AFL Player #30: Nate Caddy - reunited with best mate Kako

[VelvetSledge]

 

[Maddogm]

I preface this by saying I hate the process of player comparisons always being to star players - puts way too much expectation in supporters heads, and then when players don’t reach that level their disappointed.

Having said that - Charlie Curnow is the body shape, and potentially in turn the type of player, Caddy should be looking to emulate.

To be fair, that's from supporters being dumb, sometimes deliberately so. It's generally to denote a style not how good they'll be. A good way I saw it worded recently in a NHL draft preview video was "Maximum potential"

 

[faible]

To be fair, that's from supporters being dumb, sometimes deliberately so. It's generally to denote a style not how good they'll be. A good way I saw it worded recently in a NHL draft preview video was "Maximum potential"

It's also about picking players people actually know.

'Plays like Courtney Dempsey' is pretty unhelpful to most people.

 

[Zach Package]

It's also about picking players people actually know.

'Plays like Courtney Dempsey' is pretty unhelpful to most people.

I actually like the more obscure ones, because they are far more specific. The more general and high profile you go the more inaccurate they are.

Nik Cox for example I saw compared to Darcy Moore pre draft. If you were to go hyper specific you would probably say his comparison is the present iteration of Steele Sidebottom but 20 centimetres taller.

 

[faible]

I actually like the more obscure ones, because they are far more specific. The more general and high profile you go the more inaccurate they are.

Nik Cox for example I saw compared to Darcy Moore pre draft. If you were to go hyper specific you would probably say his comparison is the present iteration of Steele Sidebottom but 20 centimetres taller.

Depends a lot on who's writing the comparison I imagine.

If someone says 'plays like Pendlebury' I'd assume the player had good lateral movement to create space and time in close and was a good kick and decision maker.

FWIW based on some of the people who watch U18 Nik was a very good intercept marking, highly mobile tall defender. Which is somewhere in the vicinity of Darcy Moore I guess.

 

[jannissary]

i reckon his taster a few weeks back is the primer for him to really build into some strong, terrifying performances.

he's showed a little, i'm ready for him to step up

 

[Zach Package]

Depends a lot on who's writing the comparison I imagine.

If someone says 'plays like Pendlebury' I'd assume the player had good lateral movement to create space and time in close and was a good kick and decision maker.

FWIW based on some of the people who watch U18 Nik was a very good intercept marking, highly mobile tall defender. Which is somewhere in the vicinity of Darcy Moore I guess.

Agree, the other thing is if you’re comparing to superstars or even high level players you get immediate unrealistic expectations.

NBA draft prospects often get compared to genuine bench warmers or guys in and out of the league but they might say ‘but with a less broken jumpshot’ as a caveat.

 

[yodellinhank]

It's also about picking players people actually know.

'Plays like Courtney Dempsey' is pretty unhelpful to most people.

Bring him in

 

[IHurley]

It's also about picking players people actually know.

'Plays like Courtney Dempsey' is pretty unhelpful to most people.

If he was the world's most creative running bouncer surely that would be most helpful.

 

[doug85]

Agree, the other thing is if you’re comparing to superstars or even high level players you get immediate unrealistic expectations.

NBA draft prospects often get compared to genuine bench warmers or guys in and out of the league but they might say ‘but with a less broken jumpshot’ as a caveat.

I really wish we got more honest commentary about draftees. Not suggesting they should get completely thrown under the bus, but it’s not helpful to have Shifter call every draftee “the next Chris Judd” on draft night.

At least try to manage fan expectations. Draftees will cop less shit online when say Tsatas hasn’t won a Norm Smith in his first season. Dylan Shiel might have been a good comparison for him.

 

[fairbump_playon]

I really wish we got more honest commentary about draftees. Not suggesting they should get completely thrown under the bus, but it’s not helpful to have Shifter call every draftee “the next Chris Judd” on draft night.

At least try to manage fan expectations. Draftees will cop less shit online when say Tsatas hasn’t won a Norm Smith in his first season. Dylan Shiel might have been a good comparison for him.

I think about how much I hate internet trolls and then I think about how we here at BF are all internet trolls

 

[bombreys]

Got to feel for Nate. I think he’d be playing 1’s for any other side in the comp

 

[cAsEy_18]

Got to feel for Nate. I think he’d be playing 1’s for any other side in the comp

Well that’s just very clearly not true haha.

 

[ant555]

Got to feel for Nate. I think he’d be playing 1’s for any other side in the comp

If he did not injure his back and miss 4 weeks and then knock his teeth out and then miss some more VFL with illness.
It is not like he has been shooting the lights out every week in the VFL to gain some consistent week in and week out form.
The reason he has not kicked the door down is he has had several interruptions.
Name the other first year KPF who have just stepped up and played for most of the year ?

