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Can Ellard Make It?
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Author:  Virgin Blue [ Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Can Ellard Make It?
Seems to be BOG or close to BOG every week in VFL.

Can the little fella make it at senior AFL level?

Is he slow, too short, too light on?

Wins hard ball, type of player we are looking for but haven't quite nailed it yet with Brock or Hads.
Author:  Rexy [ Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
We won't know until he gets an opportunity.

Being a consistently solid performer in our 2's should in all fairness provide some opportunity, surely?
Author:  jimmae [ Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Has had opportunities, particularly in the pre-season. When you're his height and play an inside role you need to have something special; disposal, ability to shed tackles, speed, etc.

He doesn't possess these attributes to a level that would be considered exceptional in AFL circles. It's a shame because on work ethic alone he seems to be in a class of his own at VFL level.

EDIT: Tidied grammar
Author:  DocSherrin III [ Sat Jun 12, 2010 7:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
It's a bit of a Simon Fletcher conundrum. Fletch dominated at reserve level in the late 90's, but whenever elevated to the seniors seemed rushed and overawed by the occasion. There's a school of thought that Ellard might be the same. However there's a new David Ellard on the scene. Behind Walker, Ellard is the hardest trainer I've seen at the club in over a decade. He has worked on his disposal, has a super engine and can now break a tackle. In 2010, without question, his game has gone to another level.

I'm now to the point where I can't see how McLean and Grigg can get a game. With his size, Grigg can play across half-back - although I doubt he can play accountable football and find the footy. He's been overtaken by Kane Lucas who is the same height (I stood next to them this afternoon) and a better kick. If ever Davey Ellard was to get a game, it'd be now.

If ever someone had the right to crack the sulks when Brock McLean was recruited to the club it was Ellard. It effectively meant that he had another body in the way of him getting a game. This, when getting a game as a rookie in the first half of the year is reliant on someone going on the LTI list.

I think he can make it. Personally, I'd play him...and play him while he's in career best form. I don't think we'd regret it. And I fear we're already regretting some list decisions we've made with rucks and inside mids over the last 2 years.
Author:  Blue Vain [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 7:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
As much as I have doubts over Ellard, I agree he should get a game.
It's ridiculous to recruit a short player, retain him on your list and let him improve all aspects of his game, only to overlook him because he's short. :screwy:
IMHO, if Ellard was 185cm tall, he'd be a walk up start. I'd like him to have another opportunity. Even if it is used as a lesson for Rohan Kerr and co. Players within a footy club need to understand what the coaches are looking for.
No.1 lesson- If you want a game, work hard and you'll get every opportunity.
Author:  beowulf [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
He has to get a game. He has done what he can; I'd like to see if all that work can pay off for him. He simply has to get a chance.
Author:  DIAMOTISM [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 8:38 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Rexy wrote:
We won't know until he gets an opportunity.

Being a consistently solid performer in our 2's should in all fairness provide some opportunity, surely?


Jimmy Plunkett, Sam Cranage and Hopper McCormack were all more than solid performers in our 2's. It is a big jump to senior level.

What I have seen from Ellard in senior games is he is too slow (in between the ears). He deserves a chance though especially if he is knocking down the door.
Author:  simonverbeek [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Dr.SHERRIN wrote:
And I fear we're already regretting some list decisions we've made with rucks and inside mids over the last 2 years.


Indeed we are.

Are you hearing confirmation of this from 'inside' or is it a statement of personal opinion?

Hard to believe we didn't learn from O'Reilly, Mansfield and co.
Author:  DIAMOTISM [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:14 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
simonverbeek wrote:
Dr.SHERRIN wrote:
And I fear we're already regretting some list decisions we've made with rucks and inside mids over the last 2 years.


Indeed we are.

Are you hearing confirmation of this from 'inside' or is it a statement of personal opinion?

Hard to believe we didn't learn from O'Reilly, Mansfield and co.


Recruiting 24 year olds is a lot different than recruiting players at the end of their career e.g. O'Reilly and Mansfield.
Author:  simonverbeek [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 9:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Overpaying for 24 year old players that aren't worth the price, is pretty similar to overpaying for 28 year old players that aren't worth the price.
Author:  klakker [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 6:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
@ simonverbeek .

You're right . And we've paid overs for our last two so-called big name trades . :screwy:
Author:  Blue Steel [ Sun Jun 13, 2010 11:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Dr.SHERRIN wrote:
And I fear we're already regretting some list decisions we've made with rucks and inside mids over the last 2 years.

