LEVI Casboult has great hands. The question is: how great?
AFL legend Wayne Carey suggests the Carlton forward might have the best hands in the game, while Casboult's teammate Lachie Henderson has taken it a step further.
"I reckon Levi's definitely got the best hands in the business," Henderson told AFL.com.au after Casboult played a key role in the Blues' 85-point win over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
"That mark he took at the end of the third quarter when he had three blokes around him, that was an absolutely fantastic grab.
"He's got the greatest hands in the game, for sure."
Casboult was the most eye-catching member of a three-pronged Blues attack in which he, Henderson and usual defender Simon White bagged four goals apiece, contributing a combined 12.1 in Carlton's impressive total of 24.7 (151).
Most significantly, the often-inaccurate Casboult had a 100 per cent strike rate, equalling his career-best of 4.0 against Hawthorn just three weeks ago.
He now has nine straight from his past four games, after just 4.8 in his previous 10 outings. Overall, the 24-year-old man-mountain has 27 goals from 28 AFL appearances.
Between them, the Blues' triumvirate claimed 23 marks. Critically, nine of them were contested, including four apiece to Casboult and Henderson.
"Levi clunked 'em today like he always does and the important thing was he kicked straight," Henderson said.
"Kicking has always been the thing that could let him down but he's worked really hard on it over the last year or two and it's kudos to him that he's improved in that area."
Blues coach Mick Malthouse believes Casboult is probably his club's most improved player this season, and says his development is reward for both the forward's hard work and the club's patience.
"Big blokes, we tend to cast them aside pretty early, and it's the nature of the draft – you can't be waiting forever," Malthouse said.
"If you've got the patience and you think there's a flicker there, you've got to stick with it and go through a bit of pain. And I'd say the club's been through a bit of pain with Levi in regard to his inconsistencies.
"This year he's had less of them and he's had a bigger impact when he's played. He would be as close to anyone who's had a major improvement from last year."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-07-07/best-hands-in-the-comp
He has improved heaps and may clubs would have their eyes on him and waiting to see when he is out of contract. We need to hang on to this guy and keep developing his skills. Especially his kicking accuracy. He has an impact on the game and has the strength needed at this AFL level. I like this guy heaps and am patient to his bad games here and there. I expect he will be a danger man in the next few seasons. ;)
Marking is an innate skill and contested marking is even more so.
Kicking, on the other hand, can be learned and improved (look at Zach Tuohy and the other Irish lads).
If Levi isn't signed up to a three year deal, heads should roll!
The Saints game should help his confidence to perform well against the better sides. Really hope he has a good one this week v. the Swans - could be a major plus for him.
Agree we need to sign him but I want to see him do his stuff vs the better team before I agree on a contract price...I could have outmarked Montagna in the goalsquare with the insipid opposition he provided...
The Saints game should help his confidence to perform well against the better sides. Really hope he has a good one this week v. the Swans - could be a major plus for him.
x2. Confidence is an amazing thing and you can see it growing with him. He has been one of the few points of interest of mine this year and hope he finishes off the year really strong.
The best thing about Casboult's mark in the goal square was that it resulted from a mark that he took at CHB and some hard running to create a forward target.
EB probably could outmark Montagna but could he run from CHB to the goal square in time to contest the mark? ;)
The best thing about Casboult's mark in the goal square was that it resulted from a mark that he took at CHB and some hard running to create a forward target.
EB probably could outmark Montagna but could he run from CHB to the goal square in time to contest the mark? ;)
You got me DJ..... :) I'd make it in time but only if the Bolt carried me.... ;)
This is one of the few highlights of this season...
im so wrapped for Rock the Casbah...
he had something when we saw him in the final/semifinal reserves games a few years back where Rock clutched some great marks...
Meh I'll reserve my thoughts and praise till after he signs at a reasonable and fair price that's reflective of where he's at and improvement still required. Too many bad memories of a forward who deserted for the almighty dollar a decade or so ago.
Can you kick with your hands???
. Too many bad memories of a forward who deserted for the almighty dollar a decade or so ago.
Good example of why its a good idea not to have discussions which should be private out in the public
Meh I'll reserve my thoughts and praise till after he signs at a reasonable and fair price that's reflective of where he's at and improvement still required. Too many bad memories of a forward who deserted for the almighty dollar a decade or so ago.
We should have re-signed him at the start of the year. His price is skyrocketing now.
