AFL Player # 1: Andrew "Pidge" McGrath (Vice-Captain) - Signed to 2030 - 2/5

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2030
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 13, Vindicater

 

[TheUnicorn]

Still dump kicks. Still ignores the fat side and kicks up the line from whence it came when we have an opportunity for an overlap.

And he was great tonight.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Very good today

 

[Highly Evolved]

He was great today. I'll probably regret this at some point, but six years on a mutually reasonable deal may not be that awful.

 

[Vindicater]

Has been amazing so far.

My boy putting in work.

 

[Yoda_]

should start being in the AA conversation for a small defender position

 

[Milanista28]

I was fading on Andy, but his season has been very good and today was great.

 

[Happyskeret]

I can’t speak highly enough of him and I hope he keeps the hairstyle. He’s like a much better polished version of Mick Gayfer.

 

[Call Me Cake]

General.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Best on ground for me too. Looked for all money like the pies small forwards were going to take the game away from us in the 2nd but he absolutely cleaned them all up for rest of the game. Should be a lock for AA as a small defender.

 

[Blind Turn]

At the game today and he was the one who was the standout for me. He just read the ball so well and sent us on our way out of defense time after time. He’s the best small defender in the game.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Still dump kicks. Still ignores the fat side and kicks up the line from whence it came when we have an opportunity for an overlap.

I was at the game and watched from on high, so saw all the play unfold, plus I've watched the replay in full. I've been extremely critical of McGrath's disposal in the past but yesterday I genuinely can't remember a single dump kick all game, and I also specifically remember numerous examples of him switching to the fat side?

Admittedly, I've missed 2 games being overseas but he seems to be much better with a) disposal and b) not panicking and taking the first option every time. Quite the opposite, actually.

I have been a bit of a bear on McGrath, but credit where it's due he's been unreal this year. As someone who's piled on Pidge in the past I'm well mystified by your comments here

 

[Nicholas61]

We won't be disappointed haven't spent a number 1 pick if we get that for a few more years

 

[carloss]

His kicking has really improved. Has he been working with David Rath?

 

[Nicholas61]

His kicking has really improved. Has he been working with David Rath?

He was indeed working with Rath. Absolutely spearing them mate. There was one he kicked to someone at half forward they had to dive a bit to take it but totally out of the defenders reach - it reminded me of the 80s Hawks kicking to a leading J Dunstall.

 

[bacon buster]

I’m eating my words with McGrath. He’s been mostly fantastic this year.

He s**t Hill down after half time and created plenty from half back

Maybe he’s finally found his role, maybe it’s the contract year?

Either way, he’s found his place in defence and I like him there

 

[Ati Tude]

So, is it time to say McGrath is more valuable than McCluggage?

 

[nipst@r]

Always been really good as small defender.

Problem is everyone including himself wanted to be a gun midfielder.

I was at the game and watched from on high, so saw all the play unfold, plus I've watched the replay in full. I've been extremely critical of McGrath's disposal in the past but yesterday I genuinely can't remember a single dump kick all game, and I also specifically remember numerous examples of him switching to the fat side?

Admittedly, I've missed 2 games being overseas but he seems to be much better with a) disposal and b) not panicking and taking the first option every time. Quite the opposite, actually.

I have been a bit of a bear on McGrath, but credit where it's due he's been unreal this year. As someone who's piled on Pidge in the past I'm well mystified by your comments here

His kicking has improved due to the current role being played. Able to have the play in front of him as opposed to around the back of pack or dump kicks in tight contested situations.

Some players are just much better having the play in front of them. Bonus that he is also a very good one on one defender and able to match most small fwds for athletic agility.

Merret has the elite hand to foot speed and skills to do them and parish has the clean hands. So mcgrath odd one out.

If happy to be elite defender then give him 6 years, if still wants to be a mid not sure ess is club for him with parish and merret on long term deals.

Gavin wanganeen had a pretty good career playing a similar position to what mcgrath does.

 

[Petrify]

Always been really good as small defender.

Problem is everyone including himself wanted to be a gun midfielder.

His kicking has improved due to the current role being played. Able to have the play in front of him as opposed to around the back of pack or dump kicks in tight contested situations.

Some players are just much better having the play in front of them. Bonus that he is also a very good one on one defender and able to match most small fwds for athletic agility.

Merret has the elite hand to foot speed and skills to do them and parish has the clean hands. So mcgrath odd one out.

If happy to be elite defender then give him 6 years, if still wants to be a mid not sure ess is club for him with parish and merret on long term deals.

Gavin wanganeen had a pretty good career playing a similar position to what mcgrath does.

Exactly this. He's a s**t kick when he's dump kicking in the midfield. He's an elite kick when the game is in front of him. It's not just David Rath either, he was rated elite last year with his kicking too. It's just the role that suits him better.

 

[bacon buster]

I think the improved kicking has come about by banning himself kicking around corners.

As in, he's been told to back himself and run, bounce and carry, break the line, then kick when in space. it's a huge improvement

He does need to be told he doesn't need to bounce after taking 3 steps though

 

[Goat Hird]

Umps love him which is good

 

[mcgrath_truther]

So, is it time to say McGrath is more valuable than McCluggage?

impossible to compare, apples to oranges, they're both good players

 

[Tazdog]

Could go down as a Hurn, Stewart, Vlaustain type of A+ defender. Can get a solid 8 years of consistency and leadership being one of if not the best small defenders in the league. Really wanted him to be a mid but I think well get a lot more value out of him as a team keeping him down back and allowing Perkins, Tsatas, Durham, Hobbs, Caldwell, Merrett, Parish and Setters the midfield minutes

 

[Atavistic]

The kick to Jones in the first quarter was excellent. He seems far better than he was a couple of years ago, when he was dump kicking like a maniac.

 

[ant555]

I think his kicking looks better because there's blokes upfield presenting a target for him to aim at

And he is running with the footy and not just dumping it around the corner .

 

[carloss]