AFL Player # 1: Andrew "Pidge" McGrath (VC)

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2030
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 13, Vindicater

 

[Andronicus]

Never said better. Ablett wasn't great from the get go. But the comparison of choosing right options n smarts is something that's usually there from day one.

You said he reminds you of him and outlined 2 areas where he looks better than Ablett, ie fitness and defensively.

Let's just let the kid play before we talk about him being like an all time great.

 

[TheFrenchCut]

This thread is going to suck arse half the time, isn't it.

 

[DERO]

This thread is going to suck arse half the time, isn't it.

Especially this year.

 

[eth-dog]

This thread is going to suck arse half the time, isn't it.

Half? That's optimistic.

 

[The Fact]

I think think there is any issue with being critical but just not a the player in his first year in his first game.

What we can be critical of is postioning etc. I think we our being fooliah playing him as BP I'd prefer just to see him straight in the midfield but thats just me.

 

[Bomberbuzz1]

You said he reminds you of him and outlined 2 areas where he looks better than Ablett, ie fitness and defensively.

Let's just let the kid play before we talk about him being like an all time great.

A young Ablett played fwd, McGrath defender. And it's clear with McGrath athletic background he would be fitter than an young Ablett.
I hope that's clear enough... Jee wiz

 

[Maddogm]

You said he reminds you of him and outlined 2 areas where he looks better than Ablett, ie fitness and defensively.

Let's just let the kid play before we talk about him being like an all time great.

leave it for the commentary team of his first channel 7 game?

 

[bombreys]

I think think there is any issue with being critical but just not a the player in his first year in his first game.

What we can be critical of is postioning etc. I think we our being fooliah playing him as BP I'd prefer just to see him straight in the midfield but thats just me.

I'd rather see him develop as a pocket/flanker - when (/if) the time is right, he can move up to the midfield.

We need some class coming out of the back half, especially if guys like Baguley, Dea & Gleeson are going to be playing down there.

 

[Doss]

There's no issue at all with him starting at half back. Heppell did in his first year.

 

[TheFrenchCut]

I think think there is any issue with being critical but just not a the player in his first year in his first game.

What we can be critical of is postioning etc. I think we our being fooliah playing him as BP I'd prefer just to see him straight in the midfield but thats just me.

The idea is to make it easier for them to break into the team earlier and get some AFL experience, a la Heeney playing forward for his first two seasons, Mills playing half-back last year, etc.

It also helps that he actually already has junior experience playing in the backhalf, so the transition shouldn't be too great for him.

If he were competing for a midfield spot, he wouldn't be looking at games until much later in the year imo.

 

[Mercuri Rising]

leave it for the commentary team of his first channel 7 game?

forum applying ELITE PRESSURE on him atm

 

[carnthedons]

forum applying ELITE PRESSURE on him atm

In fairness, we are the Cyril of forums on the frontal pressure scale

 

[Yoda_]

There's no issue at all with him starting at half back. Heppell did in his first year.

The obsession with players coming in and being the next Joel Selwood is mind boggling

Don't mind a slow burn from a young player as long as they can be a key cog in our line up for 10 years in the end

 

[Skipper_]

The obsession with players coming in and being the next Joel Selwood is mind boggling

Don't mind a slow burn from a young player as long as they can be a key cog in our line up for 10 years in the end

We've been a little bit spoilt as well over the past few years with the likes of Merrett, Heppell and Parish starring in their debut years.

 

[eth-dog]

We've been a little bit spoilt as well over the past few years with the likes of Merrett, Heppell and Parish starring in their debut years.

Merrett didn't really star though. He was very good; but did play VFL for a bit

 

[Kakkle]

Merrett didn't really star though. He was very good; but did play VFL for a bit

3 VFL games is hardly ' a bit'. I agree though, Merrett was OK to decent in his first year. Hardly a star.

 

[Paul_Barnard]

3 VFL games is hardly ' a bit'. I agree though, Merrett was OK to decent in his first year. Hardly a star.

Disagree, he had dozens of wow moments in 2014 which made us think this kid is special..

 

[threeleggedgoat]

Disagree, he had dozens of wow moments in 2014 which made us think this kid is special..

My favourite moments of Merrett's in his first year was when he didn't even have the ball. His tackling was insane for a first year player, loved seeing him nearby knowing he was about to latch on!

 

[Milanista28]

9.18 in this clip, Heppell awesome early then my favorite Zerrett goal.

 

[Towno78]

Disagree, he had dozens of wow moments in 2014 which made us think this kid is special..

Yep, Didn't have the overall year of Heppell/Parish. But he was very obviously a gun from day 1.

 

[Kakkle]

Disagree, he had dozens of wow moments in 2014 which made us think this kid is special..

Sure, he had some really nice moments in 2014. But I was more getting to the point that he wasn't exactly a 'star' in his first year.

 

[yodellinhank]

He was a rising star surely, they don't call it "Rising Role Player Nomination"?

 

[BrewSmackerVeiny]

There's an idea, the Rising Spud award.

 

[eth-dog]

3 VFL games is hardly ' a bit'. I agree though, Merrett was OK to decent in his first year. Hardly a star.

I would define 3 games exactly as "a bit". He was there, but not for a long time.

 

[Kakkle]

I would define 3 games exactly as "a bit". He was there, but not for a long time.

Just looked up a definition of 'a bit' and you're right, it does fit that description. Let the record show I have rescinded my comment