2015 Player Review - # 37 Aaron vandenBerg (R)

[Demonland 73,208]

The strong bodied mature age recruit from Canberra was a hit from the start and his excellent debut season was marred only by a hamstring injury and a late season ankle injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season after playing 14 matches.

Games MFC 2015 14

Career Total 14

Goals MFC 2015 5

Career Total 5

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 128 votes

[Demon trucker 1,800]

Really needs to improve hitting more targets has efficiency of 56%, if that does not improve then just another Matt Jones.

[CBDees 3,167]

Really needs to improve hitting more targets has efficiency of 56%, if that does not improve then just another Matt Jones.

Vanders has:

A) more presence than Matt Jones;

B) more hunger than Matt Jones, and

C) more awareness of where the goals are than Matt Jones.

I don't think so!

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,263]

Could be our 'enforcer' moving forward. Set the tone with physicality and I remember against the Dogs he had them jumping at shadows.

Really positive of what the future holds for him.

[Adzman 2,154]

An AFL pre season will do him a world of good. He will take forward steps again and lock down a best 22 spot next season.

[dazzledavey36 55,372]

Absolute gun.

Another Jason Taylor special.

[beelzebub 23,383]

He just goes out and plays footy. No airs or graces.

Good solid player who I can only see getting better

yeeha !!

[Juicebox 628]

Really needs to improve hitting more targets has efficiency of 56%, if that does not improve then just another Matt Jones.

He certainly does need to improve his disposal efficiency, but he has quite a few more strings to his bow than Matt jones

[poita 3,902]

Super impressive start to the year, but injuries and possibly fatigue limited his influence after the half way mark. It will be interesting to see how goes in 2016 as other clubs seemed to work him out a bit as the season went on.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

People are comparing him to Michael Barlow, he's better than that.

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

People are comparing him to Michael Barlow, he's better than that.

Best mature age, plucked from obscurity Melbourne recruit since Guy Rigoni?

[DistrACTION Jackson 9,263]

People are comparing him to Michael Barlow, he's better than that.

Definitely think Barlow has been found out this season.

I'd like to see VandenBerg clean up his disposal slightly but he will never be an ultra skilled player. His place in the side will be to bring physicality around the contest and to kick opportunistic goals.

[hardtack 10,645]

Really needs to improve hitting more targets has efficiency of 56%, if that does not improve then just another Matt Jones.

I was actually very surprised to read he has only played 14 games.... that's how much of an impression he made on me, which is miles ahead of Matt Jones and the impression he's made in his 51 games. Aaron's disposal efficiency will improve and already his hard at it contesting of the ball probably sets up enough plays to our advantage to negate his current failings.

Edited September 28, 2015 by hardtack

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

I was actually very surprised to read he has only played 5 games.... that's how much of an impression he made on me, which is miles ahead of Matt Jones and the impression he's made in his 51 games. Aaron's disposal efficiency will improve and already his hard at it contesting of the ball probably sets up enough plays to our advantage to negate his current failings.

He played 14.

[hardtack 10,645]

He played 14.

Haha... I couldn't discern goals from games... well they do both start with 'g' and end with 's'. Corrected... but I'm still surprised.

[Emerald 1,744]

I could just about rate this guy my favorite player just for his 'never give up' attitude.With another preseason to work on his fitness and skills,he will be a valuable player in 2016.

[Optimus D 283]

Hopefully his rehab from the ankle injury will not eat into his preseason training. I am looking forward to seeing a fitter Vandenberg and the impact he will have in 2016.

[monoccular 17,589]

He made an impact right from the word "go": a very impressive first season considering th level that he had been playing at previously.

The big test will be 2016. He will no longer be an "unknown". Other clubs will know a bit about him and the pressure will be on.

I think most true Demon fans will have him amongst their favourites.

Of course some pessimists will put him in the same box as Matt Jones - IMVHO he is already streets ahead of MJ.

[mo64 5,881]

Definitely think Barlow has been found out this season.

I'd like to see VandenBerg clean up his disposal slightly but he will never be an ultra skilled player. His place in the side will be to bring physicality around the contest and to kick opportunistic goals.

Not at all. When Fyfe was injured, Barlow played his usual role in the middle. When Fyfe played along with Neale and Mundy, Barlow was relegated to playing up forward, and his numbers suffered.

If someone didn't point out VDB's disposal efficiency, would anyone accuse him of butchering the ball? The DE % is garbage, because it doesn't factor in hard ball gets, nor the distance and risk of disposal.

[beelzebub 23,383]

He made an impact right from the word "go": a very impressive first season considering th level that he had been playing at previously.

The big test will be 2016. He will no longer be an "unknown". Other clubs will know a bit about him and the pressure will be on.

I think most true Demon fans will have him amongst their favourites.

Of course some pessimists will put him in the same box as Matt Jones - IMVHO he is already streets ahead of MJ.

Oh I reckon other clubs KNOW he's there.... doing something about it is another thing !!

What a find !! yay us

[beelzebub 23,383]

I was going to say.....not often you find a gem in such mint condition !!

[McQueen 17,867]

Rookie drafting done right.

[Wrecker45 3,378]

If someone didn't point out VDB's disposal efficiency, would anyone accuse him of butchering the ball? The DE % is garbage, because it doesn't factor in hard ball gets, nor the distance and risk of disposal.

I certainly didn't think he was a liability with the ball.

[Demon Jack 6,930]

Was mystified to why he was played as a forward in nearly half of his 14 games. Absolute gun in the midfield.

[Nasher 33,617]

People are comparing him to Michael Barlow, he's better than that.

...and some are comparing him to Matt Jones