On 14/10/2019 at 12:49, Tarax Club said:

Earl as track watcher extraordinaire and a member of the Fitzroy literati, it appears your subtly humorous off-beat reference has flown well under the radar. Rather than trawling thru highly speculative threads and seeking the next football Ubermensch, (David Neitz or David Schwarz clones come to mind) to reach the holy grail (13th premiership). Perhaps posters on demonland may derive greater benefit from these additional gems from your horse's mouth most resplendent in guernsey # 27.

"Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions destroyed."

As a final note for those still pondering Season 2019...

"And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you."

 

 

 

One must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.

  On 14/10/2019 at 10:49, Watts the matter said:

Very strongly disagree. He was small and had short arms with no standout traits other than a booming kick with a slow ball drop.

I met him through mutual friends while he was playing and he thought he was a forward. He lacked the tricks to be a forward in the AFL, no evasive skills and was just used to always being stronger than his opponents. 

His best game was his first game and that was at half back. That was his only position I think he might have made it.

Agree with that pretty much.  He looked excellent game one.  He was a very good forward in juniors so thats where that came from but didnt translate to AFL.  Fantastic exponent of the hip and shoulder though!

I wouldnt bet my art deco flat on it happening but Jordon has a chance to be a star.  He has two very rate attributes that appeared, albeit fleetingly this season that very few players have.  The spearing 45m kick and the ability to make the game stand still in traffic.  I have question marks on his pace and question marks on his aerial competitiveness, but theres a chance this guy could become a very very good inside mid.  

Sparrow stylistically reminds me of a young Todd Viney - He moves the same, has a similar build and the kicking biomechanics are eerily similar.   Hopefully next season we get more of a chance to see if he can be anywhere near as good a player.

  On 14/10/2019 at 12:22, spirit of norm smith said:

Nietschke was a speculative pick. I saw SA under 18s In 2 games in 2018 and didn’t notice him.  
 

Sparrow reminds me of a young Todd Viney.  He’ll be a chance once he builds his engine. Physically ready to go. 
 

Jordan was always looking likely especially after his end to 2018 saw him escalating from a rookie chance to likely draftee to eventually be top 35.  Skilled and good run.  

Nietschke was very exposed in the SA system.  

Sparrow and Jordan. Sparrow missed a fair whack of the season and Jordan improved a lot throughout the year. I remember a game at Casey where Sparrow was in the midfield and dominated ( against Richmond I think ). He was very good at clearing the ball at center bounces. With more development both could become very good players.

Tiny sample space but I didn’t mind what I saw from Jordan against Richmond in the first JLT game, and that was before even playing a VFL game.

Sparrow kicked an excellent goal against collingwood in the unofficial practice match but didn’t show much in his first 2 senior games. A pity he couldn’t get a full VFL season in as he missed the second half of the season.

  On 14/10/2019 at 16:32, goodoil said:

Agree with that pretty much.  He looked excellent game one.  He was a very good forward in juniors so thats where that came from but didnt translate to AFL.  Fantastic exponent of the hip and shoulder though!

U and watts the matter must be both huge if U both agree that tapscott is small

Apparenly Neitschke had really impressed coaching staff before his knee to the ppint where he could have easily played the early games against Richmond and Brisbane.

Edited October 14, 20195 yr by dazzledavey36

  On 14/10/2019 at 07:12, dazzledavey36 said:

Wrong.

Played a few senior footy at my home club in Yarrawonga including the elimination final in 2018. Same club that has included former AFL players like Brendan Fevola, Steve McKee, Tim Hargraves and Jason Wild who have all played there..

The ovens and Murray is regarded as one of the best leagues just below VFL level. A tough and free flowing standard.

Young Jimmy is well known to our family as he grew up and played rep footy with my little brother. But they are also close friends. My brother and James were out last Saturday night on the [censored] together.

 

The bit about he didn't progress?

The comment about 'men' was from a coach after I asked him about Jordon's progress

Perhaps like me, doesn't have a high opinion of country footy

Do hope he was not over imbibing

  On 15/10/2019 at 00:07, Satyriconhome said:

The bit about he didn't progress?

The comment about 'men' was from a coach after I asked him about Jordon's progress

Perhaps like me, doesn't have a high opinion of country footy

Do hope he was not over imbibing

He's played against men.

Which ever way you look at it he's played against tough hard man who a lot play VFL footy still when selected. Recruiters are scouting these Ovens and Murray games because they feel it's such a good development ground for them especially when they are playing senior against the likes of Albury Tigers where Daniel Cross has been playing the past 3 years.

Maybe ask Crossy his opinion on that standard. I am sure you'll get the same exact answer from him. And I know for fact he has been on record in saying this.

I don't expect you to have a high opinion of country footy. You've never experienced and seen what these struggling country clubs go to extreme measure to stay alive as a club but also a community.

