2021 VFL discussion thread

[mcs]

Great analysis by the Runner. I agree with most but still not convinced Ling is up to AFL standard. I also thought Sam Gray played his best game for us and maybe a chance for promotion next week.

Yeh I didn't rate Ling's game particualrly highly either yesterday. The commentary team wanted to suggest almost every player on the ground on both sides had 'great games' lol, but I felt he was a touch disappointing again, and I don't think is that close to seniors selection at this point (barring injuries). Had some good moments, but also significant periods where he didn't do a whole lot either.

- - - Updated - - -

Geelong are a very good side, with a lot of AFL experienced players, both listed and former. Including Thurlow.

McAndrew - a good tap ruck but thrown around by the experienced Fort and didn't compete enough at ground level post contest. Did some ok things around the ground

Fox - provided great run, looked a level above. Great depth player

Gould - very good against a bigger opponent in Ratagulea early. He's really knocking. Leader of the backline

Amartey - just isn't a good forward and not much around the ground. Not going to be the player we're looking for

Sheather - great project player. We'll see him in the seniors eventually, probably not til next year

Ling - looks ready. The type of player who will look even better at a higher level. Time to get games in to him

Campbell - high energy. Tried to do a bit too much at times, but definitely a level above. Played a lot on ball then across half back. Will be back soon

Carruthers - long term project, but he looks a great half back flank prospect. Clean hands, good user and reads the flight well

McDonald - didn't stand out at all. Looked like tough conditions for a tall forward with a lot of wind. Some good second efforts at ground level, but didn't see much of that high work rate, long leads we saw in the WAFL.

Bell - really tries, but just doesn't have that dominant trait to set him apart

Blakey - clearly the best user in the team. But he needs to find a new level of workrate. Looks like he's always just off a contest. But still looked very good playing through the middle. Did some rucking, I would not persist.

McCartin - seemed to go down early with a hand injury

Good analysis - I really liked Sheather yesterday, had some genuinely good moments. Appears to have a decent footy brain and will develop nicely.

Thought Fox had a great game too, and was impressed by McAndrew considering how raw he still is even at this level.

[bloodspirit]

Geelong are a very good side, with a lot of AFL experienced players, both listed and former. Including Thurlow.

McAndrew - a good tap ruck but thrown around by the experienced Fort and didn't compete enough at ground level post contest. Did some ok things around the ground

Fox - provided great run, looked a level above. Great depth player

Gould - very good against a bigger opponent in Ratagulea early. He's really knocking. Leader of the backline

Amartey - just isn't a good forward and not much around the ground. Not going to be the player we're looking for

Sheather - great project player. We'll see him in the seniors eventually, probably not til next year

Ling - looks ready. The type of player who will look even better at a higher level. Time to get games in to him

Campbell - high energy. Tried to do a bit too much at times, but definitely a level above. Played a lot on ball then across half back. Will be back soon

Carruthers - long term project, but he looks a great half back flank prospect. Clean hands, good user and reads the flight well

McDonald - didn't stand out at all. Looked like tough conditions for a tall forward with a lot of wind. Some good second efforts at ground level, but didn't see much of that high work rate, long leads we saw in the WAFL.

Bell - really tries, but just doesn't have that dominant trait to set him apart

Blakey - clearly the best user in the team. But he needs to find a new level of workrate. Looks like he's always just off a contest. But still looked very good playing through the middle. Did some rucking, I would not persist.

McCartin - seemed to go down early with a hand injury

Thank you for sharing your analysis. Much appreciated. But am I right in thinking you watched on TV not at the ground?

[Aaron]

Next week can somebody give a score for those of us who can't see the game. Worse than the ABC radio. No score for the whole game.

You can check the results at Results for 2021 VFL Mens - GameDay . Good idea to bookmark it for future use.

[ugg]

You can check the results at Results for 2021 VFL Mens - GameDay . Good idea to bookmark it for future use.

Best players from that link

Best Players: R. Fox, M. Sheather, W. Gould, L. Taylor, K. Brand, S. Gray

[The Runner]

Thank you for sharing your analysis. Much appreciated. But am I right in thinking you watched on TV not at the ground?