 

[blitzer]

Key forwards rarely ever get much senior time in their first year. Normally most aren't even any good in year 2 (even amongst the very best they often put seasons together where they barely average over a goal).

So its already a good sign that Caddy is putting himself in the conversation.
So I'm not bothered overly if he gets a few more games or he doesn't as long as he keeps working on his craft and his body, his time will come.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Also ran under the ball for most of the season, only recently rectified

 

[bombreys]

If he did not injure his back and miss 4 weeks and then knock his teeth out and then miss some more VFL with illness.
It is not like he has been shooting the lights out every week in the VFL to gain some consistent week in and week out form.
The reason he has not kicked the door down is he has had several interruptions.
Name the other first year KPF who have just stepped up and played for most of the year ?

Fair enough with the injuries/interruptions, but it’s weird he’s not getting a game now.

His competition in Wright, Langford, Stringer and Jones have kicked 4 goals combined across the last two weeks (both losses).

Caddy’s coming off kicking 3.2 with 6 grabs.

2021 - Sam Darcy and Amiss came back from injuries and played in finals.
2022 - Cadman
2023 - Jed Walter

 

[ant555]

Weird he is not getting a game now ? The side has not been named yet and both sides have come off a bye. He has played 1 good game coming back from being sick. In two weeks if he has played up to the same level then I will join you and say he should be playing if the others remain at the same level.

As for the rest.
Cadman did not play most of the year and was not injured early. Was rated higher than Caddy.
Walter may but he was rated the best KPF to come through the draft for many years. Caddy was not rated as high and expected to take more time.
Yes Darcy played a losing final but it was still only 4 games for the year. Same with Amiss. Played 3 games. That is not played most of the year.
Of course the year is not over either.

 

[faible]

Fair enough with the injuries/interruptions, but it’s weird he’s not getting a game now.

His competition in Wright, Langford, Stringer and Jones have kicked 4 goals combined across the last two weeks (both losses).

Caddy’s coming off kicking 3.2 with 6 grabs.

2021 - Sam Darcy and Amiss came back from injuries and played in finals.
2022 - Cadman
2023 - Jed Walter

Not really weird at all. His start to the season was interrupted via injury, and his form at VFL level wasn't anything to write him about early. Plus with the VFL byes there's not always the continuity that AFL sides have. He's built as the season has gone on and is clearly talented.

- Nate Caddy

vfl.aflmstats.com

He played 2 games, averaging 8.5 disposals, 2 marks, 2 goals.
Got his tooth knocked out.
Played 3 games, averaging 11.3 disposals, 4.6 marks, 0.6 goals. His worst game was the 3rd in that run.
I think there was a an Essendon bye in VFL Round 6
Played 2 games, averaging 14.5 disposals, 6.5 marks, 2 goals.
Debuted at AFL level.
Played 1 game, 13 disposals, 6 marks, 3 goals.
VFL bye again.

 

[Yoda_]

the glimpses are awfully exciting

that pack mark for a shot on goal was huge. Big positive from the game today

 

[SpeckieMcVeigh]

He needs to be in the side every week, a clear best 22 guy. I also like that Jones can play further up the ground with Caddy in the forward line.

 

[TheBrightSide]

Gif worthy first goal.

 

[blitzer]

Playing style wise I reckon he's a lot like Curnow from his build to the way he launches at the ball and tries to create goals from all sorts of different situations. Is surprisingly mobile at ground level and yet can still take a big grab.
If he can stay fit and keep developing I can really see a big future for him.

It'll be a tough call if they have to drop one of him or Jones in the coming games.

 

[Beerfish]

Gif worthy first goal.

My Kayo stream completely crapped out as Stringer was lining up for his point before this goal. I didn't get the feed up and working again until the centre bounce after this goal. Had to go back at half time to see it lol

 

[Hird05]

Playing style wise I reckon he's a lot like Curnow from his build to the way he launches at the ball and tries to create goals from all sorts of different situations. Is surprisingly mobile at ground level and yet can still take a big grab.
If he can stay fit and keep developing I can really see a big future for him.

It'll be a tough call if they have to drop one of him or Jones in the coming games.

Would like to see them both in the team too. Pretty handy to think if 2mp, Jones on Langers cop an injury he's there ready to go

 

[Yoda_]

He needs to be in the side every week, a clear best 22 guy. I also like that Jones can play further up the ground with Caddy in the forward line.

im taking the long straw with this one. Caddy looked gassed at times with repeat efforts needed he was simply unable to provide.

Hes still a puppy needing to play a mans role. If he ends up in the twos for prolonged periods this year, so be it. If hes still in the twos in year 3 then we should be worried