Liam McBean

[Leysy Days]

Doesn't want it enough, and hasn't worked hard enough. Have been told this by a mate who works at the club.

Having said that, our VFL/ressies have hardly been an adequate breeding ground for young talent over the past couple of years. Not sure what Tim Clarke's credentials are apart from playing 90 odd games for Hawthorn.

Might explain why Morris, Newman, Grigg etc keep getting games.

Good observation on all counts Leysy reckons Kev.

It was always going to take a while but Liam's body hasn't come on like a guy who is working mega hard.

Not talking weight there either, more definition.

 

[AngryAnt]

You should get to more reserve games Antman and see the burdens young Liam is faced with.

Poor Liam not only carries the Cross but the sins of the whole Richmond VFL team as well?

Lamby, let me ask you this as I know you've watched a lot of the lad. From what I've heard he mostly plays "short" with goals coming from good work below the knees rather than as a marking/leading forward. Is this so? Is it a bit of both? Does it look like they are trying to get him to play one way or the other?

I see there's a game at PR on May 2nd at 11am, will try to get down to that one. TBF though the delivery into our senior team's forward line may not be much of an improvement.

 

[Tigers of Old]

Liam should be aiming to become our number one ruckman, relief forward, Griffiths key forward relief ruck. That would be a tantalizing prospect if they both developed. Liam was recruited as a developing ruckman and glimpses of some of his tapwork both in the forward line and occasionally in center square shows it is not beyond him. But maybe due to some early success as a forward, (albeit VFL level), he has got ahead of himself & maybe would prefer to be a lazy forward rather than putting in the work to become the next Dean Cox?

Good post. One would think at 202cm, he has a greater chance of becoming a ruckman at AFL level than as a small forward.

 

[Brodders17]

geez, the wheel certainly has turned.

I reckon McBesus has been hit by injuries at a few inopportune times, including the last couple of preseasons which have clearly had an impact on his performances in the pre-season games.

he has played well in the reserves. he marks well on the lead and is still dangerous when the ball hits the ground. from what i have seen tho he is slow defensively. the fear of him being run off is valid.

if he can show some good form he has to be given a game at some stage, unless our forward line improves markedly.

 

[DragicevicFan]

Time to play him.

 

[lamb22]

Poor Liam not only carries the Cross but the sins of the whole Richmond VFL team as well?

Lamby, let me ask you this as I know you've watched a lot of the lad. From what I've heard he mostly plays "short" with goals coming from good work below the knees rather than as a marking/leading forward. Is this so? Is it a bit of both? Does it look like they are trying to get him to play one way or the other?

I see there's a game at PR on May 2nd at 11am, will try to get down to that one. TBF though the delivery into our senior team's forward line may not be much of an improvement.

Antman

I usually hate Liam Mcbean physical types. Tall skinny reeds who get outbodied and want to play outside. Almost imvariably these guys are adeqaute outside but not as good as real smalls so not worth an outside player and not strong enough to be a real tall.

I was very cynical when Mcbean was drafted. When I saw him play though I saw a tall skinny kid with an appetite for the contested mark and of course the brains, agility and freaky snaps. Here was a player who was as good as a good small at creating goals out of very little.

However he was also 202cm tall long arms and with the nouse of where and when to lead.

Now ATM as a pure tall he has a way to go. He may go nowhere, he may get too big and lose his agility OR, OR he may become a tall who gets you in the air and kills you on the ground.

The fact is that he has done everything to date to be given the opportunity as a third or fourth forward to see what he can contribute.

My own personal opinion is that he has not quite got his contested marking back since the ankle accident and has probably relied too much on his small game last year.

But I reckon he is still worth 2 goals a game at senior level through his reach lead mark game and ground game.

I also believe he will develop quicker by playing firsts even if like Jack he yo yos from 1s and 2s for a season.

 

[Merveille]

geez, the wheel certainly has turned.

I reckon McBesus has been hit by injuries at a few inopportune times, including the last couple of preseasons which have clearly had an impact on his performances in the pre-season games.

he has played well in the reserves. he marks well on the lead and is still dangerous when the ball hits the ground. from what i have seen tho he is slow defensively. the fear of him being run off is valid.

if he can show some good form he has to be given a game at some stage, unless our forward line improves markedly.

