Liam McBean

[bullus_hit]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Nope, McBean has been very good the last month and has kicked a few bags.

McGuane would be getting nervous...

Really, 12 goals in 4 matches would be making Muscles nervous? Until McBean puts 4 quarters together at reserves level, I think we can all sleep easy about the renaissance man being a regular senior player.

From where I stand, McBean is performing the role of a medium forward. I'm yet to see him emulate the Flying Pencil with any aerial gymnastics and some pack splitting marking. His ground level work for a bigman is excellent, his agility is first class and speed across the ground is terrific. All these ingredients hopefully will translate to top tier ruckman, prreferably in the mould of Dean Cox or Matthew Leuenberger.

Developing a first class ruckman is what we should be aiming for, it's the position where the skill set matches the job description. It's the position that we are clearly deficient in, and it's the position that could make or break this season and beyond. As a club, we have never been noted as great developer of talent so let's illustrate our prowess by turning McBean into an A grade ruck.

And yes all you eager beavers, that means giving the McBean stalk ample time in the reserves to ply his craft. It means slowly building up his body mass and strength without compronising his agility. It means building up his tank so he can run 15km a match and it means occasionally dragging him away from his comfort zone and handing him some difficult assignments.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

And yes all you eager beavers, that means giving the McBean stalk ample time in the reserves to ply his craft. It means slowly building up his body mass and strength without compronising his agility. It means building up his tank so he can run 15km a match and it means occasionally dragging him away from his comfort zone and handing him some difficult assignments.

wise words no doubt Bully, but a couple of cameos in a FP in the big league later this year or next couldnt hurt could it? I dont think anyones talking about entering the kid in the Golden Slipper.

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

wise words no doubt Bully, but a couple of cameos in a FP in the big league later this year or next couldnt hurt could it? I dont think anyones talking about entering the kid in the Golden Slipper.

If the season is done and dusted, sure, I see no problem with that. As it stands now, we're still in the hunt so any experimentation will have to be put on hold.

 

[Leysy Days]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

He's too smart around goal to put in the ruck BH, at least in the short to medium term.

If he spends a long time in the ruck it won't be until he fully fills out & loses some of his athleticism, probably at around 24/25.

He'll make an impact in the forward line at AFL level well before then though. He's already gone past Griffiths & Elton for leysy.

 

[tigersnake]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

He's too smart around goal to put in the ruck BH, at least in the short to medium term.

If he spends a long time in the ruck it won't be until he fully fills out & loses some of his athleticism, probably at around 24/25.

He'll make an impact in the forward line at AFL level well before then though. He's already gone past Griffiths & Elton for leysy.

This. You're talking as if starting his career in the fwd line would somehow impede his development into a ruck Bullus. I don't see the problem. I agree he has to build from impacting at Coburg for a quarter and a half, up to 3 quarters in order to be considered for a game, as a sub maybe. He may nnever be a first ruck, who knows, he might be a tall fwd/ relieving ruck, which is better than a ruck IMO. Anyway again, its all a moot point, (especially for me going on second hand info and highlights) who knows what he'll be. But if he's banging down the door, give him a game. He'll have to be really banging it down anyway to be considered given his age and our plans for him.

 

[Baloo]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Dud. Delist.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

This. You're talking as if starting his career in the fwd line would somehow impede his development into a ruck Bullus. I don't see the problem. I agree he has to build from impacting at Coburg for a quarter and a half, up to 3 quarters in order to be considered for a game, as a sub maybe. He may nnever be a first ruck, who knows, he might be a tall fwd/ relieving ruck, which is better than a ruck IMO. Anyway again, its all a moot point, (especially for me going on second hand info and highlights) who knows what he'll be. But if he's banging down the door, give him a game. He'll have to be really banging it down anyway to be considered given his age and our plans for him.

Paul Salmon seems the obvious template. The Fish was full forward for the first half of his career and Ruck for the second half. Agree Bully, our season is about as dusted as the back of my stereo; not a time for stuffing around and experimentin'.

