Dean Polo [merged]

[Jackstar is back again]

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

[Tigeritis™©®]

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

as was his first game for us. But he got infected like so many before him. It took Geelong 2 years to cure Ottens after he left us. 

[Coach]

Only seen bits and pieces of Chooka this year. From what I've seen he's been alright, tough as nails.

[TigerLand]

Dean is the perfect example of a poor modern day footballer. He may have been successful in the 90s but he takes an eternity to make a decision and that kills you in modern footy.

Looks rushed, is a small Luke McGuane.

Nice bloke, wont make it I'm afraid, correct decision to move him on.

[the claw]

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

Nope some of us from the time we recruited him complained bitterly about his foot skills. the other thing was his motor. as it panned out it was attitude as well.
As a club we most definately got it wrong with polo not just in useing such a valuable pick to recruit him in the first place but the inordinate amount of time we hung onto him for. should have been cut 2 yrs ago if not 3.

Its funny people blame development on these boards but that is hog wash. While it could have been better it is not the reason why so many richmond recruits have failed.
 Ironic that we now have the means to recruit better and put more into our players development wise, yet those favorite players who people always defended are being weeded out.Why is that?
Well its simple you can RARELY  fix kicking you can RARELY  fix poor decision making and you can only tolerate poor attitude for so long.
The key has always been in recruitment dont draft players with chronic deficiencies in basic areas of the game because its shown time and time again the vast majority cannot be turned around.

[Francois Jackson]

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

Nope some of us from the time we recruited him complained bitterly about his foot skills. the other thing was his motor. as it panned out it was attitude as well.
As a club we most definately got it wrong with polo not just in useing such a valuable pick to recruit him in the first place but the inordinate amount of time we hung onto him for. should have been cut 2 yrs ago if not 3.

Its funny people blame development on these boards but that is hog wash. While it could have been better it is not the reason why so many richmond recruits have failed.
 Ironic that we now have the means to recruit better and put more into our players development wise, yet those favorite players who people always defended are being weeded out.Why is that?
Well its simple you can RARELY  fix kicking you can RARELY  fix poor decision making and you can only tolerate poor attitude for so long.
The key has always been in recruitment dont draft players with chronic deficiencies in basic areas of the game because its shown time and time again the vast majority cannot be turned around.

Thats rubbish. Look at Leigh Brown at the pies. He was hopeless. Ditto Kepler Bradley.

it can be fixed, maybe not all the time but the right development can be all that it takes

[Smokey]

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

Nope some of us from the time we recruited him complained bitterly about his foot skills. the other thing was his motor. as it panned out it was attitude as well.
As a club we most definately got it wrong with polo not just in useing such a valuable pick to recruit him in the first place but the inordinate amount of time we hung onto him for. should have been cut 2 yrs ago if not 3.

Its funny people blame development on these boards but that is hog wash. While it could have been better it is not the reason why so many richmond recruits have failed.
 Ironic that we now have the means to recruit better and put more into our players development wise, yet those favorite players who people always defended are being weeded out.Why is that?
Well its simple you can RARELY  fix kicking you can RARELY  fix poor decision making and you can only tolerate poor attitude for so long.
The key has always been in recruitment dont draft players with chronic deficiencies in basic areas of the game because its shown time and time again the vast majority cannot be turned around.

Thats rubbish. Look at Leigh Brown at the pies. He was hopeless. Ditto Kepler Bradley.

it can be fixed, maybe not all the time but the right development can be all that it takes

Jake King is another good example.  Foot skills and decision making were seen as poor under Wallace but a year and a half of development under Hardwick and he has become a good serviceable player.

[Tigeritis™©®]

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

Nope some of us from the time we recruited him complained bitterly about his foot skills. the other thing was his motor. as it panned out it was attitude as well.
As a club we most definately got it wrong with polo not just in useing such a valuable pick to recruit him in the first place but the inordinate amount of time we hung onto him for. should have been cut 2 yrs ago if not 3.

Its funny people blame development on these boards but that is hog wash. While it could have been better it is not the reason why so many richmond recruits have failed.
 Ironic that we now have the means to recruit better and put more into our players development wise, yet those favorite players who people always defended are being weeded out.Why is that?
Well its simple you can RARELY  fix kicking you can RARELY  fix poor decision making and you can only tolerate poor attitude for so long.
The key has always been in recruitment dont draft players with chronic deficiencies in basic areas of the game because its shown time and time again the vast majority cannot be turned around.