Thats true, but every player gets 'run off' these days. What about the bloke Rance plays on every week?

At some stage you have to back your talented blokes in and let them loose. The opposition will have to play a 195cm or so backman on him - he will have to be very mobile like a Rancey to run off McBean anyway. I dont think the risk outweighs the benefit.

He will get the 2nd or 3rd or 4th best defender. Give the kid or chance.

 

[lamb22]

Good observation on all counts Leysy reckons Kev.

It was always going to take a while but Liam's body hasn't come on like a guy who is working mega hard.

Not talking weight there either, more definition.

Not sure that's true, although he might work harder if he is offered a carrot rather than a stick occassionally.

 

[mad_tiggy911]

You've almost sold me Lamb. McJesus to possibly debut against a undermanned Lions defence?

Probably won't happen as all we know.

 

[AngryAnt]

I also believe he will develop quicker by playing firsts even if like Jack he yo yos from 1s and 2s for a season.

Thanks lamby, I appreciate the detailed analysis. Will definitely try to get down to that game early May. Of course hopefully he'll be kicking bags in the seniors by then!

 

[lamb22]

You've almost sold me Lamb. McJesus to possibly debut against a undermanned Lions defence?

Probably won't happen as all we know.

That will be the week later Mad_doggy when Lions wallop us, Beanie kicks 6 plus in round 1 of the 2s and Dimma sees the light :devilangel.

 

[spook]

Antman

I usually hate Liam Mcbean physical types. Tall skinny reeds who get outbodied and want to play outside. Almost imvariably these guys are adeqaute outside but not as good as real smalls so not worth an outside player and not strong enough to be a real tall.

I was very cynical when Mcbean was drafted. When I saw him play though I saw a tall skinny kid with an appetite for the contested mark and of course the brains, agility and freaky snaps. Here was a player who was as good as a good small at creating goals out of very little.

However he was also 202cm tall long arms and with the nouse of where and when to lead.

Now ATM as a pure tall he has a way to go. He may go nowhere, he may get too big and lose his agility OR, OR he may become a tall who gets you in the air and kills you on the ground.

The fact is that he has done everything to date to be given the opportunity as a third or fourth forward to see what he can contribute.

My own personal opinion is that he has not quite got his contested marking back since the ankle accident and has probably relied too much on his small game last year.

But I reckon he is still worth 2 goals a game at senior level through his reach lead mark game and ground game.

I also believe he will develop quicker by playing firsts even if like Jack he yo yos from 1s and 2s for a season.

Beautifully put, lambo.

 

[Rantnrave]

Just play him....
If we can still give games to so many average players each week,surely we can give guys like McBean ,who have plenty of potential a good run

 

[Carter]

The Gunston call is the right one.

The club just needs to see him in that role.

 

[Baloo]

Did this McJesus kid play in the NAB cup? If do, how did he go?

 

[Tigers of Old]

Did this McJesus kid play in the NAB cup? If do, how did he go?

That's not the seniors. He'll go better in the seniors.
If not at Richmond under Hardwick, then at another club.

 

[AngryAnt]

Did this McJesus kid play in the NAB cup? If do, how did he go?

Subbed on in one game as I recall, did nowt but not really a fair test.

I'm still 60:40 the kid won't make it but will reserve judgement for now.

 

[CarnTheTiges]

What were his stats for his best game at VFL level? I know I'm going back a long way, but Mark Jackson absolutely dominated in the 2's at Richmond, kicked 100+ goals one season. He couldn't get a game due to us having Roach and Taylor. Is McBean pushing like Jacko did all those years ago?

 

[lamb22]

Liam has played one quarter, against Port in NAB 2, IN TOTAL (into the wind) over the last two years where he had close to a senior team around him. And he was OK got involved in a goal chain and looked lively.

Even then they subbed out Cotch and Jack.

 

[Tony Braxton-Hicks]

I saw almost all of the VFL game and he was too easily knocked off the ball in contested situations in the first half. Vickeryesque.

He did come to the fore, though, when Foley came on and he got a few on the lead.

But he's not the messiah. McKenzie is. And I should know because I've followed a few.

Follow the gourd!