David Astbury, Thank You

[year of the tiger]

Judging on what both Grif and Astbury have done so far; they would have to rated about equal chances for being able to make it long-term.

Grif has played 18 games. He has so far averaged 7.1 disposals; 2.1 marks and 0.2 goals per match (yes; i know that he has played a number of his games down back).
Astbury has played 24 games. He has so far averaged 9.6 disposals; 2.7 marks and 0.3 goals per match (yes; i know that he too has played a number of his games down back).

Both playesr have had careers seriously interupted by injury; and both would no doubt do better if they get an injury free run.

I hope that at least one of Grif or Astbury play up to their potential - preferably both of them. So far Astbury has done the better; though he underperformed badly in his two games back from injury.

On what they have done so far; neither of these players "deserve' first crack at either CHF or CHB. They are both behind other players atm. I do hope they both have big pre-seasons and "earn" a long run of games as KP players.

Interesting stats - both still living int the potential category.

This is the reason we should give Post more time as well as these two are not over the line by any stretch.

 

[tigertime2]

just needs time and a regular spot and the Mick Malthouse factor - Belief.

You know if I was a player at RFC and I read PRE I would be convinced I did not have any prospects - the guy that founded Kodak used to lock himself in a room to incubate himself from negative people who would destroy his ideas - sometimes if you dont have something good to say it is best not to say it at all.

 

[RedanTiger]

Also think the changes in staff will have a big influence on these players (Griffith, Astbury, Post) particularly.
An improvement in fitness, conditioning and rehabilitation under a new Fitness Head is a very real chance.
An improvement in intensity and confidence under a new Development Head Coach in Williams is also a very real chance.
Both IMO of course, but a better chance than at any time in the last decade or two one would think.

 

[doherz]

just needs time and a regular spot and the Mick Malthouse factor - Belief.

You know if I was a player at RFC and I read PRE I would be convinced I did not have any prospects - the guy that founded Kodak used to lock himself in a room to incubate himself from negative people who would destroy his ideas - sometimes if you dont have something good to say it is best not to say it at all.

Kodak - negative. I see what you did there :hihi

 

[Cairns3]

Interesting stats - both still living int the potential category.

This is the reason we should give Post more time as well as these two are not over the line by any stretch.

You are probably right about Post. When you add Post into the comparison; he slightly shades both Griffith & Astbury.

Grif: 18 games. Averaged 7.1 disposals; 2.1 marks and 0.2 goals per match & 1.0 tackles.
Astbury: 24 games. Averaged 9.6 disposals; 2.7 marks and 0.3 goals per & 1.6 tackles.
Post: 30 games. Averaged 10.4 disposals; 4.1 marks and 0.2 goals per & 1.1 tackles.

Post's best season for Disposals and marks was 2012; where he did moticably better in those stats than either Griff or Astbury.

I think that all three are worth persevering with at this stage. hopefully 2 or all of them have vastly improved seasons in 2013.

 

[frickenel]

You are probably right about Post. When you add Post into the comparison; he slightly shades both Griffith & Astbury.

Grif: 18 games. Averaged 7.1 disposals; 2.1 marks and 0.2 goals per match & 1.0 tackles.
Astbury: 24 games. Averaged 9.6 disposals; 2.7 marks and 0.3 goals per & 1.6 tackles.
Post: 30 games. Averaged 10.4 disposals; 4.1 marks and 0.2 goals per & 1.1 tackles.

Post's best season for Disposals and marks was 2012; where he did moticably better in those stats than either Griff or Astbury.

I think that all three are worth persevering with at this stage. hopefully 2 or all of them have vastly improved seasons in 2013.

In today's football i don't think those sort of stats mean much at all.

Don't get me wrong, i hope we retain Post but his strengths and Astbury's are almost in direct contrast. Post attacks the ball in the air with way more confidence than Astbury, but Astbury has far better skills, agility and composure with the ball. Griffiths probably has it over both in all counts except getting where the balls is.

