Our 2nd best small after Kozz. 

Just now, adonski said:

Our 2nd best small after Kozz. 

For entirely different reasons too.

Big Sparky fan. Sounds as though he's been putting in the miles running. Match fitness another matter - stay sound son.

 

Will need a few matches to get back to somewhere near his best surely.

Not the quickest by foot but composed with ball in hand and can snag the odd goal.  One of the few players in the team who lowers his vision, angles his kicks coming inside and hits free targets instead of blazing away most of the time.

One of Spargo's quiet strengths is positioning himself in places where the opposition would like to go, so that they have to find a different, less direct path. It was something Angus Brayshaw was an absolute master at, too.

Could have made a difference against GWS but I suspect it will be even more valuable against the less experienced Kangaroos.

I'm glad there's a lot of love for Charlie because if he gets a good clean run at it again he is a really valuable contributor.

I hope he can get back to his best which is very good.

best of luck on your return charlie

On 22/03/2025 at 10:25, adonski said:

Our 2nd best small after Kozz. 

Then we are in deep c... 

I think he has a lot to offer in theory, but he didn't look ready on Sunday.

One needs to also remember that he was dropped for 7 games in late 2023 before earning a recall in the Carlton semi.

On a side note, this might surprise people but he's only kicked 3 goals (career best) once in his career.

Doesn't kick nearly enough goals, doesn't win his own football, and doesn't demand his opponent be accountable for him because he doesn't play in dangerous positions.

Has a career average of just over 2 inside 50s per game, so his much vaunted field kicking is probably only contributing a goal a game.

Good on him for reaching game 100 this week, but we can do so much better.

45 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I think he has a lot to offer in theory, but he didn't look ready on Sunday.

One needs to also remember that he was dropped for 7 games in late 2023 before earning a recall in the Carlton semi.

On a side note, this might surprise people but he's only kicked 3 goals (career best) once in his career.

The guy is average at best as you say poor form before the injury. 

1 minute ago, old dee said:

The guy is average at best as you say poor form before the injury. 

poor form in 2023 but in 2022 and 2021 he was very serviceable. 

he may have some 'average' attributes overall but I do feel like he is an important cog in the team if he can get back to his best. 

2 minutes ago, roy11 said:

poor form in 2023 but in 2022 and 2021 he was very serviceable. 

he may have some 'average' attributes overall but I do feel like he is an important cog in the team if he can get back to his best. 

Agree but it was always a bridge too far to bring him straight back to AFL level before a 3-5 game stint in the VFL. Laurie was the logical inclusion.

44 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Agree but it was always a bridge too far to bring him straight back to AFL level before a 3-5 game stint in the VFL. Laurie was the logical inclusion.

I guess the ideal strategy would be like the below, but a few injuries/suspensions may have changed the plan

1) Casey Game/s
2) Starting Sub
3) 3/4 Game
4) Full game

Guess internally they rate a half-fit Spargoat over Laurie

I thought Spargo went alright in his first game back. He'd played a Casey practice game where he looked a cut above and clearly he's in our best 22 with his decision making and foot skills badly needed. I expect him to keep impacting more after his first AFL run in a long time.

I don't understand why people keep bringing up Laurie. He's been the most underwhelming player at AFL level we've had for the last few seasons. We have many players that should get picked ahead of him as a hybrid type player. A promising late first rounder (pick #22) After four years in the system he should be starting to really push the selection committee. Maybe its because he's only good as a midfielder where we have the most depth but I would have liked to see him start to carve out a role by now and build on his game.

Players usually deserve more than one game to establish themselves, but I fear I’ve seen this story before. When you’re as slow as Spargo is, at his height, he has to have elite work ethic to spread and cover the ground, to enable him to get the ball. If he can’t cover the ground, there’s no point playing him.

First game back after 12 months. I will give Charlie another go. A number of Demomlanders were scathing of Chandler’s first game against GWS and look what happened last week, BOG for us. In a functioning side where ball carriers have their fair share of the ball and can lower their eyes to pick out targets, I think Spargo has a place. Big ifs I know. 

Spargo is a smart kick and reliable decision maker when he can find space but ultimately, is slow, undersized and regularly seems to lose one on one contests quite convincingly.

Pickett and Chandler are ahead of him at this stage and Henderson is giving it a really good shake and deserves to continue the momentum he's built in the last few weeks.

Spargo back to Casey, he should have been given several weeks to build some fitness and form before being considered for selection. He was brought in underdone last year and all it did was aggravate his injury. I personally believe that at worst, he is a solid depth player and at best, should remain in the fringes of the best 22 unless he can add another trick to his bag.

 

26 minutes ago, burnthefushias said:

Spargo is a smart kick and reliable decision maker when he can find space but ultimately, is slow, undersized and regularly seems to lose one on one contests quite convincingly.

Pickett and Chandler are ahead of him at this stage and Henderson is giving it a really good shake and deserves to continue the momentum he's built in the last few weeks.

Spargo back to Casey, he should have been given several weeks to build some fitness and form before being considered for selection. He was brought in underdone last year and all it did was aggravate his injury. I personally believe that at worst, he is a solid depth player and at best, should remain in the fringes of the best 22 unless he can add another trick to his bag.

 

Let’s hope Chandler keeps improving and Henderson clicks. Then a forward line of Chandler, Henderson or Spargo, with Pickett and Viney spending time as a defensive small forward/midfield and Rotate Tracc and Langford between HF/midfield. Fritsch close to goal in a forward pocket and JVR/ Turner as tall targets. Add AJ as forward/bench/second ruck. Might work with some better than average F50 delivery. 

Get Langdon and Windsor back to the wings, play Lindsay and Rivers off halfback to feed the F50. 

Charlie Spargo has become one of many players. Too good for VFL Footy but not contributing enough at AFL level. Hoping he can get back match fitness after missing 2024 and if he can add more. 

On 25/03/2025 at 15:20, old dee said:

The guy is average at best as you say poor form before the injury. 

He played very well in the 2023 finals.

On 25/03/2025 at 15:28, Diamond_Jim said:

Agree but it was always a bridge too far to bring him straight back to AFL level before a 3-5 game stint in the VFL. Laurie was the logical inclusion.

That is the Goodwin way and it has worked once in the last six times.  Live and learn, Simon.

On 26/03/2025 at 21:37, redandbluemakepurple said:

That is the Goodwin way and it has worked once in the last six times.  Live and learn, Simon.

Doing the same thing tomorrow with Milkshake.