Meh I'll reserve my thoughts and praise till after he signs at a reasonable and fair price that's reflective of where he's at and improvement still required. Too many bad memories of a forward who deserted for the almighty dollar a decade or so ago.
Are the initials A.H. for the deserter. I still havent forgiven him for leaving.He owed us heaps for helping him play in the 99 grand final.Anyway we got KARMA as he was always injured ;)
Meh I'll reserve my thoughts and praise till after he signs at a reasonable and fair price that's reflective of where he's at and improvement still required. Too many bad memories of a forward who deserted for the almighty dollar a decade or so ago.
Are the initials A.H. for the deserter. I still havent forgiven him for leaving.He owed us heaps for helping him play in the 99 grand final.Anyway we got KARMA as he was always injured ;)
Yes HS thats precisely who I'm referring to.
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
Casboult does have good hands, it's probably a bit early to call it anything greater than that atm.
His kicking has definitely improved a lot too, which is great. I love watching him play !!
AH wasnt exactly the best kick, his kicking action was just as unsightly as Cas's. The difference was his ability to get to contests and batter the opposition. I don't mind if Cas's kicking isn't 100 percent provided he improves his fitness and competes at high intensity for large portions of games
I did some analysis just after Casboult played his 10th game, comparing his output over those first 10 games with the first 10 games played by some of the game's greatest ever power forwards. Casboult came a close second on that table to only Wayne Carey himself.
I posted it all on here at the time and suggested that the data, just by itself, suggested that we needed to invest in Casboult and see how he developed. I was brutally shot down on here at the time I posted it, so I'm glad to see the club went with an approach similar to what I was advocating and it's now starting to pay dividends ;).
Get the boy signed up and let's review again at 50 games!
he would be better mark if we had quality midds who can deliver the pill.
I did some analysis just after Casboult played his 10th game, comparing his output over those first 10 games with the first 10 games played by some of the game's greatest ever power forwards. Casboult came a close second on that table to only Wayne Carey himself.
FFS, Carey really! :o
By the time Carey had been around Norp for 4 ~ 5 years he averaged nearly 3 goals a game and 7+ contested marks, that is 7 Contested Marks! In Carey's 4th season he ranked number #1 at Norp, not #2, #5 or #14, that's #1! Carey also ranked #6 in the VFL averages the same year, #6 in the competition wide averages!
After the same number of years Casboult averages less than 1 goal and 5.3 marks in total, he is currently ranked #242 on averages(Last year #478 on averages)!
La Vie En Rose Nathbear!
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
Did he go to the 150th celebrations?
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
This was the first time I could remember a player leaving us by choice and it hurt badly. I hated Hamill for this as he was one of my favs and the next Carlton captain (they gave him #4 for a reason). Even though he tasted little success at the Aints, he sure as hell set himself up for the future.
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
Did he go to the 150th celebrations?
I'm not sure Jeffy, I didn't go. But if not mistaken I recall one or two others in here having written that they had gone, they may be able to answer that Q
I did some analysis just after Casboult played his 10th game, comparing his output over those first 10 games with the first 10 games played by some of the game's greatest ever power forwards. Casboult came a close second on that table to only Wayne Carey himself.
FFS, Carey really! :o
By the time Carey had been around Norp for 4 ~ 5 years he averaged nearly 3 goals a game and 7+ contested marks, that is 7 Contested Marks! In Carey's 4th season he ranked number #1 at Norp, not #2, #5 or #14, that's #1! Carey also ranked #6 in the VFL averages the same year, #6 in the competition wide averages!
After the same number of years Casboult averages less than 1 goal and 5.3 marks in total, he is currently ranked #242 on averages(Last year #478 on averages)!
La Vie En Rose Nathbear!
The comparison was after 10 games played, champ, you may have missed that in your irrational desire to lash out at every post I make for no apparent reason.
The comparison was after 10 games played, champ, you may have missed that in your irrational desire to lash out at every post I make for no apparent reason.
Carey got his ten games up as a 19 year old in his 2nd season, how many years and at what age did it take Casboult to get his ten champ? ;)
Carey, FFS, stop posting crap comparisons and I won't have an issue, champ!
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
This was the first time I could remember a player leaving us by choice and it hurt badly. I hated Hamill for this as he was one of my favs and the next Carlton captain (they gave him #4 for a reason). Even though he tasted little success at the Aints, he sure as hell set himself up for the future.