 

[Carter]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Paul Salmon seems the obvious template. The Fish was full forward for the first half of his career and Ruck for the second half. Agree Bully, our season is about as dusted as the back of my stereo; not a time for stuffing around and experimentin'.

agree with snake that he'll be a forward / ruck, agree with bully that he won't be promoted until we are ready to concede 2013.

geez he's a bloody exciting prospect isn't he?

 

[tigersnake]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Paul Salmon seems the obvious template. The Fish was full forward for the first half of his career and Ruck for the second half. Agree Bully, our season is about as dusted as the back of my stereo; not a time for stuffing around and experimentin'.

But if he's kicking ever increasing bags, taking more and more marks, running out games, building up in the gym and matching it physically in the VFL, its not an experiment, its rewarding compellingly good form. It probably won't pan out that way, but if it does, play him.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

But if he's kicking ever increasing bags, taking more and more marks, running out games, building up in the gym and matching it physically in the VFL, its not an experiment, its rewarding compellingly good form. It probably won't pan out that way, but if it does, play him.

No doubt. His trajectory, as described by some of our reliable coburgerophiles, has me more excited than James Hird's QC's wives.

 

[uhuh uhuh]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Any one think he should play against Melbourne??

 

[bullus_hit]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

He's too smart around goal to put in the ruck BH, at least in the short to medium term.

If he spends a long time in the ruck it won't be until he fully fills out & loses some of his athleticism, probably at around 24/25.

He'll make an impact in the forward line at AFL level well before then though. He's already gone past Griffiths & Elton for leysy.

If true, this is pleasing on one hand, but concerning with regards to our ruck stocks. It basically means we have to get another junior ruck with the next batch of draftees. As it stands now, we have Maric who looks as though he's about to break down, Vickery who is better suited to the forward line, and Stephenson who's the wrong side of 30. Any more dilly dallying with our dwindling ruck stocks spells huge trouble in the forseeable future.

Just a few observations with McBean, in the u/18's his lack of physicality was a major concern. His marking ability was good without being a standout feature, but contested marking was largely absent from his game. If he's to become a viable third tall or even leading forward, I would expect that this facet of his game will need to lift a couple of notches. It's on this point that I see Elton having a slight advantage.

Now for a little bit of perspective folks. So far McBean has been compared to Franklin, Cox, Salmon and even Royce Hart. He's been labelled the best player from the 2012 draft and is apparently already better than Daniher after half a dozen games of VFL football. Call me overly sceptical with regards to some of these claims, but the McBean that I have seen at u/18's level had a lot of developing to do and was yet to establish himself in any given position. He basically played as a midfielder who just happened to be 203cm.

I can certainly understand why people are bedazzled by such a beanpole being highly skilled, but the truth remains that players of his height rarely make the grade unless it's as a ruckman. It's for this reason that I'd lower the expectations a little, the signs are obviously promising but there's a long road ahead of him just in terms of getting his body AFL ready. A dozen goals in 4 games of VFL football is a good start, hopefully he can maintain that or even increase his output over the next 6 months. The big challenge for Liam, and this extends back to his junior performances, will be to produce more than a dozen possessions and a handful of goals. At present he's not even taking the best defender at VFL level. Personally, I would like him to take a game by the scruff of the neck and truly dominate, particularly if the forwardline is to become his permanent home. Hopefully it happens this year, if not he's still got plenty of time, but for the love of god, let's not burden him with the messiah complex after 4 games of reserves grade football.

 

[spook]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Bullamakanka, I had the same concerns after watching his 18s highlights. After watching 3 VFL games, I no longer have them. The kid has mongrel, marks brilliantly on the lead (and leads brilliantly), and while I would back Elton against him in a random contested mark, he'll be good there too. He is very exciting.

