Player Watch #34: Jack Graham

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Find it funny how some people want Graham rushed in but complain about Prestia being underdone. For mine leave him in the VFL and ensure that he is right for a big summer and unleash him next year.

 

[Jimmy Jess]

Find it funny how some people want Graham rushed in but complain about Prestia being underdone. For mine leave him in the VFL and ensure that he is right for a big summer and unleash him next year.

I concur that is the best way to develop him, however if the selection committee believes his inclusion improving our chances of winning it all this year, it would be exciting to see him out there in the firsts. And he might be the X factor that makes the difference.

Either way it appears he has a big future at the Tiges.


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[Goldust]

Find it funny how some people want Graham rushed in but complain about Prestia being underdone. For mine leave him in the VFL and ensure that he is right for a big summer and unleash him next year.

Prestia is not underdone ......... it's a myth that gets perpetuated by some posters to justify his below expectations form.
Plenty of AFL players step into the seniors after injury, or off limited preparation and perform to a very high level - it's just an excuse.
Prestia is not underdone - we are in round 20. Players who may not have had a full pre-season and even those who do build fitness during the season too. We have a poster on here who is close to happenings at Tigerland and suggested he sat in on the mid-season player reviews and the club's verdict was Prestia was 'fit'.
Giving Graham a game that he's earned would not be a bad thing - and if his ressies form is anything to go by - he might just surprise and be a very good and fresher contributor.

 

[Goldust]

I concur that is the best way to develop him, however if the selection committee believes his inclusion improving our chances of winning it all this year, it would be exciting to see him out there in the firsts. And he might be the X factor that makes the difference.

Either way it appears he has a big future at the Tiges.


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Agree with those sentiments. A few fresher legs at this end of the season could be the difference.
On the limited Under-18 championships footage and even more limited North Adelaide footage I've seen and what I've seen at reserves level, the kid could easily have a first-up impact and looks like he belongs.

 

[Wacko23Jacko]

If he holds up over the next two weeks in reserves and performs consistently something tells me he will get a game against freo or saints. The club will want as many players ready for action by the time the finals come around. Better than having to chuck depth in come finals with no AFL experience!

 

[Sir_Loin]

If he holds up over the next two weeks in reserves and performs consistently something tells me he will get a game against freo or saints. The club will want as many players ready for action by the time the finals come around. Better than having to chuck depth in come finals with no AFL experience!

Agree, I think the Prestia v Graham comparisons are wrong. Graham is moving freely, no hint of him carrying anything at all and is performing well. Doesn't look underdone in any way. Prestia is carrying a couple niggles at the moment so worth him having a couple weeks off to freshen up.

Who knows, might come in and hit a streak and be a player for us.

 

[_RT_]

Prestia is not underdone ......... it's a myth that gets perpetuated by some posters to justify his below expectations form.
Plenty of AFL players step into the seniors after injury, or off limited preparation and perform to a very high level - it's just an excuse.
Prestia is not underdone - we are in round 20. Players who may not have had a full pre-season and even those who do build fitness during the season too. We have a poster on here who is close to happenings at Tigerland and suggested he sat in on the mid-season player reviews and the club's verdict was Prestia was 'fit'.
Giving Graham a game that he's earned would not be a bad thing - and if his ressies form is anything to go by - he might just surprise and be a very good and fresher contributor.

Even though that was posted about Prestia there are still some who continue to bag him despite him regularly covering more distance than most of the team.

My point regarding Graham though is that he missed most of the season because of injury and we've seen others who have struggled when stepping up from VFL to AFL despite having been playing most of the year. Ellis and Menadue are 2 that come to mind. Let Graham finish the year and get himself 100% right for the 2018 season. If we were down the bottom of the ladder and wanting to get a look at kids by all means as expectation would be lower, but we're fighting for a top 4, possibly top 2 spot.

 

[Goldust]

Even though that was posted about Prestia there are still some who continue to bag him despite him regularly covering more distance than most of the team.

My point regarding Graham though is that he missed most of the season because of injury and we've seen others who have struggled when stepping up from VFL to AFL despite having been playing most of the year. Ellis and Menadue are 2 that come to mind. Let Graham finish the year and get himself 100% right for the 2018 season. If we were down the bottom of the ladder and wanting to get a look at kids by all means as expectation would be lower, but we're fighting for a top 4, possibly top 2 spot.

