3 hours ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

 

Pretty much spot on I reckon. His other traits are great - he's a fierce tackler for a tall bloke, is good below his knees, hurts people, and he's a great kick. You can see he works his [censored] off - he does a lot right, but doesn't have a lot to show for it stats-wise. If it clicks, we'll have an absolute weapon on our hands. No doubt contested marking is a hard thing to drastically improve, but it's worth remembering that Gawn couldn't take a grab to save himself for the first 6 years of his career. Hawkins pretty much the same. I hold hope. 

Marking is sometimes about confidence, as well as a number of other factors of course, but it can only take a couple of good grabs, if it is a confidence issue, to turn it around. 
We have seen the key forwards who need that early goal to then have a good day, with our game’s record holder the perfect example.

 

Turn it up Max don’t be stupid. 

No offence Max, but not hard for LJ to be a head of the dart puncher you turned up as.

It would seem that with our inside-50s still a bit wonky (unless Melksham or Bailey 'Coleman' Fritsch have it) it does make sense to have a tall target with that particular strength of following up immediately and instinctively when they haven't had a clean win of the ball.

It is almost like Jackson comes from the other direction to most young key forwards - usually they are so used to being the overdeveloped gorilla clunking marks against the mostly regular-sized teenagers that they get a bit slack on the chasing and scrambling.

Jackson hasn't had that particular kind of dominance so has never had the chance to become complacent.  It'll be quite something to see, if he successfully puts on a bit more adult muscle and begins getting the contested marks as well...

Okay, lid back on.  I merely anticipate a respectable season playing a useful role where his particular strengths may help mitigate our greatest weakness.

7 hours ago, jnrmac said:

I have gone from being optimistic on Weid to being slightly pessimistic. Have seen some glimpses but one area of real concern for me is his inability to regularly hold marks.

Fix that and he has the potential to become a good player but I'm not sure you can fix such a problem that easily.

He should try wearing a glove. Give Brad Miller a call Sammy.

Edited March 12, 20205 yr by John Demonic

6 hours ago, Redleg said:

That is clearly his achilles heel.

He is a nice kick and battled manfully as a chop out ruckman.

However, he does drop far too many marking chances and I agree, that unless he fixes that he has little chance of being a long term key forward.

Key forwards take marks.

Maybe we could try him in defense?

42 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Maybe we could try him in defense?

Please don’t give me nightmares. 
 

Thanks. 

LJ can certainly play as we have seen in the pre season games . If the match committee think that they have a spot for him to help the team cause then he will play. I think it is early however he can be managed.

Remember J Watts was another that in a way had pressure on him to perform and we know the history.  IMO   LJ will make an inpact when he is given the chance but he would have to earn it not just given to him.  

12 hours ago, Accepting Mediocrity said:

 

Pretty much spot on I reckon. His other traits are great - he's a fierce tackler for a tall bloke, is good below his knees, hurts people, and he's a great kick. You can see he works his [censored] off - he does a lot right, but doesn't have a lot to show for it stats-wise. If it clicks, we'll have an absolute weapon on our hands. No doubt contested marking is a hard thing to drastically improve, but it's worth remembering that Gawn couldn't take a grab to save himself for the first 6 years of his career. Hawkins pretty much the same. I hold hope. 

Perfect summary, I understand the frustration of other posters though.

Weideman has played 21 games over the last two years and has taken 86 marks, 34 of them contested.

Only Gawn takes significantly more contested marks per game at Melbourne over that period and would have far more opportunities as a ruck than Weideman as predominantly a forward, although my recollection is Weideman does take many of his out on the wing and not deep forward. Weideman is taking a comparable number of contested marks per game to Tom McDonald, Jack Riewoldt, Charlie Dixon, Ben Brown etc.

Yes he spills some he really should take, but he actually takes quite a few and I don’t think that’s the main problem. I think his tendency to go missing for impact for long periods of the game is the bigger concern. Too many games with six or seven disposals.

Weideman is a better “for now” as ruck or forward over Jackson in ability in an individual tap out or marking contest as you’d expect for someone four years older, but there are options where Jackson can contribute that Weideman just can’t with Jackson’s far superior versatility through his agility.

For what it’s worth I would play Weideman over Jackson and let Jackson develop in the VFL. If Weideman is not effective enough at AFL level after round 3 or so and Jackson is doing OK at VFL level then they could be swapped. Jackson in theory could come in to replace any number of players because of his agility and below knees ability so it’s also not as simple as Jackson vs. Weideman.

• Our forward set up and plan is so disfunctionalJC would struggle.Wr need stay at home (Fritta) CONTACTOR (TMac) leading Weid) and some
• E smalls and opportunists. Until we get the structure right and have players play to that structure we will struggle. Our forward are poorly coached and completely dysfunctional
•  

What a pleasant change to have a constructive conversation about 2 up and coming young talls.....

 

Give yourselves a pat on the back..

14 hours ago, John Demonic said:

He should try wearing a glove. Give Brad Miller a call Sammy.

I like this idea.

On 3/12/2020 at 2:21 PM, Accepting Mediocrity said:

How many rucks/ tall forwards can you name that have dominated in their first season? The rare ones that look good from day 1 are man-children (Hogan, Darling). Barring injury, Jackson will play senior footy this year, but he's at least 2 years away from being an above-average AFL player (assuming he makes it). 

Weideman was one of the biggest disappointments of 2019 (and that's saying something). But he's well ahead of Jackson at this stage and deserves first crack.

Weed has to have first crack at the 2nd Ruck/Forward roll no doubt, this could be a blessing for weed, he now knows he has to perform in this role or a player who is just as good, if not better than himself will lay claims to this position and not let go.

#Timetostepupweed

Edited March 13, 20205 yr by Win4theAges

12 hours ago, Lampers said:

Weideman has played 21 games over the last two years and has taken 86 marks, 34 of them contested.

Only Gawn takes significantly more contested marks per game at Melbourne over that period and would have far more opportunities as a ruck than Weideman as predominantly a forward, although my recollection is Weideman does take many of his out on the wing and not deep forward. Weideman is taking a comparable number of contested marks per game to Tom McDonald, Jack Riewoldt, Charlie Dixon, Ben Brown etc.

That makes sense that Weide takes more high marks out in the wider part of the ground at this stage,  as his body develops.

Only natural that he will get buffeted about,  when playing deeper and inside pack situations.

weight >>>- https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/tp-melbourne-demons?year=2020&sby=8

I think 'LJ' would just get blocked from his run at the ball, anyway.

Edited March 13, 20205 yr by MyFavouriteMartian