Player Watch Pick #49 (2020) - Ollie Lord

[RossFC]

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CLUBS EYE POWER FORWARD​

OLLIE Lord is attracting interest from Victorian clubs, amid Port Adelaide's pursuit of Gold Coast forward Jack Lukosius.

Collingwood is in the market for a key forward and has enquired, while Melbourne has held long-term interest in Lord and is also understood to be keeping tabs.

Lord signed a two-year contract extension last December that ties him to the Power until the end of 2026, after Geelong made an advance during the Continental Tyres AFL Trade Period.

Port Adelaide has assured the 22-year-old he is part of the future of the club and doesn't want to trade him, despite Lukosius requesting a move to the Power.

Veteran key forward Charlie Dixon called time on his 14-season career on Wednesday, while Todd Marshall faces some uncertainty after another concussion ended his season. Lord should get more opportunity at Port Adelaide in 2025, but rivals are keeping an eye on his situation in South Australia. – Josh Gabelich

 

[Alberton Proud]

Still moves and looks like a gangly teenager
A few years of weights and confidence and he'll be an absolute beast

 

[1954]

If Dixon and Marshall are both fit to play this week I suspect Lord will retain his spot in the Power line up, Dixon will come straight back in, and Marshall will suit up for the Maggies to hopefully regain some form and confidence.

 

[AlbertPower]

I'm hoping Lord remains in the team this weekend! He has been on the improve every week and is starting to look more at ease in his role. Some of his ground ball work and defensive efforts were great too. Tough decision I'm sure for the coaching staff.

 

[Chrizzt]

I was thinking that the other day. The just competes, gets to the contest and refuses to be beaten. Coaches would love that.

He’s basically the opposite of Daniel Stewart

PTSD alert.

Still remember that monsoonal game against the Tigers in 2010. Near the end of the game every player is covered in mud from the contest - except one: Daniel Bloody Stewart. Not a drop of mud or mark on him gave evidence to one of the most pathetic games I'd seen someone play.

Yeah he was young, but after that game I was certain he was a complete dud.

 

[TeeKray]

I've been pleasantly surprised by what he's shown so far. Good aggression and attack on the contest, clean hands. Definitely has a future at the level.

 

[Blinky Nyland]

I've been pleasantly surprised by what he's shown so far. Good aggression and attack on the contest, clean hands. Definitely has a future at the level.

And he's kicked pressure set shots at important stages in games that others on our list would miss.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Incredibly surprised what this young fella has shown so far. In his debut game against the Eagles he looked gassed before half time and i didnt think we would see him again for at least 12 months, yet in the past 2 weeks he has stood up at crucial times in the last qtr. Its his cleanliness below his knees thats his biggest strength at the moment, however its pleasing to see he seems to be showing a bit more with each game. If / when all 3 key forwards are fit he will have to go back to the Maggies, which is a shame as it feels like we should be getting as many games into him as possible, but at the same time it will be interesting to see how he looks at SANFL with the knowledge he can belong at AFL level. A really great and surprising gem we looked to have unearthed this season.

Also how big is he? He looks a monster size (keeping in mind he still has builk to put on) and a few times he has taken a leading chest mark with a defender on his hammer and they havent been able to get an arm in to reach and spoil.

 

[davesnothere]

Incredibly surprised what this young fella has shown so far. In his debut game against the Eagles he looked gassed before half time and i didnt think we would see him again for at least 12 months, yet in the past 2 weeks he has stood up at crucial times in the last qtr. Its his cleanliness below his knees thats his biggest strength at the moment, however its pleasing to see he seems to be showing a bit more with each game. If / when all 3 key forwards are fit he will have to go back to the Maggies, which is a shame as it feels like we should be getting as many games into him as possible, but at the same time it will be interesting to see how he looks at SANFL with the knowledge he can belong at AFL level. A really great and surprising gem we looked to have unearthed this season.

Also how big is he? He looks a monster size (keeping in mind he still has builk to put on) and a few times he has taken a leading chest mark with a defender on his hammer and they havent been able to get an arm in to reach and spoil.

He's basically the same size as Tom Hawkins 198 cm and a couple of years away from being the 105-110 kgs Hawkins is.

 

[klem22]

He is a guy who wants to make it at this level
Hopefully for Port!

 

[davesnothere]

Incredibly surprised what this young fella has shown so far. In his debut game against the Eagles he looked gassed before half time and i didnt think we would see him again for at least 12 months, yet in the past 2 weeks he has stood up at crucial times in the last qtr. Its his cleanliness below his knees thats his biggest strength at the moment, however its pleasing to see he seems to be showing a bit more with each game. If / when all 3 key forwards are fit he will have to go back to the Maggies, which is a shame as it feels like we should be getting as many games into him as possible, but at the same time it will be interesting to see how he looks at SANFL with the knowledge he can belong at AFL level. A really great and surprising gem we looked to have unearthed this season.

