vanders: The Return

[Demonland 74,443]

It was the forgotten return of the round but I thought vanders showed why he deserves a place in the team. I loved the crowds reactions when he came on the field and we he got the ball. I was disappointed that we did not get to hear the roar of the crowd when he kicked a goal and he had 2 chance to do just that.

Welcome back vanders.

 

[deebug 1,754]

Vanders is very much loved, glad to have you back VB?

[Ouch! 2,276]

The main thing I took away from the game is that he was able to adapt to the pace of the game which is great. Often a lot of players (Trenners is one I recall) struggle to pick up the pace of the game, Vanders seemed comfortable in that aspect of the game!

[poita 3,945]

Good on him for making it back to the top level, but his disposal simply isn't good enough for him to be anything other than depth in a good side. A bit sad really, because he does have some very handy characteristics.

[Wells 11 5,503]

Love vanders and what he can offer the team, but not convinced about him fr  this year. He looked slow to me... think he would b found out against better opposition. Get him right fr next year but I think Kent is a better option this year. 

[Demonland 74,443]

6 minutes ago, Wells 11 said:

Love vanders and what he can offer the team, but not convinced about him fr  this year. He looked slow to me... think he would b found out against better opposition. Get him right fr next year but I think Kent is a better option this year. 

Was only his second game back from a long injury and Casey had a bye last week. I think his selection ahead of Kent and Bugg was telling from pecking order point of view. With Melksham likely (?) to be back this week selection after a 90+ point win will be very interesting.

[Wunders 397]

Lovely to see him back playing.

If Melksham comes back it almost feels to me from outside that goody wants vanders in and someone else goes (Spargo most likely).

I remember loving vanders speed and ferocity when he first came in, but i also remember that he was a poor field kick. So that is something that the coach will have to weigh up (another player who can't kick in a team not renowned for kicking skills).

[Demonland 74,443]

2 minutes ago, Wunders said:

Lovely to see him back playing.

If Melksham comes back it almost feels to me from outside that goody wants vanders in and someone else goes (Spargo most likely).

I remember loving vanders speed and ferocity when he first came in, but i also remember that he was a poor field kick. So that is something that the coach will have to weigh up (another player who can't kick in a team not renowned for kicking skills).

Spargo kicked 2 goals. I think JKH is more likely to make way for Melksham.

[SFebes 4,884]

6 minutes ago, Wunders said:

Lovely to see him back playing.

If Melksham comes back it almost feels to me from outside that goody wants vanders in and someone else goes (Spargo most likely).

I remember loving vanders speed and ferocity when he first came in, but i also remember that he was a poor field kick. So that is something that the coach will have to weigh up (another player who can't kick in a team not renowned for kicking skills).

I think Spargo gets pushed off the ball too easily for finals, will be watching him closely over coming weeks. He can tackle, but he misses plenty also. Needs to bulk up a lot over summer.

[Demonland 74,443]

8 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

I think Spargo gets pushed off the ball too easily for finals, will be watching him closely over coming weeks. He can tackle, but he misses plenty also. Needs to bulk up a lot over summer.

He is a first year player who has exceeded all expectations from when he was drafted in terms of the impact he would have in his first year. He will be a better player in 2019 for the experience in 2018. Agree that he will need to bulk up over the offseason but I have confidence that with another full preseason this will occur. Very happy with Sparticus this year.

[SFebes 4,884]

4 minutes ago, Demonland said:

He is a first year player who has exceeded all expectations from when he was drafted in terms of the impact he would have in his first year. He will be a better player in 2019 for the experience in 2018. Agree that he will need to bulk up over the offseason but I have confidence that with another full preseason this will occur. Very happy with Sparticus this year.

Absolutely, I'm not denying that one bit, I have been very pro-Spargo all year and his decision making is very good. I just think he's getting pushed off the ball too easily, especially in the last month or so.

[jane02 3,795]

I was sitting in the Members and he got a huge ovation from the crowd when he came on. I thought he looked a bit slow as well but I guess he was just finding his feet after a long time out of the game. Has not lost any endeavour but agree that his disposal needs working on.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,525]

I thought for a first game back he was great and didn’t notice what some perceived as a lack of pace.  He’s always struck me as a natural footballer above all else and I think he adds a unique element to our line-up.  His strength and physicality will be needed against a battle hardened Swans.

As some others have suggested, I think he stays, with JKH making way for Melksham.

[DubDee 26,679]

Was terrific to hear the warmth the MFC faithful have for Vanders. Only played a handful of games but I think we all appreciate his hardness and effort. he will take 2-3 weeks to get into form but he could be very useful next week in a tough battle against the Swans.  especially with the skipper still out.

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,830]

13 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

Absolutely, I'm not denying that one bit, I have been very pro-Spargo all year and his decision making is very good. I just think he's getting pushed off the ball too easily, especially in the last month or so.

