air akin to that of a pack busting full forward but as you said since the early part of the year up and till that unfortunate attempt yesterday it's been almost non existent.

I assume this was as a direct result of the coaches telling him to act a little less selfishly. The Hawthorn game Rnd 2 was the nadir for this, Liam flew needlessly to try in vain to take mark of the week every time the ball went near him. It didnt, the ball was moved down the other end and we got flogged. I think he should still be given the freedom to go for his hangers, just balance it with plenty of team orientated 1%ers as well.

[Guest Thomo]

Great to hear there is no major damage.

Your assessment of his year is interesting. Statistically the number of goals kicked was not too bad, and he has made more tackles than I expected (41), but I, and I think most, believe that it was a poor year from him. He seems to struggle with the work rate required at AFL level. He does not chase hard often enough, and seems to come in and out of the game. He either needs to spend the summer getting much fitter, or look at his attitude. Which do you think it is?

The reality is that he needs to more than average a couple of goals a game to play at the highest level. If he continues to play as he did this year he will not be on the MFC list in a couple of years.

Edited August 29, 2011 by Thomo

[satyricon 267]

Great to hear there is no major damage.

Your assessment of his year is interesting. Statistically the number of goals kicked was not too bad, and he has made more tackles than I expected (41), but I, and I think most, believe that it was a poor year from him. He seems to struggle with the work rate required at AFL level. He does not chase hard often enough, and seems to come in and out of the game. He either needs to spend the summer getting much fitter, or look at his attitude. Which do you think it is?

The reality is that he needs to more than average a couple of goals a game to play at the highest level. If he continues to play as he did this year he will not be on the MFC list in a couple of years.

Thommo.....if you have a mirror at home, I think you really do need to take a long hard look at yourself, from where Liam has come from to where he is now, with three sublime goals yesterday.......I expect and he will be a 10+ year player...another pre season and he will be even better than this year......if we managed to get the ball into the 50 a bit more often, he would have had a few more goals

[Maric Legend 0]

Unfortunate news to hear. Especially as I'm going to the game at AAMI Park this week. Was looking forward to seeing LJ snagging a few goals!

[hardtack 10,422]

Thommo.....if you have a mirror at home, I think you really do need to take a long hard look at yourself, from where Liam has come from to where he is now, with three sublime goals yesterday.......I expect and he will be a 10+ year player...another pre season and he will be even better than this year......if we managed to get the ball into the 50 a bit more often, he would have had a few more goals

Yes, I think LJ's cause was not helped by the fact that his team mates were bombing it long to him, meaning he had no choice but to either go for the big grab, therefore risking the inevitable injury, or shirk the contest (which he did choose to do on occasion when his confidence was at its lowest ebb). If the midfield can allow him to use his pace and send it to him low enough to hit him chest high on the lead, then he will have a much more productive year next year as he will be able to involve himself in far more contested situations at ground level where he has a distinct advantage with both his pace and agility.

[Samsara 65]

I think 41 goals considering where he has come from is pretty bloody good. Certainly has parts of his game that he can work on, but so does every player. If he kicked 41 this year in 18 games, I can see him easily kicking 70-80 with better and more inside 50s and greater fitness etc.

[Guest Thomo]

Thommo.....if you have a mirror at home, I think you really do need to take a long hard look at yourself, from where Liam has come from to where he is now, with three sublime goals yesterday.......I expect and he will be a 10+ year player...another pre season and he will be even better than this year......if we managed to get the ball into the 50 a bit more often, he would have had a few more goals

Poor post by you. He has been dropped this year for not playing well enough, so it cannot be argued that he has been disappointing this year.

Jurrah is not above criticism. He has been poor this year. When he first arrived at the club we all said ‘wait until he has a couple of preseasons he will dominate’. His three preseasons so far have been disrupted, so this has had an obvious delay on his progress.

Statistically he has not improved since his first season. 9 games in his first year, 18 games in his third year, across all categories the averages are almost identical. At this rate he is far from guaranteed to be a ten year player. Jurrah will be 23 at the start of next season, and will be judged on where he is at, not where he has come from. He needs to improve his work rate or he will not be a long term AFL player.

Sean Charles, Damian Cupido Adrian McAdam and Alan Jackovich are some of the most talented players that I have seen, but they were not 10+ year players. Jurrah could be anything, but he could also join this list.

My question to Rudeboy, before satyricon piped in with his poor post, is do you think that his poor work rate is mental or physical?

[loges 6,767]

Nothing wrong with 40 goals for the year as he is really a flanker, not a key position player as many on here beleive. Would be much better with a big power forward to work off. Just needs to keep working and he will become the player most people hope

[RudeBoy 164]

Liam can cop criticism, so there's no offence taken by me.