 

[tigergollywog]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

I love your work bully. I just reckon if a bloke can grow a foot in a year (which tiger beanie did apparently), he can also develop real fast. I know your right, it would be unusual for an ultra-tall to come on strong, but it happens. The other point I would make is the old horses for courses. meaning, some players always look crap in the 2nds and blitz the 1sts. Maybe Tiger Beanie is 1. comin' on strong 2. better suited to VFL rather than TAC (you said he was a mid in TAC, but hes a FF in VFL and 3. Maybe, just maybe, hell be even better suited to AFL in the not too distant future. We are due some jackpot luck. Tiger Beanie could be the one? I called him in the draft, so just the dreams have me feeling like an armchair francis jackson

 

[tigersnake]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

If true, this is pleasing on one hand, but concerning with regards to our ruck stocks. It basically means we have to get another junior ruck with the next batch of draftees. As it stands now, we have Maric who looks as though he's about to break down, Vickery who is better suited to the forward line, and Stephenson who's the wrong side of 30. Any more dilly dallying with our dwindling ruck stocks spells huge trouble in the forseeable future.

Just a few observations with McBean, in the u/18's his lack of physicality was a major concern. His marking ability was good without being a standout feature, but contested marking was largely absent from his game. If he's to become a viable third tall or even leading forward, I would expect that this facet of his game will need to lift a couple of notches. It's on this point that I see Elton having a slight advantage.

Now for a little bit of perspective folks. So far McBean has been compared to Franklin, Cox, Salmon and even Royce Hart. He's been labelled the best player from the 2012 draft and is apparently already better than Daniher after half a dozen games of VFL football. Call me overly sceptical with regards to some of these claims, but the McBean that I have seen at u/18's level had a lot of developing to do and was yet to establish himself in any given position. He basically played as a midfielder who just happened to be 203cm.

I can certainly understand why people are bedazzled by such a beanpole being highly skilled, but the truth remains that players of his height rarely make the grade unless it's as a ruckman. It's for this reason that I'd lower the expectations a little, the signs are obviously promising but there's a long road ahead of him just in terms of getting his body AFL ready. A dozen goals in 4 games of VFL football is a good start, hopefully he can maintain that or even increase his output over the next 6 months. The big challenge for Liam, and this extends back to his junior performances, will be to produce more than a dozen possessions and a handful of goals. At present he's not even taking the best defender at VFL level. Personally, I would like him to take a game by the scruff of the neck and truly dominate, particularly if the forwardline is to become his permanent home. Hopefully it happens this year, if not he's still got plenty of time, but for the love of god, let's not burden him with the messiah complex after 4 games of reserves grade football.

That is all completely fair enough, and probably correct Bullus. (except maybe the hand wringing that if we have found a good tall forward, we now need an extra ruck, that is what is known in the industry as a good problem to have).

All I have a problem with is people apparently dismissing outright the possibility of him coming on quick. He probably won't, but he might.

 

[RedanTiger]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

If true, this is pleasing on one hand, but concerning with regards to our ruck stocks. It basically means we have to get another junior ruck with the next batch of draftees. As it stands now, we have Maric who looks as though he's about to break down, Vickery who is better suited to the forward line, and Stephenson who's the wrong side of 30. Any more dilly dallying with our dwindling ruck stocks spells huge trouble in the forseeable future.

In your list of rucks you have forgotten Derickx.
The ruckman we took in 2010 rather than Giles and kept last year in place of recruiting Hannath.

 

[tigersnake]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

In your list of rucks you have forgotten Derickx.
The ruckman we took in 2010 rather than Giles and kept last year in place of recruiting Hannath.

outrageous

 

[taraba]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

Seen him play twice and he's a gun. When he was drafted I was concerned he'd be like Putty but he's nothing like that. The kid's got tricks and can play!

Ruck wise there are options out there that can be traded for or drafted. Zac Clarke should be available for starters.

 

[mld]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

In your list of rucks you have forgotten Derickx.
The ruckman we took in 2010 rather than Giles and kept last year in place of recruiting Hannath.

Sack everyone.

 

[WesternTiger]

Re: mcbean -- birth of a legend

In your list of rucks you have forgotten Derickx.
The ruckman we took in 2010 rather than Giles and kept last year in place of recruiting Hannath.

And the best in the business Geelong and Collingwood also passed on to leave them in the position that they had to recruit washed up rucks in 2012!