Has anyone looked at Jack Graham this season? I'd kinda written him off as a solid hardworking type who suits the Richmond system. Runs hard both ways, tackles, lack polish or hurt factor. His scoring last season was all over the shop, 3 scores 120+ and 3 scores in the 40s. He only had more than 23 disposals twice, 33 disposals/120 SC and 36/154.
The scoring potential is clearly there, he can certainly rack up touches and tackles. The problem is that Graham is the sort of player who needs to do that to score well because he's not going to do any damage by foot and doesn't win much contested ball. That makes him hard to pick in a very SC unfriendly Richmond system unless he looks like getting more of an inside role this season. Last year Graham's CBA% only exceeded 40 in three games despite all the problems Richmond had with their midfield. That makes me wonder whether the coaches at Richmond think Graham just isn't much of a contested ball winner.
His role is worth monitoring, but for now the likes of Butters/Thomas/Bailey are more appealing (not including Heeney who I'm staying away from).
Edit: Looks he's having a disrupted preseason with some sort of injury.
The scoring potential is clearly there, he can certainly rack up touches and tackles. The problem is that Graham is the sort of player who needs to do that to score well because he's not going to do any damage by foot and doesn't win much contested ball. That makes him hard to pick in a very SC unfriendly Richmond system unless he looks like getting more of an inside role this season. Last year Graham's CBA% only exceeded 40 in three games despite all the problems Richmond had with their midfield. That makes me wonder whether the coaches at Richmond think Graham just isn't much of a contested ball winner.
His role is worth monitoring, but for now the likes of Butters/Thomas/Bailey are more appealing (not including Heeney who I'm staying away from).
Edit: Looks he's having a disrupted preseason with some sort of injury.