did you see Tyson giving it to him after he gave away that reversal?

It was unbelievably soft, just put his arm up to defend himself. One of about a dozen soft soft frees to Tiges.

vandenBerg is the Yin to Jack Watt's Yang

vandenBerg is the Yin to Jack Watt's Yang

Would have thought JV was the Yin.

Actually thought Watts got involved in more hard contests.

Anyone see that bump (could've been a tackle) he landed on the boundary in the first quarter?

Uses his body so well - great to watch

Said it before that he reminds me of Max Rooke in that he was that fierce half forward who would just crash into packs and provide huge forward pressure.

Massive unit. He is the reason Rohan Bail cannot break into the team.

Love him!

He's having more impact this season than what Petracca would have had, and we can inject Petracca as a new recruit ala Hogan in 2016. Not saying I'm happy Petracca went down injured when he did, but from a team perspective it hasn't worked out too badly.

To pluck someone from the Canberra leagues and see them impact AFL games straight away in this manner is rather impressive recruiting...

Said it before that he reminds me of Max Rooke in that he was that fierce half forward who would just crash into packs and provide huge forward pressure.

Massive unit. He is the reason Rohan Bail cannot break into the team.

More Nathan Fyfe than Max Rooke.

Bail isn't in the same league as vandenBerg. That's like saying Jamar is keeping Toumpas out of the team.

That tackle on the boundary in the 3rd, oh my.

That reversal was BS. One of the multiple times King Rance dived and flopped around on the night, pathetic really.

He and Kent have got some genuine mongrel in them, and I like it.

He and Kent have got some genuine mongrel in them, and I like it.

As I sarcastically said about Kent in a thread last season - who knew recruiting actual footy players was the way to go?

BP didn't. But that's probably a bit unfair, wasn't he responsible for McDonald?

BP didn't. But that's probably a bit unfair, wasn't he responsible for McDonald?

Recruiting Tom [big tick], or 'moving on' Junior[big cross]?

More Nathan Fyfe than Max Rooke.

Bail isn't in the same league as vandenBerg. That's like saying Jamar is keeping Toumpas out of the team.

So that's why Toumpas is out of the team. We've been playing him in the wrong position—he's a ruckman!

Can't believe the speed of him. Ran straight passed Grigg who's not exactly slow.

You can't be 190cm, probably 90kg, strong, fast, hard and with decent endurance and be playing in the NEAFL. That's just not freaking fair.

I get how he had 60 touches, now I just don't get how he didn't have 60 a week!

More Nathan Fyfe than Max Rooke.

Bail isn't in the same league as vandenBerg. That's like saying Jamar is keeping Toumpas out of the team.

I mentioned Bail because of the Half forward role he played last year which now Vanders has taken.

He spreads hard, has pace, forward pressure, tackles hard.

No difference mate. Except Vandenberg is better.

i see vanburger as a real crowd favorite , just loves the contest im already a big fan , has a red hot go everytime ,

I mentioned Bail because of the Half forward role he played last year which now Vanders has taken.

He spreads hard, has pace, forward pressure, tackles hard.

No difference mate. Except Vandenberg is better.

No problem with your post and I think you're right! But vanders is now forming part of the midfield rotation. Playing wing, half forward and in the guts! Not sure who that means he's keeping out but it's bloody brilliant. He's rotating with the likes of Newton and Michie (when he was subbed on) and giving Brayshaw the freedom to develop on a half forward flank.

Richie, the freshly minted Demon

Richie, the freshly minted Demon

it's a great story (so far) isn't it maurie? seeing young players develop seemingly from nowhere is one of the delights for a footy follower

Watched Friday's game again. He is so strong through the hips that even when he is tackled he is able to stand up, get his arms free and dish off to someone else.

it's a great story (so far) isn't it maurie? seeing young players develop seemingly from nowhere is one of the delights for a footy follower

Barry Oakley wrote about this in "A Salute to the Great McCarthy" (1970).

"It is the story of McCarthy, the brilliant young footballer from the bush, and his adventures when he comes to the big city, determined to succeed."

Barry Oakley also wrote "Let's hear it for Prendergast".

Said it before that he reminds me of Max Rooke in that he was that fierce half forward who would just crash into packs and provide huge forward pressure.

Massive unit. He is the reason Rohan Bail cannot break into the team.

Max Rooke! Now he was a great, no nonsense player. Loved him.

Can't believe the speed of him. Ran straight passed Grigg who's not exactly slow.

You can't be 190cm, probably 90kg, strong, fast, hard and with decent endurance and be playing in the NEAFL. That's just not freaking fair.

I get how he had 60 touches, now I just don't get how he didn't have 60 a week!

As he was a top 3 mid in the NEAFL, he got ran with and concentrated on.

Again, I think the NEAFL has some very solid talents, just not the depth of the other state leagues.

It was unbelievably soft, just put his arm up to defend himself. One of about a dozen soft soft frees to Tiges.

I only just saw this on the replay (didn't even know it happened at the game). It was soft, but stupid by vandenBerg, as much as we love his aggression he will quickly learn when to control things a bit.

Another three of this type thanks Taylor/Viney