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 16 in the series….
16 - Ben Holland
Position: Key Defender (underline Defender)
Age: 25, turns 26 the day we play Essendon Round 7
Height: 197cm
Weight: 100kg
Career Games: 116
Career Goals: 113
Draft History: Taken selection 19 in 1994 national draft by Fitzroy, he never
played a game for them and was traded to Richmond the following year for
selections 16 & 32 in the 1995 national draft.
2002 Averages: 4 games, 5.25 Kicks, 3 Marks, 4 Handballs, 0 Goals, 1.75
Tackles, 1.25 Rebounds, 0.75 Inside 50s, 1 Clearance, 1.75 Clangers
2002 Summary: Was pretty reasonable for the first three games, from memory
you'd say solid but not outstanding then did his knee round 4 in a game he was
truly terrible in, so it just wasn't his day. We lost a good part of our structure
when Holland departed.
Previously: I saw his first game in Brisbane and really thought we had a gun on
our hands. Played 11 games that year, but failed to really make an impact,
which given he was 18 wasn't too traumatic. He'd done enough and looked the
part to have a lot of people expecting him to really step up quickly. Improved in
97, but not at the expected rate, was around now (or the year later) he did start
to show his versatility by having the occasional stint in the ruck. Career really
continued on the same vein, steady but not spectacular and consistent in 1999
with a 4th in the B&F . In 2000 started to show some good form down back and
at the same time never really provided the target needed up forward in Richo's
absence. In 2001 after a slow start, had settled nicely into the backline, playing
his best (IMHO) footy of his career and finished 6th in the clubs B&F
Ability: 6 - Always looked to be a cut above average and probably one of
the "smarter" footballers at Tigerland.
Offence: 3.5 - I might get howled down, but I've never seen him as being a good
forward. Might do a lot of the little things, but not enough of the big things for
my liking. Might have found it difficult being shown up by the big lug (Richo), but
then again at the same time Hollands strengths were often Richo's weakness
and they should have complemented each other but it never seemed to work.
Defence: 6 - Above average and rising. The little things come into bigger play.
The ability to keep a key forward quiet, to spoil to advantage, to work hard
defensively at boundary throw-ins & ball ups, to exert physical presence on key
forwards. One big question mark is lack of mobility which can limit his range of
opponents.
Hardness: 6 - Above average, is strong and physical in a contest, but could use
his size to better effect at times, but maybe his lack of mobility means he can't
get his size to the right spot in times. Wouldn't call him aggressive, he's not the
type to pulverise.
Speed: 1.5 - Maybe alright if he can get going, but the guy ain't quick!
Stamina: 3 - Never looked to me to cover enough ground or make enough
contests to big a top line key position player. Looks the athletic type, but doesn't
seem to translate into great ground coverage.
Delivery: 5.5 - Above average foot skills, but in classic Richmond fashion seems
to manufacture a turn-over out of nowhere at times.
Part 16 in the series….
16 - Ben Holland
Position: Key Defender (underline Defender)
Age: 25, turns 26 the day we play Essendon Round 7
Height: 197cm
Weight: 100kg
Career Games: 116
Career Goals: 113
Draft History: Taken selection 19 in 1994 national draft by Fitzroy, he never
played a game for them and was traded to Richmond the following year for
selections 16 & 32 in the 1995 national draft.
2002 Averages: 4 games, 5.25 Kicks, 3 Marks, 4 Handballs, 0 Goals, 1.75
Tackles, 1.25 Rebounds, 0.75 Inside 50s, 1 Clearance, 1.75 Clangers
2002 Summary: Was pretty reasonable for the first three games, from memory
you'd say solid but not outstanding then did his knee round 4 in a game he was
truly terrible in, so it just wasn't his day. We lost a good part of our structure
when Holland departed.
Previously: I saw his first game in Brisbane and really thought we had a gun on
our hands. Played 11 games that year, but failed to really make an impact,
which given he was 18 wasn't too traumatic. He'd done enough and looked the
part to have a lot of people expecting him to really step up quickly. Improved in
97, but not at the expected rate, was around now (or the year later) he did start
to show his versatility by having the occasional stint in the ruck. Career really
continued on the same vein, steady but not spectacular and consistent in 1999
with a 4th in the B&F . In 2000 started to show some good form down back and
at the same time never really provided the target needed up forward in Richo's
absence. In 2001 after a slow start, had settled nicely into the backline, playing
his best (IMHO) footy of his career and finished 6th in the clubs B&F
Ability: 6 - Always looked to be a cut above average and probably one of
the "smarter" footballers at Tigerland.
Offence: 3.5 - I might get howled down, but I've never seen him as being a good
forward. Might do a lot of the little things, but not enough of the big things for
my liking. Might have found it difficult being shown up by the big lug (Richo), but
then again at the same time Hollands strengths were often Richo's weakness
and they should have complemented each other but it never seemed to work.
Defence: 6 - Above average and rising. The little things come into bigger play.
The ability to keep a key forward quiet, to spoil to advantage, to work hard
defensively at boundary throw-ins & ball ups, to exert physical presence on key
forwards. One big question mark is lack of mobility which can limit his range of
opponents.
Hardness: 6 - Above average, is strong and physical in a contest, but could use
his size to better effect at times, but maybe his lack of mobility means he can't
get his size to the right spot in times. Wouldn't call him aggressive, he's not the
type to pulverise.
Speed: 1.5 - Maybe alright if he can get going, but the guy ain't quick!
Stamina: 3 - Never looked to me to cover enough ground or make enough
contests to big a top line key position player. Looks the athletic type, but doesn't
seem to translate into great ground coverage.
Delivery: 5.5 - Above average foot skills, but in classic Richmond fashion seems
to manufacture a turn-over out of nowhere at times.
