He doesn't just tackle them.
He grinds them into the ground.

Provides the mongrel.
Love his work.

8 hours ago, Megatron said:

The guy is the enforcer for us. He sets the tone and you’re right, he hurts players and that becomes a byproduct of perceived pressure. He was massive in 2018 in the lead up to the finals and the first two wins in September. 
If gets some game time together and builds on his match fitness he will be very important.

I think this is a key factor that all very good to very good teams need at least one of to take the next step.  Maybe not so much once they become successful but certainly in the journey getting there.

My only issue is the involvement / form aspect.  You can't just bring an enforcer (threat / perceived threat) and somebody who just hurts the opponent imho.  At some stage he has to improve in getting the ball, either as a receiver or accumulator (or both).  Super low at the mo and this probably can't go on indefinitley without his place in the team coming under the radar.  As the great Ronald Dale was once heard to say "Give me possessions and i'll shut up".  Will take a while to regain peak fitness though given the amount of time out so a bit of patience needed.  No Casey also not helping here.

Having said that let's hope any cheek problem isn't a major issue.  Certainly no questioning vander's attack and gusto on game day.  White line fever pretty much every time and was a big factor in our latter 2018 form / finals appearances.  When he starts showing a level of run and fitness that sees him pushing forward into space at times and taking a few inside 50 marks & goaling here and there then i'll be more convinced that the old AVB is back, somewhere near his best!

Edited July 21, 20204 yr by Rusty Nails

12 minutes ago, Rusty Nails said:

I think this is a key factor that all very good to very good teams need at least one of to take the next step.  Maybe not so much once they become successful but certainly in the journey getting there.

My only issue is the involvement / form aspect.  You can't just bring an enforcer (threat / perceived threat) and somebody who just hurts the opponent imho.  At some stage he has to improve in getting the ball, either as a receiver or accumulator (or both).  Super low at the mo and this probably can't go on indefinitley without his place in the team coming under the radar.  As the great Ronald Dale was once heard to say "Give me possessions and i'll shut up".  Will take a while to regain peak fitness though given the amount of time out so a bit of patience needed.  No Casey also not helping here.

Having said that let's hope any cheek problem isn't a major issue.  Certainly no questioning vander's attack and gusto on game day.  White line fever pretty much every time and was a big factor in our latter 2018 form / finals appearances.  When he starts showing a level of run and fitness that sees him pushing forward into space at times and taking a few inside 50 marks & goaling here and there then i'll be more convinced that the old AVB is back, somewhere near his best!

The great Ronald Dale also said if he had a choice between a goer and a kid with natural talent .... "I'll take the goer everytime."

Or words to that effect.
In the book 'The Coach.'

49 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

The great Ronald Dale also said if he had a choice between a goer and a kid with natural talent .... "I'll take the goer everytime."

Or words to that effect.
In the book 'The Coach.'

that strategy worked fine back when the only tactic was to torp it long to full forward.

11 hours ago, goodwindees said:

Guys, it hasn't been reported yet, but to show you how tough & committed to the cause that Aaron is, he suffered a triple fracture to his cheekbone early in the second quarter and despite blood trickling continually down the inside of his nose & throat he totally downplayed the knock and kept playing.

Was even the only player to go in and remonstrate with Stratton after the crude knock on Weid.

You can see why the Coaches & teammates love him in the side.

Vanders is a dead set legend. Loved seeing him stick up for Weed after Stratton's deliberate elbow on his head. Somehow, the Weed got up after the hit, got the ball and set up a chain of play that resulted in a brilliant Pickett goal (2nd quarter about 4:20). Watch the attached footage - Weed only had eyes for the ball. Stratton only had eyes for his elbow on Weed's head. Surely Stratton should be reported for this. I would not want to be Stratton the next time Dorks play Dees...

Pleasantly surprised, I was fully expecting this to be a post bagging him.

A poster on another forum mentioned that vandenBerg’s tackles hurt more than any other player because they frequently cause turnovers. 

I don’t reckon we’ve had a player like him at the MFC since I’ve been watching. A medium-tall with an extremely solid build whose greatest asset is defensive work. His tackles hurt in both the physical and footy sense. I’d be afraid if I was nearby.

Hopefully he is able to get a decent run at it - he was important in the finals in 2018 and has been so far this year.

8 hours ago, Fork 'em said:

The great Ronald Dale also said if he had a choice between a goer and a kid with natural talent .... "I'll take the goer everytime."

Or words to that effect.
In the book 'The Coach.'

Ideally you want both Fork but a big yes if there's no options.

He is our barometer. If he's playing well, then you can just about bet that the team is up and about. 

He brings a physicality that just isn't matched by anyone else on the team, his importance can not be understated.

Vandenberg's run down crunching tackle on murdoch in the 1st quarter of the elim final 2018 says it all, he is simply a beast who won't give up. 

We all love the Vandemonberg!  

 

16 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

My only issue is the involvement / form aspect.  You can't just bring an enforcer (threat / perceived threat) and somebody who just hurts the opponent imho.  At some stage he has to improve in getting the ball, either as a receiver or accumulator (or both).  Super low at the mo and this probably can't go on indefinitley without his place in the team coming under the radar.  As the great Ronald Dale was once heard to say "Give me possessions and i'll shut up".  Will take a while to regain peak fitness though given the amount of time out so a bit of patience needed.  No Casey also not helping here.

Having said that let's hope any cheek problem isn't a major issue.  Certainly no questioning vander's attack and gusto on game day.  White line fever pretty much every time and was a big factor in our latter 2018 form / finals appearances.  When he starts showing a level of run and fitness that sees him pushing forward into space at times and taking a few inside 50 marks & goaling here and there then i'll be more convinced that the old AVB is back, somewhere near his best!

