You seem to have very high expectations for Masten, smokey. I hope for your club’s sake they are realised, but I reckon history says otherwise.
I am sure others can help me here - but how many AFL veterans, with zero chance of being picked up by another AFL club, have come back and performed at a sustained level in the WAFL?
More likely to be just going through the motions, to squeeze the last dollar out of their faded football skills.
Jack what about the guy he is replacing.
A bit disrespectful to Clint Jones don’t you think?
I was never a big fan but he has played 170 odd AFL games.
At WAFL level I think he could have an impact.
My comments were not aimed at Masten or the club. They were more targeted towards yourself and the others on this page. For years many key board warriors have been harping on about the club not recruiting to the needs, even when people like myself have made similar comments like “its not like going shopping”. Its never been good enough, but for some reason it is this year. Why?
As for your question, I would not have recruited Masten or any midfielder over 28 YO, We have some real talent coming through and I would have preferred them to have opportunity rather than lose to teams like East Freo so they can have more opportunity. Masten’s wage would have been better off going to Zac Clarke. Just MY Opinion.
Masten would be more dominant in a side like,Subi, with the likes of Horsley and Kitchen around him…it’s a pity Jones has gone…be interested to see how Masten goes with a hard tag…definitely didn’t get one playing AFL…reckon there will be a few WAFL youngsters keen to elevate their rating by tagging a player of Masten’s calibre on match day…they are gonna have to be super fit tho…
Freez, CJ was frequently tagged but was smart enough to deal with it.
Masten has a big tank (2km champ at WCE). A tagger would have to run all day to stay with him methinks. Not many taggers that good in WAFL?
Totally agree mate..like I said they are gonna have to be super fit…tho perhaps it will mean a variety of guys tag teaming him during a game for bursts may do the trick…as mentioned Masten’s disposal was a tad ordinary under the pump…so I guess that’s what the opposition might work on…but agree no one will out run the guy one on one for long periods. Game wise Jones was super hard and disciplined…not sure Masten is as hard as Jones…but surely with his experience and CV, Masten should over come most WAFL tags…even may allow others from Perth’s midfield to step up too…time will tell…can see opposition sides hitting Masten hard at the contest tho.
It is still needs based IMO PD. We had to replace CJ and our main need is a ruckman.
We have achieved the first and now working on a ruckman.
I believe we could do with another tall key defender and a tall key forward. Obviously working on that. Not convinced Delahunty will be the answer but we will see.
Needs based recruiting most times ends up less than satisfactory but with Masten on board and Clarke a possibility then I would mark it a B+
Freez you make some good points there. Potentially our midfield could be quite potent.
Masten, Yeo, Byrne, Murphy, Leggett, Payne with guys like Rogers, College, Bryan also available.
Tagging Masten will free up others, particularly Byrne who will be in for a big year.