I think it's too early to make those calls Doc.

Warnock is a skilled disposer, agile, and pretty damn quick. He has missed alot of footy and has only played 26 odd games. Plenty of time to blossom, and I think he will. We have the best young ruck group going, and in 2+ years we should be spoilt for first possession, and have dangerous and dynamic around the ground ruck options.

I'm more concerned about Brock, though I can only suppose he will improve. Never really saw alot of his Melbourne games, and don't remember him starring in the ones I did see. Time will tell. He hasn't seemed that hard to me for a supposed inside mid. Seems to have sagged off the play a bit in the games I've seen this year. I was hoping for a really hard nut who would be so hard at it that anyone else would think twice about going in, and knew they would earn every touch on the day with a bone jarring crunch or tackle, when they managed to beat him to the ball. He hasn't appeared to be anywhere near that yet.
Author:  Koro [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Ellard deserves a game. If he can't get a game this week after his performances and effort, when the blues just put in that horrible effort against the roos, then he should never have been retained. We have gone a long way this year to showing we can make the hard decisions when dropping a player, and now need to show that we will also reward players when the work their proverbials off. Doesn't send the best message to the group if consistent form and effort are not rewarded, and players are picked on name. Picking him does give the fringe dwellers and bigger names a reason to really train and play the house down in whatever level.

McLean isn't up to it yet and Ellard is worth a few rounds as an inside mid who can also kick a goal. Ellard might not end up making the grade, but on his form and hard work he deserves the chance to try. It would be a bit harsh to pre-determine his failure before he gets his go. He is consistently BOG in the seconds and although I never see the Ants play (live in Perth) the reports do say how much a better and stronger player he is than in his debut game against the weagles 2 years ago.

Good luck to him. I really hope he gets a go.
Author:  ThePsychologist [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 1:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
I don't know whether he will make it but based on performances over the past twelve months and that the MC decided to keep him as a rookie for another year he deserves a go. Sometimes you just never know how a player will go until given a chance and given the inconsistent performances of some of our other mids I hope he gets the chance.
Author:  Marissa [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 3:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
My question is what does a guy have to do to get a chance!? Surely his work ethics at training and performances in the Ants is enough to at least try him? If he is too slow... then why do they continue putting Brock in the side?? He is too slow, but he is still given the opportunities to show what he has got.
Too small, schmall... look at Simmo before he started, AJ... what a crock of shit!?
Author:  Peter Sherry [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
For those that have seen more of Ellard than I have.
Could Ellard play the in and under role in the AFL team?
Both Brock and Hadley have suffered from injuries and yet Ellard has managed to stay on the field and maintain his output. Pace was seen to be a problem however constant rotations and rest periods may relieve that issue.
Author:  DocSherrin III [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Peter Sherry wrote:
For those that have seen more of Ellard than I have.
Could Ellard play the in and under role in the AFL team?
Both Brock and Hadley have suffered from injuries and yet Ellard has managed to stay on the field and maintain his output. Pace was seen to be a problem however constant rotations and rest periods may relieve that issue.


Yes...he is an extractor. Has improved his pace. Quicker than McLean.
Author:  jimmae [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 7:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
Weighs in at what... 77 kilos? I know it's not the be all and end all but chances are he'll get knocked off the ball fairly easily considering his agility isn't flash enough to avoid the first hit consistently.

Can he deliver under that kind of pressure, eg. free his arms, ride the bump. I reckon they'd be about 20% heavier and 20% faster in the AFL, so he's got to lift his reaction times to match.
Author:  Marissa [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
jimmae wrote:
Weighs in at what... 77 kilos? I know it's not the be all and end all but chances are he'll get knocked off the ball fairly easily considering his agility isn't flash enough to avoid the first hit consistently.



Um... but McLean gets knocked over easily...

and if Ellard is in fact quicker than McLean, then I don't understand why he can't get a game... but yet McLean does.
Author:  blu944 [ Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Can Ellard Make It?
jimmae wrote:
Weighs in at what... 77 kilos? I know it's not the be all and end all but chances are he'll get knocked off the ball fairly easily considering his agility isn't flash enough to avoid the first hit consistently.

Can he deliver under that kind of pressure, eg. free his arms, ride the bump. I reckon they'd be about 20% heavier and 20% faster in the AFL, so he's got to lift his reaction times to match.



I reckon about 20% of senior team are playing like shite. The match committee should be looking at anyone who's willing put a bit of effort in, and not pick and choose their contests.
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