On 01/12/2014 at 03:09, dazzledavey36 said:

Too much times on your hand.

Ah, football forums. Where people argue back and forth with uninformed anecdotal "evidence", and when someone finally turns up with the actual facts to end the debate, they're told they have "too much time on their hands".

In other news, Brayshaw is a beast. I say this both from my own observation, and his ludicrous tackling stats. He's going to be really something.

Loved the unbridled joy on his face after the win,couldn't get the smile off his face.

It's so good to be excited by the new kids at the moment not because of flashy highlight reels, but consistent efforts and their attitude.

Finally we draft a kid in the top ten who has an immediate impact and is developing good habits for the long term

the kid is just stoked. love the direction our club is heading in.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-04-25/rd-4-angus-brayshaw-postmatch

  On 26/04/2015 at 03:21, Yossarian said:

Brayshaw equal fifth for total tackles in the league. That's just ridiculous.

Don't get me wrong, I love the way Brayshaw goes about it, and his love for the contest, but leading the tackling stats could mean that you're 2nd to the ball.

  On 26/04/2015 at 03:39, autocol said:

Ah, football forums. Where people argue back and forth with uninformed anecdotal "evidence", and when someone finally turns up with the actual facts to end the debate, they're told they have "too much time on their hands".

In other news, Brayshaw is a beast. I say this both from my own observation, and his ludicrous tackling stats. He's going to be really something.

Yeah cool

  On 26/04/2015 at 04:45, mo64 said:

Don't get me wrong, I love the way Brayshaw goes about it, and his love for the contest, but leading the tackling stats could mean that you're 2nd to the ball.

r u serious? fmd

this kid is seriously good, very composed and a quick learner

  On 26/04/2015 at 05:06, daisycutter said:

r u serious? fmd

this kid is seriously good, very composed and a quick learner

I didn't say anything different. I just hate tackling stats being raised as a measurement of a player's performance or ability.

  On 26/04/2015 at 06:34, mo64 said:

I didn't say anything different. I just hate tackling stats being raised as a measurement of a player's performance or ability.

I think it's a great stat, as for being 2nd to the ball.....look at a stoppage situation with the congestion there your not always tackling your direct opponent. We won the game by 32 points, had more disposals and more tackles.

  On 26/04/2015 at 05:06, daisycutter said:

r u serious? fmd

this kid is seriously good, very composed and a quick learner

I would say in this instance they are a good indicator that Brayshaw relishes the physical contest & will not ever take a backward step. It is a measurement of an aspect of his game but not his performance in entirety you're correct there. But it's something that as a club we have lacked for quite some time. Personally I enjoy watching the likes of vandenBerg, Gus Brayshaw & Kent as they are prepared to fly the flag. You can build a team around these type of players & I'm glad that Roos values these types as you can anticipate that we will at least be competitive.

Edit: Spelling

Some of his disposals were a little sloppy on Friday night. What was so impressive is that he didn't drop his head as a result. He simply kept tackling and attacking each contest. Has a good head on his shoulders I think.

  On 26/04/2015 at 04:45, The Song Formerly Known As said:

the kid is just stoked. love the direction our club is heading in.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2015-04-25/rd-4-angus-brayshaw-postmatch

Just saw the interview. He was so thrilled to be a winner. And how about the broad grin on Roosy's face as he walked past?

What about Petracca. Does he play a similar style of game ? Is he another tough nut?

  On 27/04/2015 at 03:29, Bobby McKenzie said:

Just saw the interview. He was so thrilled to be a winner. And how about the broad grin on Roosy's face as he walked past?

Noticed that! It looked a bit like he deliberately walked into the camera space as if to say: 'very proud of the lad!'

Future captain for sure (unless Hogan takes it off him)

You can tell he already loves the club, as demonstrated by his early contract extension.

Loved that goal he nailed in the third quarter.

  On 26/04/2015 at 06:34, mo64 said:

I didn't say anything different. I just hate tackling stats being raised as a measurement of a player's performance or ability.

Other than taking a look at the top 15 tacklers this season to date and guess what, they are all good players.

Jack Steven

Luke Dahlhaus

Matt Priddis

Marcus Bontempelli

Bryce Gibbs

Stephen Coniglio

Ben Howlett

Joel Selwood

Todd Goldstein

Angus Brayshaw

Nathan Van Berlo

Josh P. Kennedy

Jake Melksham

Maverick Weller

Patrick Dangerfield

It feels ridiculously early to be naming him a future captain and there's a kiss-of-death feel about that tag, but the force is strong within him.

  On 26/04/2015 at 04:45, mo64 said:

Don't get me wrong, I love the way Brayshaw goes about it, and his love for the contest, but leading the tackling stats could mean that you're 2nd to the ball.

  On 26/04/2015 at 06:34, mo64 said:

I didn't say anything different. I just hate tackling stats being raised as a measurement of a player's performance or ability.

If he never graduates from tackling as much as he finds it (10 possies, 6 tackles he averages) then maybe there is something in that, but if you look at Vanders - he gets to so many contests - that's why he is averaging 5.5 tackles a game and 18 touches.

Personally I think tommy Mac or jack Viney will be our next captain but I really think gus will be a beauty!

  On 26/04/2015 at 03:21, Yossarian said:

Brayshaw equal fifth for total tackles in the league. That's just ridiculous.

That's a great effort, especially as he has been effected by the sub rule in 3/4 games. He'd probably be leading the league otherwise.

Petracca will be the icing on the cake....another big bodied midfielder with special qualities....he will be our Fyfe, and the puzzle will be almost complete.....Jamars been good but still think we need a more dominating ruckman.

  On 26/04/2015 at 06:53, AdamFarr said:

Some of his disposals were a little sloppy on Friday night. What was so impressive is that he didn't drop his head as a result. He simply kept tackling and attacking each contest. Has a good head on his shoulders I think.

Spot on, he keeps going at each contest. amazing football maturity on young shoulders. He also has the capacity to take pressure marks and kick pressure goals. Not only a good head but a cool head. He just has the workmanlike quality that tells you that he will always be there at the contest or in tight situations.

1/120 x7(-1)(14)

  On 26/04/2015 at 03:29, Sir Paul Roos said:

Hogan #1 for contested marks

Brayshaw#5 for tackles

Who says young players can't make an impact right away?

Who says the inability to recruit and develop decent footballers makes my team the laughing stock of the AFL? Not me ..... well not any longer anyway!

  On 27/04/2015 at 05:28, rpfc said:

If he never graduates from tackling as much as he finds it (10 possies, 6 tackles he averages) then maybe there is something in that, but if you look at Vanders - he gets to so many contests - that's why he is averaging 5.5 tackles a game and 18 touches.

That's the point I was trying to make. All the other player's in the top 15 tacklers list are also high possession winners. Given his limited game time, Brayshaw's possession average is still pretty decent, so I'm not knocking him in any way. But there have been players who's primary instinct is to tackle rather than win the hard ball (Libba Snr and Scott Selwood), which is why it's not a list that I get overly excited about.

And of course it's not just the number of tackles, it's the quality. Nobody but nobody gets the ball out when he puts the clamps on them. And nobody but nobody ever breaks the tackle.