They do break the tackles that spargs lays. He is an excellent decision maker and good by foot. 

VB will grow no doubt, this is his big test on Sunday. 

Where do you see Hunty? I reckon its between Spargs, JKH and Hunty for a spot on the Wing.

[Demonland 74,443]

8 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

Where do you see Hunty? I reckon its between Spargs, JKH and Hunty for a spot on the Wing.

Huntly is more likely to replace Joel Smith off the half back and then depending on form he might move to a wing when Hibberd returns.

[SFebes 4,884]

3 minutes ago, Win4theAges said:

They do break the tackles that spargs lays. He is an excellent decision maker and good by foot. 

VB will grow no doubt, this is his big test on Sunday. 

Where do you see Hunty? I reckon its between Spargs, JKH and Hunty for a spot on the Wing.

AVB and Hunt could be our september wildcards. Hunt has had a poor year so far which is a shame. Spargo was touted as a potential top 5 pick and I have enjoyed his smart decision making all year. JKHs two way running and repeat sprints have surprised in the last two weeks. AVB will be better for the run and should of booted 2 goals, a good return and blown the cobwebs out, wasn't out of his depth with speed of the game either.

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,830]

11 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

AVB and Hunt could be our september wildcards. Hunt has had a poor year so far which is a shame. Spargo was touted as a potential top 5 pick and I have enjoyed his smart decision making all year. JKHs two way running and repeat sprints have surprised in the last two weeks. AVB will be better for the run and should of booted 2 goals, a good return and blown the cobwebs out, wasn't out of his depth with speed of the game either.

That was going to be my next post on JKH he is growing on me, he is a selfless two way runner. He gets back of that wing to help out his defence love that, You need players like that.

He's been a bit of a whipping boy for many and I'll admit i had my doubts, but watching him live against Adelaide changed my Opinion on JKH and for that matter ANB.

You gotta love a wildcard in september.??

Edited August 6, 2018 by Win4theAges

[Tony Tea 2,816]

53 minutes ago, MSFebey said:

I think Spargo gets pushed off the ball too easily for finals, will be watching him closely over coming weeks. He can tackle, but he misses plenty also. Needs to bulk up a lot over summer.

Yes, but if Spargo can improve his power and strength over the ball (as you would expect from a first year player), he will be a very good footballer because he has all the requisite natural talents. 

[SFebes 4,884]

2 minutes ago, Tony Tea said:

Yes, but if Spargo can improve his power and strength over the ball (as you would expect from a first year player), he will be a very good footballer because he has all the requisite natural talents. 

I think a couple of you have completely missed what I was saying.

[Wiseblood 24,637]

It's great to see Vanders back in the side.  Whether or not he'll stay there long term is beside the point right now.  He will get a few games to show his worth and potentially get himself another year on the list, where he can have a proper pre-season and hopefully get back to some of the form he displayed a few years ago.  I still think he has something to offer.

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

He is a first year player who has exceeded all expectations from when he was drafted in terms of the impact he would have in his first year. He will be a better player in 2019 for the experience in 2018. Agree that he will need to bulk up over the offseason but I have confidence that with another full preseason this will occur. Very happy with Sparticus this year.

Spot on.  What he has done for us this season has been excellent, even if he does fade in and out of games as most rookies do.  In time he'll be able to build that core strength and running capacity.  He already has the smarts, skills and courage to become a good player for us long term.

[layzie 34,528]

I was happy with AVB's return. Was quite rusty but that's to be expected. Has the smarts, knew where to be. Happy to keep him in there for now.

[chook fowler 19,778]

Really good to see him back but I do remember there being a question mark about his kicking especially in front of goal before his injury. I’m not sure whether there is room for him with Melksham in the side. Happy to be proven wrong.

[Deespicable 2,886]

3 hours ago, Wunders said:

Lovely to see him back playing.

If Melksham comes back it almost feels to me from outside that goody wants vanders in and someone else goes (Spargo most likely).

I remember loving vanders speed and ferocity when he first came in, but i also remember that he was a poor field kick. So that is something that the coach will have to weigh up (another player who can't kick in a team not renowned for kicking skills).

I think you would find that our team is now renowned for their kicking skills.

Prior to Goody, we certainly were poor, but that's an area we have made major inroads on and whilst everyone can point to the odd brainfade or poor kick under pressure, almost everyone in our side can nail a target.

Those that couldn't - Frost, Hunt, Bugg and Tyson - were banished to the twos but after the Pies game, Goody also realised that you needed pace as well as precision and he had to balance up his leanings a bit more - hence Frosty and Smith got games.

Vanders is such a hard bull that Goody has to weigh up his errant kicks as you point out though. But if I was an opponent, I think I know which one out of Spargo, JKH and Vanders I'd prefer to play on.

[Dingo 1,183]

He was good.He was yelling out to other players in the forward line,presumably telling them where to position themselves. That ‘s confidence after 2 years out!A leader.