Tommy Walsh Debut?

[RooyForPresident]

When do you guys think he'll get his first game? I reckon he'll start around R13-16. I'd like to hear everyones thoughts on this

[clarky449]

No way near it, please i hope you are joking

[plugger66]

How did he play in the first 12 rounds. Obviously better than I thought he would. At least he didnt get an injury in the first half of the year.

[RooyForPresident]

How did he play in the first 12 rounds. Obviously better than I thought he would. At least he didnt get an injury in the first half of the year.

Plugster, I clearly stated DEBUT. Stop trying to act cool in front of your fans and just try be normal like other saints fans.

[plugger66]

How did he play in the first 12 rounds. Obviously better than I thought he would. At least he didnt get an injury in the first half of the year.

Plugster, I clearly stated DEBUT. Stop trying to act cool in front of your fans and just try be normal like other saints fans.

Why should I be normal when you clearly are not trying? By the way I have absolutely no fans on this site.

[RooyForPresident]

Not trying to what? Have a smart ass response to every post?

[saintbrat]

When do you guys think he'll get his first game? I reckon he'll start around R13-16. I'd like to hear everyones thoughts on this

rooeyforpresident- he is only a rookie and word is he has lots yet to learn
I would be interested to hear how he played on Saturday from anyone who went,
or anyone who can pop down to the sandy practice match next week

there would be several in front of him for any LTI or rookie upgrade positions that come available-
gaertner had a good period during the nAB cup
Simpkin has shown plenty
Fisher has experience
Mcgrath held down sandy ruck late in 2009
Hutchings



and to be hoped that we would not have that many injuries...

[saintsRrising]

He has played what 3-4 games of footie now in his life???

Lyon selects on demonstrated performance.

He needs to build a track record before anyone can start guessing when he may or may not debut....

[Eastern]

From the very little I have seen or read about Tommy Walsh I would seriously doubt that he would be be considered for senior selection until the pre-season of 2012 at the earliest. Let him learn the game !!

[borderbarry]

I am sure that the club has his playing future all mapped out, and equally sure it will include a debut before 2012.

[kosifantutti23]

rooeyforpresident- he is only a rookie and word is he has lots yet to learn

plugger66 is not a rookie any more but I agree he still has lots to learn

[Bernard Shakey]

Walsh will struggle to get a senior game for Sandy from the practice matches I've seen.

[mad saint guy]

2012

[ace]

rooeyforpresident- he is only a rookie and word is he has lots yet to learn

plugger66 is not a rookie any more

Does that mean he has graduated from kindy.

[stinger]

How did he play in the first 12 rounds. Obviously better than I thought he would. At least he didnt get an injury in the first half of the year.

Plugster, I clearly stated DEBUT. Stop trying to act cool in front of your fans and just try be normal like other saints fans.

Why should I be normal when you clearly are not trying? By the way I have absolutely no fans on this site.

never a truer word have you spoken.....

[rexy]

Whilst i doubt that Walsh is likely to debut for the senior side any time soon, I would have thought we would be hoping for him to come on a lot quicker than 2 years? If the kid is the kind of athelete and competitor that his reputation suggests the I would like to think he will be a regular VFL senior player by mid year and be pushing for selection at AFL level early in 2011!

[Dr Spaceman]

Whilst i doubt that Walsh is likely to debut for the senior side any time soon, I would have thought we would be hoping for him to come on a lot quicker than 2 years? If the kid is the kind of athelete and competitor that his reputation suggests the I would like to think he will be a regular VFL senior player by mid year and be pushing for selection at AFL level early in 2011!

I'll bow to those who have actually seen Tommy train and/or play when they say he's a long, long way off.

However as I've said before, I think (and hope) his improvement may become more rapid once he starts playing games on a weekly basis. Already there's suggestions this happening (eg hopeless in intra-club but showing a bit at Full Back for the Zebs). He was an elite player back in Ireland so once he becomes familiar with the nuances of our game he may do a "Marty Clarke".

Of course his biggest problem, even when the penny drops, is forcing his way into an extremely strong side that has managed to keep out some very talented kids who have played aussie rules all their lives.

But I agree with rexy - even if we accept he probably won't get a game this year, why should we simply exclude 2011 and pencil him in for 2012?

A full year at VFL level followed by another full pre season and anything is possible

[zebraman]

Walsh will struggle to get a senior game for Sandy from the practice matches I've seen.

I've seen him in all 3 games for Sandy...for a guy who has just started to play the game he has what I consider to be a remarkably good understanding of the game...his greatest strength is one on one battles...the guy is super strong and very difficult to get around or be brushed aside...he has however make a couple of basic mistakes which given his limited time in the game is understandable...things like handballing to a guy who is already under pressure...but then again...that's what plenty of experienced Melbourne players have done and are still doing...those mistakes have been punished at VFL level so at AFL level even more so...

