That makes a lot of sense but I can only see Byrnes as Captain after the Ross 2.0 era has ended and we are in a hard rebuild again. Like Geary, Byrnes would be a great example to a side of young battlers trying to learn how to get the most out of your limitations.
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Rogue Warrior
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I sure as hell hope we’re not in a position where this plays out. Nothing against Geary, he gave everything and got everything out of himself and set the example but your captain is a symbol of the club. Having a star player as a captain gives the club relevance and marketability. Having a player that other supporters don’t even know as captain makes the club irrelevant. I genuinely believe this contributes to your ability to generate sponsorship, game attendance and get prime time games.
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I’m very confident about those two, not so with JVE!
gringo2011
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Yeah, really unlucky. Thought he was another Jake Carlisle type potentially.
I'm not sure Austinn meant that Byrnes would make captain, to me he meant that Byrnes was a guy of limited talent, who's realised that he can still have a good AFL career if he works hard enough to be exceptionally fit.
beside the seaside
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Not that long ago JVE and Hotton were seen as absolute steals of the draft. Both wrecked through injury, no one would have predicted neither would play a game. It's a good lesson in not overrating draft picks, once they're in the system anything can happen and it's a ruthless industry that waits for no one.
In one sense you're right that they are upgrades because if they can get on the park in the VFL they'll be an upgrade on JVE, but let's not forget Tauru hasn't even done a training session yet and Barrett was a massive bolter that many hadn't heard of. Hopefully they both have awesome careers but I reckon JVE and Hotton should be a cautionary tale to our fans.
It's the folly of Richmond supporters presupposing that every one of this year's draft haul will be rippers.
Getting drafted will be the easiest part of every players career.
Saw plenty of JVE at training before his ankle. Was in development so hard to gauge his actual long term ability. Physically he was a great specimen, and would hit the packs hard. Kicking wise he was ordinary, however he was 18 or 19 and being in an AFL system would have improved his kicking.
He was a victim of the Saints long term drafting and recruiting strategy. Looking down the road to next years compromised draft then the Tassie compromised drafts.
It was no surprise in hindsight that our first three selections in the draft were (nominally) defenders, albeit Travaligia and Tauru are not KPD's ad we hope at least one will end up as a midfielder. Barrat certainly is a KPD though.
Good luck to JVE, a shame to be an injury bust so young, hope he can forge a career in the west.
Tiz the season for optimism though.
Leap of Faith
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Yep. I’d be wishing that their stadium burns down and that their entire list gets ACL’s
- Jul 27, 2023
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From a neutral perspective I wouldn’t consider Barrat a bolter. I watched every one of Bendigo’s games last year and he was fantastic at both ends. Superb interceptor and plays much taller than his height, would have loved him at the Eagles if Shanahan was off the board at pick 30. Him and Mraz have the highest ceilings as KPDs from the draft class IMO. As I said earlier you guys absolutely nailed it, fantastic selection and nice thst him and Tobie know each others games already.
Cheers for that, he’s a lot bigger than I was expecting and looked in great condition but yes, kicking was a couple of metres from the target in a short kicking drill. Do like that there’s been a couple of comments on his aggression. He’d be perfect for us as a no cost addition but really all comes down to the state of his ankle, which from what I understand is pretty ordinary.
Since he was used for tagging we shouldn't judge at this point. Half this board had stamped Jack Steele as a limited tagger then boom he became AA.
99% of people can't conceive beyond what their eyes see, so it's a self defeating question actually.
I don't think that at all.
I think he played more as a general outsider earlier, and moved more inside this year.
19 games in 23, 15 in 24
Had less disposals in 24 but 133 vs 83 contested possessions.
51 vs 18 clearances.
77 vs 48 tackles.
Someone has to be the one to get their hands dirty. He's coming along nicely.
I want to see him take more big marks so we can have Windhagerhangers.
LH7
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I'm not as hot on him as most here are. Love his work ethic and attitude but he hasn't shown any elite skills IMO. He could be a really reliable defensive mid and a leader but I can't see him being anything more. That's OK though, you need solid role players.
SteeleSaints
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- Mar 26, 2022
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Its interesting the different things supporters see in players. I see a kid who is one of the most professional and dedicated at the club I have no concerns that like others he will make it. He has had a few injury set backs be he can run all day, is courageous, team orientated and has midfield leader written all over him for me. Like Garcia, Phillipou and Wilson, Windhager will be apart of our engine for the next decade IMO.
Windhager is a player that often gets left out of the youngster discussions, which is understandable due to the consistent injuries he has sustained over the past couple of years.
Due to those injuries, we just haven't had seen enough of a sample size to know what he projects to be. Like many have mentioned before, we have seen moments. The Pies game showed what he is capable of at the level.
However, most of his career has been as a tagger, which hasn't really allowed him to 'wow' like other youngsters on our list. Personally, I believe he can develop into a very nice midfielder. Maybe not an AA level, but a really good player.
If I remember correctly, when he was playing at Sandy a couple of years ago, he was clearly too good for the level and racking up 30 touches and two goal stat lines.
Hopefully an injury free preseason from now on will set Windy up for a break out year. He's 21 (turning 22), and if we are looking to contend for finals this year, he's the type of player we need to take the next step.
Due to those injuries, we just haven't had seen enough of a sample size to know what he projects to be. Like many have mentioned before, we have seen moments. The Pies game showed what he is capable of at the level.
However, most of his career has been as a tagger, which hasn't really allowed him to 'wow' like other youngsters on our list. Personally, I believe he can develop into a very nice midfielder. Maybe not an AA level, but a really good player.
If I remember correctly, when he was playing at Sandy a couple of years ago, he was clearly too good for the level and racking up 30 touches and two goal stat lines.
Hopefully an injury free preseason from now on will set Windy up for a break out year. He's 21 (turning 22), and if we are looking to contend for finals this year, he's the type of player we need to take the next step.
gringo2011
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I love Shanahan. I reckon he'll be a gun. Got Josh Kennedy vibes. Mraz was going to be a high pick as a 17yo, injury ruined his 2024.
gringo2011
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I think injury has held him back so far. His stats stack up next to most good mids at the same age and could be a bolter at some stage. Pretty sure he's tracking near identical to Jack Steele at the same age. I'd take another Steele.
Windy has a bit of burst and power about him and he's hard at it. Skills are solid but not amazing.
Been a bit inconsistent to date.
He's not Chris Judd though so he's going to be a slower burn than what some here typically expect from our young guys.
Been a bit inconsistent to date.
He's not Chris Judd though so he's going to be a slower burn than what some here typically expect from our young guys.
It is a bit hard to know what to make of Windy. He looked awesome in the Collingwood game. Powerful out of stoppage, fierce in his tackling etc. He never looked like that again. If he's done it once, hopefully it's an indication he is capable of doing it more regularly.
He did but not for full matches.
The week before he was doing the same thing when he came on late. Wasn't so much his touches but you could see him getting around the ball and looking very likely. Games after that he showed it again before kind of fading away.
sasaint
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I think it will be a toss up between Windy and Garcia for that last mid spot. That's not a dis on Windy but a positive on how Garcia is imposing himslf on the selectors to choose him.
