Folau a work in progress

[Beaussie]

Anyone catch the game yesterday between Port and GWS. Here is how the Herald Sun rate Izzy's performance. Will he ever make it as an AFL player?

Greater Western Sydney recruit Israel Folau a work in progress From: Sunday Herald Sun March 12, 2011 10:12PM

IT was a pleasant enough afternoon of country football at the picturesque Willaston Oval between Port Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney in the Barossa Valley, but all the talk was about Israel Folau.

But, like Karmichael Hunt before him, the question on everybody's lips is: Can he play.

This is what he showed.

KICKING 6/10

Took a kick from the back pocket about five minutes into the first quarter and made no mistake.

HANDBALL 6/10

Fired one out from a congested situation and found his target, despite being on the move and under pressure. Used a loopy one rather than a sharp and hard Ricciuto-like pass.

MARKING 6/10

Ran at one and trapped it with a leaping chest mark in front of Jackson Trengove when playing forward in the third quarter. Was miles away when he flew in one contest.

SPEED 6/10

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Seemed explosive off the mark, but often had to work from a disadvantage because of his positioning.

ENDURANCE 6/10

Didn't come off blowing when he headed to the interchange, but didn't play any role that required him to cover vast distances.

TACKLING 4/10

There is no doubt he knows how to tackle, but he hesitated and hung out of contests, rather than throwing himself in.

GAME SENSE 2/10

Jay Schulz turned him inside out and had Folau so worried about him that he often took his eye off the ball, which meant he had no idea when Schulz was about to take off on a lead. A bit like watching a seven-year-old girl coming to grips with one-on-one match-ups in her first game of netball.

POSITION PLAYED 3/10

Back for the first half, following Schulz around and then in attack, where he had only limited opportunities. Didn't know where to go.

STRENGTH 5/10

Broke a couple of tackles to prove he is a supreme athlete, but he needs to start using his strength to impose himself. Didn't put much physical pressure on Schulz, who was dominant for much of the game.

SECOND EFFORTS 3/10

Often seemed to be in two minds when the ball didn't land in his hand.

OVERALL 47/100

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/AFL/g ... 6020435247

[King-Eliagh]

Sheezus, a fairly rough report. I particularly enjoyed the 7 yr old netball girl analogy

I also find it amusing the reporter says falau should impose himself physucally. Was falau ever a physically imposing league player? I dont think so. He wmay well make all the AFL players look like a pack of tall skinny catwalk models but this doesnt mean hes imposing in the way he plays.

I guess this reporter makes some pretty dumb assumptions but it does seem falau has a long way to go...