Toby Bedford

[Redleg 41,962]

Watched the Casey game with an emphasis on another kid I have a lot of faith in and he was great.

Toby has pace as we all know, but he now is an aggressive pressure player, who doesn't allow easy possessions to the opposition

He now has very good disposal skills, as well as the ability to make a goal from nothing.

IMO he will be a regular in the AFL side sooner than later and with Kozzie will prove an absolute handful for the opposition.

I also thought Deakyn Smith was very good and looks a player. Rosman also looks a likely type and Bowey's disposal is superb.

We now have significant depth.

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Redleg

[Pickett2Jackson 3,904]

Looking forward to his return to the senior side.  He will do everything ANB does but hes fast and skilled and just way better.  

[SPC 3,571]

36 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Watched the Casey game with an emphasis on another kid I have a lot of faith in and he was great.

Toby has pace as we all know, but he now is an aggressive pressure player, who doesn't allow easy possessions to the opposition

and has very good disposal skills, as well as the ability to make a goal from nothing.

IMO he will be a regular in the AFL side sooner than later and with Kozzie will prove an absolute handful for the opposition.

I also thought Deakyn Smith was very good and looks a player. Rosman also looks a likely type and Bowey's disposal is superb.

We now have significant depth.

 

Agree with all points. Think Bedford will replace Jones soon. 

[fr_ap 2,544]

Suggest you watch more closely. Has some attributes but disposal is not one of them - has been demonstrated at both levels many times 

[Gawndy the Great 9,011]

I don't get the hype around this kid (yet). He may run laps around his opponents at VFL but has time and time again fallen short of the mark at AFL 

I do hope he gets a few more chances to prove himself though and if he's anything near the capability of Kozzy and Spargo as some say, then there is that to look forward to but i will keep my enthusiasm in check for now.

[Redleg 41,962]

9 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Suggest you watch more closely. Has some attributes but disposal is not one of them - has been demonstrated at both levels many times 

Watch the Casey game on Kayo and you will change your opinion on that.

[SPC 3,571]

7 minutes ago, CYB said:

I don't get the hype around this kid (yet). He may run laps around his opponents at VFL but has time and time again fallen short of the mark at AFL 

I do hope he gets a few more chances to prove himself though and if he's anything near the capability of Kozzy and Spargo as some say, then there is that to look forward to but i will keep my enthusiasm in check for now.

Time and time again?

[Redleg 41,962]

4 minutes ago, SPC said:

Time and time again?

Yep, 2 games in a COVID mad year and some nearly write him off. He has definitely improved and significantly.

IMO he will be a better player than Spargo and ANB long term. He has some real X factor, that I also saw in Shai Bolton when he was playing VFL and couldn’t get a game with the Tigers.

Time will tell.

 

Edited April 20, 2021 by Redleg

[BW511 2,724]

Reckon by the end of the year our side could look quite different with a few of these young guys rolling through.

I hope he comes in and cements a spot, he looks very lively when on.

We won’t be short on excitement over the next couple of years, hope it translates to wins!

 

[ProperDee 1,698]

Bedford is a different player now.  He has matured, his confidence has grown and that was reflected in his game on Sunday. Hunts the ball, is very quick, applies great pressure, tackles hard and kicks well.  Has added some toughness too which his opponents felt.

Yes, he is behind Kossie and Spargo (who of course is different type) but he will get his opportunity and I look forward to that.

 

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,307]

46 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

Suggest you watch more closely. Has some attributes but disposal is not one of them - has been demonstrated at both levels many times 

Did you watch him on the weekend? You know young players develop their skills yeah?

[rjay 25,307]

Needs to string a few of these games together before getting a call up this time...

I reckon he was thrown in unfairly last year and he didn't make an impact.

More like Sundays game and he will get his chance again

[Lil_red_fire_engine 11,307]

I suggest he will go past Jones in the coming weeks and it will be hard to get him out once in. He has always had speed but he now has clean hands and disposal. 

[Demon Dynasty 17,135]

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Watched the Casey game with an emphasis on another kid I have a lot of faith in and he was great.

Toby has pace as we all know, but he now is an aggressive pressure player, who doesn't allow easy possessions to the opposition

He now has very good disposal skills, as well as the ability to make a goal from nothing.

IMO he will be a regular in the AFL side sooner than later and with Kozzie will prove an absolute handful for the opposition.

