2005 potential draftees thread

[mightytiges]

The footydraft site now has added a preliminary listing of potential draftees for the 2005 draft. They had some very handy info last year in the lead up to the draft on most of the kids available.

http://www.footydraft.com/

Also a reminder that the U18 Championships are to be held in Melbourne from the 25th June to 3rd July for anyone interested.

DIVISION ONE:

Sun 26th June Optus Oval 12.00pm South Australia  v Victoria Country
Sun 26th June Optus Oval 2.30pm Victoria Metro v Western Australia
Wed 29th June Skilled Stadium 11.00am Winner Match 1 v Loser Match 2
Wed 29th June Skilled Stadium 1.30pm Winner Match 2 v Loser Match 1
Sun July 3rd Optus Oval 11.00am Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 2
Sun July 3rd Optus Oval 1.30pm Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2

DIVISION TWO:

Sat 25th June Optus Oval 12.00pm Northern Territory v Tasmania
Sat 25th June Optus Oval 2.30pm Queensland v NSW/ACT
Tue 28th June Skilled Stadium 11.00am Winner Match 1 v Loser Match 2
Tue 28th June Skilled Stadium 1.30pm Winner Match 2 v Loser Match 1
Sat 2nd July Optus Oval 11.00am Loser Match 1 v Loser Match 2
Sat 2nd July Optus Oval 1.30pm Winner Match 1 v Winner Match 2

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=draft&spg=display&articleid=204718

[one-eyed]

Scouting for versatility
By Emma Quayle
The Age
June 24, 2005

The next Matthew Lloyd might well be in action at the national under-18 championships that start at Optus Oval tomorrow. He just might not know he is the next Matthew Lloyd, yet.

Flexibility is a buzzword not only at AFL level, and few of the young footballers who wear their state or territory's colours will start the week-long carnival known only as a full-forward, or spend all their time in the goal square.

Western Australia's Mitchell Clark could kick some goals, but could spend more time in the ruck. His WA teammates Josh Kennedy, Patrick Ryder and Scott Gumbleton also have played as more general tall forwards.

Tasmanians Todd Grima and Mitchell Thorp, Vic Country's Ben Fraser, NSW/ACT forward Adam Prior also could score some goals, while Hawthorn recruiting manager Gary Buckenara expects Liam Patrick to play out of the Northern Territory's goal square and "stand on a few blokes' heads".

Jay Neagle, available to Essendon as a father-son selection, has spent most of his debut TAC Cup season deep in the Gippsland Power forward line, and had kicked more than 40 goals by the halfway mark of the year.

The Bombers' recruiting manager, Adrian Dodoro, says the son of Merv has a "quick lead, good hands and a strong kick, all the fundamentals," and does not need to see the natural forward show off other skills, in other positions, playing for Vic Country.

"Just by seeing him play you can see what he's got, and you can measure his potential for other spots on the ground," Dodoro said. "There's measurements for speed and agility that you can take into account when you're thinking about positions."

Beau Dowler, a 17-year-old Oakleigh Charger who will represent Vic Metro, is the other recognised full-forward. Dowler spent most of his first season, last year, in that spot for Oakleigh, but has played at centre half-forward and centre half-back and in other spots this year.

St Kilda recruiting manager John Beveridge expected Dowler to fill multiple roles again this week, but thinks he has looked most settled up forward.

"He's quick and he can take a mark. If there's anyone who looks like they might be a full-forward, I'd say it's him." he said. "He's not super-aggressive, but he reads the play well down there. He's probably the one to look out for in this carnival. If he plays there, he'll kick some goals."

If they were seeking genuine full-forwards, recruiters would hone in on certain qualities. Richmond's Greg Miller needs to see them "get off the mark really quickly. He's got to be able to mark on the lead and to hold his ground in the goal square".

West Coast's Trevor Woodhouse looks for how well forwards read upfield play, and Beveridge looks at their kicking technique.

"He's got to be good overhead and time his leads well, but to be a good goalkicking forward, you have to be a bloke who has seven kicks and kicks five of them," he said. "The art of kicking the ball is vital . . . He must be able to kick the ball long and accurately and to also kick snap-type goals, not only depend on his marking."

That said, recruiters do not want to see players at full-forward throughout next week; instead, they would like them play in other roles, particularly given the disappearance of the long bomb.

"What is full-forward, anyway?" said Buckenara. "You've got Matthew Lloyd, Barry Hall, you've got Mark Williams and they're all completely different.

"The more flexible a player can be, it helps him, and it also helps his team. I think that's the thinking of the coaches at that level and the development people. They want their kids to be flexible in where they play, and to show them off in a few spots."

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2005/06/23/1119321854825.html?from=storyrhs

[mightytiges]

For future reference here are the links to each U18 Champs squad. The U18 Champs starts Sunday at Optus Oval.