But...as this year goes on I think he will be an absolute gun...bear in mind he's trying to break into a Grand Final side who are are short odds for this years flag...if he was at Melbourne he'd most probably have played last week....

His progress this year is something for Saints fans to really look forward to

I think Jim Stynes played at Prahran for a year before playing senior footy with Melbourne

So let's not rush the guy...he has the potential to a very good AFL footballer...2011 could be his year...anything before that would be a huge bonus

[Solar]

Walsh will struggle to get a senior game for Sandy from the practice matches I've seen.

I've seen him in all 3 games for Sandy...for a guy who has just started to play the game he has what I consider to be a remarkably good understanding of the game...his greatest strength is one on one battles...the guy is super strong and very difficult to get around or be brushed aside...he has however make a couple of basic mistakes which given his limited time in the game is understandable...things like handballing to a guy who is already under pressure...but then again...that's what plenty of experienced Melbourne players have done and are still doing...those mistakes have been punished at VFL level so at AFL level even more so...

But...as this year goes on I think he will be an absolute gun...bear in mind he's trying to break into a Grand Final side who are are short odds for this years flag...if he was at Melbourne he'd most probably have played last week....

His progress this year is something for Saints fans to really look forward to

I think Jim Stynes played at Prahran for a year before playing senior footy with Melbourne

So let's not rush the guy...he has the potential to a very good AFL footballer...2011 could be his year...anything before that would be a huge bonus

will have to get down to sandy games soon

how is his marking going? that was the thing that impressed me the most, has fantastic hands and marking ability

[saintsRrising]

Walsh will struggle to get a senior game for Sandy from the practice matches I've seen.

I've seen him in all 3 games for Sandy...for a guy who has just started to play the game he has what I consider to be a remarkably good understanding of the game...

Thanks for those comments.

And yes Tommy has now played..what 3 or 4 games of football? Yet can already play ok at VFL level.

Who knows how much yet he will improve...but he is already going very very well given his starting point.

[zebraman]

Walsh will struggle to get a senior game for Sandy from the practice matches I've seen.

I've seen him in all 3 games for Sandy...for a guy who has just started to play the game he has what I consider to be a remarkably good understanding of the game...his greatest strength is one on one battles...the guy is super strong and very difficult to get around or be brushed aside...he has however make a couple of basic mistakes which given his limited time in the game is understandable...things like handballing to a guy who is already under pressure...but then again...that's what plenty of experienced Melbourne players have done and are still doing...those mistakes have been punished at VFL level so at AFL level even more so...

But...as this year goes on I think he will be an absolute gun...bear in mind he's trying to break into a Grand Final side who are are short odds for this years flag...if he was at Melbourne he'd most probably have played last week....

His progress this year is something for Saints fans to really look forward to

I think Jim Stynes played at Prahran for a year before playing senior footy with Melbourne

So let's not rush the guy...he has the potential to a very good AFL footballer...2011 could be his year...anything before that would be a huge bonus

will have to get down to sandy games soon

how is his marking going? that was the thing that impressed me the most, has fantastic hands and marking ability

You're right...he has very good hands and has taken plenty of marks under pressure...in fact against Box Hill I asked one of their players how it felt to be beaten by a guy playing his first real competitive game.

[clarky449]

Anyone see how he has gone in the matches for Sandy?

[saintsRrising]

Anyone see how he has gone in the matches for Sandy?

See Zebraman's post above

[clarky449]

Anyone see how he has gone in the matches for Sandy?

See Zebraman's post above

Didnt catch that, Positives, He will get more understanding of the game, comes with time

[Bernard Shakey]

Walsh will struggle to get a senior game for Sandy from the practice matches I've seen.

I've seen him in all 3 games for Sandy...for a guy who has just started to play the game he has what I consider to be a remarkably good understanding of the game...his greatest strength is one on one battles...the guy is super strong and very difficult to get around or be brushed aside...he has however make a couple of basic mistakes which given his limited time in the game is understandable...things like handballing to a guy who is already under pressure...but then again...that's what plenty of experienced Melbourne players have done and are still doing...those mistakes have been punished at VFL level so at AFL level even more so...

But...as this year goes on I think he will be an absolute gun...bear in mind he's trying to break into a Grand Final side who are are short odds for this years flag...if he was at Melbourne he'd most probably have played last week....

His progress this year is something for Saints fans to really look forward to

I think Jim Stynes played at Prahran for a year before playing senior footy with Melbourne

So let's not rush the guy...he has the potential to a very good AFL footballer...2011 could be his year...anything before that would be a huge bonus

I agree wholeheartedly with all you said zebraman.

For me his biggest hurdle is reading the play. Playing down back allows him to observe and be led to the ball.

Physically he looks great and his kicking is pretty good. I too think he will make it, but not as quickly as some on here think. It is a steep learning curve.