Tweet
I think there has been a thread for every player that has exceeded people's expectations this year, yet as I seach the forum I cannot see this guy's name anywhere?
He has definately exceeded my expectations as I really believed he was on his way out just before rocket arrived
I have been a vocal critic of this guy since day one, I have been overheard saying the likes of
"He could not give two hoots"
"look at him marking the f***** spot, could not care less that he's had a mark taken on him"
"Jesus, shag, lift those shoulders, raise your head, look interested, FFS!!!
I really didn't think he had the intensity and concentration to play AFL. I could tell straight off that he was a very good footballer, he had a very good kick on him and seemed to read the play well going forward, but he was beaten far too often and would turn the ball over constantly.
This year he's had a blinder and I am more than happy to be proved wrong. He showed a determination that I didn't think was in him, he was rarely spanked and when given the opportunity to play on his own size, he dominated.
His disposal and more importantly his decision making have improved drastically, he seems to be able to concentrate for longer periods and make fewer mistakes when he has the ball deep in defence. He knows when to run forward and has been seen one more than a few occasions shooting for goal on the run.
He has punched above his weight quite a bit and doing that means finding new and creative ways of beating your opponent, his spoiling has improved markedly and I believe along with Morris to be the cleanest in terms of spoiling and defending. This was not always the case, Shag was a very lazy footballer early on and therefore he got done for over the shoulder and in the back quite a bit.
When Tom Williams manages to get on the park is when we really get to see how much both Shag and Morris have come along, players like Medhurst didn't get a sniff on these two boys when we had the taller guys covered.
I really think that Shag has been a dark horse this year and hasn't recieved much fan fare, I don't give it out praise like this unless it's thoroughly deserved, I believe Ryan has deserved it for what has been a very strong and unassuming year!
What are other people's thoughts on the year Shag had?
Where do you see further improvement coming from?
He has definately exceeded my expectations as I really believed he was on his way out just before rocket arrived
I have been a vocal critic of this guy since day one, I have been overheard saying the likes of
"He could not give two hoots"
"look at him marking the f***** spot, could not care less that he's had a mark taken on him"
"Jesus, shag, lift those shoulders, raise your head, look interested, FFS!!!
I really didn't think he had the intensity and concentration to play AFL. I could tell straight off that he was a very good footballer, he had a very good kick on him and seemed to read the play well going forward, but he was beaten far too often and would turn the ball over constantly.
This year he's had a blinder and I am more than happy to be proved wrong. He showed a determination that I didn't think was in him, he was rarely spanked and when given the opportunity to play on his own size, he dominated.
His disposal and more importantly his decision making have improved drastically, he seems to be able to concentrate for longer periods and make fewer mistakes when he has the ball deep in defence. He knows when to run forward and has been seen one more than a few occasions shooting for goal on the run.
He has punched above his weight quite a bit and doing that means finding new and creative ways of beating your opponent, his spoiling has improved markedly and I believe along with Morris to be the cleanest in terms of spoiling and defending. This was not always the case, Shag was a very lazy footballer early on and therefore he got done for over the shoulder and in the back quite a bit.
When Tom Williams manages to get on the park is when we really get to see how much both Shag and Morris have come along, players like Medhurst didn't get a sniff on these two boys when we had the taller guys covered.
I really think that Shag has been a dark horse this year and hasn't recieved much fan fare, I don't give it out praise like this unless it's thoroughly deserved, I believe Ryan has deserved it for what has been a very strong and unassuming year!
What are other people's thoughts on the year Shag had?
Where do you see further improvement coming from?
Comment