Yeah it was the first time in my memory for a player to reject us as well, back then no one left carlton. It hit hard, made worse by what followed shortly thereafter. Was Allison managing him at the time?
I too enjoyed the show that Casboult put on on the weekend. What i want to see is forward set plays that gets him isolated one out in front of goal. The opposition sides have been quick to show respect often double and even triple teaming in marking contests.
Just my humble opinion...
What i want to see is forward set plays that gets him isolated one out in front of goal.
Why can't we be different and have a stay at home full forward who isn't part of the flood. It ultimately means that we might have one less around the ball, but let's back our on ballers to get it out often enough to make the opposition dance to our music. We have reputedly the best set of hands in the league, let's use them.
Surely the 'set play' is a high ball to the hot spot with another tall forward to draw and block defenders.
Casboult is quite good at losing his direct opponent by a leading to the kicker then doubling back.
The big test for Levi is to back up a good game with another good game the next week.
So far in his career, he's tended to have a decent game, and then disappear for a while in subsequent games.
Yes, he is playing well, he needs to be consistent now and not waste his good form.
Best thing in the last few weeks has been what appears to be growing confidence in his size and strength. We are seeing him intimidate players more often, even when he can't jump at the ball from behind!
The test will also be when Kreuzer comes back and if he can play purely as a forward and not get bogged down. If he can learn how to move around like a CHF that would be immense.
Plus he and Kreuzer alternate if either gets bogged down up forward.
The test will also be when Kreuzer comes back and if he can play purely as a forward and not get bogged down. If he can learn how to move around like a CHF that would be immense.
Plus he and Kreuzer alternate if either gets bogged down up forward.
Seriously do not want to see SpecialK used as a forward, better he rucks and then floats into D50 instead of floating forward.
Some bench time coming for 206 I think if Casboult keeps his form up!
No ....LP
Club does not know what to do with MK
Warnock is not that good
Both warnock and mk will pull us down if we keep both
Casboult could be another casualty like jacobs if they dont look after him
The test will also be when Kreuzer comes back and if he can play purely as a forward and not get bogged down. If he can learn how to move around like a CHF that would be immense.
Plus he and Kreuzer alternate if either gets bogged down up forward.
I think Kreuz will be direct competition as a ruck for Warnock JC. If Levi develops as we hope and we snag another KPF or KPD then I don't see Kreuz and Warnock playing in the same team tbh.
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
This was the first time I could remember a player leaving us by choice and it hurt badly. I hated Hamill for this as he was one of my favs and the next Carlton captain (they gave him #4 for a reason). Even though he tasted little success at the Aints, he sure as hell set himself up for the future.
Peter McConville,Brent Crosswell both left us by choice
Structure going forward is either one of MK/Warnock with Levi pinch hitting.
We have played all three before and it does not work.
Malthouse has a pretty firm view of Kreuzer's role:
CARLTON supporters everywhere should have rejoiced on Thursday when they heard coach Mick Malthouse say of Matthew Kreuzer: "He is our ruckman and he will stay here, while I'm here anyway, as the principal ruckman of the organisation.''
Admittedly, this comes from this time last year but, injuries aside, I don't think anything Warnock has done will have changed Malthouse's mind.
The article is worth a read, particularly if you're interested in how Kreuzer stacks up against other ruckmen at his age:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ruck-great-simon-madden-believes-blue-matthew-kreuzer-will-blossom-over-the-next-100-games/story-fni5f5nx-1226681642570
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
This was the first time I could remember a player leaving us by choice and it hurt badly. I hated Hamill for this as he was one of my favs and the next Carlton captain (they gave him #4 for a reason). Even though he tasted little success at the Aints, he sure as hell set himself up for the future.
Peter McConville,Brent Crosswell both left us by choice
Before my time. ;)
Malthouse has a pretty firm view of Kreuzer's role:
CARLTON supporters everywhere should have rejoiced on Thursday when they heard coach Mick Malthouse say of Matthew Kreuzer: "He is our ruckman and he will stay here, while I'm here anyway, as the principal ruckman of the organisation.''
Admittedly, this comes from this time last year but, injuries aside, I don't think anything Warnock has done will have changed Malthouse's mind.
