WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - JOSHUA WAGNER

[Ethan Tremblay 31,273]

23 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I find it weird that for a guy who seems incredibly composed and able to make smart decisions under extreme heat, he still makes some surprisingly bad ones too.

5 games.

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

42 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

5 games.

I'm aware Albert.

I just find the difference interesting. His kicking technique is great and sometimes he looks like a 200+ gamer from Hawthorn's backline the way in which he moves the ball and backs his decision making and kicking.

But then the next minute you're reminded that he is a kid who has played 5 games after he makes a 'Garland-like' handball to an opposition player for example.

I can't say I've witnessed those kinds of extremes in such a young player at Melbourne.

Clearly he has ability and I'm excited to see how his year unfolds. 

(Cue for Saty to bite my head off).

[Ethan Tremblay 31,273]

15 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I'm aware Albert.

Albert is my middle name.

[binman 44,697]

I love his kicking style and it is such an advantage to be a left footer. His kicking style reminds me of one of my favorite non Melbourne players as a kid, the Swans' Mark Browning.

No doubt his kicking is a key reason he has got such an early call up - perhaps the key reason. 

We have a few lefties now and have clearly followed Hawthorn's lead and targeted them in our recruiting. Makes a big difference and is def an advantage, particularly off the half back flank where players instinctively cover the right side which creates some space, making it easier to hit a target. 

If i recall correctly our lefties are Salem, Kennedy, Bugg, Viney and Wagner and Vince and Brayshaw are equally good off both feet. Have i missed someone?

A good example of the advantage a good lefty has is one of Kent's goals against GC. He hit the ball running toward goal at an angle with Saad on his tail. A right foot kick would have turned back to the center to wheel around onto his right foot. Kent shimmied a little in that direction and Saad instinctively moved that way to cover a right foot player, but Kent jagged the other way into space leaving Saad clutching air and leading to a beaut left foot goal.  

[Devil is in the Detail 883]

17 minutes ago, binman said:

I love his kicking style and it is such an advantage to be a left footer. His kicking style reminds me of one of my favorite non Melbourne players as a kid, the Swans' Mark Browning.

No doubt his kicking is a key reason he has got such an early call up - perhaps the key reason. 

We have a few lefties now and have clearly followed Hawthorn's lead and targeted them in our recruiting. Makes a big difference and is def an advantage, particularly off the half back flank where players instinctively cover the right side which creates some space, making it easier to hit a target. 

If i recall correctly our lefties are Salem, Kennedy, Bugg, Viney and Wagner and Vince and Brayshaw are equally good off both feet. Have i missed someone?

A good example of the advantage a good lefty has is one of Kent's goals against GC. He hit the ball running toward goal at an angle with Saad on his tail. A right foot kick would have turned back to the center to wheel around onto his right foot. Kent shimmied a little in that direction and Saad instinctively moved that way to cover a right foot player, but Kent jagged the other way into space leaving Saad clutching air and leading to a beaut left foot goal.  

Jones very strong of his left foot.

[monoccular 17,697]

1 hour ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I find it weird that for a guy who seems incredibly composed and able to make smart decisions under extreme heat, he still makes some surprisingly bad ones too.

Love seeing him out there though and I reckon it's just the pace of the game that he is still getting used to so hopefully we'll see more consistency in the quality of his decision making and target hitting ability.  Looks to have a really great blend of attributes.

Both Hunt and Wagner whilst young and inexperienced have definitely given the backline a 'fresh' look and feel.

5 games....will make mistakes....learning the caper at top level.  Could be another brilliant pick up from NEAFL like VDB, who has been hit by injury this year but whose hard grunt work was valuable last year.

[Redleg 42,047]

Turning out to be a very good rookie pick. Harmes is another. VDB another. White  and Max King could be others. 

Lets hear it for Jason.

 

[Salems Lot 2,691]

43 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Turning out to be a very good rookie pick. Harmes is another. VDB another. White  and Max King could be others. 

Lets hear it for Jason.

 

 

[Deestroy All 14,266]

4 hours ago, stevethemanjordan said:

I find it weird that for a guy who seems incredibly composed and able to make smart decisions under extreme heat, he still makes some surprisingly bad ones too.

Love seeing him out there though and I reckon it's just the pace of the game that he is still getting used to so hopefully we'll see more consistency in the quality of his decision making and target hitting ability.  Looks to have a really great blend of attributes.

Both Hunt and Wagner whilst young and inexperienced have definitely given the backline a 'fresh' look and feel.

I think it's a coaches directive for him to take the risky kick, almost always looks into the centre first. Just guessing of course, but if it is the case then you'll cop his mistakes. 

 

That kick across goal last week was a real shocker though. 

 

I'm a huge fan though, and cannot believe how he's come on so quickly, didn't look anywhere near it in NAB. 

[H_T 3,049]

This young man has rocketed significantly up my scale of favourite players at our club. Everything you want in a young player ready to take on AFL. Puts his body on the line, composure has already been mentioned here - but oh boy, what composure he has. I reckon he's a coaches favourite too. 

Viewed the game (again) last night - who hasn't!? - he just stands out. Can't wait to see more of him. Both he, Hunt and even Harmes. The energy, will to take the game on is exactly what we're after as a team. Simply pumped on what they've brought to the table. Last year in a thread (can't recall the title), that was asking for who do you think would be the most improved in 2016 - I mentioned Harmes. Right now I couldn't split between these three.