Draftees, Just a thought!!!

[Hellenic Tiger]

I have just watched the Essendon v Hawthorn game on foxtel and I had this thought.

In October last year as well as pre season draft and previous drafts in previous years we have picked up players.

Last year

Vickery Post Thompson Hislop Cousins.
I was looking at Hawthorn and Essendon and all the young kids they have in their team and I make reference to their first or second year players who have performed admirably and how they have an impact on their games. I saw Zaharakis who not only had an impact tonight but two weeks ago and in another couple of games. Tayte Pears in the backline, Bellchambers, Houli,Neagle,just to name a few for the Bombers and the Hawks okay they have injuries but the kids have had their moments there too. Whitecross, Rioli,Tuck, Moss, Stokes and they have a few others.

Ours we had a whole debate with Richo's injury this week and the general concenus is Vickery is not ready to play senior footy, neither is Post, Gourdis unlikely, Putt not yet, yet the one who is good enough in Cotch is injured. Furthermore Thompson was drafted at 42 and has not played a game, Hislop was awful against the Dogs and looks gone, Morton has been serviceable in his 20 or so games for the most part and McMahon has been awful. This has been in just the past two seasons. Of the 2007 draftees Riewoldt is playing regularly Polak will probably never play again Kingsley was just filling a void to make a tired and mute point.

It seems other clubs get ready made kids who can get thrown to the wolves and although they may not win every week they flourish to an extent and give a good account of themselves. We on the other hand leave these kids languishing in the reserves and regurgitate the same ins and outs over and over and over again as the general talk is this player or that player at Coburg is not good enough is too raw has not yet honed his skill properly. Why draft him at 18 when he has these deficiencies and he may get considered at 21 to get a guernsey. Maybe we need to overcome this fear of failure and play these kids rather than persist with these players who have failed before. When will Vickery be ready, How about Post, Gourdis, Putt, heck even Thompson? Bad luck has not helped with Cotch's injury and Polak's but they are only 2 players of maybe about 10-14 players who have been eligible to player senior footy for RFC since Round 1 2007.Geez no wonder we are struggling when our young first and second year players are not getting a run, or a having not much impact on games.
In reality we have been awful in our selections and our drafting. The chickens will still be coming home to roost for a few more years yet. I am envious of most of the other clubs and hope our new coach can rectify this and invest on this youth come match day. Somehow losing with kids mostly in the side is more acceptable than losing when the core of your ins are Senior players over 30 to complement the 30+ year olds already in the side as well as players who have been around for 5-10 years who although are in that 23-27 age group may just be taking up places for someone who just might be the next big thing. Take a chance Tiggers.

[yellowandback]

what is annoying to me is that when the young guys get opportunity, it works. Gus Graham, Rance, Collins and Nahas have all had real impact this year.
Brown, Simmonds, McMahon and even Newman at times have pretty much be ineffective.
I put this to you, we play nahas, graham and rance instead of simmonds, brown and mcmahon in r1. Do we still drop that game by 80+ points?

[wayne]

We'd do a lot better if we played with a bit of flair and passion like the Bombers.

[tigerfan1961]

I agree with the last two posts- the gameplan TW has implemented is stifling our development. Run and Carry with long kicks to two or three tall moving targets. We have the speedy players but never use their strengths!!!

With regard to the first post, our Recruiting Manager, Francis Jackson, knows his stuff in my opinion and we will get benefits when some of his selections mature. But I agree that TW has to play the juniors. Today for instance, with Richo gone, Hughes and Schultz should be the two key forwards with Jack and JON also being the two lead up targets.

If we don't play them, we will never know how good they can be. With Richo out, it is ideal time to see if they have got what it takes. It is just so frustrating!!!!!

[Jackstar is back]

We'd do a lot better if we played with a bit of flair and passion like the Bombers.

100% Correct there Wayne

Jackstar is Back

[Infamy]

what is annoying to me is that when the young guys get opportunity, it works. Gus Graham, Rance, Collins and Nahas have all had real impact this year.
Brown, Simmonds, McMahon and even Newman at times have pretty much be ineffective.
I put this to you, we play nahas, graham and rance instead of simmonds, brown and mcmahon in r1. Do we still drop that game by 80+ points?

The thing is people will critisise for doing the opposite too, the players people want to call up aren't showing form at a lower level so why should they get a free ride into the seniors?
Gus is in his 4 year, Rance his 2nd and pushed for selection for almost all of the 2nd half of last year, Collins had OP and also pushed for selection last year, Nahas impressed on the track all preseason and has performed instantly at Coburg when demoted and has started adjusting to the AFL level.

