VFL 2019 Rd 17: Northern Blues vs North Melbourne at Arden St.

[Thryleon]

He's been all but destroyed, physically and mentally, played in the guts at his age....I really feel for the kid.

Very poor player management.

Thats being a bit extremist.  His entire draft year is having second year blues or down on impact.

Only Tim Kelly and Liam Ryan continue kicking on with any real impact on matches week in and week out.  Aaron Naughton too, but he was a relative no namer 12 weeks ago.

Have a look at this list:

Cameron Rayner
Andrew Brayshaw
Paddy Dow
Luke Davies-Uniacke
Adam Cerra
Jaidyn Stephenson - Bucking the trend, but still suspended and having no impact now.
Hunter Clark
Nick Coffield
Aaron Naughton
Lochie O'Brien
Aiden Bonar
Darcy Fogarty
Jarrod Brander
Matthew Ling
Zac Bailley
Ed Richards
Jack Higgins
Brandon Starcevich
Will Powell - Probably the best performing player of the top 20 at this stage.
Callum Coleman-Jones

Theres your top 20...  Average at best, if they are even getting a game (average is pretty good for a second year player really).

Ill pick out the rest of the highlights who may be considered to be bucking the trend:

Oscar Allen
Tim kelly
Noah Balta
Liam Ryan
Charlie Spargo
Bayley Fritsch
Tom McCartin
Charlie Constable
Jack Petrucelle
Charlie Ballard
James Worpel
Oscar Baker
Gryan Miers (would he be doing as well if he was playing at a lesser team?)


The only ones who are doing really well are the mature aged players or the blokes who debuted this year.


https://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-12-01/2...yers-fared-

The write up on Paddy's debut season:

Pick 3: Paddy Dow
Played 20 games and surpassed plenty of expectations with his craft at stoppages, particularly out of the centre. Was thrown into the deep end in a light Carlton midfield, but held his own. His ball-winning abilities will improve with time, but he showed he has the nous to be a prolific onballer at AFL level. Could be a star of the future.

Playing him in the centre early hasnt been a mistake.  Keeping him there whilst he was struggling to impact may be viewed as an error.