Luke Tapscott, the forgotten man.

[waikikkamukau 62]

Anyone know what is going on with Tappy? Wasn't named in any team last week and is not on the injury list.

[DeeSpencer 23,229]

Was emergency and presumably travelled to Darwin last week. I'd say he'd be in with some chance to play this week if not he'd be at Casey and close to selection.

Slow start to the year gathering fitness from yet another injury and didn't exactly set the world on fire but who knows, at least he's hard and he can tackle.

[Sir Why You Little 34,614]

Who??

[rpfc 27,535]

He's got two months to turn it around.

[Deez 298]

yeh, went to darwin as emergency for the seniors.
the last handful of weeks he's played some reasonable football, mostly playing inside mid and fwd.

producing some positive in and under contested ball work, but apparently rarely gets on the outside for easy ball gets.

He might get a run soon.

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

I think Tapscott was a sound selection at 18 (or whatever he went) in whichever draft - 2009 perhaps. I was very happy we landed him.

My recollection is that he was by no means a left field selection, unlike, for instance, Strauss over Zaharakis at pick 19 in the, I think, 2008 draft. Or Lucas Cook at pick 12 over the next 30 or so players in his draft.

To date though, but for some small glimpses, Tapscott has been completely underwhelming. I don't think he was a poor selection - it seems he may very well be another victim of poor development under the MFC during that time. In fairness, he's also been unlucky with injuries.

Whatever the reason, it's been absolutely tragic how many first round draft picks we've had who simply haven't come through.

And it's especially so when, at the start of the year, I excitedly looked to the likes of Michie, Riley and Evans as the future of the club, all of whom were third round selections and below.

How did we stuff it up so badly?! It's bordering on criminal.

Thank God we have Paul Roos.

[stuie 7,374]

If Roos record of a couple of games as emergency before getting the call up is anything to go by, Tappy will play this week.

[dazzledavey36 48,919]

Tappys best footy was back in 2011 when he was playing as a Half Back Flanker doing the kickouts, playing like a seasoned veteran back into packs and putting his body on the line. I use to always say he was going to be our next Shannon Hurn.

That debut game against Sydney was one of the best 1st gamer from a player I had seen ever from a MFC playing point of view.

When Neeld came on board Tappy went forward and has stayed there ever since. To say his career I reckon throw him back for the rest of the year and let him go at it again.

I would much rather Tappy down there then Terlich and Grimes.

Thoughts?

[Bang Bang Bang 5,510]

I think he's too slow, and lacks footy smarts (at least the ability to win the footy) to make it at AFL level.

[Deez 298]

Tappys best footy was back in 2011 when he was playing as a Half Back Flanker doing the kickouts, playing like a seasoned veteran back into packs and putting his body on the line. I use to always say he was going to be our next Shannon Hurn.

That debut game against Sydney was one of the best 1st gamer from a player I had seen ever from a MFC playing point of view.

When Neeld came on board Tappy went forward and has stayed there ever since. To say his career I reckon throw him back for the rest of the year and let him go at it again.

I would much rather Tappy down there then Terlich and Grimes.

Thoughts?

I thought he was a forward in the juniors?

I didn't mind him as a lead up forward, because he's got good hands and a big kick. However those qualities are handy playing as a back man as well.

who knows what he could produce playing under roos.

if he got some confidence up, he definitely still has the ability to make it.

If he played inside mid and rotated either forward or back, throwing his weight around, he has the potential to be handy.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Deez

[dee-tox 4,827]

Heard the powers that be are not that impressed with his aerobic ability and skin folds. Need to give him a few games to get his trade value up. Blease is in the same boat.

[Axis of Bob 10,261]

His problem is that he's not a great runner. Has footy skills, toughness etc, but if you can't run in the modern game then you're stuffed. He needs to get his running up to AFL standard.

[KingDingAling 3,613]

Heard the powers that be are not that impressed with his aerobic ability and skin folds. Need to give him a few games to get his trade value up. Blease is in the same boat.

