Lester and Bewick: Should they have been offered a contract

[DERRINALPHIL]

Lester and Bewick have been at the club for quite a few years. Both have been dropped from our senior team several times, more than once in every season (not sure about Lester) that they have been on the list.

I am not sure that they are players that can take us the next step.

I am not sure we could get anything for them on a trade.

I was a huge Bewick fan when he first started.

We don't know what they are getting as a salary so possibly this conversation is a meaningless one.

 

[DashinD]

Yeah. Every team needs a couple of players like these guys. They allow the better players to do their thing. If we can get them to 100 games ive got confidence they'll find consistency. Good senior heads in the reserves at the very least.

And we should be rewarding this kind of loyalty - not like some of the more talented but flaky disappointments we've had come though in their time.

Although my neighbours must be wondering who the Lester is that I've been yelling at for the last few years.

 

[BuntonRules]

If nothing else, they will be invaluable in our ressies.

 

[notliondown]

It's easy to forget Lester is only 23 - seems like he's been around forever. But I actually think he's getting better as time goes by and may well be just one of those solid, honest workhorses that every team needs - the utility that can cover most positions in a pinch. Never going to be a superstar but that's not his style on or off the field - he's happy to do whatever is asked of him.

Bewick comes and goes... his good is very good and his average is well... average. Still he's another older cooler head in a team of kids and was having a pretty decent year till he got hurt.

The reality is neither would have broken the bank... and the question that I keep asking is - who replaces these so called "list cloggers" as I've seen them called. Pretty sure there's not a line at the door of superstars willing to be paid average wage and work at whoop whoop.

 

[luthor]

Give me Lester and Bewick over the likes of Aish any day.

I think they have both made significant progress this year

Lester seems to have adapted to that forward role really well.

 

[Haso]

Both still so young, and really coming into their own this year. Both a yes for me.

 

[T Factor]

Really pleased that they continue to improve and have re-signed, we need guys of this age bracket to hang around.

 

[James North]

Yes.

Not every player commands 800k a year and not every team is full of superstars.

These guys are playing their best football at the moment and if they are our worst players moving forward, we'll be doing extremely well.

 

[scoman]

Yep. If we delist too many we end up replacing them with very late picks or fringe quality players from other clubs. To me that is of no great benifit. Would imagine the club is looking to slow the list turnover now. Only getting rid of players if they have a way of replacing them with quality established players or high end draft pics.

For example consider the following

Clarke, Merrett both retired
Watts, Maguiness delisted
Mayes and Green traded for 2nd rounders

Thats 6 outs already with 1 first rounder and 4 second rounders to replace them. 1 top kid and our 3 academy kids will prob use all of those up. So we need to find a way to secure talent for the final 2 list spots from either delisted players, free agents or late draft pics.

Now obviously deals can be done and it ends uo far more complicated. But If you delist more it just gets harder to replace them with anyone better.

 

[Elixuh]

Yes, currently best 22 and will be helpful as the list progresses (especially if they can further develop their games). Both have been much improved this year and while they may not be world beaters, are necessary given our current list profile.

 

[lionshine]

Both still so young, and really coming into their own this year. Both a yes for me.

I wouldn't say Bewick is "so young" considering he will be 27 in a few months but I agree that both have come into their own this season and it is a yes from me as well in regards to whether or not they should have been offered new contracts. Both have established themselves as best 22 this season and have played some really good footy. Plus they are loyal and professional which sets a good example for younger players. Worst case scenario in my opinion is they are overtaken by younger players and become really handy depth in the reserves.

 

[Elixuh]

I wouldn't say Bewick is "so young" considering he will be 27 in a few months but I agree that both have come into their own this season and it is a yes from me as well in regards to whether or not they should have been offered new contracts. Both have established themselves as best 22 this season and have played some really good footy. Plus they are loyal and professional which sets a good example for younger players. Worst case scenario in my opinion is they are overtaken by younger players and become really handy depth in the reserves.

You were fairly bullish on Bewick going into the season if I remember correctly. Has certainly improved his game so kudos to him. Much more of an emphasis with Bewick IMO on creating consistency in his game. We know he can play to a level that cements him pretty firmly within the 22, but its a matter of doing that consistently over the court of a season. Something which he is yet to achieve.

 

[snooplions]

Funny thing is Lester, Bewick and also Harwood are probably our most improved in 2016. They have stepped up when more talented players who were expected to, didn't. I would have Bewick in the top ten of our b&f even with the injury spell, with Lester not too far behind.

 

[MacMum]

Yes.

 

[Len S]

List cloggers both, Bewick won't go in, and Lester would have serious claims to be the afls slowest player, which makes his positioning as a defensive forward ludicrous.

 

[lionshine]

You were fairly bullish on Bewick going into the season if I remember correctly. Has certainly improved his game so kudos to him. Much more of an emphasis with Bewick IMO on creating consistency in his game. We know he can play to a level that cements him pretty firmly within the 22, but its a matter of doing that consistently over the court of a season. Something which he is yet to achieve.

I have always been fairly bullish on Bewick. I rate his ability highly it is just a matter of reforming consistently as you say and he has done that so far this season.

 

[lionshine]

List cloggers both, Bewick won't go in, and Lester would have serious claims to be the afls slowest player, which makes his positioning as a defensive forward ludicrous.

Not sure which games you have been watching but Lester is not a defensive forward...

 

[Milux]

List cloggers both, Bewick won't go in, and Lester would have serious claims to be the afls slowest player, which makes his positioning as a defensive forward ludicrous.

You don't football do you?

 

[AFLQLD]

Both are exactly what we need a decent percentage of our team to be: generally solid performers who help the stars shine. What we don't have are enough stars yet. You can't have a team of stars only, as much as we would all love to. Lots of teams have players like Lester and Bewick - role players are critical to success.

 

[Fatcat08]

Hasn't this already been covered?

 

[FFB1]

No because they are taking spots of all those high quality players banging down the door to come to Brisbane.

 

[Gadzorks]

Does the fact that many of us think that Lester and Bewick have improved mean that the coaching has actually achieved something in the past 12 months?

 

[Roylion]

Yes.

Lester a 23 year old 191 cm utility with 71 games (10 this season) under his belt would be in my view a definite re-signing.
Bewick a 26 year old who is closing in on 100 games (this week is game #87) provides a bit of experience for our young side. He was in pretty good form before his injury. Will only be 28 at the ending of his contract.

 

[The Zork]

Yes. Simply because where we are at list wise plus they haven't under performed.

Ideally in 2-3 years time they won't be a best 22 - and that's not to say they are rubbish I just think at 70-80 games you generally can see a players ceiling.

I don't think they have shown enough to suggest they will be anything more than just above average at their very best.

 

[M Malice]

yes from me as well. caveats- gleaned from my previous premature excitement re our players over the years.

rohan bewick- i have always been a fan of his potential, he has great run and carry when on song and a very serviceable left peg. wouldn't mind him given an extended go in the back 6. caveat- i can remember being very excited over the years about these players- aaron cornelius, rhan hooper, jason roe, justin sherman.

ryan lester- may end up being a very good role player as the 3rd tall taking the heat of schache/freeman/ballenden etc. still lots of room for improvement. caveat- does he put enough pressure on in the forward 50?