Great stuff with the preview WP
Class of 2003:Jackson 18 (19 in April)
Hartigan 19 (20 in April)
Raines 18 (19 in March)
Roach 19
Gilmour 18 (19 in June)
Archibald 19 today (23/2)
Hartigan and Jackson both seem to have cemented a spot in the senior 22. Jackson looks more like he'll eventually settle into the midfield. His size and pace will be a tough ask for any opposition to match up on. He doesn't really have the height to be a key defender (although he is of similar size to Bowden). I'd presume Wallace is probably experimenting him there in the pre-season and because we lack rebounding tall defenders down back.
I was surprised Raines didn't play Friday night. He looks the next most likely of the 2003 class to play seniors regularly. Just looks like a natural footballer (maybe looking like a young twin of his dad gives that impression
).
Roach is still an unknown IMV. Has excellent foot speed but as yet hasn't stood out as a footballer. Last year was his debut season so at only 19 it's a bit rough to judge him too harshy. He just needs to show improvement over 2005 and become more prevalent in terms of getting his hands on the footy.
Gilmour was drafted at the lower end of the age bracket. IIRC he just scrapped into the 2003 draft. So he quite possibly could have waited and ended up in last year's draft with Deledio and Co. As he's apparently put on 7 kgs he should now be physically capable to play a few games in the seniors. That'll be what I am expecting from him in 2005.
I think Archibald would still be classed as a long-term project especially after suffering from OP last year.
Class of 2004:Forgetting about the obvious duo in Deledio and Tambling, you'd reckon Meyer, Polo and Pattison will crack a seniors game sometime during the year. IMO Meyer could be linked closer to Deledio and Tambling than to Polo and Pattison from the practice games so far as has the footy smarts to play now. However at only 70kg he is probably not physically ready to play too many AFL games. Agree with you WP on McGuane and Limbach. Being tall and only weighing in the mid-late 70 kgs they'll take a couple of years longer to develop and fill out.
Twilight/Spotlight:I would've thought Cambo after a full pre-season would have regained at least part of his former self by now. Unfortunately the leg injuries he's copped over the past couple of years looked to have robbed him permanently of any leg speed whatsoever. Even plonked in the forward pocket he needs some pace to lead and mark. It's sad to see him as a former shadow of himself. Last year definitely IMO.
Stafford is heading in the same direction but with Simmonds and Knobel we no longer have to rely on Staff as much as we use to and being a big lug (he says affectionately) we can still push him forward as he's a good strong mark and accurate kick for goal.
With our backline KP deficiencies Morrison should really be easily slotting into the side. He may get picked for the Morwell game with Sarge now out for a long time. We need him to stand up. If he can't get back into the senior side now then he never will.
Pettifer's got the most talent of the 5 WP's mentioned. Kayne did show glimpses of it in the 9 straight games he played in the second half last year. He's injured at the moment but when he gets back he would need to step up another level again to even have a chance of saving his footy career. At a top club they wouldn't have the patience to wait 5 years for a flanker to develop.
I like Tucky. Should have played more senior games last year but Spud appeared to have something against him and wouldn't give him a go. What will decide his fate will be his kicking skills as they need to improve for this level (same can be said for a number of his senior teammates).
Chaffey in 2004 was a disaster. Another Tiger with poor foot skills. He wouldn't want to put in another year like that. As he's going to be used as a tagger he can't afford to slip up with the number of young midfielders now on our list.
I can't see Rory surviving this year.
One I would add as under the pump is Tivs. He won't be delisted as he's contracted to 2006 but he's up and down from week to week; from year to year. Tivs' achillies heal is his one-sidedness. Opposition sides have learnt to trap him on his right foot so he has to back-track to get on his left. On a positive note, Wallace's attacking gameplan is made for blokes like Tivs so he needs to play some consistently good footy and kick some long 50+ goals like we know he is capable of.