Astbury showed in his first year that he can get in there and grab some decent pack marks but he seems to have lost confidence in that area over the last 2 seasons. His efforts in defence at the start of last year looked horrible. He seemed to be second guessing himself and getting caught behind his opponent on too many occasions. Grimes came in and showed him exactly how it's done.

Post is the same in defence - half way between opponent watching and ball watching. As a forward he doesn't seem to have this conflict in his mind and runs to dangerous spots. I much prefer him as a forward and his hands are very good.

If we could get Griffiths running to the right spots, he'd be a weapon.

At the end of last season, they started to use Astbury up the ground a little , i hope to just run him into confidence. I'd hate us to use him the way the Demons are using Jack Watts. You're either a key position player or you aren't. I'd rather havfe a smaller player up the ground who can break lines.

 

[Carter]

Bump for Frickenel's great post and also to draw attention to a player I reckon will get there.

DA is one those guys you feel for, as I don't think playing in the magoos has served him particularly well to this point. Coburg's midfield has been shallow at best, resulting in plenty of hidings and extreme pressure on the backline, where David has defended gamely at stages and was found out at times too. Coburg needs to be a well-structured, competitive nursery for our developing list - sadly, this has not been the case of late.

I just think our lack of depth, and subsequent poor form in the VFL, has eroded Astbury's confidence. In 2012 we had a number of guys well over 190cm in the magoos - massively top heavy. A number of blokes were rotated through various positions and there was a complete lack of system.

There is now more depth and competition for senior berths, and I hope the shift to a standalone VFL side in 2014 will mitigate the 'Coburg effect' of the last 2-3 seasons.

D. Astbury has not had a clear run of it and just needs to feel like an AFL-grade player again. He is still the same ultra-savvy footballer with a superb team-first mindset and lovely single malt kicking action.

I for one do not want to see him floundering in a poorly-run Coburg outfit in 2013. This is perhaps one of the last frontiers RFC needs to get right, and it appears the right mechanisms are now in place.

 

[pahoffm]

As a junior, Astbury was very talented, especially regarding his mobility and creativity.
Personally, I thought he had excellent potential for either CHF or CHB, although his fluctuating goal kicking accuracy raised some concern about CHF.
But the mobility & creativity was there.

Unfortunately the knee injury is a great blow to that mobility, and much will depend on how much of his mobility he can recover. Long term loss of mobility will probably see him more as Brian Taylor-type FF.
Then, he will need to improve him goal kicking consistency.

The RFC needs Astbury to recover.
The frugal number of KPPs on the RFC senior list means that we are in desperate need for everyone of our developing KPPs to fire.
At best, Astbury can become a vital CHF / CHB / FB or rotation option.
At worst, he becomes depth / insurance for Reiwoldt.

 

[uhuh uhuh]

Usually takes two years to recover from a knee.

First year back is always hard - be interesting to see LeCras at the weagles this year.

Most good players completely recover in year two.

 

[Leysy Days]

Bump for *smile*el's great post and also to draw attention to a player I reckon will get there.

DA is one those guys you feel for, as I don't think playing in the magoos has served him particularly well to this point. Coburg's midfield has been shallow at best, resulting in plenty of hidings and extreme pressure on the backline, where David has defended gamely at stages and was found out at times too. Coburg needs to be a well-structured, competitive nursery for our developing list - sadly, this has not been the case of late.

I just think our lack of depth, and subsequent poor form in the VFL, has eroded Astbury's confidence. In 2012 we had a number of guys well over 190cm in the magoos - massively top heavy. A number of blokes were rotated through various positions and there was a complete lack of system.

There is now more depth and competition for senior berths, and I hope the shift to a standalone VFL side in 2014 will mitigate the 'Coburg effect' of the last 2-3 seasons.

