Love Andy’s contest work, he just needs to not kick the ball.
If he was a rookie pick we’d be slapping ourselves on the back for finding an elite stopper, and would be a lot more forgiving of his shortcomings.
We have to accept what he is and stop judging him on what we hoped he’d become. And that statement includes blitzers, but it also includes the club. A back pocket off the rookie list wouldn’t get the hate on here that McGrath gets, but a back pocket off the rookie list wouldn’t have been given McGrath’s contract either.
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The Zaka 4 year deal was elite Essington.
Whilst I totally agree, it’s more than that. A back pocket off the rookie list with his output would be soon replaced in the starting 23 and relegated to depth (or traded) by a well run club.
The number 1 draft pick tag needs to be abandoned not just by those that feel cheated by the disappointing end result but also by those that think he still may come good because he was so highly rated as a junior.
It’s not ONE Clanger. It’s numerous. Most games. Usually with long rushed kicks. It has been part of his game for a long time, regardless of whether he’s playing in the backline or midfield.
If he was in a better team, his upside, locking down (which is a high standard) would probably not be as noticeable. Unfortunately he is a leader of a mediocre side ATM and these failures stand out.
But I do reiterate that there is no one close to him in our squad for pure small shutdown.
FWIW: I remember for most of his first season, he seemed to prefer to handball rather than kick, even when in good position to use his feet.
Clangers:
2025 3.6, his worst so far in his career (3.4 in 2020 14 games)
Ranked 78th in the league for clanger averages
Overall career average is 2.2
For comparison (not on game impact, which is no contest, Zach is brilliant):
Zach Merrett averages 4.92 in 2025 and a career average of 3.2
Turnovers:
2025 3.86 (rounded to 3.9) (worst 4.4 in 2020)
Ranked 84th
Career average 3.7
Again for comparison:
Merrett 6.14 (his worst season so far) ranked 6th in league
Career 4.3
I think people notice McGrath’s mistakes more but he isn’t the worst in the team, Shiel, Caldwell and Merrett lead him on that.
For those that rely on stats, when McGrath kicked it 40 metres sideways into the D50 to a contest that led to a gold in the third quarter, that did not register as a clanger.
Neither did the 30 metre pass under no pressure in the third quarter that landed in between two unopposed Essendon players then rolled out of bounds.
Oh and the handball to Prior’s ankles that was fumbled also didn’t register as a clanger.
But my favourite was when the lightning quick McGrath gave up the chase on McKercher when he fell 10 metres behind despite them starting side by side.
But at least the goals he contributed to were offset by his ability to shut down their dangerous small forward…… Who was that dangerous small forward out of curiosity?
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He was wobbling his head side to side and really trying though.
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Just looked that up. Not a good watch.
He’s only ever been a terrible chaser. Not good enough for a guy that’s quick. You’d cut him some slack if he was young and needed to build a tank or maybe if it was in the final quarter. But the example you highlighted was just 8 goddamn minutes into the third.
No excuses for not putting in the hard yards, especially from someone considered a leader.
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Couldn’t agree more about the Clangers. Useless stat and you’ll see inside mids have loads of clangers from clearances.
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He should be made to watch Libba’s chase from a couple of weeks ago, on repeat for 2 weeks
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So we got a vice captain on a long term contract that can only perform one act.
That’s reassuring.
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I dunno if he’s always been a terrible chaser, this effort last year would’ve been talked about much more if not for Mac Andrew’s goal after the siren:
Or just watch his skipper every week.
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Was a great effort no doubt, but I wonder if this one merely bucks the trend. I’ve seen plenty of pissweak defensive running efforts on Andy’s part.
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For those the rely on just the eyes, do you watch the mistakes others make or just Andy?
Most make mistakes but it’s the panic disposal under no pressure and the blind hacks that he has done since day 1 that frustrate me the most. That he still has no composure at this stage in his career is just astonishing. Don’t even get me started on the worst contract in the comp either. Everyone involved in that should no longer be involved at the club
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Yep it’s the inconsistency that drives ya mad
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Yep, worst deal I’ve seen.
Nguyen and Johnson both show promise as small backs. In fact, all our 2024 draft crop look pretty good so far. It’s tempting to simply bring one in. Maybe it’s the right call. But if they’re too green, wait until round 1 next year and do a re-jig of the pecking order. Play all of those on lemon contracts (McGrath, McKay, Redman, Gresham etc) in the twos until they improve or request a trade.
I dunno man, it seems pretty fkn’ simple to me.