Aidan Riley - I like what I see

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

Was one of our best players then got subbed.

Lucky Roos is a proven coach

[Gorgoroth 12,319]

Yeah tank could only be the reason.

I hope some one asked Roos.

[Axis of Bob 10,218]

He doesn't have the tank to run out a full game at the moment.

Check how many times he's been subbed out this year.

[picket fence 15,137]

I hope this IS the case!

[gsmith12 491]

He doesn't have the tank to run out a full game at the moment.

Check how many times he's been subbed out this year.

Correct, give him a full pre season and look out in 2015.

[Max Power 37]

Correct, give him a full pre season and look out in 2015.

Can't wait and see what a preseason could do for him.

[DeeSpencer 23,126]

Saw him getting smashed in running by Jack Viney in March and that will forever be my guide for him this preseason. No doubt he's developed match fitness since then but he'd have to still be a long way from experience midfielder match fitness.

[rjay 23,902]

How about that tackle on Wines, just dumped him like a bag of.....

[Deez 298]

definitely the case.

As you all know, pigdog had broken his leg last year, we picked him up during his recovery.

It takes so much to come back from a break like that, so for him to produce what he has is nothing short of great.

I can't wait to see him with some miles in him.

He could step up to be a vital cog in our midfield.

[DemonOX 8,530]

I love the way he tackles.

He seems to really want to make them feel it and crunch them which is great.

[Dwight Schrute 16,751]

I really think we are onto something with this bloke imo he is in the best 22 now

[Scipio 5,868]

Riley could prove to be an absolute bargain pick up, loving his work so far.

[What 18,810]

He was tired and got subbed, so can you people stop complaining

Hes coming back from a broken leg, some players who break their leg struggle to ever make it back and have an impact (see Gary Rohan) so hes tracking nicely

He will be an asset to our midfield in 2015 and beyond

[SPC 2,792]

Was one of our best players then got subbed.

Lucky Roos is a proven coach

I agree that he was in good form and unlucky to be subbed. My only thought was that we were really strong in stoppages and winning in this area. Maybe Roos wanted a bit of pace and line breaking ability. But yeah i think Riley was super and his last few games have shown me that he is certainly in the our best 22.

[Elusive Tunbridge 795]

I don't think it has anything to do with his injury, but I do love his bandy-legged run.

[Scipio 5,868]

He was tired and got subbed, so can you people stop complaining

Hes coming back from a broken leg, some players who break their leg struggle to ever make it back and have an impact (see Gary Rohan) so hes tracking nicely

He will be an asset to our midfield in 2015 and beyond

Sam Blease is another case in point, though Riley's break was not as bad as either of them.

Fitness is definitely his issue at the moment, IMO.

[Deez 298]

I was under the impression that his break was quite severe?

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

I know this sounds a bit gruesome, but what sort of broken leg did he have? Was it the James Strauss broken tibia or the Daniel Cross fibula? And did it happen in a football match or in some other way?

The severity of the initial break will obviously impact on the pace of his recovery. It's not just full fitness that's required, he will also have issues with muscle wastage, ligament damage and scar tissue which all have to be overcome. Plus any psychological fears.

Every time a footballer plays again after these bad broken legs (Strauss, Rohan, Nathan Brown, etc) my admiration for their courage and work ethic skyrockets.

[DeeSpencer 23,126]

I know this sounds a bit gruesome, but what sort of broken leg did he have? Was it the James Strauss broken tibia or the Daniel Cross fibula? And did it happen in a football match or in some other way?

The severity of the initial break will obviously impact on the pace of his recovery. It's not just full fitness that's required, he will also have issues with muscle wastage, ligament damage and scar tissue which all have to be overcome. Plus any psychological fears.

Every time a footballer plays again after these bad broken legs (Strauss, Rohan, Nathan Brown, etc) my admiration for their courage and work ethic skyrockets.

I think he actually broke his ankle. And yes it was in the first 5 minutes of his only game for Adelaide last year.

Possibly a bad break to his ankle IIRC, but not the gruesome break of both leg bones such as Strauss, Rohan and others have done.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

I think he actually broke his ankle. And yes it was in the first 5 minutes of his only game for Adelaide last year.

Possibly a bad break to his ankle IIRC, but not the gruesome break of both leg bones such as Strauss, Rohan and others have done.

Broken ankles can cause a lot of ancillary damage to ligaments, too. There are a lot of moving bits down there which all need to fit together again.

Webber - what say you?

[Deespicable 2,545]

He seems to be the typical North Melbourne recruit to me - tough, ferocious, ungainly and lacking quality at times but a real goer and happy to chop down tall poppies.

A huge bonus for us that he was delisted by Adelaide after his broken leg and an even bigger bonus that Brad Scott didn't want him.

I know Roosy reckons we still desperately need tall midfielders but you have to wonder how many more we can include before we have too many.

Michie can't get a game, Trenners is injured and Salem was taken as a midfielder but none of them are a chance to play in the engine-room when you've got six inside-mids already - Viney, N.Jones, Riley, Vince, McKenzie (when tagging) and Tyson.

Maybe we have room for Petracca, but Riley's rise means there is no urgent need.

What we need is quality outside run - maybe Stretch!

[Pates 9,536]

I was disappointed that he got subbed out but it's another example of the club managing players first and the result is second. He is still regaining his fitness so clearly it was pre-planned. He could end up being a great value pick up, and if he continues to build we could start getting some competition for spots next year with Trenners coming back and Michie/Salem on the improve.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,171]

Reminds me of Brad Sewell. Will be a great asset with another preseason.

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,397]

Reminds me of Brad Sewell. Will be a great asset with another preseason.

Actually, Riley reminds me of...Neville Jetta.They both have a low-to-the-ground, bandy-legged running style which makes them look a bit like a waddling duck travelling at speed.

[What 18,810]

Was just looking at some stats and what jumped out at me was Aidan Rileys numbers

Despite averaging just 50.9% game time he ranks -

6th in clearances (2.0 per game)

5th in centre clearances (0.8)

6th in tackles (3.8)