2017 Player Reviews: # 22 Aaron vandenBerg

[Demonland 66,977]

DERAILED 

The tough Demon onballer's season was derailed early by a stress fracture in his heel and he was unable to recover as further set backs during the year prevented him from making a return to the field.

Date of Birth: 3 March, 1992

Height: 188cm

Weight: 90kg

Games MFC 2017: 0

Career Total: 28

Goals MFC 2017: 0

Career Total: 17

[deelete my account 1,194]

Well seeing as though he did not play this year, we may as well reminisce about the moment he rag dolled Luke Hodge. Hope he gets to his best, because like Pedo, he can impact when the ball is on the ground with bone crunchingly tough forward pressure. I know it's the new fad to point to Richmonds small forwards, but he wouldnt look out of place in there.

[spirit of norm smith 13,637]

Last chance saloon. He showed something but the last 2 years means he must be injury free in 2018.

[poita 3,759]

I sure hope he was back to running and kicking footballs before we gave him a new deal, because spots on the list are too valuable to waste on (soon to be) 26 years old VFL-standard players with poor injury histories.

[Diamond_Jim 12,107]

Surprised he was given a spot as against a rookie contract but best of luck for next year.

About time one of these last chance players came good after injuries or drop in form. Other than Jetta we don't seem to have had much luck in the Turn Around Stakes

[DeezNuts 624]

Will smash it next year, like Hibberd, like Pedo, will come of age

[deelete my account 1,194]

14 hours ago, poita said:

I sure hope he was back to running and kicking footballs before we gave him a new deal, because spots on the list are too valuable to waste on (soon to be) 26 years old VFL-standard players with poor injury histories.

Vandenburg was best 22 every week in his first season while injury free, he's superior to vfl standard and has unluckily been crueled by injury. He has an extra year contract because he was AFL standard 2 years ago, unlike Kennedy. Vandenburg offers physicality and goal kicking nous that many other players on our list don't offer.

Edited October 2, 2017 by Deeprived Childhood

[Skuit 9,382]

I'm still hanging on to the flimsiest of threads from what I saw live in a single preseason game in 2016 (pushing defenders around in a dominant CHF role) before his feet gave in, where I was of the belief that he would not just have a break-out year but had the potential to move close to the elite category. Such a stretch, and probably wildly naive, but he hasn't been right since. If he can get the body working, and put in a solid summer, I still have hope that we could have a surprise-packet and absolute steal on our hands. The footy dept. have seen fit to back him in for another shot, so hopefully they see that something in him as well. Good luck Vanders.

[old55 21,874]

Hopefully he can get his body right.  Will be a force if he can.

[Nasher 33,246]

22 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Surprised he was given a spot as against a rookie contract but best of luck for next year.

About time one of these last chance players came good after injuries or drop in form. Other than Jetta we don't seem to have had much luck in the Turn Around Stakes

"Giving" him a rookie spot involves delisted and re-drafting. You have to be prepared to lose the player taking that path.

I get the feeling they rate him. He's big, tough and quick - if he can get fit, I think he'll remind us why we were all so excited when he first burst on to the scene.

[Diamond_Jim 12,107]

4 minutes ago, Nasher said:

"Giving" him a rookie spot involves delisted and re-drafting. You have to be prepared to lose the player taking that path.

I get the feeling they rate him. He's big, tough and quick - if he can get fit, I think he'll remind us why we were all so excited when he first burst on to the scene.

You're probably right Nasher.

What it does emphasise is that the available talent pool of 22 plus years of age players is decreasing. It will most likely get worse as the gap in standards between the AFL and the lower leagues increases.

[Skin Deeamond 339]

21 hours ago, Nasher said:

"Giving" him a rookie spot involves delisted and re-drafting. You have to be prepared to lose the player taking that path.

I get the feeling they rate him. He's big, tough and quick - if he can get fit, I think he'll remind us why we were all so excited when he first burst on to the scene.

He may not be so quick with a stuffed foot.

[whatwhat say what 20,421]

when injury-free, i believe he's never been dropped

the football dept clearly has massive faith in his ability to deliver at afl-level

his body has consistently let him down

big opportunity in 2018 looms

[monoccular 16,683]

7 hours ago, Skin Deeamond said:

He may not be so quick with a stuffed foot.

Or, alternatively, his foot may have recovered 100%

Do you know otherwise?  Does anyone here know?

Edited October 4, 2017 by monoccular

[DeeSpencer 23,689]

16 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Or, alternatively, his foot may have recovered 100%

Do you know otherwise?  Does anyone here know?

The end of year Misson injury update stated that they finally got a correct diagnosis and surgery for his heel condition this year after he carried it all through 2016 and that he was back running. There's no way of knowing if he's 100% until he's back training and playing but it's clearly on the right path.

[nosoupforme 3,085]

7 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

The end of year Misson injury update stated that they finally got a correct diagnosis and surgery for his heel condition this year after he carried it all through 2016 and that he was back running. There's no way of knowing if he's 100% until he's back training and playing but it's clearly on the right path.

Hope he is right to go for 2018. Need his toughness

[Wrecker45 3,378]

The big mover of 2018. He can do everything the mosquito fleet at Richmond did but with size and power.

If fit he remains injury free look out.

[Lucifers Hero 37,524]

BUMP

Aaron has received much love in the Casey thread;.  Nonetheless thought it worth highlighting his return game yesterday after nearly two years out injured.  His stats were: 23 disposals (most of which were contested), 16 tackles and 1 behind.  Even more impressive given he played only 3 quarters and the ground was like a very wet sponge. 

A real credit to his perseverance!

Continue this from and he will earn himself a contract extension.  And how good will it be to see him in the seniors again - terrific at keeping the ball in our fwd half which is what our game plan is based on.

 

Edited July 7, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero

[Deeoldfart 7,863]

100% LH.  The conditions suited him, but he would have exceeded everybody's expectations yesterday.

[whatwhat say what 20,421]

unreal comeback game

now do it for two or three more weeks and get back in the seniors!

[jumbo returns 6,619]

56 minutes ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

unreal comeback game

now do it for two or three more weeks and get back in the seniors!

If that happens, what a friggin bonus!!

[Demon Jack 6,436]

Watched the second half of the Casey game yesterday.

Honestly could not believe that this was Vanders' first hit out in nearly two years. He was fantastic to watch.

[What 18,810]

Took him about  30 seconds to remind Demon fans what we've been missing. Would love to see him cracking skulls down at Geelong in two weeks time.

What role would he play in the seniors though, as we already have enough big bodied mids, hence Tyson being at Casey.

[Bonkers 918]

3 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Took him about  30 seconds to remind Demon fans what we've been missing. Would love to see him cracking skulls down at Geelong in two weeks time.

What role would he play in the seniors though, as we already have enough big bodied mids, hence Tyson being at Casey.

If he can build his fitness up he'd be in contention for ANB, Garlett or Spargos spot I presume? He can kick the odd goal and adds a lot of forward pressure and ball winning. Great to see him back after 2 years, it would be a real bonus to our season at the right time for us if he can contend for a place in the side.

[Lucifers Hero 37,524]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2018-07-11/goodwin-rapt-with-vandenbergs-return

Goodwin: 

“He was outstanding (vs Casey)... we’ve still got to get some game time into him. We’ve got to give him three or four weeks of really solid VFL footy and then I’m sure he’ll be putting his hand up for selection.”

Ease him in Round 20 vs GCS maybe?  Will be very handy for the last 3 games vs WCE, Syd and GWS.  He may just make the difference in helping us win one or more of those 3, which we need to secure a finals birth.

Edited July 11, 2018 by Lucifer's Hero