Edited October 15, 20195 yr by dazzledavey36

Tapscott was not AFL standard. Absolutely agree. Boy in a mans body that dominates at underage level. Him and Strauss. Wasted picks. Seems we specialise in  picking two ordinary high end draft picks  at a time. Scully,  Trenners,  Dunn and Bate, Tapscott and Strauss, Tyson and Salem. Not one  200 gamer among them.

It's rather unfair of you. Lord Nev, to be engaging in a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

  On 15/10/2019 at 00:24, dazzledavey36 said:

He's played against men.

Which ever way you look at it he's played against tough hard man who a lot play VFL footy still when selected. Recruiters are scouting these Ovens and Murray games because they feel it's such a good development ground for them especially when they are playing senior against the likes of Albury Tigers where Daniel Cross has been playing the past 3 years.

Maybe ask Crossy his opinion on that standard. I am sure you'll get the same exact answer from him. And I know for fact he has been on record in saying this.

I don't expect you to have a high opinion of country footy. You've never experienced and seen what these struggling country clubs go to extreme measure to stay alive as a club but also a community.

Do you think Jordon is athletic enough for AFL? My question is on his pace and strength. He looks a neat player at VFL level, but it is a big step up to the big time.

SK - I reckon Salem will get to 200 games.

Otherwise i agree with your post.

Don't love any of them, but's early days.

Sparrow has speed, strength, goes in hard and a decent tank but the sum of the parts might not come together as well as the stand out attributes. I thought he'd be a tackling machine but he seemed to slip off them. I think South Australia had the right idea using him at half back to simplify the game. But at 182cm he won't take intercept marks at AFL level and the decision making/kicking will cause problems. If he were 190cm or if he had that elite zip rather than just good burst then he'd make it on athleticism alone but he's just lacking something special given the deficiencies so we'll have to work at it. He's a huge job for the development coaches to clean up his skills. There's some Harmes and Vanders about him though so in a year or two he could look pretty useful. 

Jordon's kicking is good but not great from what I've seen at VFL level and he's messy with his hands in tight - like most Melbourne players. If he's the skilled inside mid then lets see some sharp dual sided handballing. Lack of top end speed means he'll struggle to really excel back or forward. At 186cm and rangy he's got more scope at half back but he'll have to take some marks and use it very well. A bit of watch and wait to see how he comes out this year given he was so young and underdeveloped last year - which means potential to take a leap but that has been overplayed I think. 

Nietschke seems a smart ball winner but without speed or good kicking I just don't know what he is at AFL level. Hopefully he has better luck next year and can show his stuff at Casey. Long term - maybe a wing understudy to Tomlinson. Bigger body (think he plays taller than his 184cm) wingman who runs hard and does good team things? Maybe is more efficient than he looks?

  On 15/10/2019 at 03:30, Fat Tony said:

Do you think Jordon is athletic enough for AFL? My question is on his pace and strength. He looks a neat player at VFL level, but it is a big step up to the big time.

I must admit I was surprised we picked him up as a 2nd round pick last year. I thought he was a late pick rookie at best.

We need to take into account that he was the youngest player selected in his draft year. So 2019 was always going to be a development year for him. I think he showed promise at times in the VFL, but at the same time there were times were he was a bit sloppy. 

I think he has the traits to become a solid AFL player, but personally I am just not sure if he can take that next step. I know from a personal point of view he has been training extremely hard this off season with the likes of Jack Viney who has taken him under his wing.

I still see him as that wing/half back as he does have really good kicking kills when in open space. Not blistering quick but his speed is sound enough. Reminds me a lot of Bernie Vince when he started out.

  On 14/10/2019 at 15:08, don't make me angry said:

Did you  really meet him considering he is 1.8 cm tall and built like a brick shithouse he is not small  so I'm wondering whether you actually met him or just made that up

Presumably you mean 1.8 metres, 180 cm, which actually isn't very tall at all (unless you are Charlie Spargo).

I too was impressed at his debut but saw very little more after that.

  On 15/10/2019 at 06:48, monoccular said:

Presumably you mean 1.8 metres, 180 cm, which actually isn't very tall at all (unless you are Charlie Spargo).

I too was impressed at his debut but saw very little more after that.

180cm the average height for men in Australia is 175cm, so being above average is not a small, that is not short, but tapscott is not small he is a big bodied medium footballer, built like a brick [censored] house.

  On 15/10/2019 at 10:24, don't make me angry said:

180cm the average height for men in Australia is 175cm, so being above average is not a small, that is not short, but tapscott is not small he is a big bodied medium footballer, built like a brick [censored] house.

And what is the average height for an AFL player?  There is absolutely no way to debate that he is small and it becomes more relevant when you don't have other elite assets like agility or speed. 

 

  On 15/10/2019 at 05:18, dazzledavey36 said:

I must admit I was surprised we picked him up as a 2nd round pick last year. I thought he was a late pick rookie at best.

