Quoting from a SEN report on an interview with Bernie Vince -

“I’ve liked the look of Tom Sparrow,” Vince told SEN Breakfast.

“He is one that has probably stood out to me. Really strong body, really willing to learn."

“It’s a big wrap, but he reminds me a little bit of Patrick Dangerfield’s body shape and the way he goes about it.

“He is just a bull. He is going to be a big man when he has done a few preseasons and spends a bit of time in the weights room.”

                                       ...

What do the track watchers think?

I must admit, I liked the look of his highlight reel because of his size, power and attack on the ball.

I love Bernie.

 

He is a contested bull. I love his break away speed from a contest. He is good overhead for his size too. The knock on him was his disposal. He certainly has an awkward looking ball drop. 

I’m rather bullish about this kid. He’s my Smokey for Round 1.

17 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

He is a contested bull. I love his break away speed from a contest. He is good overhead for his size too.

Sounds very familiar.

 

17 minutes ago, Tough Kent said:

The knock on him was his disposal.

There can only be one Clarry.

Admitedly this quote is from Tom’s coach prior to the draft so probably a bit of hyperbole but I do like the bit about speed, power and endurance -

“He’s become an animal, an absolute ripper,’’ said SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford, who had no hesitation in selecting Sparrow, 182cm and 81kg, in his AFL under-18 championship-winning side this year.

“Tom’s got that rare combination that every club wants — speed, power and endurance.

“He’s the type of player who wins the ball on the inside but is so powerful he can get on the outside and really hurt the opposition there.

“He is very driven, motivated, diligent and professional. He’ll not only make it as a long-term AFL player but he’ll stand out in his first month of training because of his workrate and toughness.’’

12 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

Admitedly this quote is from Tom’s coach prior to the draft so probably a bit of hyperbole but I do like the bit about speed, power and endurance -

So long as it's not Michael Turner (who thinks every player that goes through the Geelong Falcons factory is gods gift to footy), u18's coaches probably have some of the more accurate opinions of young kids coming through.

Sounds like , from what Bernie said, Demonlands concern was correct re Mays fitness and skin folds. Sounds like he has buckled down and dropped a couple of dress sizes which is pleasing.

28 minutes ago, FarNorthernD said:

Admitedly this quote is from Tom’s coach prior to the draft so probably a bit of hyperbole but I do like the bit about speed, power and endurance -

“He’s become an animal, an absolute ripper,’’ said SA under-18 coach Tony Bamford, who had no hesitation in selecting Sparrow, 182cm and 81kg, in his AFL under-18 championship-winning side this year.

“Tom’s got that rare combination that every club wants — speed, power and endurance.

“He’s the type of player who wins the ball on the inside but is so powerful he can get on the outside and really hurt the opposition there.

“He is very driven, motivated, diligent and professional. He’ll not only make it as a long-term AFL player but he’ll stand out in his first month of training because of his workrate and toughness.’’

It's his size that interests me. I generally believe a player's weight needs to be equal to his height less 100. So, using Sparrow as an example, take his 182 cm height and deduct 100, gives 82 kg. That doesn't necessarily mean he's fit and the kgs could be puppy fat; but he's not a string bean like so many others who might start their careers at, say, 182 cm and 74 kg. 

54 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

It's his size that interests me. I generally believe a player's weight needs to be equal to his height less 100. So, using Sparrow as an example, take his 182 cm height and deduct 100, gives 82 kg. That doesn't necessarily mean he's fit and the kgs could be puppy fat; but he's not a string bean like so many others who might start their careers at, say, 182 cm and 74 kg. 

He reminds me of Andy Lovell with darker hair. Hope he is just as good. 

2 hours ago, FarNorthernD said:

“He is very driven, motivated, diligent and professional. He’ll not only make it as a long-term AFL player but he’ll stand out in his first month of training because of his workrate and toughness.’’

Well, based on what Bernie said, sounds like Tony Bamford was spot on with the second part of his prophecy re standing out at training in his first Month.  Let's hope he's also right about making it as a long term AFL player!

3 hours ago, Tough Kent said:

He is a contested bull. I love his break away speed from a contest. He is good overhead for his size too. The knock on him was his disposal. He certainly has an awkward looking ball drop. 