Notice there's 2 Rioli's playing for NT. Any relation to Maurice?

Division One

Victoria Metro

Victoria Country

South Australia

Western Australia

Division Two

Tasmania

Queensland

NSW / ACT

Northern Territory

[Razorblade]

Todd Grima = gun? 

[one-eyed]

Apple Isle thumps NT
3:33:15 PM Sat 25 June, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

Tasmania has started its NAB AFL under-18 championship campaign in brilliant style, with key forward Todd Grima produced a scintillating performance, kicking 10 goals, as the Apple Isle comfortably overcame the Northern Territory by 62 points.

Tassie 18.5 (113) defeated the Thunder 8.3 (51) in the first match of the 2005 carnival, staged at Optus Oval in chilly, but sunny conditions on Saturday.

The heroics of Grima, on top of Tasmania's deadly accuracy in front of goal, were crucial to the win, as the Apple Isle booted 11.1 to 5.7 in the first half, before running away with the victory.

The 18-year-old, 193cm tall key forward, from the Northern Bombers, was outstanding as he kicked three goals in the opening term - including the first two of the match. He then bagged another three in the second quarter to have six goals by the first half.
 
He then added a further four goals after the main break to hit doubles figures in one of the best individual efforts in the history of the under 18 tournament.

Grima's conversion was spot-on, kicking 10 goals straight from his 12 kicks, while he claimed nine marks - including six contested marks. His efforts will surely get the football pundits talking.

Mitchell Thorp (18 disposals and a goal), Cameron Beck (16 touches and two majors) and Darren Crawford (17 possessions and one goal) were other players to shine for Tasmania.

For the Territory, Trevor Oliver racked up 25 touches - the most for the match - to be among his side's best, while Nathan McLean notched up 20 kicks and took 11 marks. Bradley Stephensen was also a strong performer, with 22 disposals and 20 hit outs.

Tasmania controlled the match right from the start, when it slammed five goals to one, claiming a 23-point lead at the first change.

Although the Thunder fought back and reduced the margin to 11 points at the 17-minute mark of the second term, which included two from Matthew Campbell in this period, Tasmania answered strongly with four in a row before half time.

Tassie took a 35-point advantage into the long break and from that point onwards it never looked back.

A three quarter-time lead of 43 points was blown out to 10 goals in the final quarter, giving Tasmania one of its best results in recent years.

NORTHERN TERRITORY: 1.2 5.7 6.3 8.3 (51)
TASMANIA: 5.1 11.1 13.4 18.5 (113)

GOALS - Northern Territory: Campbell 2, Calma 2, G.McLean, Oliver, Rioli, Stephensen
Tasmania: Grima 10, Beck 2, Fagan 2, Charlesworth, Crawford, Thorp, Wells

BEST - Northern Territory: Oliver, Stephensen, N.McLean, Campbell, Measures, Corrie
Tasmania: Grima, Thorp, Beck, Crawford, Howard, Armstrong, Lonergan, Turner, Neville

UMPIRES - Fila, Keating, McDonald
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=211334

[mightytiges]

Todd Grima = gun? 

How to get recruiters attention? - bag 10 goals at FF in the U18 champs lol.

[one-eyed]

Queensland opens with a win
6:00:18 PM Sat 25 June, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

Queensland has bounced back from a winless under-18 championship last year to win the first match of its 2005 NAB AFL under-18 championship campaign, overcoming New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory by 16 points.

The Scorpions 9.9 (63) defeated the Rams 7.5 (47) in the second match of the division-two double-header at Optus Oval on Saturday.

Although Queensland led at every change, NSW/ACT kept in touch for the majority of the match to hit the front twice. But Queensland answered every challenge from the Rams to eventually claim the four points.

Julian Kannis was a key contributor for Queensland in a low-scoring affair, booting three goals, including two key majors late in the match.
 
David Armitage collected 20 possessions - the most for the Scorpions - while teammates Albert Proud, Gavin Urquhart and Glen Screech combined for almost 60 touches between them.

Daniel Dzufer, an AIS/AFL Academy graduate, also showed plenty to like about his game for Queensland, booting two goals and finished with 14 disposals.

For NSW/ACT, tenacious ball-winner Kieren Jack - the son of rugby league great Gary - was among his side's most prominent, as was Trent Goodrem - the brother of Australian singing sensation Delta - who was impressive with his rebounding from defence.

Queensland led by 15 points at the first change, after booting four goals to one. Brent Renouf kicked two for the Scorpions during that period.

The second term produced just one goal - from NSW/ACT's James Bennett - as the deficit was reduced to just six points in favour of the Queenslanders at the main break.

Jack put the Rams within one-point early in the third quarter, but when teammate Nick Paine kicked truly at the 12-minute mark, NSW/ACT was back in front by five points.