The article is worth a read, particularly if you're interested in how Kreuzer stacks up against other ruckmen at his age:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/ruck-great-simon-madden-believes-blue-matthew-kreuzer-will-blossom-over-the-next-100-games/story-fni5f5nx-1226681642570
Was this before or after the he's going to have to spend time up forward comment?
Also, principal ruckman of the organisation? Too much managerese for me.
the bolt out of contract what if footscray make a play for him at end of season ?
the bolt out of contract what if footscray make a play for him at end of season ?
I am not worried ,we have been very patient with THE BOLT, time for him to give back some of the loyalty we have shown in him .In saying that come on Carlton and The BOLT get it happening and sign please :)
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
This was the first time I could remember a player leaving us by choice and it hurt badly. I hated Hamill for this as he was one of my favs and the next Carlton captain (they gave him #4 for a reason). Even though he tasted little success at the Aints, he sure as hell set himself up for the future.
Peter McConville,Brent Crosswell both left us by choice
Croswell was lured away by Barassi to Norp, and later followed him to Melbourne.
I liked McConville but rumors were he wasn't getting a new contract, and at the time he left you have to consider who he was up against for spots. We'd recruited Alvin in 84, Silvagni and Rhys-Jones in 85, Kernahan, Bradley and Motley in 86!
For example here is the 86 losing GF side, who does McConville displace?
Carlton
B: 37 Wayne Harmes 11 Bruce Doull 35 Peter Dean
HB: 27 Des English 6 Jon Dorotich 2 Peter Motley
C: 26 David Rhys-Jones 21 Craig Bradley 8 Wayne Blackwell
HF: 7 Wayne Johnston 4 Stephen Kernahan 23 Paul Meldrum
F: 15 Bernie Evans 9 Ken Hunter 36 Mark Maclure (c)
Foll: 44 Justin Madden 31 Tom Alvin 32 David Glascott
Int: 45 Warren McKenzie 38 Shane Robertson
Coach: Robert Walls
In fairness he did try and make amends by thanking Carlton for having given him his opportunity at AFL, during his retirement speech/statement. For my own selfish reasoning I regarded his attempt at redemption hollow, I'm sure I was/still suffering from a sense of rejection.
This was the first time I could remember a player leaving us by choice and it hurt badly. I hated Hamill for this as he was one of my favs and the next Carlton captain (they gave him #4 for a reason). Even though he tasted little success at the Aints, he sure as hell set himself up for the future.
Peter McConville,Brent Crosswell both left us by choice
Croswell was lured away by Barassi to Norp, and later followed him to Melbourne.
I liked McConville but rumors were he wasn't getting a new contract, and at the time he left you have to consider who he was up against for spots. We'd recruited Alvin in 84, Silvagni and Rhys-Jones in 85, Kernahan, Bradley and Motley in 86!
For example here is the 86 losing GF side, who does McConville displace?
Carlton
B: 37 Wayne Harmes 11 Bruce Doull 35 Peter Dean
HB: 27 Des English 6 Jon Dorotich 2 Peter Motley
C: 26 David Rhys-Jones 21 Craig Bradley 8 Wayne Blackwell
HF: 7 Wayne Johnston 4 Stephen Kernahan 23 Paul Meldrum
F: 15 Bernie Evans 9 Ken Hunter 36 Mark Maclure (c)
Foll: 44 Justin Madden 31 Tom Alvin 32 David Glascott
Int: 45 Warren McKenzie 38 Shane Robertson
Coach: Robert Walls
Shane Robertson.......McConville was a very good player who won us games...Robertson was a battler...
Just seeing Peter Motleys name make me sad...just a tragedy for the man and football....would have been one of our greats IMO.
Shane Robertson.......McConville was a very good player who won us games...Robertson was a battler...
Just seeing Peter Motleys name make me sad...just a tragedy for the man and football....would have been one of our greats IMO.
If you just picked sides on ability and not balance I agree.
Robertson was much faster across the ground compared to McConville, not the type of players who could sub for each other.
I think McConville would have only been able to competed with the likes of Des English or Paul Meldrum, the others had him covered in their specific roles. For example Meldrum was a better mover than McConville, and English used the ball much better than McConville.
McConville could work well at either end, but not by 1986, he was on the slide by then and retired to St Kilda like so many other past Carlton greats!
Please don't get me wrong, he was a great player for Carlton and I was a fan, but not competitive with those who replaced him by the time 86 came around.
McConville's career was virtually over and going to St Kilda gave him a little longer.
