Rate a Tiger's year - 25. Angus Graham?

[one-eyed]

Next up is Gus.

After missing the first 7 rounds, Graham played all remaining 15 games this year to take his career total to 33 matches since being picked up in the 2005 rookie draft. His highest possession game (23 disposals) was against Brisbane in round 13. He had more than 25 hitouts against Port in R10 (34), North in R15 (27) and St Kilda in R21 (32).

          Games    K     H      D     M     HO    T     G.B
2006:      -       
2007:      2      1.5   1.5   3.0   1.0    8.5   2.0   0.0
2008:      -
2009:     16     2.9   6.5   9.4   3.4   14.2   2.9   5.3
2010:     15     4.2   6.5  10.7  3.1   19.2   3.4   6.4
 
http://finalsiren.com/PlayerStats.asp?PlayerID=1785&SeasonID=ALL


How did we all rate Gus's season?

[Smokey]

Gave him a 6 and debated if that was 1 too many.  I liked that he improved and on occasions was able to compete against the 'big boys' but I'm just not sold on him.  I'm prepared to give him another season under Hardwick but he would need to improve by at least as much again for him to be a keeper at the end of 2011.  His short suit is his work around the ground - he doesn't do near enough for mine and is regularly found lagging behind his man when the ball goes to the opposition forward line.  I still think Browne has more potential but as I said, at least he improved.  Defining year (6th) coming up for Gus, 1 way or the other.

[jackstar is back again]

thinks his stats dont do him justice.
Was much better then last year.

[Owl]

I think he was a lot better this year and he copped a savage battering in a couple of games which might of slowed him up a bit but all in all I think he goes alright.

[gerkin greg]

Reached the required level for a good few weeks but dropped off as the season wore him down. Needs to improve his consistency, his fitness and get a hair cut. 6/10

[Mr Magic]

Improving & thought he did a pretty good job in the circumstances.

6.5/10 for me.

[mat073]

On occasions this year Gus looked like a genuine AFL ruckman.I thought he was really good during our "purple patch".

[Rodgerramjet]

Had an excellent year from where he came from, took huge strides forward, still has a way to go, but he is a big man and still developing. From where one is, as compared to where one was, I gave him an 8.

[Dice]

A six from me.
Pretty much agree with what's been said above. Needs to go to another level again next year.

[Coach]

Has made some improvement but still doesn't take anywhere near enough marks or get enough ball for a #1 ruckman. Browne and Vickery both have more talent and should go past him soon.

[eliminator]

Needs to be able to take contested marks particularly in defence to become a good ruckman. Has improved under Hardwick. Still very raw was shown up badly against the better ruckmen eg Brogan in the Port game.

[WilliamPowell]

Solid improvement

Gap between his good and his bad is still far to great IMHO.

Needs to take more contested marks

[Owl]

Yeah agree with the marking, he still tends to balk instead of securing the mark.  I think he can turn that around, Jack was spilling them early as well.

[Hellenic Tiger]

More improvement needed. I gave him a 5. Thought he was okay but I feel he and Browne will be okay with us in the future. Both will be serviceable.

I don't know if it is a fitness thing or a tactical thing or just an individual thing but in terms of our ruckmen I would like to see them standing on the goal line when the opposition are having shots at goal. Cost us so many goals this season with nobody on the line.

[RedanTiger]

More improvement needed. I gave him a 5. Thought he was okay but I feel he and Browne will be okay with us in the future. Both will be serviceable.

I don't know if it is a fitness thing or a tactical thing or just an individual thing but in terms of our ruckmen I would like to see them standing on the goal line when the opposition are having shots at goal. Cost us so many goals this season with nobody on the line.

Think it's a bit of all three.
With ruckmen now going deep to provide a goal-kicking option, the defensive ruck must stay close to his opponent.
When teams have a set shot at goal their ruckman will usually stand off a bit to provide a threat, which stops the defensive ruck going to the goal line.
With the kick-in now being taken so quickly, the zone setup is critical, especially the ruckman who can determine where the ball goes if unopposed.