Yeah it's on kayo for rewatching

[Ralph Dawg]

Best players from that link

Best Players: R. Fox, M. Sheather, W. Gould, L. Taylor, K. Brand, S. Gray

I'd agree with this lot as our best. Unfortunately, none really smashed down the door for senior selection.

Fox was good, certainly full of running but his disposal was a bit hit and miss. Will definitely be better for the run and won't let anyone down in our firsts.

Gould was solid. I don't think he is going to be a prolific posession winner but he did well on Ratugolea and did seem to be the leader down back. If Rampe and Melican are not right, Will would not look out of place in the ones. I think there is alot more upside to him than Brand.

Campbell and Blakey both looked like they are way too talented for reserves at times. But both lacked consistency and I would prefer them to tear up a game of VFL before being selected in the AFL, unless required by injury.

Sqizzy has been great in the VFL. I'd like to see him get another chance at the AFL.

[Rod_]

Whoops

AFL news 2021: Paddy McCartin hit, VFL match, Aaron Black, video, king hit, suspension, concussion, sanction

[Aprilbr]

This is disappointing news! He may have just blown his chance of being picked up in the mid-season draft.

[stevoswan]

Whoops

AFL news 2021: Paddy McCartin hit, VFL match, Aaron Black, video, king hit, suspension, concussion, sanction

It doesn't look good but I'd hardly call it 'sickening'. Yet more rabid reporting if you ask me. He'll miss a couple for that but the Swans should counsel him and find out why he appears so hot headed at the start of a game. Was his head in the right space to play?

As for the mid season draft.....any decision should take into account not just his form on his return after suspension but also the results of the above assessment. As it stands, I still hope he is in the frame to be added to the main list.

[mcs]

Wonder if there is a bit of previous history from AFL days between the two - seemed a pretty serious reaction so early in a game?

[TheBloods]

What a @@@@@@@ idiot ! Dog act

[Markwebbos]

It's not a great look that two Swans players now have hand injuries after punching an opponent. (I weasel worded that so as not to directly connect Paddy's hand injury to that huge punch he threw).

[stevoswan]

This is fun.

All 14 Swans Goals - Swans vs Geelong Highlights R7 2021 - YouTube

- - - Updated - - -

What a @@@@@@@ idiot ! Dog act

Seriously glad you are not a judge.

- - - Updated - - -

It's not a great look that two Swans players now have hand injuries after punching an opponent. (I weasel worded that so as not to directly connect Paddy's hand injury to that huge punch he threw).

Good.....because he apparently had it broken in a marking contest.

[aardvark]

What a @@@@@@@ idiot ! Dog act

Yep, you're right. Black should get done for acting. Paddy missed by a mile. What a dog act!

[bloodspirit]

Very disappointing and disturbing act by Paddy. Can you imagine how we would have felt if it were the other way around given Paddy's concussion history? I would have been appalled. Unacceptable and concerning. I expect him to cop whatever punishment he has coming to him without complaint. Given the injury seems to be much less serious than with Gaff/Brayshaw, I would expect the punishment to be significantly less - but that's just luck that has saved him.

I think he will have done his chances at mid-season draft, whatever they've been, real harm, even if he gets only a couple of weeks suspension. (What does intentional/head high/medium impact (which is generous) get? What if it's high impact?) It's good that he's got Tom close by. While my sympathy lies with Aaron Black, I am also concerned for Paddy's mental health after this incident.

I agree with stevo that it is important to inquire why he acted with so little discipline. One possibility that comes to mind is that he has been impacted by the many concussions he has suffered. It is common for people with acquired brain injuries to be impulsive and reactive.

The problem for us is that, if we are interested in drafting Paddy, we don't want to miss a chance to get him relatively cheaply. If we wait until the end of the year, we may have to spend an ND pick on him. On the other hand, we have been prepared to take that risk until now so no reason we won't continue our restrained/patient approach, despite the fact we could really use a quality KPP.