Easton Wood

[slater54]

Butane in all respect if you have ever put on boots you would no that both these guys Ray and Power had countless chances to prove themselves and would not put there head over the ball.
North Melbourne would have said you do this and you have a place!and to his credit he is.

Ray hung out way 2 much and it got him found out!

 

[Borgsta]

Butane in all respect if you have ever put on boots you would no that both these guys Ray and Power had countless chances to prove themselves and would not put there head over the ball.
North Melbourne would have said you do this and you have a place!and to his credit he is.

Ray hung out way 2 much and it got him found out!

Ray was never an inside midfielder but he should never be accused of being soft.

He is an incredibily stupid footballer (low football IQ) who believes his left foot is much better than it is but he isn't soft. He was fearless backing into packs.

 

[maddog37]

The distinction between going hard at the ball and putting yor head over the ball is quite clear.

What is the point of having someone put their head over the ball or go back with the flight if they are just going to be knocked out of the way by the bloke going HARD for the ball.

Which type would you prefer? Is Hodge great because he puts his head over the ball or because he goes hard AT the ball?

 

[X_box_X]

Not sure if anyone has seen this article, but I reckon it's a beauty.

When Easton meets Western

19Aug08


Easton Wood at Bulldogs training.

EASTON Wood was the smokey of last year's AFL Draft. After only a handful of games with Geelong Grammar in 2007, the former junior cricket star was taken at pick 43 by the Western Bulldogs. Though it sounds like he's been blessed, this impressive young man has overcome much to get where he is. He talks to TERRY MALLINDER

You've got pretty strong ties to the West don't you?

My father (Phil) actually lives in Footscray. So, I've had a pretty easy transition in terms of moving.

And you're a cousin of (Williamstown runner) Sam Jamieson, the Stawell Gift winner?

My dad remarried and his wife is Maureen Jamieson, now Wood, who is Sam's auntie.

You've been a pretty good runner yourself right?

All through school I did footy, cricket and athletics. I was actually more of a triple jumper. My mum (Fiona) and dad were both athletes. Dad was a triple jumper too (representing New Zealand at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the event).

Were you at Geelong Grammar on a cricket scholarship?

No, it was actually just a general excellence one. It got said once (in a newspaper) and all of a sudden that's what it was.

We'll clear that up. You were a pretty handy cricketer though. Did anyone ever try to persuade you to keep down that general direction?

That was the general direction I was trying to follow. (But, then) I got to Year 12 and had a bad season. I found out later that year I had stress fractures in my back. It kept me from bowling. I was a fast bowler. All the pressure in the left leg had flared up the back. I kept re-aggravating it every week, trying to come out and bowl (during school cricket). I had tried out for Victoria (in under-17s) before that and got to the last thing (trial session). Then footy season came around, and I had pretty much no injuries then. Was firing to go. We had a good team, all my mates were playing, and we had a great season. It reignited the passion for it. And was lucky enough to get picked up (by the Bulldogs).

I'm sure a lot of kids would like being drafted to be that easy.

Yeah, I know, tell me about it. I was lucky enough to get thrown a lifeline.

Was there ever a dream to get drafted before that?

No, I had to make the choice whether or not to play for the Geelong Falcons (in the TAC Cup) and I sort of thought I'd really like to concentrate on cricket and Year 12, so I gave away that side of the footy. I just didn't have the passion for it at that stage.

Did Geelong Cricket Club ever come knocking on your door?

Yeah, my coach at Grammar was a Geelong player (Scott Lindsay, brother of former Victorian player and current Footscray Edgewater star Grant). They had been in contact with me about coming and training. That was the next step I guess.

No regrets now I'd imagine?

Definitely not.

The Bulldogs were pretty keen on you early on.

I was first contacted by (high-profile player manager) Ricky Nixon (in August). There were three games to go in my school season. He explained to me who he was because I had no idea.

You must have been pretty impressive in those school games?

I was lucky enough that (fellow Bulldog recruit) Guy O'Keefe, who was on the same scholarship I was, was gunning for football. He tried out for the same cricket team as I did. When he missed out on that he thought footy's my go now. He gave it a fair crack. When he wouldn't play for the Falcons, scouts would come and watch him play for the school. I guess that's how it started for me. I finished off the season well.

Was it Scott Clayton who first contacted you? What did he say to you?

He explained to me who he was as well. He said we're pretty happy with what we've seen. With the skills you've shown and your athleticism we think you can make it at the top level. We'd be interested in drafting you.

Did that just change your whole life?

