Royce

[TheGlove]

There is a short article on the Richmond website about Royce Vardy and Frawley's intention of designating him the full-back position.

I reckon he has got a pretty good leap on him and he seems very calm and collected but I reckon he might lack some leg speed for the position. As well as the fact that he is still relatively in-experienced at the AFL level. I do realise he had an outstanding year last year on debut, but is he really ready to be earmarked so early on, to play such an important role on field??

Don't get me wrong, I was hugely impressed with Vardy's first year but I think it is a bit premature to "pigeon hole" him as the Tiger's next "big hope" in defence.

What do people think?? I reckon AK may be more suited to the role.

TheGlove

 

[TigerTank]

Agree with most of that Glove.

Maybe it will be horses for courses. Vardy against big full forwards, AK against fast ones.

Still its a big call to say a second year player will hold down full back. Let's hope they're right.

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TT - Obligatory bad-tempered Richmond supporter

 

[CJH]

If anyone is an authority on Full Backs then it would have to be Spud! Who am I to argue with him!

I think it will be horses for courses between Royce, AK and Gas. Surely between those three most options could be covered!

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This is a hallucination and these faces are in a dream. A computer generated environment; a fantasy island you can do anything and not have to face the consequences.

 

[oh_my_hat]

I agree with all of that. We can't expect too much too soon. Last year Vardy looked the goods but there must be some downside to him. I was an undrafted pick up was he not? Correct me if I'm wrong. Hopefully he is a diamond in the rough that got away from everyone else except St.Kilda (I believe he was on their rookie list at one stage), again correct me if that's not kosher.

 

[oh_my_hat]

Damn typo's "He" not "I"...

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

seeing him last year he certainly has a good leap and is pretty level headed it tight situations.i couldnt agree more cjh who better to teach the lad the ropes of full back better than spud himself.im sure forms spuds character he wouldnt come out and say things like what he said about vardy unless he is 100% sure that vardy could handle full back.
cheers!

 

[ShereKahn]

Spuds right not to pidgeon hole him yet,let him develop into the position.Ready made Full backs are rarer than ready made FF.Even the FB of the century(dont ask me how sos got it) took awhile to hold the position down.
Scotty Turner and Mick"Pretty Boy"Martyn started in other positions before "owning" full back.
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"Ye choose and ye do not choose! What talk is this of choosing? By the Bull that I killed, am I to stand nosing into your dog’s den for my fair dues? It is I, Shere Khan, who speak!"

 

[rosy]

I just checked in the record. The three impending full backs are all very similar in height and weight.

Gas is listed as 193cm and 89kg.
Andy.......... 190cm and 88kg.
Royce......... 191kg and 87kg.

For comparison in the same record Jamie Shanahan is listed as 194 cm and 99 kg.

Maybe our guys got stuck into some plum pudding to get heavier over the pre season.

My personal thought was that full back would be the position that needed the most attention during the drafts, but I assume the club had someone in mind when we didn't get anyone new for the position.
All of these guys look very small and light against some opposition. Maybe their determination will make up for a lack of height at times.
Here's hoping!!!!

 

[rosy]

I just checked in the record. The three impending full backs are all very similar in height and weight.

Gas is listed as 193cm and 89kg.
Andy.......... 190cm and 88kg.
Royce......... 191kg and 87kg.

For comparison in the same record Jamie Shanahan is listed as 194 cm and 99 kg.

Maybe our guys got stuck into some plum pudding to get heavier over the pre season.

My personal thought was that full back would be the position that needed the most attention during the drafts, but I assume the club had someone in mind when we didn't get anyone new for the position.
All of these guys look very small and light against some opposition. Maybe their determination will make up for a lack of height at times.
Here's hoping!!!!

 

[TheGlove]

I can't help but think it will have to be more of a combined effort from AK, Royce and Hair. Both AK and Hair were excellent last year and deserved their spots on the All-Australian side.

However, as your stats point out, these guys can match the defenders height wise but they can't match them body for body as they are not "built" for it. I mean Vardy has a good leap but face it, he is still a Rookie. AK is hard at it but has limited leg speed and Hair well he is also a little slow but somehow still manages to get a fist in. He also likes to play a bit gangly like SOS, which obviously goes down well with those high up in the team of the century selections (just how did SOS make it as the Full Back of the century??).

