2019 Player Reviews: #26 Sam Weideman

[Demonland 66,760]

 

Weideman was expected to stand up in a key forward position after a solid finals series in 2018 but he had limited opportunities due to form lapses and injury. We saw little of him in the back half of the season.

Date of Birth: 26 June, 1997
Height: 195 cm
Weight: 97 kg

Games MFC 2019: 11
Career Total: 31

Goals MFC 2019: 11
Career Total: 27

CDFC Games 2019: 3
CDFC Goals 2019: 5

Votes 2019 Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Memorial Trophy: 65 votes

[rumpole 483]

Needs to get fit, add a few tricks to his game and take a few steps forward.

Perhaps a few tips from grandpa on how to harness his aggression in the contest and at the football might assist?

[Diamond_Jim 12,092]

To me the most disappointing player of 2019.

Casey form was rarely wonderful but the glimpses he showed during the 2018 AFL finals made us think we had a player.

2020 will answer the question one way or the other

[Dee Zephyr 18,177]

Was mentioned half way through the season Weid might require hip surgery. Has he overcome the hip complaint or is this something the club will have to manage?

[old dee 23,241]

3 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

To me the most disappointing player of 2019.

Casey form was rarely wonderful but the glimpses he showed during the 2018 AFL finals made us think we had a player.

2020 will answer the question one way or the other

Covers it well DJ.

[Diamond_Jim 12,092]

3 minutes ago, old dee said:

Covers it well DJ.

The mid season injury was disappointing as those last 10 odd games with little pressure might have seen him pick up.

My feeling is that he won't quite make it unless he improves in three key areas:

• Leading;
• Crashing packs (requires more body strength); and
• Stops being lead under the ball

[loges 6,332]

Involvement in the game and intensity. Has some good moments but at other times is O. Mac like.

[Demon Disciple 11,179]

Very disappointing. Needs to get hungry

[old dee 23,241]

4 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The mid season injury was disappointing as those last 10 odd games with little pressure might have seen him pick up.

My feeling is that he won't quite make it unless he improves in three key areas:

• Leading;
• Crashing packs (requires more body strength); and
• Stops being lead under the ball

I think you can forget the middle one DJ  he is like Watts they never were and never will be pack crashers. Simple not in their nature.

Sam is a lead  up / across the front of the pack mark.  The way we have for years delivered the ball into the forward line leaves his type in  a poor position. To get the best out of Sam we need better delivered to him. Without that he will never be more than a very average KPF.

Edited October 20, 2019 by old dee

[jacey 333]

13 hours ago, rumpole said:

Needs to get fit, add a few tricks to his game and take a few steps forward.

Perhaps a few tips from grandpa on how to harness his aggression in the contest and at the football might assist?

Most def. Teams have finally done homework on him and taken away his jump at the footy. Needs to get more fitter and stronger and find tricks to stay involved in the game.

I'm buying low on the kid.

[John Crow Batty 8,350]

8 hours ago, Diamond_Jim said:

The mid season injury was disappointing as those last 10 odd games with little pressure might have seen him pick up.

My feeling is that he won't quite make it unless he improves in three key areas:

• Leading;
• Crashing packs (requires more body strength); and
• Stops being lead under the ball

Sums what he needs to do. But I get the feeling he is going to turn out like a Tom Boyd. Can get up for a really big important game but does little until we are actually there. Poor appetite for the long season grind.

Edited October 20, 2019 by america de cali

[poita 3,729]

Doesn't work hard enough, isn't physical enough and drops too many simple marks. Similar criticisms to those that were made of Watts, but Watts' foot skills and decision making are miles ahead of Weideman's. 

It is pity that Nick Riewoldt has retired - following Nick around for two hours might give Sam an indication the level he needs to operate at on a consistent basis. I wonder if he mightn't be a better CHB, as has been the case with Liam Jones.

Ultimately it was a poor selection, as much better key forwards were taken shortly after Weideman in the 2015 draft, so we have to make the best of what we have.

 

[Sydee 3,755]

3 hours ago, poita said:

Doesn't work hard enough, isn't physical enough and drops too many simple marks. Similar criticisms to those that were made of Watts, but Watts' foot skills and decision making are miles ahead of Weideman's. 

It is pity that Nick Riewoldt has retired - following Nick around for two hours might give Sam an indication the level he needs to operate at on a consistent basis. I wonder if he mightn't be a better CHB, as has been the case with Liam Jones.

