David Gourdis - 2011 expectations?

[one-eyed]

Next up is Gourdis who turns 22 next month. After 3 years on our list he finally cracked a senior game in the final 3 matches of last season. So what are your expectations for Goo this year and what would be a good year for him?

Career:
          Games   Kicks  Hballs  Disp.  Marks  Tackles   G.B    In50    R50    1%ers
2008      -
2009      -
2010      3            6.0      7.7    13.7     5.7       0.3       0.0     0.3      4.3       7.7

http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=2049
http://www.pro-stats.com.au/psw/web/player_profile?pid=2008067
   

[one-eyed]

2011 Richmond Player Countdown - 33 David Gourdis

http://fightingfury.tumblr.com/post/3369798122/2011-richmond-player-countdown-33-david-gourdis

Height: 193cm
Weight: 91kg
DOB: 14/03/89
Draft & Trade History: Pick 1, 2008 Pre-season Draft; Pick 24, 2009 Rookie Draft

After what seemed like an eternity on the Richmond list, Gourdis finally managed make a senior appearance for the Tigers in 2011. David came to Richmond as an extremely athletic key forward player but has instead developed into a key defender for the club. While he wasn’t outstanding in his 3 games last season, he did enough to warrant promotion to the senior list in 2011 which should mean we see more of him this year.

The big attribute that Gourdis possesses is speed. This will no doubt help him cover the more athletic forwards in the game but with the way footy is going he will also need to learn how to dispose of the ball better. David also seems to be handy at reading the play and taking a mark in the backline, a very handy attribute that could see him play a vital role in future Richmond teams. I’m expecting we will see quite a lot of Gourdis in 2011 as Hardwick attempts to sort through which key defenders he believes can take Richmond to their next premiership but he will have plenty of competition from the likes of Grimes, McGuane and Thursfield. May the best man win!

http://fightingfury.tumblr.com/post/3369798122/2011-richmond-player-countdown-33-david-gourdis

[WilliamPowell]

15-18 games

I reckon will be the first choice for FB but not sure he will the make round 1 team

[Coach]

Some people reckon this blokes got no future because the likes of McGuane are just so far ahead of him 

I have confidence in the kid. Apparently hasn't had a good pre-season but I don't give a poo  I reckon he'll be playing quality footy for Coburg (like he did all last season) and will be promoted soon enough. Great pace, good strength and is hard at it. His kicking wasn't actually bad when he was in the ones.

Hope he plays at least 8 games

[the claw]

15-18 games

I reckon will be the first choice for FB but not sure he will the make round 1 team

hmm i reckon thursfield will be their first choice fb. im hoping he will be given the opportunity this yr to be the first choice fb as i reckon he would be an upgrade on both thursfield and mcguane. in saying that he may be a temporary upgrade why. well those of us who are critical of mcguane are critical of the lack of smarts brain fades and poor foot skills thursfield because you get very little out of him.
i tend to think if we are to replace mcguane we should be doing because we want a better thinker and user can we say for certain that is the case with gourdis.
to me the real long term fb on the list is grimes.

[big tone]

15-18 games

I reckon will be the first choice for FB but not sure he will the make round 1 team

I agree, i think David will play most games this year and well. And i think he would be perfect for round 1 playing on Waite.

[Mr Magic]

None. Can't kick.
Others will be preferred unless there are a raft of injuries.

[Tigeritis™©®]

I think in the last 5 years premiership teams have been built on a very very strong defence and a great midfield. Not so much a great forward line with the exception of hawthorn who fluked it 3 years too early but played a very agressive defensive style.
With this in mind it's so important to get the defence right. I really hope that big Gourdis is the goods because if he's not we've wasted so much time on him. We really need a good young defence now to compliment our young gun mids coming through. 

[Coach]

None. Can't kick.
Others will be preferred unless there are a raft of injuries.

He's a better kick than Hislop   maybe even "Lukey Luke" who the coteries just adore  

Gaspar was close to the best FB we've had in 20 years and he couldn't kick for poo either

[WilliamPowell]

Gaspar was close to the best FB we've had in 20 years and he couldn't kick for poo either

Gotta disagree Davey - Gas was a good kick - alot better than people think. 

[Coach]

Maybe it was better than what some think, but I wouldn't class his kicking as good    I got rather nervous when Gas had possession of the ball 

[Mr Magic]

The Gas, pre knee was a good player. His kicking (previously not great anyway) and everything else dropped away after it.

Times have changed since then though. To be a top side you must have players who can dispose of the football reliably by foot. Especially in defence.
Gourdis is not that player.

[Coach]

McGuane isn't either...ditto Rance. Connors is a turn over merchant, his dream team stats are irrelevant.

Not everyone has to be a brilliant user of the ball to play down back. If you're a very good stopper then you will get a game. The big fellas kicking was sound when he played ones last year. 

[WilliamPowell]

Maybe it was better than what some think, but I wouldn't class his kicking as good    I got rather nervous when Gas had possession of the ball 

I always had great confidence in Gas when he was having a shot a goal  Great set shot for goal; just didn't happen often enough 

[Mr Magic]

McGuane isn't either...ditto Rance. Connors is a turn over merchant, his dream team stats are irrelevant.

All those guys are a better kick of the footy than Gourdis.