Tall draft talent on skinny siderichmondfc.com.au
By Matt Burgan Wed 15 July, 2009
THERE is no doubt this year's draft pool has some fine midfield talent.
Tom Scully, Jack Trengove, Anthony Morabito, Ben Cunnington and Jordan Gysberts were among the elite midfielders on show during this year's NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
But what about the key talls and rucks in this year's draft pool?
While there are still a handful of big men emerging, recruiters are of the view that tall talent is thin this year.
"The national draft is not as strong as previous years. Having said that, there is some depth in the midfield group, but very limited options for clubs seeking ruckmen or key forwards," Hawthorn player personnel and strategy manager Chris Pelchen told afl.com.au.
"They're the two areas of concern from a recruiting perspective: the lack of genuine ruckmen and genuine marking forwards."
Vic Country key forward John Butcher has been regarded as a potential No.1 draft choice, but now looms as a top five choice due to an interrupted pre-season because of injury.
His rival from Vic Metro, Ben Griffiths, has also had some injury problems, but he too got better as the carnival progressed.
South Australian tall forward Matthew Panos was named All-Australian after booting five goals against NSW/ACT and 14 for the championships.
And Western Australian Jack Darling, who has just turned 17 years old and stands at 190cm, shapes as a highly-promising forward prospect for 2010 as he is not eligible this year.
In terms of ruckman, Vic Country's Nathan Vardy and Vic Metro's Max Gawn are among the more highly rated. Vardy performed admirably, although Gawn is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
Vic Metro's Daniel Talia (centre half-back) and South Australia's James Craig (ruck) were also named in All-Australian team.
Although there is some impressive height for Queensland, the likes of Charlie Dixon (202cm), Zac Smith (205cm) and Rory Thompson (200cm) have already signed with the Gold Coast, making the task of finding key talls even harder for recruiters.
Pelchen, one of the most respected recruiters and list managers in the business, said the championships are highlighting the lack of talls available for the November NAB AFL Draft.
"We're already seeing some of the sides pinch-hitting with their ruckmen, whereas in previous years those players may not have had to have played as genuine ruckmen," he said.
"While we've got players such as John Butcher, who is an outstanding talent, normally throughout the championships, there would be four to five players you believe could play at AFL level as a genuine tall forward.
"And I don't think those numbers are there this year."
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/80714/default.aspx
