Player Watch #35: Charlie Lazzaro - contract extension until end of 2024

[Chadwiko]

Fact or opinion?

Opinion.

 

[RossHenshaw]

Should have packed his locker by now …
Now get the heck out

 

[Works atErrol St]

Professional so keep

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Wouldn’t be against keeping him. We are already going to be cutting plenty of dead wood and while he didn’t take his opportunities this year, I still think he could be a solid role player in a top 8 side.

The fumbling needs to go though.

 

[Karanicolas]

Wouldn’t be against keeping him. We are already going to be cutting plenty of dead wood and while he didn’t take his opportunities this year, I still think he could be a solid role player in a top 8 side.

The fumbling needs to go though.

Can you fix fumbling at AFL level? I don’t think you can, but I don’t know.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Can you fix fumbling at AFL level? I don’t think you can, but I don’t know.

It’s between his ears, because he is pretty clean at VFL level.

 

[DocSholl]

It’s between his ears, because he is pretty clean at VFL level.

X a good example.of this

 

[Psychic Roo]

Think he is cooked. To survive - let alone thrive- as a senior afl mid, you need tricks. Not all, but most or elite at one. Lateral movement, power, one touch, high % disposal, quick hands, strong overhead, goal sense - he really doesnt have any at elite level. Was a dumb recruiting call. Can Get away with it in vfl but… Sad, but true.

 

[Ligma]

It’s between his ears, because he is pretty clean at VFL level.

Main culprit of fumbling is thinking about who they are going to dispose to, not actually fully taking possession of the ball. Which stems from panicking, thinking someone’s always on their back.

 

[Themanbun]

Think he is cooked. To survive - let alone thrive- as a senior afl mid, you need tricks. Not all, but most or elite at one. Lateral movement, power, one touch, high % disposal, quick hands, strong overhead, goal sense - he really doesnt have any at elite level. Was a dumb recruiting call. Can Get away with it in vfl but… Sad, but true.

His agility is absolutely elite. His pace is also very good.

 

[Psychic Roo]

His agility is absolutely elite. His pace is also very good.

Short distance Pace is good. Not sure on his agility. Doesnt show in games. Seems pretty straight line - not much sideways movement. He needs to build that and/or quick hands. You really cant survive in afl as a straight line player without extra tricks who doesnt kick goals. You Can in vfl.

 

[Themanbun]

Short distance Pace is good. Not sure on his agility. Doesnt show in games. Seems pretty straight line - not much sideways movement. He needs to build that and/or quick hands. You really cant survive in afl as a straight line player without extra tricks who doesnt kick goals. You Can in vfl.

IMO it's just a matter of time and comfort at the level.

His agility score during draft combine was absolutely insane, fourth on the all time record list if I recall correctly.

Ironically, his straight line speed used to be a weakness. No one would know it now because he hired a very good sprinting coach one off season and worked diligently to address it.

I'd love to keep him just on work ethic and standard setting alone tbh. At the very least he's one of the best VFL players going around and we need as much depth as we can there.

 

[Themanbun]

Main culprit of fumbling is thinking about who they are going to dispose to, not actually fully taking possession of the ball. Which stems from panicking, thinking someone’s always on their back.

100% and you notice it real bad when you lose a few yards of pace, because someone usually is on your back, lol.

 

[Merlin007]

IMO it's just a matter of time and comfort at the level.

His agility score during draft combine was absolutely insane, fourth on the all time record list if I recall correctly.

Ironically, his straight line speed used to be a weakness. No one would know it now because he hired a very good sprinting coach one off season and worked diligently to address it.

I'd love to keep him just on work ethic and standard setting alone tbh. At the very least he's one of the best VFL players going around and we need as much depth as we can there.

Agree with this, Charlie would be a handy reserve player in a good side (eg Corey Wagner can still get a game). The challenge will be list spots. Clubs looking for economical depth will consider Lazzaro if we let him go

 

[koshari]

Agree with this, Charlie would be a handy reserve player in a good side (eg Corey Wagner can still get a game). The challenge will be list spots. Clubs looking for economical depth will consider Lazzaro if we let him go

Ryan Clarke to Sydney is your similar scenario. Chipped in as a bit player til they had the cattle ready to displace him.

 

[Its a Process]

If the rumours are true about Steevo retiring then I'd be open to giving Laz another year as a rookie.

He tries his guts out, has a lovely step out of traffic and gets himself into good positions but often flubbs the kick or fumbles the ball.

I wouldnt mind seeing him trialled as a run with player if we retain him.

 

[William Caresser]

Strongly doubt Laz would stay at the club knowing he'd be continuing to most likely play 95% VFL. Either he gets a fresh start somewhere else or he follows his studies by 100% pursuing a career in business. He would've played more senior games by now if it was going to work. Not easy being in his position - best to part ways.

 

[My Left Foote]

Strongly doubt Laz would stay at the club knowing he'd be continuing to most likely play 95% VFL. Either he gets a fresh start somewhere else or he follows his studies by 100% pursuing a career in business. He would've played more senior games by now if it was going to work. Not easy being in his position - best to part ways.

The reality of him getting a fresh start elsewhere would be slim at best, if we're offering him a year even on a very basic wage it's still going to be $350K – $450K would be mad not to take that even if knows his opportunities at senior level might be limited.

 

[William Caresser]

The reality of him getting a fresh start elsewhere would be slim at best, if we're offering him a year even on a very basic wage it's still going to be $350K – $450K would be mad not to take that even if knows his opportunities at senior level might be limited.

The minimum pay for a non-rookie or non-draftee was $130K in 2024. And the minimum pay for a rookie listed player was $90K. 20% of players are paid between $100-200K.

Why would Viney and co pay much more than the minimum for a player they don't rate enough to actually play in the seniors? They'll probably delist him and might, might offer to rookie him on peanuts. Suggest he'll pursue a business career and play footy for fun and a few $.

 

[My Left Foote]

The minimum pay for a non-rookie or non-draftee was $130K in 2024. And the minimum pay for a rookie listed player was $90K. 20% of players are paid between $100-200K.

Why would Viney and co pay much more than the minimum for a player they don't rate enough to actually play in the seniors? They'll probably delist him and might, might offer to rookie him on peanuts. Suggest he'll pursue a business career and play footy for fun and a few $.

View attachment 2093579

Fair enough, I didn't realise the wages were that low.

 

[swaeney]

I don’t think he cuts it unfortunately

 

[koshari]

I don’t think he cuts it unfortunately

Along with a dozen others on the list but he likely gets through on lack of ability to bring in enough talent in 1 draft

 

[Spud11]

Could he play half back?

 

[travelli]

THere are alot of guys already gone, or should be gone. For continuity we need to keep the triers. No more than 8 changes please and keep Laz.

 

[hotchilli]

The fact he didn’t get a look in at the end of the year tends to suggest he’s gone imo.