Crosswell was at the height of his powers when Barassi lured him away.
McConville was an odd player with a cacky kicky style and from memory was a barrel-chested, very strong but not overly tall CHB who won a few games for us pinch-hitting at CHF. He was a very strong one grab mark and read the ball well in flight.
His body size and shape wouldn't make it today but in that era he was a very good player.
We went through bit of a dip between 1982 and 1986 before going on a serious recruiting splurge and we essentially rebuilt to challenge again in 1986 with a new generation after the success of 79-82.
During the early 80's flat spot we had another bloke who kicked a few for us.. was is Buckley (no relation to Jim)? We had some interesting players during that period, kind of like the other odd period 1988-1993. Anybody remember Simon Verbeek?
@Prof
You're thinking of Mark Buckley I believe prof. Kicked a few goals for us in the 1983 season but that was about it. Quickly faded after that. I don't think he was much taller, if at all, than McConville.
Carlton
B: 37 Wayne Harmes 11 Bruce Doull 35 Peter Dean
HB: 27 Des English 6 Jon Dorotich 2 Peter Motley
C: 26 David Rhys-Jones 21 Craig Bradley 8 Wayne Blackwell
HF: 7 Wayne Johnston 4 Stephen Kernahan 23 Paul Meldrum
F: 15 Bernie Evans 9 Ken Hunter 36 Mark Maclure (c)
Foll: 44 Justin Madden 31 Tom Alvin 32 David Glascott
Int: 45 Warren McKenzie 38 Shane Robertson
Coach: Robert Walls
12 months later we were motived to win because of two guys watching in the stands, one recovering from a car accident that should have claimed his life and one who was battling cancer. Don't think we were ever going to lose that one!!
I was a bit young to fully comprehend peter Motely's talent, and have driven last the scene where the accident occurred many times since it Haapped, but am I right in saying that he was similar to Gibbsy insofar as silky smooth talent?
Yep that's a fair comparison, a little taller than Gibbs from what I could remember or at least played taller for sure.
Motley looked a gun but didn't get enough exposure at AFL leve lto afford comparisons... more a flanker than a running midfielder like Gibbs. Had bit of a patch where his undisputed talent was on display and some of his reserves displays were legendary. Was loose in the '86 GF and the Hawthorn flankers got away from him a bit.
Dominated across half forward as a teenager for SA vs Vic, but was being eased into it across half back at Carlton. Was a dead shot for goal, good hands and a good size (about 188-ish from memory). Read the play superbly.
Motley was like a cross between Ken Hunter and Gibbs......great on the deck but also very strong in the air and could take the big speccy.
As the Prof said maybe a bit loose as South Aus players could be back then and needed another season or two to adapt to the AFL
game but I have no doubt he would have been a champion player for us.
You would go to the footy to watch players like Motley because he was so so skilled and there was nothing ugly about the way he played the game.....who wants to go and watch Ryan Crowley or ex Saint Steven Baker dog and pinch players all day....
@Prof E ad Ellwood
Its my strong opinion that Motley was going to be better player than Kernahan and Bradley.
Motley was the best player in the 86 GF when we lost to Hawthorn. I was watching on the wing standing.
I recall watching Motley live as being big fast and skillful. Beautiful user of the ball....
I can see a rough comparison with Gibbs in style but Motley was potentially better as he was a 100% footballer with precise footballing skills and superb balance. Beautiful soft hands and knew where to be. Really strong in the core and trunk. Perfect footballer's build, deceptively quick and never fell over. I mean never. Was probably on track to be as good a mid sized player as we have seen, but only what 20 games or so makes assessment tough.
Today's equivalent is possibly one of the great Cat's Half backs like Bartels, but Mots was quicker and a better kick. In a lot of ways Hird (on field) reminded me of Motley... similar attributes IMO.
Reality was that he should have played 300 games (and they would have been elite too) but for a prick in a Porsche (Meldrum was hurt as well if I recall). They never got that individual.
I thought he was a bit loose in the 86 GF even though he was close to our best that day. Gees, we were poor in '86, it was kind of like the whole side was overawed by a very hard, professional Hawthorn. We had a whole generation of players that day playing in their first GF and it showed.
Flogged them in '87, gees they came out fired up and the Hawks never had a sniff. Justine running through Tucky is the thing I remember the most.... still can't believe it.... Harry running through an icon to the game????
