Sam Power

[bulldogtragic]

I'm interested to hear the toughts on my man Sam. A bigger fan of his i'd like to know, i've always had faith that Sam would come good. On bigfooty i'll again run the "another Sam Power game, another win" thread.

Despite what i consider a break out year, many dont have him in our top 25 and still underrate him, often criticising his kicking skills. But look closely at his game, this ungamely looking kicks are almost always to advantge.

Last year he took his fair share of hits and geez does he have the fastest hands in the team, often just firing out the hands while opponents take him out. Which is not only a skillful way to have opponents not follow the pill, but very courageous. Also his ability to play tall and small and both outmark and outrun various opponents makes him very dangerous, and the Essendon game (first quarter in particular) showed his ability to not only kick goals but set up the play from the chf line.

I'm going to lay out my support from the outset of 2007, as i've done every other year so i'm not labelled a bandwagoner. I'm interested in where you see him, in the side, list and development.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I'm a converted fan of Power's, he really stood up in the second half of the season and particuarly in those last 5 or 6 games.

He looked brother-esque in the Adelaide & Dons games, where his reading of the play off a HFF was superb. His foot skills have improved a lot, as has his decision making which used to be poor. He still needs to carry the ball more for my liking, BUT, he has turned the corner I think.

Bigger body as the training reports suggest will help him a lot more. His body positioning and body work was really good in those last few games so added weight will only help him improve more in this area. His versatility is a big plus for the side and it'll have him in favour when the selectors are trying to pick a side. He's capable of playing backline, wing but also on a HFF where I think is his best position. He's a natural "assister" much like his brother. He's a smart Footballer now, as evident by the Essendon game alone with his precise kicking and movement.

IMO he'll play 15+ games. Somebody with that versatility but effect can't be left on the sidelines. He can play on talls & smalls too with his height, and with added bulk, that further strengthens the cause. As his confidence rises he'll only develop into a better player. Needs to carry the ball as I said, but he seems to be well on the way.

I just think he moved and delivered exactly like his brother in the last few games. No reason why he won't improve, and thus, no reason why he can't be a regular player in our side.

[Twodogs]

The thing I noticed about Sam in his first preseason was his hands. His disposal by hand, including instinctivley just knowing what the best option was, was outstanding. He just seemed to take a while to find his radar at senior level.


Has been a standout at several sessions I have seen this year. His tackling has been ferocious.

[Dry Rot]

OK, so where do you play him? HFF?

[bulldogtragic]

OK, so where do you play him? HFF?

Where ever is the answer. He can play back and runs the winds hard too, but is most dangerous around the hff and could run on the ball. His versatility could mean he starts anywhere, or a perfecet bench player who with multi-position ability, with height, speed and strength now.

[Dry Rot]

So how would you rate a HF line of Murphy, McDougall and Power? Where does Guido play?

[bulldogtragic]

So how would you rate a HF line of Murphy, McDougall and Power? Where does Guido play?

Rotates out of the pocket with Aker.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I would think Power would start on the bench but come on to play at a HFF, unless needed in the backline. He'd probably relieve Gia - or for the first part, perhaps even Murphy to ease Bobby into the games.

His 'speciality' thus far would be setting up goals from a HFF, so I think he'd interchange well with Gia. He will probably be a bit of a "fill the gap" type of player, somewhat like Smith, coming off the bench and playing where he's needed but as a preference, I would think he'd certainly move to the HFF first.

[bornadog]

There are two things I don't like about Sam:

Firsty, he doesn't go in hard enough at the ball. I have seen him many times a bit scared to get hurt. Maybe with the extra muscle he will gain some confidence.

and secondly, his disposal is atrocious for some one that can really kick a ball when he has to. He often does some silly chips and silly handpasses that put others under pressure. Its like he wants to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible and not allowing himself time to think about what he is doing.

[Dry Rot]

There are two things I don't like about Sam:

Firsty, he doesn't go in hard enough at the ball. I have seen him many times a bit scared to get hurt. Maybe with the extra muscle he will gain some confidence.

and secondly, his disposal is atrocious for some one that can really kick a ball when he has to. He often does some silly chips and silly handpasses that put others under pressure. Its like he wants to get rid of the ball as quickly as possible and not allowing himself time to think about what he is doing.

Re #1, optimists at training would claim that he is getting over this.

Re #2, the old vision thing. Again from training reports, some claim likewise that Faulkner can get the pill, but can't dispose of it.

[Go_Dogs]

I also think Power is in for a big year. I was one who last year was almost writing him off at stages, but he has really grown into a solid player. His versatility will be paramount to him retaining a spot in the side, and I feel he will be able to play a number of roles to good effect. Like a lot of players, it's going to be hard to get opportunities this year, so when they arise for Sam, he has to really grab them with both hands. I think he will start in our best 22, at least for the first part of the season.

[BulldogBelle]

I am also of the opinion that Sam Power will significantly further improve this season and is in for a big year. He has steadily over the years gained more momentum and confidence in his abilities under Rhode. Looking forward to watching him play.

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

Re #1, optimists at training would claim that he is getting over this.

Re #2, the old vision thing. Again from training reports, some claim likewise that Faulkner can get the pill, but can't dispose of it.

DR as one of the eternal optimists (albeit one who hasn't seen Sam at traning) you write of, I reckon that by years end Sam will have made you a believer
I posted at the beginning of 2006 on BF that I thought he would have a break out year in 2006... I was wrong but there were some really good signs that he was becoming a valuble part of the team by seasons end.
I thought he had shown impressive improvements both in his disposal and awareness on the field.
He looked alot more assured and confident in contests as well but I think his game would benefit further still from some more upper body strength.

[Dry Rot]

Agree that strength and confidence are what Power needs, and the two are linked.

Sounds like he has the former now (or getting there) and hopefully the latter will follow with some serious game time early in the season.

[LostDoggy]

I think Power is a bench player capable of playing a number of roles for us. Very happy to see him training well and I certainly have him in my best 22.