Francis Jackson reviews our 2010 crop (RFC)

[one-eyed]

In the second part of the video FJ discussed last year's crop - Conca, Batch, Helbig, MacDonald and Derickx. I've separated the discussion from the 2011 draft stuff which is summarized in the other thread.

[Start at 4.43 in the video]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRcJpzjpRzk

* Once you've picked up a kid in the draft they become like one of the family as you know them intimately, they knock on your office door as they pass, and you follow every bump. We're delighted with how last year's crop went in their first season.

* Conca - had significant interruption to his preseason and he ran out of gas towards the end of the season. FJ is confident he'll be a terrific long-term player for us.

* Batchelor - exceeded all expectations. Showed maturity beyond his years. The way he fitted into modern day AFL football was terrific.

* Helbig - surprise packet. We knew he had ability but we also knew he had work to do. For him to play the senior footy he did was a credit to him. We see significant upside in him especially as he builds up his endurance base.

* MacDonald - When he came in we knew he had a fair way to go. His endurance was not up to AFL standard. It's been an inconsistent ride for Dean as we expected but we think his traits will stand up in AFL footy provided he builds his endurance.

* Derickx - we're disappointed he got injured when he did because we think he would've been able to contribute significantly for us. So we look forward to him coming back and having a big preseason.

* So we're delighted with last year's boys and believe they will be long-term players for us in the future.

[mightytiges]

Conca and Batch barring injury look like being 10 year players for us. Still a question mark still on the rest.

My view is if you can gain 3 AFL standard footballers from a draft especially if one is a potential A-grade gun then it's been a successful or at least satisfactory one. So if Conca, Batch and Houli (via the PSD) end up long-term players for us then the 2010 draft gets a tick. Same goes for the 2009 draft - Dusty is a gun, Grimes (PSD) showed something before doing his hammy but the rest still need to step up. Griffs, Astbury and Dea are rated by the Club but aren't lock-ins going forward yet whereas Taylor and Nason are already gone. Still too early to judge the successfulness of both drafts.

[eliminator]

I am confident that Helbig has the potential to be a ten year player but agree with comments too early to say whether last two drafts have been a success

[Stripes]

Derickx was the player I was getting most excited by last year. Dimma and the assistant coaches really rated him before he went down to injury. Hopefully he can step up and add addition competition fot the ruck spot or even as a KPP. Appeared to show much more agility, pace and skill than big Browne and Gus did at the time.

Helbig could be a surprize packet given his determination to succeed and attack on the ball. I have a lot of hope for him. McDonald has a lot of work ahead of him to even get a game but the upside is obvious.

The last two drafts have been two of our best imho for many decades but, of course, time will tell.

[Willy]

Agree Stripes. Still too early to accurately judge our last two drafts, but the signs are promising.