I'm worried about Sanders.

[mjp]

First off:

1/. It's his second year.
2/. It's not even a practice game - it's an exhibition (at best)
3/. Conditions weren't great.

BUT.

When he gets the footy, he is on the forward side of a handball chain. I mean, cool man - you're receiving in an attacking position and forward handballs do open up the game. But why isn't he winning and releasing the footy and why isn't he receiving from behind the ball carrier?

1/. He isn't winning it because he's all hunt at the stop and can't seem to control this urge to move into position vs hold and fight. Then - it's like he receives feedback about this and reacts by not hunting at all...just playing his role. I mean, great, but the ball does bounce around and you need to be fluid in your decision making.
2/. He isn't receiving from behind the ball because his defensive transition is 'tentative'...he doesn't hunt back and man up then spread...it's like he waits...then runs forward when we're out.

Something is not quite right at the moment.

I've seen some different opinions in the match day thread and would love to understand what you guys are seeing...

[Go_Dogs]

It’s not a thread I’m capable of contributing to other than it seems a clear opportunity for the coaching group to try and get back to basics with him. Find a clear(er) role. Keep it simple.

Im sure that impossible and a massive over simplification on my part, but seems like a player confused about what he should be doing (which also seems to contradict what track watchers have seen over pre season).

[Willow18]

Would love to hear the thoughts from usual track goers. Thought he was really underwhelming. Hoping this was a down game and NOT what they’ve seen during intra club games.

[josie]

Would love to hear the thoughts from usual track goers. Thought he was really underwhelming. Hoping this was a down game and NOT what they’ve seen during intra club games.

I thought he was reasonable yesterday in patches. Some of his long hand passes showed good vision. He really suffered from being jumped on by oppo mids as soon as he gained possession without Libba, Bont, Adz - moreso in 2nd half. I would like to see more from him when he doesn’t have the ball but will reserve judgement until hawks preseason match & season proper starts.

[GVGjr]

First off:

1/. It's his second year.
2/. It's not even a practice game - it's an exhibition (at best)
3/. Conditions weren't great.

BUT.

When he gets the footy, he is on the forward side of a handball chain. I mean, cool man - you're receiving in an attacking position and forward handballs do open up the game. But why isn't he winning and releasing the footy and why isn't he receiving from behind the ball carrier?

1/. He isn't winning it because he's all hunt at the stop and can't seem to control this urge to move into position vs hold and fight. Then - it's like he receives feedback about this and reacts by not hunting at all...just playing his role. I mean, great, but the ball does bounce around and you need to be fluid in your decision making.
2/. He isn't receiving from behind the ball because his defensive transition is 'tentative'...he doesn't hunt back and man up then spread...it's like he waits...then runs forward when we're out.

Something is not quite right at the moment.

I've seen some different opinions in the match day thread and would love to understand what you guys are seeing...

Thanks for sharing your opinion in a balanced manner.

As you acknowledge, it's a small sample size and difficult conditions yesterday.
I need to have another look at the game and have a good look at what you are suggesting.

[Grantysghost]

Yesterday was a tough day. I read through his draft profile and he was primarily a ball winning mid in his later junior career so it's a little concerning to see your observations (knowing your expertise).

Is your main concern the way we are using him / developing him or something in his game that has changed?

I did think having him as the leader to break out by many was premature but that's probably fair on the dancing with your sister games.

I haven't ever gone wow with Sanders like I did yesterday with Hynes. So it's interesting we are possibly not developing him as an inside player to take over from Tom.

[Hotdog60]

It not a worry he's young and he'll figure it out just as Tassie calls.

[Rusty12]

First off:

1/. It's his second year.
2/. It's not even a practice game - it's an exhibition (at best)
3/. Conditions weren't great.

BUT.

When he gets the footy, he is on the forward side of a handball chain. I mean, cool man - you're receiving in an attacking position and forward handballs do open up the game. But why isn't he winning and releasing the footy and why isn't he receiving from behind the ball carrier?

