AJ Watch

[Dosser]

Brett deludio had a 20 possy game in the giants 2's, came in and is averaging about 7 in the seniors... But he has lift the team 3 fold.

Great idea, Barry. We can spread inspirational people around the ground instead of players in form. Personally, I would love to have seen Parker kicking to the Dalai Lama on the lead out of the goal square but it may not happen.

[barry]

There is a school of thought that we are saving him for the grand final after an internal review came to the conclusion that we lost last year by being weak at the selection table in not playing Reid.

But I say, why wait?

[stevoswan]

There is a school of thought that we are saving him for the grand final after an internal review came to the conclusion that we lost last year by being weak at the selection table in not playing Reid.

But I say, why wait?

Yes.....it would make a great movie and in Hollywood he'd play great, we'd win, he would lift the cup and we'd all cry tears of joy but in reality it could be he plays @@@@e, does his knee again, we lose, he never plays again and the footy world laughs at us for being sentimental instead of serious for the biggest game of the year and blowing it! AJ back in the seniors this year.......to paraphrase Darryl Kerrigan....."Tell Barry he's dreaming".

[707]

Thanks for the laugh Barry. Done well to be playing ressies again. Will have a break after winning a NEAFL flag and get a full pre season in.

Will be in the mix for 2018 not before.

[goswannies]

I'd bring him in against the crows if Newman doesn't get up.

That's a joke, right? Surely?

[barry]

You can do a knee just as easy in the reserves as you can in the seniors.

[mattybloods]

Based on form he's not ready for senior footy yet, why the rush?

[graemed]

If we were selecting strictly on form in the Reserves, which we won't but still: Allir was the dominant player and would be an ideal replacement for Newman. He rucked for most of the game and roamed through the arcs, timing for marks was a little off but looked the best he has this year. Like for like Marsh better than AJ.

[penga]

No one will be rested in R23. We have a bye the week after.

We arguably have a bye in week 23 as well.

This season really has been a cracker, across the league, hasn't it. No need for 17-5 when the draft has been fair again for a few years, excepting a few outliers.

[barry]

Based on form he's not ready for senior footy yet, why the rush?

Because he's a gun. And Dawson sites form in reserves is not an indication of selection.

Do yourself a favour and go watch the 2012 final series.

[liz]

Because he's a gun. And Dawson sites form in reserves is not an indication of selection.

Do yourself a favour and go watch the 2012 final series.

Do yourself a favour and actually watch some reserves footy, and see a bloke who's missed four and a half years of footy, is labouring somewhat, and isn't displaying the pace and agility of the bloke who played in the 2012 grand final. Hopefully he'll get back somewhere close with another pre-season (though I suspect he won't entirely regain his pace) and push his way into contention - on pure football merit, not sympathy or memory for what once was - during 2018.

[Swansongster]

Am I the only one that sees Barry's tongue firmly planted against the wall of his cheek? He's taking the piss, guys.

[barry]

It was a joke comment, but the more I think about it....

Just track the trajectory. From first tentative game to 21 touches. Continue on this and he'll be ready before the season is out.
His recovery is mostly mental. One day it will just click.

[707]

It was a joke comment, but the more I think about it....

Just track the trajectory. From first tentative game to 21 touches. Continue on this and he'll be ready before the season is out.
His recovery is mostly mental. One day it will just click.

I'm a big supporter of AJ but at present he's got a few in the queue before him. Hopefully sees out the rest of the year well, gets a break then gets a full pre season. Next year will be the right time for AJ to press his claims.

Have we confirmed his contract status for 2018?

[swansrob]

Have we confirmed his contract status for 2018?

Last thing I remember hearing was a one year contract for 2017. I see no reason he won't be offered another couple of years at the end of the season, but understand the club being cautious and making sure he gets through unscathed first