AFL Player #31: Zach Reid

[Lore]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2025
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 5, Happyskeret

 

[faible]

Forward or back?

I've always said back but I know guys like ant think he's a strong chance to be a good forward too.

 

[ghostdog]

I've always said back but I know guys like ant think he's a strong chance to be a good forward too.

Yeah I'm not sure. If Cox plays CHB he has the height as well as the class on both feet to be a rebounding weapon. Not sure if the same can be said of Reid. Reid is an elite kick but that doesn't always translate to being an elite set shot goal kicker, weirdly.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

Forward or back?

 

[ghostdog]

That doesn't answer the question though

 

[fairbump_playon]

It's the size and strength issue for Reid moreso than form at the level. When he has played he has been able to show composure and ability that I was much more comfortable with than with BZT at first. He should get game time here and there along the way, maybe only when there are injuries. I just fear for his life when he does get to play.

He has put weight & strength on. Go by eye rather than listed weight. There are recent-ish photos in here which show he's no longer the stick figure kid. Has a fair bit further to go but to my eye he is probably ready to start playing grown up footy.

Won't manage the monsters yet but I have high hopes for a significant step ahead this year.

 

[rioli brownlow]

He has put weight & strength on. Go by eye rather than listed weight. There are recent-ish photos in here which show he's no longer the stick figure kid. Has a fair bit further to go but to my eye he is probably ready to start playing grown up footy.

Won't manage the monsters yet but I have high hopes for a significant step ahead this year.

I saw him up close yesterday at training. He had certainly put size and bulk on. Alot bigger than when first drafted

 

[Lore]

Ridley - BZT - Kelly
Redman - Reid - McGrath

Laverde: 193cm, 92kg
Reid: 202cm, 90kg (unless these are not revised numbers)

Obviously comes back through the VFL, so maybe a few weeks away. Reid's height and class with the ball are clearly needed back there but his weight still worries me. I think he needs another 10 or so kilos. That would make him Peter Wright size.

On one hand I would like to see him preserved. A player like Lynch or Naughton would just crunch him. On the other hand he'll be a clear upgrade on Laverde.

They did update the numbers, because last year he was 204cm and 90kg

 

[faible]

They did update the numbers, because last year he was 204cm and 90kg

Now we're shrinking our KPPs instead of developing them?!? Classic Essington.

 

[ghostdog]

They did update the numbers, because last year he was 204cm and 90kg

Might be on me. I went no further than Google.

 

[fishardansin]

The forward and back question is interesting because with BZT, Ridley, Cox, Hayes and Baldwin all showing heaps (or already rolled gold) we're not in need of KPDs. However, after Wright, we have Jones and Weiderman up forward and have little faith in them being guns.

Having said that, let me say this! Clearly, the only thing that Jones adds to the team is running. While it has translated to very little impact on the game, not having a half-forward who can run has been a weakness of Essendon since Scott Lucas

Scott Lucas

Age

47

Ht

192cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.5

4star

K

12.4

5star

HB

3.1

3star

M

6.0

5star

T

1.9

4star

G

1.9

5star

No current season stats available

D

17.2

5star

K

12.4

5star

HB

4.8

4star

M

6.6

5star

T

0.6

3star

G

4.4

5star

left. The only time that was alleviated was 2017 and the great season of Stewart. I think Cox could take over that role with even more running and more confidence to impact the contest.

 

[ant555]

The one question mark I have on him as a defender is his pace off the mark is just average at best. That will limit who he can play on at times.
The sample size was only small but he did well as a forward and in the ruck in some quarters of NAB footy.

 

[Lore]

The forward and back question is interesting because with BZT, Ridley, Cox, Hayes and Baldwin all showing heaps (or already rolled gold) we're not in need of KPDs. However, after Wright, we have Jones and Weiderman up forward and have little faith in them being guns.

Having said that, let me say this! Clearly, the only thing that Jones adds to the team is running. While it has translated to very little impact on the game, not having a half-forward who can run has been a weakness of Essendon since Scott Lucas left. The only time that was alleviated was 2017 and the great season of Stewart. I think Cox could take over that role with even more running and more confidence to impact the contest.

Jones adds a lot more than that, but this isn't really the thread for it. We saw a fair bit in his first year and glimpses between injuries since. Have some faith

 

[fishardansin]

The one question mark I have on him as a defender is his pace off the mark is just average at best. That will limit who he can play on at times.
The sample size was only small but he did well as a forward and in the ruck in some quarters of NAB footy.

Yeah, I saw that too. However, there is room for a tower in a good team defence.

 

[FlyingV]

The one question mark I have on him as a defender is his pace off the mark is just average at best. That will limit who he can play on at times.
The sample size was only small but he did well as a forward and in the ruck in some quarters of NAB footy.

I was just going to post on this… two concerns for me are:

• His pace off the mark - as so many FFs get drafted now becuase of their explosiveness.
• Aggression/competitiveness, from the limited VFL footy I’ve seen of him I don’t see the Harris Andrews type mongrel

 

[BrunoV]

The one question mark I have on him as a defender is his pace off the mark is just average at best. That will limit who he can play on at times.
The sample size was only small but he did well as a forward and in the ruck in some quarters of NAB footy.

And we had a >198cm guy who was sub 2.9 over 20m who was putting together some form in defence.

 

[naraku]

I'm just happy he is fit again.

 

[Lore]

Available for selection!! Will play in the VFL this week

In another positive return story, defender Zach Reid will feature at VFL level this weekend after recovering from a back injury.

"Zach will be available for selection this week," McPherson said.

"He's ticked off all the relevant markers we needed from him and we can’t wait to see him out there."

Injury news: Weideman recovered from concussion, Reid to lineup for first game

All the latest injury news ahead of round six.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[ant555]

 

[fairbump_playon]

Still has baby giraffe vibes

He’s going to be a truly massive man. Imagine that frame at its full realization. Jeepers.

 

[Pweter]

Just good to see him get through, regardless of what he achieved on the field. Heartening to hear his reading of the play was still top shelf, you'd think touch will come with both game time and growing confidence in his body.

The next month will be interesting viewing his progress (from afar - keep the updates coming ant555 they're appreciated)

 

[TheGrizz]

With Hayes showing a bit, Zerk breaking out and Scott's comments from earlier in the year indicating they intend to play Cox off half back, I think I am joining the smaller chorus of those that would like to see him tried forward.

 

[rumply]

 

[fairbump_playon]

“205cm”

I knew he had grown!

 

[Lore]

“205cm”

I knew he had grown!

Any time a young tall is having stress fractures in his back or legs he’s probably growing again

 

[ant555]

Good to know they are not desperate to rush him back. Needs a good 5 or 6 VFL games before they consider him.