jumbo returns

Hang on! I got it! It's either Bailey or Prendergast?

I don't get it....?

You raise some excellent points. Jack probably will kick more goals because he'll spend most of his time in the forward line, but as I see it ATM, you need to get the ball down there. Seriously, West Coast's forward line was full of second stringers yesterday, I only rate Le Cras (if he had kicked straight, it was game over at half time) yet Naitanui gets his own clearances that allow scoring opportunities. I still contend that this debate will not be answered on this forum, but played out over the season.

Yep, we could have drafted Naitanui.

Absolute articulation at its best.

When Dean Cox arrived at WC several years ago there's a story going around that he couldn't even bounce the ball. Five years later, he was favourite for the Brownlow. Nat will learn his craft. Cox and Nic Nat gave it to Jamar yesterday and in the last quarter when the game was there to be won (or lost) in our case, Nic Nat went into the ruck, got 2 clearances that resulted in 2 goals - game over. What I've been trying to say all along is that, IMO, he was a standout for 1st pick, just as Scully and Trengove picked themselves. I'd like to open this debate again at the end of the year and hopefully eat some humble pie, but we can't get away from the fact of what could have been.

Have a look at Stuurman's? pathetic attempt at a debate. Wiseblood has indeed disagreed with the point and we're healthily having a discussion based on a difference of opinion. Perhaps my post wasn't detailed enough. Nat got 2 clearances in the last quarter that resulted in 2 goals. Our backline set him up with beautiful spinning drop punts that allowed him to take a hanger. The guy is amazing and will continue to develop at an alarming rate. Let's say we both catch up on this site and have a debrief at the end of the year.

You're right - perhaps I'm still too close to the loss, watching this huge unit running around, fantasing on what could have been.

Therein lies the flaw that you've just analysed yourself - no-one doubts the ability of Nic Nat, yet so many are so afraid to speak their mind on this forum because they'll be pounced on by tunnel visioned posters that choose to attack the poster rather than the argument. Many on this topic are kidding themselves.

*Sigh*

I can't be bothered reading all the posts, but I've never read such myopic discussion on a forum. All the rose coloured glasses that came out today after (our) Jack's 1st appearance was dogmatic to say the least. Nit Nat - 100 touches in the AFL thus far, 70 clearances. 2 clearances today, 2 goals. Massive leaping, breathtaking athlete and helped by our players kicking him beautiful drop punts to make poor ole Russian feel like a stepladder. Maybe they had a vested interest in the car for mark of the year?? This guy is a generational draft pick - simply put, he is amazing, similar to the Scullgroves. Don't tell me, NOT ONCE! did some of you bemoan the fact the WE didn't pick him 1st. I did.

Agreed, no shame. This whole year (thus far) has already exceeded my expectations after the 1st game against the Hawks and the practice match form leading into the season. 2011 is a massive crunch season.

Yep - you can all post these comments and others that relate to Freo on www.dockerland.com

Fair enough - who was the next small in line? Jetta?

Yes, I thought he was a real flop against the Roos (he was caught out of position on so many occasions) and that's why I'm concerned about his development. Last night was better, but I still want this potential superstar further up the field - he'll be more damaging.

That's fine and we can debate it without any histrionics or volatility that pervades this website. A small was needed and from all accounts Maric is going okay for Casey. On such a horrible, slippery night, not making a move to make a change is not good enough from the coaching panel.

Agreed! or Maric. This is the same coaching panel that's hindering Grimes' development by making him play too deep in the defensive square.

No we don't - basic instruction, someone (Dunn, Sylvia, Trengove) 3rd man up. Bring in a quickie - Bail or Maric. Let's not waste a spot on PJ.

Nice post, but no comparisons please. The guy is a player in a different era. Just when we thought footy couldn't get any faster, it has, leaving many players that were okay 5 years ago (Rivers, McLean, Guerra, Young, etc etc) look vveerryy ordinary. Tom Scully is an out and out freak - he glides over the turf and is a 'natural' footballer. I have a mancrush on him. He will win a Brownlow and remain true to his team, not like that prostitute Judd who sold his soul to a recycling company of ill repute. I choose not to let go....

Is he ready yet? I think he's still trying to get back into the pace of the game atm.....

I agree with 100% - but how can he be attacking if he's getting his possies in the defensive 10 metre square?

Am I supposed to respond as rudely as that? Happy to comply, if you want to go down that path. Obviously it didn't work on Saturday - whatever they were telling Grimes to do.

Therein lies my point - the kid is creative, makes forwards run into space and adjusts accordingly. Not once in my post was I advocating a stint at Casey for Jack, I was looking to the coaching panel to fast track him, because he's got it. The attacks on Jayceebee31 have been from those posters who get too emotive and can't read content. Grimes, Scully, Trengove, Moloney etc etc will now have to learn how to break the hard tag or the defensive zoning. Hopefully the coaching panel can help in this area and invent solutions and think outside the square.

Really, really dominate, not just really dominate - seriously though, I'm talking about hard running and offering an option. He's not doing it atm.

It's not my obsession with youth, it's my obsession to rid us of the 'daniherisms' of the club - including the game plan.