D. Astbury has not had a clear run of it and just needs to feel like an AFL-grade player again. He is still the same ultra-savvy footballer with a superb team-first mindset and lovely single malt kicking action.

I for one do not want to see him floundering in a poorly-run Coburg outfit in 2013. This is perhaps one of the last frontiers RFC needs to get right, and it appears the right mechanisms are now in place.

Agree, we have certainly dropped the ball in regards to our players development when outside the senior team.

At least we are now putting some resources into it which is good to see as its vital for players development.

 

[Jonesracing82]

once the VFL side is up & running our development of those outside the best 22 etc will be alot better

 

[pahoffm]

Agree, we have certainly dropped the ball in regards to our players development when outside the senior team.

At least we are now putting some resources into it which is good to see as its vital for players development.

Good to see that the RFC footy dept is starting to take some responsibility for failing some of the talented juniors recruited, instead of merely calling them "duds".

 

[pahoffm]

Actually, it makes me wonder how the training setup for Richmond / Coburg was setup.

Somebody may answer these questions:
1. Did the developing RFC players train with Richmond or Coburg?
2. Did the non-Richmond Coburg players train with the RFC senior players?
3. How clear or coordinated was the transfer between RFC and non-RFC Coburg players?

Suppose we'll find out the truth after the split, and the RFC powers-that-be start telling us how bad things really were.

 

[K3]

Actually, it makes me wonder how the training setup for Richmond / Coburg was setup.

Somebody may answer these questions:
1. Did the developing RFC players train with Richmond or Coburg?
2. Did the non-Richmond Coburg players train with the RFC senior players?
3. How clear or coordinated was the transfer between RFC and non-RFC Coburg players?

Suppose we'll find out the truth after the split, and the RFC powers-that-be start telling us how bad things really were.

Can't add much but do remember seeing Coburg players training at Punt Road a fair bit throughout the start of this year.

 

[pahoffm]

Add to that,

4. What are the plans for the development of the RFC Coburg players for 2013, prior to and through 2013?

 

[Carter]

Darrou will be one to watch in the backline. Still heaps to learn, but Piva Wright was seen as the better of the two at the beginning of the season and was steadily overtaken by his brick sh!thouse colleague.

He is not one to go to ground, and extremely cool-headed for someone so young.

Arnott, Helbig, Verrier, Petterd, Lonergan, White, Nahas, Jackson, McIntosh and Dea all to get runs through a much improved midfield given first use by the Big O.

Elton to be given some *smile* space in the forward line, McDonagh crumbing at his feet. A Edwards and McGuane second and third options.

Astbury to gain confidence as a general down back.

Derickx to be a valuable swingman where required.

Coburg finals bound and me prone in a pool of vomit on the windswept Coburg terraces.

 

[wammo]

Coburg finals bound and me prone in a pool of vomit on the windswept Coburg terraces.

I often take my young sons to the Coburg home games Carter. I'll be sure and point you out to them.

 

[Danog]

Darrou will be one to watch in the backline. Still heaps to learn, but Piva Wright was seen as the better of the two at the beginning of the season and was steadily overtaken by his brick sh!thouse colleague.

He is not one to go to ground, and extremely cool-headed for someone so young.

Arnott, Helbig, Verrier, Petterd, Lonergan, White, Nahas, Jackson, McIntosh and Dea all to get runs through a much improved midfield given first use by the Big O.

Elton to be given some *smile* space in the forward line, McDonagh crumbing at his feet. A Edwards and McGuane second and third options.

Astbury to gain confidence as a general down back.

Derickx to be a valuable swingman where required.

Coburg finals bound and me prone in a pool of vomit on the windswept Coburg terraces.

I hope not. I want to see him up forward.

 

[Tigers of Old]

I hope not. I want to see him up forward.

Not sure where he fits yet. Not sure the club or Dave know either..

 

[Baloo]

I'm hoping he becomes the classic swingman. Can play both ends well.