One-Eyed Richmond Forum
Football => View from the Outer => Topic started by: bluey_21 on December 22, 2005, 06:54:24 PM
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I thought the 2005 thread was very insightful and thought i'd have a crack at starting a 2006 thread.
Bryce Gibbs - Highly talented midfielder who has spent past couple seasons playing on the foward line in the SANFL. Very highly rated by recruiters.
Mitch Thorp - Highly-rated in this forum and for good reason, he is an extremely versatile tall who can play FB and FF. IMO could be something very special, and i'm hoping for richmond to snare him next year.
Lachlan Hansen - Don't know much about him, but from reports he sounds like a talent-laden tall, also was very impressive at the Carnival this year.
Joel Selwood - Even more talented midfiedler than his impressive brothers Troy and Adam, but is about 6cm shorter than them.
Scott Gumbleton - Tall CHF from Peel Thunder who is a terrific contested mark (which would please WP). Is a good all-round package with good pace, endurance, skills and footy smarts. If we can't get Thorp i'm hoping for Gumbleton
Leroy Jetta - Electrifying small foward who is clever around goals and works hard to keep the ball in the foward line. Had a very good U18 championship and was rewarded with an U18 AA guernsey.
Jack Riewoldt - Tall foward who has fans and like gumbleton seems a nice all-round package with pace, skills and smarts. He does seem to have plenty of potential but i wasn't entirely impressed with his performances at the carnival this year.
There are plenty of other talented potential draftees in next years draft, but the above names are ones that have had more of the spotlight on them. If we have a similar year like this years we would end up with pick 5 meaning we would definitely pick up one of Riewoldt, Gumbleton, Hansen or Thorp, assuming that Gibbs is the consensus No. 1
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James Sellar who is also well regarded is another KPP that all clubs will look at.
I read about Sellar in the Sunday Age a couple of weeks ago, and i though he was a tall midfielder who could offer KPP relief like our own Lids.
If we go great guns next season and miss out on Thorp, i wouldn't mind Sellar
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I think we will end up with a top 3 pick, I also want us to work hard on clubs like North, Sydney and Port and try and get 1 of them to hand over a 1st rounder.
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I think we will end up with a top 3 pick, I also want us to work hard on clubs like North, Sydney and Port and try and get 1 of them to hand over a 1st rounder.
I reckon North would be the one you'd go after - they always seem to give up their 1st round pick :ROTFL
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West Coast seem to be the only team in premiership contention interested in building their list 100% through the draft.
Sydney, Kangaroos and St Kilda all traded away their 1st rounders to get players.
Late 1st rounders owned by teams looking to top up are always VERY cheap, i mean for Geez sake if Ted Richards is worth a 1st rounder Schulz is worth a top 10 pick at least! ;D
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I think we might well be bottom 4 club next year. As much as its going to hurt with the '2006 crop' it might not be such a bad thing. Fingers crossed Crows font get Bryce Gibbs F/S
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Read in The Age about two kids training at Richmond at the moment, one was called Jarrad Grant and the other Tom Bell-something. Ramps do you know anything about them, coz i'm clueless about them
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Read in The Age about two kids training at Richmond at the moment, one was called Jarrad Grant and the other Tom Bell-something.
Part of the one-week AFL AIS scholarship program.
Tasmania -- Thomas Bellchambers (Launceston FC)
Vic Metro -- Jarrad Grant (Dandenong Stingrays/Frankston Dolphins)
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LOL Jarryd Grant, mr all talk and no action!
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Read in The Age about two kids training at Richmond at the moment, one was called Jarrad Grant and the other Tom Bell-something.
A bit more info:
Thomas Bellchambers - 9/7/89 196cm 86kg (Launceston FC)
Jarrad Grant - 6/7/89 188cm 70kg (Dandenong Stingrays/Frankston Dolphins)
Both were in the U16 AFL Championships - Squads are listed here: http://taccup.goal.com.au/_content/document/00044157-src.pdf
Grant was B.O.G. with 30 possessions across HB against Vic Country.
Just on that to see which kids are coming through the system, here are the U16 AFL Championships Results for Division 1. Gibbs and Sellar were prominant for SA with Sellar winning the MVP for the carnival.
ROUND ONE RESULTS
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 24.22. 166 def VIC COUNTRY 10.7.67
SA GOALS: Cornish 4, Gibbs 4, Boyd 2, Wright 2, Millar 2, McNamarra 2, Jessen 2, Lee 2, Hale 1, Jaensch 1, Sellar 1, Winra 1.
VIC COUNTRY GOALS: Gurton 2, Normington 2, Grant 2, Reid 2, Hinkley 1, Boyle 1.
SA BEST: Sellar, Gibbs, Schmidt, O’Grady, Wright, Holmes, Jaensch
VIC COUNTRY BEST: Reid, Hockey, Lord, Francis, McEvoy, Houlihan.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA 9.15.69 def VIC METRO 9.11.65
WA GOALS: Reimers 2, Senior 1, Masten 1, Goudis 1, Winter 1, Myers 1, Gill 1, Ellard 1.
VIC METRO GOALS: Sheldon 2, Lobbe 2, Dell’aquila 1, Merideth 1, Kruezer 1, Prismall 1, Daniher 1.
WA BEST: Reimers, Maston, Browne, Winter, Swallow, Embley, Myers.
VIC METRO BEST: Kruezer, Everitt, Potts, Sheldon, Noy, Suckling.
ROUND TWO RESULTS
VIC METRO 10.7.67 def SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5.16.46
VIC METRO GOALS: Black 2, Prismall 2, Potts 1, Dell’aquila 1, Merideth 1, Kreuzer 1, Spiteri 1, Duyndam 1.
SA GOALS: Holmes 1, Gibbs 1, Miller 1, Hall 1, Sellar.
VIC METRO BEST: Grimes, Suckling, Bongetti, Black, Dell’aquila, Kreuzer.
SA BEST: Gibbs, Sellar, Schmidt, Anderson, Wright, Holmes, Day.
VIC COUNTRY 11.7.73 def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 6.13.49
VIC COUNTRY GOALS: Schofield 4, Gurton 2, Hinkley 1, Baxter 1, Hall 1, Hockey 1, Francis 1.
WA GOALS: Leslie 1, Sweet 1, Embley 1, Reimers 1,Gourdis 1, Hill 1.
VIC COUNTRY BEST: Ford, McEvoy, Hockey, Reid, Blaser, Baxter.
WA BEST: Napoli, Sweet, Masten, Gourdis, Swallow.
ROUND THREE RESULTS
VIC METRO 16.13.109 def VIC COUNTRY 8.7.55
VIC METRO GOALS: Gabriel 3, Prismall 3, Dell'aquilla 3, Meredith 2, Kreuzer 2, Calder 1, Grimes 1, Potts 1.
VIC COUNTRY GOALS: Gurton 5, Baxter 1, Normington 1, Francis 1.
VIC METRO BEST: Grant, Dell'aquilla, Suckling, Meredith, Grimes, May.
VIC COUNTRY BEST: Normington, Houlihan, Gurton, Ford, Grant, Schofield.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 19.16.130 def WESTERN AUSTRALIA 13.9.87
SOUTH AUSTRALIA GOALS: Jaensch 7, Boyd 2, Cornish 2, Gibbs 1, Schmidt 1, Miller 1, Sellar 1, O'Grady 1, Winra 1, May 1, Wright 1.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA GOALS: Hill 4, Reimers 3, Masten 1, Ellard 1, McDonald 1, Hawksley 1, Gourdis 1, Napoli 1.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA BEST: Schmidt, Jaensch, O'Grady, Sellar, Gibbs..
WESTERN AUSTRALIA BEST: Masten, Napoli, Gourdis, Myers, Swallow, Reimers, Sweet.
KEVIN SHEEHAN MEDALLIST - MOST VALUABLE PLAYER DIVISION 1 - James Sellar (South Australia)
http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:esfJ5W1xG_kJ:goal.com.au/default.aspx%3Fs%3Dnewsdisplay%26aid%3D96388+U16+NAB+AFL+championships+2005+results+round&hl=en
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Is Miller interested in drafting Grant and Bellchambers?
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Is Miller interested in drafting Grant and Bellchambers?
I highly doubt anyone on here would know.
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Is Miller interested in drafting Grant and Bellchambers?
As a recruiter you'd expect he'd have some interest in every kid who may be good enough to get drafted at the end of the year. Being part of the AFL/AIS system helps those two being noticed by all 16 club recruiters you'd presume. Whether they are good enough to be drafted still depends mostly on how they perform in the TAC cup this year.
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too early to tell...the challenge for Miller is to try and wrack up 5 or 6 picks inside 30 if he can.
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too early to tell...the challenge for Miller is to try and wrack up 5 or 6 picks inside 30 if he can.
Replace the word challenge with mission impossible in that sentence and your on the money!
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the challenge for Miller is to try and wrack up 5 or 6 picks inside 30 if he can.
Even if we have a shocker of a year and finish with only 4 wins, we don't have anyone who we can afford to let go in a trade that will be worth 2 first round picks in return like Ottens was.
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the challenge for Miller is to try and wrack up 5 or 6 picks inside 30 if he can.
Even if we have a shocker of a year and finish with only 4 wins, we don't have anyone who we can afford to let go in a trade that will be worth 2 first round picks in return like Ottens was.
Although i wouldn't trade him, IMO Brown would be worth two first round picks probably even 3 if he can get back to his early 2005 form :thumbsup
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We could always trade Bowden, Brown, Richo and Johnson and take up a rebuilding project that would make Hawthorn green with envy, but its simply not going to happen!
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Lets say we get say 4 wins...I hope not but Ive guessed we will win between 4 and 8. If its the minimum 4 then we will get
pick 1 or 2
priority pick 17 or 18
2nd round selection pick 18 or 19
3rd round selection pick 34 or 35
so basically thats 4 picks inside 35.
Theres afew of players who I dont consider premiership type players who could get us picks between 10 and 30
6 in the top 30 to 35 players isnt unreasonable
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That's possible to end up with 6 picks inside the top 35 but IMO most of those picks we be in the second round. It's getting extra first round picks that make a huge difference. RT, which Tigers do you think will attract a first round pick in return that we could afford to lose?
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Lets say we get say 4 wins...I hope not but Ive guessed we will win between 4 and 8. If its the minimum 4 then we will get
pick 1 or 2
priority pick 17 or 18
2nd round selection pick 18 or 19
3rd round selection pick 34 or 35
so basically thats 4 picks inside 35.
Theres afew of players who I dont consider premiership type players who could get us picks between 10 and 30
6 in the top 30 to 35 players isnt unreasonable
Lets hope less than 4 wins it is for Richmond in 2006 :cheers ;)
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KPP
Mitchell Thorp
DOB - 25/12/88
Height -193cm
Weight - 81kg
State - Tas
Jack Riewoldt
DOB - 31/10/88
Height - 193cm
Weight - 82kg
State - Tas
Shaun Tapp
DOB - 06/06/88
Height - 194cm
Weight - 80kg
State - Qld
Lachlan Hansen
DOB - 17/08/88
Height - 195cm
Weight - 84kg
State - Vic
Eric Mackenzie
DOB - 19/05/88
Height - 193cm
Weight - 88kg
State - WA
Scott Gumbleton
DOB - 03/08/88
Height - 195cm
Weight - 87kg
State - WA
Jonathon Cheetham
DOB - 04/03/88
Height - 192cm
Weight - 83kg
State - SA
Ruckmen
Matthew Leuenberger
DOB - 07/06/88
Height - 201cm
Weight - 87kg
State - WA
Brent Renouf
DOB - 03/05/88
Height - 200cm
Weight - 86kg
State - Qld
Jesse White
DOB - 09/01/88
Height - 196cm
Weight - 96kg
State - Qld
Ed Wilson
DOB - 09/05/88
Height - 200cm
Weight - 89kg
State - NSW
Mids/flankers
Brock O'Brien
DOB - 30/05/88
Height - 180cm
Weight - 75kg
State - WA
Shawn Colbung
DOB - 23/05/88
Height - 177cm
Weight - 73kg
State - WA
Leroy Jetta
DOB - 06/07/88
Height - 176cm
Weight - 70kg
State - WA
Clayton Collard
DOB - 04/12/88
Height - 180cm
Weight - 76kg
State - WA
Clinton Benjamin
DOB - 27/07/88
Height - 187cm
Weight - 79kg
State - WA
Grae Grant
DOB - 14/03/88
Height - 184cm
Weight - 74kg
State - WA
Luke Licht
DOB - 04/01/88
Height - 180cm
Weight - 73kg
State - Tas
Sam Fielding
DOB - 30/09/88
Height - 179cm
Weight - 75kg
State - Tas
Daniel Farr
DOB - 24/04/88
Height - 175cm
Weight - 75kg
State - Qld
Ricky Petterd
DOB - 24/07/88
Height - 186cm
Weight - 80kg
State - Qld
Daniel Dzufer
DOB - 21/01/88
Height - 189cm
Weight - 80kg
State - Qld
Gavin Urquhart
DOB - 18/05/88
Height - 181cm
Weight - 80kg
State - Qld
Haydyn Kiel
DOB - 15/01/88
Height - 178cm
Weight - 76kg
State - Qld
Bryce Gibbs
DOB -
Height -
Weight -
State - SA
James Sellar
DOB -
Height -
Weight -
State - SA
Joel Selwood
DOB - 26/05/88
Height - 181cm
Weight - 73kg
State - Vic
Shaun Grigg
DOB - 19/04/88
Height - 187cm
Weight - 77kg
State - Vic
Robert Eddy
DOB - 07/01/88
Height - 182cm
Weight - 82kg
State - Vic
Bachar Houli
DOB - 12/05/88
Height - 179cm
Weight - 83kg
State - Vic
Ryan Anderson
DOB - 18/04/88
Height - 174cm
Weight - 68kg
State - Vic
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Apparently at this stage:
Mitchell Thorp, Lachlan Hansen, Scott Gumbleton, Leroy Jetta, Bryce Gibbs, Bachar Houli are quailty, very much top shelf.
I want Lachlan Hansen, badly.
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That's possible to end up with 6 picks inside the top 35 but IMO most of those picks we be in the second round. It's getting extra first round picks that make a huge difference. RT, which Tigers do you think will attract a first round pick in return that we could afford to lose?
Apparently 2nd round pick next year will be like 10 picks in normal drafts.
Outside Deledio I wouldn't be unhappy trading anyone for high picks in a very strong draft pool.
Brown, Johnson, Bowden, Tuck, Coughlan, Newman are who I think are worth most.
The next teir in Hyde, Rodan, Krakouer, Hall, Pettifer, Schultz a bit less.
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Nicked player reviews
1) Lachlan Hansen.
Key Position player. CHB/CHF.
