Underestimated talents and skills

[Southern Moss]

We spend a lot of time criticizing players for errors and various deficiencies in their game, partly because these problems are more noticeable and frustrating. But, in the process, I think we overlook some of the specific talents and qualities of our players. What do you think are some of the overlookedtat attributes of our players? Here are some possible examples:

- Armitage. Great capacity to maintain possession under pressure, even while tackled.
- GIlbert. Despite some poor short or medium kicks, his long kicks to position can be sublime
- Gram. What is sometimes mistaken for lethargy is, I feel, a very calm outlook and therefore some god positioning. An obvious example is the final moments of the drawn grand final.
- Wilkes. Excellent body strength and judgement during marking contests in packs.

[Dr Spaceman]

We spend a lot of time criticizing players for errors and various deficiencies in their game, partly because these problems are more noticeable and frustrating. But, in the process, I think we overlook some of the specific talents and qualities of our players. What do you think are some of the overlookedtat attributes of our players? Here are some possible examples:

- Armitage. Great capacity to maintain possession under pressure, even while tackled.
- GIlbert. Despite some poor short or medium kicks, his long kicks to position can be sublime
- Gram. What is sometimes mistaken for lethargy is, I feel, a very calm outlook and therefore some god positioning. An obvious example is the final moments of the drawn grand final.
- Wilkes. Excellent body strength and judgement during marking contests in packs.

Nice post SM

[SainterK]

Agree nice post.

Gilbert can also pick up off the ground well while running
Kosi has good handballing skills off the deck

[dcstkfc]

Gilbert can also pick up off the ground well while running

+1. He's turning the corner

[bennymac5]

Tom Simpkin's bumping.

[Cairnsman]

Positives for me are:

Kosi's kicking

Simpkins courage and skill (he's probably the number one positive of 2012 for mine)

Dunnel and his use of the ball. Has composure and makes good decisions.

[Cairnsman]

Gilbert can also pick up off the ground well while running

+1. He's turning the corner

Yeah I'm going to give him a +1 too.

[meher baba]

I agree with all of the OP except for Wilkes. He tries hard , but he's nothing special IMO

[Munga]

For mine, Jack Steven's speed, agility and ball control is elite. Add decision making and execution, I'm a big fan.
Decision making off field though, not so much.

[#1GILL]

Geary is a really good over-head mark for a bloke of his size.

McEvoy has excellent evasive skills for a ruckman.

Simpkin makes excellent decisions with the footy.

[felix]

Clintons tackling tenacity, never gives up.

[BigMart]

Armitage..... One touch, very quick dish off, body work
Lenny...... Draw tackle, hands free offload, baulk
Gram...... Side step
Dal Santo..... Decision Making, composure in congestion
Goddard...... Vision, creativity with footy
Sam Fisher...... Reading the play
Gilbert...... Ground level skills for a 6'4"
Simpkin.... Defensive aerial skills
Dempster........ Defending in any capacity
Steven........ Getting to the drop of the ball, running from contest
McEvoy........ Hands overhead
Montagna..... Ability to find space, quick kick in contest
Geary........ Overhead courage

[HardSaint]

have also been enjoying some of Gilbert's old evasiveness through traffic a few times recently

[Hurricane]

For mine, Jack Steven's speed, agility and ball control is elite. Add decision making and execution, I'm a big fan.
Decision making off field though, not so much.

Have to agree thyere.

I reckon in 2-3 years Jack Steven will be an elite mid in this comp.

BANG BANG

[#1GILL]

Lenny...... Draw tackle, hands free offload, baulk
Gram...... Side step
Dal Santo..... Decision Making, composure in congestion
Goddard...... Vision, creativity with footy
Sam Fisher...... Reading the play
Simpkin.... Defensive aerial skills
Dempster........ Defending in any capacity
Steven........ Getting to the drop of the ball, running from contest
McEvoy........ Hands overhead
Montagna..... Ability to find space, quick kick in contest

These are skills that the above players are all well and truly recognised for, which isn't the point of the thread. Why don't you point out Roo's running capacity and Milne's goalsense just for something different?

[Legendary]

Gram's composure and ability to produce under the heat in big games and big moments ...

Obviously the '09 GF, but also his last quarter against the Tigers this year (almost won it for us), and his performance in the EF Final loss to the Swans last year, when he was one of the only blokes who stood up for us.