Queensland answered via Rhan Hooper and Dzufer, but when NSW/ACT's Adam Prior responded, it back to a two-point margin in favour of the Scorpions at three quarter-time. It was game-on heading into the final stanza.

Kannis opened proceedings when he jagged two in two minutes, giving Queensland a 15-point lead at the five-minute mark. Although Dylan Addison kept NSW/ACT within reach, the low-scoring contest meant Lee Spurr's major at the 13-minute mark was enough to see the Scorpions home.

QUEENSLAND: 4.3 4.4 6.7 9.9 (63)
NSW/ACT: 2.0 3.4 6.5 7.5 (47)

GOALS -
Queensland: Kannis 3, Dzufer 2, Renouf 2, Hooper, Spurr
NSW/ACT: Addison, Bennett, Jack, Lynch, Paine, A.Prior, Rowe

BEST -
Queensland: Proud, Urquhart, Screech, Mills, Kannis, Dzufer, Armitage
NSW/ACT: Jack, Goodrem, Logie, Bennett, Addison, Stapleton

UMPIRES - Cure, Pawley, Reeves
At Optus Oval
 
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=211338

Useless trivia: Goodrem is the younger brother of Delta.

[PuntRdRoar]

I saw both matches, i didnt see anyone worth drafting. The NT boys were midgets ... even afew of us could have kicked 10 against them, nevertheless Grima put in a good performance and hopefully he has sucked a club in to take him top 10-15 which isnt Richmond lol. NSW didnt have anyone worth drafting either. I wanted to see how Bennett went but hes not AFLdraft standard imho. Looking forward to tomorrows games with enthusiasm now. I for one will hope the Keys disappoint a little and that the midfielders really shine. We desperately need to get 1 good key position with our first pick. Ill be particularly interested to see Josh Kennedy from WA- At this stage he is the most likeliest best tall that will be available for us when our pick comes up!

[Razorblade]

No doubt this Grima kid gets hyped through the roof, however i will wait until i see him play on a "real" defender and kick a bag before i join the bandwagon!

Reiwoldt's cuz looks the goods aswell, so does Thorpe from tassie.

[PuntRdRoar]

Thorp was the best out of the lot. Versatile. Can play up or back either FF or FB. Top 5 next year!

[PuntRdRoar]

Didnt go to games today stayed home and looked at both games via foxfooty. Vic Country really disappointing- hardly any standouts- Drum disappointing. May have fallen in draft standings. From what i saw today at best 2nd round selection. Sth Australia have a good young group. Midfield especially good. From our perspective Cleve Hughes at 193cm is definately a top 10 pick from what I saw. In the other game Vic Metro vs WA- Vic Metro- Marc Murphy terrific- top 10 if he doesnt go to Brisbane, Dowler kicked goals but watching the game i wasnt convinced until the 3rd quarter where from HFF he got the footy ran with it for about 5 metres waited for his opponent to come at him and popped a nice handball to a teamate who kicked a goal- showed footy smarts with that play. Holds position well. Will be good Full Forwards-CHF type- If he plays like that for the other 2 games he'll go top 3 and wont come to RFC. I like Spangher- Classy tall CHB type who runs the footy as well. Should be a 1st round selection...in the mix for the Tigers with our first pick if still available. Josh Kennedy- WA...plenty of size and run and mobility...took good grabs and kicked good goals from around the 50...top 10 pick for mine...didnt let anyone down. Mitch Clark looks like a footballer but today....as Rex would say Schiessenhausen...didnt get near it for most of the game. Of all the talls on both sides- one of the worst. Id like to run through afew more but i must go...Ill be back later with more thoughts.

[PuntRdRoar]

Key Positions that Impressed me this weekend that may be in the RFC draft mix

1) Beau Dowler
2) Josh Kennedy
3) Matthew Spangher
4) Cleve Hughes
5) Lachlan Hansen- not eligible i dont think this year
6) Mitch Thorp- see Hansen
7) Mitch Clark- Disappointing today

[Razorblade]

I only sporadically watched the Metro/WA game, but was he getting double teamed Richo style all day or only for some of it?

[one-eyed]

Vic Metro upsets Sandgropers
5:42:40 PM Sun 26 June, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

Victoria Metropolitan has opened its 2005 NAB AFL under-18 championship campaign in terrific style, upsetting the hotly-fancied Western Australia by 27 points on Sunday.

Metro 13.10 (88) defeated the Sandgropers 9.7 (61) in the second match of the division one double-header at Optus Oval.

After winning the division one title in 2004, Vic Metro was expected to be under threat from Western Australia in its opening match, but the home-town side led at every change to outplay the Sandgropers.

Marc Murphy - the son of former VFL/AFL player John - was outstanding with 23 touches. A member of last year's championships, he is eligible for this year's NAB AFL Draft and is in contention to be taken by the Brisbane Lions with the father/son rule.
 
