It was an interesting draft in that Jackets went for two “pure” footballers in Parish & Francis.
Not surprised that we’ve had to wait a bit for this talented twosome to develop the other “athletic” aspects of modern footy.
Many draftees have a steady but limited ceiling- you can learn some positioning & tactics but you can’t really teach that instinctive reading of the game.
Anything can be taught.
Kicking, reading, positioning, whatever.
It just takes time.
Maybe foot soldier is the wrong word. I don’t see him ever being better than our 4th or 5th best mid. That’s not a bad thing, I still think he’ll be a very good player. Just not a star.
I think that’s a very pessimistic, almost worst case scenario.
Parish is to me our most interesting player this year. This is a massive year for him.
Can he step up to be a contributing part of our best midfield … Heppell, Shiel, Merrett, Zaharakis, Smith, Langford, Myers and arguably McGrath are all ahead of him.
It’s difficult to compare players, but from his draft Oliver is a million miles in front of him and I would want to see him to really develop this year. To his credit, looking at the training pics, he looks to be adding bulk to his frame which shows that he must be working hard. I’m backing him in, but I’m not fully sold (he did get dropped last season)
Don’t mind these two as rear gaurders, but not filled with confidence by our middle order.
I’d even take a hacker like pujara
I really like Shaun Marsh. Not in a bend it like Beckham manner might I add.
He’s our best player of spin, can guts it out if he gets a start and is just a pure a hitter as you can get.
I also think he just reminds me so much of his old man he fills me with a subconscious trust he will be left with cockies and plastic salad containers when the bomb hits.
I think Parish is better than Marsh though
Having quick hands is one thing but to be creative is another.
Both Parish and McGrath for mine can dish it off quickly in traffic but they are generally short options in close to someone that’s in only a slightly better position.
Having guys like Sheil and Stringer in midfield that can breakaway will make those handballs valuable but I would still like to see both open the play up a little more like Jobe could do with his peripheral vision.
McGrath has other tricks so I don’t have as many concerns about his ability but Parish needs to start adding some extra tricks to his repertoire.
I apologise in advance for my opinion.
Like…now.
I think Heppel, Sheil, Smith, Merrett and Zaharakis are all ahead of him as a mid. That isn’t such a bad thing considering he is 21 and I think he has shown some real pure inside mid traits. I think his biggest challenge is his ability to play well outside the contest. Can he offer something on a flank or a wing and I think at this point it’s been a struggle for him. Everyone was upset he got pushed out in 17 but imo he needs to play more outside the contest and broaden his game. Who knows perhaps he will just become better than all of them as a pure midfielder and it won’t matter but I think it’s a genuine challenge for him.
■■■■■■ hell.
I think I also subconsciously wanted to avoid the cricket thread.
Did you know Mitch marsh almost entered the afl draft before choosing cricket.
There’s your Segway.
But yes uppercut pour moi
Posted this back in August, and I still reckon he now gets it. I don’t think Parish will be getting anything other than high praise during 2019.
He’ll be in our starting midfield by years end, mainly because he is a stoppage specialist who doesn’t play off a flank that well. Heppell, Shiel and Parish at the bounce is my prediction, all 3 of them pure midfielders who are elite at stoppages
The extra fitness he gained while on the sidelines with a broken thumb made a huge difference to his games late in the season. I expect him to become more useful on the outside as his fitness increases and used more on the inside as he bulks up. Good year ahead for him.
Since 2016 Blitz concensus has been that he is a pure midfielder. However, the coaches persist with using him as a mid/forward. Hepp and Zerret get the gig as prime mids, and Darce is reduced to being a forward, and second string mid rotation. Is it any wonder he is only averaging around 20 disposals? He is stalled as a mid in terms of productivity because he spends a lot of his tog in the forward line, and his development there seems to be slow.
I find it really appropriate that you’ve got Frank Drebin as your avatar.
I’ll take it as a compliment