Raphael clarke

[joffaboy]

I always was a fan of Raph, and felt that some of the critisism was way way OTT and actually quite personal.

the hate towards Clarke was always out of proportion, although his decision making and brain fades let him down numerous times over the years.

Last night he looked pretty blanced, quick, and his decision making was pretty good, except the one early brain fade.

I dont usually get to see him up close (Level 3 is a bit far away) but on L1 last night he looks big, balanced, quick, and matured as a footballer.

Hope he has a stellar year, not to prove anyone wrong, no point, but with him back, and playing well, we look a much more balanced team.

[ralphsmith]

Let's just hope injuries don't strike him down again.

It would simply be unjust.
Raphael desperately needs to play senior footy consistently.

When he's in and out of the team its hard to slot back into your best.

[thejiggingsaint]

Onya Raph!!! GO SON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[taz]

looks very very good....fingers crossed the body holds up. Very versatile. Capable of playing similar role to Goddard...... being hard to match up and worrying teams all over the ground. Just hope the body holds up.

[Dr Spaceman]

I always was a fan of Raph, and felt that some of the critisism was way way OTT and actually quite personal.

the hate towards Clarke was always out of proportion, although his decision making and brain fades let him down numerous times over the years.

Last night he looked pretty blanced, quick, and his decision making was pretty good, except the one early brain fade.

I dont usually get to see him up close (Level 3 is a bit far away) but on L1 last night he looks big, balanced, quick, and matured as a footballer.

Hope he has a stellar year, not to prove anyone wrong, no point, but with him back, and playing well, we look a much more balanced team.

Yep

Yep

Yep

Yep

and

Yep

[stinger]

for mine he has always been a very talented, but much maligned player with a dreadful run of injuries dogging his advancement....

[bigcarl]

looks very very good....fingers crossed the body holds up. Very versatile. Capable of playing similar role to Goddard...... being hard to match up and worrying teams all over the ground. Just hope the body holds up.

My only concern about him, too. Surely he is due some luck with injury this season.

I can cop the criticisms of his game that have come from some supporters over the years ... some of it is justified ... but the sniggering from rival fans makes me furious.

I'd like to see Raph stick it up a few of them this year. Ability has never been a concern. Just confidence and some luck with injury.

[suss]

Bruce said he looked 'immaculate' - hard to agree with I reckon. He was in great form last year when he did his hammy and his absence definately robbed us of some versatility at the end of the season.

[saintjake]

Raph, like Goddard and Goodes is just a beautiful athlete.
all three are pretty tall, but can all run.
i love watching Raph take off its so graceful.
such silk.
hopefully he can play all season with confidence he can be a massive factor IMO

[sRaf]

Had the speed, the composure and the skills last night. Never really saw him as an athlete but some of the things he did was a little surprising. Looked really fit.

He'll only get better as the season progresses and hopefully it'll be his breakout year, just like it was Gilbert's last year.

[gringo]

Raph might be the man that makes our season. Heaps to prove and no baggage from the 2010.

He is one of my favourites and I hope he finally gets a chance to play a full season without any injuries. It will go along way to shutting up his detractors.

[maverick]

I always was a fan of Raph, and felt that some of the critisism was way way OTT and actually quite personal.

the hate towards Clarke was always out of proportion, although his decision making and brain fades let him down numerous times over the years.

Last night he looked pretty blanced, quick, and his decision making was pretty good, except the one early brain fade.

I dont usually get to see him up close (Level 3 is a bit far away) but on L1 last night he looks big, balanced, quick, and matured as a footballer.

Hope he has a stellar year, not to prove anyone wrong, no point, but with him back, and playing well, we look a much more balanced team.

100% agree, he's looked to have bulked up a bit as well, all over.
He was as strong at the contest as I have ever seen him.

[saintsRrising]

Had the speed, the composure and the skills last night. Never really saw him as an athlete but some of the things he did was a little surprising. Looked really fit.

He'll only get better as the season progresses and hopefully it'll be his breakout year, just like it was Gilbert's last year.

Gwilt?

But yes let's hope that Raph can be over his injuries and has the type of year that we know that he is capable of.