KPP in the TAC for Gipppsland Power. 195cms and a very good mover. Played CHF and moved back to CHB for the 2nd half of last year. Dominated hios opponents and marked everything that came his way. Skinny still but wont shirk the issue. Freak at his age and size. Best mark I have ever seen for his age. Superb judge of it and first class attack on everything in the air. Rarely outbodied even though he is still skinny. Beat stronger opponents in the TAC with superior body positioning and judgement.
Sometimes funny watching him anticipate the kick into the forward line quicker than his opponent when playing as a defender. Would be off and running before his opponent had even moved and take an easy uncontested mark.
Was the “wall” when playing at CHB.
Will likely play forward in 2006 and see how he develops. Shown enough to suggest he can play both ends and become a dominant KPP capable of playing anywhere in the 4 key posts if required.
As he fills out will likely change his style a little and use his body more and more rather than standing off his opponent a few meters and using superior anticipation and leap and body positioning to beat the opponent.
That is not to say he is an outside player at all. He just understand his game and realises that there is no point to getting into a wrestling match against some players who are much heavier and stronger than he was in 2005. Sort of like Dustin Fletchers style. Who does not do well in wrestling contests and gets slaughtered against bigger stonger opponents when caught out in that way (Sav Rocca and J Brown come to mind who seem to beat him to the point where Sheedy wont play him on them now). The difference is that Hansen is 16 and will be filling out and wont have to play that way in a few years.
Better than Nick Riewoldt at the same age.
Weaknesses : Strange first name unless you are a media mogul.
2) Bryce Gibbs
Flanker/midfielder type.
Has some athletic ability but more as a natural footballer. Quick over the ground. Good build and superb kicking skills and ability to read the play and find space. Playing senior football in the SANFL for Glenelg.
HF flanker and midfielder who will kick goals and play all over the ground. Better in 1 on 1 contests and in open spaces rather than in congestion in packs. Such a smooth mover he appears to not be quick but is football quick with anticipation. Does everything so easily that appears to not be at 100%. The “Mark Waugh” of next years draft.
Absolute lock in cant miss selection for anyone who nabs him. Not sure he will become a bona fide pure midfielder but as a creative player who will kick goals and cut teams apart if given space and time.
Been tagged in the SANFL and shown himself to be mentally and physically up to that challenge. Niggling tactics don’t seem to bother him and regardless of the game situation will run and create an option.
Would like to see more tackling from him and a little bit more urgency at times.
Cant really find fault overall with him. For his age he has a complete game. 187cms and of course still growing and might pinch hit as a KPP when finished.
Has some football arrogance and just what you need to become a gun player in the AFL. Very coachable and works hard at his game and understands his talent already just plays with the necessary arrogance with how he is prepared to attempt the difficult kick or take on a player. Does not play safe but challenges his skills.
Weaknesses : Strange first name unless you are a best selling author.
3) Scott Gumbleton.
CHF
KPP out of WA (Peel Thunder). Strong at the contest and possesses fine skills and has size and is versatile. Showed his talent at the U18s Champs where he was as good as any big man on the ground even though he was a year younger than most of them. Plays at CHF mostly and is a beautiful kick of the ball and has the hands of a gun forward. Very mobile and covers a lot of ground. 195cms and is a natural forward. Good enough to keep Josh Kennedy out of the Key forward position for WA in the recent U18 Championships.
Capabale of taking contested marks and is a corridor player who demands the ball and has presence on the ground. Already huge size at 6 foot 5 and not skinny either. Athletic rather than bulky he will not have a problem with his body type in the future (getting to bulky) when he add more kgs and fills out.
Has very good agility and covers a lot of ground but does his best work in contested situations rather than taking easy marks out wide.
Could see him developing into a key back also over time if needed.
Would liken him to Josh Kennedy only more athletic and an even better mark. Same work rate, physicality and competitiveness and around the same size even though he is 1 year younger.
If available in this years draft all 3 of these players would have been selected in front of Marc Murphy.
They are my top 3 from the 2006 draft at this stage.
Will not be ranking the future players. Just writing a few brief notes on them and putting them up to give a guide who to look out for at this early stage
Leroy Jetta
Midfielder/Forward.
Small aboriginal player from WA. Plays for South Fremantle and stands at 176cms tall. 70 kgs and is pretty tiny at the moment. Played in the U18s Carnival for WA and showed himself to be up to the standard.
To say he is quick is an understatement. He is freakishly quick and has some of the best footwork I have ever seen to run around players and make them miss. Makes players look like they are nailed to the ground when he baulks them.
Razzle dazzle player who is a bit of a show off. Tends to go for impossible goals rather than pass the ball off.
What he does do is take players and break the game open. Very good kick on either side of the body but at his pace he rarely has to kick on the non dominant side.
Very good goal sense and suited to playing in the forward line and getting possessions forward of the centre and making them count.
Hopefully he grows a few more cms and learns to round his game off with some more 1%ers rather than just the headlight reel.
Just the type we need at Carlton with his pace and skills and X Factor.
The height and size are the concerns. Even though he can be a bit selfish at times it is most likely just trying to impress at the Carnival and also in the WAFL under coaches instructions as from all reports he is a very modest and humble player off the field. Shocking blond tips or not.
Approximately in the 8 to 12 range for next years draft at this stage.
Clinton Benjamin
Forward
Huge disappointment in the U18s Carnival last year. Enormous wraps on him but was overall poor.
187cms and 79kgs from Claremont in WA. The fact he was picked for the WA team a year before being eligible for the draft shows what the selectors thought of him.
Blindingly quick on a long lead he has pace to burn. Ran a 10.5 100m at his school (not sure about the quality of the timing device) and he has some of the quickest first few steps you can imagine. Hits top speed and can hold it when the defender is unable to.
Big leap and to see him get on a lead and take off for the ball is an awesome sight.
Good endurance and not just a sprinter. Struggled with the grounds for the Championships. Dew on them at times and his footing was unsure and never seemed to settle. More of an athlet rather than a footballer at this stage. Would be a bit like Sean Rusling from Collingwood drafted a year ago. Pacy smallish full forward with a big leap.
Would think Benjamin is that type of player but have seen him play down back and do well on bigger opponents and show himself to have all the skills.
Really could develop into anything with more experience. Will need to realise he will be a marked man and work harder on his game and to keep himself involved more. Not just be a mark and kick player.
Mitch Clark was unable to and slipped from a certainity for pick 1 at this time last year all the way to 9 with his lack of work rate and development.
10 to 20 range at this stage.
Gavin Urquhart
Midfielder
From QLD and the Morningside Club. Very very hard and physical player. Got a case of the ‘white line fevers’. Prone to losing the plot a little and can be niggled and lose concentration.
Will put his head over the ball and enjoys contested situations where he performs at his best. Still capable of running with the bell and linking up. Can turn the ball over in pressure situations a little too much but given time and space is a very good kick. Plenty of distance and penetration.
Good size already at 181 and 80kgs and is physically developed. Used this to advantage in the U18 Championships last year. Not sure there is a hell of a lot of physical improvement in him left but do like what I see.
Gets the ball, runs to dangerous positions and uses it. Hard and tough and can clear the ball from congestion. Effective rather than classy but can play all over the ground.
Not overly quick but has enough pace for it not to be a concern
Not classy but hard and effective. Goodish skills and can play. Very good tank and runs all day.
Projected : 15 to 30.
Albert Proud
Midfielder
Another midfielder from QLD. Very impressive at the U18 Champs and was All Australian there. Great skills and cut teams up given space. Not overly tall at just under 180 but still time to grow. More skilful and quicker than Urquhart and not as well developed physically. More room for improvement in him and more flair and excitement.
Very quick and elusive and has great footwork and the ability to run around players. Links up well and carries the ball. Prepared to back himself and break games open with some searing runs.
The type we need with his pace and skills. If he puts on a few cms will move right up in calculations.
Projected : 10 to 15.
Joel Selwood
Midfielder
Brother of Adam and Troy.
Better than both of them. Much better skills by hand and foot. Slightly quicker but still not what you would call fast.
The best clearance player available in the 2006 draft. Best contested ball winner and the player who if you threw the ball to and had him contest against any other midfielder for next years draft you would back to get it back to you. Uses his body so well and has an uncanny knack of getting his arms free and dishing the ball out before some players have managed to pin him.
Very physically tough and hard player who directs his aggression at the ball and has a superb temprement for AFL.
Makes up for a slight lack in pace with anticipation and his reading of the play. Yet to see him fumble the ball and great hands.
Kicking needs improvement but is not a problem just not penetrative enough yet and lacks real polish. He prefers to handball and feed runners but opponents will sag off him in the AFL if he does not improve his kicking and not make it easy for him to feed more skilful players. (for example Daniel Cross from WB)
Leadership, composed and very professional.
A cant miss selection.
Projected : 5 to 10.
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Great effort. James Sellar is a huge talent. Top 5 or 6 at this stage. For mine at the moment if nat draft was on tomorrow i reckon it would go
1.Gibbs
2. Selwood
3. Gumbleton
4. Sellar
5. Thorp
6. Hansen
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Great effort. James Sellar is a huge talent. Top 5 or 6 at this stage. For mine at the moment if nat draft was on tomorrow i reckon it would go
1.Gibbs
2. Selwood
3. Gumbleton
4. Sellar
5. Thorp
6. Hansen
Unless someone with pick 2 really wanted Selwood, i doubt he will go top 2. At this stage he'd be a top ten IMO
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Shaun Grigg
DOB - 19/04/88
Height - 187cm
Weight - 77kg
State - Vic
We should have drafted Grigg's this year, Weaver rightfully said in his mock draft that with Grigg, it is take him late in the 05 draft or take him early in the 06 draft. Grigg would have been a steal late in the draft or rookie draft last year
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Shaun Grigg
DOB - 19/04/88
Height - 187cm
Weight - 77kg
State - Vic
We should have drafted Grigg's this year, Weaver rightfully said in his mock draft that with Grigg, it is take him late in the 05 draft or take him early in the 06 draft. Grigg would have been a steal late in the draft or rookie draft last year
If a bottom age player misses the national draft I don't tihnk he can be rookied?
Wouldn't it have been nice to not given away our 4th round pick and got Grigg's there?
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Shaun Grigg
DOB - 19/04/88
Height - 187cm
Weight - 77kg
State - Vic
We should have drafted Grigg's this year, Weaver rightfully said in his mock draft that with Grigg, it is take him late in the 05 draft or take him early in the 06 draft. Grigg would have been a steal late in the draft or rookie draft last year
If a bottom age player misses the national draft I don't tihnk he can be rookied?
Wouldn't it have been nice to not given away our 4th round pick and got Grigg's there?
we had a 5th round pick and didnt use it, so we wouldnt have used a 4th round pick if we had it, unless Thornton was still there.
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we had a 5th round pick and didnt use it, so we wouldnt have used a 4th round pick if we had it, unless Thornton was still there.
That's right L19. Sydney got Thorton anyway before either pick #56 which we traded to the Dogs or pick #67 so we passed and then picked up White in the PSD.
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Something like this happened with Pavlich a couple of years back in (I think 1999) which he was eligible as a bottom-aged tall, but missed being drafted that year, only to be drafted top 5 in the next draft.
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we had a 5th round pick and didnt use it, so we wouldnt have used a 4th round pick if we had it, unless Thornton was still there.
That's right L19. Sydney got Thorton anyway before either pick #56 which we traded to the Dogs or pick #67 so we passed and then picked up White in the PSD.
Fair enough.
Would have prefered Thorton (decent young player) over P Bowden. Sounds like another season under his belt and he could be class.
Then again we may not have picked up White if we used another pick in the national draft.
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Im really hoping we can get Lachlan Hansen, can play CHF or CHB and is a tigers supporter
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Is Miller interested in drafting Grant and Bellchambers?
me and a mate were talking to the ladie at the tiger den about them jarrad was staying with her whil training with us, and she said jarrad is now about 191cms and both are 2 young to get drafted this year but next year.. jarrad looked alrite when i saw him but i didnt remember seeing tom at all
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Im really hoping we can get Lachlan Hansen, can play CHF or CHB and is a tigers supporter
Me too, but only if we can't get Thorp
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Hopefully Ryan Anderson can have a good year, and he can catch the eye of Greg Miller and hopefully pinch a spot on our rookie list. I am a big fan of his
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Im really hoping we can get Lachlan Hansen, can play CHF or CHB and is a tigers supporter
Going by last nights game we are going to need more than just Hansen
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Put a list of 6 names on a list. throw a dart. go home and be happy. coz we'll get a star at the end of the year!
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Put a list of 6 names on a list. throw a dart. go home and be happy. coz we'll get a star at the end of the year!
I personally don't want us to finish last, but it would seem bittersweet with a star at the end of the year :thumbsup
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Does anyone have a list of top 40 prospects for this years draft? We can at least start to plan how the draft will pan out for us lol :lol
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3 picks in the top 20 are likely i reckon. So a list of the top 20 wouldnt go astray.
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3 picks in the top 20 are likely i reckon. So a list of the top 20 wouldnt go astray.
What would those picks be? and who do you reckon we can possibly get with those picks?
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too early to tell, but someone on bigfooty put up profiles for about 40 players...I havent looked indepth at it yet ... but go have a look bluey and read up.
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Deleted post...
