2016 Player Review - # 26 Sam Weideman

[Demonland 70,328]

The young tall key forward was groomed for most of the season at Casey and made his debut in that unforgettable game when the Demons dethroned the Hawks at the MCG. He is a good mark and a nice kick and should reward the club for its investment at last year's draft.

Games MFC 2016 3

Career Total (MFC) 3

Goals MFC 2016 3

Career Total (MFC) 3

Games CSFC 2016 14

Goals CSFC 2016 25

Keith "Bluey" Truscott Memorial Trophy 12 votes

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

The big thing this kid has it that he attacks the footy hard, isn't afraid to fly into packs, can kick and can take a grab.

All of this will stick properly once he has bulked up so he isn't shoved out of the way.

 

[Adzman 2,153]

The gym will be his best friend over the next 24 months. He is a competitor, he just needs some size to help him compete at the top level.

Weeds is one of the reasons I am excited for 2017.

[The Stigga 1,082]

Next Pavlich.

 

[DemonLad5 1,642]

Get big please

[jnrmac 19,908]

Steak and gym, all summer

[pineapple dee 2,892]

13 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Steak and gym, all summer

This is my plan too, without the gym bit. And with the occasional Gin and tonic on a warm day. I really liked what this kid did in that Hawks match because he was involved in a lot of the play and got the ball to team mates. real good signs for the future !!!!

[Demon Jack 6,741]

Showed some fantastic form in the VFL earlier in the year which is incredible considering his recent injury concerns. He's in a similar spot to OMac at the moment. Just needs to lock himself in the gym over the pre-season. 

His first half against the Hawks was absolutely outstanding. Aside from the two goals he kicked with his first two kicks (he has a fantastic set shot routine as well), he was very creative with ball in hand. I think he was involved in the build up of a fair few goals in those first two quarters.

Looking forward to seeing him in action again next year, but it'll probably take a few years for him to bulk up and get his body right 

[The Chazz 4,077]

Should be big odds for the Rising Star next year, but I'll be having a wee investment on him when markets open.  If Goodwin has learnt anything from Roos over the past 2 seasons, Sam will be a lock for Round 1, and will be in the team for the majority of 2017.

[Bay Riffin 1,454]

52 minutes ago, billy2803 said:

Should be big odds for the Rising Star next year, but I'll be having a wee investment on him when markets open.  If Goodwin has learnt anything from Roos over the past 2 seasons, Sam will be a lock for Round 1, and will be in the team for the majority of 2017.

a long way off being a lock for round 1. he needs to develop more core strength and a tank. His finish to the year was a bit underwhelming, but understandable. another pre season and year at Casey where he only get promoted when in good form is the way to develop him.

The good thing is he had a full year of development, which he hadn't been getting. let him develop more without too much pressure.

[The Chazz 4,077]

37 minutes ago, Bay Riffin said:

a long way off being a lock for round 1. he needs to develop more core strength and a tank. His finish to the year was a bit underwhelming, but understandable. another pre season and year at Casey where he only get promoted when in good form is the way to develop him.

The good thing is he had a full year of development, which he hadn't been getting. let him develop more without too much pressure.

His end to the year was underwhelming?  I'm pressing you mean his finals series at Casey?  If you are basing it on his senior appearances, then you're being a bit harsh given he played 3 games in total!

I'm presuming he will be developed similar to the way they did with Oscar.  Gave him a sniff at the end of his first season, then found himself a regular gig in his 2nd year.  The development path of the two is very similar.

[Wrecker45 3,378]

I'm not sold on him yet from the limited time I have seen him play at Casey. Just doesn't seem to get involved enough. No amount of muscle will increase his involvement. He is a great user of the ball when he does get it. Not writing him off but a wait and see for me.

[stinga 521]

You already know he has good hands and knows how to present, but his skinny frame said he wasn't ready yet.  The part I like about his game, is that he is not a one trick pony.  He is good below his knees and has quick hands.  I think he had about 12 handballs in his first game.

[monoccular 17,340]

7 hours ago, Wrecker45 said:

I'm not sold on him yet from the limited time I have seen him play at Casey. Just doesn't seem to get involved enough. No amount of muscle will increase his involvement. He is a great user of the ball when he does get it. Not writing him off but a wait and see for me.

