Welcome Oscar McDonald

[crashlander]

Not my mate.

He reckons Oscar is exactly what we need. Insurance. I agree.

Of the guys we had challenging for a spot, MacDonald has performed when it mattered - in senior company. Moore hasn't yet. Crocker does sometimes. We haven't seen enough of Maher. But MacDonald is ready to go and fills a need. Our match committee saw it that way, I agree.

Many remember me rabbiting on about getting Jack Newnes to the club. "He won't win you a game, but he'll do a role"....and he did just that.....AND won us a game.

I was not a fan of Newnes, and am I still worried about his long term viability, but he stepped up last year and did what we needed him to do. He was a consistent performer: he had very few really down games and often got his share of the ball. And that last microsecond goal will live in memory.
If MacDonald can do the same, then we have made the right decision. I also have questions about his long term viability, but we need a key defender cum hole filler now.

Oscar is similar.....will do a role. Can't be relied upon to win you a game, but if you need someone to step up and cover an injury. He is highly qualified.

No arguments from me.

Macreadie has never shown that he can perform a role. Has the 'potential' to do it one day. But never performed to the extent that Oscar has already done in 2 practice matches.

Actually, before he was injured, Macreadie looked to be the best of his draft cohort. He didn't panic under pressure. He took some strong marks. His decision making looked good.
Unfortunately, since his back injury he has been a different player. He appears to have lost confidence in his body and he is moving a lot less quickly. That really hurt him, as he just didn't make enough contests. He is cooked, alas.
He also appeared to have lost the joy of playing footy. Maybe he can get it back in the lower grades, but we couldn't afford to keep him on.
Kruddler is right in a way: in the last 2 years he has done less and looked less impressive than MacDonald has done in 2 practice matches.

This goes back to some disagreements i was having with....EB1 i think, in regards to Ben Silvagni (and others). I suggested there'd be plenty of blokes who can and will perform better that Ben right now. Ben has shown us nothing, but the hint of some potential and a nice last name. We need to stop carrying so many of these types on the list for so long. Be smart about it. Recruit a 'discard' like Oscar who will perform at a higher level than a Ben, or Macreadie. Continue to try and recruit a kid in a similar role, or a solid talent from another club, and when McDonald (or whoever) is backup to the backup, then ditch him.

Back in the 1970's and 1980's we would have kept Ben Silvagni on for a couple more years at least, in the hope he clicks mentally. Physically, he has the weapons that Jack lacks. With lists as they are, that cannot happen these days.
I have yet to be convinced that we flicked Ben just to get back at SOS. That sounds too petty even for our administrators. maybe I am wrong, but I doubt it.
Park has shown more in the 2's than Ben did in a season. That has already justified both Park's selection and Ben's delisting.
However, I don't see Park as covering the fastest or the largest: he has his physical limitations. I expect to see us draft more key defender types in the next few drafts, and I expect us to look at other key defenders at other clubs. It makes sense in the recruiting market at present. As Kruddler mentioned, you breed your own when and where you can. For the gaps, you beg, borrow or steal. As we are looked at more favourably, especially if we win consistently, other players will look at us and want to come.

[flyboy77]

