Convince me Jack Fitzpatrick will make it

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

Ok so we all got to see the Fitzy show at Adelaide Oval, but personally I'm not a fan. If he's not contracted I don't think we should accept mediocrity and keep him for any longer. His main attribute seems to be speed, which is nice, but it's not what I want in a key forward.

To me he seems to have put on only a minimal amount of weight and with the chronic fatigue I think it will take him a long time to bulk up. Plus he's injury prone. His kicking is not good enough for a key forward and I doubt it ever will be.

If Neeld brings a Collingwood style game plan to Melbourne then the players he wants as Key forwards and ruck forwards will be contested footy types who either mark on bring the ball to ground. I don't think Fitzpatrick can do that, he doesn't look strong enough in the air. As for his speed, as I said its nice but if we want someone burning defenders for speed we already have Jurrah.

Is making a tough call on a ruck/forward type after 2 years too harsh? Or if we keep this guy for more years are we just plodding along with another future Newton or Spencer.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Put to the sword after ONE game, must be a new record

let have a look after 2 games , then we can really decide.

[Guest johnjones]

think he will give it time

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

Put to the sword after ONE game, must be a new record

let have a look after 2 games , then we can really decide.

The number of games means nothing. We delist players all the time after no games. Hawthorn often turn over more players than we do, getting rid of those who won't make it and bringing in fresh talent. Are we ruthless enough is what I'm asking.

[Theo 276]

Chris Connolly said on TAC Future Stars last year that Jack Fitzpatrick will be a great Melbourne player.

End of discussion

[jayceebee31 761]

Unfortunately I don't think Fitz will make it.

[beelzebub 23,383]

The number of games means nothing. We delist players all the time after no games. Hawthorn often turn over more players than we do, getting rid of those who won't make it and bringing in fresh talent. Are we ruthless enough is what I'm asking.

Jack (Watts) was crap in his first game..didnt set the world on fire in his second. Was downright mediocre 3 through about 11 . Its does take a little time you realise.

Edited September 27, 2011 by belzebub59

[Biffen 12,947]

Anyone here remember a Fellla named Watts?

[Geddy Lee 582]

Chris Connolly said on TAC Future Stars last year that Jack Fitzpatrick will be a great Melbourne player.

End of discussion

Well I'm convinced.

He obviously needs time, and, ahem, lots of it.

[Bay Riffin 1,480]

Jack (Watts) was crap in his first game..didnt set the world on fire in his second. Was downright mediocre 3 through about 11 . Its does take a little time you realise.

Yes but you could see Watts had elite skills, nice balance and could read the play ok.

watching Fitz in the Casey final against port as well was not encouraging. didn't seem to even be able to hold his feet in marking contests, and reading of the play was poor.

Given his kicking skills look well below par I think he will need to show a lot next year to maintain his spot. I am not worried about his size so much as he has filled out a bit already and will build up to a reasonable size, but geez I just don't see it at this stage. Not sure Connoly is a good judge on this one.

a couple of bags of goals in the thirds is encouraging but he will need to step it up next year.

[Doggo 32]

Personally i didn't rate him on what limited game time i saw of him in juniors pre-draft, and was a little disappointed we went for him and not his Western Jets teammate Majak Daw. Fitzy had a bit of the PJ about him, tall bloke who was often beaten overhead by smaller opponents, fast and agile and whilst looking spectacular at times, didn't do the basics well enough to make it. And kicks like an unco. I'm willing to give him more time, but to be honest, I'm not convinced he'll make it.

[Axis of Bob 11,853]

Watched any Casey games he's played in?

Or just the one interstate game from your living room?

[Dockett 32 1,239]

I have no idea if he'll make it, nor do I have any idea if he wont. What I do know is that I have watched him at Casey a few times and do know is that he's a young kid who is 200+ , can run pretty fast and those types don't grow on trees. So on that basis with only two years on the list ( esentially one if we deduct injury) I think it may be premature to make a 'tough call" at this point, or even in twelve months.

[DeeSpencer 26,083]

Watched any Casey games he's played in?

Or just the one interstate game from your living room?

I watched the Casey final as well (from my living room).

