angus graham playing like a cardboard cutout

[notorious219]

Graham played well around the ground yesterday, taking some good marks and delivering the ball well. His rucking didn't look so good to me with him out of position quite a bit. I'm hoping to see another player blooded in that role.

 

[Rfc4Ever]

AND HE KICKED A GOAL ON SANDILANDS TOO!!

Good game by Gus.

Also impressed with Vickery - turns 21 at months end and is looking the goods.

 

[pahoffm]

Another improving game from the grand Angus.
He's come along way from last year.

He's gut running, and his kicking on the run and at goal has improved.

Just shows that you DO have to wait until your rucks are 24yo for them to click.
Yes, he turned 24yo in that last week of April.

 

[lukeanddad]

Solid game - and Gus improved after half time when Sandilands tired. They could not afford to rest Sandilands often as Bradley was their ONLY forward who looked a threat. Gus ran off Sandilands on 4-5 occasions to set us up in the second half.

Yes Phanto, he continues to improve. He's no Ottens - and unlikely to be a Jolly - but could turn into a Hudson or a Jamaar in the next 2-3 years

 

[TT33]

Gus is improving, I think he knows his limitation & is playing to them. Can still get better. Look at Jamar from the deees, who would have thought that he would become the player he has & he is 27 I think. Imo Gus is in better shape at 23/4 than what Jamar was.
A mate of mine is a deees supporter & was calling for him to be traded/delisted a year or 2 back.

 

[pahoffm]

He's no Ottens - and unlikely to be a Jolly - but could turn into a Hudson or a Jamaar in the next 2-3 years

That's fine.

Remember that Graham only began as a Tiger rookie and was initially given only an outside chance of succeeding.

And if it wasn't for PRE's extraordinary fundraising, he'd have never got onto the Tiger list.

Remember the Rookie Club?

 

[TT33]

Just on Ottens, imo his tap work was overrated, when he was with us. He continually tapped the ball to ground or the opposition, sometimes he got it to a Tigers player, but not as often as he should have. His around the ground & forward play was what made up for his "poor" ruckwork.

Having said that, he was still a big loss to us.

 

[lukeanddad]

I watched Otto's ruck work three weeks ago. It was sensational. Will be interesting to watch him head to head with Jolly next week.

 

[TT33]

I watched Otto's ruck work three weeks ago. It was sensational. Will be interesting to watch him head to head with Jolly next week.

Agreed on that Ldd, I was talking about "when he was with us" not the way he has played over the last few years.

 

[Big Cat Lover]

Flogged.

But didn't give up and got in some counter punches that were important for us in the third. He kicked one and set up another when the game was in the balance.

I reckon almost all ruckman are flogged by Sandilands when it comes to taps. And if you removed Sandilands we would have won by 15 goals. But Gus has more ticker than many give him credit for. Can't be easy to keep jumping into a 130kg giant and keep going. But he did and when the game was in the balance he exerted more influence than big Sandi. Showed great heart against the best in the comp did Gus and showed some smarts in the 2nd half to spread and provide an option. Those calling for his demotion and Browne's inclusion may be waiting a while.

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

I reckon almost all ruckman are flogged by Sandilands when it comes to taps. And if you removed Sandilands we would have won by 15 goals. But Gus has more ticker than many give him credit for. Can't be easy to keep jumping into a 130kg giant and keep going. But he did and when the game was in the balance he exerted more influence than big Sandi. Showed great heart against the best in the comp did Gus and showed some smarts in the 2nd half to spread and provide an option. Those calling for his demotion and Browne's inclusion may be waiting a while.

I would have said 10 goals, but agree with the rest

 

[Streak]

I would have said 10 goals, but agree with the rest

Conservative there Col.

I reckon it might have been 15 on what I saw.

Sandilands kept them in the game, bit like Black last week.

 

[bigwow]

Gus battled well yesterday, particularly as Sandidlands, (and Pavlich) seem to be protected species. He exploited sandilands in the 2nd half when he tired, and was still going strong at the end. Shows a bit does Gus.

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

Gus battled well yesterday, particularly as Sandidlands, (and Pavlich) seem to be protected species. He exploited sandilands in the 2nd half when he tired, and was still going strong at the end. Shows a bit does Gus.

Gus was great, has a huge tank and ticker.

 

[GoodOne]

Gus battled well yesterday, particularly as Sandidlands, (and Pavlich) seem to be protected species. He exploited sandilands in the 2nd half when he tired, and was still going strong at the end. Shows a bit does Gus.

Great game by Gus against the odds. Don't know about protected species though. Guys like Sandilands are going to get more frees as opposition players try to counteract his immense height and bulk. Graham does have a tank of an engine though, has been basically rucking most of the game for weeks now. He deserves more credit than he's been given this year.

 

[Baloo]

Gus does this every year. Starts slow, the ferals call for his delisting, then he starts to get it going. By mid year he's at his peak. Gets an injury around Rd 15 and struggles to wards the end of the year.

To date, this season has been his best start. I'm expecting AA selection calls for Gus by Rd 12

 

[pahoffm]

Most important thing is that it emphasises again the importance of having two ruckmen in a big game.

Graham & Vickery rotated on Sandilands and ran him into the ground.

 

[tha8ball]

Good ol Goose Graham!...I enjoyed his goal and that will be an important part of his game if he wants to have a successful ruck/fwd combination with big Tyrone!! (loving big Tys game atm!)

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

Conservative there Col.

I reckon it might have been 15 on what I saw.

Sandilands kept them in the game, bit like Black last week.

Sandi is a stud, no doubting that.

But I think there was a bit of fox in the way we played him, we definitely wanted to wear him out and then use Gus to count-punch late in the game. Lots of clubs use this tactic against Sandi because you can't beat him in a straight fight

 

[jimbob]

I have been a very strong critic of Gus's & of the opinion that he is as big an uncoordinated goose that we could possibly have at the tiges
& the first I would get rid of. Went to the game - & have watched the replay (love that rewind button on the mystar box). Thought he was terrific on Sandilands. Sandilands is a monster (watch out for the young boy at Gold Coast btw) & he is just sensational. I had him as my best player overall in the match. Without him & to a lesser extent Munday & Pavlich - the result could have been verrrrrrry ugly indeed for Freo.

Gus absolutely busted his balls I thought - he kept plugging away against a bigger & stronger opponent. He did something a bit different to date & presented as a target around the ground which was an area I have been critical of him & felt he does not do enough. I thought the umpires did not help his cause & now understand why, after listening to the commentary on the replay as apparently, Harvey had put in a complaint of sorts in the last few weeks - where he felt Sandilands was not receiving his due. Well...he got a couple of softies yesterday. Methinks it's time for us to have a chat to the umpires too - have a little look at an appalling hold on Riewoldt in the second quarter etc,etc,etc.

Gus did a very fine job yesterday & Vickery too is continuing to show signe of what he may become.

Great effort Gus.