Always Right Match Committee - Round 11 Vs Brisbane 2020

[bornadog]

Lewis Young had a much more impressive start to his career, playing the last 7 games of 2017, and quite well.

He then got 2 games in 2018 and 5 games in 2019. 1 this year.

15games in three and a half years. The last 8 have come in ones and twos, not enough to fit into the team.

Will he ever get to 20?

Gardner (good luck to him) seems blessed.

Good thing is Lewis is still only 21.

[Danjul]

Good thing is Lewis is still only 21.

That might help him get a better offer elsewhere. I hope someone on the payroll has been whispering good things in his ear, because he would be a significant loss.

[jeemak]

That might help him get a better offer elsewhere. I hope someone on the payroll has been whispering good things in his ear, because he would be a significant loss.

A significant loss to Footscray it seems!

[jeemak]

I can remember being impressed by Lewis Young in his first game. He had 20 possessions and took quite a few overhead marks. I thought “this kid is a real find “. He played then the way we desperately need someone to play now.

If he is training poorly and is unfit and can't get a kick in the scratch matches it is a shocking indictment on the coaches.

This thought should not be entering our heads in professional sports.

This squad is starting to look like where talent goes to die.

Possibly coaching is a contributor, though he'd probably have to take some responsibility for his own body as well, right?

[jazzadogs]

I think one of the reasons we struggle to pick our best 22 is because there is such minimal difference between players 15-40 on our list. Almost none of them are consistently at AFL standard and continue to move in and out of the squad as a reflection of this.

Young had a great first few games but has been remarkably inconsistent since then, across VFL and AFL.

I am surprised that Hayes hasn't played at all this year, while Greene has been limited by his injuries and form.

Gardner is still very young and inexperienced. He hasn't shown anything to me to suggest he is up to it, but is obviously performing well on the training track and scratch matches.

[Mantis]

Gardner is still very young and inexperienced. He hasn't shown anything to me to suggest he is up to it, but is obviously performing well on the training track and scratch matches.

I’m yet to see one trait or piece of play so far that says to me ‘he’s an AFL player’.... maybe I’m not a great judge, but to me he looks miles away.

[1eyedog]

C'mon Doggies.

[Grantysghost]

Gardner has Hipwood

[chef]

Edit.

[comrade]

Question for WOOF: What is a pass mark for Gardner where you’d be happy for him to play the following week?

So how did we rate his game?

I thought he started ok, but once he conceded a few went into panic mode.

Good on him for making it to the highest level, but just doesn’t have the ability it takes to contribute.

[angelopetraglia]

Gardner permanently looks in panic mode when defending. I don’t understand what the coaches see in him.

[Mantis]

So how did we rate his game?

I thought he started ok, but once he conceded a few went into panic mode.

Good on him for making it to the highest level, but just doesn’t have the ability it takes to contribute.

It was pretty much what we expected.

It’s been the same whenever we’ve picked any of the ‘head-turning’ selections... our training standards must be terrible if some of our lesser-likes are stand-outs.

[angelopetraglia]

How does not having VFL football this year impact the development of our squad? I know every team is in the same boat, but it has to have a significant impact on the growth of our players not playing seniors.

[jeemak]

I think I've seen enough to know he's going to be a player that can handle the pressure at the second level, but once it goes up a notch without the best of defenders around him it's going to be too much at the top level.

We just can't stem the tide during periods of the game and it means we need defenders who are confident enough in their ability to stand strong and he isn't that type of player, and most likely won't be.

He got unlucky here and there tonight, but I've seen enough of him now.

[Grantysghost]

So how did we rate his game?

I thought he started ok, but once he conceded a few went into panic mode.

Good on him for making it to the highest level, but just doesn’t have the ability it takes to contribute.

Hmmm. To be honest I really wanted to see something but he seems to not be ready yet and I wonder why we need a 4 gamer in such an important role.
I see the potential though but slightly concerned we haven't got that position covered.