Player Watch #12 Angus Sheldrick

[the hypnotoad]

But as mentioned, so have loads of players. I didn't see Sheldrick do anything that others before him who have came and went didn't already do.

name the last swans first season midfielder who looked as good, as comfortable at the top level that quickly
look at stephens ... the biggest general complaint was that he looked nervous and lost, like he believed he didn't belong, and it showed
you mentioned zak jones ... jones never showed the level of composure and good sense as sheldrick has shown in a handful of games ... that was, specifically, jones's biggest problem ... he obviously had ability but he was, generally, an idiot

 

[the hypnotoad]

For me, there were some moments where he just looked composed and like he belonged at the level, moreso than Corey W or Roberts have (same draft class).

A lot of kids get a few touches, do one or two nice things, but Sheldrick hit different to me in a couple of those games (including against decent opposition in the Lions, Saints and the Cats midfield). The fact that we, and supposedly the Cats were prepared to go early on him, suggests there's something there worth getting excited about too.

Just needs a clear run.

exactly! no disrespect to them or the several others who've been toiling away in second for a season or two ... sheldrick is a class above, and it stands out

 

[the hypnotoad]

There was a ground ball intercept followed by an i50 in a few steps that needed serious composure this year and that's when I knew

If you know you know

yes, that

 

[RedBloodBlackSwan]

I think it's just that in those four games before injury, he often looked like our only midfielder who could win a clearance and bring other mids into the game, despite playing relatively few minutes in the guts. We just looked so much more potent with him in there, despite his numbers not being extraordinary.

It's not so much about him being seen as a future Brownlow medallist or anything, just that he looks like the missing piece.

This.

He. Won. The. Ball.

We haven’t had a ball winner since Kennedy in his prime / Mitchell (oh, if only Mitchell had a better attitude).

Sheldrick could be our answer. He is young and has a good attitude.

 

[rustycrate]

name the last swans first season midfielder who looked as good, as comfortable at the top level that quickly
look at stephens ... the biggest general complaint was that he looked nervous and lost, like he believed he didn't belong, and it showed
you mentioned zak jones ... jones never showed the level of composure and good sense as sheldrick has shown in a handful of games ... that was, specifically, jones's biggest problem ... he obviously had ability but he was, generally, an idiot

And in his first game he soccered a ball to Heeney who goaled. That was pretty special for a first gamer.

 

[Bloods86]

name the last swans first season midfielder who looked as good, as comfortable at the top level that quickly
look at stephens ... the biggest general complaint was that he looked nervous and lost, like he believed he didn't belong, and it showed
you mentioned zak jones ... jones never showed the level of composure and good sense as sheldrick has shown in a handful of games ... that was, specifically, jones's biggest problem ... he obviously had ability but he was, generally, an idiot

Sheldrick wasn't a first year mid this year to be fair. And interesting example with Stephens, because the games he played in his first year had me up and about on him. His attack at the ball was something I wasn't expecting for a hybrid mid with physical development still to come. It was from his 2nd year, after a pre-season concussion, or maybe coaching an outside role, where he appeared hesitant. I think his last year and a half in seniors and as an inside mid, showed he wasn't as nervous or timid as some suggest.

But look, I think Sheldrick showed that confidence and belonging anyway.

 

[Caj]

I’m with ceasar

Not saying he won’t make it, just that the hype on here far outweighs the performance so far

 

[S120]

I can remember when Jones was going to be the line-breaking mid we'd been crying out for.

Then it was going to be Florent.

Heeney was going to be a game-breaking mid.

Blakey our Bontempelli-esque, big-bodied dynamic type.

When Dawson & Hewett were in the NEAFL they were going to effortlessly take over from the JPK & Hanners era.

And the praise for Sheldrick is almost identical to that given to Rowbottom early on.

Even going a little further out to the wing, remember when McInerney was going to be elite? Now I see people on social media saying he shouldn't be in the team over Sheldrick.

It's the full circle of unfulfilled promise and expectations not met.

I’d argue that none of those players showed as much as Sheldrick within ten games of debut whilst playing in the spot that they’re gonna play long term. On very low TOG% no less. It makes you think that when he’s got his tank fully developed and can run out four quarters, he’s gonna be a stud. His canny skills and movement around stoppages as a 19yo IMO is tremendously exciting and sets him apart at his age.

I’m normally pretty muted on young guys but I just love this guy.

 

[the hypnotoad]

Sheldrick wasn't a first year mid this year to be fair. And interesting example with Stephens, because the games he played in his first year had me up and about on him. His attack at the ball was something I wasn't expecting for a hybrid mid with physical development still to come. It was from his 2nd year, after a pre-season concussion, or maybe coaching an outside role, where he appeared hesitant. I think his last year and a half in seniors and as an inside mid, showed he wasn't as nervous or timid as some suggest.

But look, I think Sheldrick showed that confidence and belonging anyway.

yeah, i might've been off on the "first year" thing, was more referring to it being just the first real run of senior games ...

 

[the hypnotoad]

I’m with ceasar

Not saying he won’t make it, just that the hype on here far outweighs the performance so far

so what is it you're looking for in sheldrick's handful of performances that you haven't seen?

 

[Caj]

so what is it you're looking for in sheldrick's handful of performances that you haven't seen?

There hasn’t been enough to see at senior level to suggest anything one way or the other. He is games in 22 weren’t anything special, he looked better and more comfortable in his 23 games but not so good to suggest he’s a future superstar.