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A top 30 from BF - http://bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225797&page=10 (there's a spiel about each kid in the BF thread)
1) Lachlan Hansen - Key Position player - 195cms and 84kgs - 17/8/88 - Gippsland Power (TAC)
2) Bryce Gibbs - Utility/wing - 187cms and 78kgs - 15/3/89 - Glenelg (SA)
3) Mitchell Thorp - Key position player - 195cms and 84kgs - 25/12/88 - Northern Bombers (TAS)
4) Scott Gumbleton - Centre half forward - 195cms and 87 kgs - 3/8/88 - Peel Thunder (WA)
5) James Sellar - Ruck/Key forward - 195cms and 86kgs - 24/3/89 - Glenelg (SA)
6) Joel Selwood - Midfielder - 181cms and 74kgs - 16/5/88 - Bendigo Pioneers (TAC)
7) Matthew Leuenberger - Ruck - 201ms and 87 kgs - 7/6/88 - East Perth (WA)
8) Leroy Jetta - Midfielder/forward pocket - 176cms and 70kgs - 6/7/88 - South Fremantle (WA)
9) Jack Riewoldt - Key position player - 193cms and 83kgs - 31/10/88 - Clarence (TAS)
10) Bachar Houli - Midfielder - 179cms and 83kgs - 12/5/88 - Western Jets (TAC)
11) Albert Proud - Midfielder - 179cms and 80kgs - 6/9/88 - Mt Gravatt (QLD)
12) Clinton Benjamin - Forward/Utility - 187cms and 79kgs - 27/7/88 - Claremont (WA)
13) Eric Mackenzie - Key Position Player - 193cms and 88kgs - 19/5/88 - Claremont (WA)
14) Thomas Hislop - Midfielder - 185cms and 84kgs - 7/6/88 - Burnie Dockers (Tas)
15) Clayton Collard - Midfielder - 181cms and 76kgs - 4/12/88 - South Fremantle (WA)
16) Brock O’Brien - Midfielder/half back flanker - 180cms and 79kgs - 30/5/88 - Peel Thunder (WA)
17) Ben Reid - Key position player - 194cms and 78kgs - 29/4/1989 - Murray Bushrangers (TAC)
18) Jackson Sheringham - Wing/midfield - 178cms and 73 kgs - 22/6/88 - Geelong Falcons (TAC)
19) Grant Weeks - Forward - 189cms and 86kgs - 17/8/88 -Bendigo Pioneers (TAC)
20) Sam Fielding - Midfielder - 179cms and 75kgs - 30/9/88 - Clarence (Tas)
21) Alex Lee - Key Forward - 192cms and 86kgs - 24/9/88 - Dandenong Stingrays (TAC)
22) Ricky Petterd - Midfielder - 186cms and 80kgs - 24/7/88 - Broadbeach (Qld)
23) Gavin Urquhart - Midfielder - 181cms and 78kgs - 18/5/88 - Morningside (Qld)
24) Andrejs Everitt - Key position player - 193cms and 74kgs -13/3/89 - Dandenong Stingrays (TAC)
25) Chris Schmidt - Midfielder - 186cms and 76kgs - 20/3/89 - West Adelaide (SA)
26) Brent Renouf - Ruck - 200cms and 86 kgs - 3/5/88 - Southport (Qld)
27) Travis Boak - Midfielder - 181cms and 70kgs - 1/8/88 - Geelong Falcons (TAC)
28) Zac Millar - Half forward flank/midfielder -181cms and 80kgs - 12/3/89 - North Adelaide (SA)
29) Tom Collier - Utility - 192cms and 82kgs - 25/3/89 - Lauderdale (Tas)
30) David Gourdis - Key Forward - 191cms and 88kgs - 14/3/89 - Subiaco (WA)
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A top 30 from BF - http://bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225797&page=10 (there's a spiel about each kid in the BF thread)
1) Lachlan Hansen - Key Position player - 195cms and 84kgs - 17/8/88 - Gippsland Power (TAC)
2) Bryce Gibbs - Utility/wing - 187cms and 78kgs - 15/3/89 - Glenelg (SA)
3) Mitchell Thorp - Key position player - 195cms and 84kgs - 25/12/88 - Northern Bombers (TAS)
4) Scott Gumbleton - Centre half forward - 195cms and 87 kgs - 3/8/88 - Peel Thunder (WA)
5) James Sellar - Ruck/Key forward - 195cms and 86kgs - 24/3/89 - Glenelg (SA)
6) Joel Selwood - Midfielder - 181cms and 74kgs - 16/5/88 - Bendigo Pioneers (TAC)
7) Matthew Leuenberger - Ruck - 201ms and 87 kgs - 7/6/88 - East Perth (WA)
8) Leroy Jetta - Midfielder/forward pocket - 176cms and 70kgs - 6/7/88 - South Fremantle (WA)
9) Jack Riewoldt - Key position player - 193cms and 83kgs - 31/10/88 - Clarence (TAS)
10) Bachar Houli - Midfielder - 179cms and 83kgs - 12/5/88 - Western Jets (TAC)
11) Albert Proud - Midfielder - 179cms and 80kgs - 6/9/88 - Mt Gravatt (QLD)
12) Clinton Benjamin - Forward/Utility - 187cms and 79kgs - 27/7/88 - Claremont (WA)
13) Eric Mackenzie - Key Position Player - 193cms and 88kgs - 19/5/88 - Claremont (WA)
14) Thomas Hislop - Midfielder - 185cms and 84kgs - 7/6/88 - Burnie Dockers (Tas)
15) Clayton Collard - Midfielder - 181cms and 76kgs - 4/12/88 - South Fremantle (WA)
16) Brock O’Brien - Midfielder/half back flanker - 180cms and 79kgs - 30/5/88 - Peel Thunder (WA)
17) Ben Reid - Key position player - 194cms and 78kgs - 29/4/1989 - Murray Bushrangers (TAC)
18) Jackson Sheringham - Wing/midfield - 178cms and 73 kgs - 22/6/88 - Geelong Falcons (TAC)
19) Grant Weeks - Forward - 189cms and 86kgs - 17/8/88 -Bendigo Pioneers (TAC)
20) Sam Fielding - Midfielder - 179cms and 75kgs - 30/9/88 - Clarence (Tas)
21) Alex Lee - Key Forward - 192cms and 86kgs - 24/9/88 - Dandenong Stingrays (TAC)
22) Ricky Petterd - Midfielder - 186cms and 80kgs - 24/7/88 - Broadbeach (Qld)
23) Gavin Urquhart - Midfielder - 181cms and 78kgs - 18/5/88 - Morningside (Qld)
24) Andrejs Everitt - Key position player - 193cms and 74kgs -13/3/89 - Dandenong Stingrays (TAC)
25) Chris Schmidt - Midfielder - 186cms and 76kgs - 20/3/89 - West Adelaide (SA)
26) Brent Renouf - Ruck - 200cms and 86 kgs - 3/5/88 - Southport (Qld)
27) Travis Boak - Midfielder - 181cms and 70kgs - 1/8/88 - Geelong Falcons (TAC)
28) Zac Millar - Half forward flank/midfielder -181cms and 80kgs - 12/3/89 - North Adelaide (SA)
29) Tom Collier - Utility - 192cms and 82kgs - 25/3/89 - Lauderdale (Tas)
30) David Gourdis - Key Forward - 191cms and 88kgs - 14/3/89 - Subiaco (WA)
Sellar and Gibbs were both impressive in the 2 U17IR games so far
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Looking at the doggies team they don't really have any class talls (mainly thanks to Plough during his time).
I'm starting to worry if Terry is gonna do the same thing to us and wait to later picks to draft talls. I will be doing this :banghead if Wallace passes on the chance to nab Hansen, Thorp or Sellar
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Thorp and Hansen are the ones- we should get one, i dont know how we get both...but gees that would be helpful
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Footydraft.com is up and running and has a new look. But the 2006 mock draft hasn't begun yet though
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last thing we need is to finish like 11th or 10th. We must get atleast 1 of Hansen or Thorp or in miraculous circumstances both.
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I want:
1st pick
Gun KPP: 1 of - Lachlan Hansen/Scott Gumbleton/Mitchell Thorp/James Sellar
Pick 2:
Another KPP: Leunberger/Riewoldt/Everitt/Mackenzie
or
Decent midfeilder: Albert Proud/Bachar Houli type
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Put a list of 6 names on a list. throw a dart. go home and be happy. coz we'll get a star at the end of the year!
Lachlan Hansen
Scott Gumbleton
Mitchell Thorp
James Sellar
Bryce Gibbs
Joel Selwood
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My top 3 for Richmond...not necessarily what others would choose
1. Mitchell Thorp
2. Lachlan Hansen
3. Bryce Gibbs
Thorp and Hansen are infront of Gumbleton and Sellar- only just. Gibbs is the best midfielder going.
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Gumbleton is playing senior WAFL footy for Peel Thunder and holding his own. 10 goals from the first 5 rounds.
http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/nf/team_info.cgi?player=Scott%20Gumbleton&action=PSTATS&player_id=118655144&client=%40Western%20Australian%20Football%20League%20%28WAFL%29%402393%4038897%40%40%404320166%40Peel%20Thunder%404%402006%20League%401%40
Hansen played his first game for Swan District seniors on the weekend and kicked 2 goals.
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Lachlan Hansen plays TAC Cup, Ashley Hansen is Lachlans Brother I think.
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Lachlan Hansen plays TAC Cup, Ashley Hansen is Lachlans Brother I think.
Doh!
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Your stats for Hansen were the wrong ones lol...you put up Ashleys not Lachlans ... Doh ;D
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Here's the right stats :-[ lol
http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/nf/team_info.cgi?player=Lachlan%20Hansen&action=PSTATS&player_id=84626971&client=%40TAC%20CUP%403020%4040212%40%40%404413278%40Gippsland%20Power%404%402006%20TAC%20Cup%401%40
A few ineffective kicks (20%) although he knows how to get the pill.
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NAB AFL Under 18 National Championships - Victorian Squads Announced
The state’s most promising junior footballers will gather at Victoria Park on Saturday May 13 to begin their preperation for the NAB AFL Under 18 National Championships later this year.
The championships play an important role in uncovering AFL players of the future and talented players from country and metropolitan Victoria can stake their claims for a place in the two teams during a training session for the Vic Country squad and a trail match for their Metro counterparts.
AFL talent scouts will be out in force to uncover the next Marc Murphy or Dale Thomas when the country’s best junior players showcase their skills at the National Championships.
Former Fitzroy player Leon Harris will coach the Country team and Carlton Premiership player David Dickson is in charge of the Metro side.
Vic Country Squad
First Name Surname Region
Joel Selwood Bendigo
Grant Weeks Bendigo
Jaryn Geary Bendigo
Daniel O'Keefe Geelong
Travis Boal Geelong
Jackson Sheringham Geelong
Ryan Williams Geelong
Ricky Delphine Gippsland
Robert Eddy Gippsland
Lachlan Hansen Gippsland
Jeff Ryan Gippsland
Brad Collins Murray
Ben McEvoy Murray
Ryan Normington Murray
Ben Reid Murray
Shaun Grigg North Ballarat
Mitchell Brown North Ballarat
Nathan Brown North Ballarat
Matt Tyler North Ballarat
James Frawley North Ballarat
Rohan McHugh North Ballarat
Justin Hardy North Ballarat
Tim Houlihan North Ballarat
Vic Metro Squad
First Name Surname Region
Jarryd Allen Calder
Christian McErlain Calder
Fortunato Caruso Calder
Joe Gazzo Calder
Peter Faulks Calder
Matthew Long Calder
Andrew Horne Calder
Matt Robinson Dandenong
Andrejs Everitt Dandenong
Jarrad Grant Dandenong
Russell Gabriel Dandenong
Luke Clark Dandenong
Mitchell Bosward Dandenong
Scott Dwyer Eastern
Brad Neil Eastern
Adam Wilson Eastern
Leigh Adams Eastern
Luke Wesley Eastern
Matthew Kreuzer Northern
Ryan Anderson Northern
Anthony Duff Northern
Brett Meredith Northern
Nicholas Meese Northern
Jack Grimes Northern
Tim Bongetti Northern
Patrick Veszpremi Northern
Jake Spiteri Northern
Daniel Currie Northern
Josh Riddle Northern
Brett Bransgrove Northern
Andrew Carmusciano Northern
David Folino Northern
Chris Varsamakis Northern
Matthew Vasilevski Northern
Nick Smith Oakleigh
Dean Kelly Oakleigh
David McKay Oakleigh
Sam Pickett Oakleigh
Matt Neratzoglou Oakleigh
Robert Gray Oakleigh
Lachlan Carey Oakleigh
Daniel Anthony Sandringham
Chris Dawes Sandringham
Matthew Suckling Sandringham
Sam Monaghan Sandringham
Michael Curcio Sandringham
Nathan Black Western
Nathan Lyons Western
Rhys Prismall Western
Cameron Lockwood Western
Bachar Houli Western
http://taccup.footballvic.com.au/default.aspx?s=genericnewsdisplay&kw=57&aid=106038
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Jackson Sheringham is someone ive mentioned before on here maybe afew weeks back. Look out for young Jacko...will be a good good player. Hope he comes to Punt Rd with a 2nd round pick at the national draft.
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Jackson Sheringham is someone ive mentioned before on here maybe afew weeks back. Look out for young Jacko...will be a good good player. Hope he comes to Punt Rd with a 2nd round pick at the national draft.
I was actually hoping for Reid with our 2nd pick
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speed is the order of the day at Punt Road these days. Sheringham would add great value to our chain of speedsters of half back or across the midfield. As for talls, I can tell you that club after club is lining up for John Meesen. According to some, hes killing it in the SANFL and I wouldnt be surprised if we werent one the clubs whose going after him. He can play in Ruck or as a key forward. Anyway its way to early for this stuff and theres abit around which at this stage I cannot mention.
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speed is the order of the day at Punt Road these days. Sheringham would add great value to our chain of speedsters of half back or across the midfield. As for talls, I can tell you that club after club is lining up for John Meesen. According to some, hes killing it in the SANFL and I wouldnt be surprised if we werent one the clubs whose going after him. He can play in Ruck or as a key forward. Anyway its way to early for this stuff and theres abit around which at this stage I cannot mention.
Ramps, i know what you mean, for me i'd like either Hansen, Thorp, Sellar with our first pick and someone like Benjamin or Sheringham with out 2nd. Or have Jetta with our first pick and someone with hugh potential as a tall in Reid
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A summary of Gibbs, Hansen, Gumbleton, Sellar and Selwood in the Age today.
By Emma Quayle
May 16, 2006
BRYCE GIBBS (Glenelg, SA) The midfield playmaker the Bombers are desperate to have. He reads the play brilliantly, plays with poise and composure, and is a good size at 188 centimetres. Gibbs has played senior footy for Glenelg for more than a year, was named third-best at the weekend and beat former Bomber Damian Cupido in a recent match. The day after he found out Adelaide wouldn't get him as a father-son selection last month, he was best-on-ground for the Australian under-17s who beat Ireland in international rules. The sort of player who decides what he wants to happen in a game and has the anticipation, speed and skill to back it up.
LACHLAN HANSEN (Gippsland Power) A genuine key-position player. 198 centimetres tall and looks comfortable forward or back. He played for the Australian Institute of Sport-AFL Academy team that toured Ireland in 2005, and was prominent for Vic Country last year, when he was too young to be drafted, and has improved again in the early part of this year. Hansen runs hard, plays with some aggression, reads the play well and can mark. Essendon already has a good bunch of ruck prospects, but Hansen could spare one of them from having to adapt themselves to a key defensive post.
SCOTT GUMBLETON (Peel Thunder, WA) Gumbleton, a distant relative of North Melbourne 1975 and 1977 premiership defender Frank, is the big, strong and bubbly pack-marking forward. He took seven contested marks in the opening game of the 2004 under-16 carnival. This year, at 195 centimetres, he has kicked four goals for Peel Thunder in his senior debut and been named in the initial West Australian state squad to play South Australia next week. He's a big, energetic leaper who has great hands.
JAMES SELLAR (Glenelg, SA) A slightly different option to Hansen and Gumbleton. He has played most of his junior footy in the ruck but, at 195 centimetres, probably will develop into a key forward or defender. He's smart, composed and can mar an opponent's work. Sellar kicked four goals in the first half of his debut senior game for Glenelg this year, and took 10 marks at the weekend. He's a future leader, wherever he goes. Some clubs would have him as their current No. 1, but the Bombers have so many young ruckmen, they may look at others.
