Jump to content

Featured Replies

 

i'm not convinced he's ever going to be anything other than serviceable 

he doesn't impact enough for a second string mid and he doesn't run hard enough as a fwd / mid to replace the likes of anb

we really need him to step up

Stagnated more than a pond full of mosquitos 

Young high-level draftees will quickly push him out of his HF role if he doesn't crack in next year 

 
25 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

i'm not convinced he's ever going to be anything other than serviceable 

he doesn't impact enough for a second string mid and he doesn't run hard enough as a fwd / mid to replace the likes of anb

we really need him to step up

Agree, has improved since 2021. I really thought after that finals series he would really kick on. Unfortunately if anything he’s gone backwards. 
Hopefully being dropped at the end of the season and some new mids coming in via the draft might give him the motivation to kick in a little bit. 
Might pay to ten down a bit as he doesn’t really used his size. 
 

He's going to have to carve out a role for himself now that other mids are pushing for his midfield rotations (River, Koz, Windsor and the top 10 mid(s) we draft).

Could be as a tagger who can follow a star mid around all day. Will have to continue to build his fitness and size, not to mention getting a bit more nasty perhaps to get under the oppo's skin and really own the role.

We saw with a lot of hard work and dedication what happened with Nibbler in his early 20's when he had to change his primary position from midfielder to high HF. I don't see why at 24 yrs why Sparrow can't do the same. He doesn't have Nibblers attributes but if he can get really fit and just bring consistent intensity I think he can play a role in our best 22.


one of the biggeet/strangest letdowns of 2024 (playing-wise).. he's always liked a goal, which might save him, but didn't even get many of those this year. seems a good young fella, but if it doesn't work out for him in 2025, i'd trade him back to SA.

 

Don’t disagree with any of the above, however Tom Sparrow May have been stifled in the role that he played, I want to see him play with some freedom ala 2021 where he played with confidence freedom and link player. Come on Spaz let’s see your best football in 2025 and beyond.

 
4 minutes ago, DeeZone said:

Don’t disagree with any of the above, however Tom Sparrow May have been stifled in the role that he played, I want to see him play with some freedom ala 2021 where he played with confidence freedom and link player. Come on Spaz let’s see your best football in 2025 and beyond.

Yes we don't know his instructions, work-rate still there though

Times Featuring in Top Five Players for Total Distance in 2024
Ed Langdon 21 times
Alex Neal-Bullen 13 times
Tom McDonald 12 times
Tom Sparrow 4 times
Adam Tomlinson 2 times

Matches Featuring in Top Five Defensive Work Rate

Alex Neal-Bullen 16 times
Tom Sparrow 12 times
Ed Langdon 10 times
Kade Chandler 7 times
Koltyn Tholstrup 5 times

Matches Featuring in Top Five Offensive Work Rate

Tom Sparrow 9 times
Ed Langdon 7 times
Alex Neal-Bullen 7 times
Kade Chandler 6 times
Koltyn Tholstrup 4 times

Source: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1686412/gps-numbers-revealed-fittest-and-fastest-demons

Edited by roy11
added source

Thanks Roy11 , those stats are surprising, indicates that he is super fit so another big preseason should put him in contention for a bigger role next year.


42 minutes ago, roy11 said:

Yes we don't know his instructions, work-rate still there though

Times Featuring in Top Five Players for Total Distance in 2024
Ed Langdon 21 times
Alex Neal-Bullen 13 times
Tom McDonald 12 times
Tom Sparrow 4 times
Adam Tomlinson 2 times

Matches Featuring in Top Five Defensive Work Rate

Alex Neal-Bullen 16 times
Tom Sparrow 12 times
Ed Langdon 10 times
Kade Chandler 7 times
Koltyn Tholstrup 5 times

Matches Featuring in Top Five Offensive Work Rate

Tom Sparrow 9 times
Ed Langdon 7 times
Alex Neal-Bullen 7 times
Kade Chandler 6 times
Koltyn Tholstrup 4 times

Source: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1686412/gps-numbers-revealed-fittest-and-fastest-demons

Interesting.  Work rate seems to be there, but impact less so, or less obvious.  He's got a great kick on him and a tough/strong body and mindset, so I see heaps of potential upside to Tommy, just needs something to click for him to go to that next level.  Maybe Chunk can help him?

As an asides how impressive is it for a player of Tommy Mac's size and age to be still right up there for distance covered.  He was always the top distance athlete, but to keep kicking on at his age and with some of the injuries he's had is amazing.  Nothing but respect for T Mac.

Edited by Rodney (Balls) Grinter

Been disappointing for me. I was really excited by him at the end of '21 but he hasn't progressed at all since then. I struggle to really see what his role is at the moment.

It's all very well to point at his workrate but getting 15 disposals (with the occasional goal thrown in) nearly every week is simply not enough for someone who spends as much time in the midfield as he does.

I would give him a more attacking role next year, he can kick long goals. 
Will be very interesting to see how the new midfield coaches use him. I still believe Tom can get a lot better, he is still young…


Needs a new challenge

He can’t just be the defensive running guy

Tagger?

He can kick a long goal, patches fwd?

Seems unable to take that next step to impact games and become more consistent, disappointing because he has some great attributes. 

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Trade at the end of next year please.

What do you think we'd realistically get for him Daz? Don't think he has much currency at all tbh.

