WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - AARON VANDENBERG

[jnrmac 20,065]

From just half a meaningless game I'm convinced that this guy can really play.

He seems to just play in a no nonsense simple what which I really like.

I agree but remember Magner.......

[Machsy 2,858]

I'm very surprised by his performance.

I thought Vanders was a long way off, but I'm now bouyant about his chances of making it, making a serious impact, and doing it early.

He seems to have all the raw tools to be another Barlow.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I agree but remember Magner.......

He's different, I think vandenBerg has class as well as grunt.

[John Dee 445]

I agree but remember Magner.......

I've seen a lot of players much worse than Magner play for the Melbourne Football Club!

[Henrietta Lumbago 331]

Have a look at his set shot goal in he 3rd quarter against Fremantle. Thats how to kick a football from a set shot

[Slartibartfast 17,279]

I agree but remember Magner.......

I thought of Magner in the other thread about Michie. Vanders is a much better kick and better in the air than Magner and that sets him apart.

I really like Vanders. Just seems one of those blokes that can get the ball often and do something with it. Very promising debut.

[CBDees 3,167]

I thought of Magner in the other thread about Michie. Vanders is a much better kick and better in the air than Magner and that sets him apart.

I really like Vanders. Just seems one of those blokes that can get the ball often and do something with it. Very promising debut.

For those trying to fabricate an analogy with Magner, you might like to check the stats for the Essendon scratch team that played in the NAB Challenge. Even in that VFL standard team, he didn't exactly shine! Vanders is a class above as many posters have observed. Watch him come off the rookie list and play most games this year! Edited March 9, 2015 by CBDees

[DeeSpencer 25,711]

Nice bit of trivia I forgot to mention.

Ainslie's NEAFL Coach Chris Rourke was pushing the bloke to anyone who would listen and so he went off and made a bloke listen - he rang up one George Stone (known from footy playing days down in Vic) and told him about Aaron.

Now that doesn't necessarily mean that Stone is the reason Aaron was given his chance but its a nice little story about recruitment that you rarely see anymore; former fat kid from Tathra gets recruited from non-football heartland after call from coach to a wise old bloke at an AFL club.

Good story. I think the recruiters should've at least been on to him regardless but a tip to Stone wouldn't have hurt. I'm thinking his game against the Swans reserves which was part of his highlights video would've been vital to him getting picked up. Dominating the NEAFL is fine, but getting a kick against the likes of O'Keefe is much more important.

I reckon those country stories get told all the time but usually the player goes through to a (proper sorry NEAFL) state league and only a small amount of them make the step up (see Isaac Smith and Lewis Jetta as the best examples).

[dazzledavey36 54,944]

Good story. I think the recruiters should've at least been on to him regardless but a tip to Stone wouldn't have hurt. I'm thinking his game against the Swans reserves which was part of his highlights video would've been vital to him getting picked up. Dominating the NEAFL is fine, but getting a kick against the likes of O'Keefe is much more important.

I reckon those country stories get told all the time but usually the player goes through to a (proper sorry NEAFL) state league and only a small amount of them make the step up (see Isaac Smith and Lewis Jetta as the best examples).

Here is a true story for you.

One night Chris Connelly was at a shepp footy club doing a function when one of the coaches told him to come down and have a look at a kid called Michael Barlow. Raved on about him and even put forward the idea that maybe atleast Casey should sign him up so they get a proper look. Chris watched him train one night and put a line through his name and didn't want a bar of it.

The rest is history.

[Machsy 2,858]

I agree but remember Magner.......

Magner was already what he would always be as a player when he got to us.

A muscle-bound lesser Moloney clone.

I see Vandenberg like a raw rookie who has already done the majority of his physical development, with the emotional maturity to hit the ground running and contribute immediately.

[beelzebub 23,376]

I see the likes of the VanMan as being our new prototype utility stock.

The old style are being gradually whittled awa y off the list.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,508]

Very promising debut and preseason thus far.