We'd need a miracle to happen for Tapscott to have trade value. Be lucky to get a 4th rounder Blease,

[Je Roos Salem 661]

I reckon if he gets another game you will remember...just how bad he is. Last year when he kicked 6 in the VFL everyone was asking why he wasn't in the side, and then he came in and gave us next to nothing. Only worth having him to smash some players around, but the way the game's adjudicated these days, it might not even be worth it

[Tatu 416]

Tappys best footy was back in 2011 when he was playing as a Half Back Flanker doing the kickouts, playing like a seasoned veteran back into packs and putting his body on the line. I use to always say he was going to be our next Shannon Hurn.

That debut game against Sydney was one of the best 1st gamer from a player I had seen ever from a MFC playing point of view.

When Neeld came on board Tappy went forward and has stayed there ever since. To say his career I reckon throw him back for the rest of the year and let him go at it again.

I would much rather Tappy down there then Terlich and Grimes.

Thoughts?

his debut was great.. His attack on the ball and man was second to none... If he could some how regain that form, he'd be in our best 22 every week... Unfortunately for him and us though... his hip injuries (2012 i think?) have stunted his grow as a player... He hasn't been able to find full fitness since... Id say his massive penetrating kick in his junior days, might have something to do with his hip problems and his hip problems will probably end his career... I doubt he'll be able to over come this..

[Roger Mellie 3,530]

Not much of a tank, a bit slow and very good at running straight into an elbow. Not sure if I've seen a player get concussed (or at least seeing a few stars) as much as Tapscott. Often doesn't come off either so runs around half dazed. He seems to have the rest of the tools (tough! and a good kick) so I'd like to see him get a good crack at it. The 2 x 30 plus possessions at Casey is a great start.

[Roger Mellie 3,530]

Not much of a tank, a bit slow and very good at running straight into an elbow. Not sure if I've seen a player get concussed (or at least seeing a few stars) as much as Tapscott. Often doesn't come off either so runs around half dazed. He seems to have the rest of the tools (tough! and a good kick) so I'd like to see him get a good crack at it. The 2 x 30 plus possessions at Casey is a great start.

[Whispering_Jack 28,010]

Tappys best footy was back in 2011 when he was playing as a Half Back Flanker doing the kickouts, playing like a seasoned veteran back into packs and putting his body on the line. I use to always say he was going to be our next Shannon Hurn.

That debut game against Sydney was one of the best 1st gamer from a player I had seen ever from a MFC playing point of view.

When Neeld came on board Tappy went forward and has stayed there ever since. To say his career I reckon throw him back for the rest of the year and let him go at it again.

I would much rather Tappy down there then Terlich and Grimes.

Thoughts?

If you're not a runner then the hbf is the last place you're going to play in the modern game as it's played by the better teams.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

His straight line running is good, his lateral movement is terrible.

[drdrake 3,044]

He is not forgotten,just can't get a game. I think we might see him line up on Saturday, it is going to be a slog they will go with a bigger body instead of Salem or Barry.

[Bedraggled Dee 336]

Heard a whisper he gave Roos a spray at some point. I dont think Roos would let that effect his selection but might be a sign of Tappys frustration at his inability to play the required style. I recon he has a couple of months to break into the team and prove he should be retained or he will be delisted or traded (if possible). His career is definately at a cross roads.

[Slartibartfast 15,845]

If you're not a runner then the hbf is the last place you're going to play in the modern game as it's played by the better teams.

No, it's not the last place. The last place is as a high half forward and you'll find the GPS results of players supports this.

At least that's the situation at Melbourne, I don't know about other clubs.

[poita 3,638]

Plain and simple, Tapscott is a very average footballer. He doesn't get enough of the football, he makes poor decisions, he is slow, and he doesn't stop an opponent. I actually can't see any value to him, unless you want him to shirt front the opposition's best player. Comfortably in the top three to get delisted at year end.

[John Crow Batty 8,266]

Its been downhill ever since he did that severe hammy against St Kilda in 2011. Lost any semblance of pace and his powerful kicking disappeared. Was worth one final chance this season. Non appearance is telling. Top of the delist list.

Edited July 9, 2014 by america de cali

[Don24 103]

His problem is that he's not a great runner. Has footy skills, toughness etc, but if you can't run in the modern game then you're stuffed. He needs to get his running up to AFL standard.

Ability to cover the ground for a full game is definitely what is holding him back.

Lets keep in mind he has yet to come close to completing a preseason.... thats really what he needs to build that tank up