Pick 53: Jack Graham

[craig]

If hes not playing inside and bashing and crashing opposition midfielders he doesnt have another role, he is not an outside player hes a inside or defensive midfielder and he does that job very well.

Hope he gets back to his very best because his very best is very important.

 

[craig]

Three games ago this bloke performed one of the all time great acts of courage on an AFL field and sacrificed himself to help us win a flag.

I don't care if he goes out next week and lies on a banana lounge in the goalsquare, I'm still giving him another go.

He certainly did Large Son Of Bull.

 

[BillyJean17]

Thought he” looked sluggish , reckon he was watching the shoulder , lost a couple of crucial aerial contest I reckon he could have positioned himself better . Can play better and will be given another chance

 

[craig]

Hopefully he comes good quickly.

 

[Tigertool]

Three games ago this bloke performed one of the all time great acts of courage on an AFL field and sacrificed himself to help us win a flag.

I don't care if he goes out next week and lies on a banana lounge in the goalsquare, I'm still giving him another go.

Round 1 he might as well have been on a banana lounge such was his impact. Off the back of that game he’s already been afforded his second opportunity.

We start going backwards as a football club if we let an act, albeit brave, from 3 games ago dictate selection now. If he isn’t playing well enough he shouldn’t be picked. Simple as that.

 

[Tigertool]

I'm only half joking in the sense that he is clearly still coming to terms with playing with his shoulder issues. There were a couple of instances last night where he didn't extend and he needs some continuity to develop that, not two games three months apart.

If we can't give him a chance to build some confidence and form over a few games after what he did for us then I'd question what we stand for.

I disagree, as it doesn’t set the right example for the kids. Ross missed 2 flags last year while fully fit and would kill for Graham’s spot. If Graham’s shoulder isn’t right or his confidence isn’t there then he needs to be in the twos (whatever that is now.)

 

[Giardiasis]

Not ideal to be playing HBF, he doesn’t compete well in the air.

 

[craig]

Not ideal to be playing HBF, he doesn’t compete well in the air.

Neither does Short

 

[Rfc4Ever]

Looked like his shoulder was giving him a bit of grief

 

[Giardiasis]

Neither does Short

Correct.

 

[Tenacious]

If hes not playing inside and bashing and crashing opposition midfielders he doesnt have another role, he is not an outside player hes a inside or defensive midfielder and he does that job very well.

Hope he gets back to his very best because his very best is very important.

I've been a long time supporter of this bloke and will never say a bad word about him.
As you say Craig - his value has been at the contest and some of his pressure acts/point numbers (don't fully understand the stat) have been far above the average.
He's also shown value in the forward half but he doesn't really seem suited to a wing or back flank type role where he could be caught out one on one with an opponent.

 

[Harry]

Graham stays as he needs time to find form. We all know when in form he's best 22.

 

[tigerlove]

I didn't think he was anywhere near our worst. But he definitely wasn't the bull he usually is. Seems pretty obvious his shoulders are being protected. I'm concerned for his future, too many shoulder injuries particularly for the role he best plays.

 

[tigertim]

He’d be my pick to make way for Caddy.

 

[Baloo]

He’d be my pick to make way for Caddy.

Agree, unless they keep him as an inside mid only. Then he stays. For mine Stack goes out for Caddy and that's it.

 

[DavidSSS]

This is a really tough one. I seem to recall he lost some form in 2018 and then came back so his form can be variable. It was noticeable that he is not comfortable with his shoulder and not sure what can be done about that.

I really have trouble working out what to do, whether it would be better for him to play some matches at a lower level (scratch matches I suppose, no VFL is really bad) to gain confidence and form or whether to persist with him so he can gain confidence and form.

DS

 

[snags]

Looked like his shoulder was giving him a bit of grief

He got tunneled in the first and landed heavily. Looked ginger not sure if that was a factor.

 

[zippadeee]

He got tunneled in the first and landed heavily. Looked ginger not sure if that was a factor.

I got 'tunneled' at the tunnel in the late 80's...

 

[St Kevin]

Love Fridge and what he brings defensively. He does need to get more of the ball though. Ross nipping at his heels imo.

 

[Dont Argue]

Neither does Short

Can’t understand the love for Shorty.
Moves well, kicks like Geoff Raines but can’t defend, useless above his head and gets pushed around too easily.
What does he do better than Stack?
Probably a great trainer