Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

[jeemak]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

I'd probably have a higher expectation on him if he were a first round draft pick but not if we were playing him out of position like we have been doing. I was happy enough with his performance yesterday.
It might get interesting comparison to see how Busslinger performs if he gets a game or two.

It's more about just getting the guy some experience, in that if we chose to play a first rounder in different spots I reckon everyone would be OK with it.

Because JOD is a Cat B I think it's skewed our perspective and we forget he's a relatively mature body for someone who's been in the system a short time.

[ledge]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

I am impressed he has huge upside . Let’s face it , no preseason, wouldn’t know how each player plays. Probably had to introduce himself to the team first senior game .
His marking and reading of the play yesterday says to me his confidence is building and just one preseason will be massive for him.
I see him as a great intercept mark and looks good on the ground as well.
I would say the club sees huge upside in him and I think yesterday showed some of it .

[EasternWest]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

I am impressed he has huge upside . Let’s face it , no preseason, wouldn’t know how each player plays. Probably had to introduce himself to the team first senior game .
His marking and reading of the play yesterday says to me his confidence is building and just one preseason will be massive for him.
I see him as a great intercept mark and looks good on the ground as well.
I would say the club sees huge upside in him and I think yesterday showed some of it .

Agree with this ledge the kid will be ok.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

I am impressed he has huge upside . Let’s face it , no preseason, wouldn’t know how each player plays. Probably had to introduce himself to the team first senior game .
His marking and reading of the play yesterday says to me his confidence is building and just one preseason will be massive for him.
I see him as a great intercept mark and looks good on the ground as well.
I would say the club sees huge upside in him and I think yesterday showed some of it .

He's a gun. We've hit thy jackpot.

[Before I Die]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Something I've been thinking about is - would we view JOD's introduction into senior footy differently if he was a first year and first round draft pick?

Would allowing someone of that profile to get a taste early in their careers be more palatable?

The answer is clearly yes. Just look at the situation last year with Darcy. I think the club views him in a similar light to Darcy. It?s also worth noting that he did a pre-season with Footscray before we selected him, because we knew we were going to select him, so his preparation fitness wise and game structure wise prior to his first senior game pretty much matched that of a first year draftee.

[1eyedog]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Still a long way away. So is Darcy but I'd rather get him back in the team at JOD's expense ASAP.

[D Mitchell]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

I read somewhere that O’Donnell hadn’t played footy sine year 11. That’s a helluva jump. Good wins paper over errors in performances but I was impressed by his persistence at ground level and that kick to Bont was a beauty.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Still a long way away. So is Darcy but I'd rather get him back in the team at JOD's expense ASAP.

Darcy and O'Donnell do have different strengths.

I like how JOD has the closing speed to get to a contest. I see him as a better actual defender.

If Darcy plays in the back half he is exposed for that lack of speed and is a pure interceptor.

Darcy will be ruck/forward when his body develops.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Darcy and O'Donnell do have different strengths.

I like how JOD has the closing speed to get to a contest. I see him as a better actual defender.

If Darcy plays in the back half he is exposed for that lack of speed and is a pure interceptor.

Darcy will be ruck/forward when his body develops.

Yes agree Darcy will be Lobb when he retires.

I see JOD as that 3rd tall defender, with the ability to play tall or small.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Still a long way away. So is Darcy but I'd rather get him back in the team at JOD's expense ASAP.

It could happen, would you play Darcy as a defender?

[G-Mo77]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

It could happen, would you play Darcy as a defender?

I would, when he's ready of course. He's missed a lot of time this season.

[GVGjr]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

I read somewhere that O’Donnell hadn’t played footy sine year 11. That’s a helluva jump. Good wins paper over errors in performances but I was impressed by his persistence at ground level and that kick to Bont was a beauty.

His rise into senior football so quickly is from my perspective unparalleled or at the least very rare.
Sure we've seen players from Ireland come in and perform quickly but while I'm sure someone will pull up other examples this isn't a common occurrence.
It probably doesn't hurt to have a coach like Bevo that hasn't just done one or two token efforts and has been prepared to give an extended run.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

Thought JOD showed some good flashes. He’s got the benefit of having all the athletic tools to make it and seems like he’s got a very strong work ethic and is a natural sportsman. Quietly optimistic.

[Sedat]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

If JOD was drafted under traditional circumstances as an 18yo in the National Draft, there wouldn't be anywhere near the same blow-back on fast-tracking his development with some games in the seniors. Not sure what the difference is as a 20yo drafted under non-traditional means - we are clearly investing in a future asset and trying to accelerate his development, as we see that he has elite traits/size/flexibility that are in short supply on the list. The only comparable type of player might be Khamis, who would rightly feel a little miffed at being overlooked in favour of JOD. But we're talking about the 22nd-23rd player selected in the senior team.

[G-Mo77]

Re: Welcome to the Bulldogs: James O'Donnell

If JOD was drafted under traditional circumstances as an 18yo in the National Draft, there wouldn't be anywhere near the same blow-back on fast-tracking his development with some games in the seniors. Not sure what the difference is as a 20yo drafted under non-traditional means - we are clearly investing in a future asset and trying to accelerate his development, as we see that he has elite traits/size/flexibility that are in short supply on the list. The only comparable type of player might be Khamis, who would rightly feel a little miffed at being overlooked in favour of JOD. But we're talking about the 22nd-23rd player selected in the senior team.

In this situation I think the player has been caught in the crossfire from the frustrations of Beveridge's selections. If he was drafted in the traditional sense I doubt that he would have been called up for his first run of games. The inconsistencies with the selections under Bevo have plagued this club for years, supporters are frustrated and then players like JOD, like Hannan, McComb etc get caught up in it all. I questioned the decision to bring him back so quickly when others couldn't get a look. I would have liked to have seen Khamis given a shot at this role but it appears his papers are stamped already.

Anyway, hopefully our coach can settle JOD in this role and stick him there.Let's hope we can develop him further and becomes a reliable part of the back 6 and we don't have to rely on the likes of TOB again.