2019 Player Reviews: #9 Charlie Spargo

[Demonland 73,266]

 

The diminutive forward suffered from the second year ‘blues and struggled to find consistency and form sharing his time this year between the seniors and Casey.

Date of Birth: 25 November 1999
Height: 173 cm
Weight: 71 kg

Games MFC 2019: 8
Career Total: 26

Goals MFC 2019: 2
Career Total: 16

CDFC Games 2019: 7
CDFC Goals 2019: 0

Votes 2019 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy: 36 votes 

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

All he needs to do is grow 10cm, improve his speed, endurance, kicking accuracy, kicking penetration, marking, handballing, tackling, strength and decision making and we will have bona fide star on our hands.

[poita 3,902]

Most players on AFL lists, particularly those drafted in the first 2 rounds, you can look at and see some faint reason why they are playing at the highest level, even if they don't ultimately make it as a long term player.

There is nothing about Spargo that suggests he belongs - too small, too slow, doesn't kick goals, mediocre disposal and decision making, doesn't win his own ball, doesn't tackle well, constantly in the wrong position.

I assume he is a nice guy and works hard on the training track, hence we extended his initial contract. I can't imagine he will get another contract without ticking off most of the items listed by CB in the previous post.

[Young Blood 2,636]

Second year blues. Kids still 19 and showed potential in his first year.

Seems a lot of us really forget that we have teenagers or early 20 yr olds who need time to develop. We're still a young side. Its just a fact.

[Demon Dude 425]

I expect he will bounce back next year with a decent pre season under his belt. his qualities will start to shine through with added fitness. poor pre seasons effect everyone, but none more so than developing kids. 

[Glenn Molloy 494]

1 hour ago, poita said:

There is nothing about Spargo that suggests he belongs - too small, too slow, doesn't kick goals, mediocre disposal and decision making, doesn't win his own ball, doesn't tackle well, constantly in the wrong position.

I disagree with this.  He definitely has some weaknesses to overcome (kicking penetration is certainly one) but in 2018 he was one of the few players who could read the ball off a pack and be a genuine crumber, hence why he played in the finals team.  His decision making is actually pretty good (have a look at his 1st quarter in the EF vs Geelong as an example).    He didn't really improve this year and has some work to do but as outlined above, he's still a kid and I think he can still add some value for us without necessarily being a world beater.  

[picket fence 17,730]

2 hours ago, Demon Dude said:

I expect he will bounce back next year with a decent pre season under his belt. his qualities will start to shine through with added fitness. poor pre seasons effect everyone, but none more so than developing kids. 

What qualities do you see Demon Dude??

[DSP 1,488]

Had a shocker this year, no doubt.

Has time on his hands, but needs to step up in 2020 or will spend his time at Casey.

[Sir Why You Little 37,239]

VFL Standard in 2019. How can drafted kids be at that standard all year?

Baffling to say the least

[Diamond_Jim 12,639]

Showed in 2018 that he has an excellent football brain. Something few in our team seem to readily exhibit.

Needs to regain his ability to find space and then deliver to advantage.

His Casey form in 2019 was rather low which to say the least is worrying. I say that because most players look good in a winning team and thus at AFL level the whole team struggled but  Casey had a reasonable season and one might have expected better.

I don't think the seemingly unstated policy of resting players after dropping them from the senior team did him any favours either.

 

[Tim 3,523]

2 hours ago, Glenn Molloy said:

I disagree with this.  He definitely has some weaknesses to overcome (kicking penetration is certainly one) but in 2018 he was one of the few players who could read the ball off a pack and be a genuine crumber, hence why he played in the finals team.  His decision making is actually pretty good (have a look at his 1st quarter in the EF vs Geelong as an example).    He didn't really improve this year and has some work to do but as outlined above, he's still a kid and I think he can still add some value for us without necessarily being a world beater.  

Watched that quarter myself last week (it’s a sad life in search of Demon joy!); has shown good decision-making, including when to go into the tackle and when to move to where the next phase is if we win ball; went when it was his turn and worked hard (if you can stand it, see esp the piece of play where it goes end to end quickly in the last play at the Cattery - he’s in the play at both ends!) Hoping that a good pre can bring him back to showing his hard working smarts again, even if does have weaknesses. 

[drdrake 3,187]

We need to work out where this kid will play, is he a small forward or a mid that can play forward.  Not sure on his injuries this year but to me he really struggled with kicking this season.  Don't think he has the speed to be an effective small forward.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,522]

Very good 2018.