I also thought Deakyn Smith was very good and looks a player. Rosman also looks a likely type and Bowey's disposal is superb.

We now have significant depth.

 

One match does not a swallow make but...seemingly substantial improvement in many areas on 2019 Mr Leg.

Agility, evasiveness & quick off the mark.  Much stronger through the core, able to break the odd tackle.  Closing down speed quite good.  Tackling quite good also.  Able to hit loose players on the 45 and on the lead with ease and accuracy.

Short kicking is A1.  Can't say i took enough notice of how he did going longer.

Goal sense and snaps appear to be improving also.

Of course this is all at VFL level.  Will he cut the mustard taking the step up?

Probably won't set the world on fire in his first dozen matches or so but not many do.  However he's definitely looking likely and worth having a look at as the year progresses if a window opens.

Lots of upside and could end up being a regular small forward, tearing it up in the seniors at some stage.  Not saying he'll be a Kozzie.  But he could end up being a very handy addition inside 50, possibly even more than that.

Lots of class on show on Sunday / cheeky goal sneak potential also!

[Deefender 245]

Gary O’Donnell, who went on to captain Essendon, played 50 reserve games before playing seniors in a strong side.

Bedford has plenty of time to develop his game.  I think he can make it at AFL level.

Edited April 20, 2021 by deefender

[joshua 74]

1 hour ago, CYB said:

I don't get the hype around this kid (yet). He may run laps around his opponents at VFL but has time and time again fallen short of the mark at AFL 

I do hope he gets a few more chances to prove himself though and if he's anything near the capability of Kozzy and Spargo as some say, then there is that to look forward to but i will keep my enthusiasm in check for now.

His played 2 games and almost had the same stat line as Kozzy in them two games. Go look at his practice match verse north in 2020 or his preseason game where he played 1 quarter and still kicked a goal and was solid

[Adam The God 30,617]

Interesting post, Mister Leg. I didn't see the Casey game as I was on the way into the Melbourne game, but Toby has always seemed a little slow for a small forward to me. I hope you're right and he has improved. His attributes looked fringe at best to me, so let's see.

Edited April 20, 2021 by A F

[Cards13 9,117]

From the 2/3s ish of the game I saw he looked much improved at that level. Exciting to see all levels of the club improving. Best of luck on getting to the big stage.

[dee-tox 4,835]

Seems to have gone up a level this season, perhaps it's a confidence thing. Has a bit of toe and knows where the goals are. Not afraid to compete in the air either.

Some players develop at different speeds. I'm not sure Toby was one to burst onto the AFL scene. He's still only 20 and playing in a strong VFL team might be good for him...

 

[Older demon 2,799]

I like it that we aren't throwing young players into the mix too early. Jordan played 2 seasons of VFL, and I hope Toby is given time to develop. One of the secrets to Hawthorns success over the years has been the time playing in the 2's developing, maturing and developing some consistency. Kozzie and Jackson are out of this world to come in and achieve what they have so quickly. No need to burn them early as we have done in the past

[JJJ 1,333]

I like him and thinks he’s improved but I’m not sold on his long term prospects. 

I suspect if he is to succeed, at least early on, he’ll be a system player. Chase, tackle and link midfield to forward. I think he lacks X-Factor and doesn’t seem to be a natural goal kicker but if he continues to improve his decision making and forward pressure there’s a spot for him to go for.

[Big Col 1,349]

Apart from BBB and Weids dominating as talls, Bedford was the story of the game.

He really had a great 1st half. If he can perform the same again over a few weeks he'll get a call up. Assuming those first 2 mentioned end up in the 1s then Toby will be whom I'm watching Casey for.

[dazzledavey36 55,911]

Was very impressive on the weekend.

Problem for him has been translating into AFL level.

[JTR 2,884]

He was also very impressive and comfortably amongst the best the week before vs Williamstown. 

[Earl Hood 6,144]

He has always impressed me at training, he moves well, has speed and good hands but at VFL level he did not seem to be able to get his own ball. If his disposal count at VFL was often counted in single figures I doubted if he could make the jump but he is only 20 so plenty of upside. A few more breakout games in the VFL please before we give him his chance. But it does look as if he might meet the modern requirements for a small forward, that is endless running, foot speed and ferocious defensive tackling and yes you do need to kick the odd goal yourself.