VB signs new deal with Dees

MELBOURNE has signed rookie success story Aaron vandenBerg for two years, tying him to the club until the end of 2017.

STOP YELLING

Great news! His attack on the ball or the man with the ball is fantastic. Especially since he had no pre season.

WOO HOO.

I am waiting for the soothsayers come out with their "flash-in-the-pan" posts

Well done Aaron. You have started well, and fitted into a much needed rôle. Keep it up. We have seriously missed you

I told him he was coming to the club at the right time; just got our house in order and don't have a midfield with any size.

Great news.

Also glad that the Dees didn't try to overthink and keep him on the list for another year to get an extra pick in the ND - we have done that before and it usually backfires in unforeseen ways.

I am waiting for the soothsayers come out with their "flash-in-the-pan" posts

Well done Aaron. You have started well, and fitted into a much needed rôle. Keep it up. We have seriously missed you

hope he plays this week, his big body would be invaluable in the wet.

I predict that there will be a lot of competition each year between Vanders, Salem, Viney, Hogan, Brayshaw and Petracca for the Norm Smith medal when we start our string of twenty-first Century Premierships!

Edited July 9, 201510 yr by CBDees

Also glad that the Dees didn't try to overthink and keep him on the list for another year to get an extra pick in the ND - we have done that before and it usually backfires in unforeseen ways.

I was just thinking that. We have gone too cute in recent years, good to be decisive for once.

hope he plays this week, his big body would be invaluable in the wet.

Yep. From memory the last game he played in the wet he laid 8 tackles. The man is a machine.

Looking at his attitude,you can see how much he appreciates the opportunity to be an AFL player.Even if he gets beaten by his opponent,he still gives 100% and never gives up.That's the kind of player I want to see wearing red and blue.

how was he not found before, from the 1st time you see him its so obvious, all recruiters thru the AFL should return 10% of their salary.

VB signs new deal with Dees

Yep. From memory the last game he played in the wet he laid 8 tackles. The man is a machine.

It was 12!

It was 12!

Wow, I stand corrected.

He remains a machine though.

how was he not found before, from the 1st time you see him its so obvious, all recruiters thru the AFL should return 10% of their salary.

They've all been looking for Barlow and we got him.

FK yeah! Love this kid i reckon he is an absolute machine!

I remember against the bullies game his physical presence was huge! Was Josh Kennedy/Nat Fyfe like in the way he impacted the contests.

Well done Vanders.

Ps another Jason Taylor special too!

He is beast!

Needs to work on his disposal but with another AFL preseason under his belt, he could explode next year.

Would love to see him lining up in the centre square.

Great pick-up and re-signing.

A rough gem with a great attitude, and I reckon he/we can add the necessary polish! Clearly appreciates the opportunity that he has been given, and is grabbing it with both hands! Fantastic news for all concerned.

Edited July 9, 201510 yr by Deeoldfart

Superduper way to go!

Others have said he struggled with weight and mindset as a young player. I believe that has to be true because I can't see how else such a big, aggressive ball accumulator would stay completely under the radar for so long. When I first saw him in that NAB game, my first reaction was "what the... Who is that?". Stood out like the proverbial dog's balls.

Interesting that he credited Robert Shirley with his turnaround. Shirley was a modestly talented player who got the absolute best from himself. Since arriving he said he's followed the lead of Daniel Cross - more of the same. He obviously recognises the need for continued professionalism that he's probably not naturally inclined to, so he surrounds himself with the right role models.

An amazing pick by Taylor and co. Another couple of these each year, thanks :-)

A rough gem with a great attitude, and I reckon we can add the necessary polish! Clearly appreciates the opportunity that he has been given, and is grabbing it with both hands! Fantastic news for all concerned.

That's why you know he will make it.

LIKE THIS.