Also how big is he? He looks a monster size (keeping in mind he still has builk to put on) and a few times he has taken a leading chest mark with a defender on his hammer and they havent been able to get an arm in to reach and spoil.

Well you could say he would go back to the SANFL.

BUT

Wazza makes a good case for keeping him in. Dixon now taking longer to recover from injuries. We bomb it to Dixon when he’s forward. Wazza doesn’t think his form has been that good anyway for the last couple of years.

I think Dixon has been good but the upside of Lord sucks you in.

Wazza would also have Marshall spend time in the SANFL to get his confidence up. I'd play Marshall this week.

 

[Powerage]

Well you could say he would go back to the SANFL.

BUT

Wazza makes a good case for keeping him in. Dixon now taking longer to recover from injuries. We bomb it to Dixon when he’s forward. Wazza doesn’t think his form has been that good anyway for the last couple of years.

I think Dixon has been good but the upside of Lord sucks you in.

Wazza would also have Marshall spend time in the SANFL to get his confidence up. I'd play Marshall this week.

Did Wazza say that, are you inferring it, or a bit of both.

1. In 2021 Charlie kicks 2 goals a game average, is third in the competition for contested marks and almost never gets outmarked despite being outnumbered at contested, which is what we are praising Lord for.
2. In 2022 Charlie is out for half the season, comes back in and while finding his feet after the injury, is also playing second ruck while Finlayson plays as our lead ruck. Surprise, surprise, he doesn't have a great season as a key forward. Still rarely gets outmarked. Wazza should understand what it takes to come back from a major injury as much as anyone.
3. In 2023 while playing at least two games on one leg, Averages nearly two goals a game, 5.5 marks a game and is second for contested marks with 7 score involvements a game. Despite his age, he is probably the second best all round scoring/marking/rucking/don't get outmarked key forward in the competition. Before being reminded of Dixon's age, need I remind everyone of Hawkins age?

​

I love Wazza, but if that is a quote of what he thinks of Dixon's last couple of seasons, its a ****ing joke. Nonetheless if giving Dixon an extra week will help him recover from his injury, by all means give him an extra week's rest.

 

[johnnysix]

Don't underestimate what joy and a competitive, positive attitude brings to the side and to the players around. We are blessed with some cracker young, exciting, competitive kids loving their footy at the moment and it's infectious. I hope we don't snuff that out. It's like lightening in a bottle.

 

[Jonts]

I actually think we haven't bombed it long to Dixon like we did early days for a year or so now

 

[zorbacles]

Rebound 50s are going to bombs more often than not because the forward line is stacked with the other team.

More leads would come from turnovers in the back half than when it comes straight back in

Problem being is our inaccuracy is making most of our F50 entries Rebound 50s from the kick ins which will result in more bombing to the top of the square

On CPH2145 using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Jack Grange]

Timing of leads seem pretty solid.

And PLAYS IN FRONT- ready to lead or for the quick kick fwd under pressure, which seems instinctive. As he gets more game time his kicking will improve. Has a solid technique long kicking is good.

 

[Jack Grange]

Don't underestimate what joy and a competitive, positive attitude brings to the side and to the players around. We are blessed with some cracker young, exciting, competitive kids loving their footy at the moment and it's infectious. I hope we don't snuff that out. It's like lightening in a bottle.

AND GREAT FOR THE SUPPORTERS

 

[Chrizzt]

I actually think we haven't bombed it long to Dixon like we did early days for a year or so now

Agreed - if anything we overuse the ball in attack trying to find a perfect option these days.

Either way, Lord has been one of the most targetted players inside 50 over the past 4 weeks, and as well as he has competed I think it's fair to say swapping Lord for Dixon in those games nets us an extra 1.5 goals a game.

 

[Mundusa]

If a midfielder looks up and sees a stationary target, the ball gets lobbed onto his head. If they see a leading target, they kick to advantage.
Part of the issue with Dixon is that he doesn't initiate leads or run leading patterns as much as players like Hawkins.
Lord looks to be running leading patterns which is great for his future.

 

[jakey]

AND GREAT FOR THE SUPPORTERS

Cant believe this post hasn't had a BLOODY WELL SAID reply yet.

 

[davesnothere]

A breakout game away from being a permanent fixture.

Something like a 4-5 goal haul would do it.

Could happen this week.

 

[RangaInTeal]

A breakout game away from being a permanent fixture.

Something like a 4-5 goal haul would do it.

Could happen this week.

8 and a dislocated patella?

 

[dirty2]

8 and a dislocated patella?

Are we wearing teal socks this week?

 

[davesnothere]

8 and a dislocated patella?

Really you look at him there's alot of Wazza there.

 

[RangaInTeal]

Really you look at him there's alot of Wazza there.

Below his knees, missed simple set shots…

 

[davesnothere]

Below his knees, missed simple set shots…

Actually Wazza picked out he lifts his eyes on the simple shots. Might be the issue.