One of the guys who is in a Tigers e-mail loop with me at work is putting together a one-a-day player critique starting at #1 and working through the player list. It's a pretty good read so I thought I would share it with you.
Part 9 in the series….
9 - Wayne Campbell
Position: Midfielder
Age: 30 - turns 31 Grand Final week, I wonder what he want's for his Birthday?
Height: 187
Weight: 87kg
Career Games: 247
Career Goals: 153
Draft History: Selected No 29 in the 1989 National Draft. Pretty sure (not 100%) that he stayed away for a year, joining us in 91, the year he made his debut.
2002 Averages: 22 Games, 13.5 Kicks, 4.1 Marks, 9.8 Handballs, 0,55 Goals, 3.1 Tackles, 2.1 Rebounds, 3.1 Inside 50s, 4.8 Clearance, 1.5 Clangers
Stat Fact: Has average 20 possessions a game in each season since 1994 when he had 19.8 (down from 24 the previous year). Of other interest the only year I have stats on Shepherds (1993) he lead the club.
2002 Summary: Once again carried the Richmond Midfield winning his fourth B&F, although in my eyes was probably not as good as he was in 2001, but still the obvious top Tiger for 2002. 1st in total disposals, Handballs, Tackles & Clearances, 2nd in Kicks, 3rd in Inside 50's, 6th in Rebounds, 7th in marks, 7th in Goals and finally 15th for average clangers. Probably only beaten in two games (Geelong & Collingwood 2nd time around) with a few break-evens and plenty in the win column individually. 4 times picked up 30+ Possessions (Season high of 37) and only five times failed to get 20 (19,18,17,12 & 9). Still failed to capture the imagination of most Richmond supporters. Showed a couple of times his goal kicking had improved, but still probably failed to push forward often enough and kick enough goals from the midfield with only 12 for the season. Did see a few less of those dinky up and under kicks.
Previously: Has been super consistent for the past decade, consistently averaging more than 20 possessions per game, with 3 previous B&F wins before last year, 3 runner-ups and a third. Twice All-Australian and a regular in the Australia v Ireland games. Has always had his detractors with a bad habit of up and under kicks and perception that his big possession numbers were of poor quality.
Ability: 8.5 - Probably just short of "Elite" category. Has a couple of holes in his game, but overall is very good.
Offence: 6.5 - Even typing the number out I think I might be over-rating him a touch as one of my criticisms is his inability to consistently kick goals from the midfield. But I do think he has the capabilities to be a good forward
Defence: 6 - Man on man sometimes lacks accountability but does push back with hard running to provide support in defence and is often the link moving the ball out. Reads the incoming ball well and generally does the "right" things defensively. Is obviously an offensive player by nature and defensive work isn't as "clean" but credit where its due, it's obvious he works at it.
Hardness: 5.5 - Some will raise the eyebrows that score is so high, but just because he doesn't split packs open doesn't mean he's soft. Actually anyone who does a lot of running would be able to tell us that covering that much ground requires some courage in itself. Campbell will provide the shepherd, will attempt to use his body and nowadays is quite an effective tackler (much improved technique - and as skipper maybe more willing). He's not naturally hard, and will never be a Kellaway or Johnathon Brown, but at least has some sort of go, even if at times it looks a bit awkward.
Speed: 6.5 - I've never thought of Campbell and pace really going together. He's quick - quite a bit quicker than the average AFL player, but not explosive off the mark. Would probably rate highly in 200-400m sprints.
Stamina: 9 - Is one of the genuine "Elite" running players of the AFL. Will tire towards the end of games at times (and shows it) but when you watch closely he covers an amazing amount of ground.
Delivery: 7 - By hand is pretty good, but foot is pretty good, by reputation is a shocker. Has a tendency to "stand and deliver", the old one step or off-balance floating mongrel. Realistically he hits the target far more often the most. Probably misses a bit more than most, but then again - he get's twice as much football as most too!
Air: 6 - Never been a top-liner in the marking stakes, but reliable. Will tend to try and take it on his chest rather than in his hands at times. Is reasonable overhead and importantly he takes what he should - some "better" marks don't!
Ground: 8.5 - Rarely fumbles, is pretty good in close, although I'd much rather see the shoot-out handball rather than the up and under kick and good on the loose ball.
Injury: 9.5 - He did miss 5 games in 2000, apart from the occasional game here and there, is a constant fixture on match-day.
Ruck: 3 - Actually going to give him a couple of points here - is one player who regularly does jump in front or over a ruck contest to either take possession himself or knock it on - never really seen pure ruck work - but often involves himself in a contest.
Part 9 in the series….