We need to take into account that he was the youngest player selected in his draft year. So 2019 was always going to be a development year for him. I think he showed promise at times in the VFL, but at the same time there were times were he was a bit sloppy. 

I think he has the traits to become a solid AFL player, but personally I am just not sure if he can take that next step. I know from a personal point of view he has been training extremely hard this off season with the likes of Jack Viney who has taken him under his wing.

I still see him as that wing/half back as he does have really good kicking kills when in open space. Not blistering quick but his speed is sound enough. Reminds me a lot of Bernie Vince when he started out.

That's a good pickup on Vince, guess who has been working with Jordon on his game

  On 15/10/2019 at 05:02, DeeSpencer said:

Don't love any of them, but's early days.

Sparrow has speed, strength, goes in hard and a decent tank but the sum of the parts might not come together as well as the stand out attributes. I thought he'd be a tackling machine but he seemed to slip off them. I think South Australia had the right idea using him at half back to simplify the game. But at 182cm he won't take intercept marks at AFL level and the decision making/kicking will cause problems. If he were 190cm or if he had that elite zip rather than just good burst then he'd make it on athleticism alone but he's just lacking something special given the deficiencies so we'll have to work at it. He's a huge job for the development coaches to clean up his skills. There's some Harmes and Vanders about him though so in a year or two he could look pretty useful. 

Jordon's kicking is good but not great from what I've seen at VFL level and he's messy with his hands in tight - like most Melbourne players. If he's the skilled inside mid then lets see some sharp dual sided handballing. Lack of top end speed means he'll struggle to really excel back or forward. At 186cm and rangy he's got more scope at half back but he'll have to take some marks and use it very well. A bit of watch and wait to see how he comes out this year given he was so young and underdeveloped last year - which means potential to take a leap but that has been overplayed I think. 

Nietschke seems a smart ball winner but without speed or good kicking I just don't know what he is at AFL level. Hopefully he has better luck next year and can show his stuff at Casey. Long term - maybe a wing understudy to Tomlinson. Bigger body (think he plays taller than his 184cm) wingman who runs hard and does good team things? Maybe is more efficient than he looks?

At least you have observed and given it some thought, unlike some poster’s opinions. ?

  On 15/10/2019 at 05:02, DeeSpencer said:

I think South Australia had the right idea using him at half back to simplify the game. But at 182cm he won't take intercept marks at AFL level and the decision making/kicking will cause problems.

I would try him in the small defender role to see if he can take over from Nev in the longer term.

  On 15/10/2019 at 10:24, don't make me angry said:

180cm the average height for men in Australia is 175cm, so being above average is not a small, that is not short, but tapscott is not small he is a big bodied medium footballer, built like a brick [censored] house.

Funny that we see footballers on TV and they look massive but when I have met them in person I am struck by how finely they are built. On TV Steven Tingay looked like a brick s4ithouse but when I met him he was in my opinion average height and lightly built. Max Gawn tall but a string bean, Scully - midget, Mark Jackson average body size but taller than me. Tapscott average height average size body. I have always thought that I could have run though any of them if I could catch them (no chance) So we probably need to compare footballers with footballers not with the average Australian, so you are right on Tapscott as a big bodied medium footballer built like a brick [censored] house, I still reckon I could take him. hahaha 

  On 16/10/2019 at 22:39, ManDee said:

Funny that we see footballers on TV and they look massive but when I have met them in person I am struck by how finely they are built. On TV Steven Tingay looked like a brick s4ithouse but when I met him he was in my opinion average height and lightly built. Max Gawn tall but a string bean, Scully - midget, Mark Jackson average body size but taller than me. Tapscott average height average size body. I have always thought that I could have run though any of them if I could catch them (no chance) So we probably need to compare footballers with footballers not with the average Australian, so you are right on Tapscott as a big bodied medium footballer built like a brick [censored] house, I still reckon I could take him. hahaha 

That's because your a big man, but remember footballers are fit and don't have much body fat, muscle is heavier then fat. It is surprising how light some really fat women are.

  On 16/10/2019 at 22:39, ManDee said:

Funny that we see footballers on TV and they look massive but when I have met them in person I am struck by how finely they are built. On TV Steven Tingay looked like a brick s4ithouse but when I met him he was in my opinion average height and lightly built. Max Gawn tall but a string bean, Scully - midget, Mark Jackson average body size but taller than me. Tapscott average height average size body. I have always thought that I could have run though any of them if I could catch them (no chance) So we probably need to compare footballers with footballers not with the average Australian, so you are right on Tapscott as a big bodied medium footballer built like a brick [censored] house, I still reckon I could take him. hahaha 

Funny, I've mostly had the opposite reaction.  Guys like Dunn and Robertson were much bigger in person than they seemed on the TV.  Of course, I also bumped into JKH in a crowd and he barely came up to my chin, so it goes both ways...