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He is surely next in line for a role on HB / wing.
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Very good footy brain and very skillful, he's a bit like Caleb Daniel with even less athleticism though. Not one we should be taking.
I do find it funny whenever recruiters say "we rated him higher". By definition that's basically true for every player! Say Joe Bloggs is a surprise pick 1. Literally every other pick thereafter will be higher on their club's draft board, ie, pick 2 will be that team's pick 1 on their draft board, etc.
Vic Country had a strong U18 team last year led by Harley Reid so it's interesting that Freijah may have slipped under the radar a bit, and maybe the wrong players were recruited.
As in, slow?
With his big frame Bont often does that coming out of a pack. Can do worse than emulate him!Freijah had a pretty poor carnival for Vic Country and I think it was the reason why he slipped. My biggest issue with him was instead of picking up the ball he would often tap the ball on to a player or on to himself to run on to and it didn't really work. It came across as a bit soft (which he's not) as he had time to pick up the ball and handball it to make a certainty of it. It looks like this has mostly been coached out of his game. I saw him half do it a couple times yesterday still, but in one of those plays he half tapped it then realised he could pick it up and handball to Daniel which was good to see.
But does he have a basketball background?With his big frame Bont often does that coming out of a pack. Can do worse than emulate him!
Not really. Even a surprise Pick 1 would be everybody else’s Pick 3-4 so it would only skew picks that far.I do find it funny whenever recruiters say "we rated him higher". By definition that's basically true for every player! Say Joe Bloggs is a surprise pick 1. Literally every other pick thereafter will be higher on their club's draft board, ie, pick 2 will be that team's pick 1 on their draft board, etc.
I do find it funny whenever recruiters say "we rated him higher". By definition that's basically true for every player! Say Joe Bloggs is a surprise pick 1. Literally every other pick thereafter will be higher on their club's draft board, ie, pick 2 will be that team's pick 1 on their draft board, etc.
With his big frame Bont often does that coming out of a pack. Can do worse than emulate him!
There were a few standouts in the young guns game yesterday that I feel suit the style of game that we play.Yeah. And doesn't have the high end endurance Caleb has as well.
The gap between his best and worst was probably bigger than any other player I watched last year. That game where he racked up 26 touches and kicked 6 goals off the wing was probably the best individual game from any player in last years draft pool, but he also put up some stinkers late in the year which I’m sure tanked his ratings with many clubs. Playing an easier position in defence probably helps him find the consistency he needs, and I’m sure he eventually finds his way to the wing spot in a few years timeFreijah had a pretty poor carnival for Vic Country and I think it was the reason why he slipped. My biggest issue with him was instead of picking up the ball he would often tap the ball on to a player or on to himself to run on to and it didn't really work. It came across as a bit soft (which he's not) as he had time to pick up the ball and handball it to make a certainty of it. It looks like this has mostly been coached out of his game. I saw him half do it a couple times yesterday still, but in one of those plays he half tapped it then realised he could pick it up and handball to Daniel which was good to see.
Wondering if he might be used as a mid later on.
Hopefully he turns out to be good enough as we will be needing someone like him in 2-3 years time.
No current season stats available
I got to the Williamstown game on Saturday to watch 3.5 quarters.
The entire senior squad was there supporting the boys, including Bev, Lade and the other coaches.
I saw Rohan Smith stood next to Bev for at least a quarter or two.
My uninformed observations:
CALEB DANIEL
He was played on the outside for all but the last quarter with little impact. By 3rd QT, Willi had cut our lead to under 4 goals. We moved Daniel into the guts from the start of the 4th Q and he went to town - cut above the standard. He won ground ball after ground ball, created chains of goals, hit targets and killed Willis hopes. Impressive. He got a goal too.
Were the AFL to further reduce bench rotations, increasing the fatigue of players, Caleb would be a top ten mid-fielder at AFL level Unfortunately, the big, strong, quick, fresh bodies - at AFL level - reduce his effectiveness and make it much harder for him to win his own ball.
Still, I believe there is a place for him in the senior side, but with less opportunities his distribution needs to be at it's best.
JOEL FREIJAH
The boy has a presence. Nice big-bodied lad. He played the full back line. Almost always the closest to our defensive goal. The style of the game and our field dominance didn't give him a lot of opportunities to shine but on at least 3 occasions he nudged out his direct opponent and completed an intercept mark. In the 2nd quarter he was at the end of wing to center square switch, took a bounce, ran thru the middle and slotted a long goal from 50 meters out. Showed good spatial awareness in congestion with some clever taps finding teammates in better position. He is comfortable and adventurous with the back half passing game.
