2024 Player Reviews: #35 Harry Petty

[Demonland 71,131]

Date of Birth: 12 November 1999
Height: 197cm

Games MFC 2024: 20
Career Total: 82

Goals MFC 2024: 9
Career Total: 28

Brownlow Medal Votes 3

Failed to fulfill the promise of his breakout six goal effort against the Tigers in 2023 and was generally disappointing as a key forward. It remains to be seen whether Simon Goodwin will persevere with him in attack or return him to the backline where he was an important cog in the club’s 2021 premiership success.

[Hellfire Dub 156]

I'm glad we tried him up front, but I fear he's lost confidence playing that role. 

He was really good in defence and I hope he gets moved back there and finds his form and Demon spirit

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,686]

An ok year up forward, however there was a four week patch between the Carlton and Freo games where he had a grand total of 18 possessions, 5 marks and 1 goal. That is so poor that you couldn't even accidently get that kind of output in 4 full games.

If he's not kicking goals then he needs to be clunking 9/10 marks a game like he did in the Geelong win when he polled the 3 votes.

Given we retained T Mac, I expect he'll train and start the season up forward again. Who knows how the season will evolve though?

[Bay Riffin 1,466]

watching him live and his gait he wasnt quite right this year. especially earlier in the year. looked like he was half limping when not near the ball. I think we underestimate some of these blokes are pushed out there week after week when they are only 80% right. I wouldnt be surprised if he 'magically' comes good when his body is back to what it was. 

[Cranky Franky 2,029]

2 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

An ok year up forward, however there was a four week patch between the Carlton and Freo games where he had a grand total of 18 possessions, 5 marks and 1 goal. That is so poor that you couldn't even accidently get that kind of output in 4 full games.

If he's not kicking goals then he needs to be clunking 9/10 marks a game like he did in the Geelong win when he polled the 3 votes.

Given we retained T Mac, I expect he'll train and start the season up forward again. Who knows how the season will evolve though?

Can't agree about an "ok year up forward".

I reckon he had a couple of good games, maybe 3 solid games & thats about it. And 9 goals 15 is a poor return.

[bluey 1,089]

Money purportedly offered from S.A  may have thrown him a bit, glad he resigned, seemed to be down in confidence at times, a fine player on his day.

[Wrecker46 2,961]

To quote the great man Clayton, Petty had a stinka

[Diamond_Jim 12,510]

3 hours ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

Given we retained T Mac, I expect he'll train and start the season up forward again. Who knows how the season will evolve though?

TMac staying did surprise me as I thought it would be Petty down back and Jefferson into the forward line.

On reflection I can see Jefferson not debuting until Round 5. That probably gives him two VFL games and a chance to ease into the long season.

On Petty... he had developed into a good backman and... we all know what happened

[DeeZone 9,599]

I would also like to see Harrison Petty down back but his foot injury hampered him early this year and TMac was in excellent form at CHB. Petty got better as the year went on but never really looked dangerous up forward  however he did draw the No.1 defender each week. We may have to blood Jeffo off the bench next year rotating with Rooey, Disco, Fritta and Petts. !!

Edited October 31 by DeeZone
Timing

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,686]

2 hours ago, Cranky Franky said:

Can't agree about an "ok year up forward".

I reckon he had a couple of good games, maybe 3 solid games & thats about it. And 9 goals 15 is a poor return.

Yeah I was being a bit kind.

9.15 is quite frankly a disastrous return for a full time forward with the odd cameo down back.

I would like to know how many forwards in the league managed to kick single figure goals from 20 games this year.

He had a severely interrupted summer so we cut him some slack, and it's pleasing he signed an extension. 

 

[Young Blood 2,574]

I was a big believer in Petty as a forward. In 2023 he just showed so much promise with his leading patterns and physicality down there not to mention the accurate kicking.

I still think while May, Tmac and Lever are around that we should continue with Petty down forward. If he can just play that second tall option as CHF leading up the ground it will be a big advantage. But he will need to hit the scoreboard more that's for sure.

We know at some stage he'll eventually go back and I think be one of the best key defenders in the comp. But for now we're still stacked down back and if he can play a role up forward so be it.

Praying for a rare full preseason where he can hit the ground running for a change!

Edited October 31 by Young Blood

[Earl Hood 6,082]

2 hours ago, DeeZone said:

I would also like to see Harrison Petty down back but his foot injury hampered him early this year and TMac was in excellent form at CHB. Petty got better as the year went on but never really looked dangerous up forward  however he did draw the No.1 defender each week. We may have to blood Jeffo off the bench next year rotating with Rooey, Disco, Fritta and Petts. !!

If we rework on our game plan looking to improve our ball movement in both speed of movement and accuracy, I suspect Petty could go back and we could function adequately up forward with Disco, Rooey as the tall targets along with Fritsch and with small forwards Pickett, Spargo, Chandler. Add in Petracca spending time at half forward and maybe with some luck we also get something from McAdam and Jefferson. After watching the often extraordinary ball movement in the recent finals it stood out to me that we are now way off the pace. Let’s hope the new draftees bring some of that required leg speed and ball use! 

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,218]

7 hours ago, bluey said:

Money purportedly offered from S.A  may have thrown him a bit, glad he resigned, seemed to be down in confidence at times, a fine player on his day.

Might need a hyphen there Bluey?

[picket fence 17,017]

Pfffftt 

MUST PLAY BAAÀAAAAAACK!!!

[Demon Disciple 12,027]

Needs to put in a mammoth pre-season and get properly fit, both for his confidence and continuity.

Is he hungry enough to do it? I don’t know.

[Diamond_Jim 12,510]

Great to see he has re-signed and he is pivotal down back to our structure post 2026.

2025... will he be forward or back or even half way... I have no idea but best of luck Harry

[Roost it far 8,122]

Wherever he plays we’re a better side with him in it. Hoping for a big year clunking marks, hitting packs and kicking 55 goals. 

[MrFreeze 1,950]

Very mixed year Petts, felt he was a square peg in a round hole this year.  

Pros 

+ powerful marking up the ground 

+ fitness base returned after major scare with recurring foot injuries 

+ agressive competitor 

+ Some synergy built with JVR and Turner 

Cons

- forward craft 

- major goal kicking yips 

- confidence 

My hope for 2025 is that Jeffersen pushes him out of the forward line and he pushes TMAC out of the backline. 

[Pipefitter 2,149]

I’d move him back and make TMac the Tomlinson depth option. JVR and Turner up front, with hopefully Jeffo nipping At the heels.