Howe to my mind is (was) similar to Jack Watts in that he picked and chose when to go and when not to.

Howe's last season at half back with us was not too bad and watching him at the Pies shows he has further matured and progressed  -  whilst still loving to fly he will contest at ground level/ loose balls and spread. Never did that as a forward  - flew for big marks, was worked out and blocked and that was that. I still dont think that Howe hurts opposition with his disposal which can be iffy. Watts to my mind still hasn't progressed from his earliest days - when he decides to impact he is good and with ball in hand is great. The problem still is that he is selective about contesting. Lazy ? disinterested ? I am not really sure but he still doesn't impact contests when he should be.

Fritsch on the other hand, basically goes at the ball when it is in his zone in the air or on the ground - a good pair of hands,  he makes good decisions and is very neat by foot. Whether he will make it or not ? Hard to make pronouncements after 5 games ( and after being badly bitten previously by announcing that Juice Newton was the next messiah)  but he has all the weapons to do so.

 

  On 02/05/2018 at 06:19, The Chazz said:

............  But again, I will hold my judgement until he has played around the 50 game mark, as I'm just concerned that this style of player can get shut down by decent defenders (that have spent a bit more time watching him). 

probably wise - I like many others were burnt by the fleeting comet that was Darren Cuthbertson's career

  On 02/05/2018 at 07:29, Go the Biff said:

probably wise - I like many others were burnt by the fleeting comet that was Darren Cuthbertson's career

And many others. I suspect someone with a bit of time and a good memory could put together a team of former Melbourne players who thrilled at the beginning only to fade quickly from thereon. Recent examples would include Gysberts, Magner, Mitch Clark and Tapscott.

  On 02/05/2018 at 07:29, Go the Biff said:

probably wise - I like many others were burnt by the fleeting comet that was Darren Cuthbertson's career

he was amazing, heard him interviewed on SEN - twas stifled by back injuries.... what could have been, with schwarz, farmer, neitz, lyon.

  On 03/05/2018 at 01:20, Danelska said:

he was amazing, heard him interviewed on SEN - twas stifled by back injuries.... what could have been, with schwarz, farmer, neitz, lyon.

And Jakovich! 

  On 02/05/2018 at 06:43, nutbean said:

Howe to my mind is (was) similar to Jack Watts in that he picked and chose when to go and when not to. 

Howe's last season at half back with us was not too bad and watching him at the Pies shows he has further matured and progressed  -  whilst still loving to fly he will contest at ground level/ loose balls and spread. Never did that as a forward  - flew for big marks, was worked out and blocked and that was that. I still dont think that Howe hurts opposition with his disposal which can be iffy. Watts to my mind still hasn't progressed from his earliest days - when he decides to impact he is good and with ball in hand is great. The problem still is that he is selective about contesting. Lazy ? disinterested ? I am not really sure but he still doesn't impact contests when he should be.

Fritsch on the other hand, basically goes at the ball when it is in his zone in the air or on the ground - a good pair of hands,  he makes good decisions and is very neat by foot. Whether he will make it or not ? Hard to make pronouncements after 5 games ( and after being badly bitten previously by announcing that Juice Newton was the next messiah)  but he has all the weapons to do so.

 

This is reflective of the culture at Melbourne at that time, since mid 90's.

This is a part of the Hollywood theme and tail waging.

All those kids we recruited were all spoiled (well most of) under the same theme.

Bayley Fritsch reminds me a lot of Tom Flower in the way he plays the game.

For those not in the know Tom played 25 games between 1977 and 1979 for 25 goals 

He kicked 5 against Collingwood from a HFF in a BOG Performance

He, like Bayley was a dead eye kick for goal, a left footer, will of the wisp type with a laconic time on his side type player. He could also take a mark.

Should have played more but Carl had other ideas. His VFL record for games played was very impressive.

As I said there are some uncanny similarities. 

  On 03/05/2018 at 04:45, picket fence said:

Bayley Fritsch reminds me a lot of Tom Flower in the way he plays the game.

For those not in the know Tom played 25 games between 1977 and 1979 for 25 goals 

He kicked 5 against Collingwood from a HFF in a BOG Performance

He, like Bayley was a dead eye kick for goal, a left footer, will of the wisp type with a laconic time on his side type player. He could also take a mark.

Should have played more but Carl had other ideas. His VFL record for games played was very impressive.

As I said there are some uncanny similarities. 

26 games for 28 goals ?

Bayley Fritsch reminds me a lot of Tom Flower in the way he plays the game.

For those not in the know Tom played 26 games between 1977 and 1979 for 28 goals 

He kicked 5 against Collingwood from a HFF in a BOG Performance

He, like Bayley was a dead eye kick for goal, a left footer, will of the wisp type with a laconic time on his side  classy type player. He could also take a mark.

Should have played more but Carl had other ideas. His AFL ( Then VFL) record for games played stats wise was very impressive.

As I said there are some uncanny similarities. 

Hopefully Bayley will continue to flourish!