Can't say I've seen someone this young so obsessed with directing his team-mates defensive positioning. His concentration on the game and positioning is tireless. He's constantly checking that players are manned up, picking them up and beating Keath at the Pointing game. It's exhausting and impressive to watch.
In conclusion: it might have been right and useful for him to be introduced to the VFL on the full back line. It no doubt helped ease his way into the side, to hone his defensive instincts, for defensive positioning to become ingrained and learn the pointing game from Keath, but it's no longer optimal for his development. He has it.
Joel needs more ball, more opportunities. We were almost exclusively using 3 non listed players in the guts. Why not rotate him thru the middle?
Kid has a very high ceiling and a high floor. Barring injuries and normal development there is every reason to believe he will play 200+ AFL games. But for the next year or two it won't be as a deep defender. Two reasons, we are flush with half-backs and Joel offers much more. We need to find out how much more.
BENDENDO
Was the most influential forward on the ground. Probably kicked 4 goals. There is a lot to like. But he plays like a third tall and we've got them already. He has some nice tricks at ground level. To force his way into our AFL side, he needs to focus entirely on his defensive pressure. It's not there, it's ordinary. If he can do that he may or may not make our side but other AFL sides will consider trading for him.
CLARKE
Good game but not great. Would love to have seen him crumb a ball or two but he could not get his positioning right. Led hard, got a few marks, kicked at least 2 goals. Chased hard and has an urgent energy about him.
JONES, Arthur
Lots of nearly this and nearly that. A lot of caught in congestion trying to break tackles. Found it hard going. He looks likely but its' just not working. Hard to say, reckon he needs to simplify his game and improve his awareness. Just distribute the simple handball and pass, doesn't need to always be trying to evade and get a shot at goal. It's too predictable and so his opponents are on him.
POULTER
He is competent but I've not a real fan of Poulter at AFL level. Then I saw something I really liked. Reckon he could be a good half-back at AFL level. His attacking qualities and instincts as a wingman are not enough at the AFL level. But behind the ball - in a half back role - there was something very instinctive. His height is useful too.
BUSSLINGER
The first thing to say is the kid has physically developed beautifully. Great size, power, and mobility for the big defensive role. Took some good marks, doesn't get out bodied. Competent at distributing the ball. Keath is a probably still a fraction ahead of him but there is not much in it. So, if the need presents itself, unless it's a cut-throat final like game, he should get the nod ahead of Keath.
CROFT
Kid needs development time and more games. Not much to say here, looks good but is so easily pushed off the ball and marking contests - played forward - little impact.
CLEARY
Moves well, looked taller and stronger - did not do anything wrong, didn't do much right. Reckon we need to throw him around positionally otherwise he is headed for the delist. There is something there. Something that reminds me of Sydney's Callum Mills who transformed himself from a defender to a pretty good mid. Let's be honest, he is not going to make it in our AFL side as a defender.
As mentioned above, we gave the 3 prime mid field roles to unlisted players against Willi
No idea why you wouldn't give Freijah and Cleary some minutes. Quite frankly its idiotic to waste the opportunity.
SCOTT
Got to admire this guy. He is so professional. Hardly ever makes a mistake. Knows his limitations and his ability.
Low ceiling, above average floor. So honest that I have no issue with him getting AFL games. Can cover a multiple number of roles. And has a knack of being in the right place and getting the best out of himself.
Nice to have someone like this but at 29 years of age and our list his role is depth. Good to have.
That's the end of my stupid thoughts.
One thing I noticed about Poulter was how clean his first touch was.I got to the Williamstown game on Saturday to watch 3.5 quarters.
The entire senior squad was there supporting the boys, including Bev, Lade and the other coaches.
I saw Rohan Smith stood next to Bev for at least a quarter or two.
My uninformed observations:
CALEB DANIEL
He was played on the outside for all but the last quarter with little impact. By 3rd QT, Willi had cut our lead to under 4 goals. We moved Daniel into the guts from the start of the 4th Q and he went to town - cut above the standard. He won ground ball after ground ball, created chains of goals, hit targets and killed Willis hopes. Impressive. He got a goal too.
Were the AFL to further reduce bench rotations, increasing the fatigue of players, Caleb would be a top ten mid-fielder at AFL level Unfortunately, the big, strong, quick, fresh bodies - at AFL level - reduce his effectiveness and make it much harder for him to win his own ball.
Still, I believe there is a place for him in the senior side, but with less opportunities his distribution needs to be at it's best.
