Player Watch #24: Tom Powell - signed thru 2026 - finishes 5th in the 2024 SBM.

[King Corey]

For where we are right now, there’s no such thing as too much of anything. It’ll sort itself out over the next couple of seasons.

Exactly. The dangerous thing would be to forecast too much depth when only Jy has gone near revealing his dependable season to season output from that group so far.

There might be some booms in there but there might also be some busts.

 

[zoomba23]

So what would it theoretically take for this bloke to reach somewhere near Sam Mitchell level? That's the closest player for player comparison I can think of if we believe that Powell hits his ceiling. Both are fairly small, have bugger all leg speed, and ooze class and vision with ball in hand. Is it just a matter of bulking up? Enlisting Dr Dank to help accelerate his physical maturity? Cos I'm excited, but wary of the possibility he falls by the wayside this year and next due to our other mids

 

[Tas]

So what would it theoretically take for this bloke to reach somewhere near Sam Mitchell level?

Starting in the guts? I think Mitchell would have sucked as well playing the fringe roles Powell has been playing so far.

That's the closest player for player comparison I can think of if we believe that Powell hits his ceiling. Both are fairly small, have bugger all leg speed, and ooze class and vision with ball in hand. Is it just a matter of bulking up? Enlisting Dr Dank to help accelerate his physical maturity? Cos I'm excited, but wary of the possibility he falls by the wayside this year and next due to our other mids

I don't think he is as slow as Mitchell was, he just doesn't have elite speed. I think he will start to look better once we adopt more of a run and carry gameplan because our shank the ball out of the middle or hack the ball along the boundary after waiting an eternity isn't conducive to someone that is an accumulator who accumulates through work rate. To date he hasn't been getting much give and gets because it has more or less been give and shanks.

Whilst we are unlikely going to adopts Clarko's Hawthorn gameplan, I can't see Clarko being happy with the amount of unforced turnovers we concede, so I think there will be a focus to possess and use the ball better, that will play more into Tom's strengths.

It looks like he has been hitting the gym, which is good, if he wants to compete more as an inside mid he needs to be able to go with bigger bodied players. You don't need to be Bont size, Neale is a midget and he is one of the better inside players, but he is bulked up for his size so he can take the hits.

 

[Frank Thring]

Everyone is forgetting about Sheezel. He will have midfield minutes too

 

[Themanbun]

For where we are right now, there’s no such thing as too much of anything. It’ll sort itself out over the next couple of seasons.

I disagree, mostly because by the time you work out which of those guys are busts you've sacrificed important development time for the others.

 

[Themanbun]

So what would it theoretically take for this bloke to reach somewhere near Sam Mitchell level? That's the closest player for player comparison I can think of if we believe that Powell hits his ceiling. Both are fairly small, have bugger all leg speed, and ooze class and vision with ball in hand. Is it just a matter of bulking up? Enlisting Dr Dank to help accelerate his physical maturity? Cos I'm excited, but wary of the possibility he falls by the wayside this year and next due to our other mids

I think his running needs work too

 

[zoomba23]

Everyone is forgetting about Sheezel. He will have midfield minutes too

Perhaps. But I don't think playing a bloke who has the purported goal sense of Stevie J, in the middle, is going to be high on the priority list for the coaching staff of a team that's kicked 6 winning scores in the last 44 games

 

[Makeshift Park]

Perhaps. But I don't think playing a bloke who has the purported goal sense of Stevie J, in the middle, is going to be high on the priority list for the coaching staff of a team that's kicked 6 winning scores in the last 44 games

Aren't we also in this new exciting mode of getting our players proficient at one role before trying them out elsewhere?

 

[Passmore]

Wing in match sim today for Tommy.

 

[shintemaster]

Wing in match sim today for Tommy.

Makes sense with his build and play style (if they can get it to work). He's a natural inside the contest but there are some very big boys in the AFL that hit hard in the middle. He may be able to handle it regularly one day, but I'm not convinced that day has come.

 

[The Dingrel]

What are track watchers realistic expectations for this bloke this season and beyond? We know he averaged 35 touches at U18 level. Interesting comparison below:

Debut season stats:
Powell vs Judas
Games played: 13 17
Avg Disposals 16.7 16.5
Tackles 3.7 2.9
Marks 3.6 3.0
Most touches 25 23
Scoreboard 4G 2B 4G 6B
Fantasy pts 68 62

Generational talent perhaps?????

While we wait for guys like Wardlaw to get fit and get some games, we eagerly await what Phillips does, try to comprehend just how high LDU's ceiling could be, hope to see Cunners back at his best, TT can sort his shit out and live up to his potential, and see if Goater can continue on from his debut form.....Is T.P. a guy who could take a giant step forward in 2023?

 

[shinboner magic]

Makes sense with his build and play style (if they can get it to work). He's a natural inside the contest but there are some very big boys in the AFL that hit hard in the middle. He may be able to handle it regularly one day, but I'm not convinced that day has come.

Should be modelling his game on McRae (dogs),brayshaw(dees) and Duncan (cats)
- all have the skillet to play inside but played outside due to better options and less physical

 

[king of the road]

So what would it theoretically take for this bloke to reach somewhere near Sam Mitchell level? That's the closest player for player comparison I can think of if we believe that Powell hits his ceiling. Both are fairly small, have bugger all leg speed, and ooze class and vision with ball in hand. Is it just a matter of bulking up? Enlisting Dr Dank to help accelerate his physical maturity? Cos I'm excited, but wary of the possibility he falls by the wayside this year and next due to our other mids

Not a very apt comparison in terms of player types.
When required, he has a turn of speed, has more penetration in his kicking, is more inclined to take a run and bounce, and is being developed for a wing. Couldn’t see Mitchell playing there.
The Mitchell comparison is more apt for Wilphi.

 

[Eggs11]

With his elite handballing, I want to see this guy playing as an inside mid. IMO it’s much more compatible than an outside role. He has some weight to put on first, but I’d almost rather see him push Simpkin outside or ply his trade in the VFL until Cunners is ready to hand over the mantle.

 

[Only Forwards]

I reckon him and WiPhi are my most anticipated to see what they can do under the new coach.

 

[marklovesbeer]

I reckon him and WiPhi are my most anticipated to see what they can do under the new coach.

I look forward to it too, but it’s TT & Jaidyn for me.
I think Griff will also be interesting next season.

 

[SunnyBoner]

I look forward to it too, but it’s TT & Jaidyn for me.
I think Griff will also be interesting next season.

I'm looking forward to what our new regime will do for a stack of players including Mahoney and Lazzaro who many of us have written off. With better coaching and structures things could change quickly.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Big year for Tom, desperately want to see him start making big inroads with his consistency and impact.

 

[Nylex]

I reckon him and WiPhi are my most anticipated to see what they can do under the new coach.

Agree…. and the chom

 

[DuckYeah]

Many many many young players have the second year blues.. don’t worry about this kid, he’ll be very handy this year.

 

[Scottroo]

Someone’s found the gym

 

[Hatchy1992]

Someone’s found the gym

Is that Eddie Ford with Him?

 

[Val Keating]

Someone’s found the gym

90’s are back yo.

 

[Ligma]

90’s are back yo.

Never say that again

 

[Val Keating]

Never say that again

YO