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 21 in the series….
22 - Craig Biddescome
Position: Half Back / Wing
Age: 26, turns 27 Grand Final Week.
Height: 185cm
Weight: 84kg
Career Games: 70 ( 36 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 11 ( 5 at Richmond)
Draft History: Taken selection 59 in 1993 National Draft by Geelong (their last
selection). Of interest only he and Grant Tanner (selection 55 - 69 games)
actually played a game for the Cats from that draft. Was traded as a bit player in
the deal that got Hilton to Richmond, despite what it looks like on Record he
wasn't traded directly for a first round pick.
2002 Averages: 3 games, 3.7 Kicks, 1 Marks, 2.3 Handballs, 0 Goals, 1.6
Tackles, 1.3 Rebounds, 0.3 Inside 50s, 0.3 Clearance, 1.3 Clangers
2002 Summary: 3 games, some would say 3 too many. Was ordinary when in
the side, but played some reasonably footy for Coburg without being
outstanding there. Showed nothing at either level to suggest he'll be doing
anything other than play out his overly generous contract.
Previously: Didn't play a game in his first season (94), and got a couple
of "encouragement" games late in 95 without doing anything of note. Then had a
good development year in 96, playing 10 games, gaining a Norwich Rising Star
nomination, averaging 11 disposals. Was expected to keep improving but went
backwards badly in 97 & 98 and Geelong took the opportunity to slip him off to
Tigerland. Did little in his first season, even though he showed some signs he
might be handy. Then produced a "career" year in 2000 where he averaged
almost 17 possessions a game and provided good run off a half back flank and
managed 12th in Richmond's B&F. Managed to translate that into a generous 3
year contract. Dropped off in 2001 where he started to get shown up for a lack
of class and then suffered a knee injury which essentially ended his year.
Ability: 1.5 - Well below average, is not great with the footy in his hand and
panicky with it in front of him. Poor at choosing options he never really has
shown much outside one average season.
Offence: 2 - Very little attacking capabilities, has never shown a great ability to
kick goals and has completely lost any ability to run off his man he may have
had.
Defence: 3 - Can't be relied upon to keep a player quite, is easily beaten in a one
on one contest, was primarily used in defence as a running option, rather than a
negating option and is rarely accountable.
Hardness: 2.5 - Never, ever looked like it in this category.
Speed: 5.5 - Never sheer pace but was reasonable. Leg injuries have probably
contributed to a drop-off and he's in danger of this becoming another problem
area.
Stamina: 6 - Always appeared a reasonable runner who could keep going
without really standing out as a top-line runner.
Delivery: 4 - Below average, not our worst, but part of that group.
Air: 3 - When he was on song, was reasonably capably of holding marks, but
took most of them well clear of opponents. is not overly strong in the air and
poor in a contest.
Ground: 4.5 - Reasonable with the ball on the ground, but panicky when there is
pressure on and ordinary in close.
Injury: 3 - Has had a fair few injuries, missing games in pretty much most years,
predominately leg related.
Ruck: 0 - I would love to see him contest a ruck contest - I think he'd panic on
the play station version.
Temperament: 4 - Struggles under pressure, doesn't look like a dummy spitter
though.
Part 21 in the series….
22 - Craig Biddescome
Position: Half Back / Wing
Age: 26, turns 27 Grand Final Week.
Height: 185cm
Weight: 84kg
Career Games: 70 ( 36 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 11 ( 5 at Richmond)
Draft History: Taken selection 59 in 1993 National Draft by Geelong (their last
selection). Of interest only he and Grant Tanner (selection 55 - 69 games)
actually played a game for the Cats from that draft. Was traded as a bit player in
the deal that got Hilton to Richmond, despite what it looks like on Record he
wasn't traded directly for a first round pick.
2002 Averages: 3 games, 3.7 Kicks, 1 Marks, 2.3 Handballs, 0 Goals, 1.6
Tackles, 1.3 Rebounds, 0.3 Inside 50s, 0.3 Clearance, 1.3 Clangers
2002 Summary: 3 games, some would say 3 too many. Was ordinary when in
the side, but played some reasonably footy for Coburg without being
outstanding there. Showed nothing at either level to suggest he'll be doing
anything other than play out his overly generous contract.
Previously: Didn't play a game in his first season (94), and got a couple
of "encouragement" games late in 95 without doing anything of note. Then had a
good development year in 96, playing 10 games, gaining a Norwich Rising Star
nomination, averaging 11 disposals. Was expected to keep improving but went
backwards badly in 97 & 98 and Geelong took the opportunity to slip him off to
Tigerland. Did little in his first season, even though he showed some signs he
might be handy. Then produced a "career" year in 2000 where he averaged
almost 17 possessions a game and provided good run off a half back flank and
managed 12th in Richmond's B&F. Managed to translate that into a generous 3
year contract. Dropped off in 2001 where he started to get shown up for a lack
of class and then suffered a knee injury which essentially ended his year.
Ability: 1.5 - Well below average, is not great with the footy in his hand and
panicky with it in front of him. Poor at choosing options he never really has
shown much outside one average season.
Offence: 2 - Very little attacking capabilities, has never shown a great ability to
kick goals and has completely lost any ability to run off his man he may have
had.
Defence: 3 - Can't be relied upon to keep a player quite, is easily beaten in a one
on one contest, was primarily used in defence as a running option, rather than a
negating option and is rarely accountable.
Hardness: 2.5 - Never, ever looked like it in this category.
Speed: 5.5 - Never sheer pace but was reasonable. Leg injuries have probably
contributed to a drop-off and he's in danger of this becoming another problem
area.
Stamina: 6 - Always appeared a reasonable runner who could keep going
without really standing out as a top-line runner.
Delivery: 4 - Below average, not our worst, but part of that group.
Air: 3 - When he was on song, was reasonably capably of holding marks, but
took most of them well clear of opponents. is not overly strong in the air and
poor in a contest.
Ground: 4.5 - Reasonable with the ball on the ground, but panicky when there is
pressure on and ordinary in close.
Injury: 3 - Has had a fair few injuries, missing games in pretty much most years,
predominately leg related.
Ruck: 0 - I would love to see him contest a ruck contest - I think he'd panic on
the play station version.
Temperament: 4 - Struggles under pressure, doesn't look like a dummy spitter
though.