It'd be tough being a recruiter. Literally every person you talk to, from every club in the country has 'someone you've just gotta come and see.' Every recruiter had plenty of chances to see and recruit Barlow, Jetta, etc. Just as I have no doubt every recruiter would have a txt, email or anecdote about Vandenberg... here's hoping we got lucky this time.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Here is a true story for you.

One night Chris Connelly was at a shepp footy club doing a function when one of the coaches told him to come down and have a look at a kid called Michael Barlow. Raved on about him and even put forward the idea that maybe atleast Casey should sign him up so they get a proper look. Chris watched him train one night and put a line through his name and didn't want a bar of it.

The rest is history.

Barlow was also good mates with Angus Graham who told Richmond about Barlow but they overlooked him as well.

I like your story though, the key part is to not judge a player solely by how he trains.

[jnrmac 20,065]

For those trying to fabricate an analogy with Magner, you might like to check the stats for the Essendon scratch team that played in the NAB Challenge. Even in that VFL standard team, he didn't exactly shine! Vanders is a class above as many posters have observed. Watch him come off the rookie list and play most games this year!

Fabricate? Wow there is an accusation. Nothing fabricated. Just simply an observation with reservation. Don't go reading into things what you want to see, Comparing Magners game this week with his debut for the Demons is plainly ridiculous. Talk about fabricating a comparison. Pot. kettle. black.

And then you say confidently, perhaps bombastically or with fanfaronade, that he will play most games this year. Good luck with that. I'd be thrilled for him if he was to achieve that. BUt the odds would be against it going on the history of rookies.

[Gator 17,357]

The Vandenberg story isn't dissimilar to Guy Rigoni, who was a ball magnet from Myrtleford. Rigoni debuted at 23 and went on to play 107 games having been a late pick in the ND (77). Vandenberg is also 23.

[CBDees 3,167]

The Vandenberg story isn't dissimilar to Guy Rigoni, who was a ball magnet from Myrtleford. Rigoni debuted at 23 and went on to play 107 games having been a late pick in the ND (77). Vandenberg is also 23.

Rugoni also was also a handy player for Sandy after he finished with us!

[KingDingAling 3,758]

Rigoni and Lovell were my 2 fav players. Remember them just like yesterday.

[obbafan 128]

Like the Rigoni comparison.

Remember picking up the members scarf at the tent outside the MCG and they had non selected players for that game glad handing. Could not believe how short Magner was.

Plenty of muscle mind you but I was looking down at him from an ordinary 6ft,

This guy vanwhereeveryouputthecapitals is tall, strong and calm!

God bless him.

[Earl Hood 6,086]

Apart from the Rigoni comparison, when Van the Man ran past me today was I mistaken in thinking I was looking at Peter Walsh reborn from the 90's?

[Earl Hood 6,086]

Apart from the Rigoni comparison, when Van the Man ran past me today was I mistaken in thinking I was looking at Peter Walsh reborn from the 90's?

Whoops think I meant Mitchell White!!

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,833]

Anyone see a bit of Stewie Dew in this guy?

[Ron Burgundy 8,584]

Will probably get howled down for saying this, but I'm currently watching the NAB Challenge Freo/Dees replay on Fox - and every time I see Vandenberg I keep thinking he's Brendon Goddard mark 2.

[John Dee 445]

Will probably get howled down for saying this, but I'm currently watching the NAB Challenge Freo/Dees replay on Fox - and every time I see Vandenberg I keep thinking he's Brendon Goddard mark 2.

I agree Ron, there is quite a resemblance!

[What 18,810]

Will probably get howled down for saying this, but I'm currently watching the NAB Challenge Freo/Dees replay on Fox - and every time I see Vandenberg I keep thinking he's Brendon Goddard mark 2.

Definitely cut from the same mould

[Je Roos Salem 661]

He's basically the concrete Matt Jones.