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angus graham playing like a cardboard cutout
- Thread starter jokershoppe
- Start date
I don't think Gus has ever played well at Coburg, but has had a few good games in the Seniors. Last year was a good example were everyone was calling him a waste of space in the 2nds but when he came up to replace an injured Snake, many Coburg watchers were shocked at the transformation and Tigerbob's reputation took a massive hit 
Some players do perform only at the top level. I think Gus is one of them, so I won't give the Coburg reports too much notice.
Some players do perform only at the top level. I think Gus is one of them, so I won't give the Coburg reports too much notice.
Leysy Days said:
Don't know how they can be proven correct when they\ve already been proven wrong. They said he was a waste of space early last year. When Gus was promoted to the seniors he played well and I don't think it's a coincidence that our run of good games coincided with Gus's elevation.
But that doesn't mean he hasn't gone backwards from last year and we're seeing a Gus who's not able to give us what our ever improving midfield is now requiring.
No real ideas as to why he's struggled to perform in the VFL. Maybe he's the type then needs quality around him. Dunno.
Baloo said:
One stretch of games does not a career make. The football scrap heap is riddled with players that have done just that. See: Richie Tambling.
Bob was right. Not wrong.
Baloo said:
If he was a small forward playing in a poor VFL getting starved of opportunity leysy could completely see your point. It would be a nightmare getting involved. Without seeing games this year maybe Hicks is a case in point.
But a ruckman can beat his man & get plaudits no matter how bad his team is travelling. We've got a 21 y.o who could do just that all year.
Just maybe Baloo Gus is a footballer who is just an average at best VFL ruckman. Leysy believes that is the case with Gus.
Leysy Days said:
So much for the 'being rested' theories some put out there.
Heat is on gus clearly from the coaching staff. Rightly so too.
Leysy Days said:
We're either arguing different points or we'll have to agree to disagree on this one. The call was made last year by Bob and other Coburg watchers that Gus was useless, a waste a of space, not fit for the 'burg 2nds and should never see a senior jersey again.
He got a shot and played some very good games for a decent run until he got his ribs crushed.
To Bob's credit he's admitted many times he was wrong about Gus. Is even able to have a laugh about the call.
This year isn't last year though so while I don't think he's as bad as many say, he hasn't made that step up in improvement that he's made in his previous years. Maybe that's one of the knocks on him. Or that our midfield has gotten to a stage where we're demanding more from our Ruckmen because we have the midfielders ready and waiting to dominate from the stoppages if we get first possession.
Whatever reason, calls for his banishment for good are premature in my eyes. A young 24yo ruckman playing 90% of game time with little support, it's not an easy gig. He was better at the start of the season than he was against the dogs. If the entire Essendon club can use the "tired" excuse then Gus should have the same option.
Like I said, I don't know. All I can do is look at what he's done over the years and he has always surprised people with his performances in the AFL after showing little in the VFL. I just looked at the trends and made an assumption on what I have seen. Do the coaches agree ? It appears not, but what a boring place this forum would be if we all agreed with what the coaches did
Another baseless theory I have is that Gus does better when he isn't the #1 ruckman and needs to fight for a spot in the seniors. This year he started as #1 so maybe that hunger isn't there.
You could be right. He may never develop into a serviceable ruckman that can produce what our ever growing band of skillful mids need to dominate games. Hopefully Browne keeps improving for the teams sake and if that is a catalyst for Gus to refocus again, if that is his issue, then even better.
Leysy Days said:
This is a little unfair isn't it ..... Gus has already shown in quite a few games that he can be a very good senior ruck.
Everyones smashing the poor bugger over one game but he's played some very good senior footy, some of the talk last year from some respected commentators was that he was tracking as one of the better rucks in the league
Leysy Days said:
Yeah but one bad game does not a dud make either......
This reminds me of the Turnover King days when we all wanted his head, now look at him. I really hope Gus can do the same.
Keep in mind, I dont think Gus has even played 50 games yet. Let him get to at least 60-70 games than judge. He is only a year or two away from being a solid ruckman. He will never be great or highly skilled but I think he will turn into a pack bashing ruckman who throws his weight around. If he can hold a few more marks that would be good
I hope Gus can pull his finger out and string some good games...and at least put some pressure on big Browne.
Tigers of Old said:A fortnight after he gave Gus a football lesson, Hudson has been dropped.
As did Gilbee a week after kicking 6 against us.
Bizarre that. Things arent right at the Dogs.
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