He wasn’t prolific but he showed class whenever he had ball in hand and he has a great set of wheels. I refer to Caleb Windsor and I think he’s definitely in contention for the NAB Rising Star nomination this week.

Without being bias, and on limited viewing, I’d have him top of the class. Dursma looks good too. 

8 minutes ago, KingDingAling said:

Without being bias, and on limited viewing, I’d have him top of the class. Dursma looks good too. 

From the limited footage I've seen, Harley Reid is well and truly top of the class.  He already looks like one of the best mids they have over there.  

Edited March 30, 20241 yr by RalphiusMaximus

Just now, RalphiusMaximus said:

From the limited footage I've seen, Harley Reid is well and truly top of the class.  He already looks like the best mid they have over there.  

He looks good, and flashy, with plenty of upside. Haven’t seen much of the defensive side yet. What’s really impressive about Reid - and Windsor - is their pace. Windsor is sharp inside the contest, repeats tackles, excels on the outside. We’ve lucked out. I haven’t seen that from Reid, but no doubt we will. But Windsor is desperate, and I’d be surprised to see that from Reid. It’s a mentality. If Reid was desperate he wouldn’t carry any fat on him. It’s a harsh bench mark but true. 

If Leb doesn’t get the nom this week, all good. He’s sure to get one sometime soon. He’s a gun. 

He won’t win it because he isn’t a mid. Reid and Sanders etc. will for that reason but he’ll get a nomination.

He’s exactly what we needed and continue to need…outside speed and precision. For an outside player he digs in hard too, which I love. 

He has poise which is rare for a rookie which allows his class to show. Pace of the game does not phase him at all, he is an absolute jet.

I'm with ya 

1 hour ago, Beetle said:

He won’t win it because he isn’t a mid. Reid and Sanders etc. will for that reason but he’ll get a nomination.

He’s exactly what we needed and continue to need…outside speed and precision. For an outside player he digs in hard too, which I love. 

I can see him being a mid over the years.

Loved his goal and his Nomination will come. But not for a 4 kick 8 handball game. Watch this space.

15 minutes ago, Fanatique Demon said:

Loved his goal and his Nomination will come. But not for a 4 kick 8 handball game. Watch this space.

Agreed.
Early in the season, selectors reward stats over impact.  He, along with Howes will get one if they play most of the season.  Both have been fantastic!  

Ripper goal.

Great way to open your account.

Needs to get more ball, and teammates need to use him more on the outside.

1 hour ago, rjay said:

Needs to get more ball, and teammates need to use him more on the outside.

The best thing about Windsor is that he’s already shown that he doesn’t need much of the ball to be incredibly damaging. He had 12 touches yesterday for 4 score involvements and a goal. That is elite. 
Of course the more he gets his hands on the footy the more damaging he will be, but he doesn’t need to be a big accumulator to be incredibly influential, which is why you can tell he’s headed for stardom. 

7 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

The best thing about Windsor is that he’s already shown that he doesn’t need much of the ball to be incredibly damaging. He had 12 touches yesterday for 4 score involvements and a goal. That is elite. 
Of course the more he gets his hands on the footy the more damaging he will be, but he doesn’t need to be a big accumulator to be incredibly influential, which is why you can tell he’s headed for stardom. 

He works hard back and forward, clean hands, good quick decisions...is trending well.

Playing a midfield role on a wing he needs to be getting in the 20's and hopefully that will come.

5 minutes ago, rjay said:

He works hard back and forward, clean hands, good quick decisions...is trending well.

Playing a midfield role on a wing he needs to be getting in the 20's and hopefully that will come.

I’m sure he will. It’s no wonder that Ed is having his best start to a season since 2021 IMO. Because without an experienced second winger in Gus or Hunter, we are using his wing far more frequently. 
The more we start to trust Windsor the more he will get the ball in his hands. At the moment he’s almost hunting his own ball which is an impressive trait to have as a wingman. 

