2013 Player Review - # 19 James Strauss

[Demonland 73,165]

Another player who disappointed with his lack of development this season.

Games MFC 2013 6 Career Total 24

Goals MFC 2013 1 Career Total 1

Games CSFC 2013 11 Goals CSFC 2013 2

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 58 votes

[jnrmac 20,189]

yep

Elite kick? Never seen it

[old55 23,709]

yep

Elite kick? Never seen it

He is a great kick but takes an eternity to get the ball from hand to foot - feel like I'm channeling Clint.

Edited September 26, 2013 by Fifty-5

[deeko 952]

I know he has been impacted by injuries but still has never done anything of merit in his few games he has played to show that he deserves a spot going forward.

What was with our bloody obsession of recruiting flankers???

Another pick wasted.

[old dee 23,872]

I know he has been impacted by injuries but still has never done anything of merit in his few games he has played to show that he deserves a spot going forward.

What was with our bloody obsession of recruiting flankers???

Another pick wasted.

I am struggling to put up a contra argument!

[Nasher 33,617]

Limitations notwithstanding, some damn continuity would help. He seems to suffer at least one serious contact injury a year. The most number of games he has played in a row is seven. His sequence goes 2, 5, 4, 7, 3, 1, 2, for 24 games over 4 seasons. At the rate he's going he's going to be completely wrecked by 25, if he makes it that far.

He got a very hard time for his "education" early on, but he's taken more than his share of physical punishment for a borderline player I think.

[beelzebub 23,383]

trade

[Nasher 33,617]

trade

Worth nothing I reckon BB. Doesn't have the possible upside of someone like Blease. Given how we went this year, nobody is going to be interested in our fringe unless they are exceptional in some way.

[beelzebub 23,383]

Worth nothing I reckon BB. Doesn't have the possible upside of someone like Blease. Given how we went this year, nobody is going to be interested in our fringe unless they are exceptional in some way.

well heres my thinking... maybe out there there's a team that ...oh, i dunno wants to adopt a , lets call it Moneyball strategy .!!! lol

geez we have some deadwood

Strauss for mine falls into that category of saccharins. They aren't the real thing but might add something to a deal !!

Edited September 27, 2013 by Belzebubsy

[deeko 952]

Limitations notwithstanding, some damn continuity would help. He seems to suffer at least one serious contact injury a year. The most number of games he has played in a row is seven. His sequence goes 2, 5, 4, 7, 3, 1, 2, for 24 games over 4 seasons. At the rate he's going he's going to be completely wrecked by 25, if he makes it that far.

He got a very hard time for his "education" early on, but he's taken more than his share of physical punishment for a borderline player I think.

I really do feel sorry for him in regards to the injuries but lets be honest, in any of his games (even in the magoos) what has he really shown to impress? Although he hasn't had continuity he has still had a chance to impress. And thats more than 99.5% of the rest of us.

Even if he never had those injuries not sure he would be much more of a player.

He is so far down the pecking order I think now that even Clisby has gone past him.

Delist in favour of any type of midfielder

[Bay Riffin 1,481]

I really do feel sorry for him in regards to the injuries but lets be honest, in any of his games (even in the magoos) what has he really shown to impress? Although he hasn't had continuity he has still had a chance to impress. And thats more than 99.5% of the rest of us.

Even if he never had those injuries not sure he would be much more of a player.

He is so far down the pecking order I think now that even Clisby has gone past him.

Delist in favour of any type of midfielder

seems like another draft camp recruit. Elite kick, elite agility and elite repeat sprints. Yet watch him on the field where is all this pace etc?

[Young Dee 1,303]

Wow - this is a negative thread.

I am going to put my head on the line here and say I really like Strauss. I think he will be one of the most improved next year.

He is always on his man when the ball comes but has the ability to attack when the time is right. He has a good kick and is very fast - a perfect rebounding defender.

We don't have any good kicks in our backline so I think that alone will give him a spot.

I may be delusional but I think there is some unfair criticism on here, he dominated VFL all year and only got a handfull of games (2 games towards the end of the year where he didn't play the full game due to injury).

Definitely showed something in those 2 games though. I think he is in a similar position to what Fitzy was at the start of the year - needs some consecutive games to make him feel part of the team.

[deeko 952]

I would love him to come on Young Dee and happy to be proven wrong. I just think there are better players than him out there.

I think your description of him 'dominating' VFL is a little over board as well. He was good, being listed in the best 5 times from 11 games and averaged about 20 touches of the pill a game. But he was never best on or did he ever dominate a game which you would think someone who has been on a list for 5 years now would.

Team squads now are something like 5 defenders, 4 forwards and 13 midfielders. He is a true back flanker and isn't good enough for the midfield. The guys he is competing with (Grimes, Terlich, Clisby) are all past him now.

But, still, I would like nothing more for him (and many others) to prove me wrong.

[Machsy 2,858]

Absolutely top shelf disposal.

Those who haven't seen it aren't watching hard enough.

Good agility, size and athelticism for a HBF.

Has an AFL developed body now.

Really lacks urgency and needs to gain some more mongrel, although he has gained some over time but not enough.

Confidence has long been an issue.

Lack of continuity has hurt him too. He seems to need a few weeks to find a comfort level in the AFL.

I think Roos can make him into a solid contributor.

He has all the physical tools if his body stands up.

It's all upstairs for Strauss.

[demonchris 162]

Thought he was playing some good footy before he got injured towards the end of the year.

[Stinger 463]

I reckon Strauss is one who will get more opportunities and will really show his true colours under Roos. Has everything going for him, just needs to click mentally - the kind of players roosey loves.

[angrydee 842]

Will flourish under Roos.

I hope

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,276]

I always find it amusing when posters suggest trading players like Strauss. He has no currency.

[Diablo Deemon 220]

Another Roos project should of been developed as a mid flanker.

Hopefully we get him right I think he has ability.

[Bimbo 940]

I thought he was really starting to cement his place when he broke his leg against Carlton a couple of years ago. He actually was starting to look like he belonged.

Unfortunately since then injuries have prevented us from seeing what he may have. The club has probably spent more on his medical bills than his salary.

Still contracted next year. Whatever it is, it should be a fairly simple choice then whether to keep or delist.

[whatwhat say what 22,950]

What did he poll in the Casey best and fairest?

Lots of people raved about his games at VFL level, but I seem to recall he didn't make the top 10 in the votes - does anyone know how he polled?

[Barney Rubble 1,576]

I would love him to come on Young Dee and happy to be proven wrong. I just think there are better players than him out there.

I think your description of him 'dominating' VFL is a little over board as well. He was good, being listed in the best 5 times from 11 games and averaged about 20 touches of the pill a game. But he was never best on or did he ever dominate a game which you would think someone who has been on a list for 5 years now would.

Team squads now are something like 5 defenders, 4 forwards and 13 midfielders. He is a true back flanker and isn't good enough for the midfield. The guys he is competing with (Grimes, Terlich, Clisby) are all past him now.

But, still, I would like nothing more for him (and many others) to prove me wrong.

He's a better kick than Grimes and a lot quicker, but just doesn't have the footy smarts

[Dee man 303]

FWIW James Strauss (and Neville Jetta) finished in the top 20 in the league for disposal efficiency. Admittedly he didn't play much and have many disposals, but 86% efficiency is still impressive.