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- Thread starter TylerDurden
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- Aug 31, 2008
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What are you on about?
It's the original post that is getting the reaction in the first place. You don't like people expressing their opinions on certain players.
- Jun 28, 2013
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I’m looking forward for him to run through the GF baner
Jordan Mailata at the Philly Eagles got a start and has all but replaced one of the all time OLine players for the franchise.
It does happen; just not as often as it seems in the AFL.
- Aug 31, 2008
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He was a late late pick too
- Jun 4, 2016
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True but going from Rugby to American Football is not that big a leap technically.
For a player like Jordan to make that leap is mostly about his athletic prowess (and sheer size)
AFL is more like basketball / soccer in that it requires a lot more technical ability (ie kicking the ball) and game sense (running patters, reading the play, making decisions) and is probably why Karmichael and Israel struggled to make the transition.
Unless you have grown up with the game (or played Gaelic Football at a high level) making the transition is very difficult (honorable mentions to Mike Pyke and a lesser extent Mason Cox)
I think we undersell just how difficult Australian Rules Football is. I doubt there is a game in the world that requires the same level of Aerobic fitness, strength, skill, bravery and game sense.
I'd love to think that it was a deliciously self aware piece of ironic wit that led you to post this twice.
I'd hate to think it was just due to a trigger happy posting finger.
I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt.
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This simply is not true.
Blicavs, even Usain Bolt for gods sake. Some work and some don't. Nash does have some great attributes regardless of this and that's why the club is giving him a crack.
Jordan Mailata is in the NFL system and there's some big hype around him.
Critisise him all you want but there are plenty of athletes that have come from. Different backgrounds and have contributed to their team.
Not saying he is going to be a star or even be a regular 22 member. Guys with less exposure take more time which a lot of you clearly don't realise.
- Jun 4, 2016
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Blicavs had played footy until he was 14 so it's not like he was not exposed to the game.
And Bolt also had grown up playing soccer in the carribean (plus his A Leauge stint was more of a promotional thing if we are being honest).
But yes I concede athletes can transition from one sport to the other but it helps a lot if they have played their new sport at the junior level. For instance I have no doubt Ben Simmons could dominate in the AFL because he won a league best and fairest when he was around 14.
I mean imagine trying to learn how to do a drop kick or handball in your mid twenties. That's not easy.
My main point is that we have carried Nash for quite a few years now and to me his overall game sense is still way off.
The Chad and I
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- Nov 13, 2018
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I wasn't surprised by his form as much as his improved running.
He was always able to win the ball and has had great competitiveness.
He seems to have improved his running enough to make a difference.
If he could do the same with his kicking he could become a very good player.
His kicking isn't terrible, but it is lacking precision and depth.
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Actually, AFL is more like hockey than either basketball or soccer. Basically, if you're not on skates as a child and competing by 10 or 11 years old, you won't even get a look in at a professional hockey career.
Basketball is a good part genetics. Tall players are given far more opportunity than short. Hakeem Olajuwon did not play until a year before college and got a free ride to U Houston. Not because he was a great player, but because he was a (nearly) 7 foot freak of an athlete. He didn't really become a player until several years into his pro career, but he was serviceable and showed potential/improvement every year. Not sure if this goes against or reinforces your argument, just posting an opinion of my own.
As an aside, Kirk Gibson and Steve Garvey were both college gridiron All-Americans before switching to baseball for a profession. Amazing athletes and both Spartans
Malita is playing the second most important position on the ground. Schemes, play designed and the variables that come at the line is just nuts for him to be 3 years in and playing at a high level. Absolutely nothing like rugby. Like others I see the potential in a successful transition for Nash.
I recon this is his make or break year to be honest.
I am glad we have kept Nash.
You can not teach, what he can already physically do.
His role and his confidence in playing it, will be the key.
His physical abilities suggest he could play any tradional position.
But I do feel he will struggle to find the time to specialize his muscle motor neurons to be able to be a direct replacement to play one of the traditional roles as effective as someone who has dedicated most of their life to learning to play.
It also must be hard to grow confidence. Especially if the effectiveness of your performance is to be judged on how well he plays as a direct replacement for one of the roles that Cyril or Poppy or Ruff or Hale excelled in playing 5 years ago in a different team.
I see Nash as having the potential to be a very unique player and I do see an opportunity for our coaches to develop a new, very unique role for him to play, which in turn complements our next game plan.
I can not see the point of trying to find or change players to copy a game plan that another team has already perfected, even if it was our team.
You can not teach, what he can already physically do.
His role and his confidence in playing it, will be the key.
His physical abilities suggest he could play any tradional position.
But I do feel he will struggle to find the time to specialize his muscle motor neurons to be able to be a direct replacement to play one of the traditional roles as effective as someone who has dedicated most of their life to learning to play.
