Former #17 James Stewart

[benny]

I don’t rate his marking ability or output, for a big guy he is marginally better than Josh Green or Tippa in the air. If he can improve this then he will become a major weapon. As it is, he holds his spot and I’m happy with the pick up to now. Such a threat as a 3rd tall who could kick 30 to 40 goals next year. I don’t think we’d see the same result if he was the 2nd tall.

[Le_Archie]

On the lead his marking is great. He is not a stop, prop, wrestle, mark kind of player and he doesn’t need to be.

[LucasLefty]

[Speedy_Gonzales]

He’d have to be the best value recruit of the year

Should see bigger impact from him next year now that he would be confident in his place in team, will likely see some pinch hitting in ruck, and us improving inside 50 numbers.

Also turned down fark Carlton for us. Legend.

[Tippa-the-Iceberg]

He’s a beauty.
Improved his ability to contest the mark, very quick for his size, runs all day.

Love him.

[Fairybread]

Yeah, if SSS have as much as an impact as he did then…lid off.

He crumbs and goals as well as any of our smaller forwards. Is great on the snap. And that pass to Tippa.

[miss_ellie]

I remember posting

KEEP

HIM

IN

after his first match, he didn’t let me down , and I’ve said before love having another James in the team.

[Le_Archie]

Yeah, if SSS have as much as an impact as he did then…lid off.

He crumbs and goals as well as any of our smaller forwards. Is great on the snap. And that pass to Tippa.

Pass to Colyer was better, cm perfect.

[wimmera1]

Gee, he’s got some pace for a big fella.
I’d love to see some more run down tackles from him this season.

[samwoods]

Just needs to keep working on using his height and size to advantage.

He has everything else already.

[BAAKKEERRRR]

I’d forgotten just how often he and Fantasia linked-up, esp during the first two-thirds of the season.

[Bomb_Doe]

He crumbs and goals as well as any of our smaller forwards. Is great on the snap. And that pass to Tippa.

Exactly, and I like how he remains calm close to goal. But can also go back a kick the long goal. He’s very impressive. Look forward to seeing how he backs it up in 2018.

[barnz]

the only good commentary in that clip was jason bennett and bt, wtf.

foad basil.

[Jamac]

Runs to the right spots…

Calm in traffic…

Makes good decisions…

Very smart footballer.

[Bomb_Doe]

Interesting to read how he was rated back in draft year 2012. Some strengths have held true (in blue), and he has worked on those deficiencies (red). We have successfully played him as a forward, but have we used him down back much?

Knightmare’s 2012 draft review of Stewart is hardly encouraging. Had him picked at #62, he went to GWS at #27

62 Adelaide – James Stewart (VIC – KPF/KPD)

Height: 197cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 04/03/1994
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Style: Jack Watts
Player comparison: Corey Gault
Range: 35-rookie
Profile: Potential Collingwood Father Son selection who Collingwood elected not to take. Stewart is a long term prospect who still physically has a long way to go. Has played most of his footy either as a key forward or on a wing to this stage but also looks very capable as a key defender and to be honest this is where I see him making a position his at AFL level.

Stewart as a key forward often looks lost not knowing where to run, often standing around and just doesn’t influence games enough mostly playing as a tallish flanker, certainly doesn’t scream “focal point key forward” at this early stage and if he is to make it as a key forward it would be on the basis of superior work rate and his work at ground level. Down back on the other hand Stewart looks a lot more natural with his ability to read the ball down back, mark strongly and kick accurately to a target down the field. Intuitively he seems to know when he can leave his opponent and looks a class above down back which is interesting for someone who has played mostly as a key forward/wing as a junior.
Skill level is excellent for a key position player and by foot is particularly good – duel sided, can find targets over a range of distances and his long kicking in particular is excellent, but at times the consistency has been lacking by foot despite his good kicking action.

Stewart is very clean for a tall lad below the knees and can easily pick the ball up cleanly without any difficulty. When he has ball is hand shows great poise and can easily spin out of tackles, never really looking phased when pressured.

Athleticism impressive and for someone at his height and is incredibly mobile for a tall. Willing tackler and will give those 2nd and 3rd efforts. What impresses me is his ability to read the play and read the ball in the air, it’s a real feature of his game. Strong mark overhead but I don’t see him ever developing into a dominant contested marking presence which makes me favour him as a defender even with the knowledge that the Collingwood key defence group is far superior to that of the key forward group.

[Albert_Thurgood]

Thus begins the “Stewart - Forward or Back?” debate.

[Bomb_Doe]

Thus begins the “Stewart - Forward or Back?” debate.

wing for mine…

[Enki]

To be fair this red part:

“mostly playing as a tallish flanker, certainly doesn’t scream “focal point key forward” at this early stage”

is still entirely applicable. He has worked on his overhead marking but he still plays more like a flanker than a KPP for mine. And in our forward line it suits perfectly.

[PipetoNul]

How many goals in the highlights reel did he get by staying on the ground in a marking contest?

[Jamac]

He has worked on his overhead marking but he still plays more like a flanker than a KPP for mine. And in our forward line it suits perfectly.

Agree on both counts. He seems to take more marks running back to goal than leading out from goal. Not sure if it’s good coaching or just the way he plays but it works well.