Will Thursfield [merged]

[mightytiges]

No surprise but Thursty didn't get a vote. Joel Selwood the obvious winner.

2007 NAB AFL Rising Star voting (Maximum possible votes is 45)
1. Joel Selwood (Geelong) 44
2. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 37
3. Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 17
4. Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide) 10
5. Shannon Hurn (West Coast ) 9
6. Jess Smith (Kangaroos) 7
7. Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
8. Tom Williams (Western Bulldogs) 2
8. Patrick Ryder (Essendon) 2
10. Martin Clarke (Collingwood) 1

[bluey_21]

No surprise but Thursty didn't get a vote. Joel Selwood the obvious winner.

2007 NAB AFL Rising Star voting (Maximum possible votes is 45)
1. Joel Selwood (Geelong) 44
2. Scott Pendlebury (Collingwood) 37
3. Nathan Jones (Melbourne) 17
4. Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide) 10
5. Shannon Hurn (West Coast ) 9
6. Jess Smith (Kangaroos) 7
7. Bryce Gibbs (Carlton)
8. Tom Williams (Western Bulldogs) 2
8. Patrick Ryder (Essendon) 2
10. Martin Clarke (Collingwood) 1

congrats selwood 

and what about Gibbs no votes at all for him   

[rogerd3]

has become one of my favourite players, love his attack on the ball.

well done willy.

[one-eyed]

Next up is Thursty.

Return to senior footy in round 8 against Adelaide this year after doing his knee early on in 2006. Thursty played in the all remaining 15 games of the year at full back, averaging 9 disposal and 3 marks.

http://www.finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1594&SeasonID=ALL

How did we all rate Will's year?

[Ox]

Good YEar.
Better tha Gaspars!

Will only improve.

Kudos to WT.

[bluey_21]

 

[WilliamPowell]

Better than I expected. Grew in confidence as the year went on Will be a 10+ year key defender for us.

8/10 

 

[bluey_21]

Better than I expected. Grew in confidence as the year went on Will be a 10+ year key defender for us.

8/10 

 

I see him developing into a scarlett type full-back, a guy who relies on his athleticism and footy smarts rather than brute strength 

[Mr Magic]

He and Foley were this years highlights.

Both rookies!

[mightytiges]

On the night Thursty did his knee with it being bent backwards  I just remember feeling guttered. It's just an unbelievable return to footy by Will. Often footballers need another 12 months after returning from a knee to reach their pre-knee form again if they ever do. I would put Thursty's return from an ACL up there with Richo's. He hasn't missed a beat since returning and still has the pace and acceleration to keep up with the best leading forwards. The only time he struggled was against the bigger-bodied gorillas which shows we need another bigger-bodied key defender for those types of forwards.     

[one-eyed]

Royal's review of Thursty

One of the brightest shining lights to come from a bleak 2007. Will's athleticism and competitive nature, combined with his desire to play on the opposition's best key forwards week in, week out, makes him an outstanding prospect for seasons to come. He is an extremely coachable player who's been able to change his positioning in a manner that not only denies his opponent any advantage but allowed him to lift his possession-rate to an average of 10 per game in 2007. Will is a very popular member of the team and an emerging leader in the long-term.

http://richmondfc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/6301/Default.aspx?newsId=52716

[one-eyed]

What are your expectations for Thursty this year?

[{X}]

to beat the g train !

[Mr Magic]

to beat the g train !

Stuff that.

My expectations are that he'll be on Riewoldt instead of Rainesy.

[WilliamPowell]

Further improvement and leading our defence