Why doesn't everyone just wait and see how he develops. 

39 minutes ago, Ugottobekidding said:

Why doesn't everyone just wait and see how he develops. 

Because forums are about opinions without evidence...

He compared himself to Naughton and Curnow. Aiming high. I like it. Believe in yourself son.

 

9 hours ago, adonski said:

Feels like you could apply all of his flaws to Max King 

Yes, you probably could. Both King brothers arguably stronger in the air at this age and have a few extra cm's as well. 

Vs Weideman Jefferson looks to be a bit more agile and ground level capable, so hopefully that serves him well. I like the Jarrad Waite comparison. I think the Charlie Curnow comparison is a long way off. 

Not writing him off, just sharing my immediate reaction. 

At least there’s no go home factor 

The deed is done now whether we wanted a different player at our pick, we have to support the recruiting teams selections and hope they got it right.

All clubs hope their selection is a great player in the making not a bust.

The fact that we got it wrong in the past has no bearing on the current selection until we see the finished product.

It now over to the development coaches and senior coaches to help the player with unlimited potential into the player we hope he will be.

Lets remember it is Matthew Jefferson's day in the sun being selected to the team that won the 2021 AFL premiership and the 2022 VFL premiership,

Edited November 28, 20222 yr by durango

Over the last 6-7 years the FD has had way more hits than misses in player selection. We have a glaring need for KPF’s and it would appear we have taken the best one available at pick 14 so I will give them my support for the selection.

However he looks skinny which I hope changes over the next couple of years, watching him develop will be a good reason for following Casey over the next couple of years. 

10 hours ago, binman said:

I have heard he plans to travel to any interstate games in his own plane.

Let's hope that he's a graceful, slick player.

It seems like we've had good success with players that are nearly ready to go recently. I'm thinking Jackson, kozie, bowey, rivers. I'm pretty sure all played first or early second year and had an immediate impact. It may just be my perception, but players that take several years to develope seem to have a much lower rate of making our senior list. I'm talking the last few years only. I guess that's why I was hoping we traded up and snagged someone that would play senior footy in the next two seasons. I see Jefferson as a long term project which leaves me wondering. Not sure if that's a fair assessment or not. Thoughts? 🤔

I think it's a decent pick. Plenty of upside, a little slightly built but very good on a lead. Hopefully a nice BBB replacement down the track. Good job JT and crew.

1 hour ago, BDA said:

He compared himself to Naughton and Curnow. Aiming high. I like it. Believe in yourself son.

 

This is where we set these new draftees up for ridicule. Last night Jefferson was asked who he models his game on and he mentioned those two. EVERY draftee is asked in EVERY interview to compare their style to a current day player. No one is going to say a Weideman for example, they will look at the best. It is repetitive,  unimaginative journalism and often these kids get labelled with big heads, unfairly. 

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

At least there’s no go home factor 

Just our luck he'll fall in love with a Perth girl.

2 hours ago, BDA said:

He compared himself to Naughton and Curnow. Aiming high. I like it. Believe in yourself son.

 

Well Naughton was #9 in his draft and Curnow was #12 in his draft, not that far off the pace (at the draft stage at least). Now its all about mindset, work ethic and a bit of luck as well.

13 minutes ago, Palace Dees said:

This is where we set these new draftees up for ridicule. Last night Jefferson was asked who he models his game on and he mentioned those two. EVERY draftee is asked in EVERY interview to compare their style to a current day player. No one is going to say a Weideman for example, they will look at the best. It is repetitive,  unimaginative journalism and often these kids get labelled with big heads, unfairly. 

As long as he shows up Day 1 with the right attitude and willingness to learn and work hard, he'll be fine. As a supporter that's all I expect and can reasonably ask for. And the best players have belief. I've no problems with him aiming high. Nothing wrong with a bit of swagger as long as has the work rate and attitude to match.

2 hours ago, BDA said:

He compared himself to Naughton and Curnow. Aiming high. I like it. Believe in yourself son.

 

Couldn't agree more and honestly I think you if don't have that attitude you don't survive as a key forward in this game. 