Nathan Jones racked up 27 disposals - the most for the match - while Robin Nahas was another key possession winner, with 22 touches for Vic Metro.

Up forward for Vic Metro, Beau Dowler finished with four goals, while Simon Phillips chipped in with three goals. Matthew Spangher was another impressive performer.

For Western Australia, Andrew Swallow, a player touted to be drafted in last year's November meeting as a 17-year-old, was terrific, as he notched up 20 touches. Cameron Heise booted two goals, while Leroy Jetta showed plenty to like about his game.

Western Australia claimed an early four-point lead, but when Vic Metro jagged three in a row, the home side took a 15-point margin into the first break.

Vic Metro dominated the second term, slamming on five unanswered goals to runaway to a 46-point lead. The Sandgropers' only goal for the quarter came came at the 18-minute mark via Josh Kennedy, yet the Metro still took a 41-point buffer into half-time.

Dowler was a key factor for the city slickers in the first half, as he had four on the board, while Jones had 18 touches and Murphy had 17 disposals by the long break.

Western Australia outscored Vic Metro in the second half with six goals to four. At one stage, the Sandgropers reduced the margin to 22 points during the final term.

But when the home side added two in two minutes mid-way through the last quarter, Vic Metro confirmed its victory.

VICTORIA METROPOLITAN: 4.4 9.7 10.9 13.10 (88)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA: 2.1 3.2 5.5 9.7 (61)

GOALS -
Vic Metro: Dowler 4, Phillips 3, Adams, Bentley, Krakouer, McKinley, Murphy, Thomas
Western Australia: Heise 2, Kennedy 2, Ballantyne, Gribble, Gumbleton, Oakley-Nicholls, Seal

BEST -
Vic Metro: Murphy, Dowler, Jones, Nahas, Phillips, Spangher, McKinley
Western Australia: Swallow, Heise, Jetta, Conway, Oakley-Nicholls, Seal

UMPIRES - Brown, Hay, Ryan
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=211394

[one-eyed]

Croweaters thrash Vic Country
3:47:10 PM Sun 26 June, 2005
Matt Burgan
Sportal for afl.com.au

South Australia has started its 2005 NAB AFL under-18 championship campaign in stunning fashion, thrashing Victoria Country by 51 points.

The Croweaters 14.8 (92) defeated Country 5.11 (41) in the first match of the division one double-header at Optus Oval on Sunday.

South Australia led for the entire match, but put the medal down in the last quarter, slamming on six goals to zip. The win was revenge of some sort after it lost to Vic Country in 2004.

Jace Bode gained the most touches for South Australia (25), while teammates Darren Pfeiffer, Sam Elliott and Tom Hurley were also prominent ball-winners.
 
Up forward, South Australian vice-captain Tom Rischbieth and Cleave Hughes bagged three goals each, while Alan Obst rebounded strongly out of defence.

Tom Redden, a NAB AFL Draft Camp attendee last year, was terrific in the first half with 12 touches and five marks, while Brad Sugars also impressed after he played in last year's carnival.

For Vic Country, Xavier Ellis was his side's best, as he won 23 touches - the most for the white and blue - while the much-talked about Joel Selwood showed why he will feature prominently at the NAB AFL Draft in November. Selwood is the younger brother of twins Adam (West Coast) and Troy (Brisbane Lions).

Lachlan Hansen also showed plenty to like about his game, as he took some strong marks in defence, while the highly-rated Marcus Drum - who was an All-Australian last year - was solid. Benjamin Fraser also finished with three of his side's five majors.

South Australia started the match strongly, booting four goals to one to gain an 18-point advantage at the first break.

Four majors were added in a low-scoring, goal-for-goal second term, with the Croweaters leading by 17 points at half-time.

South Australia added the opening two goals of the third term, to stretch the margin to 29 points, but when Fraser bobbed up with two in a row, Vic Country cut the deficit to 16 points at the final change.

Although the match was still within Vic Country's reach heading into the final term, South Australia added three in the first three minutes and was home. And another three goals for the South Australians rubbed further salt into Victorian wounds.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA: 4.2 6.3 8.5 14.8 (92)
VICTORIA COUNTRY: 1.2 3.4 5.7 5.11 (41)

GOALS -
South Australia: Hughes 3, Rischbieth 3, Bricknell, Dutschke, Ebert, Elliott, Hurley, Lower, Sugars, Yeomans
Vic Country: Fraser 3, Ellis, Simpkin

BEST -
South Australia: Elliott, Bode, Obst, Pfeiffer, McEntee, Hurn, Hughes, Rischbieth, Sugars
Vic Country: Ellis, Hansen, Bowe, Selwood, Drum, Fraser

UMPIRES - Elliott, Kelleher, Mills
At Optus Oval

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=211381