[Scollop]

Scott Watters for reinvigorating our whole team. His engagement of the player leadership group as mentors will be a lasting legacy if Saints want to challenge for a flag

I love the fact that he gave Tommy Simpkin the challenge from Round 1 of replacing Zac as the FB.

I love the way he uses Kosi. Before Rhys and Ben went down Kos was kiling 'em as a crash and bang FF and his accuracy means he doesn't need a lot of touches to be dangerous.

Our forwards including Roo and the rat pack are back to being a potent force. I love Watters game plan and the balance b/w attack and defence.

We will be a thorn in the side of any finalists we come up against.

[plugger66]

Scott Watters for reinvigorating our whole team. His engagement of the player leadership group as mentors will be a lasting legacy if Saints want to challenge for a flag

I love the fact that he gave Tommy Simpkin the challenge from Round 1 of replacing Zac as the FB.

I love the way he uses Kosi. Before Rhys and Ben went down Kos was kiling 'em as a crash and bang FF and his accuracy means he doesn't need a lot of touches to be dangerous.

Our forwards including Roo and the rat pack are back to being a potent force. I love Watters game plan and the balance b/w attack and defence.

We will be a thorn in the side of any finalists we come up against.

Hope you thought exactly the same after last weeks game. All I saw today was a good side play a crap side.

[Scollop]

Stick to the OP plug, ya tool. The op is 'talents and skills.' Most here have highlighted players...I'm pointing out SW talents.

Today's presser with BJ was evidence that he's working on the players and their confidence...he can't get the best out of the team unless he gets buy-in from the leaders. I reckon he's done a terrific job as a first year senior coach.

[gringo]

Scott Watters for reinvigorating our whole team. His engagement of the player leadership group as mentors will be a lasting legacy if Saints want to challenge for a flag

I love the fact that he gave Tommy Simpkin the challenge from Round 1 of replacing Zac as the FB.

I love the way he uses Kosi. Before Rhys and Ben went down Kos was kiling 'em as a crash and bang FF and his accuracy means he doesn't need a lot of touches to be dangerous.

Our forwards including Roo and the rat pack are back to being a potent force. I love Watters game plan and the balance b/w attack and defence.

We will be a thorn in the side of any finalists we come up against.

Hope you thought exactly the same after last weeks game. All I saw today was a good side play a crap side.

You must really enjoy your footy you sad old bugger. Oh well hopefully the Mayans are right and we won't have to worry too much longer, 120 years of failure we should shut up shop and put our heads in the oven.

[saintspremiers]

Plugger is right. We played a rubbish side today. Can't draw many conclusions unfortunately. Except Lenny Love which has a special exemption.

[ShanghaiSaint]

- Gram. What is sometimes mistaken for lethargy is, I feel, a very calm outlook and therefore some god positioning. An obvious example is the

under the scope of our win, i watched gram a lot today, while he did do what was required he didn't stand out as a man driving hard. compared to gilbo his efforts where lacking. just MPO based off today. i can see why he gets what he does.

[defacto]

- Gram. What is sometimes mistaken for lethargy is, I feel, a very calm outlook and therefore some god positioning. An obvious example is the

under the scope of our win, i watched gram a lot today, while he did do what was required he didn't stand out as a man driving hard. compared to gilbo his efforts where lacking. just MPO based off today. i can see why he gets what he does.

thats my criticism of gram as well. i dont think its positioning or calmness. its damn right laziness and self preservation. grams issue is putting in the last 25%.

when he puts in that last 25% he is amazing and definitely in our best. its just a pitty that its so rare to see it these days.

[Scollop]

Lenny...... Draw tackle, hands free offload, baulk
Gram...... Side step
Dal Santo..... Decision Making, composure in congestion
Goddard...... Vision, creativity with footy
Sam Fisher...... Reading the play
Simpkin.... Defensive aerial skills
Dempster........ Defending in any capacity
Steven........ Getting to the drop of the ball, running from contest
McEvoy........ Hands overhead
Montagna..... Ability to find space, quick kick in contest

These are skills that the above players are all well and truly recognised for, which isn't the point of the thread. Why don't you point out Roo's running capacity and Milne's goalsense just for something different?

Milne's selfless acts, ability to spot up a team mate in a better position, his 1 percenters and his discipline that he's built his reputation on