Player Watch #40: Eddie Ford - re-signed until end of 2025

[LB2Snake]

I want to talk Eddie Ford.

Now I feel there’s something about him. He’s an exciting player to watch. He’s got genuine qualities and that unteachable goal sense.

On the other hand He definitely has been one of the players that’s been part of the problem we’ve had over the last few years in terms of lack of defensive accountability, mental collapses, laziness, dropping off in pressure etc. and the club don’t appear to rate him like me based on selection. seems like he’s in line for delisting at season’s end.

But I can’t help but rate him. He’s probably around 23-26th in the pecking order right now which means (as injuries, concussions and suspensions are inevitable) he will play this season and get opportunities.

Is anyone else with me that he has an opportunity to be a good player for us?

He just needs to add really simple things like manic pressure, two way running etc.

He has goal sense as a poacher, tricks, good skills, a nice shot for goal.

He’s where Curtis Taylor was 12 months ago. Got some great capabilities but clear weaknesses too.

He either fades into a distant memory or stakes his claim. I’m weirdly betting on him to be good. I just feel it

Personally there isn’t a player on our list I want to see become a ruthless gun more than Eddie. He’s got serious ability. Agree it’s the mental side with him , or appears so.
You’d hope it clicks with him as he could absolutely tear games apart with that skill set. Big summer for Ed.

 

[DuckYeah]

North has literally told Elvis that he has only 1 year in 2025 (starting 4 weeks ago) to prove himself or he’s on Love Island with Curtis Taylor

Incredibly disappointing with elvis thus far. I know he was a speculative draft pick but he is absolutely performing as one. He isn’t fit enough, not strong enough.. whatever happened the last few years with conditioning and leadership around conditioning has been putrid. He skips leg day constantly

 

[Shack18]

I want to talk Eddie Ford.

Now I feel there’s something about him. He’s an exciting player to watch. He’s got genuine qualities and that unteachable goal sense.

On the other hand He definitely has been one of the players that’s been part of the problem we’ve had over the last few years in terms of lack of defensive accountability, mental collapses, laziness, dropping off in pressure etc. and the club don’t appear to rate him like me based on selection. seems like he’s in line for delisting at season’s end.

But I can’t help but rate him. He’s probably around 23-26th in the pecking order right now which means (as injuries, concussions and suspensions are inevitable) he will play this season and get opportunities.

Is anyone else with me that he has an opportunity to be a good player for us?

He just needs to add really simple things like manic pressure, two way running etc.

He has goal sense as a poacher, tricks, good skills, a nice shot for goal.

He’s where Curtis Taylor was 12 months ago. Got some great capabilities but clear weaknesses too.

He either fades into a distant memory or stakes his claim. I’m weirdly betting on him to be good. I just feel it

Has ability but is not fit enough, needs to work much harder otherwise this will be his last year

 

[ferball]

Didn’t he win it, or very nearly at least?

Yeah he won. Eddie did okay too.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Has ability but is not fit enough, needs to work much harder otherwise this will be his last year

If the pre-season is any indication this won't be a problem, he's been working hard since pretty much the end of the season.

 

[Its a Process]

Can any tack watchers shed light on what group he’s training with?

I would love to see him trialled as a defender or at least an option for the wing.

 

[Augustine]

Can any tack watchers shed light on what group he’s training with?

I would love to see him trialled as a defender or at least an option for the wing.

I don’t agree with this at all. He’s a forward’s forwards. Plus there’s come decent half back and wing competition, especially with Daniel added in. The small to medium forward options seem more open to me, noting Parker will probably be in the mix there now

 

[shinboner magic]

We’ve got a fair few out of contract at the end of 25.
Think if Eddie continues on with this effort abc translates it to senior games , he’ll survive.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

I want to talk Eddie Ford.

Now I feel there’s something about him. He’s an exciting player to watch. He’s got genuine qualities and that unteachable goal sense.

On the other hand He definitely has been one of the players that’s been part of the problem we’ve had over the last few years in terms of lack of defensive accountability, mental collapses, laziness, dropping off in pressure etc. and the club don’t appear to rate him like me based on selection. seems like he’s in line for delisting at season’s end.

But I can’t help but rate him. He’s probably around 23-26th in the pecking order right now which means (as injuries, concussions and suspensions are inevitable) he will play this season and get opportunities.

Is anyone else with me that he has an opportunity to be a good player for us?

He just needs to add really simple things like manic pressure, two way running etc.

He has goal sense as a poacher, tricks, good skills, a nice shot for goal.

He’s where Curtis Taylor was 12 months ago. Got some great capabilities but clear weaknesses too.

He either fades into a distant memory or stakes his claim. I’m weirdly betting on him to be good. I just feel it

Absolutely no reason why he can't be a 30 goal per year forward. He just has to get his fitness up and sort out some of the poor decisions he makes ball in hand.

