Angus Graham v Geelong

[josey]

Have read a bit recently that Gus is a dud.

The weekend was the first time I have seen him play. He sure is a big unit.

He did not get many possessions on the weekend but I thought his efforts after quarter time helped turn the midfield battle around. He was jumping high and hard and was getting over Blake at most contests.

It was a reminder of how important the position is. Rather than try and manouvre his way around Blake as Simmonds was trying to do, Gus was challenging him physically.

To me this helped increase the intensity of the side.

 

[wayne]

I didn't think he was shocking, but the worrying statistic was that Tuck had more hitouts than him

 

[Baloo]

I thought he did alright. Certainly not worse than Blake. I reckon he'd give Laycock a run for his money as well.

So far, he seems to be the perfect 2nd ruckman the club has been looking for. Few more games with a bit of maturity and we might be on a winner here. Young ruckmen you can show even a little bit seem to get you a top 20 pick in a trade.

 

[BrisTiger24]

Good to see Gus throwing his weight around the other day, he needs to do that for survival. His disposal was also better than I have seen before and was more than adequate for a ruckman.

His problem, though, is that he isn't a quick reader of the play. A few times he was close to a marking contest in defensive 50 but didn't quite read where it was heading in quick enough time to get there. That's where the Big Ranga has it all over Gus. Once the Big Ranga has the strength (I think he already does) and the confidence to throw his big frame around, he'll make Gus obsolete IMO.

 

[BrisTiger24]

I didn't think he was shocking, but the worrying statistic was that Tuck had more hitouts than him

Uh oh....hope TW doesn't pick up on that stat.

 

[SfB_AkA._DeLiCiOuS]

I didn't notice him out there and in my book that's a good thing.

 

[Col.E.Kurtz]

A serviceable effort. His output on the day was better than the Saucehead’s the week before. Of course he was playing in a more competitive team so that may have helped. He’s a stopgap till someone else comes along but for the next few weeks he’s probably our best option.

I didn't think he was shocking, but the worrying statistic was that Tuck had more hitouts than him

Not unusual, sending a third man up in the ruck is this month’s AFL tactical fashion. Gus’s job was to tie up Blake so Tucky could go over the top.

 

[Tiger74]

Not unusual, sending a third man up in the ruck is this month’s AFL tactical fashion. Gus’s job was to tie up Blake so Tucky could go over the top.

They commented on that in the Foxtel coverage that Tuck was getting away with that quite well.

On Graham, happy to see him get 3-4 weeks in a row.

 

[Dyer Disciple]

A serviceable effort. His output on the day was better than the Saucehead’s the week before. Of course he was playing in a more competitive team so that may have helped. He’s a stopgap till someone else comes along but for the next few weeks he’s probably our best option.

Pretty much my opinion too. I haven't been a fan of Gus to date but have to be fair and say it was exactly that, a servicable effort. Certainly deserves to stay in.

As far as his work against Blake I'm not sure if this is confirmed or accurate but I've heard a few question marks about his fitness or that he might be injured. If it's true considering Geelong's rucks were both injured bit hard to get a grasp on where he is at. I thought he played more of a role in filling holes/structure stop gapping than as a constructive player per se so as a role player he fulfilled what was expected of him at least.