Player Watch #6: George Wardlaw - two-time RS nominee ('23 &'24) - The Warlord/ The Boss - out vs RFC w/ delayed concussion

[AGC]

Absolutely immense. What a midfield core we are building; each complementing one another.

There is something to be said that he does need to improve his kicking a bit over the upcoming seasons particularly to allow him to execute some of the kicks he's trying to pull off. Not sure it's ever going to be shocking or a hindrance, but given the elite weapons he's got; he needs to scrub out a couple of the shanks.

 

[FootySmartSimpson]

Nah, will be much much better and I absolutely adored Stevo.

He’s like Paul Kelly/Joel Selwood with Judd/Fyfe athleticism.

He’s a leviathan.

I tried to tell ya’s…

There’s been plenty of phenomenal athletes like him in the game, not many with his absolutely manic, bloodlust for the man and contest.

The best part about it is that he genuinely having the time of his life out there. It seems genuinely fun for him to be spinning 360 through a tackle, forcing a rushed kick from a 40m chase or kicking kicks that would mow your lawn in board after blasting through the contest. Love that he is loving it.

 

[outwecome2play]

Great start to his AFL career.
I really believe that taking JHF was a risk that the club was aware of, but George was a possible back up. Swapping out pick 1 was a master stroke.
It's no coincidence that our outside players are really benefitting from having a player like George fighting to get the ball.
In relation to his elite kicking just look back at his pass to Goldy against Collingwood. If that wasn't an elite kick i don't know what is.
I remember a young Gary Ablett Junior who used to kick passes along the ground. I also remember a older Gary Ablett junior doing the same.

 

[bengrina]

giant Roo gone missing? Stinging hard for some war lord vision

 

[Disco Dew]

Does he get the nom this week?
I didn’t watch any other games so no idea how the other possible rising stars went

 

[The Dingrel]

With 2 to miss next week, we’ll get Cunners back and hopefully Paul Curtis for Spicer. Those 2 have the best font argues in the team.

Seem the obvious inclusions, did you watch the VFL game? Sadly Cunners just looked too slow. As much as I'd like to see Cunners in, most likely its Howe and Curtis. Might not be a popular opinion but I thought Spicer's pressure was very good problem is he's just not yet strong enough.

 

[Passmore]

Nah, will be much much better and I absolutely adored Stevo.

He’s like Paul Kelly/Joel Selwood with Judd/Fyfe athleticism.

He’s a leviathan.

I tried to tell ya’s…

There’s been plenty of phenomenal athletes like him in the game, not many with his absolutely manic, bloodlust for the man and contest.

I like the Paul Kelly comparison. He even looks slightly disheveled like a young Paul Kelly.

 

[koshari]

a post from the * board,

this is the epitome of fanciful thinking,

#20: Peter "Litre" Wright - Will not play football this weekend despite training strongly during the week - 1/6 Look I don't mind if he's an option for North, as long as Sheezel or Wardlaw become an option for us in return, and even then I want steak knives.​

 

[roos_tt29]

Scoffed when people said stuff like "Warlord will be better than Sheezel".

But holy hell, he just might be. What a contested beast.

The couple of times he got run down, or tried to do too much, really reminded me of Cunnington circa year 1/2.
Happened more often than you'd like, but then one day it's just all going to click and players won't be able to lay a fingernail on him. Absolute unit.

This is going to be a fun ride.

LDU was the same early in that regard.

 

[roos_tt29]

Okay, so do you guys remember Sheezel? That guy we were all like 'Oh my God. I have ΝEVER seen a first year player come in and be THIS GOOD!", a few months ago? Yeah, that guy.

Well THAT guy, when he was interviewed last year about who should go Number 1 pick, said THIS guy.

And we have both of them, because GWS wanted a tall.

Cadman would want to kick a LOT of goals.

Similar to the McCartin, Trac, Brayshaw draft almost. We could end up being very lucky.

 

[giantroo]

Does he get the nom this week?
I didn’t watch any other games so no idea how the other possible rising stars went

AFL Rising Stars

Round by Round performances of eligible AFL Rising Stars. Includes latest round and historical data since 1993.

www.footywire.com

 

[The Filth Wizard]

AFL Rising Stars

Round by Round performances of eligible AFL Rising Stars. Includes latest round and historical data since 1993.

www.footywire.com

Some good performances, could argue JVR, Knevitt or even Bergman.

There seems to be a swell of good will for us the last couple of weeks and people genuinely love Wardlaw, it feels the right thing to do.

 

[Passmore]

Some good performances, could argue JVR, Knevitt or even Bergman.

There seems to be a swell of good will for us the last couple of weeks and people genuinely love Wardlaw, it feels the right thing to do.

McVee was getting a bit of love in commentary on Friday.

 

[berniemccarthy]

I've underestimated him. Anyone comparing him to Tsiatos

Harry will happily work in Georges shadow

3 games at AFL level coming off three games at U18 level

And 4 games at VFL level,

Insane.

This bit is underestimated. Had very little under 18 footy. Is coming in from under 17s to full bore killing it at AFL level after a couple of half games at VFL level. That’s a fair step up. When he learns not to try to beat the second bloke as well as the first he will be unstoppable. He still thinks he is a junior and can shrug blokes. Not at this level at least not twice. But a joy to watch. And he is dragging others with him in his intent.

 

[The Dingrel]

This bit is underestimated. Had very little under 18 footy. Is coming in from under 17s to full bore killing it at AFL level after a couple of half games at VFL level. That’s a fair step up. When he learns not to try to beat the second bloke as well as the first he will be unstoppable. He still thinks he is a junior and can shrug blokes. Not at this level at least not twice. But a joy to watch. And he is dragging others with him in his intent.

What I really love is getting caught the first time didn't curb his enthusiasm, instead punched the ground clearly angry at himself and hates being beaten. He's a beauty and needs to keep playing to his natural instincts.

 

[SMaturin]

 

[Disco Dew]

He’s a maniac. An absolute joy to watch. It’s funny though, we keep talking about his crash and bang style but he’s also super clean and silky.

 

[Farthers]

 

[Hearts to hearts]

Roo Shop has sold out of badges for George.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

His desire to get the ball reminds me of Simon Black who would dive across players to get to the bottom of the pack.

He also gets my Leigh Matthews stat a lot. Matthews used to hand the ball back to the ump at ball ups more than any player I ever saw. Black was number two. This bloke could be better than Black.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

His desire to get the ball reminds me of Simon Black who would dive across players to get to the bottom of the pack.

He also gets my Leigh Matthews stat a lot. Matthews used to hand the ball back to the ump at ball ups more than any player I ever saw. Black was number two. This bloke could be better than Black.

Could be better than Black is some high praise.

 

[Devil Fish]

I am loving what I'm seeing with GW. The biggest difference he has shown compared to just about everyone else on our list:

URGENCY.

We have so many guys happy to meander along & offer token efforts/chases. But not GW.

 

[Jebus]

How good was that.

 

[jay317]

Free viagra

 

[archerboy]

How good was that.

**** that is so good, Merrett left grasping at straws