Freeman’s performance tonight

[SaintPav]

Not outstanding but what you would expect for his first game.

Possessions wise did pretty well for a first gamer with 12 handballs and 7 kicks.

I saw him call for the ball a couple of times when he was out of position. It will take some time for his teammates to have confidence in him which is to be expected.

Didn't see any run and carry or explosive pace but I may have missed it.

He’s obviously a work in progress and its still early but what did other people think?

[Teflon]

How could anyone tell after that debacle?

[BringBackMadDog]

Pretty much the same sort of game that he was playing at Sandy, a lot of in and under work but not a lot of run and spread. He still is yet to show that he can run hard into space, but it was as good a game as you could expect for a first gamer

[David-Lee]

Well, not flash. He showed absolutely no outside burst speed that he used to have. But least we forget the last time I saw that speed it was on highlight reels before the draft.

He is a fighter and that's special so if he gets a game for the rest of the year maybe he will grow in confidence - he seemed quite reasonable but not in risk taking hamstring stretching game changing mode. He might have it still, he has never shown it at vfl or AFL level.

Playing for Vic his teammate Billings often looked and kicked poorly but Freeman burst out packs, crumbled the ball and ran off defenders, sat right off the pack getting handball and bursting to the centre half forward then pin point kicking to forwards and hitting them dead on target. Based on those games I was shocked he didnt go top 5-10.
5 years of injury and recovery seems a full season would only be fair to judge him but tonight was average in a team of could be's.

[St Chris]

Looked every bit a debutant, with rushed disposal and a little bit of “headless chook” running, but showed he has something to work with....

Getting your hands on the footy is half the battle, 19 touches with just over 50% TOG is really good, extending that out to 70 or 80 % and then improving the impact of those possessions is what needs to come next, and will determine if he plays 30 games or 150 (injuries aside).

Overall, probably as good as could have been expected.

[groupie1]

His disposal was good, overall

[Toy Saint]

An OK debut but nothing spectacular. He was a bit shorter than I expected, but reasonably solidly built. He ran to some in-between positions at times, then got himself in the mix a few times. He appeared reasonably composed if not a bit conservative. We didn't see any blistering pace or any attempt to break lines. As a comparison, I'd say his game yesterday was about as spectacular as Newnes or Coffield. I'm hoping he gets a few more opportunities and that he still has some of that explosive pace he's supposed to have.

[spert]

An OK debut but nothing spectacular. He was a bit shorter than I expected, but reasonably solidly built. He ran to some in-between positions at times, then got himself in the mix a few times. He appeared reasonably composed if not a bit conservative. We didn't see any blistering pace or any attempt to break lines. As a comparison, I'd say his game yesterday was about as spectacular as Newnes or Coffield. I'm hoping he gets a few more opportunities and that he still has some of that explosive pace he's supposed to have.

I thought Freeman played Ok with a bit of poise in his disposals compared to some more experienced team mates- not a big game, but I hope dumbo doesn't drop him next week. Coffield looked really out of his depth, and Newnes is a disappointment- lost the fire in his belly that he once had.

[Jacks Back]

Due to injuries he has lost some pace. I think Richo should have put him in the centre rather than the wing at least on occasion as he has fast hands a la Tom Mitchell.

[saintspremiers]

Coffield looks fairly poor for a top ten pick. Les pray some new assistants can direct him and next year he shows something more. Hunter is way ahead of him at this stage.

If fkn Newnes can play over 100 games of safe, steady and unremarkable footy then Freezer has a chance with us.

[saynta]

An OK debut but nothing spectacular. He was a bit shorter than I expected, but reasonably solidly built. He ran to some in-between positions at times, then got himself in the mix a few times. He appeared reasonably composed if not a bit conservative. We didn't see any blistering pace or any attempt to break lines. As a comparison, I'd say his game yesterday was about as spectacular as Newnes or Coffield. I'm hoping he gets a few more opportunities and that he still has some of that explosive pace he's supposed to have.

I thought Freeman played Ok with a bit of poise in his disposals compared to some more experienced team mates- not a big game, but I hope dumbo doesn't drop him next week. Coffield looked really out of his depth, and Newnes is a disappointment- lost the fire in his belly that he once had.

Agree with you there. No comparison between Freeman and the other two who had poor games.

[BringBackMadDog]

Coffield looks fairly poor for a top ten pick. Les pray some new assistants can direct him and next year he shows something more. Hunter is way ahead of him at this stage.

If fkn Newnes can play over 100 games of safe, steady and unremarkable footy then Freezer has a chance with us.

Oh FFS the kid has played 10 games in a team that has absolutely no on field leadership. He would be a very good player if he was surrounded by decent leaders who could show the way, but unfortunately our young blokes are thrown to the wolves

[Moods]

Coffield looks fairly poor for a top ten pick. Les pray some new assistants can direct him and next year he shows something more. Hunter is way ahead of him at this stage.

If fkn Newnes can play over 100 games of safe, steady and unremarkable footy then Freezer has a chance with us.

Oh FFS the kid has played 10 games in a team that has absolutely no on field leadership. He would be a very good player if he was surrounded by decent leaders who could show the way, but unfortunately our young blokes are thrown to the wolves

Just another excuse for our young players. I watched both Coffield and Clarke carefully. Not sure what the fuss is about so far. Plenty of young players have blossomed in poor teams before.

They simply aren’t as good as what we bang on about.

[magnifisaint]

Coffield looks fairly poor for a top ten pick. Les pray some new assistants can direct him and next year he shows something more. Hunter is way ahead of him at this stage.

If fkn Newnes can play over 100 games of safe, steady and unremarkable footy then Freezer has a chance with us.

Oh FFS the kid has played 10 games in a team that has absolutely no on field leadership. He would be a very good player if he was surrounded by decent leaders who could show the way, but unfortunately our young blokes are thrown to the wolves

Surely Geary will be replaced as Captain at year's end. He's not inspirational he's outspirational. Very very ordinary footballer.

[derby Street]

Coffield looks fairly poor for a top ten pick. Les pray some new assistants can direct him and next year he shows something more. Hunter is way ahead of him at this stage.

If fkn Newnes can play over 100 games of safe, steady and unremarkable footy then Freezer has a chance with us.

Agree 100% about Coffield - a lot of leeway to make up to become even half decent. Hopefully Hunter can continue to improve. Geez we have loked slow (All year)

[derby Street]

Coffield looks fairly poor for a top ten pick. Les pray some new assistants can direct him and next year he shows something more. Hunter is way ahead of him at this stage.

If fkn Newnes can play over 100 games of safe, steady and unremarkable footy then Freezer has a chance with us.

Agree 100% about Coffield - a lot of leeway to make up to become even half decent. Hopefully Hunter can continue to improve. Geez we have loked slow (All year)

[older saint]

Looked like a 1st gamer, which many forget due to age.

Clarke, Coffield need to be given time not 6 -10 games to make judgment calls on whether good or bad picks. Been plenty of guys who were stand out players in year 1 ( usually players referred to as Man Child) ala Daniel rich who after 3-4 year stagnate while other take time accumulate strength , size and experience and become much better players than the young standout. Very few do both and if they do are generally considered Stars of the game - Judd, Riewoldt.
Crickey the best backman in the game at the moment was an absolute Spud the first 3 years of his career

[groupie1]

Due to injuries he has lost some pace. I think Richo should have put him in the centre rather than the wing at least on occasion as he has fast hands a la Tom Mitchell.

Agreed - that seems to be the footballer he's turned into. Not bad, as he's a big bull of a kid, but still leaves us without the outside run we're desperate for. Is B Long an answer to this?