JOEL FREIJAH
The boy has a presence. Nice big-bodied lad. He played the full back line. Almost always the closest to our defensive goal. The style of the game and our field dominance didn't give him a lot of opportunities to shine but on at least 3 occasions he nudged out his direct opponent and completed an intercept mark. In the 2nd quarter he was at the end of wing to center square switch, took a bounce, ran thru the middle and slotted a long goal from 50 meters out. Showed good spatial awareness in congestion with some clever taps finding teammates in better position. He is comfortable and adventurous with the back half passing game.
Can't say I've seen someone this young so obsessed with directing his team-mates defensive positioning. His concentration on the game and positioning is tireless. He's constantly checking that players are manned up, picking them up and beating Keath at the Pointing game. It's exhausting and impressive to watch.
In conclusion: it might have been right and useful for him to be introduced to the VFL on the full back line. It no doubt helped ease his way into the side, to hone his defensive instincts, for defensive positioning to become ingrained and learn the pointing game from Keath, but it's no longer optimal for his development. He has it.
Joel needs more ball, more opportunities. We were almost exclusively using 3 non listed players in the guts. Why not rotate him thru the middle?
Kid has a very high ceiling and a high floor. Barring injuries and normal development there is every reason to believe he will play 200+ AFL games. But for the next year or two it won't be as a deep defender. Two reasons, we are flush with half-backs and Joel offers much more. We need to find out how much more.
BENDENDO
Was the most influential forward on the ground. Probably kicked 4 goals. There is a lot to like. But he plays like a third tall and we've got them already. He has some nice tricks at ground level. To force his way into our AFL side, he needs to focus entirely on his defensive pressure. It's not there, it's ordinary. If he can do that he may or may not make our side but other AFL sides will consider trading for him.
CLARKE
Good game but not great. Would love to have seen him crumb a ball or two but he could not get his positioning right. Led hard, got a few marks, kicked at least 2 set shot goals. Chased hard and has an urgency about him we could do with in the AFL.
JONES, Arthur
Lots of nearly this and nearly that. A lot of caught in congestion trying to break tackles. Found it hard going. He looks likely but its' just not working. Hard to say, reckon he needs to simplify his game and improve his awareness. Just distribute the simple handball and pass, doesn't need to always be trying to evade and get a shot at goal. It's too predictable and so his opponents are on him.
POULTER
He is competent but I'm not a fan of Poulter at AFL level. Then I saw something I really liked. Reckon he could be a good half-back at AFL level. His attacking qualities and instincts as a wingman are not enough at the AFL level. But behind the ball - in a half back role - there was something very instinctive both defensively and creatively. His height is useful too.
BUSSLINGER
The first thing to say is the kid has physically developed beautifully. Great size, power, and mobility for the big defensive role. Took some good marks, doesn't get out bodied. Competent at distributing the ball. Keath is a probably still a fraction ahead of him but there is not much in it. So, if the need presents itself, unless it's a cut-throat final like game, he should get the nod ahead of Keath.
CROFT
Kid needs development time and more games. Not much to say here, looks good but is so easily pushed off the ball and marking contests - played forward - little impact.
CLEARY
Moves well, looked taller and stronger - did not do anything wrong, didn't do much right. Reckon we need to throw him around positionally otherwise he is headed for the delist. There is something there. Something that reminds me of Sydney's Callum Mills who transformed himself from a defender to a pretty good mid. Let's be honest, he is not going to make it in our AFL side as a defender.
As mentioned above, we gave the 3 prime mid field roles to unlisted players against Willi
No idea why you wouldn't give Freijah and Cleary some minutes. It's a wasted the opportunity. Coaches need to be better than this. Players have a short time to prove themselves, wasting opportunities to develop them is indefensible.
SCOTT
Got to admire this guy. He is so professional. Hardly ever makes a mistake. Plays to his limitations.
Low ceiling, above average floor. So honest that I have no issue with him getting AFL games. Can cover a multiple number of roles. And has a knack of being in the right place and getting the best out of himself.
Nice to have someone like this but at 29 years of age and our list his role is depth. Good to have.
That's the end of my stupid thoughts.
Yeah he was good - just felt that when he was facing our goals he appeared far more composed and was defensively really strong. Classic half back instincts - well so it seemed to me.One thing I noticed about Poulter was how clean his first touch was.
Footscray VFL v AFL Academy this weekend. Probably a good thing Lobb will be in the AFL side because he would eat whatever skinny 17-year-old KPD they'd put on him.
Do we have day and time for this?
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AUSTRALIA U18 vs FOOTSCRAY BULLDOGSDo we have day and time for this?
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