Sam Weideman re-signs until 2023

[Ted Lasso 16,870]

Interesting to see if they change their approach with Sam, potentially look to improve his running potentially? 

[george_on_the_outer 7,002]

...."Without concrete interest beyond those two teams"

says it all really. 

[whatwhat say what 19,123]

3 minutes ago, george_on_the_outer said:

...."Without concrete interest beyond those two teams"

says it all really. 

it's amazing how he's gone from our key forward to depth for us and absolutely zero interest from outside parties in the space of a single injury-interrupted season

he's got two years to prove he 'belongs' at afl level

[BDA 20,244]

He's depth but who knows, he might do a TMac and surprise us all next year. Now if he can just stay injury free over the preseason.....

[Nelo 813]

Good move. I think he still has upside, plus we would have basically given him away for nothing. Keep him hungry and motivated and we might see a turnaround. 

[JJJ 536]

I know a couple of forward scouts at 2 Melbourne based AFL clubs and I asked them earlier this year about a potential market for Sam. They both told me that their particular club didn’t have him on their radar and doubted any club would trade for him unless it was a swap of late draft pick type deal.

Contrast that to the press at the time when Sam was beating up VFL defenders…. 

[Demons11 6,404]

Bloody great news! 

[Ollie fan 2,173]

I’m glad he’s staying. We have had an extraordinary run of luck with injuries but we can’t expect that to last. I’m certain he has the necessary desire and the necessary character to be an asset to the club. One day he will get it all together and then we might be very very happy that he has stayed.

[Allus Monk 568]

So this is what it feels like to be a Destination Club, even for those already here.

[old55 21,369]

Schache playing in the GF and Marshall played last week in the PF, but no interest in Weid - world has gone crazy ....

Edited September 22, 2021 by Pollyanna

[Lucifers Hero 37,173]

Injury free is the key.  He has the work ethic but lacks confidence in his body.  Get that and his overall game confidence will improve.

By the end of his contract in 2023 both TMc and Brown will be 30 (albeit both contracted until 2024) and any injuries to them will see opportunities open up.  

No one wanted either TMc or ANB when on the trade table last year and look what happened.  I suggest a few clubs would be lining up to take them now.

If Sam follows their example and earns a spot in the 23 then at the end of 2023, his FA year, he will have more options. 

Edited September 23, 2021 by Lucifer's Hero
Changed 2022 to 2023

[drdrake 3,042]

2 minutes ago, Pollyanna said:

Schache playing in the GF and Marshall played last week in the PF, but no interest in Weid - world has gone crazy ....

I think the Club and Sam have always said a deal would be done.  Journo's have driven this, Sam isn't playing no contract must be looking elsewhere.  His manager may also put this out there to raise the price or get the formal offer on the table.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,263]

Happy with this. T Mac's not getting any younger and we're not going to ever have the dream injury run we had this year.

However, the onus is on Sam to lift a cog or 2. His AFL performances this year ranged from average to diabolical and we're all entitled to expect more from a top 10 key forward that showed a lot of promise in his first 3 seasons.

[Jaded No More 58,295]

Also happy with this. Brown and Tmac have both had bad injury runs and/or loss of form in the last few years. Both are pushing 30. You are only as good as your 22nd player, and Weideman could definitely slot in and fill a role if required.

If we want to maintain success for a prolonged period of time, it is very important to have good quality depth on the list in all positions. Weideman may not be the best forward going around, but gees there have been some bog ordinary ones play in premierships and do well. And he has performed very well in finals in 2018.

If he played tomorrow he would double Rohan's possession average in finals quite comfortably. 

 

[ProperDee 1,698]

The ball is in Sam's court now. I'd like to see him bulk up and become a pack crashing beast.  He needs do do something if he wants a regular senior gig again.

[dazzledavey36 48,906]

I too don't mind this also.

Weid is still only 23? So hes still fairly young and now coming into the peak of his career.

He should take great inspiration from McDonald and Neal Bullen who were on the scrap heap and now have turned their careers around.

There is certainly a chance for him to grab McDonald's spot next year. But that's up to Weideman. Goody gave him a good string of games this year to cement his spot but unfortunately for him he couldn't and I think the injury in the pre season really set him back.

