Jack Fitzpatrick 2014

[chookrat 3,869]

Why does he have to be the next anyone ? How about just being the first Jack Fitzpatrick. He has a pretty unique set of attributes - height, speed and agility.

I like this post.

Jack Fitzpatrick isnt hung like a horse, horses are hung like Jack Fitzpatrick.

[McQueen 17,864]

And what is your basis for that belief? More likely than McDonald, Clisby, Grimes, Nicholson, Terlich????

Are you after a debate? Because I really CBF'd.

It's just an opinion of mine.

[InVINCEable 358]

Why does he have to be the next anyone ? How about just being the first Jack Fitzpatrick. He has a pretty unique set of attributes - height, speed and agility.

Just comparing him to a good player no need to be a dick.

[dee-luded 2,958]

A couple of left field suggestions (which those of you who don't like looking outside the box will think outrageous - if i didn't get scorn from these suggestions i'd think our supporter base might have - heaven forbid - become creative).

Fitzy is a very unusual player. He was an elite junior, where he absolutely dominated, but his well publicised health issues have held him back since then. We drafted him at 54, and he showed little for the first two years. This year, as he explained in the interview, he thought he was going to not get another contract so relaxed and enjoyed what he liked most ie play footy. And in the last 10 games he was usually in our four or five best.

Fitzy is 200cm (6'7"), but he is one of our best kicks for goal, he is a good overhead mark, he is also an elite runner, both over 50m and endurance, and if you haven't seen him train you should - he is something to behold. In fact his running both in the short form and long term, and his endurance, beats most of our mid fielders.

Why would we not:

1. play him in the mid field either on the wing or centre; or
2. in the backline, as the second tall back, preferably at CHB where he can use his pace to break the lines, and use his kicking skills to advantage.

Personally, i think he would be very suited to the Centre, but im sure most Demon fans on here will think i'm just an ignoramous, or delusional.

He would be a very significant addition to our midfield, which means he would add to our midfield deficiencies rather than subtract to them.

I always liked Fitz from the time I watched him & tyson vickery play a few times in a star studded Vic team in the TAC cup.

I liked both Vickery & Fitz (I think both underage tac's in their first of 2 years of TAC) amongst others.

in his second year he Fitz appeared lazy & a little undisciplined tac.. I didn't want him as a 1st Rnd pickup, but was pleasently surprised when we picked him later in the draft. good value I thought at the lower pick.

Since he joined us I've always had the thought in the back of my mind visualising him as a kind of Brad Ottens style follower. I good fella, humble & not up himself, & a fine family.

I hope he goes onto play as a follower in the 2nd ruck eventually.

[Moonshadow 16,627]

Good interview. Great attitude to the game and to life. Looking forward to seeing Fitzy further Improve in 2014, especially the kicking action. Been a real bright spot during a flat 2013. But really, those saying he has good disposal by foot need to start opening their eyes a little wider. Plenty of room for improvement. I'm a big fan on his outlook on life and footy, and can't wait to see him play in 2014.

[TRIGON 4,723]

Good interview, quite like Jack, a very personable young man.

4 injections per day...wow, that rules out a trade to Essendon!

[Bitter but optimistic 21,586]

Good interview. Great attitude to the game and to life. Looking forward to seeing Fitzy further Improve in 2014, especially the kicking action. Been a real bright spot during a flat 2013. But really, those saying he has good disposal by foot need to start opening their eyes a little wider. Plenty of room for improvement. I'm a big fan on his outlook on life and footy, and can't wait to see him play in 2014.

Good post moonatic ( who wrote it for you?). Fitzy has really gone from zero to hero through hard work - he looked a dud when he started but certainly showed me up as a poor judge.I rate his kicking higher than you do and I look forward to watching him next year. I just wonder what his role/position will be.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,586]

Good interview, quite like Jack, a very personable young man.

4 injections per day...wow, that rules out a trade to Essendon!

I reckon that record would have Essendrug chasing him!

[Earl Hood 5,884]

Why does he have to be the next anyone ? How about just being the first Jack Fitzpatrick. He has a pretty unique set of attributes - height, speed and agility.

I am holding judgement. I am hopeful but we need to see another year of improvement to be sure.

[Moonshadow 16,627]

Good post moonatic ( who wrote it for you?). Fitzy has really gone from zero to hero through hard work - he looked a dud when he started but certainly showed me up as a poor judge.I rate his kicking higher than you do and I look forward to watching him next year. I just wonder what his role/position will be.

Finally you choose an avatar pic that suits your personality Bitty.

[Don24 103]

A couple of left field suggestions (which those of you who don't like looking outside the box will think outrageous - if i didn't get scorn from these suggestions i'd think our supporter base might have - heaven forbid - become creative).

Fitzy is a very unusual player. He was an elite junior, where he absolutely dominated, but his well publicised health issues have held him back since then. We drafted him at 54, and he showed little for the first two years. This year, as he explained in the interview, he thought he was going to not get another contract so relaxed and enjoyed what he liked most ie play footy. And in the last 10 games he was usually in our four or five best.

Fitzy is 200cm (6'7"), but he is one of our best kicks for goal, he is a good overhead mark, he is also an elite runner, both over 50m and endurance, and if you haven't seen him train you should - he is something to behold. In fact his running both in the short form and long term, and his endurance, beats most of our mid fielders.

Why would we not:

1. play him in the mid field either on the wing or centre; or
2. in the backline, as the second tall back, preferably at CHB where he can use his pace to break the lines, and use his kicking skills to advantage.

