12 hours ago, picket fence said:

Rob Flower never wore one!!

robbie played in a different century. don't think gladiators did either.

10 hours ago, fndee said:

 

The only reason I thought Clayton may struggle to get a gig in Round 1 was if the coaches considered he may need to build more fitness. So I looked up his figures from today.

Time on ground = 68%. There were 19 Melbourne players who were given more playing time today

Disposals 18, Marks 4, Tackles 6, Goals 2. Handy contribution for a bloke who was sitting on the pine for almost a third of the match. 

So the conundrum is that he probably isn't fit enough to play the whole game but is too good to leave out. 

the 68% isn't that far behind a number of others, besides it's standard practice with new draftees to initially moderate their playing time, and remember he has had a shortened pre-season, not being able to start training till after the draft. if he plays round 1, and i expect he will, he will probably only get 70-75% game time

10 hours ago, Hell Bent said:

Anyone else see a bit of a young Adam Cooney in him?

 

3 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

No, and I bloody hope he turns out better than Cooney.

Multiple Brownlows (though now, post Jab to be renamed Downlow) and greater longevity.

A few Norm Smiths wouldn't go astray either.

 

 

Edited March 13, 201610 yr by monoccular

2 hours ago, Red and Blue realist said:

wouldn't be surprissed to see him in the team round 1 then back at Casey within 3 or 4 weeks. With Brayshaw, AVB, Petracca and Trenners to come back I think there'll be good opportunities to give him a few breaks this year. It was clear last year Gus tired and should have been rested more than once, with more depth it'll mean less burn out. 

I would be very surprise. In fact couldn't think of anything more stupid to do.

He was born a senior player right from when I watched him absolutely ragdoll kids last year and his last 3 weeks has proved that this is exactly his level. If he needs a rest we'll give him a week off.

[censored] Casey

10 hours ago, The Song Formerly Known As said:

I'll stand by my word, should have got Parish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I reckon Darcy would be of the same mind. 

Clayton VOSS.

19 minutes ago, JimmyNP said:

Clayton VOSS.

I have said the same thing, a couple of times. But I agree totally. Its the bullocking way he gets the ball and then stands up in the tackle and handballs to advantage. Michael Voss all over again and its got nothing to do with red hair. Its the strong frame, the belligerent attitude and the ball smarts.

2 minutes ago, btdemon said:

I have said the same thing, a couple of times. But I agree totally. Its the bullocking way he gets the ball and then stands up in the tackle and handballs to advantage. Michael Voss all over again and its got nothing to do with red hair. Its the strong frame, the belligerent attitude and the ball smarts.

Totally agree with every point you've made. Exactly my sentiments. Jeez, he looks very exciting, he has fitted in seamlessly and he WILL and should play round 1.

Inside gun mid's like Oliver don't need to adjust to AFL footy. They can play a role from day one.

This kid will better then Wines by the Flemington straight.

He just relentlessly hunts the ball. I was amazed at the way he had no hesitation in trying to rip the ball out of the hands of the opponents when the ball was in dispute on the ground. 

I shudder to think what his strength in contests will be like in 2 or 3 years.

6 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

No, and I bloody hope he turns out better than Cooney.

Yep that would be nice, but not many players are better than Brownlow medallists. Love what Im seeing from him in his first pre season

Can someone please make a GIF of his handpass to Salem in the back pocket? That was ridiculous.

2 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Can someone please make a GIF of his handpass to Salem in the back pocket? That was ridiculous.

So was Salem's reflex kick to Jones. Both were a thing of beauty.

Really impressed with the kid, he doesn't play like a draftee with 0 AFL games to his name.

He attacks the ball, hits packs, chases, tackles even managed a couple of sausage rolls yesterday. He's not slow either, we've all heard the type about Petracca... if he shows the same as what Oliver has shown in his 3 NAB games then we've got ourselves a couple of gems.

It's everything.  The size, pace, agility, aggression, skill, and best of all he makes really good decisions in a split second.  

It's great to see a player with such footy nous.

14 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

I've said the same thing the whole time and if Vanders and Brayshaw are good to go then it might come down to Harmes, Matt Jones or Oliver. Oliver is the obvious choice but Matt Jones has impressed and Harmes does a lot of good as well. 

Less rotations means it's harder to even out the spread of game time but 70% is reasonable, the question might be for how long can he run out his stints on the ground. 70% is fine as long as he's not tiring whilst he's on. I get the feeling he's still much more suited to being on the ball than forward, yet he'll have to rest forward a fair bit. 

 

Who exactly has Matt Jones impressed..?

2 hours ago, btdemon said:

I have said the same thing, a couple of times. But I agree totally. Its the bullocking way he gets the ball and then stands up in the tackle and handballs to advantage. Michael Voss all over again and its got nothing to do with red hair. Its the strong frame, the belligerent attitude and the ball smarts.

 

"Look out! Here comes Clarry! Choo Choo!"

5 minutes ago, Mach5 said:

 

Who exactly has Matt Jones impressed..?

Me, for one. I thought he was on very thin ice and gone at year's end. I am very impressed with the way that he has applied himself and the new game plan seems to suit him.

So many positives on here about Oliver (hard to disagree with any of it) but the greatest positive of all is that he didn't slip through our fingers.  He's a Demon, and part of a developing midfield that oozes strength, determination and power.  The sort of midfield that premierships are built around.

16 hours ago, Curry & Beer said:

He got 4 in about 10 seconds

Found it.  Near the end of the second quarter:

• 3.36 to go in the second he marks in the centre circle. 
• Attempt to give the quick handpass to Watts which is tapped down by the man on the mark
• Watts picks up the spill and dishes back to Oliver
• Oliver short chip to Hogan, play on is called and the ball is knocked out of Hogans hands.
• Oliver follows up and takes the ground ball at full speed, crashes into a tackler and dishes back to Hogan fro the ground
• Hogan is tackled and the ball spills
• Oliver grabs the groundball while still down and dishes to Hogan and N Jones at 3.23 to go.

That's one mark and four disposals in 13 seconds resulting in us getting a F50 entry although it doesn't get much further.  Oliver also followed up again to pick up the ground ball coming out of our 50 and I don't think was credited with a disposal for letting it be jarred lose in the direction of a teammate.  If he can have that sort of impact more often he'll give the Brownlow a shake sooner or later. 

In the immortal words of the 12th man, "get him up here I wanna boof him"

Should have made the first handball a good one then all the rest would not have been required. :D

1 minute ago, Gorgoroth said:

Should have made the first handball a good one then all the rest would not have been required. :D

Boo, hisssssssss

3 hours ago, Gorgoroth said:

Should have made the first handball a good one then all the rest would not have been required. :D

true, but it showed great tenacity and awareness of what was happening around him to go back 2/3/4 times and just ensure we won the contest

Is there any danger that we can keep the lid on this for a while?

On 3/14/2016 at 1:32 PM, Clint Bizkit said:

Can someone please make a GIF of his handpass to Salem in the back pocket? That was ridiculous.

I just marvelled at that.