#45, #30 David Fanning

[couragous cloke]

Went to the game on Sunday (and stayed to cheer bux off)

What i saw at the G' was both very funny and very sad at the same time.

Poor David Fanning being asked to ruck not only in the AFL but also against the tallest prick to play the game.

We all now the predicament we face without Fraser, Guy 1-week away Richards, Cam Cloke and Rocca. It is disastrous, absolutely laughable.

I feel sorry for the big, dopey bugger. He is seriously not up to AFL standard, perhaps 2-3 years away but is being asked to run out full games as the no.1 option.

He gives away 6-7 frees a week, he is definately not fit (not his fault) and lacks anything resembling a footy brain. Yet i see hope in him yet.

Any one notice how short we were? im going 2 b the first to sign up next year, because you dont know what you have till its gone and we have been without for 2 years now.

Go Pies (and poor David Fanning)

[fan4collingwood]

David Fanning will be one of the best ruckmen around, just give him 2 years. He has been lucky enough to get such invaluable experience this year by playing at AFL level.

Once he can control where he taps the ball too, something he is getting the hang of, and stops giving away frees(Interpritation of the ruck rule) he will be worth his weight and height in gold to Collingwood.

Just remember that 2 years ago he had never even played any Aussie rules, and was a Basketball player.

GO FANNNING GO!!!!!!!!!

David Fanning has the heart of a lion and deserves to be a Magpie!!

[Johnson#26]

I like Fanning. He was thrust - almost unfairly - into the ruck in round one, when he only had played six or so games for the Williamstown seconds the previous season. He battled against Luke Darcy and Peter Street, and went back to Williamstown as Cameron Cloke, Rocca and Walker took over. Upon return he looked solid, and was better around the ground. He is a project player - he only took the game up at a senior level a few years ago. He will take time, and must surely get a spot on the list next year. With a few more years of senior experiance both in the VFL and AFL, who knows? He may develop more of a football brain, and with that will come more of an understanding of where to run/best way to ruck etc.

Our top ruck division sees Richards take all bar the last five minutes of the term, with Fraser taking over for 5 minutes (After being used as a forward/wingman). Cameron Cloke (if playing) can be used in a grunt role. Fanning is our third choice ruckman, and within a few years might be our second - or even first, with a bit of luck. It is understandable that he jumped early against Sandilands, but not THAT early.

[cooldewd]

David Fanning will be playing A Grade ammos in 2 years time.

Should count himself lucky that he got to pull on the black & white jumper.

Good luck to the kid for being at the right club at the right time. A recruiting department that places no value what so ever in ruckmen paved way for a Freddie Fanning type to play AFL football.

Dean Brogan he ain't.

[Nath]

I'm with the Dewd!

[Dale61]

Like we can base our future on Guy Richards! How many games has he played this year? How long was he on our list before cracking it for a senior game?

Full credit to Flaps. Although nowhere near ready for senior footy, he's performed admirably every time he's run on to the ground.

Maybe Dewd and Nath can tell us all about how they faired in their first full season playing AFL footy.

[Adz]

Fanning is rubbish.

[i_luv_tarkyn!]

He tries his heart out ... you can't ask anymore than that!

I see improvement in him every week and it can't be easy the way he has had to come in and take over as the number 1 ruckman.
He is still learning the game as Mick said.

Keep going Fanning !!

*jess

[Johnson#26]

[BJ]

Fanning can't read the play. Unfortunatley, this is an instinct in the game which most players at AFL level have. He tries his best and is the best we have at the moment.
Shit.... now I'm depressing myself


BJ

[hoggy]

Been thrown to the wolves like no other player ever in the history of the club.

FWIW, Brogan had played 8 games after his first 3 years on Port's list.

[Adz]

When Rocca, Fraser, Richards are back it's see you later Fanning.

[DaVe86]

I dunno about fanning i am making no comment because it will come back to haunt me. At the moment, i am worried about him, but i have a really good feeling. He is a year or 2 away from been close to ready to play, but this year will hold him in good stead. We'll see in 2 to 3 years when he learns the game more

[Tony Francis]

For what it's worth I think Fanning will be a revelation. I have never seen a player improve so much over the course of a year, and he has done some things that have really impressed me. I really like his attitude and I don't know how anyone could watch him and say he has no potential.

Remember we got him for nothing, it's not like we have done a Western Bulldogs and used a high pick on a smokey. If he fades into obscurity it's really no skin off our nose.

[DaVe86]

He will still be the 4th ruck option next year. This is not too bad. Not many teams would have a 4th ruckman of his ability. I can name teams who do not have a 2nd ruckman of his ability

Hawthorn: Taylor- Dud
Saints: Blake, Brooks- no good
Doggies- Street is nothing special
Melbourne- Paul Johnson, Jamar duds. White has rucked all 4 quarters for a few weeks straight now. They have no one else to rely on.
Richmond- Knobel- good tap ruckman but useless aroudn the ground. He is their best option. Stafford constantly injured. Simmonds has had a poor year.

So Fanning as a 4th option is not bad. Im sure he has gained a fair bit of market value as well. More than what he had to begin the season with. We might even get a trade out of him