@Prof
I know might be going off track but I stood right in front of Dominators fist then elbow to Dipper in the first 15 minutes
Don Scott said we won the game after that as Hawthorn didn't retaliate...
Yea, they were strangely flat and meek weren't they? They never recovered from what the Dominator did in the first 3 seconds...
Really odd from a Hawthorn side from that era. Even the kid didn't fire a shot.
Was worried at quarter time though, we let them back in with late goals when we were so far up in general play, but it all ended well.
I can see a rough comparison with Gibbs in style but Motley was potentially better as he was a 100% footballer with precise footballing skills and superb balance. Beautiful soft hands and knew where to be. Really strong in the core and trunk. Perfect footballer's build, deceptively quick and never fell over. I mean never. Was probably on track to be as good a mid sized player as we have seen, but only what 20 games or so makes assessment tough.
Today's equivalent is possibly one of the great Cat's Half backs like Bartels, but Mots was quicker and a better kick. In a lot of ways Hird (on field) reminded me of Motley... similar attributes IMO.
Reality was that he should have played 300 games (and they would have been elite too) but for a prick in a Porsche (Meldrum was hurt as well if I recall). They never got that individual.
I thought he was a bit loose in the 86 GF even though he was close to our best that day. Gees, we were poor in '86, it was kind of like the whole side was overawed by a very hard, professional Hawthorn. We had a whole generation of players that day playing in their first GF and it showed.
Flogged them in '87, gees they came out fired up and the Hawks never had a sniff. Justine running through Tucky is the thing I remember the most.... still can't believe it.... Harry running through an icon to the game????
If memory is correct, Motts was also in a sports car, a 300zx or something like that, and Meldrum was driving in a car behind Motts at the time of the accident.
I can see a rough comparison with Gibbs in style but Motley was potentially better as he was a 100% footballer with precise footballing skills and superb balance. Beautiful soft hands and knew where to be. Really strong in the core and trunk. Perfect footballer's build, deceptively quick and never fell over. I mean never. Was probably on track to be as good a mid sized player as we have seen, but only what 20 games or so makes assessment tough.
Today's equivalent is possibly one of the great Cat's Half backs like Bartels, but Mots was quicker and a better kick. In a lot of ways Hird (on field) reminded me of Motley... similar attributes IMO.
Reality was that he should have played 300 games (and they would have been elite too) but for a prick in a Porsche (Meldrum was hurt as well if I recall). They never got that individual.
I thought he was a bit loose in the 86 GF even though he was close to our best that day. Gees, we were poor in '86, it was kind of like the whole side was overawed by a very hard, professional Hawthorn. We had a whole generation of players that day playing in their first GF and it showed.
Flogged them in '87, gees they came out fired up and the Hawks never had a sniff. Justine running through Tucky is the thing I remember the most.... still can't believe it.... Harry running through an icon to the game????
If memory is correct, Motts was also in a sports car, a 300zx or something like that, and Meldrum was driving in a car behind Motts at the time of the accident.
Yep. He witnessed the whole thing.
Improving forward Levi Casboult will start contract talks next week, but veteran Jarrad Waite is no guarantee to stay.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/mick-malthouse-warns-chris-judd-to-consider-future-carefully-to-avoid-playing-one-season-too-long/story-e6frf3e3-1226984763170
Yea, they were strangely flat and meek weren't they? They never recovered from what the Dominator did in the first 3 seconds...
Really odd from a Hawthorn side from that era. Even the kid didn't fire a shot.
Was worried at quarter time though, we let them back in with late goals when we were so far up in general play, but it all ended well.
It was a plus 30 degree day.
Melbourne smashed Hawthorn in the Preliminary
Robert Walls was filthy angry for losing the 1986 GF and planned for the 1987 Premiership in the Coaches box after the 1986 GF siren sounded.
Everything went our way that beautiful day.. C:-)
Mark Naley was a big plus in '87.
Mark Naley was a big plus in '87.
Think it was John Elliott who said Naley was the last piece in the puzzle and they had wanted to get him over earlier than they did..
I was a huge Naley fan, he would've been in my top 3 players when at the club. I was just a young kid at the time but I remember although a little undersized he was all class, very skillful and quick.
Mark Naley was a big plus in '87.
Tore the Vics a new one on a few occasions playing for SA... massively underrated champ.
Naley was a very good player alright but his running style/gait was a bit ungainly. Didn't seem to affect him though.