McVeigh already in Sydney?

[chammond]

I've got no predisposition either way as far as O'Keefe and Fosdike are concerned, but I'm confused as to why one is so much more popular than the other?

O'Keefe is a fringe player used off the bench, with low possessions, moderate marking ability and a diamond left foot. Fosdike is a high possession winner, terrific endurance, who plays a whole game, and occasionally puts in BOG performances.

I know that O'K has a high 'hunk' rating (my daughters assure me), but surely there must be more to this adulation than that?

Wait a minute - isn't 'Pebbles' a girl's name? Is there some tokenism about Ryan that I hadn't factored in?

[Craig]

Originally posted by chammond
I've got no predisposition either way as far as O'Keefe and Fosdike are concerned, but I'm confused as to why one is so much more popular than the other?

O'Keefe is a fringe player used off the bench, with low possessions, moderate marking ability and a diamond left foot. Fosdike is a high possession winner, terrific endurance, who plays a whole game, and occasionally puts in BOG performances.

I know that O'K has a high 'hunk' rating (my daughters assure me), but surely there must be more to this adulation than that?

Wait a minute - isn't 'Pebbles' a girl's name? Is there some tokenism about Ryan that I hadn't factored in?

It's silly to compare a forward pocket with an onballer/wingman, expecially when you are comparing possessions.

ROK is there to kick a couple of goals and set up a few. He is a better mark than you give him credit and is a real asset in the forward line. He is not meant to be getting 20+ possessions a game. How many forward line players get those sort of stats???

Add the fact that his skills are great, he is younger than Fosdike and has the potential to move up into the midfield and you would be mad to suggest to trade him.

[Nico]

Roos is on record as saying he will trade for a "quality" midfielder.

And not an average run of the mill player.

That counts out McVeigh.

[Schneidergirl]

Pebbles is a fantastic player- and I'm not just saying that because he's a 'hunk of spunk'!

Ryan rarely disappoints, and you can bet your bottom dollar that when he marks the ball inside 50- you're going to get a goal.

'Pebbles' may be a girls name if you're watching the Flintstones. A few years back at a Trivia Night, he told the table that Pebbles is his nick name at the club because Ryan O'Connor was n/n ROC, and a small 'ROC' is a 'Pebble'.

[BAM_BAM]

Ryan has also had to deal with his share of injury. If he hadn't have done his knee in the elimination final in 2001, he would have got in a good pre season for 2002 and had a strong start. He also suffered the loss of his brother last year which understandably interupted his season signifcantly. He then came back through the ressies and got himself suspended, not coming back into the seniors until mid way through last season.

He got in a good pre season this year and trimmed down the bulk he had been carrying due to a heavy weights regime. Struggled in the earlier rounds and spent some time in the ressies again and also suffered further injury problems including his calf and shoulder.

He has been an impact player, but has also had a lot of match time. His work off the ball is excellent, often being the second player to a pack to secure the ball ensuring a ball up takes place. He also chases down the defenders trying to keep the ball locked in our forward 50.

He is a strong mark and a beautiful kick, he generally always kicks through the ball, and can slam them home from outside 50 from either a set shot or on the run. He was ranked as one of the highest in the pre season stats.

If you look at how much he has improved this year with the game time he's had and has only played 42 (I think) games, I think his future is looking very bright with us.

I love him because you see how hard he works on the field, he may not be a "natural", but he works bloody hard at his game. And yes I'd be remiss not to add his bod is too die for.

[liz]

I think Cliff is just trying to point out that if you judge Fosdike against O'Keefe in terms of the contribution they are currently making to the team, we'd be a lot worse off without Fossie than we would be without O'Keefe.

I'm a bit of a fan of O'Keefe as well, but based on what I think he could do rather than what he has actually done to date.

[chammond]

I'm a bit of a fan of O'Keefe as well, but based on what I think he could do rather than what he has actually done to date.

Ditto.

But I think he is really out on a limb, and I was hoping that someone would come up with a good argument for keeping him that I haven't thought of.

If you look at how much he has improved this year with the game time he's had and has only played 42 (I think) games

Given how underdone he was last year, I actually thought he played better last year than this. And the number of games is a double-edged sword: you might just as easily point out that he has only managed 40 games in 4 years (roughly the same average as Frosty, I think)!

He is a strong mark and a beautiful kick, he generally always kicks through the ball, and can slam them home from outside 50 from either a set shot or on the run.

Yes, but if, as someone else suggested, you compare like with like, and match him to the other non-key position forwards, he still doesn't stand out. For example, compared to Davis, Schneider and Nicks, he ranks third for goals per game, and last for average marks, possessions and tackles. All four are beautiful kicks, and can score from 50 metres out. Overall, his performance this season is really only roughly equivalent to Nicks, who many on this board rate as particularly poor.

And the most important factor IMO is that only one of them is out of contract.

[BAM_BAM]

I agree his stats look poor, but compared to all except probably Nicks, he hasn't had as much game time. I'm also not comparing his ability to Davis or Schnieder, both are naturally talented with freakish ability, IMO Ryan does not possess this.

I would hate to lose either Fossie or Ryan. I wasn't trying to make an argument as to take Ryan over Fossie, I just wanted to point out what I thought his attributes were.

Ryan is still so young and there is room for improvement. His second half of the year improved dramatically to the first, for what reasons only those close to him know. I'd like to see him given a chance to show us what he is capable of. I agree with you, we haven't yet seen him at his full ability. Even though he's not contracted, I think they'd be mad to let him go before certain other players. I'm hoping the only reason we would see him leave the club is at his own doing as has been rumored.

[Swannette]

On the matter of ROK just wanted to remind folk of a game against the roos last year (or was it 2001) in which ROK absolutely shone. We had no known forwards on the ground and this great guy popped up with a bagful of goals causing havoc to all and sundry in the roos defence. Yes one game doesn;t make a career, but his strong hands that night/day have become a trademark of his reliability. Choose to trade him? Not me. But I do understand the pull of his family after suffering the tragic loss of his brother is perhaps too hard to bear. Please gang, be careful before you 'bag' him for leaving if that is in fact what happens (or the club for trading him as this would be a big part of the reason) This is a young man who has suffered incredibly. Why do you think he wears black arm bands every game? This boy would love to stay with the swans, it just depends on whether his emotions can prolong the space from his family. Be kind.

[penga]

that was last year in rd 19, he kicked 4 goals and fixter kicked 3, i personally think theyre partners in crime, IMO okeefe plays better with fixter along side for some reason...

[BAM_BAM]

he received 2 Brownlow votes from that game. And absolutely ran riot