[spirit of norm smith 13,032]

Whilst Sam has been largely disappointing over the past 5 years, he had shown glimpses that make him a valuable player to keep.  

We need to be mindful that in 2021, we have had a low injury count year.   We have been able to have Jacko and Tmcd plus Weid and BBB as required. Keeping Weid allows us to have the safety net and try to keep on developing him.

I see Sam as a key forward (CHF ultimately) but little likelihood of a backline role or ruck.  

49 games. 49 goals.  

Certainly he is now 24 and less of a boy and needs to be a man in terms of physical ability to compliment his talents.  

Two year extension to 2023 through to free agency is fair enough. 

[picket fence 15,292]

1 hour ago, Redleg said:

Would mean Mitch Brown is gone and pressure is off for another key forward atm. He also can pinch hit in the ruck, with Tom Mac another and if they keep Bradtke then that is not an immediate priority either. 

Given we haven't many choices in draft I would keep Mitch Brown on as Rookie! Same with Majak!

[faultydet 7,593]

1 hour ago, JJJ said:

I know a couple of forward scouts at 2 Melbourne based AFL clubs and I asked them earlier this year about a potential market for Sam. They both told me that their particular club didn’t have him on their radar and doubted any club would trade for him unless it was a swap of late draft pick type deal.

Contrast that to the press at the time when Sam was beating up VFL defenders…. 

Not surprising that we'd only get a pick in the 70's for a bloke who has the ball bounce off his chest while 3m in front of his opponent.

Sam started off ok, and I liked his attack on the ball, his tackling and his ball handling at ground level, but it seems that overnight he lost the ability to hold a mark inside the forward 50 and that is a career killer for a 190cm+ tall forward.

If he stays, our sports psychologists have some work in front of them.

[Bitter but optimistic 21,329]

20 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Given we haven't many choices in draft I would keep Mitch Brown on as Rookie! Same with Majak!

I doubt we’ll keep them both picket.

[Redleg 37,758]

19 minutes ago, picket fence said:

Given we haven't many choices in draft I would keep Mitch Brown on as Rookie! Same with Majak!

Mitch Brown will go. His position is covered, with Weid staying and Tomlinson back, maybe releasing Petty forward if needed.

I would get Choco onto Weid over summer and try and turn around his mental approach to the game.

Another pre season in the gym will help as well.

[faultydet 7,593]

3 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Mitch Brown will go. His position is covered, with Weid staying and Tomlinson back, maybe releasing Petty forward if needed.

I would get Choco onto Weid over summer and try and turn around his mental approach to the game.

Another pre season in the gym will help as well.

That would be a brave move considering he has been a revelation as a tall defender this season.

So many key position players take years of hit and miss development before they hit their straps but Petty has been dynamite since his first half dozen or so games.

I like him exactly where he is. It's now up to Tommo to show where he fits into the team imo.

[Gawndy the Great 7,524]

I think it’s a good contingency plan. Playing as a KPF is probably not the right solution for him despite what his body and upbringing have suggested. 
Need to find him another role.

[Redleg 37,758]

Just now, faultydet said:

That would be a brave move considering he has been a revelation as a tall defender this season.

So many key position players take years of hit and miss development before they hit their straps but Petty has been dynamite since his first half dozen or so games.

I like him exactly where he is. It's now up to Tommo to show where he fits into the team imo.

The next two words were the important ones “ if needed”. 

[Deeko2 698]

1 hour ago, Pollyanna said:

Schache playing in the GF and Marshall played last week in the PF, but no interest in Weid - world has gone crazy ....

The best thing that could have happened to Schache was give him a run behind the ball to get him some easy pill and a bit of confidence up.  I often wonder why we have never given Sam some development as a defender.

Schache went ok in defence and someone like Liam Jones has found his niche back there so I see no reason why Sam couldn't become a roll player here.  

It's clearly a tough gig getting the ball bombed on your head and continually getting out numbered as a forward.  Weitering tried up forward and looked ordinary, Moore has had his moments good and bad, Harris-Andrews gets lost up there.

So maybe going back and being one of those extra numbers would assist him.  Plus if he's not confident in the jukes he can just go the almighty fist.  I struggle to believe there are a lot of key defenders in the comp with more talent than Sam. 

I'd like to see the club developing this side of his game as well.