Another thread: raph is useless

[ralphsmith]

Raph has proved his mettle in finals games, he clearly has some brooding ability.

I think it's a confidence thing. I'm sure in person he's probably a great bloke, but on field he needs to be more ruthless. Both Raph and Zac Dawson need to take some lessons in on field angriness.

This guy should mentor them.


I will conclude, Raph is definitely best 22. He has my vote.

But the original poster is entitled to his opinion.

[Enrico_Misso]

Raph has proved his mettle in finals games, he clearly has some brooding ability.

I think it's a confidence thing. I'm sure in person he's probably a great bloke, but on field he needs to be more ruthless. Both Raph and Zac Dawson need to take some lessons in on field angriness.

I will conclude, Raph is definitely best 22. He has my vote.

But the original poster is entitled to his opinion.

Can confirm Raph IS a really nice bloke.
Had the pleasure of chatting to him at the pre-season function.

Agree he is in our best 22.
Agree on the confidence issue.
Agree he also needs to get a bit angrier.

He definitely has the ability to be a major play maker for us.

Agree the original poster is entitled to his opinion.
But I just didn't think the way he expressed it was constructive or relevant.
There is no doubt Raph is trying his guts out.
To personally and savagely criticise him for mistakes is pretty unprofessional.
If you have an issue about Raph's place in the team, then criticise the Coach/Selectors and nominate your alternative player and why
- please don't just hang it on him.

[stinger]

I thought someone had resurrected a thread from last year, or maybe the year before, or maybe the year before or the year before that.

Some players will never be recognised for their true worth to the team, and some will not get the popular acclaim they deserve. Raph is one of those. I hope he does not read this forum.

he used to according to his mum...used to distress him....his family and the coach i believe told him and others to not come here.....

[Enrico_Misso]

I asked Raph if he ever read any of the comments about him on the internet.
He laughed and said he used to and knew a few people had bagged him.
Said no-one complains when we win, only when we lose.
Also said he doesn't read the comments anymore.

[saintnick12]

I asked Raph if he ever read any of the comments about him on the internet.
He laughed and said he used to and knew a few people had bagged him.
Said no-one complains when we win, only when we lose.
Also said he doesn't read the comments anymore.

Thank god he doesn't read them.
Already needing a boost in confidence, it would certainly not help to read some of the rubbish posted about him.
He can't win. When he makes mistakes, they are highlighted. When other players make them, they are glossed over. When he plays well, it is ignored. His finals last year and the year before were great. Most don't remember that...just remember a couple of errors on GF day...he certainly wasn't alone in that.

[stinger]

Thank god he doesn't read them.

yep.....there are some real morons on this site at times....

[ralphsmith]

I would hope he could come on here now, read this and have it deflect off him. That kind of self belief and confidence is what he needs.

The guy should have absolutely no doubt about his place in the team.

[saintnick12]

Thank god he doesn't read them.

yep.....there are some real morons on this site at times....

Hope that wasn't a dig at me, Stinger....

Joking.

[IluvHarvey]

This thread is the perfect example of why I hate people.
Bugger off Dimwit (OP).

[iwantmeseats]

Raph seems like a lovely guy, and Ill back him to the hilt while he is playing for us. But to be honest, he is not much of a footballer. Many in denial I feel here re this. Anyway, Ill still back him fully.

[matrix]

freedom of speech and all that
entitled to opinions and all that
but
when the title says
'ANOTHER Thread' because the OP knows that we have seen countless threads on this topic means it is just being troll like imo

i'd delete the thread.

[bigcarl]

to be honest, he is not much of a footballer. Many in denial I feel here re this.

disagree. he has ability but struggles a bit when down on confidence. he needs to stop second guessing himself and to go with his first thought ... in other words to back his instincts.

[saintnick12]

to be honest, he is not much of a footballer. Many in denial I feel here re this.

disagree. he has ability but struggles a bit when down on confidence. he needs to stop second guessing himself and to go with his first thought ... in other words to back his instincts.

Agree. At his best his judgement is great and he can be a great player.
At his worst you feel like you can actually see his brain ticking over while he decides what to do with the ball. His judgement is generally sound...so he needs to learn do trust it a bit more.

[borderbarry]

A lot of forumites criticise Raph because of his Grand Final performance (No mention of his Preliminary Final performance, was one of our best), and yet they dont criticise the 5 or 6 other members of the Grand Final team who had a worse match. I dont understand that!

[Dr Spaceman]

A lot of forumites criticise Raph because of his Grand Final performance (No mention of his Preliminary Final performance, was one of our best), and yet they dont criticise the 5 or 6 other members of the Grand Final team who had a worse match. I dont understand that!

Because Barry, that won't fit their anti Raph agenda

[Animal Enclosure]

When some brain dead nuff nuff is being vitriolic towards Raph I always ask them if they would say the same thing to his face. They always mutter something like 'but he hopeless... blah blah blah".

The tools that post on here or ring SEN or shout it from the stands are gutless cowards. They would brown their pants if they were on an AFL ground with a pack bearing down on them. They think they have the right to vilify a quality young man who is exceptionally talented and courageous.

