16 hours ago, Ouch! said:

Hi,

Not one to normally start a new thread, and this could possibly have found it's way into an old Jack Viney thread maybe, but I just felt it's worth giving credit where credit is due.

Jack had a solid year in 2021, but I believe he has lifted even more this year. With his history of foot injuries he has looked slow and his field kicking frustrated me in recent years. I always felt he was well behind Petracca and Oliver and I questioned whether his body had let him down and would he be able to hold down the midfield role for much longer.

However I think in 2022 he's improved significantly, and dare I say it looks quicker and more comfortable running over the turf. Resulting in his output both in running lines and his disposal looking a heap better than I can recall from prior years. He hasn't lost his aggression and love of tackling hitting the player hard.

Whilst his possession count isn't up at the possession rate of Oliver and Petracca, Viney just seems to be making the right decisions in games more often and not, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him right up there in the B&F count to this point of the season, just does the things that the coaches would love!

He's becoming exciting to watch within out team, and that's something I never thought I'd say :)  

He's our Chris Paul, i know that's a strange comparison given different sports but CP doesn't always have massive stats but his influence on the game in terms of leadership, setting the tone and team first defensive actions is as good as anyone in the comp.

He's just the heart and soul of the team, i look at Essendon atm and wouldn't they love a bloke to have 20 touches, 12 tackles and bring that level of intensity and care. 

I spoke to a current Melbourne player randomly a couple of weeks back and he just said when you've got guys like Steven May, Jack Viney, Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver out their having your back, it makes the game so much easier. 

Jack has stopped trying to be the hero and force his way through tackles. No wonder he is playing better.

It might also help that his foot is no longer sore.

Yze mentioned in a pre-season podcast that Jack is an elite kick, but due to all his foot problems in the past, had never been able to practice his kicking. This was the first full pre-season that Jack has completed.

Many on here had accused Jack of being someone who butchers the ball. This year both his decision making and execution have been elite. This was demonstrated with his pass to Fritsch in the last qtr against the Eagles. Pavlich mentioned how smart it was that Jack took a bounce because there were no clear options upfield. He then drilled a perfect kick to Fritsch.

Jack is having a great season, and goes under the radar. I'm glad that Jordan Lewis gave him BOG, because I thought that his disposal and tackling was superior to that of Clarry and Trac. He deserves the recognition.

12 minutes ago, Dwight Schrute said:

He's our Chris Paul, i know that's a strange comparison given different sports but CP doesn't always have massive stats but his influence on the game in terms of leadership, setting the tone and team first defensive actions is as good as anyone in the comp.

He's just the heart and soul of the team, i look at Essendon atm and wouldn't they love a bloke to have 20 touches, 12 tackles and bring that level of intensity and care. 

I spoke to a current Melbourne player randomly a couple of weeks back and he just said when you've got guys like Steven May, Jack Viney, Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver out their having your back, it makes the game so much easier. 

Jeez I hope Jack doesn't finish the year like Chris Paul, who was garbage in the last 5 games of the Dallas series.

Jack Viney is definitely as tough as nails and more inspirational than ever. He doesn't have the burden of shouldering the entire team on his shoulders as he thought he needed to in his first few years at the Melbourne Football Club.

Jack Viney is playing with a lot more freedom and you can tell he definitely enjoys his football now. Probably the best thing is how much his kicking has improved (probably thanks to Mark "Choco" Williams) over the last 12 months.

Fantastic player and great clubman

Strong and unrelenting - no quarter asked, none given

 

He is the heart and soul of this great club. Playing great footy and seems to be enjoying being 3rd or 4th key mid behind the likes of Oliver and Trac. Gives him the freedom to do what he does best. See footy, get footy and now delivering it in style. Having the other two getting the attention I think will prolong his career.

17 minutes ago, Supreme_Demon said:

Mark "Choco" Williams

I find it amusing how frequently this bloke gets called by his first name, nickname and surname.

It's usually either somebody's real name or their nickname, Mark "Chopper" Read notwithstanding.

19 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I find it amusing how frequently this bloke gets called by his first name, nickname and surname.

It's usually either somebody's real name or their nickname, Mark "Chopper" Read notwithstanding.

It must be a Mark thing...