JOEL SELWOOD (Bendigo Pioneers, Vic) Had he been old enough for last year's draft, Selwood would have been one of the very first picked. The younger brother of Troy and Adam, he's a hard-at-it midfielder who can find the ball, rip it out of congestion and create play. He uses his hands a lot to set the play up for others and wins the ball constantly. Selwood captained last year's AIS-AFL Academy team.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/05/15/1147545265056.html
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SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE UNDER-18 SQUAD
Central District
Chad Obst
Glenelg
James Sellar
Bryce Gibbs
Angus Lally
Tom Holmes
Mark Austin
Richard O’Grady
Aaron Day
Lachlan Button
North Adelaide
Damien Cunningham
Shane Edwards
Todd Pfeiffer
Zac Millar
Greg Gallman
Jonathon Cheetham
Michael Wundke
Matthew Wright
Josh Starke
Norwood
Luke McLean
Josh Donohue
Toby Schulz
Port Adelaide Magpies
Lindsay Thomas
Adam Pepe
South Adelaide
Chris Jurek
Jacob Crate
James Boyd
James Turner
Sturt
Tom Hurley
Tom Anderson
West Adelaide
Alex Hutchins
Caolan Buckley
Chris Schmidt
James Van Der Haak
Daniel Caire
Woodville-West Torrens
Sam Jacobs
http://www.sanfl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=106692
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The West Australian State 18s squad will commence training next week in preparation for the NAB AFL U18 Championships to be held in Melbourne in June.
An initial 47 man squad was announced by the WAFL and will undergo medical screening. The squad will participate in an intra-squad practice match at Medibank Stadium on Saturday 27th May at 12.15pm. Following the practice match selectors will cut the squad back to approximately 30 players for the remainder of the program.
Gerard McNeill has been re-appointed as Head Coach for the State 18s and will be assisted by Kevin Bryant, Neil Mildenhall and Dale Kickett. Former West Coast Eagle, Ryan Turnbull has joined the program this year assisting with ruck coaching with Ken Ferguson appointed Chairman of Selectors and Brearley Hollingsworth as the Squad Team Manager with other support staff including Dr. Lionel Lim, Head Trainer Nicola Mawson, Physiotherapist Nick Caputi, Rehab Officer Les Fabre, and Runner Liam Casson.
2006 WA STATE 18s TRAINING SQUAD (as at 14 May)
Claremont
Clint Benjamin
Eric MacKenzie
James Thomson
Nathan Krakouer
Liam Bedford
Jarryd Morton
Brad Bennett
Josh Hill
East Fremantle
James Venturini
Brad Dick
Luke Nugent
Jamie McNamara
Chris Masten
Rhys Palmer
Dominic Foster
Kyle Hardingham
East Perth
Matthew Leuenberger
Garry Moss
Shawn Colbung
Luke Sampey
Aaron Sweet
Peel Thunder
Scott Gumbleton
Brock O'Brien
Ben Howlett
Jacob Williams
Bryce Thornton
Kyle Reimers
James Hawksley
Perth
Grae Grant
Neil Martin
Brett Speldewinde
Brennan Stack
David Myers
Dean Dick
South Fremantle
Clayton Collard
Leroy Jetta
Leigh Kelly
Justin Hill
Daniel Michael
Subiaco
Matthew Virgo
Adam Cockie
David Gourdis
Tyson Rudd
Swan Districts
Matthew Aitchison
Robert Williams
West Perth
Steven Browne
Jai Menegola
http://www.wafl.com.au/default.aspx?s=newsdisplay&aid=106754
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Norwood - Toby Schulz
West Perth - Jai Menegola
Are these guys any relation to Sarge and Todd Menegola respectively?
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There was a suggestion this morning on SEN that Port Adelaide are tanking the season so they can get Bryce Gibbs with pick 1
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There was a suggestion this morning on SEN that Port Adelaide are tanking the season so they can get Bryce Gibbs with pick 1
:yep
The talk out of Port Adelaide I've heard is Mark Williams wants to tank this and next year given they have one of the oldest lists in the comp. The Power will most likely be last after playing the Bombers this week. Port also want Gibbs just to pee off the Crows who missed out on picking him up under the F/S rule ;).
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There was a suggestion this morning on SEN that Port Adelaide are tanking the season so they can get Bryce Gibbs with pick 1
:yep
The talk out of Port Adelaide I've heard is Mark Williams wants to tank this and next year given they have one of the oldest lists in the comp. The Power will most likely be last after playing the Bombers this week. Port also want Gibbs just to pee off the Crows who missed out on picking him up under the F/S rule ;).
In fact Port dobbed them in on that one. Good luck to Port I reckon.
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Our winning streak could make things interesting. I predicted between 4 and 8 wins for the season. We have 5 wins with 13 games to go...we could make the 8 if we can win 7 of the 13 and we get a middle rank pick. That will make the draft interesting in terms of who we pick up.
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The Power will most likely be last after playing the Bombers this week.
Wish someone told the Bombers, as they messed up every bet i had going lol
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Middle rank pick takes us to Matthew Leuenberger territory or maybe a surprise pick like Clinton Benjamin- although Benjamin would be being selected 8 to 10 positions above where he should be. Leuenberger could be used really effectively in a Wallace style of play. Simmonds- ruck, Knoble on the bench with Leuenberger at 200cm sitting in the Goalsquare taking marks whilst Richo and Cleve just roam around half forward. I reckon that could work well.
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At this stage i'm hoping for Mitch Thorp (1st pick), Andrejs Everitt (2nd pick), Daniel Hayes(3rd pick), Ryan Anderson (4th pick). Mitch Thorp and Everitt are both classy, talented and versatile talls with plenty scope for further improvement. They would definetly help our KPP stocks. These two players are also incredibly gifted athletes with explosive pace. Anderson and Hayes are both speedsters with a good set of skills. These two would take to Wallace's game plan like ducks to water.
As a side note, i would really like to see us pick up 2-3 raw, tall midfield speedsters in the rookie draft.
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Thorp doesnt seem to be the same player he was 12 months ago.
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I reckon Matt Austin from North Ballarat is a player Wallace would take a serious look at. Austin is a tall, fast and skilful call carrier who I hope will be a Punt Road at the end of year. I would compare him with Lids because of his profile but ATM is a fair way off Lid's standard (obviously), and somewhere near JON's standard.
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Also, a kid called David Myer who will be eligble for next year's draft is a type who Wallace might go after. 190cm (i think), fast and skilful and won the Barrassi medal at the U17's against the Irish.
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Thorp doesnt seem to be the same player he was 12 months ago.
Thorp probably has slid a bit but that is good news for us. But still saw a couple of his matches for Tassie Devils and he showed good composure, excellent skills and some desperation. :thumbsup
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Will Selwood miss the U18 champs? The Bendigo Pioneers site has him out for 4 weeks with a knee injury.
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Pick 5 coming up gentlemen. If Hawthorn fires up a little...we may even get Pick 4.
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My current top 10
1. Gibbs – Classy forward/midfielder with brilliant skills, class and poise
2. Hansen – Classy smooth moving KPP who is very versatile and skilful
3. Gumbleton – Powerhouse CHF who takes strong marks and kicks long
4. Sellar – Super athletic ruckman with high work rate and is a natural leader
5. Selwood – Natural inside midfielder with excellent work ethic and is a team player
6. Thorp – Skilful, explosive and versatile KPP with terrific athleticism and footy smarts
7. Proud – Complete package midfielder with good skills, pace, hardness and flair
8. Riewoldt – Classy, athletic and tough versatile tall forward who can switch back
9. Collard – Like Jetta but not as quick but has a more well-rounded game IMO
10. Jetta – Explosive small forward/midfielder with talent, terrific skills and pace to burn
Some players to watch out for
Houli – Stocky but highly talented midfielder/forward with damaging skills
Leunberger – Talented ruckman who can genuinely go anywhere in the draft
Sheringham – Classy midfield/half back speedster with terrific long kick
O’Brien – Tough defender/midfielder with clean hand and good temperament
Mackenzie – Powerful CHB with excellent body work and strength
Urquhart – Tough inside ball winner, effective rather than classy
Reid – Athletic versatile tall with a strong mark and heaps of potential
Everitt – Super athletic and versatile tall utility who is classy and skilful
Riddle – Composed, skilful and classy defender/midfielder
N. Krakouer – Related to our Andy has been carving it up in the WAFL
Schmidt – Classy inside midfielder with a well rounded game
Benjamin – Explosive and exciting indeginous player with heaps of potential
Fielding – Very athletic and classy midfielder with plenty of development left in him
R. Anderson – Very underrated small midfielder with explosive pace
Holmes – Small midfielder who has good pace, endurance and skills
Hayes - Skinny winger/forward flanker who is exciting and fast
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5173841,00.jpg)
Big wraps: Western Australia's Scott Gumbleton.
2006 draft preview
23 June 2006 Herald-Sun
Scott Gullan
GOLD. Gold. Gold and more gold. For the past five years AFL recruiters have been waiting patiently for another gold rush to strike and finally it has arrived.
The jungle drums have been beating for some time about the 2006 draft class and even this time last year, on the eve of the national under-18 championships, all the talk was focused on '06.
It is universally agreed this crop of youngsters is the best since the famous 2001 national draft, which produced a top three of Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Chris Judd.
It doesn't get much better than that, so it begs the question: is this year's crop as good?
Recruiters are wary of making that call given how well '01 has turned out.
Out of that top 20, there are only four who are no longer on AFL lists, with gold scattered all the way down even as far as No.71 where the Western Bulldogs found Brian Harris.
The main difference this year is the top three is not as cut and dried as five years ago and there are more quality talls.
At the moment, most of the hype has surrounded Glenelg midfielder Bryce Gibbs as No.1 from his teammate James Sellar and Western Australia's Scott Gumbleton.
But many believe that by November there will be at least six names, possibly more, who would not be out of place being read out first.
And the depth is very good. You could get a player at No.15 who any other year would comfortably slot in at No.5.
Western Bulldogs recruiter Scott Clayton likes what he sees.
``I think it is pretty deep,'' Clayton said.
``I think the first 20 are pretty darn good. This is as good as that first group (in 2001), particularly as there are tall players in it and enough quality to go around.''
The other major bonus this year is the scrapping of the concession picks in the first round of selections which means the first ``pure'' draft since 2002.
``You've got a good group of players and no concession picks in the first round which means everyone gets a good player in the first round,'' Geelong recruiting manager Stephen Wells said.
``The last three years there has been three extra players drafted in the first round.''
The worrying sign about the talent pool for many is that it is strongest interstate, with the game's heartland struggling to produce AFL talent.
While Vic Metro will be its usual competitive self at the national championships, which start tomorrow, it isn't expected to provide many draftees.
WA has the best squad it has produced, South Australia is strong thanks to Gibbs and Sellar while Queensland is the state on the move, with up to a dozen potential draftees.
``It is going to be a very good draft but they're not coming from here,'' one local recruiter said. ``They are not from Melbourne. Last year they had an ordinary draft number and this year they will have an ordinary draft.
``Queensland is the one coming through and they will have more drafted than Vic Metro.''
So who will the bottom three clubs _ Essendon, Carlton and Kangaroos _ be paying close attention to over the coming week?
The 188cm Gibbs has good skills, balance and footy nous and has been playing senior football with Glenelg for two years.
The only area of concern is his pace _ he's not slow but he's not quick _ which is something the Bombers must weigh up.
Sellar is an athletic forward who, at 195cm, can play anywhere, including the ruck, and is also playing senior football with Glenelg.
Gumbleton is a genuine tall forward with a big leap and has also impressed at senior level with Peel Thunder.
The best two Victorians are Joel Selwood (Bendigo) and Lachlan Hansen (Gippsland).
Selwood, who is the younger brother of twins Troy (Brisbane Lions) and Adam (West Coast), starred in the carnival last year when he was ineligible for the draft.
His star has waned slightly because of injury this season and he won't play in the titles because of a knee problem.
Hansen is highly rated by many and at close to 200cm is the key-position player, either back or forward, which clubs drool over.
Others in the mix include WA ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, who one recruiter dubbed ``the next Dean Cox'', and flashy Aboriginal small forwards Clayton Collard and Leroy Jetta.
2006 TOP 10 PROSPECTS:
1. Bryce Gibbs (SA)
2. James Sellar (SA)
3. Scott Gumbleton (WA)
4. Lachlan Hansen (Vic)
5. Joel Selwood (Vic)
6. Matthew Leuenberger (WA)
7. Clayton Collard (WA)
8. Leroy Jetta (WA)
9. Mitchell Thorpe (Tas)
10. Albert Proud (Qld)
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19558370%255E19742,00.html
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A kid called Garland was good today. Can play with good potential to improve. A big kid, decent pace, full forward type. Thorp was ok, Riewoldt was ok, Hislop is 2 developed and wont improve much more i dont reckon but i hope im wrong on the kid. Fielding disappointing. Thats it for now more analysis later...but again people should keep there eye on this Garland kid coz he could be a very very good pick up in the middle of the draft.
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Young talent time
25 June 2006 Sunday Herald Sun
Jackie Epstein
``There's plenty of quality in the draft and it'll run fairly deep - a bit deeper than what it's done for a long time. I think clubs with second-round picks this year will be quite happy with what they get,'' Dodoro said.
``I think it possibly will (be better than 2001) because there's a lot more taller key-position players in this draft, so the chances of finding franchise players for your footy club is this year.''
One of the strongest areas is Queensland, which Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes said could have up to six players drafted.
``I thought Queensland had a lot last year and their program is obviously working very well, so I think they've done a fantastic job up there,'' Hughes said.
``Last year I think they had five and they might get the same this year.''
With Queensland and Tasmania fielding strong line-ups, Dodoro said he could not remember travelling further than he had this year in search of the next big thing. That claim was backed by St Kilda's recruiter John Beveridge.
``I would say most clubs have watched Queensland more closely,'' Beveridge said.
``There are a few there you'd go and have a second look at. The other thing that caused us to do more travelling was the New South Wales scholarship program.
``People say the top 15 are strong, but you never quite know how deep it's going to run. The good players generally play very well against their peers in these championships.
``In 2001, the good players played well and from our point of view, some didn't play such as Matt Maguire.
``He'd been injured early in the year and wasn't healthy enough to play for Vic Country.''
AFL talent manager Kevin Sheehan said the strongest tall players included Jack Riewoldt, cousin of StKilda's Nick; Mitch Thorp, James Sellar, Matthew Leuenberger, Kurt Tippett and North Ballarat twins Mitchell and Nathan Brown.
``There are 10 or 12 who are big, tall key-position players or ruckmen,'' Sheehan said.
``There's always been a perception out there - where have all the talls gone?
``We've got a hell of a batch now. The two boys out of Queensland are super impressive, Brent Renouf and Tippett. Shaun Hampson as well is 201cm.''
Last year, after the championships, Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron noted that several of the ineligible players would have loomed as potential top-five picks if they had been available.