Thats rubbish. Look at Leigh Brown at the pies. He was hopeless. Ditto Kepler Bradley.

it can be fixed, maybe not all the time but the right development can be all that it takes

well said. 
and half the players collingwood have on their list. Good recruiting yes. But even better development.

[the claw]

yep look at both of them i dont think either were hopeless or either have greatly  improved. they are still limited footballers who can perform a role.
both were originally drafted as kpps. i thought brown was servicable at nm and was a little surprised he was traded. he doesnt play kp for coll and he pinch hits in the ruck where imo hes ordinary.his out put at collingwood would be similar to what he did at nm. the difference he was played primarily as a defender at nm where his lack of pace and agility was found out.does he now perform a role sure has he greatly improved no.

the same can be said for  kepler. yep servicable  this yr and good last yr. in a similar boat as brown. he actually  plays forward as a kpp and this yr has kicked some goals. he also pinch hits in the ruck and again i think him ordinary in the role. but statistically hes no better at freo than he was at essendon. atm freo have a role for him and hes doing it okay.

if i was at freo id be definately looking for another ruckman. well they have they went and got griffen and they are developing clarke both of whom are superior ruckmen to kepler..
id also be looking for better kpfs than kepler in the long term. but in this area he has come into his own to a degree.

[The Big Richo]

The bloke likes to drink out of a pink straw.

Nuff said.

[mightytiges]

Kicking technique can be improved by only about 5%. If someone has a major flaw in their technique it is nigh on impossible to correct especially under intense game pressure. For instance if the ball takes a long time to get from hand to foot then you'll get away with it at training or at lower levels where the speed of the game is less however at AFL level in the heat of battle you'll be exposed big time.

Deano wasn't anywhere near the Saints' worst last night as defensively he didn't do too bad a job especially considering how often the ball was down his end. However the reason we moved him on was plain to see - he couldn't hit a target by foot forward of the play. 

His disposal to say the least was woeful, could almost see him wearing the Tigers jumper when he missed an unmarked target inside 50 from 15 metres, just not up to the skill required skills level for today's possession footy. Still makes you wonder about the Tigers past recruiting in regards to skill by foot.

His last year at Gippsland Power his efficency was excellent.
Either foot, either hand

From memory the question mark over Polo at the time was his kicking - not terrible but not that great either. In any case after 7 years in the AFL system a professional footballer shouldn't be missing 20m open targets by a long way. His poor footskills stood out by a mile on Friday night (not robinson crusoe at St Kilda mind you).

[Hellenic Tiger]

Polo's career has mirrored Mark McGough's. Best on ground in his first game then maligned then ended up at St Kilda and AFL oblivion after after that.

PS McGough won an Anzac medal in his second game.

[Infamy]

Don't know why anyone could ever knock Polo's motor, that was one of his strengths
Its just that he had such a strange running action that he always looked exhausted when he ran
Pretty sure he was one of the Top draftees in 2004 for endurance

[wayne]

yep look at both of them i dont think either were hopeless or either have greatly  improved. they are still limited footballers who can perform a role.
both were originally drafted as kpps. i thought brown was servicable at nm and was a little surprised he was traded. he doesnt play kp for coll and he pinch hits in the ruck where imo hes ordinary.his out put at collingwood would be similar to what he did at nm. the difference he was played primarily as a defender at nm where his lack of pace and agility was found out.does he now perform a role sure has he greatly improved no.

the same can be said for  kepler. yep servicable  this yr and good last yr. in a similar boat as brown. he actually  plays forward as a kpp and this yr has kicked some goals. he also pinch hits in the ruck and again i think him ordinary in the role. but statistically hes no better at freo than he was at essendon. atm freo have a role for him and hes doing it okay.

if i was at freo id be definately looking for another ruckman. well they have they went and got griffen and they are developing clarke both of whom are superior ruckmen to kepler..
id also be looking for better kpfs than kepler in the long term. but in this area he has come into his own to a degree.

I agree with you claw. Those two are still limited.

When they started they were both high draft picks, with a LOT expected of them. They didn't perform to those expectations.

Collingwood picked up Leigh Brown and had a specific role for him, so did Freo and Bradley. They're now doing these roles. If another side tried to poach either of these guys to build a team or forward line around, they'd be sorely disappointed.

We have done this with Houli and Grigg, we needed outside players. If we got Houli for a tough inside mid clearance machine role, we'd be tearing him to pieces on this forum and tearing into the list managers for another recruiting mistake.

[Jackstar is back again]

Don't know why anyone could ever knock Polo's motor, that was one of his strengths
Its just that he had such a strange running action that he always looked exhausted when he ran
Pretty sure he was one of the Top draftees in 2004 for endurance

correct