9 - Wayne Campbell
Position: Midfielder
Age: 30 - turns 31 Grand Final week, I wonder what he want's for his Birthday?
Height: 187
Weight: 87kg
Career Games: 247
Career Goals: 153
Draft History: Selected No 29 in the 1989 National Draft. Pretty sure (not 100%) that he stayed away for a year, joining us in 91, the year he made his debut.
2002 Averages: 22 Games, 13.5 Kicks, 4.1 Marks, 9.8 Handballs, 0,55 Goals, 3.1 Tackles, 2.1 Rebounds, 3.1 Inside 50s, 4.8 Clearance, 1.5 Clangers
Stat Fact: Has average 20 possessions a game in each season since 1994 when he had 19.8 (down from 24 the previous year). Of other interest the only year I have stats on Shepherds (1993) he lead the club.
2002 Summary: Once again carried the Richmond Midfield winning his fourth B&F, although in my eyes was probably not as good as he was in 2001, but still the obvious top Tiger for 2002. 1st in total disposals, Handballs, Tackles & Clearances, 2nd in Kicks, 3rd in Inside 50's, 6th in Rebounds, 7th in marks, 7th in Goals and finally 15th for average clangers. Probably only beaten in two games (Geelong & Collingwood 2nd time around) with a few break-evens and plenty in the win column individually. 4 times picked up 30+ Possessions (Season high of 37) and only five times failed to get 20 (19,18,17,12 & 9). Still failed to capture the imagination of most Richmond supporters. Showed a couple of times his goal kicking had improved, but still probably failed to push forward often enough and kick enough goals from the midfield with only 12 for the season. Did see a few less of those dinky up and under kicks.
Previously: Has been super consistent for the past decade, consistently averaging more than 20 possessions per game, with 3 previous B&F wins before last year, 3 runner-ups and a third. Twice All-Australian and a regular in the Australia v Ireland games. Has always had his detractors with a bad habit of up and under kicks and perception that his big possession numbers were of poor quality.
Ability: 8.5 - Probably just short of "Elite" category. Has a couple of holes in his game, but overall is very good.
Offence: 6.5 - Even typing the number out I think I might be over-rating him a touch as one of my criticisms is his inability to consistently kick goals from the midfield. But I do think he has the capabilities to be a good forward
Defence: 6 - Man on man sometimes lacks accountability but does push back with hard running to provide support in defence and is often the link moving the ball out. Reads the incoming ball well and generally does the "right" things defensively. Is obviously an offensive player by nature and defensive work isn't as "clean" but credit where its due, it's obvious he works at it.
Hardness: 5.5 - Some will raise the eyebrows that score is so high, but just because he doesn't split packs open doesn't mean he's soft. Actually anyone who does a lot of running would be able to tell us that covering that much ground requires some courage in itself. Campbell will provide the shepherd, will attempt to use his body and nowadays is quite an effective tackler (much improved technique - and as skipper maybe more willing). He's not naturally hard, and will never be a Kellaway or Johnathon Brown, but at least has some sort of go, even if at times it looks a bit awkward.
Speed: 6.5 - I've never thought of Campbell and pace really going together. He's quick - quite a bit quicker than the average AFL player, but not explosive off the mark. Would probably rate highly in 200-400m sprints.
Stamina: 9 - Is one of the genuine "Elite" running players of the AFL. Will tire towards the end of games at times (and shows it) but when you watch closely he covers an amazing amount of ground.
Delivery: 7 - By hand is pretty good, but foot is pretty good, by reputation is a shocker. Has a tendency to "stand and deliver", the old one step or off-balance floating mongrel. Realistically he hits the target far more often the most. Probably misses a bit more than most, but then again - he get's twice as much football as most too!
Air: 6 - Never been a top-liner in the marking stakes, but reliable. Will tend to try and take it on his chest rather than in his hands at times. Is reasonable overhead and importantly he takes what he should - some "better" marks don't!
Ground: 8.5 - Rarely fumbles, is pretty good in close, although I'd much rather see the shoot-out handball rather than the up and under kick and good on the loose ball.
Injury: 9.5 - He did miss 5 games in 2000, apart from the occasional game here and there, is a constant fixture on match-day.
Ruck: 3 - Actually going to give him a couple of points here - is one player who regularly does jump in front or over a ruck contest to either take possession himself or knock it on - never really seen pure ruck work - but often involves himself in a contest.
You're kidding about Campbell and his hardness rating. He is by far the most under rated hard man in the comp. In fact, he made more hardball gets than Voss and Buckley in 2002; carries the midfield, runs all day, loyal to the club; and wins games on his own boot.