Great expectations

[Blood Fever]

Not one I had thought of but not a bad idea, with his pace and tackling Ronke could turn into valuable small defender.

Risky kicking could lead to too many turnovers.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Great expectations

I was not a fan of Florent mainly because playing on a wing, you must be able to win or at least not lose one-on-one marking contests. Too often he lost.
When he was starting off the half back line he seemed to gain confidence, it also allowed him to use his pace to link up and he does have good disposal skills.

At training, he was starting in the back pocket and being released into the midfield. They were talking to him a lot about getting forward and back so maybe some concerns about his tank.

I always thought Florent possessed elite endurance ? I just checked his combine results and yes , he does. No tank issues for Oli.


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[dimelb]

I always imagined Knolls fitness / weight was an issue and they are aiming to improve his ability to get off the ground.

I assume you are referring to his capacity to jump!

[Markwebbos]

Have we forgotten Florent's obvious improvement in the latter part of the season when he went into the guts.

In 3 of the last 4 rounds this year he had 28, 29, 28 around 40% contested and a handful of clearances each time.

I assume he’ll play as a genuine onballer in 2020.

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I assume you are referring to his capacity to jump!

Yes it was limited I believe.

[stevoswan]

I assume you are referring to his capacity to jump!

Yes it was limited I believe.

Which is weird, as Knoll was a basketballer.....and they can usually jump pretty well.

[graemed]

I always thought Florent possessed elite endurance ? I just checked his combine results and yes , he does. No tank issues for Oli.


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That’s good to hear, perhaps the talk directed at him was more about encouragement and disciplined running both ways.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I assume you are referring to his capacity to jump!

Yep

Which is weird, as Knoll was a basketballer.....and they can usually jump pretty well.

Maybe White Men Can't Jump (1992)

[MattW]

Which is weird, as Knoll was a basketballer.....and they can usually jump pretty well.

Not all basketballers need to jump: Boban Marjanovic Dunks It Without Jump -06.10.2018- |2018-19 Preseason| - YouTube.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

The race to replace captain Gumby

Stoddart and Ling need to show something this year - both are quite similar physically and the way they play, and I think their contracts are up at the end of this season. I don't mean 18 bog's in the firsts or anything ridiculous. Mcinerney was drafted a year behind them, but his contract has been extended, presumably on the back of his performances in the 2's (rather than 1st's).

All of which shows there is tangible reward available for effort, but also competition for those rewards.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

It will be interesting to see what happens with last year bargain basement buys, Clarke and Thurlow. Do either get another crack at the firsts (if performance warrants) or have their cards been marked - and if so why are they still on the list?

[dejavoodoo44]

It will be interesting to see what happens with last year bargain basement buys, Clarke and Thurlow. Do either get another crack at the firsts (if performance warrants) or have their cards been marked - and if so why are they still on the list?

I was actually quite pleased with Clarke: though more as a tagger, rather than as somebody who is going to impress with their skills. A good wholehearted player, who will reliably fill his role. Thurlow disappointed me, though. I thought that he would add a bit of class to our backline, but he only looked just okay. Then after being dropped back to the NEAFL, I thought he would look a class above and make a case for a recall. However, he only looked just okay at NEAFL level. If he was carrying an injury, then maybe we'll see improvement. If he wasn't, I don't really see him earning a new contract.

[KSAS]

I was actually quite pleased with Clarke: though more as a tagger, rather than as somebody who is going to impress with their skills. A good wholehearted player, who will reliably fill his role. Thurlow disappointed me, though. I thought that he would add a bit of class to our backline, but he only looked just okay. Then after being dropped back to the NEAFL, I thought he would look a class above and make a case for a recall. However, he only looked just okay at NEAFL level. If he was carrying an injury, then maybe we'll see improvement. If he wasn't, I don't really see him earning a new contract.

+1

I really hope Ling finally gets on the park & gets a crack in the seniors, because I remember KB giving him a glowing reference when he was drafted with our first pick. Same with Stottard. Just like to see both these players get to play some senior footy before any decision is made at end of next season. Gotta feel for young players knowing they're likely on their last chance to impress. It's tough.

[bloodspirit]

Not all basketballers need to jump: Boban Marjanovic Dunks It Without Jump -06.10.2018- |2018-19 Preseason| - YouTube.

Wow. Apparently Boban is 224 cm!! I like the bemused look of the small tall guy next to him just after he 'dunks' it.

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Is Boban available? I reckon he'd be worth a Cat B rookie spot and could potentially solve our ruck problems.

[Blood Fever]

+1

I really hope Ling finally gets on the park & gets a crack in the seniors, because I remember KB giving him a glowing reference when he was drafted with our first pick. Same with Stottard. Just like to see both these players get to play some senior footy before any decision is made at end of next season. Gotta feel for young players knowing they're likely on their last chance to impress. It's tough.

Stoddard and COR likely to get first crack at half back. McInerney should be breathing down their neck. Hopefully Ling is doing the same later in the year.

[dejavoodoo44]

+1

I really hope Ling finally gets on the park & gets a crack in the seniors, because I remember KB giving him a glowing reference when he was drafted with our first pick. Same with Stottard. Just like to see both these players get to play some senior footy before any decision is made at end of next season. Gotta feel for young players knowing they're likely on their last chance to impress. It's tough.

Yes, I'm feeling reasonably confident about both Ling and Stoddart. Though with Ling, it's more on just glimpses of high potential, rather than than the consistently impressive NEAFL form of Stoddart. Apparently Stoddart is also looking a little less scrawny this season, which should help him. Though that might be just because he's had a haircut?