37 minutes ago, Docs Demons said:

He is the heart and soul of this great club. Playing great footy and seems to be enjoying being 3rd or 4th key mid behind the likes of Oliver and Trac. Gives him the freedom to do what he does best. See footy, get footy and now delivering it in style. Having the other two getting the attention I think will prolong his career.

Viney often gets the ball to Tracc or Clarry, he is not a 3rd or 4th mid  

his work is fast…

 

12 tackles against the Eagles, big effort!

35 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

I find it amusing how frequently this bloke gets called by his first name, nickname and surname.

It's usually either somebody's real name or their nickname, Mark "Chopper" Read notwithstanding.

Beats "Mark Williams, otherwise known as Choco".

2 hours ago, Dwight Schrute said:

He's our Chris Paul, i know that's a strange comparison given different sports but CP doesn't always have massive stats but his influence on the game in terms of leadership, setting the tone and team first defensive actions is as good as anyone in the comp.

He's just the heart and soul of the team, i look at Essendon atm and wouldn't they love a bloke to have 20 touches, 12 tackles and bring that level of intensity and care. 

I spoke to a current Melbourne player randomly a couple of weeks back and he just said when you've got guys like Steven May, Jack Viney, Max Gawn and Clayton Oliver out their having your back, it makes the game so much easier. 

Are we supposed to know who Chris Paul is?  🙄

Jack Viney is our Jack Viney, nobody else.  And may he stay ours forever.  

Just now, monoccular said:

Are we supposed to know who Chris Paul is?  🙄

Jack Viney is our Jack Viney, nobody else.  And may he stay ours forever.  

I did post that before looking at the scores and noticed CP had a shocker in the NBA playoffs so i regret the comparison, but i think it's valid in terms of influence that isn't necessarily picked up by stats 

17 hours ago, Jontee said:

See McGovern has been fined $1k for rough conduct on Jay

McGovern had a go at Todd's brother? I didn't know that!

3 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

McGovern had a go at Todd's brother? I didn't know that!

Thanks for that, brings back memories.  If he could have he would have.....😁

20 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

A player that's clearly benefited from a great pre season which is foreign to him.

He's been tremendous this year, and is back to his 2015-2016 type form. Who could forget his 40 odd possession game in the famous breakthrough win over the Hawks in 2016.

I can't. I blew $200 on the Hawks, thinking "we never beat these [censored]. Why will today be any different"....

3 hours ago, monoccular said:

Are we supposed to know who Chris Paul is?

Lead singer of "The Golden Threads", had a #21 hit on the Billboard charts in 1972

What Essendon would do to have a player like Jack Viney in their team to fly the flag, has never taken a backward step & would do anything to help his team mates

And a bloody good leader & footballer too

Great thread. 
 

Clicked into gear in the finals and I think has gotten even better. 
 

Just seems so controlled in all aspects of his game. Instinctive gives, smooth kicks to advantage, slotting goals when he gets a shot, less reckless at the man and rarely if ever caught holding the ball this season. 
A joy to watch. 
 

He seems so zippy too. So happy for him and all of us. I thought his foot was cactus. 

JV seems to find a lot space by himself on transition from the contest, who’d wanna tag him😳, and we don't use his freedom often enough, such a weapon should be used as often as possible. ❤️💙

4 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

McGovern had a go at Todd's brother? I didn't know that!

Jay would destroy him.

Got a mate in Adelaide that played with Jay and reckons he's about the strongest bloke he'd ever come across on a footy field.

8 hours ago, Webber said:

You’re talking about this, RBG, 😎

Yep, spot on Webber.

What do they say about a picture telling 1000 words!

Finally got to see my one in the new year and it's even more magnificent in full size in person.  Love your work mate.

1 hour ago, Deestroy All said:

Great thread. 
 

Clicked into gear in the finals and I think has gotten even better. 
 

Just seems so controlled in all aspects of his game. Instinctive gives, smooth kicks to advantage, slotting goals when he gets a shot, less reckless at the man and rarely if ever caught holding the ball this season. 
A joy to watch. 
 

He seems so zippy too. So happy for him and all of us. I thought his foot was cactus. 

Finals specialist.  Really stood up and turned it on in 2018 as well.

I think he's in career best form. Shows the value of a uninterrupted preseason