Frawley may be able to pick out good defenders and earmark certain players for positions but the fact remains that we are seriously undersized, weight wise, when it come to a full back. Even Turner was a bit dodgy sometimes. He was ok when he got to the contest but more often than not he would be a cuple of metres behind his opponent. Was not often playing in front.

I mean face it. How are we supposed to stop FatBoy SAV. He is HUGE and he has some speed on him. We need to rely on agility to get us through and I think if Frawley is going to designate someone as a FullBack he should get them into the gym.

TheGlove

 

[dutchy_rules]

i think those players would struggle to hold out the hawk talls in holland, Thompson and croad..........

i reckon kellaways your man for full back...
gaspars better suited to chb... with vardy taking on the 3rd best forward.. lets face it he lacks the experience at present...maybe a couple of season down the track he could do it but not now...

 

[CJH]

You've got it part right Dutchy! Our 3 key defenders should play in the positions you've nominated!

Nontheless, these 3 would have your boy's on toast every time! Two All-Australian defenders would have too much class for your overated nobodies!

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This is a hallucination and these faces are in a dream. A computer generated environment; a fantasy island you can do anything and not have to face the consequences.

 

[TheGlove]

Oh geez, CJH you stole the wind right out of my sail. Read my mind like a book....

TheGlove

 

[dutchy_rules]

i think you'll find that the tall hawk forwards will make up the spine of the 2001 all australian side.....especially since nick holland was robbed of his rightful spot last season.
i really think that he had a greater impact on the competition than pretty boy carey, but hopefully he'll earn the recognition he deserves in season 2001.

Yet 2 richmond players made the all australian side.... no problem with gaspar being there, but really how could kellaway make it.......what a joke.
and if you think this is sour grapes...your right it is....
oh well at least we made the finals i guess, thats more important.....

 

[TheGlove]

Come on dutchy_rules, I know you are still very upset about a Haw v Rich game that really got away from you last year but this is no way to ease the pain.

AK won the Richmond best and fairest. How did other clubs go as far as their b&f players being included in the All-Australian side? I have no idea, that is why I am asking you...

AK had an outstanding season. Didn't do too bad in front of the net for the Irish clash either from what I heard.

TheGlove

 

[CJH]

Dutchy,

Here is a list of the Hawthorn players who appeared in the 2000 All-Australian team. For everyones benefit, I have also included their pic's!

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The 2000 All-Australian Hawks:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
__________________________________________
Not much of them really!

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This is a hallucination and these faces are in a dream. A computer generated environment; a fantasy island you can do anything and not have to face the consequences.

[This message has been edited by CJH (edited 05 February 2001).]

 

[dutchy_rules]

I Guess when you play as a team and not as individuals like some of the tiges do then you get to taste finals action instead of letting your fans down when the crunch comes. Personally i have many fond memories of finals footy to cherish........ i think yours would be nothing but a fading memory.
I hope for your sake that that you get to see some finals action soon just to ease the pain of your long suffering fans.

 

[LC_15]

I think you're right there Glove. Dutchy_rules seems to have abig chip on his shoulder. I spose I would be upset to if my team succumbed to a injury depleted team after being 5 goals up half way through the 3rd Quarter.

I do believe though that Gas is harshly dealt by other clubs supporters. He does his job, he hardly ever gets beaten and he seems to be able to have time to kick to a decent option. AK seems to be of a similar mold, although his kicking very hot and cold on occasion.

Give Vardy a chance, he now has ST's number and will have a hard time ahead to fill Scotties shoes. Lets not forget ST took his time before he started to turn the corner at full back. Its a pity that injuries robbed hmi of the last couple of years of his career.

And to be honest, its not just the big 3 that you have to talk about, its players like Chaffey, Bidders and Leon Cameron who now add to the rebound out back line.

And before Dutchy responds with "Too many talls up forward", its doulbe edged sword. I don't think Hawthorn has the back line credentials to handle a forward line of Holland, Richardson, Ottens and Gale Drifting in there. ON top of that, Ray Halls market improvement in form and the ruck duties look solid with Gale, Ottens and Hall. I think the hawks have more to worry about than Richmond.

LC_15