Ultimately it was a poor selection, as much better key forwards were taken shortly after Weideman in the 2015 draft, so we have to make the best of what we have.

 

Fair call McKay, Curnow and Hipwood all look more promising 

[JakovichScissorKick 771]

It is make or break for Weideman in 2020.    if he doesnt take a big leap forward he wont make it... doesnt have the natural talent to be a late bloomer.

That Geelong final seems eons ago now...  he was brilliant.

[TeamPlayedFine39 8,202]

Still young, but ultimately it was a disappointing year after a day fantastic final five games of 2018.

Will be interesting to see what Burgess and the club have in mind for him over the preseason.  Does he bulk up to be that pack-breaking power forward, or do they build the tank for the repeat efforts/leads.

 

There’s a player there... fingers crossed he come out to play.

[spirit of norm smith 13,553]

On 10/20/2019 at 1:37 PM, Diamond_Jim said:

The mid season injury was disappointing as those last 10 odd games with little pressure might have seen him pick up.

My feeling is that he won't quite make it unless he improves in three key areas:

• Leading;
• Crashing packs (requires more body strength); and
• Stops being lead under the ball

This was spot on in terms of his three development needs.  He’s now 22 and physically should be mature as a key forward.  His physical contact ability is below par and marking below required for a key forward.  He has the makings of a top key forward but needs to be hungry. He needs intensity. I think he’s been so hugely talented in junior ranks that his raw talent has got him into the AFL ranks. But the step from top  juniors to top AFL players is hard work and intensity. 
 

Sam was going to be our key forward alongside Jesse Hogan. It was going to be THE key forwards for 8-10 years.
 

I want to keep Sam and see him fulfill his potential in a red and blue jumper but fear his future may be linked to a end of year trade discussion to get us a top 25 pick. Unfortunately the Pies will answer the phone if we ring. 

[Lord Travis 10,307]

He’s struggled with injury and been developed poorly, as is tradition at Melbourne. He needs a settled position and role, not being thrown around the ground and played in the ruck etc. Develop him as a stay at home tall forward, a lead up CHF or make him a defender. He’s got the athletic ability and intensity to be a good AFL player if he gets his body right and is developed properly. He’s still only 22 years old as he was a young draftee we drafted early to get time into him. Without injuries, he would’ve been a top 5 pick in his draft. You don’t lose natural talent. Develop him properly.

You can just picture him getting traded to Collingwood for a pick in the 20s-30s, then developing and going close to winning a Coleman.

[Demon Disciple 11,179]

Those launches at the ball during the 2018 finals series seem so long ago now.

He needs to get angry and throw his weight around. We've all seen what a presence he can be. He's gone so far backwards like the rest of the team (or did we play that far above ourselves for those 4 games from WCE-SF?)

[Sir Why You Little 35,295]

2 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Those launches at the ball during the 2018 finals series seem so long ago now.

He needs to get angry and throw his weight around. We've all seen what a presence he can be. He's gone so far backwards like the rest of the team (or did we play that far above ourselves for those 4 games from WCE-SF?)

Agreed. Sam need to get Angry

That was the main ingredient in Dermott Brereton’s game. He was angry once he crossed the White Line, even as an 18 year old. 
 

Angry Pills ? 

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Needs to hold his marks.

[old dee 23,241]

Just now, Clint Bizkit said:

Needs to hold his marks.

I agree Clint it is fairly simple. Of course saying something and doing it are two different things.

[Sir Why You Little 35,295]

6 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Needs to hold his marks.

Yes he needs to demand the ball

Get angry on himself and his opponents. At the moment he is hoping to win the contest...

[old dee 23,241]

9 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes he needs to demand the ball

Get angry on himself and his opponents. At the moment he is hoping to win the contest...

I never had that feeling with Hogan!

[Demon Disciple 11,179]

41 minutes ago, Sir Why You Little said:

Yes he needs to demand the ball

Totally agree @Sir Why You Little. He needs to want the ball and then bloody demand it. He ain't gonna clash with anyone else in our forward line at the moment (Petracca aside).

Sought of like trying to kick a goal after the siren to win the game, some want the responsibility & others don't want a bar of it. I fear Weids is in the latter group and needs to adjust his mentality pronto.

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

1 hour ago, old dee said:

Of course saying something and doing it are two different things.

I wasn't aware, thank you.