I think the main thing is that despite being such an instinctive and naturally gifted player, he obviously has lot to learn about team structures and defensive play etc. I am actually surprised that the club has never played Liam on the half back line for half a dozen games or so, to teach him the defensive stuff so important in modern football. At Collingwood for instance, Malthouse played Daisy Thomas in defence for half a year. Unfortunately, he has not had any mentor at the Dees to look up to and learn from as a key forward. It's a great shame that someone like Nietz was not still playing to take Liam under his wing.

That said, he has a great attitude and is always looking to learn and improve. Unfortunately the off-field dramas at the club this year have not exactly provided the best environment, for him, or for the team generally. Stability off the field is essential for on field success. Hopefully the club will resolve those problems over the summer and begin to build a strong and united leadership.

As much as Liam clearly still has a lot to learn, I think the team has a lot to learn about delivering the ball into the forward line. Far too often the ball has been bombed down in a lazy fashion, making it difficult for Liam or any of the forwards to mark.

[Deeoldfart 7,996]

Nothing wrong with 40 goals for the year as he is really a flanker, not a key position player as many on here beleive. Would be much better with a big power forward to work off. Just needs to keep working and he will become the player most people hope

I agree with that loges. He has been asked to take the #1 or #2 key forward role this year, and his slight body is not built for that. I'm very content with two goals a game in the circumstances (crappy delivery etc.), and I'm sure this will increase if he gets a better structure around him, and less attention from opposition key defenders. Having said that, there are aspects of LJ's game that he needs to work on, but I'm sure he would be well aware of them, and working hard to bridge the gap.

[The Jacks 0]

The guy is as soft as butter. If he had a little more determination to win the footy, chase after blokes, tackle them and actually put his body in the opposition's path instead of getting out of the way the guy could be anything.

Jurrah has talent most footballers would die for, but he's missing the most important attribute a GOOD footballer needs, he doesn't "have a go".

[Doggo 32]

Glad to hear he's ok. Hope he fires up over preseason and comes backs, fitter, stronger and scarier than ever! If he could get it all to click, look out

[dee-luded 2,959]

Nothing wrong with 40 goals for the year as he is really a flanker, not a key position player as many on here beleive. Would be much better with a big power forward to work off. Just needs to keep working and he will become the player most people hope

Absolutely true, If we're to go forward as a club.

He's a brilliant talent and I hope he can find a way to use it in a winning team.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Liam can cop criticism, so there's no offence taken by me.

I think the main thing is that despite being such an instinctive and naturally gifted player, he obviously has lot to learn about team structures and defensive play etc. I am actually surprised that the club has never played Liam on the half back line for half a dozen games or so, to teach him the defensive stuff so important in modern football. At Collingwood for instance, Malthouse played Daisy Thomas in defence for half a year. Unfortunately, he has not had any mentor at the Dees to look up to and learn from as a key forward. It's a great shame that someone like Nietz was not still playing to take Liam under his wing.

That said, he has a great attitude and is always looking to learn and improve. Unfortunately the off-field dramas at the club this year have not exactly provided the best environment, for him, or for the team generally. Stability off the field is essential for on field success. Hopefully the club will resolve those problems over the summer and begin to build a strong and united leadership.

As much as Liam clearly still has a lot to learn, I think the team has a lot to learn about delivering the ball into the forward line. Far too often the ball has been bombed down in a lazy fashion, making it difficult for Liam or any of the forwards to mark.

He has to put on some muscle so he can feel confident to hit and stick tackles, and have a bit of padding to protect himself from the hits. And a bigger engine.

[Clanger King 9]

The guy is as soft as butter. If he had a little more determination to win the footy, chase after blokes, tackle them and actually put his body in the opposition's path instead of getting out of the way the guy could be anything.

Jurrah has talent most footballers would die for, but he's missing the most important attribute a GOOD footballer needs, he doesn't "have a go".

Give it a rest mate he's not the only one who is soft at our club. Rudeboy is giving us information that no one is privy to.. He's learning a lot more then the average 17 year old is learning.

Go play football in the bush and your toughness would get you no where. He kicked 40 goals. His job is to kick goals and to continually learn which he is doing. When was the last time a player at Melbourne kicked 81 goals in 35 games? Every game bar 3 he a kicked a goal.

Edited August 29, 2011 by Clanger King

[Big Kev 340]

For those interested, the good news on Liam is that his shoulder is OK - just jarred but no structural damage.

The bad news is he has a cracked bone in his wrist, which took the full weight of his body when he landed from taking that ripper mark. I actually feel a bit guilty as I told him he had just 2 remaining games to take mark of the year! For the first time since very early in the season, in the 2nd quarter he started to fly for pack marks again, so it's disappointing that that's what led to his injury.

So his season is over one week early, but given he managed 40 goals from 18 games, in a season where he was playing a somewhat different role, I think he's had a pretty good year.