It also must be hard to grow confidence. Especially if the effectiveness of your performance is to be judged on how well he plays as a direct replacement for one of the roles that Cyril or Poppy or Ruff or Hale excelled in playing 5 years ago in a different team.
I see Nash as having the potential to be a very unique player and I do see an opportunity for our coaches to develop a new, very unique role for him to play, which in turn complements our next game plan.
I can not see the point of trying to find or change players to copy a game plan that another team has already perfected, even if it was our team.
- Mar 24, 2012
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It’s a pretty big leap. At least equally big as going from Gaelic to Aussie Rules.
NFL has specialised positions and the one Mailata plays doesn’t resemble Rugba League at all. Jarrad Hayne’s position as a punt returner and running back had some crossover.
Mailata like Nash came across super raw with no real knowledge of how to play the game but awesome athletic ability and size. Nash is still only 22 which is over looked and indicates there’s time for him to learn new skills.
- Jun 4, 2016
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There are no doubt some subtleties to American football I am unaware with but Mailatas position I don't even believe he touch the ball correct?
In AFL no matter what position you play you have to have a grasp on every skill (kicking, marking, handball, tackle, etc) no matter your position.
- Jun 11, 2013
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im curious why aren't there the same calls for CJ to get delisted? Conor's only a year older and has actually shown more at the level, playing 3x the number of games that CJ has and averaging pretty similar numbers. They both have the same raw, explosive athletic attributes with a relatively poor understanding of the game — yet I can't name one person who has called for CJ to be cut.
I'm guessing it's because we've seen more of Conor so people have made more of a judgment, or because CJ has better fundamentals (marginally I suppose) but why can CJ progress into 'x' player but Conor can't?
I personally don't think either of them will make it but I'm curious as to the prevalence of vitriol towards Nash that doesn't get aimed at CJ (another long-term project player) and how it's completely reversed for players like Harry Jones, or in the past Mitch Hallahan, and yet blokes that are clearly superior players like Harry Morrison or Daniel Howe get canned.
I'm guessing it's because we've seen more of Conor so people have made more of a judgment, or because CJ has better fundamentals (marginally I suppose) but why can CJ progress into 'x' player but Conor can't?
I personally don't think either of them will make it but I'm curious as to the prevalence of vitriol towards Nash that doesn't get aimed at CJ (another long-term project player) and how it's completely reversed for players like Harry Jones, or in the past Mitch Hallahan, and yet blokes that are clearly superior players like Harry Morrison or Daniel Howe get canned.
I'd love to think that it was a deliciously self aware piece of ironic wit that led you to post this twice.
I'd hate to think it was just due to a trigger happy posting finger.
I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt.
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I'm not that clever
I'm feeling like Jimmy Two Times.
eldorado
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This requires some serious repeating.
I think because he was mooted as a 16 year old from Ireland, his name has been with us for a longer, so people unconsciously think he's more like Timmy O'Brien in how much he has shown as a ratio to how long he has been around.
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It’s important to remember that Hakeem like 99% of Africans had a soccer background which as everyone knows requires supreme footwork to play if you want to be good. That footwork is what made him great once he transitioned to basketball on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Being a 7 footer helped but that wasn’t the only reason he got given a scholarship.Actually, AFL is more like hockey than either basketball or soccer. Basically, if you're not on skates as a child and competing by 10 or 11 years old, you won't even get a look in at a professional hockey career.
Basketball is a good part genetics. Tall players are given far more opportunity than short. Hakeem Olajuwon did not play until a year before college and got a free ride to U Houston. Not because he was a great player, but because he was a (nearly) 7 foot freak of an athlete. He didn't really become a player until several years into his pro career, but he was serviceable and showed potential/improvement every year. Not sure if this goes against or reinforces your argument, just posting an opinion of my own.
As an aside, Kirk Gibson and Steve Garvey were both college gridiron All-Americans before switching to baseball for a profession. Amazing athletes and both Spartans
- Jul 16, 2017
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I’ve been saying for a while give Nash a crack at ruck at Box Hill. He might get beaten at hit outs but becomes an extra mid around the ground
- Aug 31, 2008
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Nash's age has absolutely nothing to do with it (or maybe I speak for myself). However what he has shown on the field has everything to do with it.
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The dream was one of the top 10 GOAT's of all time. That's a once in a lifetime kind of transition.
With regards to footwork, and somewhat ironically, guys like Roughie and Pendlebury in particular have been able to use their basketball background to great effect in the AFL.
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- Sep 23, 2005
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I just like to see respect for the player and the work and commitment to make it in to AFL level in the first place.
Especially for those that have come from overseas to give it a crack.
If you can't respect that atleast, then you probably haven't worked hard for anything in your life.
Especially for those that have come from overseas to give it a crack.
If you can't respect that atleast, then you probably haven't worked hard for anything in your life.
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