And next year we'll probably begin to kill the career of Aish or Sheed or the like and then claim him as a dud because he didn't set the world on fire after a handful of games in the worst AFL midfield seen in the last 20 years. Carlton had an average midfield, then got Judd. GC got Ablett. The circumstances are different but the point is the same. Get an A grade midfielder or 2 who are leaders and your draftees lift. So the question is, who would we target? Daisy? Swan? Sidey? Sewell? Fyfe? Kennedy (Swans)? D Martin? If we could get the last 2 we'd go a fair way towards righting the ship.

Sewell is a real chance. I think we should be throwing the house at Sydney's Kennedy. Martin is struggling to get his own game to a consistent level, let alone guiding other players. That said, I'd probably take Martin, but it would depend on the cost.

Last year in his first season, Chad Wingard, (a player that Toumpas has been frequently compared to pre-draft, although I don't necessarily agree) statistically had:

- 5 games with only 6 disposals

- 9 games with 11 or less disposals

- 16 games with 16 or less disposals

He really didn't set the world on fire, and I'd say some of his games were very average.

He also wasn't coming off surgery on both hips.

But look at him now.

It really will be a great surprise if he is not All Australian.

Last year in his first season, Chad Wingard, (a player that Toumpas has been frequently compared to pre-draft, although I don't necessarily agree) statistically had:

- 5 games with only 6 disposals

- 9 games with 11 or less disposals

- 16 games with 16 or less disposals

He really didn't set the world on fire, and I'd say some of his games were very average.

He also wasn't coming off surgery on both hips.

But look at him now.

It really will be a great surprise if he is not All Australian.

Yes, Jimmy is a different type of player but it's the comments from people like Rucciuto and a few other experts who continue to say don't worry the kid will be a gun that make me feel we have got it right. Lets sit back and watch, I think he is carrying the burden of Cook, Gysberts, Morton and to some degree Watts and it's unfair on him.

...and yes Wingard pretty much signed himself up as an AA with his effort for Port today.

I cannot believe some absolute deadset muppets are already writing of toumpas after 12 games!! WTF is with you idiots!? The bloke is coming off a no pre season base due to his hips which alters your core strength and takes a while to build over. Playing games now means he is catching up on pre season fitness but also valuable experience. Not trying to make an excuse but when you dont have the pre season fitness base behind you, your going to be playing catch up football all year. He will be very much better prepared next year when he has had a solid summer on the track and new coaching panel.

He has also had to look up to Grimes and Trengove as leaders and lets be honest both arent really much chop.

The midfield around him is absolutely diabolical

Lack of leadership in showing the kids like toumpas, kent etc in being the ultimate professional in what it takes to become an A grade player

DEVELOPMENT and CULTURE are the main reasons why our young player havent kicked on! We are on life support and battling a spreading cancer thats affected our club for years.

So for all you imbociles saying he is a dud, wasted pick, trade etc you can all EAD!

If hes not fit , he ought to have stayed in the magoos and waited til a good preseason under belt. Someone else playing his possie wouldnt have changed any game outcomes.

For someone touted as having ready to go AFL skills hes a bit underwhelming.

I dont think the many are writing him off at all. Hes ours, wish him good luck and hope he can deliver on his potential.

am sure he'll be a better than half decent player...one day..sometime.

All some of us have suggested was he wasnt the right choice.

Hes not a wet behind the ears kid whos simply played schoolboy stuff ( ) hes already had time in senior footy.and as such was expected to be a little more with it than exhibited to date.

Just wanted to make a few quick comments on the young lad as I went to the game yesterday and watched closely. Firstly, I couldn't believe people were giving him 6 votes in Demonland of year. The kid had low 20's disposal and had no presence in the game physically. 3 different times he shot out a quick handball to a player who was under super pressure, just so he would not get crunched in the tackle.

The good: To me, he looks exactly like a Steele Sidebottom type, smart with skills. The kids is a natural ball finder, and creates space with his run. A couple of times he run really hard down into the absolute last line of defence to cover which was pleasing. His tackling has improved slightly and the floppyness in his physicality has gone, but the kid just needs a few pre-season to bulk up, gets crunched easily.

