Agree.
Separate thing, Nic Martin frustrates me. He gets lots of media praise but I see the bad stuff which to my mind, is costly bad. He can be careless with disposal and his sublime ball use in large part can be offset by sub standard defensive / pressure / tackling. I hope he can round out his game to be a genuine A grade player.
He was really good last night.
Looks like they have found yet another good player to add to their list.
21 touches a goal and 8 clearances in your first game of afl footy isnt a half bad effort.
Unreal how they just keep finding these guns.
Iâve always thought Geelong just draft good footballers, instead of going the more athlete upside types. They often pick up players in the national draft that Iâm keen on that have slid coz theyâre not fashionable with most recruiters for one reason or another. I even remember miers back in the day really wanting him after watching the Coates league gf and of course Geelong got him cheaply coz clubs didnât like his sideways kicking action or some crap.
Stevens was very good, theyâve also had him have 1.5yrs of VFL footy so when stepped in was ready
Beautiful user of the footy, set shot I saw was a laser and went at 89%DE for the day
Given some of the bigger bodied mids they have been trialling through there that havenât worked so well he could establish himself quickly
Local area kid too who grew up barracking for Cats IIRC. They said half of Warnambool was at the debut.
Town would be rapt for Lual & George!
They obviously recruit well but for me, each player that lands at Geelong enters of culture of winning that has elite development programs.
A bit like Sydney in that regard (until this year anyway) they nurture their talent better than anyone and are able to get meaningful contributions from late draft picks.
Itâs also a lot easier to look good and get good stats in a 72 point win then it is in a loss.
Dont tell this to the people over in the Tsatas thread. Geelong wouldnât have a clue how to develop players
That too.
I was thinking Tony Tranter
As much as Lual wasnât a stand out in the VFL I think that was more to do with his role then his form. This is what I said about his game in April and itâs why I think heâs valuable to the AFL side.
We have tried to fill this kind of defensive half forward/wing role with a bunch of players over the years, I remember Zaharakis trying to play it years ago towards the end of his career and heaps of people calling for him to be dropped because he wasnât getting much of the ball. I think Lual is much better suited to it then Zakka ever was.
They have made it a point to bring in guys who are elite runners recently through both draft and trades, mainly to offset the slower types they had. Homes, Smith, Smith, Dempsey etc
Theyâve always had a good eye for local talent.
Their development of players is helped by a good culture and an ability to hold that culture together across the various regenerations that they have had without the drop off.
It was a really positive, high energy game from Lual. He doesnât find enough of the ball, and I still think defensive forward is his best position, but his one on one contested work is really, really good. His effort is excellent and that left handed handball is a weapon. Iâm really enjoying watching him play.
Was surprised to see how low his game time was.
As much as heâs surprised me and his endeavor and work rate are excellent I still donât think his turnover numbers are sustainable.
You were a big George Stevens fan in that draft from memory too werenât you @ivan?
I did like him yes. His vfl numbers are very solid but he hasnât cracked a senior game I donât think. Emg a couple of times.
Cats seem intent on playing a very fast midfield
George Stevens the anti Archie May
I mentioned it cos he played on the weekend and looked great
Good for him.
Can football, will go look at his game highlights on the app
Strong, composed and skilled. Not the type of player we value. Makes me sick.
14 score involvements! Most on the ground. Kicks a low penetrating ball, comfortable using his non preferred, very strong over the ball. Pick 58