If he's going to improve he needs to slim down shape wise he is not a quick player but needs to find some pace other wise he might struggle to stay in the side in the next year or so.

23 hours ago, roy11 said:

Yes we don't know his instructions, work-rate still there though

Times Featuring in Top Five Players for Total Distance in 2024
Ed Langdon 21 times
Alex Neal-Bullen 13 times
Tom McDonald 12 times
Tom Sparrow 4 times
Adam Tomlinson 2 times

Matches Featuring in Top Five Defensive Work Rate

Alex Neal-Bullen 16 times
Tom Sparrow 12 times
Ed Langdon 10 times
Kade Chandler 7 times
Koltyn Tholstrup 5 times

Matches Featuring in Top Five Offensive Work Rate

Tom Sparrow 9 times
Ed Langdon 7 times
Alex Neal-Bullen 7 times
Kade Chandler 6 times
Koltyn Tholstrup 4 times

Source: https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1686412/gps-numbers-revealed-fittest-and-fastest-demons

Interesting set of data for someone who seems to get regularly talked down.  
He did show what he could do offensively in the 2021 but maybe his role has changed and he is being given different challenges.  
I have faith where others don’t. 


My ultra-amateurish take is that sideways movement is a big problem for Sparrow. With the ball he seems to get caught a lot. Without it, he seems to let opponents get around him too easily. 

I have hope if he can improve this. 

17 hours ago, Little Richard said:

What do you think we'd realistically get for him Daz? Don't think he has much currency at all tbh.

i'd say a mid-late second round, high third round pick

same 'value' as anb, jj

Edited by whatwhat say what

 
8 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

i'd say a mid-late second round, high third round pick

same 'value' as anb, jj

That would be very optimistic in my opinion.

Tom's 5 minutes patch in the 2021 GF was great but before and after that moment he's done bugger all

Gotten as many games as he has given our ordinary midfield depth combined with Goodwin's strange affection for him

Likely to be delisted at the end of his contract if we draft a couple of decent midfielders over the next 12 months


Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

Featured Content

  • NON-MFC: Round 07

    Round 7 gets underway in iconic fashion with the traditional ANZAC Day blockbuster. The high-flying Magpies will be looking to solidify their spot atop the ladder, while the Bombers are desperate for a win to stay in touch with the top eight. Later that evening, Fremantle will be out to redeem themselves after a disappointing loss to the Demons, facing a hungry Adelaide side with eyes firmly set on breaking into the top four. Saturday serves up a triple-header of footy action. The Lions will be looking to consolidate their Top 2 spot as they head to Marvel Stadium to clash with the Saints. Over in Adelaide, Port Adelaide will be strong favourites at home against a struggling North Melbourne. The day wraps up with a fiery encounter in Canberra, where the Giants and Bulldogs renew their bitter rivalry. Sunday’s schedule kicks off with the Suns aiming to bounce back from their shock defeat to Richmond, taking on the out of form Swans.Then the Blues will be out to claim a major scalp when they battle the Cats at the MCG. The round finishes with a less-than-thrilling affair between Hawthorn and West Coast at Marvel. Who are you tipping and what are the best results for the Demons?

    • 3 replies
    Demonland
  • REPORT: Fremantle

    For this year’s Easter Saturday game at the MCG, Simon Goodwin and his Demons wound the clock back a few years to wipe out the horrible memories of last season’s twin thrashings at the hands of the Dockers. And it was about time! Melbourne’s indomitable skipper Max Gawn put in a mammoth performance in shutting out his immediate opponent Sean Darcy in the ruck and around the ground and was a colossus at the end when the game was there to be won or lost. It was won by 16.11.107 to 14.13.97. There was the battery-charged Easter Bunny in Kysaiah Pickett running anyone wearing purple ragged, whether at midfield stoppages or around the big sticks. He finish with a five goal haul.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • CASEY: UWS Giants

    The Casey Demons took on an undefeated UWS Giants outfit at their own home ground on a beautiful autumn day but found themselves completely out of their depth going down by 53 points against a well-drilled and fair superior combination. Despite having 15 AFL listed players at their disposal - far more than in their earlier matches this season - the Demons were never really in the game and suffered their second defeat in a row after their bright start to the season when they drew with the Kangaroos, beat the Suns and matched the Cats for most of the day on their own dung heap at Corio Bay. The Giants were a different proposition altogether. They had a very slight wind advantage in the opening quarter but were too quick off the mark for the Demons, tearing the game apart by the half way mark of the term when they kicked the first five goals with clean and direct football.

    • 0 replies
    Demonland
  • PREGAME: Richmond

    The Dees are back at the MCG on Thursday for the annual blockbuster ANZAC Eve game against the Tigers. Can the Demons win back to back games for the first time since Rounds 17 & 18 last season? Who comes in and who goes out?

    • 204 replies
    Demonland
  • PODCAST: Fremantle

    The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on TUESDAY, 22nd April @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons first win for the year against the Dockers. Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show. If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.

      • Haha
      • Like
    • 46 replies
    Demonland
  • POSTGAME: Fremantle

    A undermanned Dees showed some heart and desperation to put the Fremantle Dockers to the sword as they claimed their first victory for the season winning by 10 points at the MCG.

      • Clap
      • Love
    • 478 replies
    Demonland