Confidence was completely shot 2019.

Hopefully a big preseason and 2020.

 

[Laughing Goat 308]

Unfortunately Charlie has been gifted  numerous AFL games in his first year & I feel that this has been a major problem in his development, both physically & mentally. Has not developed at all in his second year & in some sense, has taken a backwards step. He does have ability, but is limited with his size & more importantly, his impact. Needs a massive preseason where he needs some strength & speed added to his skill set. The strength will also help with his kicking penetration.....

He does have a good football brain & is, in my opinion worth persisting with.

[Demon Dude 425]

2 hours ago, picket fence said:

What qualities do you see Demon Dude??

smart positioning and ball use. traits most of the side lacks. 

[Chook 15,022]

Yeah. A bad year. This bloke saved our bacon vs Hawthorn last year in the Semi though, so he still has my faith that he can make it.

[Satyriconhome 10,880]

8 hours ago, poita said:

Most players on AFL lists, particularly those drafted in the first 2 rounds, you can look at and see some faint reason why they are playing at the highest level, even if they don't ultimately make it as a long term player.

There is nothing about Spargo that suggests he belongs - too small, too slow, doesn't kick goals, mediocre disposal and decision making, doesn't win his own ball, doesn't tackle well, constantly in the wrong position.

I assume he is a nice guy and works hard on the training track, hence we extended his initial contract. I can't imagine he will get another contract without ticking off most of the items listed by CB in the previous post.

 

9 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

All he needs to do is grow 10cm, improve his speed, endurance, kicking accuracy, kicking penetration, marking, handballing, tackling, strength and decision making and we will have bona fide star on our hands.

Really, you two always go negative

Like a lot of players had a down year

Showed the year before why he was drafted

But hey if it grows on you by being negative who are we to stop you

 

[Bay Riffin 1,481]

9 hours ago, Clint Bizkit said:

All he needs to do is grow 10cm, improve his speed, endurance, kicking accuracy, kicking penetration, marking, handballing, tackling, strength and decision making and we will have bona fide star on our hands.

one of the best kicks in our side, and better decision makers but agree with the rest.

Edited October 9, 2019 by Bay Riffin

[AaronDaveyChipsAndGravey 390]

Was experimented across the ground towards the end of the season, but is definitely a small forward prospect like he showed in 2018. Injury also interrupted his season. Too many on here are way too keen to sink their teeth into a kid who is barely 20 and calling to turf him. Should be at least be given a year or two more to develop and work out how best to compete at AFL level with his size. Was played a lot more through the midfield as a junior and racked up massive numbers, so unsurprising that he's still finding his feet in a different role. 

[picket fence 17,730]

5 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Showed in 2018 that he has an excellent football brain. Something few in our team seem to readily exhibit.

Needs to regain his ability to find space and then deliver to advantage.

His Casey form in 2019 was rather low which to say the least is worrying. I say that because most players look good in a winning team and thus at AFL level the whole team struggled but  Casey had a reasonable season and one might have expected better.

I don't think the seemingly unstated policy of resting players after dropping them from the senior team did him any favours either.

 

An excellent football brain??? How does that equate to Slow, No penetration in kicking, Doesn't lay tackles, Too small??

I don't see how "Having a football Brain" can make up for these manifestly inadequate skills!

[Sorry kids 635]

Give him some mid time and Casey. Work him hard, run,run,run.  See if he is super committed

[Gawn's Beard 378]

55 minutes ago, picket fence said:

An excellent football brain??? How does that equate to Slow, No penetration in kicking, Doesn't lay tackles, Too small??

I don't see how "Having a football Brain" can make up for these manifestly inadequate skills!

Sam Mitchell made a pretty good career out of being slow, small but having an excellent football brain. 

Not saying Spargo is comparable to Mitchell but you don’t have to be quick, tall and kick 60m to be a superstar. 

[old dee 23,915]

I have been saying it for two years the guy has average ability at best and is too short. Why were we chasing Elliott? Because Spargo is not up to it. 

[John Crow Batty 8,879]

6 hours ago, Demon Dude said:

smart positioning and ball use. traits most of the side lacks. 

I’d like to see him get more of the ball. If he can get to 20+ possessions a game he will be awesome.

Edited October 9, 2019 by america de cali

[Demon trucker 1,800]

I got 3 words for his season second year blues, he is not slow or too short, just think Daniels at the dogs, most players have the second year blues after having a good first year.