Anyway no need to worry with this lad, he will be a player, but is still 2 years off.

*Did not complete his first pre-season*

Let's see how he goes next year when fully fit (ie completes a full pre-season), my guess is that he'll be ok

*Did not complete his first pre-season*

Let's see how he goes next year when fully fit (ie completes a full pre-season), my guess is that he'll be ok

AHHHHHH the old lack of a preseason have all our players that excuse

A first year player who had a slow start but is now picking up the tempo of the game and has improved markedly as the year's gone on, I'm happy with where he's at.

AHHHHHH the old lack of a preseason have all our players that excuse

Its how you build your foundation to set you up for the year. It make a hell of a difference when you complete a full pre season. If toumpas has a solid summer on the track injury free expect a different player from toumpas next year.

Just wanted to make a few quick comments on the young lad as I went to the game yesterday and watched closely. Firstly, I couldn't believe people were giving him 6 votes in Demonland of year. The kid had low 20's disposal and had no presence in the game physically. 3 different times he shot out a quick handball to a player who was under super pressure, just so he would not get crunched in the tackle.

The good: To me, he looks exactly like a Steele Sidebottom type, smart with skills. The kids is a natural ball finder, and creates space with his run. A couple of times he run really hard down into the absolute last line of defence to cover which was pleasing. His tackling has improved slightly and the floppyness in his physicality has gone, but the kid just needs a few pre-season to bulk up, gets crunched easily.

Anyway no need to worry with this lad, he will be a player, but is still 2 years off.

Great summation.

For someone touted as having ready to go AFL skills hes a bit underwhelming.

You are kidding aren't you? He is a beautiful kick and some handpasses yesterday were very smart directly or in front of a running player who didn't have to miss a step.

Yes he floundered a couple of times but that isn't his disposal. If there isn't an option, he can't create one: he can't kick to a lead of no one is leading, he can't kick to advantage of we are outnumbered. If he looks up and there is only oposition players forward it makes sense that he will back pedal to retain possession rather than blaze away because that is the type of player he is. If a teammate doesn't shepherd and give him space he will be under pressure.

Displaying good disposal is reliant on a bunch of other factors, but that doesn't change the inherent quality of his disposal. When the team plays better footy and gets in better positions and runs harder, you will see what good disposal is.

Just wanted to make a few quick comments on the young lad as I went to the game yesterday and watched closely. Firstly, I couldn't believe people were giving him 6 votes in Demonland of year. The kid had low 20's disposal and had no presence in the game physically. 3 different times he shot out a quick handball to a player who was under super pressure, just so he would not get crunched in the tackle.

The good: To me, he looks exactly like a Steele Sidebottom type, smart with skills. The kids is a natural ball finder, and creates space with his run. A couple of times he run really hard down into the absolute last line of defence to cover which was pleasing. His tackling has improved slightly and the floppyness in his physicality has gone, but the kid just needs a few pre-season to bulk up, gets crunched easily.

Anyway no need to worry with this lad, he will be a player, but is still 2 years off.

He was fantastic yesterday, a real positive of the game. I think you have misread his game. I thought his ability to stay composed in congestion and not on get a handpass out, but get a creative handpass out that lead to an open man was very exciting. Showed he has ability to play inside which will complement his outside running ability. A real step forward in what has been a disappointing first season for him.

Personally, I think coming back from hip surgeries and lack of a full preseason would enable him to still run hard, but deprive him of some quickness and agility, especially when working in tight spaces.

Like was said above, he needs at least another 2 years.

Same will be said for a kid like Aish.

Sorry dees supporters, there aren't any quick fixes for us.

Impressed by his game yesterday. Will give us run and inside poise.

Happy that Toump could have a good game - could give him a lot more confidence going into the preseason.

One of the kids that will really benefit from a full preseason (as well as Trengove, Taggert, Kent and Evans).

