delistings

[midaro]

Has anyone got confirmation of this story yet?

[Dpw]

I doubt the creds on this I cant find confirmation on this anywhere Thewlis I would not be to surprised but James very much not because hes that good just we dont have anyone else, infact James was extremely poor at times this year mixed with some average games maybe desereves one more preseason I would think this would be his make or break year

[Charlie]

He played 11 games.

One of those can be ruled out as worth looking at immediately - the Essendon game in round 6. He was given about 10 minutes game time in that match, with no apparent reason.

In round 7 and 8, he was overlooked for key defensive posts. You can't prove yourself when you're not given the opportunity.

Against St Kilda he played only a small part of the match, and what time he did get were spent in the forward line. How can you learn the art of full-back if you're being used as a pinch-hitter in attack?

He didn't do much against Port Adelaide - he had nine touches - but who did? Against Brisbane in round 18 he was put in as a fill-in, not given much opportunity to re-establish himself in the 22 and dropped the next week. That return to the side did nobody any favours, because even when he was put back in the side he wasn't given a real chance to show that he belonged there.

That covers the final six games. I think it's fair to say that, on their own, they don't tell us much about Heath James.

The first five games are very interesting. The first four saw him playing key roles in defence. In those games, he averaged 16 possessions (lots of clearances in that lot) and 5 marks, was not beaten by an opponent and gathered 5 Troy Luff Medal votes.

In round 5, he was played against David Neitz. Surprise, surprise, he got beaten on the night by an experience superstar from a team that was winning in the midfield. He got beaten ONCE, and since then, hasn't been given the opportunity to show that it was an aberration against a tough opponent.

How on earth does that suggest that he had an 'extremely poor' season?!?

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Charlie
He played 11 games.

One of those can be ruled out as worth looking at immediately - the Essendon game in round 6. He was given about 10 minutes game time in that match, with no apparent reason.

In round 7 and 8, he was overlooked for key defensive posts. You can't prove yourself when you're not given the opportunity.

Against St Kilda he played only a small part of the match, and what time he did get were spent in the forward line. How can you learn the art of full-back if you're being used as a pinch-hitter in attack?

He didn't do much against Port Adelaide - he had nine touches - but who did? Against Brisbane in round 18 he was put in as a fill-in, not given much opportunity to re-establish himself in the 22 and dropped the next week. That return to the side did nobody any favours, because even when he was put back in the side he wasn't given a real chance to show that he belonged there.

That covers the final six games. I think it's fair to say that, on their own, they don't tell us much about Heath James.

The first five games are very interesting. The first four saw him playing key roles in defence. In those games, he averaged 16 possessions (lots of clearances in that lot) and 5 marks, was not beaten by an opponent and gathered 5 Troy Luff Medal votes.

In round 5, he was played against David Neitz. Surprise, surprise, he got beaten on the night by an experience superstar from a team that was winning in the midfield. He got beaten ONCE, and since then, hasn't been given the opportunity to show that it was an aberration against a tough opponent.

How on earth does that suggest that he had an 'extremely poor' season?!?

You forgot the Westcoast game where he was smashed.
If Heath was coming on so strong why havent the coaching staff been playing him? as much as you put faith into the stats my faith lays with the coaching staff and they didnt play him end of storey.

[NMWBloods]

I thought the weakest game for James was the West Coast one. He also looked slow against Brisbane.

[Rod_]

I still haven't seen any proof yet....

Rod_

Not happy if true - i consider that either player has potential.....

Only concern is what position to play either of them?

[Charlie]

Dpw - you tell me... why didn't they play him? I don't understand it. He CAN'T show what he can offer the team in a position if he isn't played in it. The coaches put him in the team, then sit him on the pine for most of the match and wonder why he doesn't do much?

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Charlie
Dpw - you tell me... why didn't they play him? I don't understand it. He CAN'T show what he can offer the team in a position if he isn't played in it. The coaches put him in the team, then sit him on the pine for most of the match and wonder why he doesn't do much?

Charlie, as his No 1 Fan can you tell me (and this is not just to get under your skin, it is a bona fide question) why do you like HJ so much and what do you think he has to offer us other than size ?

[Charlie]

I don't rate Heath James as a favourite player any more than the rest of them... I haven't had a favourite since PK.

Simply, what I saw of him in the first four rounds led me to think that he has a lot to offer the team over the next few years. He fills a hole - he's not a superstar but he's capable, and whether or not he's 18 or 24 doesn't come into it.

I may be wrong. If so, I'll wear it... but I want James to be given the opportunity to show whether or not I'm right.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Charlie
I don't rate Heath James as a favourite player any more than the rest of them... I haven't had a favourite since PK.

Simply, what I saw of him in the first four rounds led me to think that he has a lot to offer the team over the next few years. He fills a hole - he's not a superstar but he's capable, and whether or not he's 18 or 24 doesn't come into it.

I may be wrong. If so, I'll wear it... but I want James to be given the opportunity to show whether or not I'm right.

I might be wrong too but I think the club may consider him to have had his chance...

FWIW I thought he looked like he was trying way too hard at the start of the year. Or that he was anxious to show how hard he was trying. He did not look at all relaxed or to be enjoying himself. Which is all understandable. I wonder what/if the club had told him they expected from him this year and/or if he thought that this was his last year to make a go of it...

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Charlie
Dpw - you tell me... why didn't they play him? I don't understand it. He CAN'T show what he can offer the team in a position if he isn't played in it. The coaches put him in the team, then sit him on the pine for most of the match and wonder why he doesn't do much?

Because they dont believe what he has to offer is good enough or what they require during the match is why he is benched, when you are on the fringe you have to make every post a winner like Bevan unfortnuately James did not aganist the Eagles he started on the ground opposed by Lynch or Jackovich and was swapped onto the other both times both players beat him in the air,on the ground and for speed had he been beating these guys he would of stayed on the ground and given a chance to prove himself unfortunatley he did not and after that game I believe he was dropped they obviously lost faith in him as did I. Thats not to say he cant win it back.

[Charlie]

Well - I guess that's the point where we just have to agree to disagree.

I don't think he's had the opportunity, you have. Pretty irreconciliable positions. Fair enough.

[swans_fan6]

This is substantiated and although it may not be in the papers, it is true. James has been given ample opportunity to prove himself and it hasn't happened. Thewlis has just turned 20 and has only had two games, I do not believe they gave him a chance. He was drafted with Dempster, Malceski and McVeigh and is the only one of two to have played a senior game. They would not have given him a game if they didn't think he could stand up to it so why delist him when they have not even really given him a chance to prove himself. I feel sorry for the young kid.

[Dpw]

Originally posted by Charlie
Well - I guess that's the point where we just have to agree to disagree.

I don't think he's had the opportunity, you have. Pretty irreconciliable positions. Fair enough.

Agreed.

[OldE]

Originally posted by swans_fan6
This is substantiated and although it may not be in the papers, it is true.

It's pointless to keep getting on and saying "It's true! It's true!". It may very well be true, but unless you can tell HOW you know it's true, there will still be doubt. So either tell HOW you know (and I understand sometimes one may not be in a position to share that information) or accept that some people aren't going to believe you.

Erin