Can take a mark and now looks like he belongs. Long term will need to improve his ruck skills however we have something here

Why Fritzel? Wasn't he Josef?

Fitzy has been great so far, it's pretty nice that the issue going forward (if he keeps this form) will be 'how do we fit Fitz, Gawn, Clark, Dawes, Watts and Hogan in the same team?'.

Yes, a great game today. I've got no doubt he will be a key player for us in the future.

Having watched him often at Casey, he was always a standout in as much as he has elite speed for someone so tall and use both at Casey very effectively, but I suspect he was so hidebound by Neeld that he was not allowed to show off his natural talents.

He used his speed, marking ability and strength today. A hey, he can even kick straight .

It is interesting that all of Dawes, Fitzy, Clark, Howe and hogan are first class kicks for goal. All we have to do is get it down to them now.

I thought Fitzy was excellent today, but that's a ridiculous call RE: Fitzy being a first class kick. His field kicking today was fantastic, but his goal kicking at times was woeful. That ball drop is horrendous.

I think Fitzy will become important depth in our forwardline. With Clark and Hogan to come into the side next year, I can't see a place for Fitzy with Watts on the ground. Still, we want to see competition for spots. That can only be healthy.

Yes, a great game today. I've got no doubt he will be a key player for us in the future.

Having watched him often at Casey, he was always a standout in as much as he has elite speed for someone so tall and use both at Casey very effectively, but I suspect he was so hidebound by Neeld that he was not allowed to show off his natural talents.

He used his speed, marking ability and strength today. A hey, he can even kick straight .

It is interesting that all of Dawes, Fitzy, Clark, Howe and hogan are first class kicks for goal. All we have to do is get it down to them now.

Not sure Fitz is a first class kick at goal. That 45 deg snap thing from a set shot is best left up to the likes of Stevie J.

How funny that a 200cm guy with diabetes and CFS has taken some time to look the part. Who'd have thunk it.

He was held back because of his many health issues. Not just the diabetes and CFS, but several injuries during the pre-season. They said on a few occasions that they wanted to be absolutely sure his body was ok before they put him into the senior side so he didn't just break down again.

He also has struggled to 'Believe', that he's good enough... that he fitz.

He has always had the tools he needs except self belief, as most young giraffes.... he still has a looong way to travel.

Anyone thought the fact he was not handed games on a platter and has been made to round out his game in the twos is the reason he is showing so much?

Not beyond the realms of possibility......

Edited July 7, 201312 yr by 71 Molloy

I am accepting apologies now.

I have been pumping up this bloke for 2 years.

So many on here just dismiss players too quickly.

Anyone thought the fact he was not handed games on a platter and has been made to round out his game in the twos is the reason he is showing so much?

Not beyond the realms of possibility......

!!! absolutely!!!

Been playing better nice he ditched that terrible beard!

Good burst of speed and strong hands.

Played a really good game today and is a very hard match up

http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28163-nbt-next-big-thing/?p=478511

That is all I have to say at this time.

Let's ignore the bit about Izzy though

Edited July 7, 201312 yr by RalphiusMaximus

For the last season I've heard people talk about this fella.

Can someone please explain why there's so much love. I know he's only a young bloke making his way but I just can't see it. Nice enough field kick but terrible mark & poor decision maker (fits in perfectly at the moment).

Hows your Eyes SRO???

His composure with the ball has drastically improved and his speed is a unique attribute for a guy his size.

His contented marking has also been very serviceable which impresses me. I thought he was another Stef Martin or really just a Sellar with poor skills and speed but he can actually mark the ball.

Also his ability to leap in the ruck is good it's just not well utilised yet. I'm not overly worried about his rucking potential.

Fitzy has elite leading speed and fairly safe hands and he's working on his obvious flaw that kept him out for so long - a shocking ball drop.

But while it's great to see him do well, I now reckon he is our most important trade at season's end because as of today his value to a club like Western Bulldogs is a second round draft pick, which would translate into hopefully a half-decent midfileder.

Our only strength is our talls and with Hogan on list next year and possibly Clark coming back, there's no room for the Fitz and he needs to go to a club that will play him now that he's old enough to cope.

If someone tells me Mitch Clark's injuries make him unlikely to play again, then I'm all for keeping him.

But if not, we have to shed someone from our area of strength to try and overcome our midfield weakness.

http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?/topic/28163-nbt-next-big-thing/?p=478511

That is all I have to say at this time.

Let's ignore the bit about Izzy though

That is a little thread of horrors, poor Demonator:

The next big thing... 'Lucas Cook and Tom Rockliff from Brisbane'

I've got it wrong with this guy. He can replicate his VFL form at AFL level.

Confidence and belief are powerful thoughts.

Happy to have been proven wrong. He'll have his bad days, but can definitely play.

Sign him. A ruck tag team of Gawn and Fitzy would be great.

I've got it wrong with this guy. He can replicate his VFL form at AFL level.

Confidence and belief are powerful thoughts.

Happy to have been proven wrong. He'll have his bad days, but can definitely play.

Yep I'm in the same boat. I just thought he'd never get the marking up to scratch or the natural footy stuff but he's really come together. He'll be up and down but there is a lot to like. Certainly compared to first round draft pick Cordy who once the ball hits the deck is shot the speed is a great asset.

I think Fitzpatrick starting from so far back has actually helped him because he hasn't had to deal with all the pressure of playing for Melbourne the last few years and probably had no right to demand a game up until a few weeks ago and even then they didn't rush him.

I only think of how good it would be if guys like Watts and Blease had their flaws and talents so readily identified and were coached up at VFL level to exploit their strengths and work on their weaknesses.

His composure with the ball has drastically improved and his speed is a unique attribute for a guy his size.

His contented marking has also been very serviceable which impresses me. I thought he was another Stef Martin or really just a Sellar with poor skills and speed but he can actually mark the ball.

Also his ability to leap in the ruck is good it's just not well utilised yet. I'm not overly worried about his rucking potential.

And he ATTACKS the ball on the ground and in the air with intensity.

has all the attributes to become a very good centre half back.

I am accepting apologies now.

I have been pumping up this bloke for 2 years.

So many on here just dismiss players too quickly.

Been doing the same over on BigFooty. Met him after the game, Fitzy's the man!

it is astounding the number of players that have seem to have grown an extra leg in the last three weeks.

I wonder what has changed lately!

it is astounding the number of players that have seem to have grown an extra leg in the last three weeks.

I wonder what has changed lately!

I heard craigy has got them on banana injections od.

Fitzy is 22, that's huge, Tippett is 26, and on a million per annum, I wouldn't even do a straight swap.

I heard craigy has got them on banana injections od.

i

Luckily they have been passed fit for human consumption dc

Or we might be in a bit of trouble there!

It's hyperbolic, but what the hell: