GRANT FORD - Bendigo

[buffalopride]

A very exciting prospect if looked at for the tigers, could be used as a on-baller/back pocket. He is a very quick and his disposal is generally accurate. He averages well over 20 disposals per game and has been in the top 3 players on the ground over 10 times this year (BOG - 5 TIMES). His tackling ability is like that of mcdonald or bret kirk (leading afl tackles) Grant is averaging around 10 per game. Last year he also got in the best's 7 times i think, polled close to the same amount of tackles, although last year he was more of an impact player.

He would be player who would be a very good second to third round pick and could be just as good in the future as any other first rounder.

Any thoughts??

 

[tiger_man]

Have heard a member on the Essendon board talking up this young fella, that particular member doesnt have a great track record with spotting young talent but maybe he has finally got one right. does have impressive stats. woulod be wary of using a second rounder on him though, need to use 18 and 19 on ruck and KPD. Cotchin at 2.

 

[Weaver]

It is unlikely he will be taken. Passed over for both Draft Camp and a state screening - and I'd agree with that. He is handy without being outstanding. Gets a big of the ball but doesn't use it that well and you really want young midfielders to show they can get out into space and run the footy - not Ford's go. Probably also fair to say that he is a bit of a hothead prone to giving away silly freekicks.

179cm rovers can't just be good if they want to get picked up. They need to brilliant. Even the exceptional, dominant junior rovers (like Foley) are often still rookie candidates.

 

[buffalopride]

It is unlikely he will be taken. Passed over for both Draft Camp and a state screening - and I'd agree with that. He is handy without being outstanding. Gets a big of the ball but doesn't use it that well and you really want young midfielders to show they can get out into space and run the footy - not Ford's go. Probably also fair to say that he is a bit of a hothead prone to giving away silly freekicks.

179cm rovers can't just be good if they want to get picked up. They need to brilliant. Even the exceptional, dominant junior rovers (like Foley) are often still rookie candidates.

he avarages 1 free kick against him a game, and racks up the frees for in many games this year he has got 4+ that shows his hardness...... he could be more accurate but i wouldnt say he is not outstanding with his track record of best on grounds...

 

[buffalopride]

INSPIRATIONAL captain Grant Ford was a runaway winner of the Neville Strauch Memorial trophy as the Bendigo Pioneers Football Club's best and fairest for the 2007 season.
A second-year Pioneer, Ford powered to an emphatic victory over the final rounds of AFL Victoria TAC Cup under-18s season.
After votes from 13 rounds had been called, Ford and Swan Hill clubmate and Pioneers ruckman-forward Toby Thoolen were on top of the leader board on 31 and 30.
Pioneers' team manager Peter Brown then called a hat-trick of three votes for Ford in the round 14 clash with Geelong Falcons.
Another five votes for the centreman or ruck-rover in round 15 put Ford well in front.
By the end of the count at The Bendigo Club in Strathdale, Ford was 24 votes clear of Thoolen, with key defender Jayden Donaldson in third place.
Ford said winning the club best and fairest meant a lot to him.
'‘The Central Murray league has never had a player win the Pioneers best and fairest.
‘‘So to be the first means a lot," said Swan Hill-based Ford.
Earlier in the season he achieved another honour by being appointed the Pioneers captain.
A tally of 57 votes showed how consistent the on-baller was in the Pioneers' run.
‘‘There were a few goals I set before the season and then as it went on," Ford said. '‘Being a more consistent player was on the list." Captaincy of the Pioneers, and selection for the Victoria Country under-18s team were also goals he pursued and achieved.
Ford said a key to his play this year was his mental approach to each match.
To that extent Bob Fletcher, player welfare officer at the Pioneers, and the Pioneers coaching staff, led by Mark Ellis, played a key role.
‘‘I was confident I could compete physically, but there were times when confidence was down," Ford said.
‘‘People like Mark (Ellis), Bob (Fletcher), and just the whole club are great to be around and have really helped improve my football in many ways." Ford said the support of parents, Jenny and Tony, and also his Bendigo-based girlfriend, Stacey, had helped a lot in his two years with the Pioneers.
Although he is not on the list for the AFL national draft camp or screening sessions, Ford has not given up hope on playing in the `big league'.
The Pioneers honour roll of club champions includes AFL stars Nathan Brown, 1995 and ‘96; Brent Guerra, ‘99; Colin Sylvia, 2003; and former Western Bulldogs and Essendon player Mark Alvey, who won the club title in 1997.
Other winners of the club best and fairest have been Damian Slater, Travis Ruyg, Luke Sims, Jim Cail, Daniel Elstone, Aaron Connaughton, Marcus Carroll, Josh Bowe, and now St Kilda rookie, Jarryn Geary.
Votes for the Neville Strauch Memorial trophy as the Bendigo Pioneers Football Club's best and fairest for the 2007 season: Grant Ford; 33 Toby Thoolen; 26 Jayden Donaldson; 25 Robert Tuohey; 21 Rhys Healey; 20 Scott Selwood. 18 Blair Holmes; 17 Robbie Tarrant; 17 Tim Martin; 16 Rex Taylor; 13 Lech Featherstone; 12 Marc Millard; 11 Travis Matheson; 10 Jake Hall. 9 Torin Petrie; 8 Steven Stroobants; 4 Josh Gaylor; 2 Matt Lehane; 2 Eljay Connors; 1 Lee Coghlan, Ryan Gillingham, Andrew Richardson.

