So playing in the seniors is literally just the icing on the snot block?
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Welcome Sam Banks
- Thread starter AstuteTiger
- Start date
Development time is an interesting one. Reckon in most cases the good players show it early and often.
Look at our most successful recent recruits. Liam Baker despite being a rookie pick, played games in his first season, had 5 score involvements from 12 disposals in his first game. Graham was injured most of his first season but came back late and immediately started dominating VFL before being promoted. Bolton another that despite looking like a 14yo was able to show glimpses of his immense talent and played AFL footy in his first year. I still remember his first quarter in the VFL GF in 2017, it was something else. Even other less successful recruits to date like Ross and Cumberland all showed glimpses very early, in Cumberland case he came back from a knee reco to dominate the back half of the VFL season in his second year.
Anyway, the point. Banks is not like those listed above. He has only ever been good at VFL level, never great. He looked way out of his depth in the AFL despite being in our system for nearly two years. We’ve seen this before in recent times too. Players like RCD, Martyn, Naish even Dow were telling us very early on they were not up to it but we didn’t want to listen.
I agree that it’s too early to write him off just yet but you’ve also got to acknowledge that the early signs are not great.
While Banks hasnt been overly impressive in his first 2 games, neither Baker or Cumberland had debuted at his age. Ross has been written off by most every year except 2019 and now late 2023 every one seems back on board.
And Graham burst out of the blocks in the seniors. But has had many wanting to trade him in the last few years.
Progress is not always smooth, and players dont always put their best foot forward early days.
From the limited bits of VFL i have seen he looks a player, good with ball in hand, and in game 2 on the Sunday his defensive work was solid.
Happy for him to go back to the VFL this week if that is what happens, but i reckon there is plenty to be confident with in the future for Banks, and I'll be watching with great interest.
You are cherry picking
Grimes played vfl reserves in his first year, so did Rance. Cumberland didn’t play afl for a couple of years. McIntosh didn’t play a game until his 3rd year. Castagna and Butler spent a long time playing vfl.
There was a guy who dominated for the suns on the weekend called Flanders. In his 4th year and has taken a long time to develop.
There is no cookie cutter model. All players are individuals.
With a lot of the players mentioned above there was an early glimpse or two where you thought that player has something special. Yet to see that from Banks.
They don't have to be world beaters but you do look for signs.
They don't have to be world beaters but you do look for signs.
Recent was the operative word i used. I could have gone back further but I got work to do.
Of course you will find exceptions but they are just that, exceptions. Majority of good players show their talent early. As I said, not writing Banks off just yet, but I am pointing out early concerns based on past trends.
FYI, Cumberland did his ACL in his first pre-season and missed the year. Kicked 5.3 in his 7th VFL game back from injury in a Covid interrupted season.
Grimes debuted in the final round of his first season. Pretty rapid climb from the depths of the VFL reserves
Flanders played 5 games in his debut season. Must have been doing something right?
I’ll give you Butler in particular as well Castagna and McIntosh although McIntosh debut was pretty good. He ran rings around Chris Judd and got a rising star nomination for his troubles.
Rance is an interesting one. While he didn’t debut in his first year, he did play some eye-catching VFL games. Had 35 touches in one game, a number Banks has as yet not got close to. His debut also saw him collect 18 disposals and 6 marks against eventual premiers Geelong at Kardiania park. We like to make out Rance was some kind of epic spud in the early years but the evidence suggests otherwise.
I could sit down and go through players history line by line and we will go around in circles.
There are players who shine early and there are players who take time, I’m not suggesting Banks will be Chris Judd.
There are excellent afl footballers who take years to even get on a list, there are players who shine early who fade away.
I don’t know where young Banks will fit in this and that’s the point. I’ve watched him quite a bit at vfl level and saw him live in the swans game at afl level and I still don’t know. I don’t find that surprising because to me, apart from the very top echelon of players, whether someone will develop to a high level is still up in the air at 19-20 years old.
I’m really hoping that Banks doesn’t get dropped. He was a bit invisible v WC but I don’t know what he was role was, perhaps he was close checking someone??
At least give him 4 games to get a really good idea of what’s required for 2024 and beyond.
At least give him 4 games to get a really good idea of what’s required for 2024 and beyond.
I'd probably would look in another direction at this early stage but am ok if they pick him for another game vs the Hawks.
Playing lowly teams the past couple would be a good introduction to the elite level & Sam does deserve opportunities to get better.
He will be learning plenty.
If he does get picked though I'd hope to see a few more positive signs.
He has his third game in a row so time to step up and show us he has what it takes for the big time. I hope he makes it but it is in his own hands
Very lucky to be named. Must play better this week if he's to hold his spot against Melbourne. Hope he can but from what he's shown so far looks unlikely
How many vfl games did Shane Tuck’s dad play? He ended up a pretty handy player too.
Starting to show he has something to offer today. Getting up to speed in the fast paced AFL game