So given that all 4 of the examples listed have had to earn their spot and performed at Coburg when asked, why should we break that trend and start giving games to kids who haven't earned it?




Shane Edwards was pretty average in the AFL this year, but he shone at Coburg last week and will hopefully be pushing for reselection in the next week or two, his kicking was much better. Given this thread is based around 1st and 2nd year players, Shane has had a pretty impressive first two years for such a small kid and he will be back.

Vickery just simply isn't ready as he's inconsistent. He was great in his first Coburg Seniors match against Box Hill then almost unsighted against Casey. Hopefully the Box Hill form becomes the norm and he will be fast tracked for selection, but he shouldn't be put in before that.


I also agree with wayne

From our 2004 draft, Lids, Tambo, Patto, Polo & McGuane are in the side with Thursty only out on current form. From 2005 JON, White & Graham are in the side. From 2006 Riewoldt & Collins are in the side with Edwards & Connors both having shown good form at AFL level also. From 2007 Cotchin is a walk up start in the 22 plus Rance is entrenched in the side now aswell. In 2008 Cousins doesn't count, but Nahas is quickly adjusting to senior level and it's too soon given we focussed on getting kpps to judge our early picks and Browne. I haven't given up on Hislop and Thomson either.

[Francois Jackson]

what is annoying to me is that when the young guys get opportunity, it works. Gus Graham, Rance, Collins and Nahas have all had real impact this year.
Brown, Simmonds, McMahon and even Newman at times have pretty much be ineffective.
I put this to you, we play nahas, graham and rance instead of simmonds, brown and mcmahon in r1. Do we still drop that game by 80+ points?

The thing is people will critisise for doing the opposite too, the players people want to call up aren't showing form at a lower level so why should they get a free ride into the seniors?
Gus is in his 4 year, Rance his 2nd and pushed for selection for almost all of the 2nd half of last year, Collins had OP and also pushed for selection last year, Nahas impressed on the track all preseason and has performed instantly at Coburg when demoted and has started adjusting to the AFL level.

So given that all 4 of the examples listed have had to earn their spot and performed at Coburg when asked, why should we break that trend and start giving games to kids who haven't earned it?




Shane Edwards was pretty average in the AFL this year, but he shone at Coburg last week and will hopefully be pushing for reselection in the next week or two, his kicking was much better. Given this thread is based around 1st and 2nd year players, Shane has had a pretty impressive first two years for such a small kid and he will be back.

Vickery just simply isn't ready as he's inconsistent. He was great in his first Coburg Seniors match against Box Hill then almost unsighted against Casey. Hopefully the Box Hill form becomes the norm and he will be fast tracked for selection, but he shouldn't be put in before that.


I also agree with wayne

From our 2004 draft, Lids, Tambo, Patto, Polo & McGuane are in the side with Thursty only out on current form. From 2005 JON, White & Graham are in the side. From 2006 Riewoldt & Collins are in the side with Edwards & Connors both having shown good form at AFL level also. From 2007 Cotchin is a walk up start in the 22 plus Rance is entrenched in the side now aswell. In 2008 Cousins doesn't count, but Nahas is quickly adjusting to senior level and it's too soon given we focussed on getting kpps to judge our early picks and Browne. I haven't given up on Hislop and Thomson either.

you have no idea and must be on some good drugs.

Vickery played a great game for Coburg 2 weeks ago. Schulz played rubbish last week yet gets a call up.

Edwards good last week rubbish the week before but hey gets the call up.

We have got no balls as a football club and most of the selectors and coaches think the way you do, hence why we are the rabble that we are.

Edwards is an embarrassment to be wearing the yellow and black. He should watch a tape on Milne to know how a real forward does it.

Loved it how he did a Josh Fraser on the members wing. stuffin useless prick.

Biggest sign we are going no where was when Edwards was slung to the ground in the pocket. IT SAYS IT ALL IMO.

Tackle count anyone??? ooh yes thats right WE LOST AGAIN.

[Hellenic Tiger]

Please as a part of this improvement I do not want to see JON again in an RFC guernsey. 15 metre floating kicks across the 50 metre line when we are up and have options in the 50 are not the way to go.
Schulz has been around since 2003. He made money for us with his drink driving TAC fiasco but he has had more than enough chances to perform.

I want the future next week versus Port Connors Vickery Cotchin Morton anyone in their first second or third season. I don't care how they have played recently at VFL level. They'll adjust to AFL level in time and be valuable to our club. No Browny No Schulz No Veterans. No players who have failed us time and time again. The future must start today. The line in the sand has to have been drawn in the second half of todays game.

[Francois Jackson]

Anyone who would prefer to see Schulz next week rathern than Vickery must be on drugs.