 

[Tigger#1]

Other winners of the club best and fairest have been Damian Slater, Travis Ruyg, Luke Sims, Jim Cail, Daniel Elstone, Aaron Connaughton, Marcus Carroll, Josh Bowe, and now St Kilda rookie, Jarryn Geary.
Votes for the Neville Strauch Memorial trophy as the Bendigo Pioneers Football Club's best and fairest for the 2007 season: Grant Ford; 33 Toby Thoolen; 26 Jayden Donaldson; 25 Robert Tuohey; 21 Rhys Healey; 20 Scott Selwood. 18 Blair Holmes; 17 Robbie Tarrant; 17 Tim Martin; 16 Rex Taylor; 13 Lech Featherstone; 12 Marc Millard; 11 Travis Matheson; 10 Jake Hall. 9 Torin Petrie; 8 Steven Stroobants; 4 Josh Gaylor; 2 Matt Lehane; 2 Eljay Connors; 1 Lee Coghlan, Ryan Gillingham, Andrew Richardson.

Brother of Daniel Connors

 

[hulld]

i am that one essendon supporter that tiger man speaks about and i jope that you guys don't pick him up. for the reason that i hope we get him. sometimes clubs need to pick footballers, not athletes

 

[TacupWatcher]

INSPIRATIONAL captain Grant Ford was a runaway winner of the Neville Strauch Memorial trophy as the Bendigo Pioneers Football Club's best and fairest for the 2007 season.
A second-year Pioneer, Ford powered to an emphatic victory over the final rounds of AFL Victoria TAC Cup under-18s season.
After votes from 13 rounds had been called, Ford and Swan Hill clubmate and Pioneers ruckman-forward Toby Thoolen were on top of the leader board on 31 and 30.
Pioneers' team manager Peter Brown then called a hat-trick of three votes for Ford in the round 14 clash with Geelong Falcons.
Another five votes for the centreman or ruck-rover in round 15 put Ford well in front.
By the end of the count at The Bendigo Club in Strathdale, Ford was 24 votes clear of Thoolen, with key defender Jayden Donaldson in third place.
Ford said winning the club best and fairest meant a lot to him.
'‘The Central Murray league has never had a player win the Pioneers best and fairest.
‘‘So to be the first means a lot," said Swan Hill-based Ford.
Earlier in the season he achieved another honour by being appointed the Pioneers captain.
A tally of 57 votes showed how consistent the on-baller was in the Pioneers' run.
‘‘There were a few goals I set before the season and then as it went on," Ford said. '‘Being a more consistent player was on the list." Captaincy of the Pioneers, and selection for the Victoria Country under-18s team were also goals he pursued and achieved.
Ford said a key to his play this year was his mental approach to each match.
To that extent Bob Fletcher, player welfare officer at the Pioneers, and the Pioneers coaching staff, led by Mark Ellis, played a key role.
‘‘I was confident I could compete physically, but there were times when confidence was down," Ford said.
‘‘People like Mark (Ellis), Bob (Fletcher), and just the whole club are great to be around and have really helped improve my football in many ways." Ford said the support of parents, Jenny and Tony, and also his Bendigo-based girlfriend, Stacey, had helped a lot in his two years with the Pioneers.
Although he is not on the list for the AFL national draft camp or screening sessions, Ford has not given up hope on playing in the `big league'.
The Pioneers honour roll of club champions includes AFL stars Nathan Brown, 1995 and ‘96; Brent Guerra, ‘99; Colin Sylvia, 2003; and former Western Bulldogs and Essendon player Mark Alvey, who won the club title in 1997.
Other winners of the club best and fairest have been Damian Slater, Travis Ruyg, Luke Sims, Jim Cail, Daniel Elstone, Aaron Connaughton, Marcus Carroll, Josh Bowe, and now St Kilda rookie, Jarryn Geary.
Votes for the Neville Strauch Memorial trophy as the Bendigo Pioneers Football Club's best and fairest for the 2007 season: Grant Ford; 33 Toby Thoolen; 26 Jayden Donaldson; 25 Robert Tuohey; 21 Rhys Healey; 20 Scott Selwood. 18 Blair Holmes; 17 Robbie Tarrant; 17 Tim Martin; 16 Rex Taylor; 13 Lech Featherstone; 12 Marc Millard; 11 Travis Matheson; 10 Jake Hall. 9 Torin Petrie; 8 Steven Stroobants; 4 Josh Gaylor; 2 Matt Lehane; 2 Eljay Connors; 1 Lee Coghlan, Ryan Gillingham, Andrew Richardson.

Thoolen is a freak.
Great effort by rob tuohey and jayden donaldson. rob wasn't given a game untill about round 5 and jayden donaldson missed a fair few games and played injured alot to my understanding.