Ham is not the best example as I think he is ok where he is at right now
But Essendons weakness is giving players too much time, partially their fault because they can’t develop them and get most out of them either.
I believe Perkins will debut against the Saints in Victoria, if he gets though this weeks match.
Understand a couple of VFL games to get up to match fitness, same with Waterman
will be good.
after Port, we may be calling for changes and we could have Perkins, Stringer, Guelfi, Waterman, Bryan, Zerk all put their hand up. And zaka will need another week at VFL level,
And in his first few years he was fighting so far out of his weight class it wasn’t funny
The fact he was even getting games was pretty remarkable.
Hopefully now he’s physically able to impact a lot more and also has the confidence to will see a good year from him
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And he’s improving year on year. People are casting out a kid who’s actually getting better…
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Tim was 15, not 16.
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I think Perkins might be better off spending the first half of the season at VFL level getting to play full time mid.
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Problem is VFL doesn’t resemble anything close to senior footy now, so development via the reserves ain’t what it used to be.
I agree, but bringing him in to sit on the HFF or pocket isn’t preparing him to play AFL midfield either.
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Suspect they’re building his conditioning for the very reason that he’ll be required to do at least small stints in the midfield and on a wing.
And yet every club does it with certain players
Rozee started as such and gradually was given more time in middle. Was expected to potentially get a lot more midfield time this year in what his 3rd season.
Playing full time midfield when in VFL more about the conditioning and getting more physically worked over. Most young players don’t have capacity to step straight into a more permanent midfield role immediately. The Rowell’s are a rarity.
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Hence why I thought 6 months in the VFL midfield would be a good idea given COVID et al
Would have thought if he was debuting they would have made a big song and dance about it. Especially as it’s his birthday
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Don’t reckon he’d need 6mths.
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I was at that game and can confirm Tim Watson was 15. (It was a draw with Richmond at what was then called VFL Park.) Wouldn’t happen now, though.
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It’s got zero to do with age, and everything to do with conditioning.
Some players’ bodies are ready r1 at 18 (McGrath, Heppell, etc.), some are a ■■■■■■■ mile from it (Francis) and the rest lie somewhere on that spectrum in between.
We can’t say from our vantage point where Perkins sits, but he can’t be too far off based on his 2 VFL outings. I’d say he’ll probs play before R6.
Did you check his birth certificate?
BRING HIM IN!!!
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Seems less likely now . There has been no build up, no announcement, no pre-released fodder for social media . I hope I am wrong.
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The Mask of Zorro shall come from nowhere!
can’t wait to see him play