Relook the Hawks game.  Very involved most much of the game.  Not overwhelmed in any way debuting vs the reigning premiers.

Edited October 11, 2016 by monoccular

[DeeSpencer 24,796]

10 hours ago, Wrecker45 said:

I'm not sold on him yet from the limited time I have seen him play at Casey. Just doesn't seem to get involved enough. No amount of muscle will increase his involvement. He is a great user of the ball when he does get it. Not writing him off but a wait and see for me.

It's a valid concern. But I think the worry with players who don't get much of the ball is that they don't have footy smarts. It's often the athletic guys who can't read the play. From what I've seen of Weideman he has a lot of footy smarts when he gets the ball and he comes from a footy family and grew up with the game, so I think the smarts are there. I'm hoping/expect his low possessions/involvement are from playing deep forward and the limited tank. 

[stevethemanjordan 6,952]

Not worried in the slightest.

Is a natural footballer with aggression in the air but has got to fill out and get fitter before we see him start to really be dominant even at VFL level.

Hogan had a man's body and had played a full year of underage footy before he was drafted. Weed has a boys body and didn't even play half a season the year before he was drafted. 

And with the scrappy style that VFL level is, if you don't have a mans body or much of a tank, you're hardly going to tear games apart. It's obvious that this year was all about getting through an entire football season for him.

And I completely disagree with the poster that suggests 'no amount of muscle will increase his involvement'. Of course it will. As will his increased fitness next year.

 

[Bossdog 2,002]

This is a 19 year old key position forward playing in his first season.

He has been blooded with 3 games in his debute year and was not embarassed

I know people want him to be a star already but he must be given some time to increase his body weight and endurance.

He will, in my opinion, mature to be a really good player for us.......Just give him a bit of time......Please

[Bay Riffin 1,454]

On ‎11‎/‎10‎/‎2016 at 11:29 AM, billy2803 said:

His end to the year was underwhelming?  I'm pressing you mean his finals series at Casey?

Yes I just found he was wanting a bit. no big probs, but he has a long way to go. I saw Tom Boyd is last years VFL finals and thought he was poor, almost invisible. things can change.

[stuie 7,374]

Via the AFL trade updates page...

A SAM WEIDEMAN UPDATE

The young Melbourne key forward kicked two goals on debut against Hawthorn as the Demons came away with an upset win to have supporters excited. With Jesse Hogan having recommitted to the club until the end of 2019, Melbourne will have a couple of tall targets in attack over the next few years.

According to his manager Ben Williams, Weideman will target playing about 15 games next year. Last year's No. 9 pick needs to put on weight, but that has to be gradual so he doesn't break down. An iron deficiency also made it harder for him to become heavier.

 

 

[Yossarian 1,820]

Had my heart in my mouth when his name came up on the live trade updates. Thankfully just letting us know he wants to play 15 games and get massive. 

Will be a gun.

[Demon Jack 6,741]

I like that he's set the challenge of playing 15 games next year.

Very similar development path to OMac. Oscar played 2-3 games towards the end of 2015 and ended up playing 15 games himself this year. 

[Nasher 33,607]

We're in a lucky position that we're able to put our feet up and wait - Cam Pedersen remaining on the list enables this.  Weideman becoming a good player depends on him being able to develop the right size, which is obviously not a given, but obviously has all the other aspects to his game already, i.e. smarts and skills.  

It might be a long wait, but it will be worth it.

[hardtack 10,424]

On 11/10/2016 at 1:58 PM, Wrecker45 said:

I'm not sold on him yet from the limited time I have seen him play at Casey. Just doesn't seem to get involved enough. No amount of muscle will increase his involvement. He is a great user of the ball when he does get it. Not writing him off but a wait and see for me.

I tend to disagree on this point... I would have thought that once he has bulked up to the point where he will no longer be easily pushed aside, his confidence will increase exponentially and so too, his willingness to get involved.

[poita 3,877]

He can certainly play, but I hope (and expect) that experience and a bit more size will add a bit more consistency to his work rate and intensity.

I reckon he is someone who needs it drummed in to him that even if he is having an off day, he can still have have an impact by working hard and keeping his focus.

[CatFishPig 438]

I'm not too concerned with Sam. He is coming along nicely..