Who is to say that Rance can’t improve Stewart’s defensive game as much as Thatcher’s? He would be working with both of them.
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See, by that definition you’re calling Conor McKenna a natural “footballer” despite him first picking up a footy at 17 or 18.
And, by exclusion, you’re presumably calling Zerk a natural athlete, despite being as slow as a wet week and growing up all his life with footy.
It’s dumb, wrong terminology.
What you mean to say is you want guys with good ball handling, disposal and decision making.
But that’s secondary to what background guys are actually from. Plenty of great athletes who convert late are fantastic decision makers; plenty of guys who’ve played footy all their lives are terrible ball handlers or decision makers.
Very true!
Nobody said otherwise
While no one said, it was totally glossed over, and needed to be said.
I believe Rance has a lot to offer both blokes.
I do believe there is a player inside Zerk, just waiting to be developed.
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Didn’t realise Zerk was expecting.
Needs a lot more games before we can claim the father-son though.
The same Conor McKenna that has played football all of his life?
That was an excellent example.
After a year in defence it would certainly have helped him playing on some key forwards to learn the craft better
Might be part of the plan Humble
Hence the Zerk extension and Stewart going back.
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Zerk thread as to why less gloss for Stewart
Not with a footy he hadn’t, not on an oval, and not with 36 on the field.
But what he did have were a lot of attributes that could translate. Beautiful kick, pace, power, aggression, good hands.
When he worked out where to run and when, he was off.
I just think there’s a lot better, more accurate ways to describe footballers than a 1 word summary.
Kelly = BZT?
Stupidest fking thing I’ve heard. And I went to question time last week.
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Well of course, you could say that about any generalisation.
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This is it……got bigger and looked slower. If he could get a bit more pace and jump about him, we will have our big backman. The boy can play, just needs to pick up on a couple of areas, glad we locked him away for a couple more.
I reckon he’s pretty lucky to have gotten a 2 year deal, FWIW.
He’s fine, but he could easily go either way.
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I’ll back in the coaches with the 2 year deal as they know where he is at better than any of us. He’s got some work to do but no reason why he couldn’t be best 22 by the end of it if not before.
Maybe.
But if they love him so much, then why’d they drop him 4 times this year.
Gotta be one or the other.
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Beyond the track: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher tells us about his typical day at the club and what he does away from it.
Brandon Zerk-Thatcher is looking to build on his 17 AFL games in 2022. (Photo: AFL Photos)
Young defender Brandon Zerk-Thatcher tells us about his typical day at the club and what he does away from it.
Take us through what you do before you travel into the NEC Hangar for a training session.
I get up pretty early at 6am, shower, brush my teeth and come into the footy club. I do my COVID-19 test and then head up to the kitchen for a coffee and toasted sandwich.
What time do you get to the NEC Hangar for a training day?
Generally 6:45. I get here early because I don’t like to be stressed.
What’s your pre-training routine?
Bit of hip exercises in the gym and some activations. I’ll also do some craftwork and work on my footwork with guys like Alex Rance, who’s been great with helping me with that.
How’s pre-season going?
We’ve got a fair chunk in now and it’s been great to have Alex Rance who’s opened my eyes with footwork and positioning to impact a contest. I’m also happy to be on the track because last year was interrupted, so I’m fit and firing.
What’s an area you’re trying to improve on this pre-season?
My fitness and positioning on opponents.
Which training drill is your favourite to do?
Any line drills we do with forwards against backs. I like the competition that’s going on now. I’ve been matching up on Peter Wright, Kaine Baldwin and Aaron Francis, who’ve been working well together to keep us on our toes.
Other than yourself, which teammate has hit the ground running this pre-season?
I have to go with Kaine Baldwin. Everyone has got their eyes on him, and he’s been appearing on social media over the break, and he came back in fine form.
What’s an essential item in your training kit?
Probably the pink guernseys. The boys love them. It suits the tanned boys with their complexion.
What’s your go-to post-training recovery feed?
Today was an Xmas roast and also Pavlova, so the boys were stoked, and it was unreal.
What do you usually do when you get home from a training day?
I’m knackered when I get home, so I chuck the feet up or cook if it’s my night to do so.
How are you spending your days off?
Lately, I’ve been doing a bit of golf and also watching movies. My favourite ones are Leonardo DiCaprio’s films in Catch Me If You Can and Wolf of Wall Street .
What are some of your favourite hobbies?
Bit of golfing, some online games and catching up with some of the boys. For the games, I’m on the PC and play Fortnite which is great to connect with the little brother over that.
Favourite social media platform?
Probably Instagram and Snapchat.
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Disappointed with the lack of tinder
Strapping 6’4 footballers dont need Tinder. Just walk into a bar. Done.
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I think it’s more that magicalcharlie has just realised that there’s a reason Zerk never appears, no matter how much swiping they do.
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