Ok, I've been pretty tough on this guy so far although memories of his 'fresh air' kick at goal always seems to come to mind whenever i see him.

But, had a good look at him today in the flesh. Big lump of a lad and without seeing the stats I reckon he was the best tap ruck out there today (didn't have much to beat though). He'll never be a Cox type of 25+ disposal and he doesn't have great agaility but he really gives everything he has and has a bit of the angry pills about him. Very happy to see him follow up a bounce with a tackle or to grab the ball from the ground and dish out a pass, his disposal is also gradually improving.

I can see Gawn overtaking him next year pretty quickly but he's a pretty good back up ruck to have and he's only going to get better, I'm definitely rethinking my previous opinion.

he wasnt our worst and one thing I like about him is that he always tries to compete. he seems to be really working hard on his game.

He could be good tradebait in an upgraded pick trade - if not this year, next.

We are in a win-win with him, its not like he costs us anything.

It pains me to say it but he is the only one on our list who happily shepherds

Good to hear, I think Spence has been ok and is getting better, his second and third efforts put some of our other players to shame. When he kicked the goal today, just about every player ran to him so that tells me he is popular with the group and you usually only get that when you put in. He's had a heap of injuries and played very few games but i reckon that will change.

He is a genuine ruckman not some forward that pinch hits from time to time and he is a lot quicker than he gets credit for.

Yep. Works hard and gets angry, wants the ball. Plenty of others with far more skills could feed off this attitude. Good for depth. Might just surprise us in the next couple of years if he's still around.

Not sure Gawn will be that quick to get there. I suspect that after multiple knees they will take a pretty conservative approach with him.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:51, KingDingAling said:

He could be good tradebait in an upgraded pick trade - if not this year, next.

We are in a win-win with him, its not like he costs us anything.

Bit like Jolly, when the club couldn't see much value in him either; that worked for us didn't it?

I am quite clearly on record as saying that he is not up to it.

He played a good first quarter today but before anyone gets carried away, he then faded out of the game badly and we got beaten in the hitouts even after Smith was off injured.

I love his endeavour. I just don't see him as anything more than a battler and number 4 ruckman on the list. Perhaps 5 if Fitzpatrick keeps improving.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:52, Moonshadow said:

Yep. Works hard and gets angry, wants the ball. Plenty of others with far more skills could feed off this attitude. Good for depth. Might just surprise us in the next couple of years if he's still around.

He soften up a couple today.

I know his family believe me he wants it bad.

Has tried very hard to get back after the Knee Operation last year.

He is a nice kid not that should get him a game

Not sure he will ever be more than average but he is currently better than any ruckman on the park at the

Dees right now.

You need more than One Ruckman.

I would de list a lot before him.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:54, RobbieF said:

Bit like Jolly, when the club couldn't see much value in him either; that worked for us didn't it?

That's just wrong Robbie. The club saw plenty of value in him. But a bloke named Jeff White was the number 1 (oh what a hack) and Jolly wasn't getting the opportunity that could be afforded him elsewhere. He wanted that opportunity. Don't blame him. Don't blame the club.

Jolly then left Sydney for Collingwood.

Mumford left Geelong for Sydney.

Jacobs left Carlton for Adelaide.

Hale left North for Hawthorn.

Maric left Adelaide for Richmond.

It happens with ruckmen.....

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:56, Grandson of a gun said:

I am quite clearly on record as saying that he is not up to it.

He played a good first quarter today but before anyone gets carried away, he then faded out of the game badly and we got beaten in the hitouts even after Smith was off injured.

I love his endeavour. I just don't see him as anything more than a battler and number 4 ruckman on the list. Perhaps 5 if Fitzpatrick keeps improving.

He's played 5 games this year and has had some serious injuries but you can see from that he's no good. He faded out of the game, well maybe that's because he's not match fit and in case it escaped your notice so did a lot of the other players.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:59, old dee said:

I know his family believe me he wants it bad.

This is the best thing about him, and you can see it every time he takes the field. He is clearly working on his game, building his fitness and generally trying everything to make himself a real AFL ruck. While people like to talk about his kicking, I think it has improved out of sight this year. He has also worked really hard to build up his body. He came to us as a beanpole and is now a mountain. I think he is well worth a few more years.

He looks like a hack but in 20 games he will look a lot more effective .I hope he stays on now he is fit.

