On 21/08/2012 at 08:07, old55 said:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/age-footballer-of-the-year-round-21-votes-20120819-24gto.html

MELBOURNE v GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

David Polkinghorne

Toby Greene (Greater Western Sydney) 8

Jeremy Howe (Melbourne) 7

Luke Power (Greater Western Sydney) 7

Jake Spencer (Melbourne) 7

Lynden Dunn (Melbourne) 7

that's laughable...he played a dog of a game.

  On 06/08/2012 at 04:50, poita said:

I'd love someone to point out anything that Jamar has done this year that Spencer hasn't, other than getting himself injured repeatedly.

Signed for another 3 years.

  On 21/08/2012 at 07:24, DeeZee said:

Giles absolutely gave him a bath on the weekend. Killed him in the air every single time.

A worse kick of the footy I have never seen.

Where's the "hate this" button when you need it? If I recall correctly, there was just a very slight difference in the hit outs and possessions, and of the two, Spencer got all of the kudos in the media. His kicks were a mixed bag, but that's no different to a number of our players.

  On 21/08/2012 at 09:45, hardtack said:

Where's the "hate this" button when you need it? If I recall correctly, there was just a very slight difference in the hit outs and possessions, and of the two, Spencer got all of the kudos in the media. His kicks were a mixed bag, but that's no different to a number of our players.

The hit outs may ave been close but did you watch the game?

I lost count of the amount of times Giles out marked Spencer one on one.

His kicking was atrocious

  On 21/08/2012 at 11:40, DeeZee said:

The hit outs may ave been close but did you watch the game?

I lost count of the amount of times Giles out marked Spencer one on one.

His kicking was atrocious

I was at the game. As I said, he made some kicking errors, but he also put some good kicks into the forward line. He is inconsistent, but then again, so is Howe with his set shots and McKenzie and Grimes and a few others with their kicking in play. I thought Spencer put in a very serviceable game and was far from being our worst player afield.

  On 21/08/2012 at 06:53, rolly said:

russian resigned for 3 years, current leadership group member...will play out his contract or retire before being traded

afterwhich he will probably join the club as part of the fitness staff (has his own pt company)

  On 21/08/2012 at 06:53, ChaserJ said:

Inclined to agree that one must go, although I reckon clubs might place greater value on Stef Martin because he has more upside & scope for improvement. I think if Martin builds his endurance base further he has the potential to be an above average – to high level follower.

We appear to have backed Jamar in as first ruck, meaning we probably won’t get the best value out of him as a player if Jamar is fit. Spencer is doing well as the backup, but has little to no currency and probably lower potential. Gawn has the potential to be the best of the lot, but needs time, development, and a bit of luck on the injury front. Fitzpatrick also can be developed into a forward/ruck option and has shown a bit for Casey.

Thanks for the fitness business info, Rolly. Was not aware of that.

Good summation on our ruck stocks, Chaser. Martin will be treading water next year with us unless there are further injuries. A pity for him - he tends to play his best when given a stretch as first ruck.

  On 21/08/2012 at 11:49, hardtack said:

I was at the game. As I said, he made some kicking errors, but he also put some good kicks into the forward line. He is inconsistent, but then again, so is Howe with his set shots and McKenzie and Grimes and a few others with their kicking in play. I thought Spencer put in a very serviceable game and was far from being our worst player afield.

I have thought the same thing every time I have seen him this year hardtack

He was initially a rookie selection

He is doing a lot better than a number of high Draft picks in recent years

Wasn't his best game, but I have been impressed with his attitude and effort.

It's good that he is getting these games as the number one ruck, can only give him more confidence.

Just wish someone would teach him how to kick.

  On 21/08/2012 at 11:58, DeeZee said:

Wasn't his best game, but I have been impressed with his attitude and effort.

It's good that he is getting these games as the number one ruck, can only give him more confidence.

Just wish someone would teach him how to kick.

wish someone would teach 80% of the team to kick...doing sprints and laps will help you get to contests but you have to be able to do something effective with it once you have it

  On 21/08/2012 at 11:58, DeeZee said:

Wasn't his best game, but I have been impressed with his attitude and effort.

It's good that he is getting these games as the number one ruck, can only give him more confidence.

Just wish someone would teach him how to kick.

90% of the time a ruckman will be under the instruction to handball so I believe it's lazy midfielders not getting around him, or half backs not providing the run, especially in a stopped play where he has marked it! If he is under pressure of course a kick forward is the only option! I'm not really worried about a ruckmans kicking, more so his athleticism around the ground, marking and tap work and his ability to Shepard and chase, spencer is definitely improving in all of the above characteristics, and will definitely be improving at a rapid rate! Hopefully jamar has two more weeks off so spencer can come up against Jacobs and sandi two of the best in the game