1/. He isn't winning it because he's all hunt at the stop and can't seem to control this urge to move into position vs hold and fight. Then - it's like he receives feedback about this and reacts by not hunting at all...just playing his role. I mean, great, but the ball does bounce around and you need to be fluid in your decision making.
2/. He isn't receiving from behind the ball because his defensive transition is 'tentative'...he doesn't hunt back and man up then spread...it's like he waits...then runs forward when we're out.

Something is not quite right at the moment.

I've seen some different opinions in the match day thread and would love to understand what you guys are seeing...

Great Insight.
Have only seen it once, live, I just thought he had improved with the way he covered the ground, was improved but not perfect on his defensive running, and had improved burst out of trouble. I Was going to watch the TV replay, maybe I won't now...... The way we presented was bad enough, I don't need that bubble burst just yet as well.

[jeemak]

Perhaps he had the worst 28 disposal game in history on Saturday............

Last year in the seniors his role was roll up, distribute and return. None of that really required him to get behind the contest like he would be required to as an inside mid so perhaps he's adjusting to the requirements still.

We may have erred in putting him in one of the hardest roles you can play in senior AFL footy last year, rather than giving him the Daicos and Sheezel first year treatment by playing him behind the football. If we did the latter perhaps his confidence and ability to take on whatever was asked of him might be different, but it is what it is.

He's returned super fit, he's found the football, has dominated the intras and as the OP has stated he's still very young. He might not have it.....but it's way too early to tell.

[Grantysghost]

It's a good point historically. He did start in the CB yesterday, but was also at times at HF. When he did roll up I wasn't sure what that role is in the mix. Need to watch replay but I really don't want to

[SquirrelGrip]

I see more of Macrae in Ryley than our other mids. Yes he does often seem one paced, but like Macrae he seems to be near the ball an awful lot and has good hands. He is constantly on the move. One thing I noticed on Saturday was that he was often there helping the defenders out, given the likes of Lobb a handball option.

Jack never broke games open at this stage of his career, but added value to other style of mids.

[jeemak]

I see more of Macrae in Ryley than our other mids. Yes he does often seem one paced, but like Macrae he seems to be near the ball an awful lot and has good hands. He is constantly on the move. One thing I noticed on Saturday was that he was often there helping the defenders out, given the likes of Lobb a handball option.

Jack never broke games open at this stage of his career, but added value to other style of mids.

Here's their at the same age comparison - and it's extremely tight between the two:

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/ft_player_compare?playerStatus1=A&tid1=8&playerStatus2=A&tid2=16&type=A&pid1=7159&pid2=3800&fid1=O&fid2=O

[Mofra]

Here's their at the same age comparison - and it's extremely tight between the two:

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/...&fid1=O&fid2=O

Jack Macrae exploded the next season though - adding 10+ disposals and 1.5 tackles per game to his average (according to footywire).

Sando seems really coachable and is pretty intense off field, does he need a little more time to find his balance?

[Grantysghost]

I see more of Macrae in Ryley than our other mids. Yes he does often seem one paced, but like Macrae he seems to be near the ball an awful lot and has good hands. He is constantly on the move. One thing I noticed on Saturday was that he was often there helping the defenders out, given the likes of Lobb a handball option.

Jack never broke games open at this stage of his career, but added value to other style of mids.

Problem is we just traded Jack as the game has kind of passed him by.
It's a very different game now with stand and 666 than it was in Jackos early years.

[SquirrelGrip]

Problem is we just traded Jack as the game has kind of passed him by.
It's a very different game now with stand and 666 than it was in Jackos early years.

There's room for one player like this in a team (my early tip is Jacko to win Saints B&F). Ryley will get tons of the ball this year once Bont /Libba/Treloar are playing.

[Grantysghost]

Yes that's true. I also think Jacko will do really well under Rossco.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Saturday didn't put any of my doubts to bed.

I find he floats quite a bit, and the lack of urgency means he's unable to penetrate offensively nor apply any real heat defensively.

It's one exhibition game, he has time, but I want to see more in the near future.