https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-phone-call-that-rocked-aaron-vandenberg-s-world-20180913-p503ki.html

A very moving story.

What an incredible character to deal with rehab, studies, losing his father, keeping the family business running.  A very resilient young man.  It was really good to have Jessie around to support him, to know what he was going through.

Vandemon has done an amazing job for us since coming returning from nearly two years out of the game.  He only had a few weeks at Casey and came into the seniors raring to go and hasn't blinked.  Adds so much to our team by playing his role and the pressure he applies.

Jesus Christ. What a hand to be dealt. Takes quite a bit of character to deal with all that. They say: anything that doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. I guess that explains the on field monster we've seen in the last month.

Go Vanders.

GO DEMONS!!!

What a load the poor guy has endured.

And what credit to him for coming literally back better than ever - attests to his character and dedication.

It sounds as if Jesse's support has also bee pivotal.

Great work. to you all.

Edited September 13, 20186 yr by monoccular

Love him.

Wishing VanDemon all the best. It really has been a missing piece of the puzzle now hes back.

Absolutely love Vanders. One of my favourites.

Great read, onya Vanders.  There can't be many players left that haven't had a story on them recently!

Got a couple of jobs for him in the GF. Keep your powder dry, the line white and the tiger in the tank, son.......

Already had so much on his back that alot of us didnt know of, he's pushed through not only with football but with life! Also didnt realise he goes to monash uni, might have to keep an eye out for him

A real bonus for us having Vanders coming back after horrible setbacks and loss of his dad. 

Human battering ram and completely fair. No hint of anything underhanded or cheap when he crunches an opponent. Looking forward to few broken up hawk defenders tomorrow. 

Heartbreaking. 

It’s the players who go through the most, who appreciate the rewards the most as well. 

Thrilled and excited for him to be playing and playing so well at the right time of the year. 

Amazing that he is also the house elder for Oli, Gus and Dion.

I regard him as a secret weapon in this campaign. I've always rated him. 100% all the time, no excuses, just endeavour and effort. 

Lets make sure that tomorrow 50,000 of us make sure he knows we support him. What an amazing character to persivere under such a difficult and tragic period. 

I don’t know him too well, but I know enough to know he is a modest person who works hard and has a lasting relationship with former teammates and coaches (I think this says a lot about an AFL player - last week a he was at a local footy match in Bayswater because a few of his former Ainslie mates were playing for South Croydon).

Has been through a lot and is getting rewarded.

It’s life affirming.

Had no idea he was facing that much! Having to run his dad’s business remotely is not something you can give a couple of hours here and there to. 

Aaron, you are an inspiration. I really hope there’s good times ahead for you.

5 hours ago, Cards13 said:

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/the-phone-call-that-rocked-aaron-vandenberg-s-world-20180913-p503ki.html

Great article. Love reading this. GO VANDERS. GO DEES. 

3 hours ago, dieter said:

I regard him as a secret weapon in this campaign. I've always rated him. 100% all the time, no excuses, just endeavour and effort. 

Expand on this pls Dieter. Secret weapon is a big call.

 

For me, I've seen so many finals influenced by physicality (1988 and 2000 come painfully to mind), and that causes me to look at the current list and smile, as we, for the first time in my 50yrs, have a list capable of physically matching any other side. More than that, with players such as Vandenberg, we have many who will have opposition pausing when they are in the area.

We finally have the team to not just match it when things get tough,  but a team who can set a standard of their own, and do the bullying ourselves for a change.

 

 

 

Just on Vanders - do any of you Telstra subscribing folk have access to his heat-maps over the past few weeks? I'm curious as to where he's been spending the bulk of his time and if there have been any tweaks of late. His ToG% has been jumping up and down quite a bit since his return and he hasn't really been in the goal-scoring frame the last couple of matches. 

2 hours ago, Skuit said:

Just on Vanders - do any of you Telstra subscribing folk have access to his heat-maps over the past few weeks? I'm curious as to where he's been spending the bulk of his time and if there have been any tweaks of late. His ToG% has been jumping up and down quite a bit since his return and he hasn't really been in the goal-scoring frame the last couple of matches. 

Well he has only had 3 touches in the FWD 50 in each of the last three games. Lot of ball on the wing. Averaged 17 possies in last three games.

19 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Well he has only had 3 touches in the FWD 50 in each of the last three games. Lot of ball on the wing. Averaged 17 possies in last three games.

That's crazy. So we solved our issues with pace on the wing by adding Vanders? Kudos to the big fella. But? 

3 hours ago, Skuit said:

Just on Vanders - do any of you Telstra subscribing folk have access to his heat-maps over the past few weeks? I'm curious as to where he's been spending the bulk of his time and if there have been any tweaks of late. His ToG% has been jumping up and down quite a bit since his return and he hasn't really been in the goal-scoring frame the last couple of matches. 

Last 3 games, Cats, GWS and Eagles.

8 hours ago, faultydet said:

Expand on this pls Dieter. Secret weapon is a big call.

 

For me, I've seen so many finals influenced by physicality (1988 and 2000 come painfully to mind), and that causes me to look at the current list and smile, as we, for the first time in my 50yrs, have a list capable of physically matching any other side. More than that, with players such as Vandenberg, we have many who will have opposition pausing when they are in the area.

We finally have the team to not just match it when things get tough,  but a team who can set a standard of their own, and do the bullying ourselves for a change.

 

 

 

Secret weapon: simple, he emphatically makes his presence felt. His opponents are aware there's danger lurking.