2021 Player Reviews #12 Toby Bedford

[Demonland 64,730]

Bedford had a strong year at Casey finishing runner up in the best and fairest but was unable to break into the Melbourne team and increase his AFL games tally of 2 games due to the durability and form of the Demons’ small forwards.

Date of Birth: 27 May, 2000

Height: 179cm

Weight: 71kg

Games CDFC 2021: 9

Goals CDFC 2021: 8

[Deeoldfart 7,720]

I really feel sorry for players like Toby, who didn’t have a lot of ‘form based’ opportunity to press their claims for senior selection, because of the shambolic VFL season.
I don’t know much about Toby, other than he is said to have pace and a strong work ethic, and (I think) good endurance.  Obviously, those ‘in the know’ at our footy club see a future for him, and I wouldn’t question their judgement for a minute.  
It will be fascinating to watch his progress, and if there is a position in our team that he can ‘make his own’.

[DeeZone 7,701]

I like the look of Toby and the way he shared in the celebrations post game let’s hope that he gets the opportunity out at Casey in 2022 to shine and hopefully force his way into our best 23. Good luck Toby Bedford.!!❤️💙

[DeeSpencer 23,106]

He's a good small forward at Casey level but I think they've missed a trick playing him forward too much rather than giving him the chance to be a midfielder at VFL level and get 30 touches to improve him disposal and be involved in a lot more contests. 

There's a limit to how good you can look and it's harder to improve playing forward at Casey. He'll do the job for the ream but what's he getting out of it development wise?

[deelusions from afar 1,608]

Hope a proper VFL season / comp next year allows the likes of Toby to show his stuff.  From what I've seen, he's behind Chandler for the next small forward spot because even though he's probably quicker, Chandler's disposal is generally very good (at least at VFL level).  Having said that, after training with Chocco for a year but having little opportunity to show his improvement, he could be a relevation next year if he gets a chance.

It's easy to forget that this time last year there were plenty of doubts on Spargo, ANB and Kozzie - I don't think anyone would have thought they would all essentially play every game in 2021 to the point that none of them could be dropped for Toby / Chandler / Melksham.

[deelusions from afar 1,608]

21 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

He's a good small forward at Casey level but I think they've missed a trick playing him forward too much rather than giving him the chance to be a midfielder at VFL level and get 30 touches to improve him disposal and be involved in a lot more contests. 

There's a limit to how good you can look and it's harder to improve playing forward at Casey. He'll do the job for the ream but what's he getting out of it development wise?

I think you're right - although it seems that we try to replicate the roles and gamestyles so that a bloke dominating VFL in the midfield isn't asked to come in and play in the forward pocket.  Ideally you'd mix it up to get the most out of them - but I didn't see enough VFL to know how they managed that.

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,127]

Blokes like Bedford and Chandler and others really need an uninterrupted full season of VFL footy for their development. They’ve been absolutely crucified by 2020- playing 12 on 12 scrimmages at the back oval of Metricon Stadium and 2021 - missing half the VFL season due to lock downs.

I liked his practice match performance way back in Feb 2020 against North at Arden Street. Kicked a classy goal and looked the part.

Hopefully he can hit the ground running if he gets a game next year like Bowery did this year, and adds to us having the best depth in the AFL.

 

[monoccular 16,042]

All above observations noted. 
 

It will be hard to break into a Premiership team that has Spargo and Pickett going so well AND an absolute disaster of a feeder competition even without Covid.  
 

What was it, 21 teams (so multiple byes) of very variable qualities, made up of many part time footballers who have real jobs yet are expected to travel interstate for days on end.  

We need to restore the V as in Victorian FL (with an even number of teams so no byes) and let the other states organise their own state competitions. 

[dworship 3,342]

14 minutes ago, monoccular said:

All above observations noted. 
 

It will be hard to break into a Premiership team that has Spargo and Pickett going so well AND an absolute disaster of a feeder competition even without Covid.  
 

What was it, 21 teams (so multiple byes) of very variable qualities, made up of many part time footballers who have real jobs yet are expected to travel interstate for days on end.  

We need to restore the V as in Victorian FL (with an even number of teams so no byes) and let the other states organise their own state competitions. 

While I agree it was a dogs breakfast this year and couldn't understand the inclusion of some interstate teams, I would support/enjoy seeing a Tasmanian State team included next year as a lead in to the AFL.

On Toby B, I did see him have a run through the middle a few times this year and thought he added quite a spark like Kozzie.

On a side note; I heard he had gone on a Central Aus trip with Langdon and Hunt. That's an eclectic group but says a lot about how this group has come together and bonded during these Covid years.