Paddy

[Leo.J]

After 22 games Paddy has kicked 22 goals.

[Linton Lodger]

Paddy played like a man who is lacking confidence. He appeared tentative. It may be subconscious, a nagging doubt that the next head injury could end his career. He certainly appeared to hit packs harder and more fearlessly in his first two years than he did last year and in the few games we've seen this year. Reminds me of Kosi, post Giansirasniper.

Apart from the Kosi comparison, I think you're on the money.

That was certainly his issue last night. The early spilt mark and the indecision in the third when it finally ended up with Bruce. Obviously confidence issues. Stewart Loewe used to do stuff like that regurlarly in his first 2 or 3 seasons, I might add a lot worse than that.

It could be fear of injury, but I reckon he's trying to get away with things he got away with at U18 Level (and probably VFL), as if he's the giant on the park. He would have been a monster in junior footy.

You would hope he's being taught his craft, however one cannot ignore his lack of match day experience, that's where you learn the most.

The only fair way to assess Paddy, given his 22 periodic & disrupted games. Is to treat him as a kid (learning the most difficult position) starting his second season after an injury disrupted first season.

[WellardSaint]

I'm calling it now that Paddy won't make the grade at this level. I don't know what people saw in him to have him as a potential number 1 pick because I don't see anything that warranted him being picked up at 1; I wouldn't even take him as a third round selection.

Too slow, not a great mark, average kick, no awareness......what are people seeing that I cannot?? I remember looking at footage of him before the draft and thinking there's nothing special there.

Paddy seems like a really nice kid and I hope to God that I'm wrong but I am really worried.

I agree with most of this post, but when he was playing TAC he was clunking everything and busting packs open. Now he seems to lack hunger or confidence in going for marks due to multiple concussions.

I watched him closely in the warm up yesterday and he has added some size up top which makes him look like a beast and yet he played like a lamb with no aggression at the contest.

If he doesn't mark it he is stuffed which is probably why Richo played him up the ground as a target rather than risk him being run off if the ball spilled at full forward.

Here's a thought. Given that Billings Gresham and even Long looked dangerous yesterday, why not play him at full forward to force the ball to ground for these guys?

Paddy should be parked in the square as a stay-at-home forward to take a grab or force it to ground for the Gresh/Long/Billings crumbing.
Commentators were saying a lot of our goals seemed to be scored from close in, as if our guys were keen to go really deep.

So PMac would certainly fit the tactic, if in fact it's a team rule.
And he wouldn't need to do much running, as the so-called 'pressure forwards' have the job of keeping the ball inside the F50 arc.

He would gain valuable game time and be more of a chance to get to 75% or higher TOG, not running as much.

Juice and Skunk will be fine running around as mobile marking targets, drawing defenders. Forward line won't get crowded because those 2 can do lots of running and take turns being either decoys, or providing viable options.

I wouldn't be surprised if the tactic of going deep to the square, is being practiced just so the lads will be ready to send it to Paddy in the square, when the opposition's defence can be exploited this way.

[spert]

I reckon Paddy has the skills and size, but watching that game on Saturday I think he needs to get his mental game happening and he needs to play with more authority as a big guy down forward- the coach or someone needs to get in his head a bit.

[Leo.J]

Buddy Franklin had kicked 22 goals after 22 games.

[Sainternist]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

[Toy Saint]

After 22 games Buddy Franklin had kicked 22 goals.

Watching Buddy yesterday, the Swans kept him in the 50, one out against his opponent. He was an old fashioned leading target. If we play Paddy that way, I reckon he'll do a lot better.

[Crossy66]

Needs continuity of games before anyone can pass judgement. Seems the playing group and coaches believe he has ability so thats fine for me.
Wasnt a good start against the bears, but to me, he seemed a little "spaced out", so wondering if that has anything to do with his health.
I hope everyone relaxes for half a season and gives him some support.

[stonecold]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

[st.byron]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

Watson

[WellardSaint]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

Tim Watson...and he knows 3 fifths of f* all

Watson is a moronic fool who doesn't have any common sense whatsoever

[stonecold]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

Tim Watson...and he knows 3 fifths of f* all

Watson is a moronic fool who doesn't have any common sense whatsoever

This!!!!!

[stonecold]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

Watson

Well, that's a positive news for us then, based on Timmy's coaching career/football knowledge, Paddy is bound to be a superstar now!!!!!

f*** off Whispy!!!!! The only thing you have going for ya is people only watch you whilst waiting for Jane to come on!!!!!

[satchmo]

Yes, more interested in what Jane thinks!

[stonecold]

Yes, more interested in what Jane thinks!

She'd make a better coach than Whispy too!!!!!

[magnifisaint]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

Tim Watson...and he knows 3 fifths of f* all

Watson is a moronic fool who doesn't have any common sense whatsoever

it seems that in this case that Elshaugh didn't have any either. Should have gone Petracca

[stonecold]

His confidence was really down on Saturday. Timid on SEN this morning said he doesn't have the athleticism to be a key forward.

Who the f*** is Timid and what would they know!!!!!

Tim Watson...and he knows 3 fifths of f* all

Watson is a moronic fool who doesn't have any common sense whatsoever

it seems that in this case that Elshaugh didn't have any either. Should have gone Petracca

f*** the tractor, over-rated!!!!!

Plus, we have enough slow big boddied types, don't need a out the back, 'Joe the Goose' specialist!!!!!

[Con Gorozidis]

I'm hindsight 2014 was a s*** year to have a high pick.
Not a great draft overall.

[outside66]

I reckon Paddy needs to start from the goalsquare. He would at least draw a player with him away from the contest or at worst, would be standing by himself. He looked a little lost yesterday when he was roaming around in between the 50 and goalsquare. I'm just glad that it's another game under the belt with the only concerns coming from 'supporters' having a sulky la la. He just needs a big game to get the confidence up and I reckon it's coming up against the Roos!

[saintsRrising]

I'm hindsight 2014 was a s*** year to have a high pick.
Not a great draft overall.

Not just in hindsight. It was always going to be a thin draft at the top end, and that is what has now shown to be the case.

Luck plays it part in the AFL, as does skill and other factors. Finishing low in a year when the top end talent is very good is part of that (good) luck factor.

[ace]

very disappointing, but let's give him the year - it's not like playing him will cost us a finals spot.

Play him all season and he may repay us with a 2018 No1 draft pick.

[spert]

For once maybe Richo could take a risk..against North, try Paddy at CHB, he has bulk, can mark strongly and has footy smarts and needs to get used to some real pressure- put Carlise at CHF. Got to develop Paddy and broaden his game, otherwise we're stuck with a mono-positional #1 pick player. I'm feeling that Richos' reputation as developer of players a is a tad overrated.

[congorozides]

https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/afl/20 ... will-pick/

[dragit]

https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/afl/20 ... will-pick/

Thanks con, as per most draft guides from the time, it's pretty clear that McCartin was considered a top 3 candidate.

McCartin is an athletic key forward option, a great mark and explosive on the lead. Averaged four goals per game in the TAC Cup in 2014 and was named as an All-Australian following his under 18 national championship performances for Vic Country.




also…
Hugh Goddard - Is Bomber Brendan Goddard’sfirst cousin.

[parkeysainter]

But Con said the recruiters at the time thought Paddy wouldn't make it...he said that was the whisper. He clearly made it up.