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

[Beerfish]

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

 

[Vander18]

Seems to play his best games when he has a truly good small forward to play on…..Maybe that gives a solid reference point for positioning or just better focuses his mind….who knows?

Anyway, he’s had a pretty good year and been verging on elite at times. Let’s not hang him based on one bad game.

 

[citizen-erased]

Blind dump kicks aren’t skill errors they’re process errors.

Obviously McGrath has had a mixture of both. The annoying thing is he has the athleticism that he should have the license to back himself in to create space and find a good option each time.

I’ll cop quick kicks to no one from your Laverde, BZT and Kelly types but McGrath has to be better

Or learn to go wide and boundary, and long
May go over.and you get, may get intercepted, may just land in space.

But hem them in with the next kick

 

[bennyg12]

Makes some horrible mistakes that end up in opposition goals

 

[citizen-erased]

Makes some horrible mistakes that end up in opposition goals

I think thats part and parcel of his role

For all the talk of how easy it is for a player to go back and play defence....screw up once and it likely costs a goal

 

[donlav99]

I don't mind him making mistakes, what i hate seeing is him panic when he's got more time. It's like he hasnt realised that he's got some of the best agility in the team and when he uses it, he makes space for himself.

 

[ant555]

Playing really well but his kicking at stages yesterday. Well..

 

[Old Campaigner]

Didn't watch the game but is it on McGrath or is it players up the ground not presenting for him?

 

[cAsEy_18]

Didn't watch the game but is it on McGrath or is it players up the ground not presenting for him?

It’s McGrath

His bad games and bad kicks it’s glaringly obvious he doesn’t look

 

[Yoda_]

It’s McGrath

His bad games and bad kicks it’s glaringly obvious he doesn’t look

I think his 'dump' kicks are the correct call, needs to be more daring with it and direct it closer to the boundary line. He looks awesome when he takes the game on and lowers his eyes when rebounding.

 

[Yoda_]

Big game for Mcgrath tonight, a couple of genuinely good and crafty small forwards he can go to.

Schultz is criminally under rated and Walters, albeit ageing, still has moments of brilliance. Switkowski can contribute as well so the VC needs to be on his game tonight

 

[Vindicater]

My boy going to jhave a ripper.

Can feel it in my bones

 

[frodos gardener]

I hate to say it but Andy is becoming one of my least liked players. It’s probably unfair because I struggle to separate the high draft pick from the man (and it burns because Taranto was my preference). He’s not a bad player but I get frustrated at his lack of class and dumb moments… and lack of progression.

What I do like about him is his attitude and effort. I just wish he would improve in his weak areas. Getting caught out last night not minding a man closely in defence was a prime example.

 

[yodellinhank]

I hate to say it but Andy is becoming one of my least liked players. It’s probably unfair because I struggle to separate the high draft pick from the man (and it burns because Taranto was my preference). He’s not a bad player but I get frustrated at his lack of class and dumb moments… and lack of progression.

What I do like about him is his attitude and effort. I just wish he would improve in his weak areas. Getting caught out last night not minding a man closely in defence was a prime example.

He's a bad player. Gets caught out all of the time. And his effort was shown up when Mason Redman ran clear past him onto a loose ball. Someone who is supposed to be quick and have an athletic background shouldn't be getting burned like that, Redman would've gained 3mtrs over the space of 20.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

 

[Yoda_]

18/20 effective disposals at 90% DE

 

[Blind Turn]

What a fantastic game from Pidge.

His dynamism through congestion caught the eye. The way in which he keeps moving into advantageous spaces to receive releasing handballs was some of the best I’ve seen from a Bomber other than Zach Merrett in a long time. It’s the skill set that made me think he could be a midfielder but his defensive nous means we’re actually getting the best of both worlds with him coming into the fray out of defence and keeping oppo forwards accountable.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Be nice if he could do it a bit more consistently.

Maybe some games he's asked to play a close checking role and doesn't get the same opportunities to attack.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Strength to strength for Pidge in defence.

 

[carloss]

I don't doubt he can when there is no pressure.

 

[faible]

What a fantastic game from Pidge.

His dynamism through congestion caught the eye. The way in which he keeps moving into advantageous spaces to receive releasing handballs was some of the best I’ve seen from a Bomber other than Zach Merrett in a long time. It’s the skill set that made me think he could be a midfielder but his defensive nous means we’re actually getting the best of both worlds with him coming into the fray out of defence and keeping oppo forwards accountable.

His lateral movement is fantastic

 

[SydneyBomber]

Had a mare tonight

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Had a mare tonight

Him any many others.

Zerrett, Hobbs and Wright the only 3 praiseworthy names.

 

[Ambrosia]

Was playing excellent footy locking down the opponents best small forward and has average at best since being moved to a more attacking role.

 

[MiguelM]

Him any many others.

Zerrett, Hobbs and Wright the only 3 praiseworthy names.

Hobbs had a shocker. Got caught about 5 times had only had 2 clearances.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

What stood out to me at the game was after that handball to perkins which he dropped that resulted in an instant bulldogs goal... perkins dropped his head and McGrath just walks off holding his hips. No leadership there getting to the younger player and reassuring him. Seen Collingwoods leaders in defence get straight to someone if they make a silly mistake. Just the little things for me.