Draft day: the countdown begins (afl)

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Nicholas Naitanui
By Ben Broad
Fri 14 November, 2008

DOB: 4/5/90
Height: 197cm
Weight: 95kg
Club: Swan Districts/Midvale JFC

A high-leaping ruckman with outstanding pace, vertical leap and agility. Naitanui's tackling is also a feature of his game. A dual All-Australian at under-18 level in 2007/08. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate. From Midvale JFC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20K-O/Naitanui246x316a.jpg

Watch highlights of Nicholas Naitanui in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/64092

What sort of player are you?
I see myself as a ruckman but I also like to move around the ground a bit. I like the backline, I like centre half-back, playing down there and reading the play. I’ve got to play down there a little bit with my WAFL club and I’ve also had a little run on the wing.

Strengths?
Yeah, probably my leap, and maybe my speed for a big bloke.

Weaknesses?
Probably my shots [at goal] from around 50m out, and my kicking overall. Also maybe my positioning to mark, that’s probably my major thing.

Which AFL team do you support?
I’m a Collingwood supporter, but I don’t really mind the Eagles and Fremantle either.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I’m trying to mould myself on someone like a Dean Cox. I also like Adam Goodes as well. Big blokes that can ruck and run around.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69348

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Daniel Rich
By Ben Broad
Sat 15 November, 2008

DOB: 7/7/1990
Height: 183cm
Weight: 83kg
Club: Subiaco/Sorrento Duncraig JFC

A high-possession-winning in-and-under midfielder. Rich has quality skills including a penetrating left foot. He was a dual All-Australian under-18 selection in 2007/08. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate. From Sorrento Duncraig JFC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Rich246xWIM.jpg

Watch highlights of Daniel Rich in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/63182

What sort of player are you?
I’m a midfielder who doesn’t mind getting in-and-under.

Strengths?
My left foot is okay, and I guess being an in-and-under type is probably a strength.

Weaknesses?
I know I can get a lot fitter. I can get my work rate up a lot more in games.

Which AFL team do you support?
I’m a West Coast supporter.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
Maybe kind of Luke Hodge just because of the left foot.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69462

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Jordan Roughead
By Chelsea Roffey
Sun 16 November, 2008

DOB: 3/11/90
Height: 199cm
Weight: 87kg
Club: North Ballarat/Lake Wendouree

A developing ruckman with good endurance and good at ground level. Roughhead's ruck work is a feature of his game. From Lake Wendouree FC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Roughead246x316a.jpg

Watch highlights of Jordan Roughead in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/64090

What sort of player are you?
I like the ruck. I’ve played most of my time in the ruck. I’ve only played a couple of years. I started at under-13s and was a full-back for a couple of years and then made the Rebels under-16s and went into the ruck and it’s all gone from there pretty much.
For North Ballarat I play in the ruck and full-forward.

Strengths?
Probably my ruck tap work, my leap and my marking ability.

Weaknesses?
Reading the play, getting to more contests and I guess working on my disposal a bit more.

Which AFL club do you support?
I barrack for the Western Bulldogs. My old man played ressies (reserves) for the Bulldogs in the late '70s I think, so I just caught on there. He gives me a bit of advice and helps out a bit.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I always loved watching Luke Darcy and thought I played a bit like him, but after playing against Matt Kreuzer last year I’m trying to develop my game on him and what he used to do.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69464

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Ryan Schoenmakers
By Katrina Gill
Mon 17 November, 2008

DOB: 8/11/90
Height: 189cm
Weight: 85kg
Club: Norwood, SA

A forward with good endurance, Schoenmakers is strong overhead, effective by foot on either side and can kick goals. A South Australian under-18 representative in 2008. From Tea Tree Gully FC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Schoenmakers246xWIM.jpg

Watch highlights of Ryan Schoenmakers in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/afl/84564

What sort of player are you?
I’d say I’m an athletic centre half-forward. I like to cover a fair bit of ground and deliver the ball to the full-forwards.

Strengths?
My biggest strengths are probably my skills and my athleticism. For a big guy, those two attributes come in handy and I’m not too bad at taking a mark overhead either.

Weaknesses?
My weakness is probably at the one-on-one contests. I tend to get pushed out the way at marking contests a bit, so I need to work on my upper body strength and get better in that area.

Which AFL club do you support?
I’ve always been a Crows man.

