Robert Walls's top 20 AFL players

**Reggi** · 20 March 2004, 10:22 AM

Leppitsch better than Goodes. Interseting statement

**Bleed Red Blood** · 20 March 2004, 10:30 AM

Jonathon Brown better than Hall?

Maybe in the future but not at the moment.

***NMWBloods*** · 20 March 2004, 10:43 AM

WRT Leppitsch and Goodes, I would guess the thinking behind that is that Leppitsch has been a quality player, capable of turning matches, for a few years now, whereas we are now starting to seeing the best of Goodes. I suspect if Goodes can keep his form going, and hopefully get better, we'll see him jump by a few spots each year.

I think Hall should be above Brown.

I think Black and Crawford should be above Lappin.

**liz** · 20 March 2004, 11:01 AM

Originally posted by NMWBloods
WRT Leppitsch and Goodes, I would guess the thinking behind that is that Leppitsch has been a quality player, capable of turning matches, for a few years now, whereas we are now starting to seeing the best of Goodes. I suspect if Goodes can keep his form going, and hopefully get better, we'll see him jump by a few spots each year.

I think Hall should be above Brown.

I think Black and Crawford should be above Lappin.

One of the drawbacks of Wall's list is that he doesn't state on what basis he has drawn it up. In contrast Sheahan stated that his were predictions of who the top players would be this season. Maybe that was a cop-out, but it makes it harder to argue with him placing Brown so high, because no-one can argue that Brown has the potential to rip games apart ala Carey.

Walls' seems to be a bit more of a mish-mash.

Definitely agree that Black and Crawford should be above Lappin - and I'd add Cousins to that list as well.

***NMWBloods*** · 20 March 2004, 11:25 AM

I just had a quick look at his article and he doesn't really provide much rationale for his selections, so it is hard to argue or compare the different rankings.

**TheHood** · 20 March 2004, 11:31 AM

What do you think of Wallsey's assessment of the Young Guns?

I have to say that Luke Ball might just become the best player on that Saints' list. Big call I know but his Wizard (I know it's onl Wizard) form was impressive.

Polak and Maguire don't do that much for me.

Schneids is just an exciting gun and any impartial witness would agree with that.

Cole let his team down badly during the Grannie but then again he wasn't alone and it was only one game but accountability was required more than ever on the biggest stage of his life. His mate Rhys-Shaw was another.

Sampi, I rate him like I rate Schneids, maybe just ahead because he has freakish skills. Chris Lewis Pt 2!

Goddard and Brennan will both be magnificent players and Brennan has the added advantage of terrific leaders at the Lions to show him not just the right way, but the best way!

LRT, well he has the size, the ticker and deep down he has the skills. However, he is still lacking in confidence. Watched him last week against the Bombers and he made a couple of errors that were directly attributed to lack of confidence and direction (hand overs and "BALL" decisions were the result). This needs to be addressed otherwise he is not at AFL level just yet. He has to get good enough to cease the old "Dunks Hand Off"...have a kick Lewie!

Finally, my own private addition to the Young Guns list, Mark Powell. Last week I was lucky enough to be sitting about 5 meters away from where he was taking marks and kicking goals and harassing the hell out of defenders all day.

Any thoughts?

**The Boot** · 20 March 2004, 03:02 PM

Originally posted by The Hood
What do you think of Wallsey's assessment of the Young Guns? ... Any thoughts?

I havent gone to that article yet, but I have got to say that I'm likin' your ways with words, hoodster!

There is something special and poetic when you compare so-and-so to a past or present champion. All the images .. etched permanently on a memory pathway, attached to some dusty neurone - playing like a tape loop in your brain - come flooding back. One often sees a certain attribute in a player. Loved that Sampi/Schneids comparo. And Powell? Dead set luvvim.

**CureTheSane** · 20 March 2004, 11:11 PM

Everyone sees different things in different players.

To me Lewis still looks very awkward, and I worry when he is near the ball.