Some people on here said gee schulz will perform now that Richo is out of the side. RUBBISH!!

i knew he was rubbish 5 years ago but still he gets a game.

Rance and Graham are our future not duds like Schulz.

[Tigermonk]

if you dont play draftees they go backwards

[Hellenic Tiger]

Surely Daniel you don't mean that Vickery shouldn't get a gig next week. The kid has to play at a time like this when we have no forward line. Schulz should not be selected for a division 3 suburban side.

[Francois Jackson]

Surely Daniel you don't mean that Vickery shouldn't get a gig next week. The kid has to play at a time like this when we have no forward line. Schulz should not be selected for a division 3 suburban side.

can you believe we could have got a pick 20ish from Adelaide and more recently a pick 30ish from Port.

With or Without Richo, Schulz cannot play football. Never has been a footballer and never will be.

A half dozen descent games in defence has sugar coated the fact that he is rubbish and not PART OF OUR FUTURE.

[Jackstar is back]

Please as a part of this improvement I do not want to see JON again in an RFC guernsey. 15 metre floating kicks across the 50 metre line when we are up and have options in the 50 are not the way to go.
Schulz has been around since 2003. He made money for us with his drink driving TAC fiasco but he has had more than enough chances to perform.

I want the future next week versus Port Connors Vickery Cotchin Morton anyone in their first second or third season. I don't care how they have played recently at VFL level. They'll adjust to AFL level in time and be valuable to our club. No Browny No Schulz No Veterans. No players who have failed us time and time again. The future must start today. The line in the sand has to have been drawn in the second half of todays game.

Never want to see Schulz or JON EVER AGAIN

[Infamy]

what is annoying to me is that when the young guys get opportunity, it works. Gus Graham, Rance, Collins and Nahas have all had real impact this year.
Brown, Simmonds, McMahon and even Newman at times have pretty much be ineffective.
I put this to you, we play nahas, graham and rance instead of simmonds, brown and mcmahon in r1. Do we still drop that game by 80+ points?

The thing is people will critisise for doing the opposite too, the players people want to call up aren't showing form at a lower level so why should they get a free ride into the seniors?
Gus is in his 4 year, Rance his 2nd and pushed for selection for almost all of the 2nd half of last year, Collins had OP and also pushed for selection last year, Nahas impressed on the track all preseason and has performed instantly at Coburg when demoted and has started adjusting to the AFL level.

So given that all 4 of the examples listed have had to earn their spot and performed at Coburg when asked, why should we break that trend and start giving games to kids who haven't earned it?




Shane Edwards was pretty average in the AFL this year, but he shone at Coburg last week and will hopefully be pushing for reselection in the next week or two, his kicking was much better. Given this thread is based around 1st and 2nd year players, Shane has had a pretty impressive first two years for such a small kid and he will be back.

Vickery just simply isn't ready as he's inconsistent. He was great in his first Coburg Seniors match against Box Hill then almost unsighted against Casey. Hopefully the Box Hill form becomes the norm and he will be fast tracked for selection, but he shouldn't be put in before that.


I also agree with wayne

From our 2004 draft, Lids, Tambo, Patto, Polo & McGuane are in the side with Thursty only out on current form. From 2005 JON, White & Graham are in the side. From 2006 Riewoldt & Collins are in the side with Edwards & Connors both having shown good form at AFL level also. From 2007 Cotchin is a walk up start in the 22 plus Rance is entrenched in the side now aswell. In 2008 Cousins doesn't count, but Nahas is quickly adjusting to senior level and it's too soon given we focussed on getting kpps to judge our early picks and Browne. I haven't given up on Hislop and Thomson either.

you have no idea and must be on some good drugs.

Vickery played a great game for Coburg 2 weeks ago. Schulz played rubbish last week yet gets a call up.

Edwards good last week rubbish the week before but hey gets the call up.

We have got no balls as a football club and most of the selectors and coaches think the way you do, hence why we are the rabble that we are.

Edwards is an embarrassment to be wearing the yellow and black. He should watch a tape on Milne to know how a real forward does it.

Loved it how he did a Josh Fraser on the members wing. effin useless prick.

Biggest sign we are going no where was when Edwards was slung to the ground in the pocket. IT SAYS IT ALL IMO.

Tackle count anyone??? ooh yes thats right WE LOST AGAIN.

I didn't think either should have been playing today on form. My comment on Edwards were also to do with his form in the past 2 seasons, not this year.

[wayne]

Apparently on Fox Sports, Liam Pickering said that one of the young Richmond guys he manages didn't get a development coach till he was in his third year!