``I'm a selector for the under-16s All-Australian side this year, so it will be interesting to see how that stacks up because it could be a real boomer of a year next year,'' he said at the time.
``There's probably two guys who ran around today who could have been top five, in Lachlan Hansen and Scott Gumbleton, and then you have Leroy Jetta and Joel Selwood and Albert Proud.
``I'm not sure they'd go top five as well, but they'd be up there. Next year's crop looks really good.''
Selwood, the brother of Troy and Adam, is injured and won't play today, but he has already done enough to impress. In terms of midfielders Selwood and Gibbs are regarded as the best.
The standard will be high in both divisions, starting with Vic Country playing Western Australia in the first match at Princes Park today.
``I am just looking forward to it,'' Hughes said.
Players to watch this week
James Sellar, Glenelg, SA, 195cm, 92kg, 17
Played most of his junior footy in the ruck, but has developed into a key forward at Glenelg. In his debut this year he kicked four goals in the first half and has been touted as leadership material.
Bryce Gibbs, Glenelg, SA, 188cm, 79kg, 17
A versatile playmaker who can be used on the wing, in the middle and in key defensive posts. The day after he found out Adelaide could not get him under the father-son rule he was best on ground in the Australian under-17s team that defeated Ireland in international rules. A clear standout.
Lachlan Hansen, Gippsland Power, 195cm, 92kg, 17
Prominent for Vic Country last year, he is a genuine key-position prospect. Played for the Australian Institute of Sport-AFL Academy team that toured Ireland last year. Runs hard and reads the play well.
Scott Gumbleton, Peel Thunder, WA, 195, 92, 17
Has played all season as a tall forward and is a fine contested mark. A distant relative of North Melbourne's 1975 and '77 premiership defender, Frank, he kicked four goals on debut and has looked comfortable in a key role.
Mitchell Thorp, Northern Bombers, Tas, 195cm, 85kg, 17
Stepped up to play for the Devils in the VFL as a tall inside forward. A member of the AIS-AFL Academy he has an unquestionable pedigree - the cousin of Sydney's Nick Davis and nephew of four-time premiership star Brent Crosswell.
Leroy Jetta, South Fremantle, WA, 175cm, 73kg, 17
An explosive midfielder, whose pace has been likened to that of Brisbane Lions' Jason Akermanis. Selected in the All-Australian team after impressing in last year's championships and will be keenly looked at again.
Jack Riewoldt, Clarence, Tas, 193cm, 84kg, 17
Made an impressive VFL debut with two goals and several strong grabs on his way to being named Tassie's best player. A good junior sprinter who is the cousin of St Kilda's Nick.
Matthew Leuenberger, East Perth, WA, 202cm, 92kg, 18
Giant ruckman who looks ready to make the transition. Was a long-time basketballer before dedicating himself to footy two years ago. Played in the championships last year and has improved markedly since.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19578132%255E19742,00.html
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Gumbleton makes mark with tough, brave performances
Emma Quayle
The Age
June 29, 2006
SOMETIMES, a footballer's on-field personality reflects precisely what he's like off the ground. Other times, it doesn't.
The thing Scott Gumbleton likes most about football is that it lets him hurl himself around. "You can get out there and run and jump all day," he said. "I like to get a bit physical."
At other times, though, the words low-key and contained describe the young West Australian, who isn't particularly interested in making people look at him.
In his first game of this under-18s carnival, against Vic Country last Sunday, Gumbleton was clonked in the head during his very first contest of the day. He played out the game with some whiplash, but no complaints, and was one of his team's best players.
The teenager has spent all of this season in Peel Thunder's senior team, playing at centre half-forward and making the senior WA state squad, even though his struggling club has found it hard to get easy balls to him.
Tall, brave and bold, Gumbleton is considered one of the three best tall players on offer at this year's draft. But he isn't ready to worry at all about that.
"I just try not to think about it. I just try to play footy and keep that stuff out of my head," he said. "If you concentrate on playing your best footy, that stuff will look after itself."
Gumbleton played for WA at last year's carnival, mostly at full-forward, and has come to Melbourne this year feeling a little bigger, and capable of playing more positions.
He took seven marks yesterday, playing mostly at centre half-forward, but his team lost its second game in a row, to Vic Metro, and must topple South Australia at Princes Park on Sunday to head home with a win.
Metro and Vic Country, which have won both their matches, will play for the title after that match, with Country likely to be without its best defender. Lachie Hansen was knocked out and carried off early in the last quarter yesterday, after bravely running back to take a mark.
Alan McConnell took Gumbleton, who is related to North Melbourne premiership defender Frank Gumbleton "somewhere along the line", to Ireland last year with the AIS-AFL Academy, and was struck straight away by his courage.
"He plays in front, all the time, and he doesn't let the ball over the back," McConnell said.
"He always watches the ball in marking contests no matter where the contact's coming from, which is what good players do.
"He's a quiet kid. Shy's probably not the right word, but he's a bit reserved. People have had big raps on him in Perth, and he's handled that exceptionally."
Gumbleton toured Ireland that year with a few of his WA teammates, and Hansen.
The pair had played on each other during the national under-16s championships before then, and struck up a bigger friendship on the trip. They spent parts of Sunday's match between Vic Country and WA on each other, too, which Gumbleton enjoyed.
"I like it. It's nice to see some of the other AIS guys around, and with Lachie it's good because we get to play on each other and challenge each other," he said.
"It's pretty hard, to come over here and play. The footy's a lot more physical and it's hard to get free and run and find space like you can at home.
"When you play on some of the same guys over the years, you can judge yourself a bit more, and use them to try to work out how you're going."
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/06/28/1151174270275.html
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Under-18 titles: Big Vs come in threes for Metro
01 July 2006 Herald-Sun
David Hastie
(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5178457,00.jpg)
Knights in arms: Vic Metro players Patrick Veszpremi, Chris Varsamakis and Matthew Vasilevski.
Picture: Michael Klein
VIC METRO's three `Big Vs' are ready for whatever Vic Country throws at them tomorrow at Princes Park in the final of the under-18 national championships.
Northern Knights trio Patrick Veszpremi, Matthew Vasilevski and Chris Varsamakis have played in both wins over South Australia and Western Australia and are crucial to coach David Dickson's quest to secure a third straight championship.
Veszpremi, 16, the youngest member of the Metro team, has been a revelation, displaying skill and maturity beyond his years.
After being cut from last year's under-16 squad, Veszpremi said he lacked the belief he could play at an elite level.
``At the start of the try-outs I thought I didn't belong there,'' Veszpremi said.
``I was down. I thought, `I'm the youngest, I didn't make the under-16s last year, I don't belong here'.
``I was just pretty down on myself. But after I made the first cut I thought, `Well, I'm going to have a crack here'.''
But reassurance from Dickson was all the skilful ball-winner needed to believe he had the talent to mix it with the country's best young footballers.
``Dicko came up to me and told me I played good after my first trial match so I started feeling more confident in myself and started backing myself more,'' Veszpremi said.
The Year 11 Parade College student said it was a great learning experience playing alongside footballers such as forward Tom Hawkins, who will be drafted by Geelong under the father-son rule.
``It's good to play with people like Tommy who you know are going to be drafted and to be with them before they hit the big time,'' he said.
Veszpremi is too young to be drafted this season but said he has already set himself goals for 2007.
``I want to improve my beep test,'' he said. ``I usually run 13 something and I want to bring that up to at least a 14 and I just want to spend more time in the midfield.''
Vasilevski, 17, said the experience of playing on a wing for Vic Metro was the best of his short football career.
``It's the greatest experience of my life,'' he said.
Vasilevski said he was surprised by the pace of both games.
``I remember in my first game against South Australia it took me at least half the first quarter to get used to it because the ball was basically zipping around everywhere,'' he said.
``You've got to be prepared for every situation of the game. You can't be asleep, otherwise you're in trouble. You can't be behind your opponent because he might burn you off and kick a goal or set up a goal.''
Varsamakis, 17, was lucky to make the team after injuring his shoulder three weeks before the championships.
Like Vasilevski, he said he did not expect the game to be as fast as it was.
``I was sort of shocked by the speed of the game at first but once I got a feel for it I settled in all right,'' Varsamakis said. ``We've been playing pretty good footy so hopefully we'll have a win.''
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19641542%255E19742,00.html
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Mitch Brown has been very impressive IMO. His brother has done some good things as well :thumbsup
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A kid by the name of James Hawkesly is flying a bit under the radar, I think Ive mentioned him on another thread on here a couple of weeks ago. Hawkesly would be a good running half back/wingman type. A good size and good speed around round 3 or 4 would be good.
Also like Eric McKenzie but likely to get picked elsewhere before our 2nd round pick.
Everyone knows who the top 5 are...if we miss out, I wouldnt be surprised if we took a Leuenberger or a Jetta with a our top picks if the top 5 or 6 are gone.
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If we continue our march up the ladder I reckon Clayton Collard will be on Wallace's radar, and then maybe hope to pinch one of the Brown twins, maybe even both.
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After watching some of the WA U18 champs footage I don't want us to draft Jetta. Quick as hell but lacks composure under pressure and can turn the ball over a fair bit.
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We're looking at a #8 to #12 first round pick so who would be available then? Gumby and Hansen should be long gone :-\.
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We're looking at a #8 to #12 first round pick so who would be available then? Gumby and Hansen should be long gone :-\.
Yeah, doesn't look likley we will get a high enough pick to nab one of the gun talls in Gumbleton, Hansen, Sellar or Thorp.
If so, I hope for us to draft:
Pick 1) Clayton Collard
Pick 2) Clinton Benjamin or Mitch Brown
Pick 3) Nathan Brown
Pick 4) Ryan Anderson
Collard would add to our list of speedy and classy midfielders. Benjamin likewise (but will need time to learn the game though). N Brown looks a very good prospect to replace Gaspar at FB. And picking Anderson will add another skilful and speedy youngster to our list.
Must admit I like the idea of trying to grab both the Brown twins. N Brown could become a very good Full back. M Brown along with Schulz and Hughes could become a very dangerous forward line setup. It could also be a very good way to promote the club and receive press.
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The Bombers are supposedly after Hansen according to recruiters. So much for trading away their first pick.
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Gibbs not the first choice for Bombers
Greg Denham
July 21, 2006
TOMORROW's MCG match between Essendon and Carlton has been mischievously labelled the Bryce Gibbs Cup, but that may not necessarily be the case.
With the loser of the 16th versus 15th contest guaranteed to be last on the ladder tomorrow night with six rounds remaining, the spoils of the national draft in November are high on the agenda for the two clubs.
Gibbs has been a long-time favourite to be the first player selected at the draft, but not, it seems, if the Bombers finish last.
Essendon, with one win for the season, has lost 14 games in succession, while Carlton, which like the Bombers won its opening game of the season, has struggled since with just one more win, and is on a losing streak of eight.
A survey yesterday by The Australian revealed that opinion among club recruiting managers slightly favours Essendon selecting 17-year-old Gippsland Power key-position player Lachlan Hansen as the draft's top pick.
"With Dustin Fletcher turning 31, Dean Solomon struggling with injury and having not yet found an adequate replacement for Sean Wellman, Hansen could easily go to Essendon," one recruiter said.
"I think he's the one they're after. For two years, Hansen has been the best-performed key-position defender in the U-18 competition. He can play forward and even pinch hit in the ruck."
Another club's national recruiting manager said: "With an AFL pre-season under his belt, Hansen could play at the elite level tomorrow."
Hansen, who is 195cm and 92kg, has played superbly in the past two national U-18 championships for Victoria Country.
The Bombers have also shown keen interest in West Australian key-position player Scott Gumbleton, who is coached at Peel Thunder in the WAFL by dual West Coast premiership player Chris Waterman.
Gumbleton is the same height and weight as Hansen but is probably more of a specialist key-forward.
But should Carlton win the wooden spoon for the third time in five years, coach Denis Pagan and recruiting manager Wayne Hughes may settle on Gibbs.
Despite being 17, the tall on-baller is in his second senior season with Glenelg in the SANFL and the Blues need more support for Nick Stevens.
Carlton would benefit greatly in another two years with a front-line midfield of Marc Murphy, last year's No.1 pick who is out for the season with a shoulder injury, and Gibbs. But the recruiters are not united in who will take Hansen or Gibbs first.
"I think Denis (Pagan) was all over Gibbs, but that was until he saw Hansen," a rival scout said.
Despite this year's draft being described by recruiting managers as having the deepest talent for three or four years - with value up to at least pick 30 - the talent scouts are united in naming Gibbs, Hansen and Gumbleton as certain to be the first three teenagers picked.
The talent spotters reckon the next best is a toss-up between Tasmanian Mitchell Thorp, a tall forward, and Glenelg forward-ruckman James Sellar.
Almost all the talent scouts agreed that Geelong's father-son selection Tom Hawkins, who will go to the Cats for a third-round selection, would have been chosen in the top five had he not been tied to Geelong.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19856361-36035,00.html
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James Frawley (related to good ol' Spud) is a player I reckon we might look at. Weaver has talked him up a bit and could be an option at CHB for us
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5199453,00.jpg)
TAC Cup: Hansen rises to occasion
29 July 2006 Herald-Sun
David Hastie
IF THERE is pressure on Gippsland Power key-position player Lachlan Hansen, you wouldn't know it.
Touted as a potential top-five pick in this year's national draft, Hansen didn't do his cause any harm with three standout performances at the recent AFL under-18 national championships with Division1 runner-up Vic Country.
Despite being concussed in the second game against South Australia, Hansen recovered to play the third and final match against Vic Metro and was named the All-Australian centre half-back.
After playing in last year's carnival with Country, Hansen said the experience helped ease the nerves before his side's first match against Western Australia.
``I had a taste of it last year so I wasn't so nervous coming into it,'' Hansen said.
``And then to win a couple of games when we didn't win one last year was really good.
``You play against these blokes and then to play with them it's great to get to know them.''
Hansen, who turns 18 next month, described West Australian centre half-forward and friend Scott Gumbleton as the best opponent he had played on after the two went head-to-head in the first of the championship games.
``What can I say, he's a freak,'' Hansen said.
``He's got an unbelievable motor and he just marks everything.''
With AFL coaches Kevin Sheedy, Dean Laidley and Alastair Clarkson watching from the stands during the championships, Hansen said he was not overawed.
``Some of the other guys were pretty nervous with all that sort of thing,'' Hansen said. ``But I'm pretty laid back with all that. I didn't really think about anything like that.
``I was just there to play footy and that's what I did. You've just got to keep your mind on the footy, not who might be watching you play.''
But a modest Hansen played down talk he was a possible top-five draft prospect.
``I don't really believe it because I don't think I'm good enough to go top five,'' he said. ``I've got no words to describe it. I've heard it a bit.
``I'm hard working, but not that good. I just want to get picked up. I don't care what number it is.''
At 196cm and 92kg, versatility is a key attribute of the talented youngster.
