If the perceived issues with Weideman are an apparent lack of urgency and attacking the ball, then he has a problem. These are both psychological/behavioural issues that diminish confidence and cannot be repaired by teaching.  From my perspective, these are the traits of a player that is subconsciously worried about getting hurt and that is something that is very difficult to overcome. No, it doesn’t mean he is a squib. It’s something that does affect sports men and women particularly those that have sustained serious injury, can surface immediately or even years after the incident and they have no control over it.

If any opposition defender gets even a hint that Sam is a tad reluctant he’ll get smashed from pillar to post. Perhaps Choco is the man to take him aside with a referral to someone like Noel Blundell although the club will obviously have its own sports psych.

1 hour ago, ProperDee said:

If the perceived issues with Weideman are an apparent lack of urgency and attacking the ball, then he has a problem. These are both psychological/behavioural issues that diminish confidence and cannot be repaired by teaching.  From my perspective, these are the traits of a player that is subconsciously worried about getting hurt and that is something that is very difficult to overcome. No, it doesn’t mean he is a squib. It’s something that does affect sports men and women particularly those that have sustained serious injury, can surface immediately or even years after the incident and they have no control over it.

If any opposition defender gets even a hint that Sam is a tad reluctant he’ll get smashed from pillar to post. Perhaps Choco is the man to take him aside with a referral to someone like Noel Blundell although the club will obviously have its own sports psych.

Some of his apparent reticence to attack/pressure the ground ball/player could be physical in that he has had a a few hip issues which may make it difficult to bend down. 

I agree that there may be a psychological component (I'm no pyschologist), regarding injury not so much the injury/hurt per se but the consequence is that he misses more games, something he would desperately not want.

The dilemma for us is that we can only carry one tall forward with poor defensive/pressure and ground abilities and that is B Brown.  So Sam needs to play more like TMac (not in position necessarily but in pressure applied).

As an aside, I would like to see Sam stay as TMac and B Brown are edging onto 30.  Whether we can keep him if he doesn't get senior games who knows.  There are a lot of teams who would be keen for a young tall fwd:  Pies, Ess, Cats, Rich. Sam may look at offers where he can get more senior games.  Like us other teams can carry a tall fwd with poor defensive and ground abilities so could more easily fit him into their structures.

Edited April 30, 20214 yr by Lucifer's Hero

What star sign is Sam..? 
?

Sam's a lovely kick and he attacks contests hard.

Probably doesn't have a big gas tank which is why his pressure isn't great, but at the same time i really doubt B. Brown is going to be a pressure machine. 

He will have his place, i think the club just wasn't expecting T. Mac and Jackson to hold down the forward spots and also now Gawn is resting forward because our defence is holding their own. A lot of potential windows for Weid aren't open right now, things will change for sure.

5 hours ago, ProperDee said:

If the perceived issues with Weideman are an apparent lack of urgency and attacking the ball, then he has a problem.

He attacked aerial contests really well, but I thought he lacked a little urgency when the ball was on the deck.  

Easily fixed.

On 4/29/2021 at 7:48 PM, Jaded said:

It’s just hard when McDonald is in blinding form not seen since 2018. Nobody expected it. I don’t think Melbourne expected it. 

The club couldn't give him away during trade period so fair to say they're as surprised as everyone else by his form.

On 4/30/2021 at 11:21 AM, Pickett2Jackson said:

Yes, no matter what happens vs North I would drop McDonald and bring in the Weid.

Its inevitable that McDonald falls apart soon, we should get in ahead of that happening.

You need to ease up on the TMac bashing P2J. He is a big part of the reason we're 6-0 and wishing he plays poorly and assuming he will fall apart makes zero sense whatsoever. If he continues this form and keeps the Weid out of the team while he's doing it then so be it.

The season is long, there will be injuries and loss of form. The Weid needs to keep working hard, front up in the VFL every week and make sure he's ready to take his opportunity when it presents. That's what a professional would do.

On 4/30/2021 at 9:04 AM, poita said:

You are actually hoping that one of our players has a shocker? That's a new low, even for you. 

 

Not just one..  hopefully Jones and Melksham have shockers too if they play.

We have way better players ready to come in for them.  This is our year for the flag, all passengers must be weeded out by the halfway mark of the season.

Edited May 1, 20214 yr by Pickett2Jackson

It's such a hard position for the club, Weid is way too good to be in the 2's at the moment, but who do you drop? 

Jackson offers so much to our set up overall, Tmac has been really strong, so unelss someone changes position he's fighting Ben Brown for his spot.