Expectations of Gumby

[npskinner]

I know it was touched on briefly in another post but what are your expectations of Gumbleton against Port and for the remainder of the year?
The fans general consensus over the last 12 to 24 months seems to be either one of two extremes:

A) Harsh on him for wasting the club & supporters time / a lost cause due to injury, or perhaps even harsh as he was "a wasted draft pick" & their is literally no sign of potential in him.

or

B) Feel sorry for his horrible luck with injuries, see some signs in his game of potential, & believe still that as a highly touted recruit / high draft pick that he must have something good to offer.


Now that he is definitely at the crossroads of his AFL career what do you expect of Gumby now and in the near future?

Foremost, I expect against Port:

- He gets through a full game
- is a marking presence & creates marking contests
- Competes and chases hard (should be a requirement of all players but as we saw last week it does not always happen)
- A reasonable amount of set shots / shots on goal (3 minimum)


For the remainder of the season I expect:

That he Proves he deserves to be on an AFL list by;

- Stringing several games together injury free (consistent or inconsistent)
- Kicking over 3 goals in a game
- Taking several contested or lead up marks a game (once he settles into the side)
- Displaying defensive pressure when / if he is not getting the ball
- Playing (at least 2) consistent and effective games in a row
- At some point look dangerous / damaging to the opposition or a marking threat (perhaps even for a half in some games)

Thoughts?

(If you read this after the game tomorrow please include your expectations of him for the remainder of the year)

[bomberdonnie]

Who?

[BenDoolan]

I think he'll break through the banner unscathed.





That's about as far as I'm willing to predict anything with Gumbleton.

[gumbyisback]

don't f*** up as much as NLM

[Gimps]

Reckon he'll be there to take up some space. He'll do a couple of good things, but will end up with stats like:

2 kicks
3 handballs
2 marks
1 behind

[billyduckworth]

It's been such a crazy unbelievable ridiculous story of injury and misfortune that I just don't even know what to expect any more.

The worrying thing, too, is that he hasn't exactly been ripping it up for Bendigo anyway.
To be frank/cruel, the only reason he is getting a game today is because Hurley and Ryder and Crameri are all injured. It's not like he has been "pressing" for selection.

Anyway, to try to answer your question...
(1) Yes, like Ben, I expect (hope?) he can break through the banner without breaking a fingernail.
(2) He needs to get through the game uninjured. That is an absolute bottom line. Doesn't even matter if he only gets one or two touches, he must at least SURVIVE.
(3) Then string together two or three in a row.
(4) Then the next big test will be when Hurley, Ryder, Crameri are ready to come back, has he done enough to keep them out? This I VERY MUCH doubt.

[Mrs Mercuri]

I think most supporters just want the big man to get through the game with no injuries.... my expectations are not high for him today, would just like him to create a contest, take one of the PA defenders out of the game and make them accountable. If he bobs up with a couple on the scoreboard then good on him.

Go get em Gumby!!!!

[ZeroEffect]

Reckon he'll be there to take up some space. He'll do a couple of good things, but will end up with stats like:

2 kicks
3 handballs
2 marks
1 behind

So you expect him to perform like he has been in the VFL so far this season.

As a member I expect every player selected to earn there place in the side. Gumbleton hasn't really earn't his spot for the game today, however these are special circumstances. So I understand his selection. The guy has been setup to fail, without good form in the VFL I can't see him performing well today even if it is against an injury depleted Power.

I really don't understand the hype around this guy. Even when he was playing injury free and was able to string games together he was performing poorly. I don't know if people have just forgotton that or choose to ignore it because he was a high draft pick. Having said that I hope he smashes it today and proves to be the player a lot of people think he is.

[rockhole]

I have never understood the attitide that Gumby has gone out of his way to be a burden on the club; that he has deliberately re injured himself and taken the place of someone more deserving..

Bottom line is that he is a high draft pick, he has cost the club a lot of money and they want a return on the investment. If he makes it, it is a great bonus to the club and a credit to them for sticking by him. If he doesn't, then we put it down to bad luck and move on.

Simple as that.

[Mrs Mercuri]

3 goals on the board now for the big Gumby!!!!!

[BenDoolan]

Great return considering the base he's working from. Well done Gumby =D>

[robbie67]

Great effort. I expect he will struggle next week, but he showed more than enough today, that he will either be very usefull for us, or get us something good at the trade table.

[sconsey]

14 disposals and 3 goals...ill take that any day of the week. So good to see him out on the ground and get through it unscathed...was a great moment when he kicked his first goal of the day.

[npskinner]

I would never of guessed 14 and 3. Took a few marks, tackled, made a contest. Definitely a pass mark. As someone else previously posted, I don't think he will back it up, but if he can eventually he could prove very useful.

Our luck Gumby will come good just as Daniher arrives...

[F111]

=D>


Gotta be happy with that!

[Windy_Hill]

Three goals and a goal assist (great pass to Davey)

Laid some great tackles

Took one terrific mark

Looked like he belonged

Didnt get injured

Not bad for a guy who hasnt played at this level for nearly 2 years

Just imagine what he could if he plays 50 games

[Jazz_84]

brilliant game

looked very good and will only get better, people saying next week will be harder, well lets hope that is offset by Crammers coming in to help him out

[gringo]

Outstanding game.

If he'd played every game since her was drafted you'd have been happy with his output today. Considering it's his first game in who knows how long, it was simply brilliant. Absolutely thrilled for the bloke, as were the Essendon players. Onwards and upwards big fella! Nothing like hard work paying off.

[billyduckworth]

To come back to the title of this thread, definitely exceeded expectations today.

[Windy_Hill]

I expect he will struggle next week

Why?

Oh thats right, cant go giving out a compliment without then pissing all over it

Dont get you sometimes. Seriously