You are a coward Supercoach & I'd be very happy to say that to you face.

Round 2, Level 2, Aisle 30 outside the bar

[iwantmeseats]

riiiiiight. So abuse or "ya hopeless" comments screamed from the stands are ok EXCEPT towards Raph? I hope thats not what your saying !!

I have never abused any of our players at games. BUT, everyone has a right to their opinion ffs. What the hell is this ??

[Dr Spaceman]

riiiiiight. So abuse or "ya hopeless" comments screamed from the stands are ok EXCEPT towards Raph? I hope thats not what your saying !!

I have never abused any of our players at games. BUT, everyone has a right to their opinion ffs. What the hell is this ??

You are right in principle BUT,

With Raph it goes way beyond that.

Raph has hate pages on Facebook etc. And I had a bloke behind me at the Richmond game at Etihad a few years back, 5 mins into the 1st quarter, screaming out to Raph to have a heart attack!

Other players have their detractors but it doesn't stoop to the level of the Raph bashers. They are a disgrace!!!

[Animal Enclosure]

riiiiiight. So abuse or "ya hopeless" comments screamed from the stands are ok EXCEPT towards Raph? I hope thats not what your saying !!

I have never abused any of our players at games. BUT, everyone has a right to their opinion ffs. What the hell is this ??

The abuse directed at Raph is vitriolic and hysterical.

I yell out at what players do (Including Raph) but what Raph cops from some people is at another level altogether.

You're right everyone has an opinion, the manner is which some express it is the issue. I'm sure my opinion in the previous post is something that you have issue with due to how I expressed it.

The OP was a typical hysterical uneducated opinion on a player who is an easy target for numerous reasons.

IMO it is weak to asassinate a person's character if you won't say it to their face.

[iwantmeseats]

riiiiiight. So abuse or "ya hopeless" comments screamed from the stands are ok EXCEPT towards Raph? I hope thats not what your saying !!

I have never abused any of our players at games. BUT, everyone has a right to their opinion ffs. What the hell is this ??

The abuse directed at Raph is vitriolic and hysterical.

I yell out at what players do (Including Raph) but what Raph cops from some people is at another level altogether.

You're right everyone has an opinion, the manner is which some express it is the issue. I'm sure my opinion in the previous post is something that you have issue with due to how I expressed it.

The OP was a typical hysterical uneducated opinion on a player who is an easy target for numerous reasons.

IMO it is weak to asassinate a person's character if you won't say it to their face.

Ok fair enough. Cant argue with that. Its a intriging subject, Raph, anyway...did we REALLY need another Raph thread OP? We are days away from round 1 people! Lets not fall back into this stuff before the season has even started.

[SainterK]

A lot of forumites criticise Raph because of his Grand Final performance (No mention of his Preliminary Final performance, was one of our best), and yet they dont criticise the 5 or 6 other members of the Grand Final team who had a worse match. I dont understand that!

Really? I thought many of them copped a fair whack on here, and continue to do so.

Can't stand the concept of whipping boys myself, so prehistoric.

Sure, no player is immune from criticism, but when it turns into personal attacks and derogatory remarks and abuse, then you have overstepped the line IMO.

Is it so hard for the OP to say 'I wouldn't have Raph Clarke in my best 22, I am hoping he improves his disposal and doesn't turn the ball over so much'

[TazzieSaintGirl83]

I value him as a player and a part of our club. He puts on the red, white and black and tries hard and has skill. Every player that has ever pulled on the boots has off games.

Constructive intelligent discussions are what we need, I agree the OP has a right to an opinion but the way it was expressed seemed to be barely contained spite.

I support the whole club, I have my favourites of course but I love all the boys that wear our colours. The only way to move forward is as a team and hanging problems on one players shoulders alone is not going to move us forward.

[IluvHarvey]

When some brain dead nuff nuff is being vitriolic towards Raph I always ask them if they would say the same thing to his face. They always mutter something like 'but he hopeless... blah blah blah".

The tools that post on here or ring SEN or shout it from the stands are gutless cowards. They would brown their pants if they were on an AFL ground with a pack bearing down on them. They think they have the right to vilify a quality young man who is exceptionally talented and courageous.

You are a coward Supercoach & I'd be very happy to say that to you face.

Round 2, Level 2, Aisle 30 outside the bar

During the NAB cup game against the swans Raph walked along the boundary line in front of us at half time. This absolute tossbag started on him "You're a joke" and "I hope you never play again you useless pr*ck". Needless to say I turned to this saints "supporter" and lost it at him. He quickly moved after half time. I hate them!!!

[GrumpyOne]

freedom of speech and all that
entitled to opinions and all that

Well Mat, as has been pointed out to me many times, neither applies on a privately owned footy forum.

[markinUSA]

Raph is one of the players we sponsor as a site... so while some people don't like him, others do.

I'm with those who never bag anyone in our club jumper... it goes against everything I believe in, personally. For mine, ya just don't bag your own... but, each to their own.