Aaron Fiora could not escape Matthew Pavlich comparison (Herald-Sun)

[3rogerd]

the old woe is me from Aaron.

[big tone]

........all round out the top 10 and we got Fiona

4 out of that Top 10 were outright duds (Fiora, Cupido, Roach and Beetham), 1 is average at best (Brown) and the jury is still out on 1 more (Hasleby) so we weren't the only ones in that draft to get it wrong.   Hell, Freo picked Hasleby before Pavlich and you should listen to what many of their supporters think of him - you reckon Tambling is an under performer, well at least he has shown visible and significant improvement each year and still has time and youth on his side.  More than half of the clubs with Top 10 picks got it wrong that year so don't generalise and single us out as the worst club at recruiting - we get some wrong just like all the others but certainly no more than our fair share.

Paul Hasleby (born 12 June 1981) is an Australian rules footballer. He plays as a rover (or midfielder) for the Fremantle Football Club. In his debut season he was named the AFL Rising Star and has finished in the top 10 of the Fremantle Best and Fairest award (The Doig Medal) in every season that he has played, including runner-up in 2000 and 2004 and third in 2003. Whilst not the quickest player, he is noted for his quick hands and strong marking ability for a player of his size

Larke Medal 1999
AFL Rising Star nominee Rd 1, 2000
AFL Rising Star Winner, 2000
International rules series 2003
All-Australian 2003
Glendinning Medal Rd 16 2002, Rd 22 2003, Rd 6 2004

Just for the record, the jury's not out.

[Smokey]

Paul Hasleby (born 12 June 1981) is an Australian rules footballer. He plays as a rover (or midfielder) for the Fremantle Football Club. In his debut season he was named the AFL Rising Star and has finished in the top 10 of the Fremantle Best and Fairest award (The Doig Medal) in every season that he has played, including runner-up in 2000 and 2004 and third in 2003. Whilst not the quickest player, he is noted for his quick hands and strong marking ability for a player of his size

Larke Medal 1999
AFL Rising Star nominee Rd 1, 2000
AFL Rising Star Winner, 2000
International rules series 2003
All-Australian 2003
Glendinning Medal Rd 16 2002, Rd 22 2003, Rd 6 2004

Just for the record, the jury's not out.

Just for the record, yeah it is.  That's not much of a return for a priority top order draft pick - the ONLY claim to fame worth anything to a 'top shelf' AFL player in that lot is All-Australian 2003.  As for the rest - meh - many good ordinary players have achieved those.  Actually, some good ordinary players have won All-Australian's too.  Just like what Hasleby currently is - a frustrating good ordinary player.

6 out 10 not worth the pick they went for in that draft - don't single Richmond out.

[Fishfinger]

That's who Richmond wanted in the '99 draft.
One of many sensational players whose injury plagued careers will have them only remembered as good or ok.

[DallasCrane]

It was hard not to feel a little bit sorry for Aaron after reading that.
Having said that, it confirmed what I had always suspected about Fiora- he ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

[Chuck17]

Porn star mcmahon. come on boys was he seriously necessary eff me dead

To answer that question  it is needful to look at the circumstances on why he was recruited and what other alternatives there were.

I am under the impression that it was recognised at RFC that our rebound out of defence was slow and stilted.  That this type of approach was giving opposition teams more opportunity to flood back and block our scoring opportunities.  I think it was reliased that this was not going to move our club forward and that a quick, accurate rebounding defender was needed to boost our scoring and give our forwards every opportunity to get the ball cleanly.

Were there options within the club to fulfil this role.  I dont think so, Raines would be the only other candidate and I think he falls a bit short in this role IMO. 

Were there any other options outside the club for this role.  Honestly I don't know but they made a decision that McMahon was the best available for the role, he is quick and I believe his disposal is good.

I believe the role was absolutely necessary but whether McMahon is the best for the role my jury is still out although I think at the present time he is.  Of course we would all like our footballers heavily accountable and tougher but these attributes in an extreme go against the role McMahon was recruited for.

[Mr Magic]

Sadly Mr Magic i think Bling will see a fair bit of Jade and the boys this year. I personally don't think he is in our best 22. He will have to earn his spot NOW rather than just getting a game on pure hope. (just on that, what is his spot?)

Running off half back with stints on the ball. If that doesn't work then I agree, Coburg may be calling.

Porn star mcmahon. come on boys was he seriously necessary eff me dead

Probably wouldn't have been if Wallace had developed Meyer or Tambling off HB earlier but for all his faults Sanchez is a fair way ahead of those two currently unfortunately.

[mightytiges]

Paul Hasleby (born 12 June 1981) is an Australian rules footballer. He plays as a rover (or midfielder) for the Fremantle Football Club. In his debut season he was named the AFL Rising Star and has finished in the top 10 of the Fremantle Best and Fairest award (The Doig Medal) in every season that he has played, including runner-up in 2000 and 2004 and third in 2003. Whilst not the quickest player, he is noted for his quick hands and strong marking ability for a player of his size

Larke Medal 1999
AFL Rising Star nominee Rd 1, 2000
AFL Rising Star Winner, 2000
International rules series 2003
All-Australian 2003
Glendinning Medal Rd 16 2002, Rd 22 2003, Rd 6 2004

Just for the record, the jury's not out.

Just for the record, yeah it is.  That's not much of a return for a priority top order draft pick - the ONLY claim to fame worth anything to a 'top shelf' AFL player in that lot is All-Australian 2003.  As for the rest - meh - many good ordinary players have achieved those.  Actually, some good ordinary players have won All-Australian's too.  Just like what Hasleby currently is - a frustrating good ordinary player.

6 out 10 not worth the pick they went for in that draft - don't single Richmond out.

Freo have been waiting for Hasleby to come back from injury as long as we have for Cogs. Hasleby is now 27 going on 28 this year. One of those unlucky footballers who miss what should have been his peak years.

[yellowandback]

Porn star mcmahon. come on boys was he seriously necessary eff me dead

To answer that question  it is needful to look at the circumstances on why he was recruited and what other alternatives there were.

I am under the impression that it was recognised at RFC that our rebound out of defence was slow and stilted. 


Was this said or are you just making it up?

[Francois Jackson]

It was hard not to feel a little bit sorry for Aaron after reading that.
Having said that, it confirmed what I had always suspected about Fiora- he ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.

Thats exactly why the RfC has failed in the last 25 years because of duds like Fiora.

Why feel sorry for him? He was given a chance to earn big bucks and was no good and good riddons to the skinny little pri.ck.

Haselby ain the best player out there, but please dont compare him to Fiora. the only player worth comparing with him is our very own Jordan Mcmahon. the only difference between the 2 is that poo above his lip.