Could not help notice similarities between the Spencil and early Jimmy Stynes on the weekend. Kicking style, endurance and raw aggression being the more notable.

Spencil has come a long way and has a lot further to go.

He has the potential to emulate Jimmy's career and I for one would like to see that happen.

Any one else notice the same?

Could not help notice similarities between the Spencil and early Jimmy Stynes on the weekend. Kicking style, endurance and raw aggression being the more notable.

Spencil has come a long way and has a lot further to go.

He has the potential to emulate Jimmy's career and I for one would like to see that happen.

Any one else notice the same?

Wow. Not sure if serious.

Spencer has just begun to take steps towards becoming a consistent AFL standard player and he's being compared to one of the greatest ruckmen to ever play the game. Stynes was a once a generation player and I don't think Spence is going to be that ruckman this generation.

Edited April 14, 201411 yr by Django

Wow. Not sure if serious.

Yep but note I did liken him to an EARLY Jimmy.

Interesting comparison....

Game has obviously changed a lot since the days big Jim was running about. I'm certain Spencer would look a lot more at home considering how the game was played even back then...

Conversely, Jimmy I'm sure wouldn't have reached the heights he did back then had it been in this era of lightening fast, precise skills football.

Very different times.

That is an amazing comparison

Personally I don't see it but if he turns out to be a quarter of the player big jimmy was I will be a happy demon member

I like Jake, but the thought of him running and kicking the ball back up to him is pretty funny.

Yep but note I did liken him to an EARLY Jimmy.

I saw Jimmy's first game, not good, was sent to Prahan I think to learn to play, kick also. He was this gawky giraffe type kid that could run, didn't know where to run but he could run. His kicking style was ...............I suppose a little like Spencer but less penetration if possible. I thought he had no hope of making it. When he returned he was a little better but still very awkward. He really didn't break out until the year after he ran over the mark at Waverley 1987? He developed brilliantly but it took time. Spencer needs more time. Maybe we could send him to Prahan

I saw Jimmy's first game, not good, was sent to Prahan I think to learn to play, kick also. He was this gawky giraffe type kid that could run, didn't know where to run but he could run. His kicking style was ...............I suppose a little like Spencer but less penetration if possible. I thought he had no hope of making it. When he returned he was a little better but still very awkward. He really didn't break out until the year after he ran over the mark at Waverley 1987? He developed brilliantly but it took time. Spencer needs more time. Maybe we could send him to Prahan

The problem is that Spence has being playing the game a lot longer than Jimmy had when he started. I don't think Spence has a whole lot more development in him, unless he can somehow become a lot more coordinated.

I doubt we will ever see anything approaching what Jimmy did in our lifetime.

It truly is a roller coaster of the emotional here on the land.
A week ago, half the list needed to be crucified (with Spence being a regular target in those kind of discussions).
Now, we are thinking he has the potential to develop to the levels of Big Jim.
By the way, I think he may be handy but he needs that second ruckman to help him so he can at least have a shot of realizing his potential.

Could not help notice similarities between the Spencil and early Jimmy Stynes on the weekend. Kicking style, endurance and raw aggression being the more notable.

Spencil has come a long way and has a lot further to go.

He has the potential to emulate Jimmy's career and I for one would like to see that happen.

Any one else notice the same?

no...no I don't.

Actually Jimmy was an ordinary tap ruckman and not a great pack mark (like NicNat) but had unbelievable endurance and took plenty of marks by putting himself in front of the pack. He developed body on body marking later in his career and also learned how to nullify at the ruck contest.Strawbs was a much better tap ruckman..

He was impossible to play on at his peak because he played like a midfielder and you had to run a ruckman with him because he would outmark a small but just ran every other ruckman off their feet.

( and yes I remember him sprinting down the wing and kicking the ball up to himself rather than bouncing it...)

Edited April 14, 201411 yr by nutbean

The problem is that Spence has being playing the game a lot longer than Jimmy had when he started. I don't think Spence has a whole lot more development in him, unless he can somehow become a lot more coordinated.

Oh, you don't think he has much deveopment left in him? Well that's it then. Off to the knackery for Spencil.

Seriously GTFOOH.

In Aussie Rules does kicking it up to yourself equate to a bounce? I remember thinking WTF! when Jimmy did that.

Oh, you don't think he has much deveopment left in him? Well that's it then. Off to the knackery for Spencil.

Seriously GTFOOH.

No I don't, that's my opinion. I'll be happily proven wrong though.

In Aussie Rules does kicking it up to yourself equate to a bounce? I remember thinking WTF! when Jimmy did that.

I suppose it would just count as a kick and play on.

Spence embodies everything Melbourne. Can frustrate the hell out of you but every now and then makes you jump from your seat !!

Reminds me of a young Napoleon Dynamite ,who's been hypnotized to think he is Jim stynes.

Now you mention it.

I watched the replay last night and I noticed something about Spencil, I haven't seen a lot of him but there was a familiarity to how he played and looked. I reckon you're right skills. he looked a lot like Jim on the weekend especially the kicking style.

Edited April 14, 201411 yr by 1 red eye 1 blue eye

In Aussie Rules does kicking it up to yourself equate to a bounce? I remember thinking WTF! when Jimmy did that.

Actually it is holding the ball ,if tackled or running too far with it, the same as handballing to yourself. You are considered to be maintaining possession.

If the ball hits the ground first before you reagain possession then that is the same as bouncing the ball.

Dunno about him becoming Jim. Strawbs maybe. Love his mongrel. Wish the skills were a bit better.

His skills are improving, as his his ruckwork. Still very much a work in progress.

Injuries held him back early. Consistent game time will see him improve dramatically.

Actually reminds me of Dean Cox very early in his career.

Reminds me of a young Napoleon Dynamite ,who's been hypnotized to think he is Jim stynes.

Thats Gold DeeZee! LOL

I cringed when I saw the headline comparing Jim & Jake..Just...NO!

Am I the only one that hates Spencer being called "Spencil"?

Yes, I realise his nickname is Pencil.

Let's start calling Frawley "Chipley".

In answer to the OP...No.

I was thinking at the weekend of Spencil more along the lines of Strawbs, and the combo (when/if ever fit) with Gawnius Maximus akin to the Jimma / Strawbs pairing.

Spencil is certainly more the strong bash and crash Strawb type without the fine skills or unprecedented endurance* of Jimma.

*a level of endurance only approached in my memory by Graham Wise, who for those who don't remember was our last premiership ruckman, a man who rucked solo all day without relief, and was also a marathon runner.

Edited April 14, 201411 yr by monoccular

Spencer is one of the only ruckman who can play out 3 and a bit quarters in the ruck by himself, his input around the ground needs to increase, but around the stoppages he is a beast. His second efforts have always been his strong point and he is no doubt going to benefit from prolonged time in the number 1 ruck spot. I think Jamar will ad much more hit outs to advantage against the bigger ruckmen due to his experience, but the pressure around the ground andthe fact that Spencer is willing to lay a tackle and chase is his biggest attribute and one which cannot be underestimated. having a 100 kilo 203 cm bloke who is chasing the smaller players around and plays with aggression is something the team really needs (even if his disposal and marking is questionable at the moment)