Parker vs Long

[ace]

Parker has performed better than Long this year.

Long could be a much better player when he stops trying to be superman competing in packs for marks instead of crumbing that pack like Lonie and Gresham.
Yes he can be a marking target but only if his opponent refuses to tag him as so often happens when Lonie becomes a lonely forward target.

But I like Parker better because he is so much more hungry for success as a footballer.
He realises this is his best chance to give his family a good life.

[ace]

Parker has never played afl until this year.. Give him time he has so much potential. How long did we give billings like 5 years.. Relax

You don’t give a 23 year old five years to prove themselves.

If they are an engineering graduate you do.
They have greater career expectancy and so much more to learn.

But these are footballers, those that don't break down may last to 35, others are cooked before turning 30.
Compare the pair, I vaguely remember guy called Judd in the distant past and another called Ball but I know there are guys called Ablett and Hodge still playing.
All from the 2001 draft.
Parker has not had 5 years of body abuse in the AFL system, he may well last until age 35.

[Joffa Burns]

No shortage of small forwards vying for a position.

You’d think our best forward 6 assuming King is fit and firing would look like below, especially if Hannebery is fit and we recruit a Hill or a mid.

HF: Billings Bruce Gresham
F: Lonie King Membrey

That is actually a really well balanced dangerous forward line.

Billings & Gresham can play higher which leaves a spot or maybe two for Long, Parker, Hind, Kent, Langlands et al to fight for.

I put Long & Parker at the head of that group through aggression as they will hit you hard and provide a lot of pressure due to speed.

[bigcarl]

I like them both and both will be damaging players in better sides. Both have talent, but it doesn’t always come to the fore in a tough role in a lower ranked side.

I prefer Parker at the moment. I like that he backs himself in.

[Spinner]

Who has more upside?

I notice Long had 4 disposals and 1 goal 2 inside 50s and 92 meters gained

Vs

Parker 11 disposals, 1 goal, 4 inside 50s and 392 meters gained

and yet Long retains his spot and Parker is dropped.

Neither have stood out this year, but for me, Parker had had the better year and given he is new to AFL, has done better and has more upside. Another preseason and he could be a really good medium tall, quick pressure forward.

Long one on one is brilliant.

[B.M]

If he is so brilliant, perhaps he should get more than 4 possessions

[saynta]

If he is so brilliant, perhaps he should get more than 4 possessions

Fair comment.

Hope he gets more today.

[stkfc1]

Was very good today. Attack was ferocious and kept pressure on all day. Forward pressure was good in general.

[silverhalo]

I think this argument was put to rest today.....Longy worked hard all day and was damaging

[B.M]

Yes, he played very well.

[saynta]

Great game today which is very pleasing.

[Special]

Did anyone see how high Long lept for a mark in the first half?

He has an amazing leap. That’s a skill that will get him somewhere

[To the top]

Got the answer today, hey?

Long is such a smooth mover

His knock out set Jack up late to give us a sniff

[evertonfc]

Long is definitely improving and starting to impact the game whenever he gets near it.

Improve his fitness and I think he can make it.

[saynta]

Long is definitely improving and starting to impact the game whenever he gets near it.

Improve his fitness and I think he can make it.

Me too.