31 minutes ago, Jaded No More said:

I’m sure he will. It’s no wonder that Ed is having his best start to a season since 2021 IMO. Because without an experienced second winger in Gus or Hunter, we are using his wing far more frequently. 
The more we start to trust Windsor the more he will get the ball in his hands. At the moment he’s almost hunting his own ball which is an impressive trait to have as a wingman. 

 

2 hours ago, rjay said:

Needs to get more ball, and teammates need to use him more on the outside.

 

Should get nominated on that goal alone.

An 18 year old kid to step up in a finals like environment is very impressive.

And anyway, he’s shown more than enough glimpses over 4 games to get nominated this weekend.

Although I guess the panel could take the lazy route and look at the kicks and handballs column.

I am certain Saunders will get 25 touches against the Eagles today and get nominated over Windsor's low possession high impact game in a finals like atmosphere. Its just the AFL way.

Early days but there is nothing I have seen from any of those taken ahead of Windsor, Reid included that would have me consider a trade for the whippet we have running the wing. Just has AFL elite attributes that you cant teach or develop and a body to build on that will just make him better. 

another jt special

his defensive efforts are even more impressive than his run and carry

11 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

From the limited footage I've seen, Harley Reid is well and truly top of the class.  He already looks like one of the best mids they have over there.  

You are right @RalphiusMaximus, Reid is top shelf. I recon me in a wheelchair and you with an amputated leg would be second and third mids in line over there.

Howes, Windsor and Woewodin are eligible and currently playing at the level, and we've got another eight players eligible waiting for their chance.

That's actually a pretty long list of kids whether you cut it by 'playing at AFL level already' or by simple total numbers.

I did some poking around other club's lists to confirm. For example, our coming opponent Adelaide is yet to have an eligible kid play a game this season. Neither has Carlton, Collingwood, Port and probably a few other teams but I think the point is made.

At this point only North have a stronger complement of Rising Star eligible players.

Windsor has already shown us that he’s got pace, class and is a road runner up the wing with defensive intent. He’s shown that he’s a safe bet as a decade long wingman even if he just maintains his current level.

Being that, I’ve been very impressed with his ability to do some work in tight spaces at AFL pace. He’s winning some impressive contested balls and using his athleticism in closer to extract himself and using it really well under a lot of pressure. This is beyond what you’d typically expect from a wingman. He definitely shows a lot of scope for future midfield time, which would be a plane pleasant bonus. 

It is only very early in his career but he’s shown enough to think that there is a possibility he could develop into a better player than we (in the public) imagined.

Edited March 31, 20241 yr by Axis of Bob

44 minutes ago, Axis of Bob said:

Windsor has already shown us that he’s got pace, class and is a road runner up the wing with defensive intent. He’s shown that he’s a safe bet as a decade long wingman even if he just maintains his current level.

Being that, I’ve been very impressed with his ability to do some work in tight spaces at AFL pace. He’s winning some impressive contested balls and using his athleticism in closer to extract himself and using it really well under a lot of pressure. This is beyond what you’d typically expect from a wingman. He definitely shows a lot of scope for future midfield time, which would be a plane pleasant bonus. 

It is only very early in his career but he’s shown enough to think that there is a possibility he could develop into a better player than we (in the public) imagined.

Hopefully we can utilise him long term like the Swans use someone like Gulden and role him through the centre bounces as well

4 hours ago, Jaded No More said:

I’m sure he will. It’s no wonder that Ed is having his best start to a season since 2021 IMO. Because without an experienced second winger in Gus or Hunter, we are using his wing far more frequently. 
The more we start to trust Windsor the more he will get the ball in his hands. At the moment he’s almost hunting his own ball which is an impressive trait to have as a wingman. 

As we should. Langdon's really damaging IMO, much moreso than Hunter and probably Brayshaw (Brayshaw's strength as a winger was his versatility, overhead marking and leadership). Langdon was a critical offensive weapon for us in '21, and we moved away from that incorrectly imo. Just look at his game last night.

Edited March 31, 20241 yr by Chook