Of the guys we had challenging for a spot, MacDonald has performed when it mattered - in senior company. Moore hasn't yet. Crocker does sometimes. We haven't seen enough of Maher. But MacDonald is ready to go and fills a need. Our match committee saw it that way, I agree.
I was not a fan of Newnes, and am I still worried about his long term viability, but he stepped up last year and did what we needed him to do. He was a consistent performer: he had very few really down games and often got his share of the ball. And that last microsecond goal will live in memory.
If MacDonald can do the same, then we have made the right decision. I also have questions about his long term viability, but we need a key defender cum hole filler now.
No arguments from me.
Actually, before he was injured, Macreadie looked to be the best of his draft cohort. He didn't panic under pressure. He took some strong marks. His decision making looked good.
Unfortunately, since his back injury he has been a different player. He appears to have lost confidence in his body and he is moving a lot less quickly. That really hurt him, as he just didn't make enough contests. He is cooked, alas.
He also appeared to have lost the joy of playing footy. Maybe he can get it back in the lower grades, but we couldn't afford to keep him on.
Kruddler is right in a way: in the last 2 years he has done less and looked less impressive than MacDonald has done in 2 practice matches.
Back in the 1970's and 1980's we would have kept Ben Silvagni on for a couple more years at least, in the hope he clicks mentally. Physically, he has the weapons that Jack lacks. With lists as they are, that cannot happen these days.
I have yet to be convinced that we flicked Ben just to get back at SOS. That sounds too petty even for our administrators. maybe I am wrong, but I doubt it.
Park has shown more in the 2's than Ben did in a season. That has already justified both Park's selection and Ben's delisting.
However, I don't see Park as covering the fastest or the largest: he has his physical limitations. I expect to see us draft more key defender types in the next few drafts, and I expect us to look at other key defenders at other clubs. It makes sense in the recruiting market at present. As Kruddler mentioned, you breed your own when and where you can. For the gaps, you beg, borrow or steal. As we are looked at more favourably, especially if we win consistently, other players will look at us and want to come.

Parks is not a KPD, but rather a 3rd tall or floater.

BSOS was (potentially) a true KPD. They're not like for like.

And what, 6cm odd taller?

[LP]

Parks is not a KPD, but rather a 3rd tall or floater.

BSOS was (potentially) a true KPD. They're not like for like.

And what, 6cm odd taller?

It's only Ben's surname that keeps his name in the debate, if he wasn't a Silvagni fans would have called for his head long ago, probably starting 5 minutes after he arrived or before he was even drafted. He's a sad story, a bit like Nathan Ablett, all the potential with no work done!

[Baggers]

Well said, well summarized and right on point, Kruds & Capt Crash. ? ?

[LordLucifer]

He's an upgrade on Callum Moore but still a lemon IMO.

He should be in the VFL all season, if he plays in the seniors, then we are in serious trouble.

[ElwoodBlues1]

He's an upgrade on Callum Moore but still a lemon IMO.

He should be in the VFL all season, if he plays in the seniors, then we are in serious trouble.

I think he will get a few games as that spare parts type player, we have a lot of flaky taller types who get injured and he will be
insurance in terms of having a player with size to fill some gaps.
No world beater and I wouldnt be expecting him to be the answer to Charlie Dixon, Hawkins etc but its whats available and at what cost and he could be value until we get something better. We probably need to target a KP defender along with another classy mid to complete the list.

[cookie2]

I think he will get a few games as that spare parts type player, we have a lot of flaky taller types who get injured and he will be
insurance in terms of having a player with size to fill some gaps.
No world beater and I wouldnt be expecting him to be the answer to Charlie Dixon, Hawkins etc but its whats available and at what cost and he could be value until we get something better. We probably need to target a KP defender along with another classy mid to complete the list.

In the words of the song, "He'll be our little wheel until the big wheel comes along".

[capcom]

He'll more than make up for Tomasina Bugg

[cookie2]

He'll more than make up for Tomasina Bugg

?

[flyboy77]

It's only Ben's surname that keeps his name in the debate, if he wasn't a Silvagni fans would have called for his head long ago, probably starting 5 minutes after he arrived or before he was even drafted. He's a sad story, a bit like Nathan Ablett, all the potential with no work done!

How so?

Year 1 he had a significant shoulder injury. My bad that was his final school year!

2020 was a dud from a developmental perspective - for all young players.

So he was 20 when culled. Big blokes take longer...heard that before?

Had he shown a bit? This from the Club (and yeah, maybe sugar coated to some degree):

Made some promising strides as a key defender for the Northern Blues, playing all bar one match and getting significant game-time against AFL and experienced VFL forwards.

Silvagni also showed his ability to swing up forward, often having an impact and kicking two goals in a quarter against eventual VFL premiers Richmond.

After shoulder surgery disrupted his top-age season, it was a solid first step for Silvagni, who will now hope to elevate his game at both ends as he looks to break his AFL duck.