Heβs only 21. Give him an uninterrupted preseason and see where he stands this time next year.
Case closed.
4 Likes
Iβm with Benfti
I was harsh on his selection not him, he shoul not have been pixked this year, plain and simple.
That being said , hes gonna have to add more strings to his bow, otherwise he could be very obsolete very fast.
He pretty much eont be a first choice in the forwardline , ll things being equal next year, and if begley gets better, he xould find himself further down the ladder.
I like him too, but donβt see him ever being a midfielder. His cleanliness below his knees and work around stoppages and congestion isnβt up to scratch. I suppose he could pinch hit on a wing, but that role is typically taken by elite runners who can get to many contests. Lavβs not really cut out for that stuff.
But, he does have some great tools to play forward. He is a good mark, leads well at the ball and is usually a good kick for goal, though that part of his game seems to have deserted him this year. I think the role they are developing him in is his most natural position.
1 Like
100% agree - jeez people can be harsh critics. Not every player is a superstar at 21.
3 Likes
He gets rated harshly due to him chasing the $$$$$ and thus underperforming.
Lets see what St Kilda offer at the trade table this year?
If they were interested last year they still should be keen.
1 Like
FFS heβs had 2 very serious injuries in 2 years. Has barely had a decent run at it. Can we wait until he has a decent run at it before we write him off?
6 Likes
Just on that last line, I can tell you first hand that Jayden is 100% committed to being a premiership player for Essendon. He could have just felt sorry for himself after his bad injury but he knuckled down and worked his butt off to get his body right and make sure he had a part to play this year. Not many 20 year olds kids can apply themselves after something like that and do so well in his first few VFL games
He was incredibly excited about round 1 and he had every intention of pushing for selection and trying to get a midfield spot and sadly the injury ruined any chance of that
Say what you want about Jayden but if anyone questions his commitment willingness to become a gun for our club will be feeling my wrath haha
30 Likes
#TheWrath
1 Like
Heβs a midfielder - thatβs where he played all his underage football and thatβs why he was drafted - as a midfielder. He knows how to play the role unlike any other position. Needs exposure and experience in the role and to get that he needs to build his strength, fitness, acceleration and contested ball work
Fairly straightforward
2 Likes
I havent written him off.
Just after 2 years he hasnt really performed.
Im still glad we got him ahead of Boekherst and think he will be a player, just will take time and will be Mid/forward not a forward/mid.
WE have plenty of upside in our list - outside of if we manage to get a Kelly/Rockliff/Stringer
Francis/Laverde/ Begley all improve their tanks then they are likely in the round 1 team.
If Langford finds some intensity on the offseason he could too.
Gleeson should take confidence after his final, add some strength and get better
Tippa/Parish/Fantasia/Zerrett/Stewart/Daniher all would hope to improve
If we can also get the same output from Zaharakis that would be good
Returning Blokes could improve next year or even get the same output wuldnt be that dissapointed - Heppell/Hurley/Hooker/Bellchambers
-Myers and Colyer will need to improve to keep their spot in the team.
Only blokes on the decline - Goddard/Baguley plus depth players potentially - Hocking/Howlett/Mckernan/Bird
Its the youth that are taking us forward next year, plus some new acquisitions.
Redman/Ridley/Mutch - we probably arent expecting that much from yet, if one or two of them could force their way in next year even better
2 Likes
He wasnβt βchasing the $$$$β. He was sensibly, with his management, considering offers.
Thereβs a whole world of difference.
And he did not βunderperformβ due to it.
You could spend a lifetime correcting these throw-away gems.
1 Like
Connors told St.Kilda that LaVerde is going to join them, if they increase the offer.
They increased the offer, and Essendon were forced to pay more.
Any job in the world, the more you get paid⦠the higher expectation on you to perform and deliver results. That is a harsh reality of the world.
3 Likes
As far as harsh realities go, itβs not the harshest.
Itβs throwaway (not a hyphenated word).
It can be either, actually.
Except for the entertainment industry.
1 Like
Jayden was never going to saints regardless, he loves it here.
4 Likes
Pretty sure Lav played half-back and half-forward as well as a junior.
Heβs barley been on the park to be able to perform