Saintsational Fan Forum - A passionate community of St Kilda Football Club fans discussing news, history, players, trade rumours, results, AFL stats and more.
I call Freeman a project player. And like all project players a lot of things have to come together for him that can take time, but there is no guarentees. That's why I'm so chilled out about him. I think the club would be honestly happy if he can play a big chunk of VFL footy this year and show some really solid form. That would be a big step forward.
He has quite a few hurdles in front of him. We don't know if he will have that express pace that made him go at pick 9. I lot of players that have serious hammy problems like Judd lose that out and out pace. And not only has he not played any AFL footy as a 21 y.o, he has barely played ANY footy. He's got to show he can learn and implement the complex positioning and structures in-game that is a big part of AFL. Easy to do in video drills, much hard in the chaos of games. He's got to show he can develop his game the way the coaches want and is willing to listen and be team-first. He's got to show he can throw off any mental demons and go flat chat. And the clock is ticking on him as he will turn 22 this year and has barely played any football at all and we have talented, hungry kids keen to learn and able to push their bodies from day 1, coming in every year.
And he went pick 9, so what? We have Billings pick 3, Steven is elite, Armo pick 10, Acres and Dunstan pick 18 & 19, Gresham pick 14, Steele would have been around pick 16 without academy, we have two first rounders next year. Let alone Ross, Stevens, Newnes all showing consistent AFL ability already. Why is this automatic assumption that Nathan will be better than them and be in our best 22?
I is tots chilled about Freezer. I just let Nathan do Nathan and see where he lands, no sweats.
I tend to think this is more a case of off season boredom (Freeman speculation) that will quieten down once there's more stuff going on.
I'm sure everyone wants him to come good.
Everyone can have an opinion (even me) but it almost seems like the media intense scrutiny snowball at times.
Thanks to everyone for training reports, very well received, and really how many times do you watch a game and agree with the experts or others around?
Everyone sees things differently.
Bluthy wrote:
He has quite a few hurdles in front of him. We don't know if he will have that express pace that made him go at pick 9. I lot of players that have serious hammy problems like Judd lose that out and out pace.
I don't recall Judd having hamstring issues. His was O.P. Similar to Luke Ball - that's how they lost their pace.
No strapping, trained at full pace including repeat sprints.
Very quick and slick in the ball up drills. Hardly got a touch in the two quarter scratch match, however he was coming off a wing, and the play was direct kicking inside 50 to a contest almost exclusively.
Still he kept presenting and looked so much stronger, quicker and more confident than last year.
Was at training today and Freeman was moving perfectly well - sources tell me he had a very slight calf last week.
Billings and Gresh going awesome. The Irish bloke moves like a racehorse (don't know his name sorry), but was running laps and covered the ground like Phar Lap, very impressive. If he can develop the game nous and skills will be a real beauty.
Wright surprised me. Last time I saw training he never hit a single target, this time around I never saw him miss a target, including on his non-preferred.
Saw J Steven and J Steele doing heaps of repeat sprints, and B Rice & J Lonie running laps. Most players in match sim.....
Sincs got a bit of it in the scratch match but didn't set the world on fire.
Geez Carlisle is a big chunk of humanity........
The heavy metal artist formerly known as True Believer!
IF you look around the room and can't identify who the sucker is, then it's probably you!
Went to my 2ND training run today and like what I saw. Blokes have put on good size and are moving well. Freeman will play it's a no brainer I'd suggest there just keeping a lid on him. Never pulls up short and looks completely unrestricted. Skills look sharp and at this stage the pre season looks to be one the best in my time as a supporter.
CURLY wrote:Went to my 2ND training run today and like what I saw. Blokes have put on good size and are moving well. Freeman will play it's a no brainer I'd suggest there just keeping a lid on him. Never pulls up short and looks completely unrestricted. Skills look sharp and at this stage the pre season looks to be one the best in my time as a supporter.
Great to hear Curly - exciting times ahead. Thanks for the update.
CURLY wrote:Went to my 2ND training run today and like what I saw. Blokes have put on good size and are moving well. Freeman will play it's a no brainer I'd suggest there just keeping a lid on him. Never pulls up short and looks completely unrestricted. Skills look sharp and at this stage the pre season looks to be one the best in my time as a supporter.
Wow!
Holder of unacceptable views and other thought crimes.
CURLY wrote:Went to my 2ND training run today and like what I saw. Blokes have put on good size and are moving well. Freeman will play it's a no brainer I'd suggest there just keeping a lid on him. Never pulls up short and looks completely unrestricted. Skills look sharp and at this stage the pre season looks to be one the best in my time as a supporter.
How was the umpiring in the scratch match Curly?
_______________________________________________________________________
"Don't argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience."
