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 6 in the series….
6 - Mark Chaffey
Position: Small Defender / Midfield
Age: 25 - Turns 26 between rounds 6 & 7
Height: 179
Weight: 80
Career Games: 102
Career Goals: 23
Draft History: Selection 35 in 96 National Draft (our second pick). Was regarded as a "Smokey" coming from Caulfield Grammar (not uncommon at Tigerland at the time) had basically missed the eyes of most recruiters having taken a punt on playing Baseball in the US. Probably fair to say he was yet another one of our famous recruiting gambles.
2002 Averages: 19 Games, 11.4 Kicks, 5 Marks, 5.7 Handballs, 0.21 Goals, 1.3 Tackles, 2.5 Rebounds, 2.3 Inside 50s, 1.1 Clearance, 1.3 Clangers
2002 Summary: Missed the first two games of the year then started like a house on fire, faded a bit and continued to have a bit of an up and down year. Went missing badly at times but overall a reasonable though unspectacular year. Showed good courage and marking overhead was again a bit of a feature. Seemed to play predominately as a loose man/link man type of player providing the option rather than getting to the contest himself. Generally a bit down on the previous two years. Did fill the "Hole" well at times. Missed the top 10 in the B&F which was probably a true reflection on where he stood for the year. Disposal was decent without being ultra impressive.
Previously: Averaged over 18 possessions a game in 2001 with 5.4 Marks in a good more consistent year in which he deservedly finished in the top 10 at the B&F in Richmond's best year since 95. Big tick was his performance in the three finals where he impressed. Thought he was actually slightly better in 2000 (Also top 10 finish) with nearly 20 possessions a game and really looked ready to thrust himself into the top ranks.
Ability: 6 - I think he's an above average player, without the "weapons" to jump into the next group. Good hands and a penetrating kick.
Offence: 4 - Never really seen that much of him in attack and haven't seen him fill the forward "front-and-square" spot which should be his go when there. Is strong overhead so when contesting against similar sized players could have the advantage there. Would be interesting to see how he'd go but could be exploited for pace.
Defence: 7 - I think he's very good playing a role in defence - maybe less so playing strictly to negate an opponent. Is the interception type that fills the hole, crowds the space and reads the incoming ball well.
Hardness: 7 - Good solid tough player, although didn't really produce that much of it in 2002, being used more in space and less in close. Couldn't knock his courage and will back into a pack prepared to take a bump.
Speed: 4.5 - His major achillis heel. I rate him below average for a league player, and for a guy his size that's almost a death knock. Would have to improve to take a midfield role.
Stamina: 6 - Never seen too much reason to question his ability to run out a game, and often playing the link role was required to do a lot of work. Did look like he can fade towards the end of games at times though, but that wasn't that noticeable or regular.
Delivery: 6.5 - Penetrating and reliable kick, does struggle to pick options tending to be a bit tunnel visioned. Also quite a one-sided player he does however usually deliver the ball well.
Air: 7.5 - Actually given his size is an exceptionally strong mark. Rarely do you see him fumble and generally very clean.
Ground: 6.5 - Less and less inclined to help provide numbers at the ball - probably more so the fact that he's become a designated link man rather than the go-getter as he's not great close-in. Still reliable with the ball loose and doesn't panic when it's free too much.
Injury: 9 - Has had a few niggles, but not missed a lot of footy and appears pretty resilient to punishment.
Ruck: - Definitely Not Applicable!
Temperament: 6.5 - Has hung the head a few times - I wouldn't think he's demonstratively loud, but doesn't come across as a Kellaway type in this department.
Ball: 7 - Is a good ball winner, although perhaps it's due more to his role. Not sure if he could translate that into big numbers as a regular midfielder - but I'd be prepared to find out.
Strengths: Hard at it, penetration off his left foot and exceptional in the air for a guy under 6 foot.
Weaknesses: Not great in close, fails to spot options when disposing of the footy, lacks genuine running ability and speed.
Overall: I've compared Chaffy to Knights a couple of times to show the big discrepancy. Knights used to find time and space for himself then spot 15 different options, he wasn't necessarily a better kick, just looked like it. Chaffy isn't as good at finding that time from close-in (although quite good at making space for himself outside) and when he has it, becomes a bit tunnel visioned, if it ain't in the direction he's travelling at the time he don't seem to see it too often. That along with his lack of pace makes life a bit difficult for him. He's never really made that step up he threatened to do after 2000 and is now approaching that time in his career where he either becomes a permanent and expendable flanker or makes a mark for himself in the midfield where I have doubts if he has the running ability/pace and close-in work to make a decent impact. I have him in my top 10 at the club at the moment, but he does need to take a big step or others will overtake him and he doesn't seem to have that something special. I'd like to see him given a few more run-with roles on some of the slower midfielders around to see if he can become a two-way midfielder, both capable of providing drive while keeping an opponent under tabs. Wouldn't want to slip any further back in 2003 or his spot might start to look shaky, although probably not for a couple of years (when we might have someone capable of actually taking it). Like Rogers is at a stage of his career where consistency should be excepted, not a surprise.
What he needs to do?
1) Speed - very hard to make a slow footballer quicker and I'm sure they've put a lot of work into it, but every little bit counts and he needs every bit he can get.
2) Develop more peripheral vision - be prepared to take more of a look around him.
3) Work harder on his close-in work which he'll need if he wants to get more in the thick of it.