Welcome aboard Matt - you are a lucky man coming to the best footy club there is 

Work hard, take your chances - we are all hopeful you enjoy and have a great career at MFC

43 minutes ago, Grouse said:

It seems like we've had good success with players that are nearly ready to go recently. I'm thinking Jackson, kozie, bowey, rivers. I'm pretty sure all played first or early second year and had an immediate impact. It may just be my perception, but players that take several years to develope seem to have a much lower rate of making our senior list. I'm talking the last few years only. I guess that's why I was hoping we traded up and snagged someone that would play senior footy in the next two seasons. I see Jefferson as a long term project which leaves me wondering. Not sure if that's a fair assessment or not. Thoughts? 🤔

Plenty of slower developments lately. Petty, Sparrow, Jordon even Spargo’s poor 2019/2020 after a strong first year.

Better talents play early. Worse talents never play at all. 

But if you factor that out somehow I think you can have some faith in our development.

It would’ve been nice to see JVR have a run but he got better as the season went on at Casey and should get his chance this year. Jefferson is skinnier and has more tank to build but he can follow a similar pathway.

1 hour ago, Jaded No More said:

At least there’s no go home factor 

Unless he lives in Geelong...

4 minutes ago, BDA said:

As long as he shows up Day 1 with the right attitude and willingness to learn and work hard, he'll be fine. As a supporter that's all I expect and can reasonably ask for. And the best players have belief. I've no problems with him aiming high. Nothing wrong with a bit of swagger as long as has the work rate and attitude to match.

I certainly wasn't having a crack at you BDA, just the same old, boring questioning of these kids. At least Montagna asked who he modelled himself on and not who he compared himself to. Even then it's been perceived as high self confidence which is not necessarily the case.

Aaron Naughton in his draft year

Height: 194.0cm

Weight: 85.0kg

Matthew Jefferson

Height: 195.0cm

Weight: 84.0kg

Very similar

 

3 minutes ago, demon3165 said:

Unless he lives in Geelong...

Pfft, there's a highway right here for them. If go home factor doesn't involve a plane then I'm not interested 😛

4 hours ago, Ugottobekidding said:

Why doesn't everyone just wait and see how he develops. 

Indeed ... the jury's will be well and truly out for a few years.

At first blush he seems similar to Weiderman and Watts, but hopefully he has more mongrel in him.

 

Edited November 28, 20222 yr by Winners at last

My initial reaction on the night was negative. Was hoping for George. I just have my doubts Jefferson’s body shape will build up to where it needs to get to as he appears too slight in the shoulders for mine. 

He can certainly mark it. Highlights of his school footy show him playing with a lot more presence when compared to NAB league and VIC Metro which is a positive. 

Tall players are much harder to find and are highly sought after so I guess picking one up at pick 15 they are going to come with some question marks. Certainly fills a glaring list need so I think this is the probably the right pick. If his body can fill out he could make it. 
 

 

11 hours ago, fr_ap said:

Somewhat disappointed as I think he's a very 'un JT/Melbourne' player in terms of competitiveness and physicality. JTs KPF drafting has been his weak spot and all else being equal, this is a very similar pick to Weideman albeit without the spectre of the McKay or Curnow misses. 

Like with Weideman, my concern is you can't teach physicality. It's innate in some, lacking in others. Jesse had it from day dot, JVR has it. Weid looked a million bucks with a run and jump (which if you recall, was his touted draft strength) but at AFL level you just rarely get the opportunity to attack an aerial ball unbuffeted. Hopefully Jefferson has a few more strings to his bow. 

I really do hate to be critical of an 18 year old kid who hasn't played a game and presents well. But it feels like a story we've watched to the end before. 

Having said all of that - I'll be right behind him, hope I'm so far wrong and he's Josh Kennedy reincarnated.

Can you elaborate? 

5 minutes ago, Pulp Fritschon said:

My initial reaction on the night was negative. Was hoping for George. I just have my doubts Jefferson’s body shape will build up to where it needs to get to as he appears too slight in the shoulders for mine. 

He can certainly mark it. Highlights of his school footy show him playing with a lot more presence when compared to NAB league and VIC Metro which is a positive. 

Tall players are much harder to find and are highly sought after so I guess picking one up at pick 15 they are going to come with some question marks. Certainly fills a glaring list need so I think this is the probably the right pick. If his body can fill out he could make it. 
 

 

That was my take when watching his highlights in the lead up. I think he'll bulk up and put on some size but I do feel that this will generally be his frame. 

Hopefully we play to his strengths and get a nice one-two punch with JVR as the ruthless aggression forward and MJ as a lead and mark.