Heath James

[barry]

Where is Heath James at?

For so many years we kept him on the list, while he did hamstring after hamstring. The club must have thought he was a gun player to persist with him.

Now that he seems fully fit, he spends his days in the 2's or pinch hitting in the senior side. I dont get it.

Where is he at ?
Are we waiting for a full pre-season and more game time to get him into shape for AFL footy ?
Where is his position?
Is he big enough for full back, smart enough for CHB, or skilled enough for the forward line ?

[DST]

It would seem that Heath has finally been able to get his body right to play league footy (besides a couple of niggling injuries).

Despite his age, he should now be given a couple of years to prove to the coach and selectors that he can play at the elite level just like any young player starting out.

Next year will be an extremely important year for him.

I like him as a CHB, moves well and has heaps of courage. Can also go back to FB when the match up is right but probably not on a gorrilla type forward.

DST

[Damien]

I think he is too old to be given a couple of years. I think the club has been great to him so far, but will have to make a clear cut decision at some stage.

He certainly should be given next year though...will be a vital year for him.

[RogueSwan]

Yes, but where is he at?

[barry]

Originally posted by DST

I like him as a CHB, moves well and has heaps of courage. Can also go back to FB when the match up is right but probably not on a gorrilla type forward.

DST

But has Goodes been earmarked for permanent CHB ?
And therefore Schuable at FB.

In which case James is either emergency KP backman, or Schuables replacement when he retires.

[hammo]

I think he is where any player who has played about 20 games is at.

Next season will be the real test - he deserves time to prove his worth.

[simone]

Originally posted by Damien
I think he is too old to be given a couple of years.

I am no AFL expert by any means, but is 24 really too old to give him a couple of years?
Anyone who is persistent enough to get back on track injury after injury definately shows the focus needed to be a successful athlete.
Lets just hope he doesn't have anymore serious injuries that prevent him from playing at his absolute best in the near future.

[Damien]

Originally posted by simone
I am no AFL expert by any means, but is 24 really too old to give him a couple of years?

If for instance it takes him until he is 27/28 to have a big time influence on our side - we would then have him for what 4 years tops?

(His injury history obviously suggests his body might not be able to handle it into his 30's)

When we could have an 18yr old doing the same development and end up with a 10 year senior player.

I really like Heath James - but I think the club has to be ruthless eventually and we can not wait forever.

He has to start showing it soon, I think Heath should be far more advanced than an 18yr old recruit would be.

[ihamilto]

Heath James

I watched Heath closely in the reserves match against Wagga
Tigers a few weeks ago the thing that impressed me the most
was his marking unlike others I believe his best value is in the forward line as a backman he cannot match up against the likes
of Brown and Neitz but in the forward line with his mobility
and marking skills he could be a handy foil for Hall I remember his
dad Max was a gun centre half forward and Heath has some of
his fathers skills. cheers Ian

[simone]

Originally posted by Damien
If for instance it takes him until he is 27/28 to have a big time influence on our side - we would then have him for what 4 years tops?
When we could have an 18yr old doing the same development and end up with a 10 year senior player.

Ah huh,
now i understand your point.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Damien
If for instance it takes him until he is 27/28 to have a big time influence on our side - we would then have him for what 4 years tops?

But if takes him until 27-28 then it is more than a couple of years.

I think they should give him until the end of next season to cement a place. This would be effectively two years trial ('04 and '05).

If he makes it, then he'd begin the '06 year at 26yo. That could still allow for possibly another 100 games from him.

[Damien]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
But if takes him until 27-28 then it is more than a couple of years.

I think they should give him until the end of next season to cement a place. This would be effectively two years trial ('04 and '05).

If he makes it, then he'd begin the '06 year at 26yo. That could still allow for possibly another 100 games from him.

Totally agree.

I just don't think we can wait until '06 and '07 for the performances to start coming, they have to come next year.

[Charlie]

At his age, he's played about as many games as Dunkley had at the same age.

He hasn't been given a decent look in this year by any means. Of his ten games, a couple have been almost entirely on the bench, and a fair few more were playing bit roles in the forward line and on 3rd-4th defenders.

The few times he's been tested in the positions he was recruited for - key defence - he's only been clearly beaten once. That was against David Neitz, and he's not the only one.

Give Heath a chance!

[ugg]

While I hope he gets kept on the list for next season, it seems he's out of favour at the moment. Not even on the emergency lists for the past few weeks, and now that Schaubs is back, it would be harder to force himself in.

[simone]

Originally posted by Charlie


Give Heath a chance!

All we are saying is give Heath a chance!

love it.