Personally, i think he would be very suited to the Centre, but im sure most Demon fans on here will think i'm just an ignoramous, or delusional.

He would be a very significant addition to our midfield, which means he would add to our midfield deficiencies rather than subtract to them.

He would not be the greatest user of the ball under pressure in the midfield!

[Alcho Dee 269]

Nothing against Fitzpatrick, he had a decent crack last year, wasn't outstanding. But how all the sudden have the majority formed the opinion that he is in our best 22?

I think he will struggle for a game in 2014 if we have Clark, Hogan, Dawes, Howe and Watts as our forwards....he is still a work in progress and a unique player, but I don't see him in our starting 22!

[DeeSpencer 23,689]

Nothing against Fitzpatrick, he had a decent crack last year, wasn't outstanding. But how all the sudden have the majority formed the opinion that he is in our best 22?

I think he will struggle for a game in 2014 if we have Clark, Hogan, Dawes, Howe and Watts as our forwards....he is still a work in progress and a unique player, but I don't see him in our starting 22!

I think most share that opinion. His ruck work has a long way to go but if we have a competent first ruck he makes an ok back up but not to the extent that Clark can do that. And as a key forward he's not as polished as Dawes, Clark or Hogan either. If all 3 of those guys are healthy then he's not in the team. But right now he's fitter than Dawes and Clark and could be a chance for round 1. Best 22 is a pretty useless thing as it never exists. Injuries or drop in form of one player can provide an opportunity to another and all of a sudden everything has changed.

He played 11 games last year when we didn't have Hogan or Clark, but that doesn't mean he can't play 11 this year. Even if Clark and Dawes get through the year completely unscathed there's still a chance Hogan needs a rest at some stage. Looking for to Fitzy 2014, he was one of the very few good news stories of 2013.

[Alcho Dee 269]

I think most share that opinion. His ruck work has a long way to go but if we have a competent first ruck he makes an ok back up but not to the extent that Clark can do that. And as a key forward he's not as polished as Dawes, Clark or Hogan either. If all 3 of those guys are healthy then he's not in the team. But right now he's fitter than Dawes and Clark and could be a chance for round 1. Best 22 is a pretty useless thing as it never exists. Injuries or drop in form of one player can provide an opportunity to another and all of a sudden everything has changed.

He played 11 games last year when we didn't have Hogan or Clark, but that doesn't mean he can't play 11 this year. Even if Clark and Dawes get through the year completely unscathed there's still a chance Hogan needs a rest at some stage. Looking for to Fitzy 2014, he was one of the very few good news stories of 2013.

Reminds me of St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke but less coordinated it will be so interesting to see what Roos does with him and how he is used....

[FarNorthernD 5,848]

Reminds me of St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke but less coordinated it will be so interesting to see what Roos does with him and how he is used....

It will be interesting. Like others, I don't know where he fits in. He has an unique skill set; 200+cm, quicker than most of our midfielders and, in form, can take a good grab.

On the other hand whilst he jagged a few goals last year you wouldn't bet the farm on that kicking action and he will never be a tap ruckman.

Jack's too good to be playing Casey but where does Roos play him?

[Alcho Dee 269]

It will be interesting. Like others, I don't know where he fits in. He has an unique skill set; 200+cm, quicker than most of our midfielders and, in form, can take a good grab.

On the other hand whilst he jagged a few goals last year you wouldn't bet the farm on that kicking action and he will never be a tap ruckman.

Jack's too good to be playing Casey but where does Roos play him?

Lucky we have a good coach to deal with that problem.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,657]

Fitzpatrick will probably end up playing at least 15 games this year as Clark and Dawes are chronically unreliable in terms of getting on the park.

I think he's the sort of player that will get better by the year and will probably hit the scoreboard more than Dawes.

[old dee 23,256]

Fitzpatrick will probably end up playing at least 15 games this year as Clark and Dawes are chronically unreliable in terms of getting on the park.

I think he's the sort of player that will get better by the year and will probably hit the scoreboard more than Dawes.

I have a suspion you may be correct.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,657]

Worth remembering that he kicked 9 goals in 3 games v's Bulldogs, Sydney and Brisbane during the Neil Craig honeymoon period.

[whatwhat say what 20,443]

really hoping he's going to be a player.

[Je Roos Salem 661]

He's one of the most effective awkward players of all time

[Red and Bluebeard 2,050]

Fitzpatrick will probably end up playing at least 15 games this year as Clark and Dawes are chronically unreliable in terms of getting on the park.

I think he's the sort of player that will get better by the year and will probably hit the scoreboard more than Dawes.

I know you get one point for hitting the goal post, but how many do you get for hitting the scoreboard? :-) And for that matter, how many for hitting Dawes? :-) :-)

[All the Jacks 99]

For 2 years now i have been waiting for Jack Fitzpatrick to explode in the forward line and become the player we all think he is capable of, 200cm, speed and can take a mark, Paul Roos is his chance, can he play in defence, we need a 200cm player down there or does Jack have to wait for the opportunity up forward and that means injuries..

I would be disappointed if he was to leave the MFC for opportunity elsewhere...

[Winners at last 4,943]

Impressive young man.

[Pates 9,561]

I think the reality it that with a fit Dawes, Hogan, and Clark he will struggle to get into the team. But it still looks like having all three of them fit will be a luxury this year, so I think he'll get about 10-12 games.