I just don't see how poor skills and not very good marking will develop you into a key forward, no matter how quick you are.

I like the look of Cook because he's demonstrated an ability to take a grab and has a nice kicking style. I haven't seen that from Fitzy.

[Striker475 696]

Not convinced either, but what happened to giving time to a player coming out of his first AFL contract who was a 3rd Round selection?

Prendergast tossed up between taking Big Max and Fitz in the 30s and was delighted when Fitz was still available in the 50s. He clearly rates him.

I'm fine with giving him another 2 years, come back to me then.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Any call on Fitzy is way way preamture. Whether he does or doesnt make it eventually to even attempt a call at present borders on the ridiculous......actually..it is ridiculous.

[rpfc 28,779]

I'm fine with giving him another 2 years, come back to me then.

Yes.

Why bother recruiting a 197cm 18 year old at pick 50 if you turf him two years later?

What's the effing point?

Give him a chance or don't pick him in the first place.

[Doggo 32]

Watched any Casey games he's played in?

Or just the one interstate game from your living room?

I have seen him live once for Casey this year, thought he was ok. Also a couple of times on TV, and at the intra-club last year. As i said, i'm willing to give him more time. But what i saw of him in juniors at the Jets (half a dozen or so games as i lived near their home ground in 08-09) did not impress me. Not writing him off, but gut feel tells me he won't be good enough.

[beelzebub 23,383]

I have seen him live once for Casey this year, thought he was ok. Also a couple of times on TV, and at the intra-club last year. As i said, i'm willing to give him more time. But what i saw of him in juniors at the Jets (half a dozen or so games as i lived near their home ground in 08-09) did not impress me. Not writing him off, but gut feel tells me he won't be good enough.

So to extrapolate your views to date...... hes getting better .

[bing181 9,328]

Get rid of him straight away. Would show teams like Collingwood how to manage players. They should have dumped that guy they got at pick 58, instead of persevering with him for 4 ordinary seasons. What was his name ... Dane Swan?

[Dee Dee 1,117]

Sheeet! Did you see Colin Sylvia's first game. It was against North Melbourne - he had one (1) lousy handball!!!!!

And remember Col was (I think) pick three in the draft!

Save your opinions till the kid's played a few games please!

[dee-luded 2,959]

Ok so we all got to see the Fitzy show at Adelaide Oval, but personally I'm not a fan. If he's not contracted I don't think we should accept mediocrity and keep him for any longer. His main attribute seems to be speed, which is nice, but it's not what I want in a key forward.

To me he seems to have put on only a minimal amount of weight and with the chronic fatigue I think it will take him a long time to bulk up. Plus he's injury prone. His kicking is not good enough for a key forward and I doubt it ever will be.

If Neeld brings a Collingwood style game plan to Melbourne then the players he wants as Key forwards and ruck forwards will be contested footy types who either mark on bring the ball to ground. I don't think Fitzpatrick can do that, he doesn't look strong enough in the air. As for his speed, as I said its nice but if we want someone burning defenders for speed we already have Jurrah.

Is making a tough call on a ruck/forward type after 2 years too harsh? Or if we keep this guy for more years are we just plodding along with another future Newton or Spencer.

Why?

There is no convincing.

He has the body, the frame, the natural skill sets.

Does he have the work ethic? This is the question! Does he have the thirst for the workload, & the contest???

This we don't know. He'll have to start showing it soon or he'll run out of time.

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

He was utterly terrible in his first AFL game but people seem to think there's somehting about the boy so I'm prepared to give him some more time. If he comes on, he could fill a need. If not- just another spud that gets chewed up and spit out by the system.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Yes.

Why bother recruiting a 197cm 18 year old at pick 50 if you turf him two years later?

What's the effing point?

Give him a chance or don't pick him in the first place.

The club has to give him a 'rocket' to get him to work harder.

As a junior he appeared Lazy. And he also got that CFS.

But does need to get the lead out.

[Robbie57 2,022]

Get rid of him straight away. Would show teams like Collingwood how to manage players. They should have dumped that guy they got at pick 58, instead of persevering with him for 4 ordinary seasons. What was his name ... Dane Swan?

Best post here for some time.