David Astbury, Thank You

[Timmy99]

I really felt that David looked much more comfortable down back and was a little lost the times he was put into the forward line when guys like Moore or McGuane were back from injury.

I hope they persevere with him down back - it will be interesting to see where they play Wil & Luke this year. Luke might find himself forward a little more often and Wil will be under the pump all year to either reinvent himself down back otherwise he could find himself playing extended periods in the VFL.

Agree that Astbury looked a little lost at times when playing forward but that is just a confidence thing. I certainly don't want to see Luke playing as a forward ever again. Same for Thirsty and Moore. They can fight it out for backline spots but they are not forwards arseholes.

 

[Timmy99]

i reckon dave is one of our most important players and we need to put heaps of time into developing him. if he can build up he could be come a bock type chb with his height. we have lacked that good size chb for many years

I can definitely see him playing this type of role down back as others have noted earlier in the year but I also dream of having two genuine targets up forward.

 

[Brodders17]

it would be a big plus if he can follow on from last years form.

i hope for his sake he is allowed to settle and develop in one position-looks like the backline- and he isnt forced to fill holes around the ground because we lack options. this could stifle his development.

 

[Tigerblood]

I am getting the impression that it is a helluva lot easier to 'develop guys down back' than it is to develop forwards. Virtually every 190 cm+ player (ignoring ruckmen) we have is being directed to the backline: Gourdis, Astbury, Grimes, McGuane, Moore, Thursfield, and Rance. Post is perhaps being developed forward and back. I can only think of JR and Griffiths being developed as tall forwards.

 

[Tigers of Old]

it would be a big plus if he can follow on from last years form.

I expect him to improve.

 

[Streak]

Agree that Astbury looked a little lost at times when playing forward but that is just a confidence thing.

He isn't a forward, but do you remember that goal he kicked in what I think was his first game. It was a beauty.

 

[BBC]

If Astbury can improve his strength, pace and endurance he could be used as a swingman; primarily a back who can go forward occasionally.

He's got the footy smarts and good skills to achieve this.

 

[Jumping Jack]

Love this bloke as a backman, shows composure well beyond his years and makes great decisions... This is what our backline needs, not panicy players such as Mcguane, especially when the ball gets pumped in there so often against good teams.

 

[ZeroGame]

Astbury looks more natural down back, Post looks much better up forward.
I know some people won't let go of the fact that Post played in defence at U18 level, but he's looked completely lost down back at AFL level.
Happy for Astbury to play CHB with the occsional stint up forward to try and pinch goal or two and play Post up forward with the occsional stint in the ruck like he was doing late this year.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

Astbury kicked 3 goals in his first game playing up forward against Melbourne. I was surprised when I saw him line up in the backline after that, but he went on to become very comfortable there. If he can continue that form then Richmond will have the tall, classy KPP defender they've been wanting forever.

 

[wayne]

Article on RFC website saying that David has put on 7-8 kg's.

 

[French Tiger]

Love this bloke as a backman, shows composure well beyond his years and makes great decisions... This is what our backline needs, not panicy players such as Mcguane, especially when the ball gets pumped in there so often against good teams.

Agree,looks a natural backman.Has good composure & good at handballing in tight which is rare for a big man

 

[mld]

Swapped lunch boxes with Contin.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

Article says he is being groomed for a leadership role in the backline, super-impressive for the kid. speaks volumes about McGuane and Thursfield, obviously must not be part of the future.

 

[Tiger Rob]

Article says he is being groomed for a leadership role in the backline, super-impressive for the kid. speaks volumes about McGuane and Thursfield, obviously must not be part of the future.

Still a chance for these 2 IMO. A larger skillful Astbury directing traffic and providing leadership will take pressure off of these 2 and who knows what might happen then? A classier midfield will also help, with (hopefully) less ball getting through to the defensive half.

 

[blx]

Article says he is being groomed for a leadership role in the backline, super-impressive for the kid. speaks volumes about McGuane and Thursfield, obviously must not be part of the future.

have spoken to dave a few times and he is leadership material.

as u say, speaks volumes for mac and thursty et al yet alot of people still pin their hopes on the maccas and thursties to come good even though they have *smile* disposal and not a skeric of football nous.

 

[Brodders17]

have spoken to dave a few times and he is leadership material.

as u say, speaks volumes for mac and thursty et al yet alot of people still pin their hopes on the maccas and thursties to come good even though they have sh!t disposal and not a skeric of football nous.

how does suggesting astbury has leadership qualities reflect on mcguane or thursfield at all?

also, can you name one poster who is 'pinning their hopes' on the 2 of them? i, and a few others, reckon mcguane in particular, is way underrated by many but wont be upset when we have 2 or 3 KPDs who do a better job than he does. at the moment we have 0. imo.

anyway, this is an astbury thread, im sure there are threads for the other 2 somewhere. hopefully he can continue on from his impressive debut season.

 

[TonyTheTiger]

how does suggesting astbury has leadership qualities reflect on mcguane or thursfield at all?

I made the comment and others have agreed. To me having a second year player in the leadership group shows either a)Astbury is a terrific leader, b)there is no one else capable of the role, or c)a combination of both.

Not trying to potshot McGuane or Thursfied but Astbury in a leadership role in his second year to me shows that the two previously mentioned have not stepped up, or are a part of our future plans.

 

[Baloo]

I'm with Brodders here. Astbury being an exceptional kid who shows natural leadership is hardly an obvious sign that Luke and Will are not part of the future.

Some would argue it is obvious they aren't the future even without the praise of Astbury.

Others would say Luke is very undervalued by many supporters.

 

[jimbob]

I would be surprised if Wil was part of our long term future. He has possibly the same opinion ? After all he did ask to be traded. The photo's of Astbury at Preseason training tend to confirm he has put on a lot of upper body muscle. As has Hicks. Maybe Jordy should have considered the same path about 5 years ago............