I’m rather bullish about this kid. He’s my Smokey for Round 1.

Being a crap kick has not stopped Dangerfield from being a jet.

Edited January 11, 20196 yr by big_red_fire_engine

21 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Being a crap kick has not stopped Dangerfield from being a jet.

i'd hardly call danger mouse a "crap" kick by any measure

3 minutes ago, daisycutter said:

i'd hardly call danger mouse a "crap" kick by any measure

Look at the stats and take your rose coloured glasses off. He is a poor field kick and a mediocre set shot. Gets above average distance but has no accuracy.  Exhibit A below:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/champion-data-reveal-best-worst-kick-rating-in-the-afl-in-the-drill-podcast/news-story/1244ac1fcfe2c2833fe6a4f4d6a5392c

 

Edited January 11, 20196 yr by big_red_fire_engine

The Chief and family are sponsoring Tom in 2019 and very pleased to hear the chance of him cracking a game are looking good. 

34 minutes ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Look at the stats and take your rose coloured glasses off. He is a poor field kick and a mediocre set shot. Gets above average distance but has no accuracy.  Exhibit A below:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/champion-data-reveal-best-worst-kick-rating-in-the-afl-in-the-drill-podcast/news-story/1244ac1fcfe2c2833fe6a4f4d6a5392c

 

Can't get past the firewall, but if that's the article that has Hunt in the top 10 for effective kicks, then it goes to show stats can be used in a broad manner to 'prove' anything.

I'd say Danger is far from a crap kick, especially given he usually has 3 opponents hanging off him

4 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

I love Bernie.

 

Feel the Burn.

49 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Can't get past the firewall, but if that's the article that has Hunt in the top 10 for effective kicks, then it goes to show stats can be used in a broad manner to 'prove' anything.

I'd say Danger is far from a crap kick, especially given he usually has 3 opponents hanging off him

Nah, i agree with the other poster. Dangerfield is a very sloppy kick. Runs way too fast then tries to kick it and grubs a lot of his kicks

Prob Danger had disposal about the same as Jayden Hunt but if Tom S turns out like Danger  there won't be too many Dees fans upset. He can improve also !

Outside pace is the key and power with it.

And he endurance factor important.

Different type of mid again so exciting to add his potential to our list.

Looks like he will debut early rather than later if he continues to learn and put his head down and bum up!

 

 

1 hour ago, big_red_fire_engine said:

Look at the stats and take your rose coloured glasses off. He is a poor field kick and a mediocre set shot. Gets above average distance but has no accuracy.  Exhibit A below:

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/richmond/champion-data-reveal-best-worst-kick-rating-in-the-afl-in-the-drill-podcast/news-story/1244ac1fcfe2c2833fe6a4f4d6a5392c

 

my point was that "crap" was way over the top

if anything danger tries to be too creative with his kicking and doesn't take the easy side ways chip kick etc which though effective doesn't achieve much or cause much damage

My point is Dangerfield/Schmangerfield, as long as loves his momma and plays many, many good games for the Melbourne Football Club. God you blokes get bogged down in trivial pursuits....

3 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

He reminds me of Andy Lovell with darker hair. Hope he is just as good. 

Reminds you of Andy Lovell with darker hair? Hard to tell. 

 

32 minutes ago, Dr.D said:

Nah, i agree with the other poster. Dangerfield is a very sloppy kick. Runs way too fast then tries to kick it and grubs a lot of his kicks

Is that how he won a Brownlow, 6 x AAs and a bunch of B&Fs?

If Dangerfield and Patrick Cripps had a baby and that baby had a baby with Nat Fyfe and Dustin Martin’s baby, that baby would be Tom Sparrow. 

3 hours ago, Spirit of '87 said:

Reminds you of Andy Lovell with darker hair? Hard to tell. 

 

oh chopper, looking arid on top.

3 hours ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

If Dangerfield and Patrick Cripps had a baby and that baby had a baby with Nat Fyfe and Dustin Martin’s baby, that baby would be Tom Sparrow. 

Wow. 

That would be interesting and amazing on so many levels.  Lol