Hopefully this year he will settle down and find his niche'

**liz** · 21 March 2004, 12:12 AM

Originally posted by CureTheSane

To me Lewis still looks very awkward, and I worry when he is near the ball.

I agree with The Hood that this is probably mostly due to confidence. Whenever he has to do things instinctively, without time to think, he invariably shows good skills and is productive. When he has time to think about what to do with the ball he looks hesitant, as if he's scared of making the wrong choice or not executing the skill correctly - which of course means he invariably does make a mistake.

Bearing in mind the short period that he has been playing footy, compared to most he is running around with, there is no reason to think he can't overcome this, and if he does we have a lot to look forward to.

I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of occasions, and he seems like a very modest but determined young man and he has a good head on his shoulders.

**monopoly19** · 21 March 2004, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by CureTheSane

To me Lewis still looks very awkward

That's exactly what I think whenever I see him playing. It's like he has too much arm/leg to be able to use them effectively.

I think he's an alright player, but Walls (and others) seem to see a lot more in him than I do. Compared to Schneider, who looks completely comfortable playing at senior level, LRT just looks...wrong. Still, maybe it is just a confidence/experience thing.

**Reggi** · 21 March 2004, 09:05 AM

They are probably looking at LRT from his mobility and what they think he will develop into. He should lose that Gangliness as his body strengthens.

Don't agree with some comments on J Brown - his finals record is awesome - he has an absolutely dominating presence on the football field that is not refected in his stats. His finals record is very good.

Tredrea is way too high should be closer to 20, he is a poor kick and after 3 years we can say a proven finals dud. He is not better than either Hall or Brown.

Scarlett is also lucky

**TheHood** · 21 March 2004, 09:26 AM

Originally posted by lizz
I agree with The Hood that this is probably mostly due to confidence. Whenever he has to do things instinctively, without time to think, he invariably shows good skills and is productive. When he has time to think about what to do with the ball he looks hesitant, as if he's scared of making the wrong choice or not executing the skill correctly - which of course means he invariably does make a mistake.

Bearing in mind the short period that he has been playing footy, compared to most he is running around with, there is no reason to think he can't overcome this, and if he does we have a lot to look forward to.

I've had the pleasure of meeting him on a couple of occasions, and he seems like a very modest but determined young man and he has a good head on his shoulders.

Ever seen Bull Durham Lizz? When "Nuke" thought too much, it could only hurt the Ball Club. Reckon LRT is similar, he shouldn't think so much and act more on instinct? I reckon you're spot on.

**liz** · 21 March 2004, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by monopoly19
Compared to Schneider, who looks completely comfortable playing at senior level, LRT just looks...wrong. Still, maybe it is just a confidence/experience thing.

There's probably a lot more improvement left in LRT than Schneider. Schneids will primarily get better by improving his aerobic capacity and being able to do what he does for longer. He should also be able to gain some body strength which will help. But his skills are already pretty good and he doesn't lack for confidence. His season last year was also remarkably consistent for one so young - that is pretty rare.

In contrast, LRT had only played around 40 games of footy all up before he made his AFL debut. It stands to reason that his skills will be less fluent and he won't be as comfortable in his game. He played some very good games last year - remember he won a RS nomination for one. But it will take a while before he does that week in, week out.

**chammond** · 21 March 2004, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by Reggi
Tredrea is way too high should be closer to 20, he is a poor kick and after 3 years we can say a proven finals dud. He is not better than either Hall or Brown.

Tredrea is a brilliant mark, and that (plus some reasonably good skills in front of a camera) has made him a darling of the media.

But his amateurish kicking, and the way he so frequently leads to the wing or flanks, means that he is not nearly as damaging as players like Hall or Brown. Even Rocca provides more of a spark than Tredrea. And to compare him to the likes of Carey or Brereton at their best is just laughable.

The fact that Tredrea has been AA CHF just underlines that we're going thru a transition period for CHF, where the real quality like Carey and Grant are fading and the new quality like Brown and Hall are still learning the art.

Robert Walls's top 20 AFL players

Robert Walls's top 20 AFL players

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