Are we average bears?

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
If we can nab Earl Shaw and Ed Clarke from this draft/rookie draft
then i will be a very happy chappy. They worked superbly in tandem for the Rams. Could be a great investment for the future.

Wouldn't be surprised to end up with both. Earl Shaw could make the rookie draft, but alot of clubs want ruckmen, so he could be taken in the draft, so if we really want him we might have to grab him early. Ed Clarke, looks certain to end up on our rookie list and I will be very happy if that happens. Also a chance we could end up with Troy Bartlett, who seems to be the best kid from NSW according to some people.

Get 1 of those 3 and I'll be happy
Get 2 of those 3 and I'll be very happy
Get all 3 and I'll be doing Cartwheels down the South Eastern Freeway.

[Mark]

Originally posted by robbieando
Get 1 of those 3 and I'll be happy
Get 2 of those 3 and I'll be very happy
Get all 3 and I'll be doing Cartwheels down the South Eastern Freeway.

Please dont, the pothole situation is bad enough as it is !

[ScottH]

This is what Roos is looking for in thge draft:-

"Tim: What type of player is your priority in the draft, despite your first selection being quite late?

Roosy: Ideally we would like to get a taller, bigger player if one is available."

From Ask Roosy

[robbieando]

Originally posted by ScottH
This is what Roos is looking for in thge draft:-

"Tim: What type of player is your priority in the draft, despite your first selection being quite late?

Roosy: Ideally we would like to get a taller, bigger player if one is available."

From Ask Roosy

ie. James Podsiadly

Beat Nathan Thompson and Sav Rocca at VFL level as a KP defender and as a KP forward kicked 10 goals in a match. Can't go on the rookie list because of his age, but the fact he is training with us, tells you that he certainly is under consideration for the last pick in the draft.

[sharpie]

How old is this guy?

[robbieando]

Originally posted by sharpie
How old is this guy?

23

[dimelb]

Originally posted by liz

I'd like to see ... one slightly older key defender cum forward, who can at least provide some back-up support next year.

Someone like Heath James?

[Charlie]

Originally posted by dimelb
Someone like Heath James?

Defies belief, doesn't it?

A 24 year old with 18 games experience, delisted with the likely replacement being a 23 year old Collingwood-reject with 0 games experience.

[liz]

Originally posted by dimelb
Someone like Heath James?

Nothing would delight me more. If his body is up to it I can't understand why they delisted him, other than because they had to delist a further 2 players. We need someone who can - at worst - fill in if Barry, B2 go down with a long term injury. I've seen nothing yet in Dempster, LRT or Powell to indicate they can do that next year.

The fact that he's been invited to pre-season training indicates that his body still has the potential for AFL left in it.

[Mark]

Originally posted by liz
Nothing would delight me more. If his body is up to it I can't understand why they delisted him, other than because they had to delist a further 2 players. We need someone who can - at worst - fill in if Barry, B2 go down with a long term injury. I've seen nothing yet in Dempster, LRT or Powell to indicate they can do that next year.

The fact that he's been invited to pre-season training indicates that his body still has the potential for AFL left in it.

Personally looking forward to both LRT and FOSDIKE being fit next year. LRT is very underestimated by most on this board, whereas Heath (who i actually like) is seen as some god like figure.

Fosdike is poss one of the most underestimated players, again on this board. His role is sorely misunderstood, he is often used to run opposition players into the ground due to his amazing aerobic ability (tank if you like). When fit watch how often he is either on his own or has an oppo midfielder desperately trying to get to him. He had a poor year last year, mainly due to injuries.

When fit he is V important to our midfield rotation.

[liz]

Originally posted by Mark
Personally looking forward to both LRT and FOSDIKE being fit next year. LRT is very underestimated by most on this board, whereas Heath (who i actually like) is seen as some god like figure.

I'm an LRT fan too - not suggesting he is an alternative to Jame, merely that if he is able to hold down a key defensive post next year it will represent a significant advance in his career, whereas James probably already has the physical maturity and experience (through having played far more Australian Rules football) to at least give it a stab.

Both James and LRT looked a class above any other Swans player last year in the reserves games.

Fosdike is poss one of the most underestimated players, again on this board. His role is sorely misunderstood, he is often used to run opposition players into the ground due to his amazing aerobic ability (tank if you like). When fit watch how often he is either on his own or has an oppo midfielder desperately trying to get to him. He had a poor year last year, mainly due to injuries.

When fit he is V important to our midfield rotation.

Pretty much agree there too - though arguably there are more alternatives to play a midfield role were Fosdike to be injured again.

[swansrule100]

Originally posted by Charlie
Defies belief, doesn't it?

A 24 year old with 18 games experience, delisted with the likely replacement being a 23 year old Collingwood-reject with 0 games experience.

guess it was his injuries though

but geez he could play when he fired

[Destructive]

Tall defender.

[sharp9]

Now about Fosdike....here's my humble opinion.

He is a player who rested WAAAAAY too much on his laurels.

Both 2003 and early this year I was one of those making noises about the fact that certain parts of his game were CONSISTENTLY not good enough and no progress was being made. In particular he is spectacularly poor in close. Has one of the worst clearance records in the league even though he has a great tank and is a reasonable size. He is terrible at reading the fall of the ball and, what is much worse, probably has the worst hands of any 100 game midfielder currently in the competition. He is known as "Fumbling Fosdike" for a reason. I analysed a few games very closely this year and last. There was one game where Fossy fumbled FIVE TIMES IN A ROW when given first use of the ball. On three of those occasions the other team won clean possession and on the other two he retrieved the ball but there was another ball up. His clearance stats for the match were 0. Should have been at least 5. Not good enough.

Yet, when he was coming up to his 100th game he spoke with all the suave assurance of Lenny Hayes or Luke Hodge about his position in the midfield. I had alarm bells going off right there that he was not on top of where he was at. Interresting that in contrast, Jude is pretty up front about where he sits and where he wants to be and the the factors that have to be improved to make that leap.

On the positives for Fosdike. He has played 100 games. valuable experience. He has been dropped. He has been injured. He has been offerred to every club in the league for nothing and no one else wanted him....a 100 game 24 year old, if you don't mind. So it's not exactly Nick Stevens.

Therefore, it is not possible that he is complacent now. Surely this pre season he will show what he is really capable of. Hopefully for the team it is a step up.

His best is very good. When he doesn't fumble his vision and pace are good. His goal sneaking is good. His delivery of half and three quarter distance flat passes to the chest of forwards is the best in the team....far better than Willo or Maxi or Jude.

In conclusion there is reason for optimism but this year is his last chance. He does not have the inside muscle of Bolton, Ablett or Kirk, nor the silky skills of McVeigh, Williams, Davis, Buchanan, Schneider, Kennelly or Willoughby. It's time for him to choose.

[stellation]

I like Fosdike and I like the idea of being able to afford to have both he and McVeigh as supertank midfielders running opponents into the ground. Of course, they might just switch their opponents from time to time so they get a rest and don't get run into the ground and we can't really afford it, but I like the idea!