Not necessarily (laughs). It was coming to the business end of Year 12 and I put a lot of work into school.

I saw your (ENTER) score (97.75).

I had a fair crack. I always wanted to play sport, but being realistic you know it's not always going to work out. Still might not. But I've got that in the back pocket.

What would you hope to go on and do away from football?

I'm studying physiotherapy part-time next year.

The stress fractures, they didn't affect any thoughts about you?

Well, I needed a shoulder reconstruction as well. When I found that out I was a bit worried. Scott said 'it's not an issue, we're not expecting you to come out and play your first week. We're not that short-sighted'.

They put a lot of faith in you.

In December I had a shoulder reconstruction, just after I got drafted. Sixteen weeks later I had my first run on the track. Including that I hadn't run since half way through September. Because of my stress fractures, I was told to have three months off my feet.

You didn't really have a pre-season then.

Didn't do any pre-season. Did all rehab. A lot of running, running around the edge (of the oval) watching the guys kick the ball, having a lot more fun than I was. It was pretty tough. Obviously coming into a new environment and not being able to interact with the guys on that professional level. The next thing was learning how to play. The season with Grammar was 10 games long. I played eight of them. I've been playing since I was six, but compared to where the other guys have come from, I completely bypassed the development stage (such as TAC Cup football).

You've had a few setbacks since you've here been too, playing in the VFL with Williamstown?

I started off in Willi reserves, had a good first couple of games, then got ill. I had a really bad infection in my lymphatic system. Had to get screened for lymphatic cancer.

Geez, would've been a worrying time for you.

My doctor was actually very good about it. He told me after we got the test results back that that's what he was testing me for. It was all clear.

Recently stepped up to senior football, and starting to have an impact.Fingers crossed nothing else goes wrong. How have you found being involved with the two clubs?

I didn't come in with too many preconceptions. (I was) coming from boarding school and the whole heirarchy system. There's no pecking order (at the Bulldogs), which I was really impressed with. You fit straight into an environment like that. Everyone at the club is great fun to be around.

You're getting out and about a little bit as well. You recently visited one of the Bulldogs supporters who had turned 100, May White (pictured).

That was good. She's doing well for a 100, cracking jokes and stuff.

Where do you see yourself fitting into the Dog's line-up in the future.

Obviously I don't see myself fitting in at this stage of the season (laughs), but hopefully, if I can do the next pre-season, come through as half-back flanker, a running type player, and hopefully develop into a midfielder.

Are you young guys at the club getting sick of Cal Ward getting all the headlines?

The papers love him (laughs). Everybody loves him. That's just Cal.

You're time will come. We'll do what we can to boost you up. You're half local anyway, so we like that.

You're originally from Camperdown, where your mum still lives. The town got any other footballers in the AFL at the moment?

Scotty Lucas is a Camperdown boy. That's about it.

Well, he's coming to the end so you'll be the big star from Camperdown.

(laughs) Thanks.

 

[Butane]

Butane in all respect if you have ever put on boots you would no that both these guys Ray and Power had countless chances to prove themselves and would not put there head over the ball.

I'm still here thinking WTF?

I still don't do get where you are pulling this from. Ray and Power both put there head over the ball - maybe not more then most but enough for it not to be called a weakness. I wasn't a fan of either player but I would never have said they didn't put their head over the ball. In some cases that was the only thing they could do properly.

 

[soupaman]

Butane in all respect if you have ever put on boots you would no that both these guys Ray and Power had countless chances to prove themselves and would not put there head over the ball.
North Melbourne would have said you do this and you have a place!and to his credit he is.

Ray hung out way 2 much and it got him found out!

Butane is right. Ray has never been soft, he's just had poor execution.

 

[Borgsta]

The distinction between going hard at the ball and putting yor head over the ball is quite clear.

What is the point of having someone put their head over the ball or go back with the flight if they are just going to be knocked out of the way by the bloke going HARD for the ball.

Which type would you prefer? Is Hodge great because he puts his head over the ball or because he goes hard AT the ball?

Ray would almost always take the mark though. He went for the ball hard and he won it a lot. He just had poor execution and a poor football IQ.

 

[maddog37]

Ray would almost always take the mark though. He went for the ball hard and he won it a lot. He just had poor execution and a poor football IQ.

Are we talking about Farren Ray or Royce Hart???????

 

[Borgsta]

Are we talking about Farren Ray or Royce Hart???????

Obviously Ray. Watch him for the Saints this year. He isn't soft.

His hardness was the thing I like most about him.

 

[slater54]

You must be joking!!!!!!!

Ray and Power are not there for what reason!!!!

