Player Watch #6: George Wardlaw - two-time RS nominee ('23 &'24) - The Warlord/ The Boss - Fashion Icon

[FootySmartSimpson]

In fairness his clearance work was dominant and exactly why we wanted to draft him at #1.

His read of the tap, explosiveness out of the stoppage, vision and kicking over 35 metres would probably be top five on the league. The rest of his attributes range from poor to very good.

The picks 8 & 8 we got for him were massive unders. It’s only the fact that we ended up with George and Sheeze that it all worked out to be even in the wash.

That said, I hecking hated seeing him beat and then mouth Comben on that marking contest.

 

[King Corey]

The Tsatas hubris isn't the way to go. That kind of nonsense has a way of blowing up in your face.

But to double down on George's kicking deficiencies is an odd hill to die on.

 

[Makeshift Park]

View attachment 2005847

Real 1970s Painters and Dockers energy

Thought it was more late 80s Manchester.

Just switch our that schnoz and its almost John Squire from the Stone Roses.

 

[Passmore]

Thought it was more late 80s Manchester.

Just switch our that schnoz and its almost John Squire from the Stone Roses.

Get him a bucket hat and he’s pure 90's Madchester.

 

[lockheed]

Tsatas would have to be the worst pick 5 selection in recent memory

Just doesn’t look like ever having the physique or the body needed to play AFL football, but even then what elite attribute does he possess?

His career highlight to date is taking a contested mark on Curtis Taylor.

Just imagine Wardlaw at *
Their list management woes sorted and Dodoro hailed a hero.
We must never forget what drafting Georgie meant.

Since Dylan Stephens?

 

[DuckYeah]

Why hasn’t he signed a contract extension? Is he OOC this year or next?

 

[Possession]

Why hasn’t he signed a contract extension? Is he OOC this year or next?

2026.

 

[DuckYeah]

2026.

Oh thats awesome!

 

[shintemaster]

The Tsatas hubris isn't the way to go. That kind of nonsense has a way of blowing up in your face.

But to double down on George's kicking deficiencies is an odd hill to die on.

Yeah. He fluffs a few (fitness a contributing factor) but he also bites off aggressive kicks as well. I'm much more forgiving when players miskick trying to sent a bullet down a team mates throat into F50 or slice open the play than I am when they fluff a 35m kick down the wing to a player with 10m on their opponent.

Definitely not enough there to be too concerned with kicking given how strong his other attributes are.

 

[Val Keating]

Oh thats awesome!

After Horne-Francis left the AFL changed the rules to high draft picks automatically get three year contracts, can’t remember what the cut off is, probably all the first round.

 

[Themanbun]

After Horne-Francis left the AFL changed the rules to high draft picks automatically get three year contracts, can’t remember what the cut off is, probably all the first round.

Think it was top ten or first round

 

[ferball]

Yeah. He fluffs a few (fitness a contributing factor) but he also bites off aggressive kicks as well. I'm much more forgiving when players miskick trying to sent a bullet down a team mates throat into F50 or slice open the play than I am when they fluff a 35m kick down the wing to a player with 10m on their opponent.

Definitely not enough there to be too concerned with kicking given how strong his other attributes are.

He does have some technique issues I reckon but I wonder if they have to do with fatigue and the fact that he often is kicking under pressure or in traffic and hasn't even straightened up after getting the ball yet.

 

[shintemaster]

He does have some technique issues I reckon but I wonder if they have to do with fatigue and the fact that he often is kicking under pressure or in traffic and hasn't even straightened up after getting the ball yet.

I'm far from a technique expert (it's an eye test for me, but I've watched a hell of a lot of footy now), but I think safe to say "bit of both". He does have a slightly odd kick, but it works a lot of the time and I suspect like you that when not run into the ground he will tidy up an extra 10-20% of them.

When all is said and done I think he's already at worst as reliable as the average player and given where he plays that's a good enough base.

 

[ferball]

I'm far from a technique expert (it's an eye test for me, but I've watched a hell of a lot of footy now), but I think safe to say "bit of both". He does have a slightly odd kick, but it works a lot of the time and I suspect like you that when not run into the ground he will tidy up an extra 10-20% of them.

When all is said and done I think he's already at worst as reliable as the average player and given where he plays that's a good enough base.

He's not the greatest kick in the comp either but he can hit incredible bullets over about 20-35m. I think LDU has a longer kick but I'd rather he hit those passes George does more often to be honest.

 

[Themanbun]

I'm far from a technique expert (it's an eye test for me, but I've watched a hell of a lot of footy now), but I think safe to say "bit of both". He does have a slightly odd kick, but it works a lot of the time and I suspect like you that when not run into the ground he will tidy up an extra 10-20% of them.

When all is said and done I think he's already at worst as reliable as the average player and given where he plays that's a good enough base.

The thing is, at AFL level you are always run into the ground. When you get fitter it just means you run harder and more, it doesn't mean you end up less fatigued.

Having said that he's not a horrible kick.

 

[Intothewind]

I used to say to Cindy, don't worry about that mole on your face, overall you are super hot. I think the same about George and his kicking.

 

[DuckYeah]

After Horne-Francis left the AFL changed the rules to high draft picks automatically get three year contracts, can’t remember what the cut off is, probably all the first round.

That wasn’t his draft year. That was the 2023 draft

 

[Possession]

That wasn’t his draft year. That was the 2023 draft

Yep. George extended from 2024 to 2026 last year, around when Sheezel did the same.

 

[PokerRoo]

Inside mids are always going to have a lower disposal eff. look at Daicos this year, getting a bunch of clearances, heap of ball, but his DE has tanked. doesn't men he is suddenly turned from a gun to a spud. Still on of the best in the game. He will get better are eliminating the obvious howlers as he gets bigger and fitter, but the role he plays will always means his DE will be lower than those streaming of half back

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Inside mids are always going to have a lower disposal eff. look at Daicos this year, getting a bunch of clearances, heap of ball, but his DE has tanked. doesn't men he is suddenly turned from a gun to a spud. Still on of the best in the game. He will get better are eliminating the obvious howlers as he gets bigger and fitter, but the role he plays will always means his DE will be lower than those streaming of half back

Treloar is having a career-best year, possibly top ten in the Brownlow and is pretty much killing it. His efficiency runs in the low 70s most games.

It’s a rubbish stat, unless a players scores extremely low (sub-50%) or high (90% plus).

 

[RossHenshaw]

Inside mids are always going to have a lower disposal eff. look at Daicos this year, getting a bunch of clearances, heap of ball, but his DE has tanked. doesn't men he is suddenly turned from a gun to a spud. Still on of the best in the game. He will get better are eliminating the obvious howlers as he gets bigger and fitter, but the role he plays will always means his DE will be lower than those streaming of half back

Unless you’re Ben10

 

[datakid]

ABC radio of the WCE vs StK game suggesting that Reid's tackle will rule him out, and that our GW is now the front runner for rising star.

 

[Reagan Smash]

 

[Harris 10]

ABC radio of the WCE vs StK game suggesting that Reid's tackle will rule him out, and that our GW is now the front runner for rising star.

The bloke he slung will go close as well.

 

[7577969923]

That wasn’t his draft year. That was the 2023 draft

Gun draftee signs contract extension

Fresh off his highly anticipated AFL debut, prized draftee George Wardlaw has signed a two-year contract extension to remain a Roo until at least the end of 2026

www.nmfc.com.au