Armoo come on, we need you!

[barks4eva]

He's played 15 games for frig sake. He is used as a midfielder and where was he going to fit in last year with the talents they had.

Exactly, you should have read the stuff that was said on here about Goddard a few years ago and he'd already played three full seasons!

I never doubted Goddard for one minute, but many on here expected him to be a world beater from day one!

Lenny Hayes played nearly three full years and it wasn't until his fourth full year that he started to go to the next level!

Armitage will be a gun, has not even had one full year, not because he isn't good enough, but because the competition for places was fierce and basically a more experienced Ball had his role in the team!

I have no doubt that Armitage will be a better player than Ball, but first of all he needs to get the opportunities which he will no doubt finally get and gain valuable experience!

Don't worry about the nuffies with NFI, already on Armo's case, they were all over Goddard a few years ago!

It's blatantly obvious he has what it takes from the handful of games he's played and that he will eventually be a star!

Only issue for me with Armitage is that we sign him up for three years now!

[rodgerfox]

He's played 15 games for frig sake. He is used as a midfielder and where was he going to fit in last year with the talents they had.

Exactly, you should have read the stuff that was said on here about Goddard a few years ago and he'd already played three full seasons!

I never doubted Goddard for one minute, but many on here expected him to be a world beater from day one!

Lenny Hayes played nearly three full years and it wasn't until his fourth full year that he started to go to the next level!

Armitage will be a gun, has not even had one full year, not because he isn't good enough, but because the competition for places was fierce and basically a more experienced Ball had his role in the team!

I have no doubt that Armitage will be a better player than Ball, but first of all he needs to get the opportunities which he will no doubt finally get and gain valuable experience!

Don't worry about the nuffies with NFI, already on Armo's case, they were all over Goddard a few years ago!

It's blatantly obvious he has what it takes from the handful of games he's played and that he will eventually be a star!

Only issue for me with Armitage is that we sign him up for three years now!

Oh dear.

The kiss of death.

[DWOODROW]

He's played 15 games for frig sake. He is used as a midfielder and where was he going to fit in last year with the talents they had.

Exactly, you should have read the stuff that was said on here about Goddard a few years ago and he'd already played three full seasons!

I never doubted Goddard for one minute, but many on here expected him to be a world beater from day one!

Lenny Hayes played nearly three full years and it wasn't until his fourth full year that he started to go to the next level!

Armitage will be a gun, has not even had one full year, not because he isn't good enough, but because the competition for places was fierce and basically a more experienced Ball had his role in the team!

I have no doubt that Armitage will be a better player than Ball, but first of all he needs to get the opportunities which he will no doubt finally get and gain valuable experience!

Don't worry about the nuffies with NFI, already on Armo's case, they were all over Goddard a few years ago!

It's blatantly obvious he has what it takes from the handful of games he's played and that he will eventually be a star!

Only issue for me with Armitage is that we sign him up for three years now!

Oh dear.

The kiss of death.

I actually like your posts Barks. There is substance to them.

[PJ Sainter]

Playing against Sydney is not a game for high stats mid fielders. It was a constant stoppage game, close checking and zoning. Armo was obviously given a job at the clearances and did OK (8 tackles)

I think the highest saints possession stat was only 26.

So go easy - all of us here don't know what the specific job he was given

[DWOODROW]

Yeah, I actually rate him.

Really rate him.

He's not in the Luke Ball calibre, but not many are. I think the thing that will go against him, is if people compare the two.


The other thing with him is, he is perhaps too aggressive at the man. I've played with guys like this before, and sometimes attacking the man as your first instinct can lead to you holding back slightly and letting them get possession - then attacking ferociously.

Helps the tackle count, and you can become known as a tough aggressive guy - but you've gotta get to the nut first.

He seems to be at contests just a split second late, which could either be due to the above, a lack of zip or even confidence.


The above observation, could even be a coaching thing. I know Sydney played a style similar to what Lyon bought with him, where you'd sit slightly off your man and let them get the nut then tie them up.

Holy s*** Roger, nice one.

[barks4eva]

He's not in the Luke Ball calibre, but not many are.

Yes I agree,

David Armitage can kick more than 40 metres for a start as can most if not all other AFL footballers, Luke Ball is in a calibre, quite possibly on his own!