It will be interesting to see who his coach is next year and how they choose to use his exciting talents, but hopefully he'll return for round one fitter and stronger than ever.

Thanks very much RudeBoy. Wish him the best of luck with his recovery.

By the way I bought the book, it was a very good read, and just shows how far Liam has had to come.

[The Jacks 0]

Give it a rest mate he's not the only one who is soft at our club. Rudeboy is giving us information that no one is privy to.. He's learning a lot more then the average 17 year old is learning.

Go play football in the bush and your toughness would get you no where. He kicked 40 goals. His job is to kick goals and to continually learn which he is doing. When was the last time a player at Melbourne kicked 81 goals in 35 games? Every game bar 3 he a kicked a goal.

I'm happy that Rudeboy shares this information with us, it's very nice of him and it adds to this forum.

But I don't understand your "17 year old" comparison. What are you trying to say?

What has this got to do with playing football in the bush? Jurrah has unbelievable talent and I just want him to have it drilled into him over and over and over that his talent will get him 40 goals a year, and that's it. If he could turn himself into a more valuable player he could kick another 10 goals a year himself, make the team 2 goals better every week, and we'd be loving him even more.

Jurrah has the ability to kick 3 or 4 goals in any given game. He can kick goals from nothing and his opponent can do almost everything right and Jurrah will still kick a goal or two. It's the fact that in many of those 35 games Jurrah has contributed very little to the side other than kick 2 ro 3 goals.

With the little he contributes you almost need Jurrah to kick 4 to call it a "break even" game from him, and that's not good enough, because he doesn't do that every week.

[Clanger King 9]

I'm happy that Rudeboy shares this information with us, it's very nice of him and it adds to this forum.

But I don't understand your "17 year old" comparison. What are you trying to say?

What has this got to do with playing football in the bush? Jurrah has unbelievable talent and I just want him to have it drilled into him over and over and over that his talent will get him 40 goals a year, and that's it. If he could turn himself into a more valuable player he could kick another 10 goals a year himself, make the team 2 goals better every week, and we'd be loving him even more.

Jurrah has the ability to kick 3 or 4 goals in any given game. He can kick goals from nothing and his opponent can do almost everything right and Jurrah will still kick a goal or two. It's the fact that in many of those 35 games Jurrah has contributed very little to the side other than kick 2 ro 3 goals.

With the little he contributes you almost need Jurrah to kick 4 to call it a "break even" game from him, and that's not good enough, because he doesn't do that every week.

In relation to learning more then the average 17 year old. Liam has to learn the god dam English language and is also a elder in a tribe that is in disarray oh and his home is over 2000kms away not 25mins down citylink.

Game structures, positioning ect is something that might take longer then the average 3rd year player.

He also averages more tackles then Morton, Watts and Martin... I'm sure there are a few more if I want to dig deeper too.

To kick 4 for a break even game. Pull your head in.. Tony Lockett only averaged 4.8 a game. I think Liam is doing more then enough with the amount of inside 50s we get as a team. The one area I think he has fallen away in is his accuracy.

Edited August 29, 2011 by Clanger King

[She Devil 64 21]

Liam can cop criticism, so there's no offence taken by me.

I think the main thing is that despite being such an instinctive and naturally gifted player, he obviously has lot to learn about team structures and defensive play etc. I am actually surprised that the club has never played Liam on the half back line for half a dozen games or so, to teach him the defensive stuff so important in modern football. At Collingwood for instance, Malthouse played Daisy Thomas in defence for half a year. Unfortunately, he has not had any mentor at the Dees to look up to and learn from as a key forward. It's a great shame that someone like Nietz was not still playing to take Liam under his wing.

That said, he has a great attitude and is always looking to learn and improve. Unfortunately the off-field dramas at the club this year have not exactly provided the best environment, for him, or for the team generally. Stability off the field is essential for on field success. Hopefully the club will resolve those problems over the summer and begin to build a strong and united leadership.

As much as Liam clearly still has a lot to learn, I think the team has a lot to learn about delivering the ball into the forward line. Far too often the ball has been bombed down in a lazy fashion, making it difficult for Liam or any of the forwards to mark.

Thanks Rude Boy for your thoughts on where Liam is at. It has been frustrating at times watching him play, knowing what he can do & trying to work out just what is needed to get the best out of him.

I wish him well and look forward to seeing him out there giving his best & exciting us all next year.

[east gippsland demon 7]

Looking forward to seeing L.J out there again next year .To all the knockers get a clue . Liam playing along side another couple of big quality forwards would be scary . This year was bloody hard work for him and he managed 40 goals . Well done .

[Kento80 83]

Thanks RudeBoy for all the updates on Liam. Glad to hear it isn't too bad an injury. Here's hoping he heals quickly, has a cracking preseason and comes out breathing fire next year!