 

[Its a Process]

I don’t agree with this at all. He’s a forward’s forwards. Plus there’s come decent half back and wing competition, especially with Daniel added in. The small to medium forward options seem more open to me, noting Parker will probably be in the mix there now

Reckon he’s had a few years to nail down a position in the front half and hasn’t.

Reckon he played his best footy on the wing and he has all the attributes to be a key back.

 

[Nylex]

I want to talk Eddie Ford.

Now I feel there’s something about him. He’s an exciting player to watch. He’s got genuine qualities and that unteachable goal sense.

On the other hand He definitely has been one of the players that’s been part of the problem we’ve had over the last few years in terms of lack of defensive accountability, mental collapses, laziness, dropping off in pressure etc. and the club don’t appear to rate him like me based on selection. seems like he’s in line for delisting at season’s end.

But I can’t help but rate him. He’s probably around 23-26th in the pecking order right now which means (as injuries, concussions and suspensions are inevitable) he will play this season and get opportunities.

Is anyone else with me that he has an opportunity to be a good player for us?

He just needs to add really simple things like manic pressure, two way running etc.

He has goal sense as a poacher, tricks, good skills, a nice shot for goal.

He’s where Curtis Taylor was 12 months ago. Got some great capabilities but clear weaknesses too.

He either fades into a distant memory or stakes his claim. I’m weirdly betting on him to be good. I just feel it

Had a big opportunity in 2024 to nail down a spot in the forward line.
Has not done enough to put his name amongst the first picked though.
Similar to Jaiden Stephenson and Curtis Taylor, has the tools to potentially contribute a 30 goal season, but goes missing and loses too many contests…
Needs to bring much more pressure factor and the goals will follow.
Fingers x he can put it together

 

[ChopChopDigDig]

I really liked him on the wing in spurts last year. Think he has huge potential, and is the sort of player that could really turn our fortunes around.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Absolutely no reason why he can't be a 30 goal per year forward. He just has to get his fitness up and sort out some of the poor decisions he makes ball in hand.

And f*cking learn to play on quickly when he marks on the wing.

 

[ferball]

And f*cking learn to play on quickly when he marks on the wing.

He plays on very quickly when he has options.

 

[DunderHead]

I really liked him on the wing in spurts last year. Think he has huge potential, and is the sort of player that could really turn our fortunes around.

I know this will sound dumb but he was awesome in the wing / half forward role in that futures game years ago.

 

[zoomba23]

He plays on very quickly when he has options.

Less thinking time, the better

 

[Jasemon]

And f*cking learn to play on quickly when he marks on the wing.

Yes that’s my no.1 gripe with Eddie.
I love Eddie but that stop and prop every time kills me and kills the team’s momentum.

 

[koshari]

Yes that’s my no.1 gripe with Eddie.
I love Eddie but that stop and prop every time kills me and kills the team’s momentum.

Looking like a make or break year for elvis.

 

[JGreezy]

He plays on very quickly when he has options.

You're better to play on and kick to an advantage than to stand around and let them get back and then kick to a pack where it's 50/50.

He's too indecisive.

 

[Possession]

You're better to play on and kick to an advantage than to stand around and let them get back and then kick to a pack where it's 50/50.

He's too indecisive.

I've said it before but I reckon for the amount that fans love his swagger, he seems to play like someone who second-guesses themselves a lot. Has a lot of talent - when he plays on instinct he can pull off some crazy stuff. I'm really hoping he has a big year, seems like he could be next up on the chopping board if he can't break into the side.

 

[ferball]

You're better to play on and kick to an advantage than to stand around and let them get back and then kick to a pack where it's 50/50.

He's too indecisive.

I've seen plenty of times when he's done that. But I think we need to accept that its not just the players who don't play on quickly that are to blame. We have systemic issues around quick ball movement in the men's side.

 

[choppy]

Like about 15 others on the list

Needs to grow a set

Be a man

And make a choice if he wants to be a ruthless 200 game dual premiership player

Or a 33 game millennial Nance

FACT

 

[justroyal]

Like about 15 others on the list

Needs to grow a set

Be a man

And make a choice if he wants to be a ruthless 200 game dual premiership player

Or a 33 game millennial Nance

FACT

100%

A lot of talk from Eddie. The tools to be a fan favourite. But I wonder if he might just not have the footy smarts. Made mistakes that looked like he was a 1st - 2nd year player debuting last year. Appears to be a natural footballer but struggles to read the play?

 

[Blightys Barrel]

I have no doubt with only a 1 year extension the coaches have been crystal clear on the 2025 expectations. It really is a make or break year for Elvis. I say that par is 18 games and 15 goals among with any crazy shite he does to contribute to a win.

 

[Mr north man]

Looking like a make or break year for elvis.

If given a chance and plays to potential 30-35 goal season is in store.
Plus if he can turn well over half his spud games into good games it might result in an outside chance of being near the Top 40 of the AA squad but that’s up to him I think having Parker now at North will help him and others at our club.
Mind you if he drops the lip and spuds it up in games will be stuck in the VFL and could be heading for a 4th Draft swap next year or Delistville.