Part 6 in the series….
6 - Mark Chaffey
Position: Small Defender / Midfield
Age: 25 - Turns 26 between rounds 6 & 7
Height: 179
Weight: 80
Career Games: 102
Career Goals: 23
Draft History: Selection 35 in 96 National Draft (our second pick). Was regarded as a "Smokey" coming from Caulfield Grammar (not uncommon at Tigerland at the time) had basically missed the eyes of most recruiters having taken a punt on playing Baseball in the US. Probably fair to say he was yet another one of our famous recruiting gambles.
2002 Averages: 19 Games, 11.4 Kicks, 5 Marks, 5.7 Handballs, 0.21 Goals, 1.3 Tackles, 2.5 Rebounds, 2.3 Inside 50s, 1.1 Clearance, 1.3 Clangers
2002 Summary: Missed the first two games of the year then started like a house on fire, faded a bit and continued to have a bit of an up and down year. Went missing badly at times but overall a reasonable though unspectacular year. Showed good courage and marking overhead was again a bit of a feature. Seemed to play predominately as a loose man/link man type of player providing the option rather than getting to the contest himself. Generally a bit down on the previous two years. Did fill the "Hole" well at times. Missed the top 10 in the B&F which was probably a true reflection on where he stood for the year. Disposal was decent without being ultra impressive.
Previously: Averaged over 18 possessions a game in 2001 with 5.4 Marks in a good more consistent year in which he deservedly finished in the top 10 at the B&F in Richmond's best year since 95. Big tick was his performance in the three finals where he impressed. Thought he was actually slightly better in 2000 (Also top 10 finish) with nearly 20 possessions a game and really looked ready to thrust himself into the top ranks.
Ability: 6 - I think he's an above average player, without the "weapons" to jump into the next group. Good hands and a penetrating kick.
Offence: 4 - Never really seen that much of him in attack and haven't seen him fill the forward "front-and-square" spot which should be his go when there. Is strong overhead so when contesting against similar sized players could have the advantage there. Would be interesting to see how he'd go but could be exploited for pace.
Defence: 7 - I think he's very good playing a role in defence - maybe less so playing strictly to negate an opponent. Is the interception type that fills the hole, crowds the space and reads the incoming ball well.
Hardness: 7 - Good solid tough player, although didn't really produce that much of it in 2002, being used more in space and less in close. Couldn't knock his courage and will back into a pack prepared to take a bump.
Speed: 4.5 - His major achillis heel. I rate him below average for a league player, and for a guy his size that's almost a death knock. Would have to improve to take a midfield role.
Stamina: 6 - Never seen too much reason to question his ability to run out a game, and often playing the link role was required to do a lot of work. Did look like he can fade towards the end of games at times though, but that wasn't that noticeable or regular.
Delivery: 6.5 - Penetrating and reliable kick, does struggle to pick options tending to be a bit tunnel visioned. Also quite a one-sided player he does however usually deliver the ball well.
Air: 7.5 - Actually given his size is an exceptionally strong mark. Rarely do you see him fumble and generally very clean.
Ground: 6.5 - Less and less inclined to help provide numbers at the ball - probably more so the fact that he's become a designated link man rather than the go-getter as he's not great close-in. Still reliable with the ball loose and doesn't panic when it's free too much.
Injury: 9 - Has had a few niggles, but not missed a lot of footy and appears pretty resilient to punishment.
Ruck: - Definitely Not Applicable!
Temperament: 6.5 - Has hung the head a few times - I wouldn't think he's demonstratively loud, but doesn't come across as a Kellaway type in this department.
Ball: 7 - Is a good ball winner, although perhaps it's due more to his role. Not sure if he could translate that into big numbers as a regular midfielder - but I'd be prepared to find out.
Strengths: Hard at it, penetration off his left foot and exceptional in the air for a guy under 6 foot.
Weaknesses: Not great in close, fails to spot options when disposing of the footy, lacks genuine running ability and speed.
Overall: I've compared Chaffy to Knights a couple of times to show the big discrepancy. Knights used to find time and space for himself then spot 15 different options, he wasn't necessarily a better kick, just looked like it. Chaffy isn't as good at finding that time from close-in (although quite good at making space for himself outside) and when he has it, becomes a bit tunnel visioned, if it ain't in the direction he's travelling at the time he don't seem to see it too often. That along with his lack of pace makes life a bit difficult for him. He's never really made that step up he threatened to do after 2000 and is now approaching that time in his career where he either becomes a permanent and expendable flanker or makes a mark for himself in the midfield where I have doubts if he has the running ability/pace and close-in work to make a decent impact. I have him in my top 10 at the club at the moment, but he does need to take a big step or others will overtake him and he doesn't seem to have that something special. I'd like to see him given a few more run-with roles on some of the slower midfielders around to see if he can become a two-way midfielder, both capable of providing drive while keeping an opponent under tabs. Wouldn't want to slip any further back in 2003 or his spot might start to look shaky, although probably not for a couple of years (when we might have someone capable of actually taking it). Like Rogers is at a stage of his career where consistency should be excepted, not a surprise.
What he needs to do?
1) Speed - very hard to make a slow footballer quicker and I'm sure they've put a lot of work into it, but every little bit counts and he needs every bit he can get.
2) Develop more peripheral vision - be prepared to take more of a look around him.
3) Work harder on his close-in work which he'll need if he wants to get more in the thick of it.
