Why did our Irish experiment fail?

[mightytiges]

Going by Jamie O'Reilly's interviews after returning home to Ireland, his heart was never really into it. He was glad for the experience but he missed being home and playing Gaelic Football.

[tdy]

But how many good Irish recruits historically have been great? Like after Jim Stynes, Pearce Hanley, and Tadgh Kennelly I am struggling to think of decent Irish recruits in the league.

Sean White was fantastic of the half back for the Dees. He played a classic sweeper role like out of soccer in many ways.  These new Irish are doing the same thing in a more congested field.

Wikipedia says 3 category B rookies are allowed we have one in Soldo. I didn't realise this but your limited to one Irish cat B rookie.

[Slipper]

At the end of the day, I am not really sure International Rookie recruits are worth the effort, but if we are going to look at getting an Irish recruit onto the list, I hope we look for a potential ruckman or at a stretch a KPP prospect.

To me, you should use this type of rookie opportunity to look for the next Jim Stynes (or Mike Pyke for that matter) as opposed to a Kennelly or Hanley.

I know Stynes could well be a one in a century type recruit, but I think you need to look for the tall and athletic player as opposed to a smaller player. The taller player's have at least their height to fall back on.

I just think at the end of the day that a guy like Jamie O'Reilly or John Heslin was never really going to make it no matter how good they were. They were trying to compete with guys who have spent most of their lives playing in the middle or smaller player roles getting a lot of the footy, who are miles ahead in their development of the skills of the game and the decision making and ability to execute those skills under game pressure that is required.

Sure there will be exceptions, but at the end of the day I think the odds would probably favour a big guy coming in an making the grade as opposed to a smaller player. And as has been shown, ruckman take time to develop, so the international rookie spot gives you the luxury of finding that tall talent and giving it every opportunity to develop.

[Slipper]

But how many good Irish recruits historically have been great? Like after Jim Stynes, Pearce Hanley, and Tadgh Kennelly I am struggling to think of decent Irish recruits in the league.

Sean White was fantastic of the half back for the Dees. He played a classic sweeper role like out of soccer in many ways.  These new Irish are doing the same thing in a more congested field.

With all due respects to Kennelly. I think White was the second best Irish recruit in the AFL behind Stynes. Kennelly played in some very good Sydney teams and got a lot of support. Stynes and White played in one good Melbourne team and some pretty average teams, and both were very effective.

White represented Victoria in State of Origin. He was also one of the few players in his era that could match up relatively well on Gary Ablett senior.

I remember when White died. I live in WA, and recall feeling that the WA media really failed to recognise his talent and contribution to the game. Not sure what the reaction was like in Victoria, would be interested if anyone could post what they can recall.