Which AFL player do you most resemble?
I suppose I’m a bit similar to Ryan O’Keefe. He runs a lot, has good skills and works up the ground a lot, as well as kicking goals, so he’s someone I watch a lot.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69465

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Jamie Sheahan
By Chelsea Roffey
Tue 18 November, 2008

DOB: 11/8/90
Height: 178cm
Weight: 73kg
Club: Murray Bushrangers/Assumption College

Sheahan is a small midfielder with pace who can go forward and kick goals. He led Assumption College to its win in the Herald Sun Shield this year. A Vic Country representative at the NAB AFL under-18 championships. From Mansfield FC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Sheahan246x316d.jpg

Watch highlights of Jamie Sheahan in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/63097

What sort of player are you?
Predominately I play on the ball, rover. I don’t mind pushing forward to a forward flank. In the national championships I probably changed on the ball, and for the Bushrangers and my school I pretty much play on the ball, swapping up forward.

Strengths?
Maybe agility and leg speed, but probably my skills and speed off the mark.

Weaknesses?
Work rate and trying to get to as many contests as possible

Which AFL team do you support?
I don’t like saying this much of the time, but Richmond.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I probably just try to take the good attributes of most players … maybe a Shane Crawford or someone like that. Someone who plays on the ball and likes to go down forward and kick a couple of goals.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69466

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Luke Shuey
By Matt Burgan
Wed 19 November, 2008

DOB: 02/06/90
Height: 185cm
Weight: 84kg
Club: Oakleigh Chargers

Shuey is an inside midfielder who excels at stoppages and has good ball-winning ability. He has pace and can go forward with good effect. A Vic Metro under-18 representative in 2008. From Marcellin College.

What sort of player are you?
I'm generally an inside player and I don't run with the ball that much. I play midfield. I generally rest forward with Oakleigh and also my school team [Marcellin College].

Strengths?
My clearance work and aerobic capacity are my two main strengths.

Weaknesses?
I've been told I've got to start kicking a few goals as a midfielder. I've also been told to get my speed under three seconds for 20m. I ran a 2.94 [at the NAB AFL Draft Camp], but those two areas.

Which AFL team do you support?
I'm a Melbourne supporter.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I model my game around Nathan Jones. I do most of my work inside and I've got a bash-and-crash game. I like that stuff and I look up to him.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69467

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Steele Sidebottom
By Chelsea Roffey
Thu 20 November, 2008

DOB: 2/1/91
Height: 182cm
Weight: 79kg
Club: Murray/Congupna

Sidebottom is a medium defender with neat disposal by foot who can go forward with devastating effect. He is strong overhead and in one-on-one contests. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate and Vic Country representative in 2008, when he won All-Australian honours. From Congupna FC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Sidebottom246xWIM.jpg

Watch highlights of Steele Sidebottom in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/64043

What sort of player are you?
This year I’ve started to go down back a bit, so I’m a bit of a running half-back flanker. But I like to go into the midfield a bit and get amongst it. Last year I played predominately midfield and swapping up forward. I hadn’t really played [in the] backline before.

Strengths?
I like to think I’m good on both sides of my body.

Weaknesses?
I suppose I can build myself up a bit, and get a bit more bulk. I also need to get a bit more accountable for my man.

Which AFL team do you support?
The Bombers. I went there for a week (Sidebottom is a member of the AIS/AFL Academy) and that was really good.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I don’t really know. Lindsay Gilbee goes pretty well down in the backline and he’s really good on both sides of his body.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69468

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Tyson Slattery
By Chelsea Roffey
Fri 21 November, 2008

DOB: 3/12/90
Height: 189cm
Weight: 81kg
Club: West Adelaide/Edwardstown

Slattery is a running defender who is good one-on-one both in the air and on the ground. A South Australian under-18 representative in 2007/08.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Slattery246x316b.jpg

Watch highlights of Tyson Slattery in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/85160

Strengths?
Shutting down the man, making the right decisions – whether to punch or mark, being in front.

Weaknesses?
My carnival hasn’t been the best, I expect better from myself. [I’ve been] learning off the other talented players. You’re playing against the best in the states and just learning the positions – where you should run to, when you should go, when you should stay. I’ll go back to my club and I reckon I’ll be a better player because of the carnival.

Which AFL team do you support?
I’m a Crows boy.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
(Essendon’s) Dustin Fletcher – he has a similar body structure. We don’t have much weight but he can take on the biggest players and the strongest players and do a good job on them. Adam McPhee, from Essendon, for his versatility. I see myself as a backman but I could also go up forward on a wing. Also, Adam Hunter from West Coast. I believe all three of them are really versatile.

