Craig Bird- Rising star

[wedge.maverick]

Is it just me or do you guys also wonder why Craig Bird is never mentioned when experts-commentators talk about possible rising star nominations.
He's done a wonderful job to hold his spot in a top 4 side for all bar 1 game this year. I'm hoping that both he and Veszpremi get nominated before the year is out.
Also what are the chances that Currie replaces Everitt at some stage this year.

[wedge.maverick]

It looks as if it is just me.

[Lohengrin]

He's going okay (but with lots of potential) but there are probably lots of other juniors going okay too and only a few who really stand out.

[31 hard at it]

Bird has been a gradual improver each week.

He has not done enough in a game to be seen as a rising star.
He hasn't taken a game on .. even for a burst.
Just a few nice moves and getting the pace.
He will need to step up to be an elite midfielder.

The standard today is very high

[eggbeater]

Very workmanlike without anything too flash as far as first year players go.

As a result, probably won't get a nomination. But here's hoping.

[shaun..]

I think Vez will get a rising nod before Bird, absolutely love the bloke.. looks like an animal when chasing though.. scary for the opposition

[Legs Akimbo]

Bird has been a gradual improver each week.

He has not done enough in a game to be seen as a rising star.
He hasn't taken a game on .. even for a burst.
Just a few nice moves and getting the pace.
He will need to step up to be an elite midfielder.

The standard today is very high

...and yet I am confident that Bird will one day be accounted as amongst the best of his cohort. As a 19 year old in his first year of AFL, I think his performance has been outstanding.

The Rising Star is no sure guide to future performance. Just ask Daniel Pearce.

[smasher]

Griggs from Carlton snared it this week.He apparantly had a blinder.

[satchmopugdog]

The players that get the Rising Star nominations tend to have a bit of flashiness about them, or, as my father would say,"All fur coat and no knickers"

Having just watched the Freo game again(and again) I am amazed by what Bird does. It is the opposite of the above syndrome. He does amazing work in the packs, a bit of a body shift here,a block there,a run through to collect the ball or block the opposition or a handball to space or out into the open. For a 19 year old to be able to think like that in the heat of the packs in the Swans style of play is worth more than a rising star nomination.

No fur coat for that boy.

[DST]

Don't fret, he will be nominated before years end.

Won't win it, but doesn't mean he won't end up being a 250 game player and one of our most loved players to pull on a red and white jumper.

Just needs time to get the required fitness and adjust to playing at AFL tempo, but what he shown so far points to elite status by the time he is finished.

DST

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I think Bird will turn out to be better than a large portion of the nominees this year, so I'm not too concerned whether he gets nominated or not.

He's a footballer becoming an athlete, instead of the other way around. I'd rather that over the Trent Croad recipe for success. Along with Vez and Schmidt, he has one of the best football brains amongst the young players.

[ShockOfHair]

I agree -- he's not flashy, but incredibly cool. Always seems composed and rarely wastes a disposal. He acts like he's been playing for years.

[stellation]

How have other youngsters gone this round?

Could a solid season then 18 disposals against the best team in the land be enough for Craig this round?

[Jeffers1984]

Probably Morton or Daziell from the Lions will get it this round. Bird was pretty good though. That side step was quick.

[Mike_B]

How have other youngsters gone this round?

Could a solid season then 18 disposals against the best team in the land be enough for Craig this round?

Probably Morton or Daziell from the Lions will get it this round. Bird was pretty good though. That side step was quick.

Would agree with Jeffers about Dalziell or Morton, but Bird would hopefully get a gong in the last 2 rounds.

Nominees so far are:

01 - Houli (Ess)
02 - Hill (WBD)
03 - Palmer (Frem)
04 - Jack (Syd)
05 - McKinley (WCE)
06 - Rioli (Haw)
07 - Wonaeamirri (Melb)
08 - Tippett (Adel)
09 - Ibbotson (Frem)
10 - Brown (Coll)
11 - Kreuzer (Carl)
12 - Cotchin (Rich)
13 - Morton (Haw)
14 - Garland (Melb)
15 - Riewoldt (Rich)
16 - Reimers (Ess)
17 - Ebert (WCE)
18 - Urquhart (NM)
19 - Grigg (Carl)