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 25 in the series….
26 - Billy Nichols
Position: Wing / Half-Forward
Age: Just turned 22 a month ago.
Height: 183cm
Weight: 83kg
Career Games: 6 (0 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 5 (0 at Richmond)
Draft History: Selection 69 in 1999 National Draft, delisted by Hawthorn after 3 years, selected by Richmond at no 47 in 2002 National Draft
2002 Averages: Did not play AFL footy.
2002 Summary: Started the season missing 3 games with a groin complaint, played 3 games in the VFL, then missed 4 games with a hamstring, played a game of VFL, missed another 4 games with a hamstring, finished the year out in the VFL. Some good VFL games, but far from dominate.
Previously: Played 6 games in 2001 for Hawthorn, emergency in 6 others. Debut against Geelong netted him 17 possessions, 3 goals & 6 Marks. Had one other game of note against Sydney where he had 10 possessions and kicked 2 goals. Nothing else of note at AFL level. Was "noted" for playing senior footy and doing well at a young age. Can anyone spell "early developer"?
Ability: 2 - Put simply - I don't rate Nicholls. Has a bit of "flashiness" about him which will have people think "just maybe".
Offence: 3.5 - Does push forward and has kicked a couple of bags, certainly has been touted as a half-forward option. Nothing in his VFL performances indicate a great forward is lurking within him.
Defence: 2.5 - I'm probably harsh on him, as I haven't seen that much of him, but hadn't seen anything that would indicate he was capable of playing a defensive role and didn't pay a lot of attention to his man.
Hardness: 4 - Being talked up as being "hard at it". He does look pretty solid, and "enthusiastic", but not sure that equals hard. Will reserve judgement on this, others have been suggesting he's a real goer.
Speed: 6 - One thing that did stand out to me is that he looked like he had some above average pace in him, but haven't seen him play enough in "quality" company to really get a take on this either.
Stamina: 3 - Injury struggles have impacted on his fitness levels, all info I have on suggests his ability to run out games is questionable but again we'll have to wait and see.
Delivery: 3.5 - Didn't look a great kick to me, reasonable penetration but some notable turnovers, hard to tell if it's skill or decision making errors.
Air: 4 - Not overly strong overhead, but what little I have on him would suggest he's not hopeless either.
Ground: 4 - Reasonable at ground level, but not great at getting to the contest, although looked reasonable in close.
Injury: 2 - More soft tissue problems than a batch of faulty Kleenex.
Temperament: 3 - I'm just guessing here, but indications are that he's a bit of a hot-head. Just a hunch.
Ball: 2 - Doesn't look a big ball winner, not even at VFL level, will have to improve if he wants to be a senior footballer.
Strengths: Is an "aggressive" style of player who has reasonably clean hands.
Part 25 in the series….
26 - Billy Nichols
Position: Wing / Half-Forward
Age: Just turned 22 a month ago.
Height: 183cm
Weight: 83kg
Career Games: 6 (0 at Richmond)
Career Goals: 5 (0 at Richmond)
Draft History: Selection 69 in 1999 National Draft, delisted by Hawthorn after 3 years, selected by Richmond at no 47 in 2002 National Draft
2002 Averages: Did not play AFL footy.
2002 Summary: Started the season missing 3 games with a groin complaint, played 3 games in the VFL, then missed 4 games with a hamstring, played a game of VFL, missed another 4 games with a hamstring, finished the year out in the VFL. Some good VFL games, but far from dominate.
Previously: Played 6 games in 2001 for Hawthorn, emergency in 6 others. Debut against Geelong netted him 17 possessions, 3 goals & 6 Marks. Had one other game of note against Sydney where he had 10 possessions and kicked 2 goals. Nothing else of note at AFL level. Was "noted" for playing senior footy and doing well at a young age. Can anyone spell "early developer"?
Ability: 2 - Put simply - I don't rate Nicholls. Has a bit of "flashiness" about him which will have people think "just maybe".
Offence: 3.5 - Does push forward and has kicked a couple of bags, certainly has been touted as a half-forward option. Nothing in his VFL performances indicate a great forward is lurking within him.
Defence: 2.5 - I'm probably harsh on him, as I haven't seen that much of him, but hadn't seen anything that would indicate he was capable of playing a defensive role and didn't pay a lot of attention to his man.
Hardness: 4 - Being talked up as being "hard at it". He does look pretty solid, and "enthusiastic", but not sure that equals hard. Will reserve judgement on this, others have been suggesting he's a real goer.
Speed: 6 - One thing that did stand out to me is that he looked like he had some above average pace in him, but haven't seen him play enough in "quality" company to really get a take on this either.
Stamina: 3 - Injury struggles have impacted on his fitness levels, all info I have on suggests his ability to run out games is questionable but again we'll have to wait and see.
Delivery: 3.5 - Didn't look a great kick to me, reasonable penetration but some notable turnovers, hard to tell if it's skill or decision making errors.
Air: 4 - Not overly strong overhead, but what little I have on him would suggest he's not hopeless either.
Ground: 4 - Reasonable at ground level, but not great at getting to the contest, although looked reasonable in close.
Injury: 2 - More soft tissue problems than a batch of faulty Kleenex.
Temperament: 3 - I'm just guessing here, but indications are that he's a bit of a hot-head. Just a hunch.
Ball: 2 - Doesn't look a big ball winner, not even at VFL level, will have to improve if he wants to be a senior footballer.
Strengths: Is an "aggressive" style of player who has reasonably clean hands.