We get moved around. When I go back to club football I’ll play up on a wing or forward line but when I come out to state, it’s backman and away you go.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69470

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Rory Sloane
By Matt Burgan
Sat 22 November, 2008

DOB: 17/03/90
Height: 182cm
Weight: 76kg
Club: Eastern Ranges

He is a competitive defender who can also play in the midfield or forward. Sloane wins his own ball, is strong overhead and is excellent in one-on-one situations. A Vic Metro under-18 representative in 2008. From Upwey-Tecoma FC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20P-T/Sloane246xWIMa.jpg

Watch highlights of Rory Sloane in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/afl/84560

What sort of player are you?
I'm a pretty competitive player. I don't like to lose at all.

Strengths?
I'm a hard, inside midfielder. I get that handball out, so I consider myself as an inside man, with clean hands out the back. I can still run and carry the ball all right, but I like it tough.

Weaknesses?
I can't express them. I can't let people know my weaknesses. Kryptonite is my weakness – just joking.

Which AFL team do you support?
St Kilda. I'm a Saints man and I love Robert Harvey and Nick Riewoldt. I've looked at them for inspiration. I love the way Harvey works. I met him here [at the NAB AFL Draft Camp]. The first day I saw him here and I went up and shook his hand. I said: "Harvs, good season." I'm in awe in him.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I'm not quite his talent, but I'd love to resemble Robert Harvey. He won two Brownlows and he was unlucky not to win a premiership. He works hard and never tires, so I'd like to think of myself as like Harvs.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69471

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Nick Suban
By Chelsea Roffey
Sun 23 November, 2008

DOB: 9/5/90
Height: 179cm
Weight: 82kg
Club: North Ballarat/Bacchus Marsh

Suban is a competitive small midfielder who wins his own ball in contested situations. He has excellent skills and is a player who makes good decisions. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate. A Vic Country under-18 representative winning All-Australian under-18 selection in 2007/08. From Bacchus Marsh FC.

Pic - http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20U-Z/Suban246xWIM.jpg

Watch highlights of Nick Suban in action - http://bigpondvideo.com/AFLTV/63195

What sort of player are you?
I’m probably an inside or outside sort of player. I don’t mind getting in and getting it or receiving it outside either. I try to win the contests as well as get it in a bit of space. I pride myself on my kicking and try to hit as many targets as I can.

Strengths?
Probably my kicking. If I can hit most of my targets I’ll be pretty happy.

Weaknesses?
My fitness I think. Getting from contest to contest, I can find that a bit hard at times.

Which AFL team do you support?
St Kilda.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
I’m a St Kilda supporter so I’ve always grown up liking Robert Harvey and Nick Dal Santo and those types of blokes. I just love the way they go about it. I really admire Harvey’s work rate, so if I could get something like his fitness it’d be great.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69473

[one-eyed]

Draft countdown: Tyrone Vickery
By Chelsea Roffey
Mon 24 November, 2008

DOB: 31/5/90
Height: 200cm
Weight: 86kg
Club: Sandringham/Haileybury College

Vickery is a strong-marking ruckman who can go forward with great effect. He is a competitive player with good decision-making ability. A Vic Metro under-18 representative in 2008, winning All-Australian honours. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate. From Haileybury College.

Strengths?
I think I’m very good at competing in the air. I try either to mark it or bring it to the front for our crumbers. Just some honest contests and I try and not just be a tall player but an athletic player as well, and I try to lay some tackles.

Weaknesses?
I’m still working on my endurance. I’ve had to cut back on the running to make sure my knee doesn’t flare up again or anything, or swell up. But now the carnival’s over I’m going to look at training a lot more for my running and hopefully run out games better.

Which AFL team do you support?
Richmond.

Which AFL player do you feel you most resemble?
The two (Richmond) ruckmen, Troy Simmonds and Adam Pattison. I think both are different types of ruckmen but I admire both very much. And obviously Matthew Richardson when I’m up forward; his work rate’s exceptional.

I admire Dean Cox, the fact that he’s a ruckman as well, the fact that he doesn’t just sit back, he’s considered another on-baller is really good I think, so I try and model myself on people like that. Even hard defenders – I like Leo Barry. I like his run, his flair.

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69477