Positives

- Shows a bit of endeavour

- Not the slowest big man in history

Negative

- Can't win hitouts against decent ruckman

- Can't kick, not a great handballer

- Can't mark

- Moves very slowly and without any agility

To me he just isn't athletic or skilled enough to make it. If in someone its possible I'd gladly put him back on the rookie list for a bit of depth, but considering Jamar, Clark, Martin and Gawn are ahead of him and the Fitz gets the job done at VFL and should improve I'd be saying we've seen enough of Jake

I like his endeavour but I don't think he is or will ever be good enough.

Gawn is also a worry with his knee issues.

If Grundy is there at pick 3 we should take him. Will set us up in the ruck and be a key forward option for the next decade.

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:03, Grandson of a gun said:

That's just wrong Robbie. The club saw plenty of value in him. But a bloke named Jeff White was the number 1 (oh what a hack) and Jolly wasn't getting the opportunity that could be afforded him elsewhere. He wanted that opportunity. Don't blame him. Don't blame the club.

Jolly then left Sydney for Collingwood.

Mumford left Geelong for Sydney.

Jacobs left Carlton for Adelaide.

Hale left North for Hawthorn.

Maric left Adelaide for Richmond.

It happens with ruckmen.....

Jolly was injured and when he returned he was overlooked as second ruck and Jamar took his place; so why wouldn't you leave?

We got it wrong and allowed Jolly to go when we should have let Jamar go; over the journey Jolly has shown himself a much better player.

And I don't care about other ruckmen leaving that is of no concern to Melbourne, or me.

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:04, RobbieF said:

He's played 5 games this year and has had some serious injuries but you can see from that he's no good. He faded out of the game, well maybe that's because he's not match fit and in case it escaped your notice so did a lot of the other players.

I'm not attacking you Robbie and clearly you have a tie in with him/his family which may make your opinion biased, but even you said he is likely to be nothing more than depth. And low depth at that. Jamar, Martin and Gawn are/were all clearly ahead of him pre-injury. Fitzpatrick has a couple of strings to his bow given he can play multiple positions which is a MUST for the current day players.

I just don't see a Melbourne side that is a serious finals contender that contains Spencer.

Oh, and he's played 5 games this year so has built up a reasonable amount of match fitness. Smith is off early with injury and we still LOSE the hitouts. Just some simple facts.

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:09, the master said:

Positives

- Shows a bit of endeavour

- Not the slowest big man in history

Negative

- Can't win hitouts against decent ruckman

- Can't kick, not a great handballer

- Can't mark

- Moves very slowly and without any agility

To me he just isn't athletic or skilled enough to make it. If in someone its possible I'd gladly put him back on the rookie list for a bit of depth, but considering Jamar, Clark, Martin and Gawn are ahead of him and the Fitz gets the job done at VFL and should improve I'd be saying we've seen enough of Jake

Which one is it?

Spence is geting a game ahead of Fitz at the moment so the club must have him ahead right at this point in time. Also Spence is about 10 kgs heavier than Fitz and that's important in rucking competitions.

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:13, Grandson of a gun said:

I'm not attacking you Robbie and clearly you have a tie in with him/his family which may make your opinion biased, but even you said he is likely to be nothing more than depth. And low depth at that. Jamar, Martin and Gawn are/were all clearly ahead of him pre-injury. Fitzpatrick has a couple of strings to his bow given he can play multiple positions which is a MUST for the current day players.

I just don't see a Melbourne side that is a serious finals contender that contains Spencer.

Oh, and he's played 5 games this year so has built up a reasonable amount of match fitness. Smith is off early with injury and we still LOSE the hitouts. Just some simple facts.

I have absolutely no tie with him or his family and the only time I have met him was at a breakfast with a few other supporters and officials of the club about 2 years ago

BTW where did I say he was nothing but depth?

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:14, RobbieF said:

Which one is it?

Spence is geting a game ahead of Fitz at the moment so the club must have him ahead right at this point in time. Also Spence is about 10 kgs heavier than Fitz and that's important in rucking competitions.

And three centimetres taller

spencer has showed more promise then what jamar did in his first couple of seasons.

  On 05/08/2012 at 09:59, old dee said:

I know his family ..............So you know them but have no tie?

Not sure he will ever be more than average................READ DEPTH

  On 05/08/2012 at 10:26, dazzledavey36 said:

spencer has showed more promise then what jamar did in his first couple of seasons.

Spencer's had 5 seasons. More than a couple................

I thought he was OK today.

His pirrouette in the centre square and then jamming it onto the boot to go inside 50 was cool.