Farran Ray 2009

[AndrewP6]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Well, he's in the best 22 of the team on the top of the ladder, so to say "good riddance" doesn't seem a terribly unbiased view of his ability.

I am biased, make no mistake... "good riddance" was more in terms of his obvious desire to leave...I'll shed no tears over losing a player who doesn't want to be with us. His good form now is the cause of much of my displeasure, as I said, he couldn't produce near that in his time with us. And having the big targets up forward makes him look better.

Can someone explain the "metres gained" stat for me? If I kick it sideways, does that count? Or if I kick it forward to a bloke who then kicks it back to me... anyone?

[LostDoggy]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

I didn't like him or hate him. Ray changing clubs, in my opinion has made him a better player. If he stayed with the Doggies, don't think he would be as useful a player as he is for the Saints.

[Topdog]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

He has been a lot quieter in the last 5-6 weeks. Didn't do much today. Good luck to him with the Saints.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

spewing?

Sorry, my spelling error.

[AndrewP6]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Sorry, my spelling error.

No probs, knew that was the intended word... did have to think for few seconds though!

[Remi Moses]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Don't dislike or like the guy. Noticed in a BIG GAME yesterday Farren missed the target by foot a few times. Dime a dozen footballer IMHO.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Ironic that Liam Jones was a St Kilda supporter, and was doing a pre-season with the saints before we drafted him.

Time will tell whether we got the better deal, but I believe it is good to keep turning the list over. I think that Harbrow is doing well in the backline and has the speed to get the ball out.

Farran, was terrible in that final against the Hawks, and Rocket had good reason to drop him - if he couldn't take the punishment for a poor game then tough. Yes, he started the season off well at the Saints as do most new players at clubs usually do (Medhurst, Rodan etc) good luck to him, but his form is starting to drop off now, and it is an advantage to know that if we put him under some pressure he will cough up the ball.

[lemmon]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

During his time at the dogs I always wondered why he never had a decent, prolonged spell on a half back flank. He seems to have found a niche with St Kilda across the backline so that may be the catalyst for some of his good performances.
In saying that though we have uncovered Harbrow, now playing a similiar role but with superior foot skills so I dont think has trade has cost us anything.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

When you look at the charachter of people.

Example A) Eade to Nathan Eagleton, if you want to stay on you can, but expect the kids to push you out of the side. And you're a scapegoat for the supporters - Thanks for the challenege Rocket i'll show you just how good i can be.

Example B- Eade to Farren Ray. You player quite poorly against Hawthorn and we've made the decision to drop you this week. And it looks like the supporters will make you a one week scapegoat unlike Nathan who has copped it since robbing the throngs of Monty.

A - Eagleton pulls out a brilliant years and shuts the critics up.
B - Farren couldn't take the heat for a week and jumped ship.

I guess that's why David Smorgon said the club needs more people like Nathan Eagleton. To stare down criticisim and challenge and win. Not run awa when it gets tough.

[Desipura]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

When you look at the charachter of people.

Example A) Eade to Nathan Eagleton, if you want to stay on you can, but expect the kids to push you out of the side. And you're a scapegoat for the supporters - Thanks for the challenege Rocket i'll show you just how good i can be.

Example B- Eade to Farren Ray. You player quite poorly against Hawthorn and we've made the decision to drop you this week. And it looks like the supporters will make you a one week scapegoat unlike Nathan who has copped it since robbing the throngs of Monty.

A - Eagleton pulls out a brilliant years and shuts the critics up.
B - Farren couldn't take the heat for a week and jumped ship.

I guess that's why David Smorgon said the club needs more people like Nathan Eagleton. To stare down criticisim and challenge and win. Not run awa when it gets tough.

Eagleton had no choice but to stay with us if he wanted to continue playing given his age.
Ray is much younger and had a club interested in him, two very different examples

[Topdog]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Eagleton had no choice but to stay with us if he wanted to continue playing given his age.
Ray is much younger and had a club interested in him, to very different examples

Ray also had the Bulldogs still interested in him. Eagle could have retired or just played the year out at Willi and still have been paid. He chose to fight for his career and to do that with his mates. Ray ran away thanks in part to his dickhead manager.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

I notice Ray is coming back to the pack in regards his form after an early season peak.
I don't really wish any ill towards Ray but I think we all agree it FEELS better when players who leave the kennel go downhill. And it feels better when players traded in go uphill when at the kennel.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

I notice Ray is coming back to the pack in regards his form after an early season peak.
I don't really wish any ill towards Ray but I think we all agree it FEELS better when players who leave the kennel go downhill. And it feels better when players traded in go uphill when at the kennel.

Very true indeed.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Ray's season has been pretty good.

When he receives the ball he still seems to panic a bit. There were a few occasions against Geelong on Sunday where he received the ball in the corridor or on the wing. Under pressure he looks completely lost, turns backwards and eventually, after dancing on the spot for a second, runs backwards to release the ball to someone else. In both instances his handballs were OK, not great, but seemed an improvement on his time at the Dogs.

During the Hawthorn final last year, Ray actually got to some ok spots and managed to get a hold of the ball a lot. When he has little time and space though, he tends to panic, make poor decisions and often his execution by foot and hand was poor. Numerous handballs in the Hawthorn game were floaters that put other blokes under a heap of pressure and a turnover resulted. The Hawk pressure was fantastic, but in finals type pressure games I still feel he is a liability.

He fills a good role at the Saints and playing him off half back has been a good move. Having a few bigger targets to bomb into, rather than having to spot up precision balls to leading targets, has also helped.

[Scraggers]

Re: Farran Ray 2009

Just as an aside ...

Did you know that Farren Ray's Bulldog jumper is in the Western Bulldogs display at the AFL Hall Of Fame (at the MCG)