While Hansen prefers lining-up at centre half-forward he said he played his best football at centre half-back.
Hansen's Gippsland Power takes on the Bendigo Pioneers tomorrow at Morwell Football Ground.
He said it was a great feeling to return to Power training after the championships, saying No.1 goal was to play in another TAC Cup premiership this season.
``It's great getting back to the club and playing with all your mates again,'' he said.
``Hopefully we'll get in the finals, which we should, and see if we can go back-to-back.
``Last year's (premiership) was the best moment of my footy career to date.
``Hopefully we can get to the grand final again and then anything's possible.''
Gippsland coach Paul Hudson said he had thrown Hansen forward this season to help develop the talented youngster as a key position player.
``I'm harder if anything, on him than anyone else, because you can see the talent that he's got,'' Hudson said.
``He's probably averaged about 10 marks for us per game.
``Lachy was a solid player for us last year. All year through we based the side around him being at centre half-back last year.''
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,19943426%255E19742,00.html
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Oh Lachie, I only wish you weren't a top 5 pick. Nah, don't be stupid top 5 for sure, otherwise we will snap him up for sure
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5209851,00.jpg)
Cousin Jack the next Riewoldt on the radar
09 August 2006 Herald-Sun
David Stockdale
STAR teenage Tasmanian Devils centre half-forward Jack Riewoldt seems certain to be an early pick in the national draft in November.
It was revealed yesterday up to 10 AFL clubs had talent scouts at Saturday's VFL match against Bendigo at Bellerive Oval -- most of them to watch Riewoldt.
And the cousin of St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt didn't disappoint, racking up 23 possessions, taking 15 marks and kicking four goals.
Riewoldt's state under-18 coach Hamish Ogilvie described the day as "Jack-mania."
"There's a lot of interest in him, and the really encouraging thing was he played the role we asked him to by stretching out and covering a lot of ground," Ogilvie said.
"Jack is an exceptional talent, and for a youngster who doesn't turn 18 until the end of November, he's learning very quickly.
"But we can't get too carried away because Bendigo fielded a pretty young and inexperienced side."
Other local youngsters in whom AFL scouts have shown interest are fellow Devils Tom Hislop, Mitchell Thorp, North Hobart full-forward Colin Garland and Lauderdale tall Tom Collier.
Riewoldt says his improvement has been helped considerably by playing alongside Kangaroos-listed players who are involved in a partial alignment with the Devils.
"Despite what some people have said about our alignment with the Kangaroos, I think it's worked pretty well and has been really helpful to young players like me," Riewoldt said.
"Jade Rawlings has been especially good. He's been like a big brother to me and taught me a lot about how I need to play to get the job done.
"For him to come off early in the last quarter after he'd kicked nine goals so I could have more of an impact on the game was just fantastic of him."
Riewoldt is aware he must get bigger and stronger if he is to become an AFL player.
He also knows he must work hard to improve his aerobic capacity and and strength.
"I've gone from 83kg pre-season to 86 now, and while that's helped make me stronger in the contests, I know I've got to get even stronger again," Riewoldt said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20065012%255E19742,00.html
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Can Thorp slip through to our pick ???
Also, how can we get another first rounder?
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Well we gotta hope Laidley doesnt get the arse and then we hope as supporters that our coach puts up a couple of over rated players and Laidley falls for it :scream ;D :cheers
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Well we gotta hope Laidley doesnt get the behind and then we hope as supporters that our coach puts up a couple of over rated players and Laidley falls for it :scream ;D :cheers
:rollin :rollin :rollin
I reckon we could get another 1st rounder if we get two more 3rd rounders and package them off for a 1st rounder
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Well we gotta hope Laidley doesnt get the behind and then we hope as supporters that our coach puts up a couple of over rated players and Laidley falls for it :scream ;D :cheers
:rollin :rollin :rollin
I reckon we could get another 1st rounder if we get two more 3rd rounders and package them off for a 1st rounder
Can I get a half a kilo of what youve got. it seems like good stuff. it really does ;D
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Was reading Herald Sun before looks like we and St Kilda have been looking at a kid in the amateurs Stefan Martin from a basketball background. 198cm. From what I can sort of tell, Stewart Loewe was hiding the kid for St Kilda, but weve seen him and maybe Collingwood as well. Anyone from the the forum follow amateurs and seen him?
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Was reading Herald Sun before looks like we and St Kilda have been looking at a kid in the amateurs Stefan Martin from a basketball background. 198cm. From what I can sort of tell, Stewart Loewe was hiding the kid for St Kilda, but weve seen him and maybe Collingwood as well. Anyone from the the forum follow amateurs and seen him?
Don't know anything about him Ramps apart from what was in the H-Sun but here is his stats page (no game stats though apart from goals and bests). He's played the last 4 games in A-grade seniors for Old Haileybury. They play this week at Elsternwick Park on Sunday, 2pm against Old Xavs in the second-semi final.
http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/nf/team_info.cgi?player=Stefan%20Martin&action=PSTATS&pID=128832584&client=1-3232-0-40997-4447248
Here's the Herald-Sun article:
(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5236539,00.jpg)
Talent to burn: Old Haileybury's Stefan Martin has AFL clubs chasing him. Picture: Mark Smith
On Tuesday night, the Old Haileybury ruckman won the best-and-fairest award in the Victorian Amateur Football Association's under-19s after playing just eight games.
Hail the Ammos' draft bolter
06 September 2006
Herald-Sun
Steve Perkin
LAST week he was very much an AFL draft smoky. Today, the fire is roaring under 19-year-old Stefan Martin.
The umpires voted him best on ground in seven of those and awarded him two votes in the other game. That's 23 votes from a possible 24 and enough to win the medal.
What made Martin's win even more astonishing was that he hadn't played football for five years. He last played as a Year 8 student at Haileybury College.
With his 198cm frame, he is a talented basketballer.
He trained last year in a development squad with the NBL's Melbourne Tigers under Lindsay Gaze and was considered an outstanding prospect with the Nunawading Spectres.
"That's about when I started to get bored with basketball," Martin said yesterday from his home at Berwick.
"And it was at the same time that a group of my mates told me to come and play footy with them just for some fun.
"I decided to give it a try."
Martin's season has been hampered by a badly dislocated finger and a torn calf muscle, which forced him to miss a string of games.
In recent weeks, he has been promoted to Old Haileybury's seniors, where one of his teammates is St Kilda legend Stewart Loewe.
Not surprisingly, Loewe was reluctant to talk about the youngster.
"He can't kick, can't run, can't mark, he's unfit . . . and I want him to go to St Kilda," Loewe said.
Is he a draft contender?
"I'd say he's a monty. He's very raw, but he's got everything, even a healthy bit of aggro."
Scouts from at least two clubs, St Kilda and Richmond, and possibly Collingwood, have been to see Martin play, but none has yet talked to him.
"I have never considered playing in the AFL, so I've been a bit blown away by the attention," Martin said.
"If it was possible and if I get drafted I'd love it and I couldn't care less who I play with."
For any club that hasn't yet heard about Martin, they can see him in action on Sunday at Elsternwick Park when Old Haileybury plays Old Xaverians in the VAFA second semi-final.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20362463%255E19742,00.html
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can he play KD
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Try these /
Jack Riewoldt
Matthew Leuenberger
Leroy Jetta
Albert Proud
Bachar Houli
Clinton Benjamin
Eric MacKenzie
Thomas Hislop
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3 standouts from Jackos list
Leuenberger but he may go early
McKenzie if we are looking for a KPD
and my tip...just like the races
Clinton Benjamin...Plough wont be able to resist adding to speed fleet
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Thought you would like those "'Ramps "" ;) ;) ;)
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3 winks Jacko...Am I supposed to know something or have you picked up a couple of aussie birds with the traditional Kookla strategy which gets em all in 8) and u wanna send one my way :clapping ...i got nothing better to do just at the moment :'(.
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I will send them your way if you want. They have 2 arms and 2 legs and are breathing , thats a start :lol Along as the dont barrack for Collingwood!
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By the way, Benjamin can run 10.5 sec for 100 metres
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At the moment Id have my money on RFC taking CB at 8. I cant see us not taking him at 8. If hes grown in height from 187-188cm then that will make almost an impossibility for Plough not taking him.
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I reckon your right ;)
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Try these /
Jack Riewoldt
Matthew Leuenberger
Leroy Jetta
Albert Proud
Bachar Houli
Clinton Benjamin
Eric MacKenzie
Thomas Hislop
As I said I sorta favor Benjamin as the first priority 2) Matthew Leuenberger and 3) Eric McKenzie
Im not such a big fan of Riewoldt, I could be wrong, Admittedly I havent seen him alot, but something irks me with Riewoldt... I hope we miss Riewoldt
Jetta I liked at the carnival, speed, gets the footy, but we have a problem, its similar to Tambo ... Tambo needs to be in a good side to show exactly how he can devastate a side, therefore I prefer the Benjamin types who are 6'2- 6'3 who will go onto a wing or in midfield and then take a turn from the goalsquare as a leading FF type.
Bachar Houli, Many rate him, people suggest hes got a dodgy back or something, from what I saw, Id prefer we miss Bachar as well. I cant see him playing key position seemed to lack the speed that Wallace would want.
Albert Proud, Alot of people rate him, I think he'll be ok but Im not a big fan.
Tom Hislop- I like coz hes a tough inside mid, and we need to do something in this regard coz we get smashed in the middle, Hislop would be my 4th pick out of Jackos group.
Of course all the above also requires that there are no surprise and someone like Thorp doesnt slip down ... which I doubt.
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Bachar Houli either suffers from Shin Plints or stress fractures ::)
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Benjamin, u serious ramps. He is a pure athlete who is very raw in terms of footballin ability. Could become a good player but is a masive risk, definite change he could slip through to 2nd rd
If we can't get Gumby, Hansen or Thorp I reckon go for Collard - smooth and elusive Dal Santo type midfielder foward. Excellent athletic ability, sublime skills and sharp footy brain
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For what Wallace wants Benjamin fits the profile thats basically all im saying.
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For what Wallace wants Benjamin fits the profile thats basically all im saying.
He sure does fit Wallaces profile but geez don't think he is worth a top ten pick. Collard > Benjamin IMHO
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Ramps, bluey or anyone else like to give us their phantom draft or at least first couple of rounds?
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here goes.
Lachlan Hansen
Bryce Gibbs
Mitchell Thorp
Scott Gumbleton.
James Sellar
Mattthew Leuenberger
Leroy Jetta.
Clinton Benjamin.
Joel Selwood
Eric Mackenzie.
Jack Riewoldt.
Albert Proud
.Clayton Collard
Thomas Hislop
Ben Reid.
Alex lee.
Andrejs Everitt
Theres 17
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here goes.
1. Lachlan Hansen
2. Bryce Gibbs
3. Mitchell Thorp
4. Scott Gumbleton.
5. James Sellar
6. Mattthew Leuenberger
7. Leroy Jetta.
8. Clinton Benjamin.
9. Joel Selwood
10. Eric Mackenzie.
11. Jack Riewoldt.
12. Albert Proud
13. Clayton Collard
14. Thomas Hislop
15. Ben Reid.
16. Alex lee.
17. Andrejs Everitt
Theres 18
Cheers Jack :cheers (got James Sellar down twice).
The draft camp results will affect the final order but no surprises seeing Benjamin at our pick 8 with Plough as coach lol. Hopefully the youngsters' heights and weights will be updated and released publicly. If Benjamin is still growing then what a bonus that would be. I hope we don't go for Jetta - too small.
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Sorry about that MT ;)
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The only posistion Benjamin would ever be good in at AFL leve would be FF. He is that quick on the lead that no one can catch him. He has pretty good timing with his leads but has no footy smarts at all, i would be VERY dissapointed if we picked him, strugles to get more than 10 possessions a game. I would much rather Leroy Jetta or Clayton Collard.
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I'm gonna put up a phantom draft later in the year, but for the moment I'm hoping we draft something like this:
At this stage (unless we trade for a draft pick) I reckon we will draft 4 players with pick 8, 26, 42 and 58
Pick 8) Hoping for a miracle and that Hansen or Thorp will slip through but at this stage is highly unlikely. If we did get one of them we'd get ourselves a talented key defender which we really need. But realistically we won't get him, nor will we get Sellar, Gibbs or Gumbleton.
Around our pick players like Leunberger, Selwood, Jetta, Collard and Riewoldt. Don't want to get Leunberger simply because I don't want to throw a top ten pick at a ruckman (exception of Sellar). Don't want Selwood because we already have Tuck, Cogs, Polo and Foley as in'n'under mids. Don't want Jetta because he is overrated. Not as quick as people make him out to be and skills under pressure can be quite shocking. Ramps has even thrown up Benjamin as a possibility, but I reckon he is a strong chance to slip through to our 2nd pick.
I personally reckon for what we need Clayton Collard is the best. Smooth, elusive and athletic Dal Santo type winger/half-forward flanker. Great vision and composure and has extremely classy finishing skills either setting up a teammate or going for goal. Would add another classy running player to fleet of young running midfielders
Pick 26) I reckon we go for best available at this pick. Seriously reckon Benjamin will slip to our 2nd pick because at this stage he is a pure athlete who is very raw in terms of footy. Reckon he can become an Embley type utility but a massive risk. I also reckon that Tom Collier, Andrejs Everitt and Ben Reid could be available. Collier is a solid CHB with great athleticism and vastly improved body work and overhead marking. Everitt plays as a rebounding defender but reckon he could become a dangerous tall marking forward or Goodes types super athletic and tall midfielder. Reid has superb hands overhead and could become a modern day key defender.
If all were available I'd snap up Reid because he could become a very good key defender. And after him i'd probably take Benjamin because he has a bucket load of potential and flair
Pick 42) This is where I reckon we should looking at needs if they haven't been filled earlier. Quite a few players around here I quite fancy and reckon could become really solid AFL players. Names I'll chuck up are James Frawley, Matt Austin, Joseph Anderson and Kurt Tippett.
James Frawley I really like (forget he is related to Spud), he has genuine talent. Extremely athletic and smart lock-down CHB, but kicking is quite inconsistent (but can be worked on). The type of key defender I reckon Wallace would be interested in. Austin is a classy and athletic midfielder/forward with good skills and vision (TW type player like Lids and JON). J Anderson goes in the same pile as Austin. Tippett is a project type player but good raw attributes. Excellent size and mark overhead but plenty to learn about the game.
I seriously hope we can snare Frawley because I rate him really highly whereas others seem to underrate him.
Pick 58) Slim pickings here as my knowledge of this years draft isn't as extensive as others. Probable draftees still loitering around this pick would probably be the Brown twins, Alex Lee and Ryan Anderson.
