One of the guys who is in a Tigers e-mail loop with me at work is putting together a one-a-day player critique starting at #1 and working through the player list. It's a pretty good read so I thought I would share it with you.
Part 14 in the series….
14 - Aaron Fiora
Position: Wingman / Half Back
Age: 21, turns 22 two days before our round 4 game v Saints.
Height: 186cm
Weight: 78kg
Career Games: 40
Career Goals: 12
Draft History: Taken Pick No 3 1999 National draft, what has shaped up as a pretty good draft (particularly top 20). While he looked a likely type I was still gnashing my teeth that we overlooked Pavlich (and a few others).
2002 Averages: 19 Games, 6.8 Kicks, 4.3 Marks, 5 Handballs, 0.2 Goals, 1.7 Tackles, 1.5 Rebounds, 2.1 Inside 50s, 1.1 Clearance, 1.9 Clangers
2002 Summary: Bit of a season of two half's for Fiora, first half disappointing, second half was a bit improvement. Was dropped after being a non-entity against the Dogs and spent two games down at Coburg where he earned a reprieve and got a career best 22 touches (including 9 marks) in his comeback game - that memorable one against Geelong. Did well off a back flank in the second half of the year. In the first half he averaged 9 disposals, 2.2 "Clangers", 1.3 rebounds, 1.6 Inside 50's. In the second half they all improved to 15 disposals, 1.6 "Clangers", 1.7 Rebounds, 2.6 Inside 50's (marks stayed about the same). Obviously with the season fading quicker he had more opportunities but a good sign of improvement. Impressed with his capabilities in the Air and his ability to run the footy through the lines and looked to have found a short-term niche off a half back flank (I don't think it'll be a permanent thing).
Previously: 2000 & 2001 were both very much development years for him and it showed. Played 7 games in 2000 with limited game time and around 4.5 possessions a game, creeping up to 7.5 from 14 games in 2001.
Ability: 6.5 - Above average ability in my eyes, but still along way to go. Does show touches of genuine class.
Offence: 5 - Has the weapons to be a good attacking player, when he was prepared to back himself became a much more damaging player
Defence: 6 - I might be rating him a bit high as above average, but he impressed me in the second half with his ability to negate a player and spoil when required.
Hardness: 4 - Not altogether that bad, but just doesn't have the body to be a "hard" player and possibly never will have. With time, strength and confidence he may well improve in this area as he doesn't look to really avoid it. Was far more prepared to put his body in to protect his team-mate and I can see this rating up around 6 or so in the next couple of years.
Part 14 in the series….
14 - Aaron Fiora
Position: Wingman / Half Back
Age: 21, turns 22 two days before our round 4 game v Saints.
Height: 186cm
Weight: 78kg
Career Games: 40
Career Goals: 12
Draft History: Taken Pick No 3 1999 National draft, what has shaped up as a pretty good draft (particularly top 20). While he looked a likely type I was still gnashing my teeth that we overlooked Pavlich (and a few others).
2002 Averages: 19 Games, 6.8 Kicks, 4.3 Marks, 5 Handballs, 0.2 Goals, 1.7 Tackles, 1.5 Rebounds, 2.1 Inside 50s, 1.1 Clearance, 1.9 Clangers
2002 Summary: Bit of a season of two half's for Fiora, first half disappointing, second half was a bit improvement. Was dropped after being a non-entity against the Dogs and spent two games down at Coburg where he earned a reprieve and got a career best 22 touches (including 9 marks) in his comeback game - that memorable one against Geelong. Did well off a back flank in the second half of the year. In the first half he averaged 9 disposals, 2.2 "Clangers", 1.3 rebounds, 1.6 Inside 50's. In the second half they all improved to 15 disposals, 1.6 "Clangers", 1.7 Rebounds, 2.6 Inside 50's (marks stayed about the same). Obviously with the season fading quicker he had more opportunities but a good sign of improvement. Impressed with his capabilities in the Air and his ability to run the footy through the lines and looked to have found a short-term niche off a half back flank (I don't think it'll be a permanent thing).
Previously: 2000 & 2001 were both very much development years for him and it showed. Played 7 games in 2000 with limited game time and around 4.5 possessions a game, creeping up to 7.5 from 14 games in 2001.
Ability: 6.5 - Above average ability in my eyes, but still along way to go. Does show touches of genuine class.
Offence: 5 - Has the weapons to be a good attacking player, when he was prepared to back himself became a much more damaging player
Defence: 6 - I might be rating him a bit high as above average, but he impressed me in the second half with his ability to negate a player and spoil when required.
Hardness: 4 - Not altogether that bad, but just doesn't have the body to be a "hard" player and possibly never will have. With time, strength and confidence he may well improve in this area as he doesn't look to really avoid it. Was far more prepared to put his body in to protect his team-mate and I can see this rating up around 6 or so in the next couple of years.