We have to make sure we develop him right - not like Trengove (Viney and Hogan will be fine). I think its a matter of building up his body without losing speed (like GWS do).

In his draft highlights video he looked to have great speed and confidence - I think he would be getting 20-30 touches every week in a collingwood midfield (ours just doesn't suit him).

I see him as a good rebounding player - getting the ball on an open wing and legging it then kicking it from 50m (like in his draft highlights)

Edited August 25, 201311 yr by Young Dee

There's so much to like about Toump. He's got a very good head on his shoulders, especially for his age. Has future leader written all over him.

Be careful P-Man, don't give the club any ideas...

One thing i noticed with Toump is that he can actually handball, and not just handball, he handballs to advantage (i.e., in-front of where the Melbourne player is running, with power and around waist height).. The amount of Melbourne players who cannot handball is shocking for AFL level. I think i saw Matt Jones handball soft floaty passes 3 times at the feet of another Melbourne player..

If you are afraid of hurting your hand when you hit the ball you have a problem...

GO DEES!

One thing i noticed with Toump is that he can actually handball, and not just handball, he handballs to advantage (i.e., in-front of where the Melbourne player is running, with power and around waist height).. The amount of Melbourne players who cannot handball is shocking for AFL level. I think i saw Matt Jones handball soft floaty passes 3 times at the feet of another Melbourne player..

If you are afraid of hurting your hand when you hit the ball you have a problem...

GO DEES!

.....I don't know is that legal?

Sounds like something a good team would do.

We don't want to play with the rules of the game - lets just keep handballing it to still players just to be safe.

You can't blame Jimmy Toumpas for not being Oliver Wines.

At least he puts in and seems to have the right attitude, unlike Morton or even Watts.

its not the attitudes that he has. its the attitudes that he adopts as he grows.

if our forces of softness infect him, he's shot.

he has to adopt the forces of hardness.

we have to get all our players, skilled types or rugged types, to get the hard, rough, mentally tough & ruthless & hard working edge, & drop the pretense of nice...

Jimmys workrate is first class

He will be a star, i have no doubt

The only thing i can say is id like to see him be a bit more selfish, theres been a number of times this season when he could have licked goals and should have had the shot but he passed it off instead

Jimmys workrate is first class

He will be a star, i have no doubt

The only thing i can say is id like to see him be a bit more selfish, theres been a number of times this season when he could have licked goals and should have had the shot but he passed it off instead

Same with when he ran through the middle of the ground yesterday, went to play on then got caught because he didn't back his first instinct.

Everyone keeps saying drop him to the 2's to help build confidence, when clearly he dominates VFL and just needs time in AFL under the right coaching and mentality and it will come together for him.

If we were actually winning games his decent performances and any flaws would just go without comment and we'd all be happy.

Jimmys workrate is first class

He will be a star, i have no doubt

The only thing i can say is id like to see him be a bit more selfish, theres been a number of times this season when he could have licked goals and should have had the shot but he passed it off instead

That will come with confidence - look at Kent, Fitzy or Spencer.

A handful of good games and a good preseason and he will feel as if he deserves to be out there. (both Fitzy and Spencer said they played better/more confidently when they thought they had earned their spot in the team)

Edited August 25, 201311 yr by Young Dee

On 6/24/2013 at 10:09 AM, Patches O’houlihan said:

was thrilled when we drafted toumpas, rated him equal pick 1 with whitfield, great to see him doing okay in a poor side which is never easy

Once a spud, always a spud. Delisted from Port. Thanks Neeld for drafting him ahead of wines and macrae.

6 minutes ago, Elegt said:

Once a spud, always a spud. Delisted from Port. Thanks Neeld for drafting him ahead of wines and macrae.

I don't think there is any benefit in taking pot shots at a young bloke who has just been cut from a second club and effectively closing the door on his career & dreams. 

He was a draft pick that just didn't work out for us unfortunately, poor management early could very well have lead to his demise. Seemed like an honest hard worker just not up to it at AFL level unfortunately.