The Brown twins are both old-schoolish key defenders. Both have good builds, strong hands and some talent but unfortunately not the quickish key position players on offer. Alex Lee on the other hand is an athletic type key-forward who spent some time down in the backline for the Dandenong Stingrays. Ryan Anderson is who I hope we snare at this pick though. Extremely quick, works hard both ways, neat set of skills and generally makes good decisions. Only thing I can fault him on is being a bit on the small side but if he can grow to 180cm it should be fine.
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If we concentrate on WAFL Colts footy we will do very well indeed. The West Australians have got so many players its not funny, players like Jarryd Morton and James Hawksley should be targetted to come to Punt Road. That means we need extra picks in the 2nd round.
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5262697,00.jpg)
Cruel blow: Chris Dawes rests up at home yesterday before tomorrow's draft camp.
Picture: Michael Klein
Unlucky Dawes hopes for a draft break
03 October 2006 Herald-Sun
Mark Stevens
EXCITING key position prospect Chris Dawes will limp into this week's draft camp burdened by the cruel reality he is out for the entire 2007 season.
Dawes, once rated a possible first-round pick, had a knee reconstruction three weeks ago after a mishap in the last home-and-away game of the TAC Cup.
In a painful twist to an already heart-breaking story, the Brighton Grammar student was the victim of friendly fire.
A Sandringham Dragons teammate accidentally crashed into his knee with the ball dead after a 50m penalty was paid.
The 18-year-old has been given medical clearance to fly to the draft camp, starting in Canberra tomorrow, and will now be forced to sell himself in interviews with clubs.
At 195cm and 100kg, he is a tantalising prospect, but clubs will now weigh up the risk.
Dawes played a key role for Victoria Metro in the national under-18 titles, teaming up forward with Geelong father-son pick Tom Hawkins.
But if the worst-case scenario unfolds on national draft day, he could be given a chance via the rookie draft.
``I could slide out of contention now ... it is hard to know what clubs are thinking, but hopefully they've seen enough good things,'' Dawes said.
``I am going to the draft camp to show them I am still very keen.''
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20514495%255E20322,00.html
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I'm going to post my mock draft some time after my VCE exams, so a week or so before the actual draft
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I'm going to post my mock draft some time after my VCE exams, so a week or so before the actual draft
Best of luck with your exams bluey :cheers
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(http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/10/03/wbFOOTYkids_wideweb__470x343.jpg)
Dean Kelly of the Oakleigh Chargers takes a mark under pressure during the TAC Cup Grand Final against the Calder Cannons.
Photo: Mark Dadswell
Kelly looks the goods, but not like his brother
Craig O'Donoghue
The Age
October 4, 2006
FREMANTLE star Heath Black could be joined in the AFL next season by his half-brother, who had a best-on-ground performance in the TAC Cup grand final last Saturday.
Oakleigh Chargers captain Dean Kelly may have a different surname but with 22 disposals, seven marks and 6.1 in the grand final win over Calder Cannons, he made sure recruiting officers wouldn't forget him on draft day.
Black and Kelly are very different. Kelly has light hair while Black's is dark. The Docker is a speedy wingman with a raking left-foot kick, Kelly is a nuggety right-footed ball winner who takes contested marks. The pair have different fathers and a nine-year age difference.
While Black was always destined to be drafted, Kelly has had to work harder. Despite winning Oakleigh's best and fairest last year and representing Victoria at the under-18 national titles this season, he hasn't been invited to the AFL draft camp. He will get the chance to impress at the state screenings later this month.
"He's done it the hard way and I admire the way he's gone about it," Black said. "I've seen that tenacious need to to make the grade. He's zoned in and it's all he wants to do. I really like watching him play. A lot of the things he does, I can't do. I can't take one-on-one contested marks and for his size, I admire the way he goes about it."
Despite standing only 180 centimetres and playing only 14 games, Kelly finished eighth in the league for contested marks with 39 grabs. Black has managed only 21 contested marks in the past seven years.
Kelly said Black's career had taught him it takes more than just taking marks and kicking goals to be successful and he had worked hard to refine his game.
"I've seen a lot of things that a lot of guys wouldn't have seen. I know how hard you have to work just to stay in the AFL," he said. "A lot of people take it for granted that when they get drafted. I've realised that it's so hard to then get a game and be one of the best players."
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/10/03/1159641325871.html
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Faith and fortune
The Age
October 5, 2006
The young men who eventually enter AFL ranks have all made sacrifices to achieve their dream. But Bachar Houli had a difficult decision to make, writes Emma Quayle.
BACHAR Houli has two big passions, and has always known that they would one day collide.
The teenager is intensely proud of his Islamic upbringing, and has spent the past week-and-a-half fasting, as part of Ramadan, the Muslim month of prayer, reflection, self-control and sacrifice. "It's something that's very important and meaningful to me," Houli said. "My religion helps tell me who I am."
The other thing that defines him, though, is football. Houli started playing when he was 12, in Melbourne's western suburbs; he told his mother and father only when he arrived home one day clutching a best-and-fairest trophy.
He is one of 72 young players to have been flown to Canberra for this week's AFL draft camp, badly wants to hear his name called at next month's national draft, but understands he is no certainty and the next few days might make a big difference.
The draft camp is an intense experience; while Houli spent yesterday being weighed, measured and having his reaction times recorded, he will have completed a bunch of running and jumping tests, a shuttle run, a skills session and a three-kilometre time-trial by the time he flies home tomorrow.
Houli timed himself last week, and struggled.
He realised then that his dream needed to be driven with more energy, and decided he would break his fast, for just a few days.
It wasn't an easy choice. "It was weighing on my mind. It was hard, it really was," he said. "I was planning to fast, but I knew it would be too hard, being around everyone and doing a schedule that's so full-on.
"When you're not really eating and drinking, you can imagine how much energy you lose.
"You lose a lot of focus. I didn't want to stop fasting, but then this is my career and this is what I want to achieve. Having more energy, it could change what one team thinks of me."
Houli spoke to several leaders of his local Muslim community before he made up his mind, though his parents, Malek and Yamama, were happy for him to take some time out.
"My whole family was telling me to stop fasting. I was the one saying 'no, I can't, I can't', but then I went and spoke to some people who know the religion," he said.
"I went to a number of sheiks, because I wanted to see all the different opinions, but thankfully they all came back with the same thought. They just said if you're away on business or for your career, it's OK to take a few days away from fasting.
"I'm a bit upset, because I think about everyone else back home in Melbourne, and about all my relatives. They're all fasting and I'm breaking it.
"But then again, I look at it and can see I want to do my best and that I want to try and achieve something that's important to me.
"I'm not sneaking my way around it. It doesn't feel completely right, but I'll certainly make up my time at the end of the month.
"Hopefully, I can perform at my best here, and make all of it worthwhile."
Houli found out five weeks ago that the recruiters wanted to see him at draft camp, and was surprised, having negotiated a few niggling injuries in the past 18 months.
He played for the winning Vic Metro team at the national championships in June, and proved to himself there that he could play well, against good players. Still, it wasn't until he had his draft camp place announced before training one day that he truly believed the draft might take him somewhere.
"It might not happen. I need someone to take a chance with me, but I've always wanted to do it and coming here, it's something that has given my confidence a real lift," Houli said.
"It's going to be tough, but I'm here now and all I can do is my best. I'll try my hardest with everything, and do what I can. Hopefully, things will get even better from here."
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/10/04/1159641394099.html
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5265929,00.jpg)
Ruck'n'roll: Matthew Leuenberger at the draft camp yesterday.
Picture: Michael Dodge
Berger with the lot
06 October 2006 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams
HE HAS been described as Dean Cox-like and is regarded as one of the best ruck prospects to come through the draft in years.
West Australian ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has emerged as the No.1 big man among the crop of this year's AFL hopefuls, with the 202cm giant enhancing his reputation at the draft camp in Canberra.
The 18-year-old's qualities are obvious. He boasts impressive mobility for his height, yesterday showing off his running ability during sprint testing.
He has already played senior football for East Perth in the WAFL and won All-Australian honours at under-18 level this year.
``He would be one of the best I have seen in the last five years, I reckon,'' Melbourne list and recruiting manager Craig Cameron said.
``He's a bit Dean Cox-like. That's a bit unfair because he (Cox) is a star, but he's got those same attributes.
``I'm not sure who the last ruckman was to go No.1, I'm not sure that he'll go No.1, but he'd be up around the mark in the top five, for sure.''
Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes agreed it was hard to fault the big man.
``I actually saw his first senior game this year at East Perth and he was outstanding,'' Hughes said.
``He went back to the colts in the finals series and that's difficult to do, to readjust to that level, and he basically carried his team through the preliminary final to get them in the grand final and then won the medal on grand final day.
``You can't do much more than that. He's outstanding.''
Leuenberger, however, said he had tried not to pay too much attention to talk of his draft prospects.
``I just try not to think about it all. I just try to go out there and play footy and do the training and still have fun,'' the AIS/AFL Academy graduate said.
``It's sort of only sunk in probably in the last two weeks seeing my name in the media a little bit.
``I'm pretty lucky because it did not affect me or my footy because I only found out after the footy season that it looked like I would be going relatively high. It hasn't really affected me too much.''
Leuenberger, who overcame osteitis pubis early in the season, said he had accepted he would be moving interstate to begin his AFL career.
``You know that you won't be living in your home state any more,'' he said.
``It will probably take me a few months to settle in and then it will be fine.''
Leuenberger rated Cox and Collingwood ruckman Josh Fraser as his AFL role models.
``To be anywhere near as good as they are, I would be pretty happy.''
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20533678%255E19742,00.html
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Picking No.1 tougher
06 October 2006 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams
THE man in the AFL draft hot seat says the job of selecting the No.1 pick this year will be harder than ever.
Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes is armed with the No.1 selection in a draft pool widely regarded as the best since the now famous Hodge-Ball-Judd draft of 2001.
While there is talent to burn, Hughes said the task of separating the players at the top was far from clear-cut.
``It's more difficult than ever,'' Hughes said yesterday at the AFL draft camp in Canberra.
``The boys that everyone is talking about have all been in very good form and have got some great qualities.
``It's going to be a very difficult decision.''
Glenelg midfielder Bryce Gibbs, East Perth ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, Peel Thunder forward Scott Gumbleton, Gippsland defender Lachlan Hansen and Glenelg tall James Sellar are regarded as the top candidates in this year's field.
But Hughes, who selected Marc Murphy with the No.1 pick in last year's national draft, said Bendigo midfielder Joel Selwood should also be added to that mix.
``A lot of people have forgotten about Joel Selwood, but I haven't. He was an outstanding player in 2005 and has had a year he has missed with injury,'' he said.
``He's someone that we have to assess very closely as well despite the fact that he hasn't played much this year.
``I think they are all pretty even.''
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20533676%255E19742,00.html
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Lachlan Hansen is a Tigers supporter but he won't last to 8 for us to get him :-\
Although a noted defender, Hansen can also play up forward. Although he barracks for Richmond and his hero is Matthew Richardson, he has modeled his game on a Power premiership player.
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=302143
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Draft kids dynamite
07 October 2006 Herald-Sun
Rebecca Williams
IT'S the national draft that recruiters have been talking about since well before Marc Murphy's name was read out at No. 1 last year.
And after three days of prodding, measuring, testing and interviews at the draft camp, little has changed the view of this year's crop of budding AFL stars.
It's a gem.
The popular view of this year's group is that it's the best since the famous 2001 draft that produced Luke Hodge, Luke Ball and Brownlow medallist Chris Judd.
"If we wavered towards thinking it wasn't the best (since 2001), I think we'll walk away from this thinking it's pretty close to the best," Melbourne recruiting manager Craig Cameron said.
This year's class boasts standout talent at the top, a string of quality talls and the depth to ensure there will be prizes well beyond the first round.
But the top picks aren't as clear-cut as in previous drafts.
Many recruiters agree there are possibly five names that would not be out of place being read out first.
For the past year, most of the talk has surrounded Glenelg's Bryce Gibbs.
He is the standout midfielder in the group, a poised and well-balanced playmaker who has played senior footy in the SANFL.
West Australian Scott Gumbleton is regarded as the pick of the key-position players. He is a 195cm key forward, who has played senior footy for Peel in the WAFL.
WA ruckman Matthew Leuenberger has also attracted plenty of attention. Gippsland defender Lachlan Hansen is another top key-position prospect, while Bendigo's Joel Selwood will come under strong consideration despite a year hampered by injury.
Gibbs' 195cm Glenelg teammate James Sellar is another who has been highly rated throughout the year. He can play as a ruckman or forward.
Adelaide recruiting manager James Fantasia said the No. 1 pick was still wide open.
"It's still up for grabs, I would suggest," Fantasia said. "There is clearly five or six players that could take the honours.
"It may well come down to the club's needs. We'll all be wondering until draft day for that one."
St Kilda recruiting manager John Beveridge agreed the top players were hard to separate.
"I don't know how Carlton are tracking or what they're deciding to do, but I think Gibbs, young Hansen from Gippsland, Gumbleton and Leuenberger have been mentioned fairly consistently as the top four," Beveridge said.
"It's a good group, but it's not an easy group to rate because it seems to be pretty even."
The quality of the talls is a feature this year, a fact not lost on Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy.
"It's probably not the fastest draft camp. But they said it was always going to be the tallest and they certainly got that right," Sheedy said.
Carlton recruiting manager Wayne Hughes is the man with the No. 1 pick.
He said this draft could be debated for years to come.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20538276%255E19742,00.html
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Lachlan Hansen is a Tigers supporter but he won't last to 8 for us to get him :-\
Although a noted defender, Hansen can also play up forward. Although he barracks for Richmond and his hero is Matthew Richardson, he has modeled his game on a Power premiership player.
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=302143
If by some miracle he slips I reckon we will snap him up without hesitation
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I reckon he might go either 1 or 2. ;)
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(http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/10/03/wbFOOTYkids_wideweb__470x343.jpg)
Dean Kelly of the Oakleigh Chargers takes a mark under pressure during the TAC Cup Grand Final against the Calder Cannons.
Photo: Mark Dadswell
Kelly looks the goods, but not like his brother
Craig O'Donoghue
The Age
October 4, 2006
FREMANTLE star Heath Black could be joined in the AFL next season by his half-brother, who had a best-on-ground performance in the TAC Cup grand final last Saturday.
Oakleigh Chargers captain Dean Kelly may have a different surname but with 22 disposals, seven marks and 6.1 in the grand final win over Calder Cannons, he made sure recruiting officers wouldn't forget him on draft day.
Black and Kelly are very different. Kelly has light hair while Black's is dark. The Docker is a speedy wingman with a raking left-foot kick, Kelly is a nuggety right-footed ball winner who takes contested marks. The pair have different fathers and a nine-year age difference.
While Black was always destined to be drafted, Kelly has had to work harder. Despite winning Oakleigh's best and fairest last year and representing Victoria at the under-18 national titles this season, he hasn't been invited to the AFL draft camp. He will get the chance to impress at the state screenings later this month.