Maybe he will be, I don’t know, all I’m saying is that he hasn’t got the performances on the board to suggest he will be yet

I’ve watched him in the reserves a bit and whilst he can find the ball, his disposal by foot has been pretty ordinary. That is a concern for me.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

The Sheldrick Appreciation Society endorses the views of the hypnotoad rustycrate and S120

 

[the hypnotoad]

There hasn’t been enough to see at senior level to suggest anything one way or the other. He is games in 22 weren’t anything special, he looked better and more comfortable in his 23 games but not so good to suggest he’s a future superstar.

Maybe he will be, I don’t know, all I’m saying is that he hasn’t got the performances on the board to suggest he will be yet

I’ve watched him in the reserves a bit and whilst he can find the ball, his disposal by foot has been pretty ordinary. That is a concern for me.

well, for me, the "hype" came from the performances i saw this year, not the other way round
in fact, i don't recall there being any hype about sheldrick ... then i saw him play

 

[tombomb]

I don't care if it is unfounded hype, with some players you can just tell straight away. I am not sure how a guy who has played 9 games is supposed to justify hype anyway.

You could tell straight away with Hannebery. You could tell with Parker. And I think you can tell with Sheldrick that he is going to be a really good player.

He is tough, has clean hands, is a neat kick, gets into good spots, and has enough explosiveness to get out of traffic. He reminds me of Amon Buchanan

Amon Buchanan

Age

42

Ht

179cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.6

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

3.7

4star

T

3.2

5star

G

0.5

3star

No current season stats available

D

6.6

2star

K

2.8

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.2

3star

T

0.6

3star

G

0.2

3star

.

Being picked in the first game of 2022, on the field, suggests the club know he is going to be really good as well. As long as he stays healthy, I think it will be clear to all by the end of next season.

 

[caesar88]

I’d argue that none of those players showed as much as Sheldrick within ten games of debut whilst playing in the spot that they’re gonna play long term. On very low TOG% no less. It makes you think that when he’s got his tank fully developed and can run out four quarters, he’s gonna be a stud. His canny skills and movement around stoppages as a 19yo IMO is tremendously exciting and sets him apart at his age.

I’m normally pretty muted on young guys but I just love this guy.

That's absolutely cool. As I said I like people getting pumped up about the players they rate, especially the developing ones. I was just saying I'm not there myself, so maybe we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Adnico26Parker]

The Angus Sheldrick Appreciation Society so rabid on this board is going to lose its collective mind when the new jumper numbers are revealed.

I shudder to think.....

 

[sataris]

I haven't been this excited about a prospect since I was a 22 year old in a nightclub.

 

[the hypnotoad]

I haven't been this excited about a prospect since I was a 22 year old in a nightclub.

weekend before last?

 

[sataris]

weekend before last?

I thought Sydney removed all their nightclubs to solve the housing crisis?

 

[the hypnotoad]

I thought Sydney removed all their nightclubs to solve the housing crisis?

sort of ... most clubs are still operating, but there are families living in them
it has been done very fairly ... the families are not charged a cover fee and they get the run of the place when the clubs aren't open, mondays to wednesdays ...

 

[Nuggetz]

I don't know if it'll be good or bad if our team is relying on Sheldrick next year. I'm hoping he can continue his positive development & play his role when the opportunity arises.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

I don't know if it'll be good or bad if our team is relying on Sheldrick next year. I'm hoping he can continue his positive development & play his role when the opportunity arises.

Ideally, Adams will provide a real boost to our clearance work & we won’t RELY on Gus.

But I think it’s fair to say Gus did improve our midfield when he got a run of games last year & with natural improvement, he’ll contribute strongly this year.

Even with no Mills …. Gus, Adams, Parker, Chad, Errol, Rowy + Grundy has a pretty good ring to it.

 

[S120]

Ideally, Adams will provide a real boost to our clearance work & we won’t RELY on Gus.

But I think it’s fair to say Gus did improve our midfield when he got a run of games last year & with natural improvement, he’ll contribute strongly this year.

Even with no Mills …. Gus, Adams, Parker, Chad, Errol, Rowy + Grundy has a pretty good ring to it.

My prediction is that, if we have a good run with injuries to start the year, the midfield will be humming to a level where we are genuinely debating whether Mills will be better off returning to defence when he gets back.

And in the abstract, I do think there might be something to it to add Mills back there as an intercepting defender. I'd rather him play midfield of course but I don't think it'd be completely baseless.

 

[MF]

My prediction is that, if we have a good run with injuries to start the year, the midfield will be humming to a level where we are genuinely debating whether Mills will be better off returning to defence when he gets back.

And in the abstract, I do think there might be something to it to add Mills back there as an intercepting defender. I'd rather him play midfield of course but I don't think it'd be completely baseless.

Same. I think we still have some deficiencies in our defence and forward line, but the midfield in theory seems to have all the pieces to take a big step this year. A consistent top line ruckman will make a very big difference IMO and if Sheldrick can play a part then we have a really nice balance in there with the flexibility to push Parker forward and Mills back instead of relying on them to do most of the heavy lifting.

 

[S120]

Same. I think we still have some deficiencies in our defence and forward line, but the midfield in theory seems to have all the pieces to take a big step this year. A consistent top line ruckman will make a very big difference IMO and if Sheldrick can play a part then we have a really nice balance in there with the flexibility to push Parker forward and Mills back instead of relying on them to do most of the heavy lifting.

I think ultimately Mills being in the midfield is required because you need real depth in that part of the ground. You need to go 6-7 deep with real midfield options in today's game. Mills, Parker, Adams, Rowbottom, Errol, Chad, and Gus plus cameo roles (and nothing more preferably as far as I'm concerned) from Heeney and Papley is a great start.