Ellis and Menadue are special cases ... they simply don't have the body shape or bulk at this point in time. This kid looks more than capable in size and strength to match it with the big boys. I've seen two VFL games and gotta say I his potential exceeds that of the two aforementioned players and this kid looks to have it. I think this kid offers something very different and a bigger body would be invaluable at finals time, provided he has the form, which we can only determine if we give him a chance beforehand.

 

[_RT_]

Ellis and Menadue are special cases ... they simply don't have the body shape or bulk at this point in time. This kid looks more than capable in size and strength to match it with the big boys. I've seen two VFL games and gotta say I his potential exceeds that of the two aforementioned players and this kid looks to have it. I think this kid offers something very different and a bigger body would be invaluable at finals time, provided he has the form, which we can only determine if we give him a cancellation beforehand.

Graham has also struggled with injury as well having had a flare up not long ago of the ankle injury. If he is picked then I'm happy to back in the footy dept but given he has had injury issues through his career I'd much rather wait and play him fresh in 2018.

 

[Tango67]

if he is good enough which he is and fit which he is you play him he can injure himself just as easy at VFL level.

if he continues to smash it at VFL level why wait, we have players in the firsts that are not good enough and Grigg is one of them.

 

[_RT_]

if he is good enough which he is and fit which he is you play him he can injure himself just as easy at VFL level.

if he continues to smash it at VFL level why wait, we have players in the firsts that are not good enough and Grigg is one of them.

Big step up from VFL to AFL, even moreso when coming into a side fighting for top 4.

 

[Juke]

Unless he absolutely bangs down the door in the next week, keep him in the 2s for the remainder of the year. if he does, he'll need time to adjust to AFL and we can't afford to carry an L-plater much closer to finals.

 

[Nicksimo]

He's had what 4-5 games in the vfl ? Not ready yet. Won't do him any harm to dominate vfl for a few weeks

 

[tigerT]

Find it funny how some people want Graham rushed in but complain about Prestia being underdone. For mine leave him in the VFL and ensure that he is right for a big summer and unleash him next year.

Apart from the week off for the mild sprain he's clocked up some good minutes in the VFL, its hardly rushing him for mine

 

[Morro]

Apart from the week off for the mild sprain he's clocked up some good minutes in the VFL, its hardly rushing him for mine

agreed, if he gets through and dominates this week, then straight in IMO.

 

[tunksy]

He's had what 4-5 games in the vfl ? Not ready yet. Won't do him any harm to dominate vfl for a few weeks

yep two more weeks and can give him a taste vs freo or saints. Or just let him continue to build and head into next year and pre season.

 

[Wacko23Jacko]

In the past we have rushed kids in and perhaps stunted their development and shattered confidence.

Different club now and i don't believe that we have this problem at all anymore apart from last season which spooked a few of the youngens.

The game style we are playing is great for young and hungry kids and given his comfort at VFL level so far he definitely would deserve a crack if the body holds up.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

I'd like to see him come in next year after a solid pre-season...

 

[DrMike]

He's had what 4-5 games in the vfl ? Not ready yet. Won't do him any harm to dominate vfl for a few weeks

1 full game

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Logic says leave him to next year when after a full season he'll be cherryripe (hi spud)
But if he continues to get those sort of numbers in the 2's it's going to be difficult not to pick him. Either way great to see genuine depth.

 

[Sir_Loin]

Logic says leave him to next year when after a full season he'll be cherryripe (hi spud)
But if he continues to get those sort of numbers in the 2's it's going to be difficult not to pick him. Either way great to see genuine depth.

He's ready now. Not sure who they cloned him from but the guy looks 26 and plays like it too. No reason not to pick him if his form warrants it

 

[Goldust]

Logic says leave him to next year when after a full season he'll be cherryripe (hi spud)
But if he continues to get those sort of numbers in the 2's it's going to be difficult not to pick him. Either way great to see genuine depth.

Cherry ripe
Always preceded a 100 point loss, those words from Spud!

 

[Charlie Pannam]

He's ready now. Not sure who they cloned him from but the guy looks 26 and plays like it too. No reason not to pick him if his form warrants it

It will be hard to deny him if he's absolutely knocking the door down. His contested game and two way running suits the way finals footy is played.

 

[Charlie Pannam]

Cherry ripe
Always preceded a 100 point loss, those words from Spud!

I still remember Spud making the comment about big Ben Holland being Cherry Ripe to become one of the leagues gun KPFs. Know how that one ended!!

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

Spud is a Spud...and always has been...