Welcome to the Bulldogs - Lewis Young

[bornadog]

What I loved is how he didn't rush his possessions, making sure he chose the right option and hitting his target. Also loved how he frees his arms to get a handball away although he's going to get pinged occasionally with that light frame.

Bevo said on Saturday morning, Lewis knows how to play the Bulldog defensive game and he was confident he would do well.

[bulldogtragic]

He's a bit proppy and hesitant when he's got space. If he improves his kicking and adds some weight he will be a nice fit for us.

You'd hope there's a lot, lot more of upside still. I found this grab in a SA paper last year, to support what we all know:

"A late bloomer after focusing more on basketball — he played at under-16 State level — than football until last year, Young’s blistering speed and athleticism for his height has clubs excited by his potential."

So he's focussed on footy solely for just 18 months. The mind boggles about what 2-3-4 years of AFL development will do. I mean if you curve charted him from switching focus to basketball, to getting a champs game, to combine, to draftee, to VFL to his debut the chart is going sharply upwards. Very much the 'Dalrymple Patent' of going for guys curving upwards later.

[bulldogtragic]

Bevo said on Saturday morning, Lewis knows how to play the Bulldog defensive game and he was confident he would do well.

I now want to see him forward, where he played as a junior. With moves and hands like that, in a 197cm athletic freak, I could live with him forward. Maybe Lever can go in defence next year, and Young up forward...

[Hotdog60]

I now want to see him forward, where he played as a junior. With moves and hands like that, in a 197cm athletic freak, I could live with him forward. Maybe Lever can go in defence next year, and Young up forward...

With Wood to come back in and Stringer out that may well happen.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

One of the knocks on Lewis in his pre draft bio was his kicking. He was great today in the air and looked ok in general play by foot. Have VFL watchers out there any insight into his improvement in this area?

[westdog54]

That's a great debut. I loved watching him get in Casboult's face after he missed that gimme in the last.

[kruder]

I now want to see him forward, where he played as a junior. With moves and hands like that, in a 197cm athletic freak, I could live with him forward. Maybe Lever can go in defence next year, and Young up forward...

Let the kid settle in a position first surely?

[The bulldog tragician]

Wow!! So impressive. Really loved the way he set himself for the specky too.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We already know the Rising Star award is a crock....if Young doesn't win a nomination this week...we can seal that adjudication in A grade cow manure.

[bulldogtragic]

Let the kid settle in a position first surely?

I didn't say this week, but I'd like to with his playing history. But as far as I can read about him, the only time he's played in defence was in VFL games this year. He seems to have always been a forward and was recruited as one. So he's not learning a new craft if he was thrown forward. That he might be able to play multiple KPP roles is exciting to me.

[SquirrelGrip]

Loved the long sleeve jumper....

[bulldogtragic]

Loved the long sleeve jumper....

Me too. Luke Hodge said he especially loved that he was wearing two jumpers (either above or under), so the kid could sell them for twice as much. Hodge mentioned he put a new jumper on in each quarter in his 300th so he's got 4 worn 300th game jumpers to sell. Modern players certainly know how to work the system.

[boydogs]

He conceded a few goals early but I love how quickly he settled in and backed himself. Very composed with ball in hand, evasive and gets the handball off when tackled. Very sticky hands

[EasternWest]

He conceded a few goals early but I love how quickly he settled in and backed himself. Very composed with ball in hand, evasive and gets the handball off when tackled. Very sticky hands

I liked the way his errors didn't seem to weigh on him. Very mature.

[bornadog]

I now want to see him forward, where he played as a junior. With moves and hands like that, in a 197cm athletic freak, I could live with him forward. Maybe Lever can go in defence next year, and Young up forward...

Sorry BT, we are crying out for a good solid backman that can play. I would like to see him stay back at this stage and get used to defending.