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The ANB Appreciation Thread

Previously known as LITD.
in Melbourne Demons

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I have never been able to understand the negativity about ANB. IMO he has been the first player picked for years. 

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    All Australia lock at this early stage. Hopefully he continues his form, would love to see him recognised outside of the 4 walls of the club 

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    ANB has kept improving every year, like a fine wine, getting better with age, a highly valued member of the team!

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    10 hours ago, binman said:

    Nibbla was unbelievable tonight.

    You're spot on - we don't win that game without him.

    The best game he's played. 

    You’ve every right to have a warm inner glow Bin. 

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    1 hour ago, Demonland said:

    Screenshot 2024-03-31 at 08-58-06 Demonland on X Nibbler is one of the most underrated players in the AFL 🔴🔵😈 https __t.co_4ZGMjrsTJu _ X.png

    Brownlow Votes 3

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    2 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

    Best game I've seen him play last night.

    Chock full of confidence there was no way he was missing any of those goals.

    He's in great form at present.

     

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    2 hours ago, old dee said:

    I have never been able to understand the negativity about ANB. IMO he has been the first player picked for years. 

    There was a period in 2020 (perhaps the preceding years as well), when he was very much on the fringe.  I actually think in 2020 he was very harshly suspended for 2 - 3 games for what was then a pretty marginal suspension for a sling tackle or something - would probably clearly be a suspension now (for everyone but Collingwood), but back then I think he was made a scape goat out of it.  Really intrupted his oppertunity to establish himself in the team at that time.

    I recall watching both him and Jayden Hunt then play great games in our practical dead rubber game against Essendon at Metricon in the final Rd of 2020 and thinking they were both definate goers that had something to offer the team, but I think at that time, there would have been pleanty of our own supporters more than happy to throw ANB to the wolves and delist or trade him.

    Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

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    He used to go to ground a lot and fumble at inopportune moments. He’d be the first to say he has been working on his game and has dramatically improved in those areas, taking his game to the next level as a result. 

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    Said himself on an interview after the game last night I think it was that he's now having a bit more confidence in himself to take the game on a bit more, slow down and finish when he's got ball in hand than perhaps he has in the past.  Do agree and think he's become a more damaging and dangerous player as a result.

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    10 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

    Said himself on an interview after the game last night I think it was that he's now having a bit more confidence in himself to take the game on a bit more, slow down and finish when he's got ball in hand than perhaps he has in the past.  Do agree and think he's become a more damaging and dangerous player as a result.

    In addition, RG, he said that once he has ball in hand he now takes a breath and steadies before disposing. I think that has been a key element in his improvement.

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    1 minute ago, Neil Crompton said:

    In addition, RG, he said that once he has ball in hand he now takes a breath and steadies before disposing. I think that has been a key element in his improvement.

    He must take some pretty short breaths at times too, because some of those things he does are lightening fast, almost reflex stuff.  Pretty amazing how skilled AFL footballers are at times these days.

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    29 minutes ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

    Said himself on an interview after the game last night I think it was that he's now having a bit more confidence in himself to take the game on a bit more, slow down and finish when he's got ball in hand than perhaps he has in the past.  Do agree and think he's become a more damaging and dangerous player as a result.

    ...and in that interview he gives extensive credit to Greg Stafford, at the person-to-person level, as others have done before him. This appears to be where Stafford's often-queried value lies, I think, rather than in the technicals - F50 connection, kicking. From the interviews, this latter seems to be Mark Williams's area, and last night was an affirming high for that (after the September lows) in a 'long game'.

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    Just love how he continues to extract more out of himself. On natural talent he'd probably be the first to admit he'd be in the bottom third of our list - but he just works and works and works and works until he improves.

    A great role model for other players and for all of us too. Great human and leader to boot. 

    Shaping Chandler in his image, and I've no doubt Kossie is a better defensive forward for the example ANB sets. 

    Has been my favourite player for a couple of years now. 

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    28 minutes ago, fr_ap said:

    Just love how he continues to extract more out of himself. On natural talent he'd probably be the first to admit he'd be in the bottom third of our list - but he just works and works and works and works until he improves.

    A great role model for other players and for all of us too. Great human and leader to boot. 

    He’s one of the hardest trainers at our club. Not hard to see why he’d be one of the first picked every week.

    Keep it going Nibbler!!!

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    2 hours ago, Chook said:

    He used to go to ground a lot and fumble at inopportune moments. He’d be the first to say he has been working on his game and has dramatically improved in those areas, taking his game to the next level as a result. 

    This. He has always been rated extremely highly by the club for his running patterns and capacity. Alot of his KPI's have been excellent for a years but his fumbles in key moments have cost us occasionally. This season, not just last night, he just seems to be cleaner, sharper and more confident. He was a key role player in our 2021 premiership but i think he is integral to our chances this year. Keeps playing like this and we have another elite A grade player in our arsenal.

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