FWIW,

I have no doubt whatsoever that Armitage will eventually be a much better player than Ball and Ball leaving is actually a blessing in disguise,

more opportunities now gives Armo the chance to really develop and gain the valuable experience any young player requires!

[rodgerfox]

I have no doubt whatsoever that Armitage will eventually be a much better player than Ball and Ball leaving is actually a blessing in disguise,

Can you please stop?

Give the kid a chance. If you keep wrapping him up, he's doomed.

[35...LEGEND]

Armo has now played 20 games.

Many ex-players and AFL coaches state that it takes about 50-ish games to get to stage where the player is into the swing of things and feels comfortable and is delivering at his best.

Early days yet.....

Should be starting to hum by September then.

I think he will make it.

[barks4eva]

He's played 15 games for frig sake. He is used as a midfielder and where was he going to fit in last year with the talents they had.

Exactly, you should have read the stuff that was said on here about Goddard a few years ago and he'd already played three full seasons!

I never doubted Goddard for one minute, but many on here expected him to be a world beater from day one!

Lenny Hayes played nearly three full years and it wasn't until his fourth full year that he started to go to the next level!

Armitage will be a gun, has not even had one full year, not because he isn't good enough, but because the competition for places was fierce and basically a more experienced Ball had his role in the team!

I have no doubt that Armitage will be a better player than Ball, but first of all he needs to get the opportunities which he will no doubt finally get and gain valuable experience!

Don't worry about the nuffies with NFI, already on Armo's case, they were all over Goddard a few years ago!

It's blatantly obvious he has what it takes from the handful of games he's played and that he will eventually be a star!

Only issue for me with Armitage is that we sign him up for three years now!

Oh dear.

The kiss of death.

I said all along that Brendan Goddard would be a star, sounds like captain obvious I know, but if you'd logged in here a few years ago after Goddard had already had three full seasons,

many were calling him an overrated dud, no position for him, he's too this, he's too that, what a waste of a draft pick, yada yada....


I said from day one Lenny Hayes would be a star but it wasn't until his fourth full season that he really delivered, again the nuffies were offering, he's too slow, he can't kick, he's too this too that....yada yada

Seriously dodger, you're the one making dodgy calls!

It's also very obvious that David Armitage will be a star, if he continues to work hard!

Now while I never bagged Clinton Jones, his progress is surprising, then again these things are possible when you get some decent coaching!

[barks4eva]

I have no doubt whatsoever that Armitage will eventually be a much better player than Ball and Ball leaving is actually a blessing in disguise,

Can you please stop?

Give the kid a chance. If you keep wrapping him up, he's doomed.

I gave Goddard and Hayes huge wraps from day one!

As explained previously they took four years before they started to dominate, in between times we had the NFI nuffies and SFA salami spankers writing them off after two!


My track record is impeccable!

[saintsRrising]

The other thing with him is, he is perhaps too aggressive at the man. I've played with guys like this before, and sometimes attacking the man as your first instinct can lead to you holding back slightly and letting them get possession - then attacking ferociously.

Helps the tackle count, and you can become known as a tough aggressive guy - but you've gotta get to the nut first.

He seems to be at contests just a split second late, which could either be due to the above, a lack of zip or even confidence.


The above observation, could even be a coaching thing. I know Sydney played a style similar to what Lyon bought with him, where you'd sit slightly off your man and let them get the nut then tie them up.

Good observation.

Also note that the Hawks in their Premiership year often had their midfield play like that where they would allow the opposition to get first hands on the ball but where ready to tackle them and cut-off the handballs. A tactic in part as their mids were not quite as good as Geelongs.

[SainterK]

Speaking of the kiss of death, Velvet has rated Dave our X-Factor...oh-no, take it back, take it back

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/the-main-g ... -q5pu.html

St Kilda: David Armitage — The clearance king who just needs opportunities. He’s been the Saints’ best midfielder in the NAB Cup. Ideal replacement for Luke Ball.

[saintsRrising]

Interesting to note that Lenny is his first season of 16 games averaged 11 disposals with a max of 20 admittedly was younger)

Seasons 2 and 3 he averaged 16 before in his fourth year hitting 20.

His fifth season of senior football he really hit his straps....