Crap!

This is why as a club we never take the next step we keep weak links 2 seasons longer than everyone else,White,Skipper.

It is now a buisness and needs to be hard and real.

ask your self would Hawthorn ever play Ray,power,white,skipper >>>>>

NOOOOOOOOOO

 

[comrade]

You must be joking!!!!!!!

Ray and Power are not there for what reason!!!!

Crap!

This is why as a club we never take the next step we keep weak links 2 seasons longer than everyone else,White,Skipper.

It is now a buisness and needs to be hard and real.

ask your self would Hawthorn ever play Ray,power,white,skipper >>>>>

NOOOOOOOOOO

What's Henry White ever done wrong?

 

[bulldogsman]

You must be joking!!!!!!!

Ray and Power are not there for what reason!!!!

Crap!

This is why as a club we never take the next step we keep weak links 2 seasons longer than everyone else,White,Skipper.

It is now a buisness and needs to be hard and real.

ask your self would Hawthorn ever play Ray,power,white,skipper >>>>>

NOOOOOOOOOO

Every club has them, Hawthorn had Dawson and a few others that i can't think of (he's worse then any one of those player listed). Geelong had Gardinner, Playfair, these types. They left them there for INSURANCE, like Skipper and even Wight. Wight would've probably been delisted if he didn't still have an existing contract though.

Ray was a very promising player that was picked high in the draft. Many teams keep these players on and there even worse then Ray. He would've definetly played for the Hawks last year (he wouldn't be in there final team though). Power was just there for depth which we didn't have a lot at the time.

I think Wight is the only one you can really consider as being there to long

 

[scooter600x]

You must be joking!!!!!!!

Ray and Power are not there for what reason!!!!

Crap!

This is why as a club we never take the next step we keep weak links 2 seasons longer than everyone else,White,Skipper.

It is now a buisness and needs to be hard and real.

ask your self would Hawthorn ever play Ray,power,white,skipper >>>>>

NOOOOOOOOOO

Ray is still a lot better than Dowler.

I'm can't believe anyone would question Ray or Power's hardness at the footy. That's not the reason they failed at the Dogs.

They both needed to use the ball efficently and didn't, end of story.

 

[Mabukka]

You must be joking!!!!!!!

Ray and Power are not there for what reason!!!!

Crap!

This is why as a club we never take the next step we keep weak links 2 seasons longer than everyone else,White,Skipper.

It is now a buisness and needs to be hard and real.

ask your self would Hawthorn ever play Ray,power,white,skipper >>>>>

NOOOOOOOOOO

Your theory that the best sides 'wouldn't put with this' is seriously flawed and sometimes things aren't as black and white as this player must go for us to win a premiership. Geelong have kept Kane Tenace on their list and he has shown a lot less development than Ray has to date yet they have been the benchmark for the past two seasons. There are plenty of other examples that could be used in this instance as well, I'm sure plenty of Hawthorn supporters would have said 'we'll never win a premiership with Dawson on our list'

If we all had your attitude we may have never gotten to see someone like Daniel Cross fulfill his potential and he has shown what a little patience and confidence can do.

 

[Before I Die]

I think Wight is the only one you can really consider as being there to long

This thread has gone seriously off topic. However, in response to the above quote, Wight may be gone in 2010, but he was our CHB for the first 10 rounds last year, games that we won. How can the conclusion at this point in time be that he has been there too long?

Thanks for the Easton Wood article XBX, I haven't seen it before and it was an enjoyable read. I think Clayton's last two drafts for us may turn out be absolute pearlers.

 

[jeemak]

Every club has "junk" on their lists, and I will say that players like Cameron White frustrate me, but as the above poster said, he was holding down CHB while we were winning games at the start of the year.

People who think White isn't a quarter (didn't want to say half ) decent depth player are delluded, considering the talent pool of KPP at our club, and the league in general, many clubs would keep him on board to use in a crises until someone else develops. It just means the players around him have to work harder to make up the shortfall.

Who else on our list would you put in if Brian Lake and Tom Williams are unnavailable? Can anybody name second string backmen that put in the performances that White did at the start of last year that are just sitting in reserve at other clubs?

As for Easton Wood, he seems like a level headed kid. I like how he was casual towards his draft circumstances and reallistic about his chances moving forward (in the article posted)**. He seems like a guy who would have a balanced life regardless of playing football, which isn't a bad thing IMO. And, considering his limited development to this point, he looks to be somebody who could slot in during the next year or so when he learns the game at the next level.

**Good article XBX, thanks for posting that.