Raph coming in now is great timing with Gilbert moving forward.

If Zac can maiantin his 2010 finals form for 2011 our backline could actually go up a notch in 2011 even with losing Gilbert to the forward line, as in in addition to Raph Baker should be fully fit.

A backline of:

Baker Zac Blake
Raph Fisher Gwilt

has a lot to like about it.

Now I know it was only one NAB game, but:
Walsh aready looks like a useful understudy.....and of course BJ will be performing his 007 role agin with the licence to go where required.


Up forward...Gilbert and Gamble promise to add a lot of ooomphff to the forward line. Add in Stanley asa bit of wildcard......

Midfield Armo looks good...and I would be confident that Steven will be pushing up hard this year too.

In the ruck Ben looks to have improved. Let's hope that Gardi's European operation can freashen him up.



All up I am feeling quite bouyant about our prospects in 2011

PS: After look at Ledger and Co, I am also more byant about staying a good team for longer.

[starsign]

I always was a fan of Raph, and felt that some of the critisism was way way OTT and actually quite personal.

the hate towards Clarke was always out of proportion, although his decision making and brain fades let him down numerous times over the years.

Last night he looked pretty blanced, quick, and his decision making was pretty good, except the one early brain fade.

I dont usually get to see him up close (Level 3 is a bit far away) but on L1 last night he looks big, balanced, quick, and matured as a footballer.

Hope he has a stellar year, not to prove anyone wrong, no point, but with him back, and playing well, we look a much more balanced team.

100% agree, he's looked to have bulked up a bit as well, all over.
He was as strong at the contest as I have ever seen him.

+1!

Yep Joffa
I too have always been a fan but often a "constructive" criticizer of our Raff, butdefinitely liked what I saw last night very much
Was impressed with the way he moved and the bulked up body
just pray like the rest that the hammies hold out and he can fulfill that potential we all know he is capable of!!!

[Eastern]

!!

[Bernard Shakey]

He's moved from Gary Lofts to Glenn Elliott.

[DWOODROW]

I think raph,s performance has a bit to do with who he is living with.

[Dr Spaceman]

I think raph,s performance has a bit to do with who he is living with.

Well there's 22 players in a team and 22 games in a season.

How about you move on a weekly basis mate

[saintbrat]

I think raph,s performance has a bit to do with who he is living with.

the mechanic and the builder ...

[DWOODROW]

Only 20 reasons he is flying. Seems to be a good mix at the moment. Hope it continues for the year. Seem happy.

[saintbrat]

amazing what 12 months can mean.

[Dr Spaceman]

amazing what 12 months can mean.

What do you mean, he's going bald???

[Moccha]

Looks to have added quite a bit of muscle

[SaintPav]

Had the speed, the composure and the skills last night. Never really saw him as an athlete but some of the things he did was a little surprising. Looked really fit.

He'll only get better as the season progresses and hopefully it'll be his breakout year, just like it was Gilbert's last year.

Gwilt?

But yes let's hope that Raph can be over his injuries and has the type of year that we know that he is capable of.


Raph coming in now is great timing with Gilbert moving forward.

If Zac can maiantin his 2010 finals form for 2011 our backline could actually go up a notch in 2011 even with losing Gilbert to the forward line, as in in addition to Raph Baker should be fully fit.

A backline of:

Baker Zac Blake
Raph Fisher Gwilt

has a lot to like about it.

Now I know it was only one NAB game, but:
Walsh aready looks like a useful understudy.....and of course BJ will be performing his 007 role agin with the licence to go where required.


Up forward...Gilbert and Gamble promise to add a lot of ooomphff to the forward line. Add in Stanley asa bit of wildcard......

Midfield Armo looks good...and I would be confident that Steven will be pushing up hard this year too.

In the ruck Ben looks to have improved. Let's hope that Gardi's European operation can freashen him up.



All up I am feeling quite bouyant about our prospects in 2011

PS: After look at Ledger and Co, I am also more byant about staying a good team for longer.

That's ok but I'm still worried about our leg speed..

Lets be frank, teams like the Filth and Essendon are a lot quicker than us. Nothing has really changed there.

[periosaint]

his brother was a february stallion. Let's not get too excited