The app has him down for only 47% game time against the Suns, in which case 11 touches is plenty. Hard to know if that’s correct. 

In shorter games I’m actually fine with him getting around 15 touches a week.

I’m much more concerned about his ball use than how much he gets of it. If he is out I hope he can still get in lots of skill sessions 

On 7/21/2020 at 2:15 PM, nosoupforme said:

Vanders is important, the more games he plays the better he gets. Tough as they get this boy! Love him in the side.

The boys don't have to look over their shoulder when Vanders is close to help and support.

I reckon AVB is the Team's 'big brother'. For any opposition, Vanders is a ballistic missile whose feathers one would not like to rustle.  This sentiment also applies to opponents who may be playing well against the whole Demon team - Vanders will get 'ya and then you'll be sorry. Vanders is a tremendous confidence booster for our younger brigade. He goes in to support any team member in whatever way he can. I feel that Vanders does these jobs just as well as the smaller but equally lethal Ray Biffen used to do before his run of back injuries, and the positively bullet-proof game of Rod Grinter, and the rampaging Todd Viney. Very proud of Vanders as a Demon - and very respectful of his journey back into selection for the Team. 

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

The app has him down for only 47% game time against the Suns, in which case 11 touches is plenty. Hard to know if that’s correct. 

In shorter games I’m actually fine with him getting around 15 touches a week.

I’m much more concerned about his ball use than how much he gets of it. If he is out I hope he can still get in lots of skill sessions 

yep, vanders, clarry and gus all need remedial kicking lessons.

each has a different problem in their disposal. hopefully it is recognised and being addressed 

Knowing someone like AVB has your back allows you to do your job better. 

Confirmed out for two weeks after cheekbone surgery.

Bastards in the MFC social media team headlined it as “surgery for vandenBerg” and my mind immediately went to the foot.

Good intel @goodwindees

vandenBerg to miss two matches

 

Why on earth did they not confirm this in the injury update?

Burgess literally said “nothing to report out of the win against Hawthorn”

This is why they say lying is the second language of AFL!

Could be a blessing in disguise. He and Bennell would be the two players most at risk of re-injury during this 4 games in 14 minutes the AFL is trying to cram in. 
He has two weeks off and comes back in fresh and ready to kill more opponents. 

Thanks for the 'heads up' goodwindees.

Edited July 22, 20204 yr by Deeoldfart

12 minutes ago, whatwhatsaywhat said:

Why on earth did they not confirm this in the injury update?

Burgess literally said “nothing to report out of the win against Hawthorn”

This is why they say lying is the second language of AFL!

I'd suggest they hadn't actually ruled him out and didn't want the opposition to know he had a very sensitive cheek.

Edited July 22, 20204 yr by Fork 'em

Big loss but at least not foot and likely he would have been managed anyway.

Jones in for him?

2 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

I reckon AVB is the Team's 'big brother'. For any opposition, Vanders is a ballistic missile whose feathers one would not like to rustle.  This sentiment also applies to opponents who may be playing well against the whole Demon team - Vanders will get 'ya and then you'll be sorry. Vanders is a tremendous confidence booster for our younger brigade. He goes in to support any team member in whatever way he can. I feel that Vanders does these jobs just as well as the smaller but equally lethal Ray Biffen used to do before his run of back injuries, and the positively bullet-proof game of Rod Grinter, and the rampaging Todd Viney. Very proud of Vanders as a Demon - and very respectful of his journey back into selection for the Team. 

Totally with you on this one. Good teams hoping to be great need an enforcer, especially if they have young potentials.

I loved Ray the Biff, but Rodney Grinter was hard-done-by. I'm not condoning it, but Rod's round-arm push on Wallace did result in a seriously sore arm and the painful removal or several teeth/ unidentified piece bone from his fist. Apparently biting wasn't a problem then those days.

We need to keep Vanders in the team .

Not for brutal stuff but for the opposition to be watching over the shoulders for tough hard tackler. No more bruise free stuff.

26 minutes ago, Fork 'em said:

I'd suggest they hadn't actually ruled him out and didn't want the opposition to know he had a very sensitive cheek.

Not at all.  Surgery was being booked in before the last player had completed his shower. 

5 minutes ago, goodwindees said:

Not at all.  Surgery was being booked in before the last player had completed his shower. 

I have no doubts that is true.

Given that why do you think goody said no injury problems in his post match presser as did burgess yesterday?

2 minutes ago, binman said:

I have no doubts that is true.

Given that why do you think goody said no injury problems in his post match presser as did burgess yesterday?

Cos lying is the second language of football!

5 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

The app has him down for only 47% game time against the Suns, in which case 11 touches is plenty. Hard to know if that’s correct. 

In shorter games I’m actually fine with him getting around 15 touches a week.

I’m much more concerned about his ball use than how much he gets of it. If he is out I hope he can still get in lots of skill sessions 

TOG% Correct DS against the Suns.  However only 8 effectives in that match.  Effectives probably a half decent indicator of reasonable ball use, by no means the ultimate indicator though.  It's just a stat.   I hear what you are saying though.  Double that time and he should rack up about 14 to 16 which seems acceptable.

However against the Hawks he was on substantially more game time @ 81% but racked up only 7 effectives.  So 34% more TOG but one less effective disposal.  Certainly not looking to judge him on one game though.  My comment more applies to the trend and/or averages over the last 3 to 5 matches (approx) in terms of how he is tracking in the accumulation stakes.  Ultimately as you say, quality is always better than quantity here.

P.S.  the lower stats with more game time now makes sense given the cheek unjury in the first quarter.  That argument (Hawks component) is now null and void.

Edited July 22, 20204 yr by Rusty Nails