Watching the Richmond demolition of Collingwood yesterday I couldn't help but be impressed by Nathan Foley. Here's a guy picked up by the Tigers in the 2004 Rookie Draft (at #4 immediately after Aaron Davey) who has worked his butt off to get to where he is today. He's just improved and improved ...

This has got me wondering about our crop of young players. There's a lot of promise there but when are we going to see some dramatic improvement from them? Right at the moment it seems as if most of them reach a plateau and there's little advancement beyond that. Will the advent of a new coach bring some more out of these players?

Will Jace Bod be the next Nathan Foley?

Watching the Richmond demolition of Collingwood yesterday I couldn't help but be impressed by Nathan Foley. Here's a guy picked up by the Tigers in the 2004 Rookie Draft (at #4 immediately after Aaron Davey) who has worked his butt off to get to where he is today. He's just improved and improved ...

This has got me wondering about our crop of young players. There's a lot of promise there but when are we going to see some dramatic improvement from them? Right at the moment it seems as if most of them reach a plateau and there's little advancement beyond that. Will the advent of a new coach bring some more out of these players?

Will Jace Bod be the next Nathan Foley?

It's pretty hard to find/recruit a player who can get 10 first possessions and 12 clearances in a game. A Richmond player who earns his stats! Watching Foley this year, he's about my favourite non-Melbourne player, an unfathomable ascension to the top of the RFC and the whole league.

Watching the Richmond demolition of Collingwood yesterday I couldn't help but be impressed by Nathan Foley. Here's a guy picked up by the Tigers in the 2004 Rookie Draft (at #4 immediately after Aaron Davey) who has worked his butt off to get to where he is today. He's just improved and improved ...

This has got me wondering about our crop of young players. There's a lot of promise there but when are we going to see some dramatic improvement from them? Right at the moment it seems as if most of them reach a plateau and there's little advancement beyond that. Will the advent of a new coach bring some more out of these players?

Will Jace Bod be the next Nathan Foley?

I am a firm believer that we have overrated our list during the last three years, and our recruiting has not been as good as alot of our fans thinks it is.

We may already have the next midfield gun at the club:"

Bartram may come up

Bode?

Pettard?

and who knows who we will pivck up this year. We need a star badly.

THe thing that screams to me is his handling and pace combo. Weetra or Hayes maybe?

When we draft Shane Valenti.

Foley's a gun.

I am a firm believer that we have overrated our list during the last three years, and our recruiting has not been as good as alot of our fans thinks it is.

The discussion isn't really about whether or not our list has or has not been overrated but why we seem to have problems in developing and improving our players. I look at Thomas and Pendelbery at Collingwood and ask why Sylvia and McLean don't have the same influence on their team and they've been around two years longer!

Sylvia has not had a pre season and chook also has had injuries, he was looking good until he broke his foot.

Besides chook did and has had the same effect, look at last years final v saints.

What impressed me with foley is the dont argues that alsways gave him the 2-3 seconds more to dispose of the ball and the strength through his hips.

The discussion isn't really about whether or not our list has or has not been overrated but why we seem to have problems in developing and improving our players. I look at Thomas and Pendelbery at Collingwood and ask why Sylvia and McLean don't have the same influence on their team and they've been around two years longer!

I think it has everything to do with it, for example most Melbourne fans expected a top four finish this year which would mean a very decent team. In reality we hve gaping holes all around the ground that need to be properly addressed before we can go forward, and drafting is the beginning of the process.

Foley is having a great year

But you CAN NOT tell me Brock McLean is not better or at least equal

Will Jace Bod be the next Nathan Foley?

NO

Maybe he could be if he had a 'e' on the ned of his last name

Sorry i couldnt resist

Nathan Jones is showing signs of becoming a similar type player to Foley.

I watched Richmond train about month ago and walked away saying Nathan Foley is one of the hardest trainers id ever seen.

Nathan Jones is showing signs of becoming a similar type player to Foley.

He doesn't quite have the pace that Foley has, but he makes up for it in strength, and Jones can run all day now.

Foley's disposal is gradually improving, I hope Jones can do the same thing, because I love him as a player but his kicking can be poor. It's great though to see how arrogant Jones is at times when he tries to break about four tackles, yes it can be costly but I love watching him take them on.

Foley is having a good season and standing out in a horrible team. Mclean is better, and will always be, better than him. Jones looks like he will be too, and he's even younger than Foley.

Will Jace Bod be the next Nathan Foley?

No he won't. But take a look at Nathan Jones. He is the most underated player in the AFL I believe. He has been sensational all year. The only reason Foley has been so highly rated is because of the media (not saying he can't play) but Richmond have played a lot of Friday/Saturday night games this year on the big stage & this sort of coverage, well, everyone hears about you.

In closing, Nathan Jones will go very close, if not win the 'Bluey' this year.

Thanks for reading. Go Dees!!!