"He's done it the hard way and I admire the way he's gone about it," Black said. "I've seen that tenacious need to to make the grade. He's zoned in and it's all he wants to do. I really like watching him play. A lot of the things he does, I can't do. I can't take one-on-one contested marks and for his size, I admire the way he goes about it."
Despite standing only 180 centimetres and playing only 14 games, Kelly finished eighth in the league for contested marks with 39 grabs. Black has managed only 21 contested marks in the past seven years.
Kelly said Black's career had taught him it takes more than just taking marks and kicking goals to be successful and he had worked hard to refine his game.
"I've seen a lot of things that a lot of guys wouldn't have seen. I know how hard you have to work just to stay in the AFL," he said. "A lot of people take it for granted that when they get drafted. I've realised that it's so hard to then get a game and be one of the best players."
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/10/03/1159641325871.html
Impressed by this guy in the TAC Cup GF.
How we get him (with a latter pick).
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Sorry but gonna have to disagree CB, Kelly for mine is a bit of a scrapper and has some things but not enough IMO. If you wanna look at someone from Oakleigh then look at Batsansis, Gray or even Sheldon if Carlton don't take him F/S
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Anyone think that Les Bourdes and Travate Malakies will get drafted?
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(http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5284390,00.jpg)
Too much on offer to be ignored
ZAC MILBANK
Adelaide Advertiser
October 25, 2006 12:15am
IT'S pretty rare when an All-Australian state captain is not invited to the AFL draft camp.
Sturt rover Tom Hurley did everything right in 2006, playing 16 league games, but still didn't generate enough interest from AFL scouts to get a berth in Canberra this month.
While he at least made it to SA's state-based screening on October 13, Hurley is keeping an extremely level head when it comes to having his name called on November 24.
"I'd really like to get drafted but I just have to wait and hope for the best," Hurley, 18, said.
On face value, Hurley's size and perceived lack of leg speed appear to be keeping clubs from jostling for his signature.
"It would be nice to be a bit taller but I'm not so I've just got to make do with what I've got," Hurley said.
"Hopefully someone looks past my height (178cm) and reckons I'm a good player and picks me for that."
Taller and heavier than Port Adelaide's Danyle Pearce, Hurley also possesses a similar trait to the 2006 AFL Rising Star - an uncanny ability to find the football.
Playing in a team which lost more than it won, Hurley had the ball on a string on more than one occasion for the Double Blues this season.
In round six, he collected 32 possessions, six marks and a goal and, in front of Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy, Hurley stood out against the Tigers with 24 disposals.
"His ability to think through a situation is as good as I've seen come through this club," former Sturt coach Brenton Phillips said in June.
As a result, Phillips is certain Hurley would be a valuable selection for any AFL club.
"No question about that. He'd be worth a look in somewhere," Phillips said yesterday.
"He's a fair talent that can find the footy. Whenever you get those types of kids I think you've got to have a look at them at some stage.
"When I speak to people the question has always been about his leg speed. But I question that because he's the type of kid who only uses his leg speed when he has to, so I reckon he's got it there."
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,20640808-21543,00.html
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Hurley's a good talent. A bit unexposed though.
Finds heaps of the ball but is neither quick enough to break open a game nor damaging enough with his kicking IMO.
Still worth a punt late in the draft though
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Anyone have a decent update on the state of Bachar Houli's back etc. Just been having another look at some tapes...hes a nice player at the level.
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Very classy and polished player. Tremendous kicking skills.
Only injuries and a bulky body holding him back
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5300182,00.jpg)
Hot property: Matthew Leuenberger impressed recruiters at the AFL draft camp in Canberra. Picture: Michael Dodge
Leuenberger's draft stocks on the rise
10 November 2006 Herald-Sun
David Davutovic
MATTHEW Leuenberger is the type of recruit the AFL prides itself on these days.
Basketball and athletics were part of his sporting repertoire years ago but the ruckman reached the fork in the road.
"I took athletics pretty seriously and I played a lot of basketball in my early teens and had to choose basketball or footy," the 203cm Leuenberger said.
"I always wanted to make it to the highest level in footy because the AFL looks so much more appealing than the NBL."
Recruiters are licking their lips at the prospect of snaring Leuenberger, who is regarded as the best national draft ruck prospect since Collingwood's Josh Fraser in 1999 and in the mould of West Coast's Dean Cox.
Despite his enormous potential, the East Perth giant could slip as low as No. 6 in the November 25 draft because of the way the cards have fallen.
Carlton has committed to St Kilda ruckman Cain Ackland in the pre-season draft and is keen on a Glenelg's ready-made onballer Bryce Gibbs for its No. 1 selection.
Essendon appears to be leaning towards Victorian Lachlan Hansen with the next selection and the Kangaroos, with pick No. 3, have two young ruckmen in David Hale and Hamish McIntosh.
Should the Brisbane Lions pass him up, Port Adelaide (No. 5) or Hawthorn (No. 6) will take him.
Leading player manager Liam Pickering said it could be the biggest steal in draft history.
"If he goes to five or six, he'll be the best fifth or sixth pick we've seen for a long time but it's just the way it's unfolded," Pickering said.
"If Carlton had picks one and two this year, I'm sure they'd take him.
"I still think he's as good a big man as I've seen in the draft and he was the best ruckman in the under-18 carnival. I just think he's an outstanding prospect."
Leuenberger's father migrated from Switzerland back in 1986.
The Leuenbergers settled in Perth, opened a French restaurant a drop punt from Subiaco Oval and dad Jean-Francois ensured he and son Matthew made the short trek to watch visiting AFL teams train when possible.
"Dad would try and free up time in the afternoon because games were generally played on Sundays then, so the visiting club would train on Saturday so we'd watch them run around and get signatures," he said.
"I go for Carlton because they were the first ones I watched train back in 1995 and I spoke to a few of their players like Stephen Kernahan and Greg Williams and they seemed pretty nice."
Leuenberger almost slipped through the net a couple of years ago and was in line to join WA pair Cox and Aaron Sandilands, who entered the system via the rookie draft.
But he was spotted by WA's state under-16 coach playing for Hale School in Year 11 and an invitation to train with the state side was promptly followed by his inclusion in the East Perth Colts.
"I always wanted to play AFL but before I made the state side I never knew about the process of getting there, so I hadn't given AFL much consideration. I was playing for fun with my school mates," Leuenberger said.
As a result he does not regard himself as a "footy head".
"I wouldn't change anything at all. I'm happy with the way it's panned out," he said.
It's not hard to understand why. Leuenberger played six senior WAFL games after the national under-18 carnival last season and averaged almost 15 hitouts.
He then won the Mel Whinnen Medal as best-on-ground in the Colts grand final at Subiaco before further impressing at the draft camp in Canberra.
Carlton, Essendon, the Kangaroos, Port Adelaide, the Brisbane Lions, Hawthorn, Geelong and St Kilda have spoken to the athletic ruckman and, with West Coast and Fremantle enjoying stellar seasons, an interstate move is highly likely.
Paul Peos, East Perth coach in the latter part of this year, said Leuenberger was a similar player to Cox and had no doubt he would become a star.
"I wouldn't expect him to play every game next year, but he's developed enough to have some influence and he's the sort of guy that won't let the expectations get to him," the former West Coast and Brisbane player said.
"I was assistant coach when Dean Cox came through at East Perth and they're similarly sized and skilled, although Matt's a little more athletic than Dean was at the same time.
"He's a young man that they can really build their side around in the future with his ability to get first hands to the ball."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20731759%255E20322,00.html
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(http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/16/djerrkura_171106_wideweb__470x188.jpg)
Nathan Djerrkura in Arnhem Land.
Photo: Anthony Howard
Bigger fish to fry
Paul Kennedy
The Age
November 17, 2006
THREE mongrel dogs follow Nathan Djerrkura through a river outlet wriggling into the Arafura Sea. If they could calculate the danger of nearby crocodiles, they wouldn't be yapping so freely through the receding water.
"You get one or two crocs, but not very often," Djerrkura said. "They take a dog every now and then."
Then he runs off, 174 centimetres and getting smaller, dashing past a group of children spearing fish in the shallows of the clearest, bluest water anyone has ever seen. Arnhem Land is not so much a paradise lost as one found by very few.
"People wonder why I get home sick," Djerrkura says later under a giant frangipani, bathing in its familiar perfume.
Right now the Top End is dry, but rain's promise adds natural urgency to the air he breathes. Up to a dozen AFL clubs have spoken to Nathan Djerrkura. Although he's spent the past two years in a Melbourne boarding school, he is back home counting the days until the draft.
"I can feel the nerves building but this is the best place I can be," he said.
Djerrkura's family, indeed the whole Yirrkala community (population 800), is proud of the teenager, as they were of his father, before his political career ended tragically.
Gatjil Djerrkura was one of the most prominent Aboriginal activists in the land. He devoted 54 years to advancing indigenous Australia. In 1984 he was awarded the Medal in the General Division of the Order of Australia. He served as ATSIC chairman from 1996-99.
In 2004, the reconciliation advocate died of a sudden heart attack. Like many Aboriginal men, he went in his prime, leaving yet another leadership void. A nation exhaled, a sorrowful wind washing over the territory.
His son, about to be schooled at one of Victoria's most prestigious institutions, pondered life without his father or the Arafura Sea.
Nathan Djerrkura was at Scotch College just weeks ago. Graduating. Boys wearing grey vests, red ties and tall socks moved about the school campus outside his lodgings.
He lifted dumbbells in his room for the last time. A whiff of rain came through the window and shunted his mind instantly home, to wet Christmases, bare feet, children, football, puddles, cackles, love and despair. Loneliness joined him and he summoned an image of his family's totem, the spirit carrier.
His is the Giant Trevally, a marauding prince of the territory's oceans and the Northern reaches of Nathan Djerrkura's soul. "It looks after me."
It swims through his art, more beautiful in paint than reality, and blows bubbles in the salt water buoying his ambitions. A photograph of his father was pinned above his study desk. Gatjil Djerrkura's image often tipped him into a well of sadness, before pride winched him out.
"He always wanted to help his people and I want to follow in his footsteps and help my people," Nathan said, his eyes resting thoughtfully on his words. "But he did it in a political way. I want to do it through the AFL because for the majority of Aboriginal kids it's their indigenous game.
"Hopefully they can see where I've come from, such a small community, and how far I've made it. Hopefully they can follow in my footsteps."
Nathan's graduation from Scotch was a remarkable achievement. Head of sport Robert Smith called it the highlight of his 20-year career. "I know how much hard work and struggle he has gone through to get there."
Smith bonded with Nathan halfway through his first semester, when he was ready to chuck it in and go home, away from the loneliness and the bloody cold. Sensing despair, he took his student to a cafe and the pair talked about living and smelled coffee and felt Melbourne.
Smith said he would support Nathan's next decision. It was an important latte; Nathan stayed and persisted and flourished.
Such was the student's appreciation for his teacher he invited Smith and his family home for a warm holiday. They went fishing and sought turtles. Smith was later adopted into the Djerrkura tribe. He is forever Nathan's honorary brother.
The Djerrkura family knew then Nathan was transformed. His mother Jenny was particularly moved. Cheeky and honest, she desperately wants her son to be drafted because she knows his sacrifices. She also knows footy and says her youngest boy can "break the lines".
Brother Damien Djerrkura empathised with Nathan's struggle. Eight years Nathan's senior, Damien trained as an athlete at the AIS and was once a charge of Cathy Freeman's coach. He was to run the 400 and 800 metres Sydney Olympics selection trials before homesickness chased him down.
Damien now works as a senior training officer in partnership with a bauxite mining company, helping young men earn. Nathan is carrying his brother's sporting hopes. They wear identical giant trevally tattoos.
At Scotch, Nathan (11 seconds in the 100 metres) resisted calls to run without a ball. He loves footy and art, which also blooms on the Djerrkura family tree. Sister Fiona is a talented painter, who worked with the team that designed the Aboriginal patterns on the Qantas 747.
Nathan's paintings are so impressive he's preparing to be interviewed for an elite university scholarship in Melbourne. His art teacher said he once painted traditionally flat patterns but now superimposes motifs, merging western ideals of space on canvas.
To the uncultured gaze, his paintings are calm yet lively, turtles swimming through the ocean, fish, serpents, goannas, rocks and coral. "People paint what they think," he says. "I'll never stop painting."
Talking to Nathan Djerrkura leaves you wondering what he will become. Could he be the next Michael Long? Is that too much? He has to be a hell of a footballer.
Kevin Sheehan, the AFL's talent guru, says Djerrkura may "go top 30" in tomorrow week's draft. Clubs will snatch taller kids first before measuring the rest on hunches and statistics.
Djerrkura popped eyes at the draft camp, particularly in sprint and endurance testing, a light aircraft with a jet engine. His under-18 national carnival made him the Northern Territory's only All-Australian. "You can't ignore that speed," Sheehan said.
To examine his chances one needs to watch on tape an exhibition game played by draft hopefuls in September. The finest teenage football is delightful. The kicking is instinctive, the handballing quicksilver, the passages of movement slick and unwashed. And there are snapshots of brilliance, played out like short trailers to blockbusters you just can't miss, no way!
It must be said Nathan Djerrkura wasn't the only boy dazzling. A Queensland hill named Kurt Tippett marked bombs as easily as he would mark time. Midfielders delivered passes as polished as church floors. And then Djerrkura flew like a spear through the centre.
He was still in defence when someone flipped him the ball. The lad chasing him died after Djerrkura's second bounce. Another opponent came from the side, but Djerrkura shimmied sideways and into more space.
If you watch the tape of the evasion with the sound up, you can hear the spontaneous responses from spectators (keep in mind there were only recruiters in the stands, men who were impressed by little, save for a truly exceptional athletic feat).
"Ooaaww," was all they said.
Djerrkura had another bounce and was now just beyond the goal square. He had run 100 metres. Without another soul to baulk, he kicked a goal. It appeared to be the least satisfying part of his display because it meant he could run no further with the ball. Captivating.
Back in the pristine saltwater of Nathan Djerrkura's backyard, the young man is spear-fishing the time away and saying goodbye to his eventful childhood forever.
"People can stand in one place all day waiting for one fish to come," he explained of the traditional hunt, his weapon and eyes paralleled and poised. "And then when the fish comes, you have to make the most of it."
with ANTHONY HOWARD
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/11/16/1163266713571.html
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(http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/20/thorp_211106_wideweb__470x229.jpg)
Described as both tough and smart by good football judges, Mitch Thorp hopes to make a name for himself in the AFL.
Photo: Getty Images
Teen moves into relatively familiar territory
Emma Quayle
The Age
November 21, 2006
MITCH Thorp could speak for several hours about why he was born to play football. The Tasmanian teenager sometimes drops in on Brent Crosswell, the North Melbourne premiership player and local legend who is a cousin on his mother's side. He thinks.
"He's a cousin … or a second cousin. Something like that," Thorp said. "He stays to himself, pretty much. He can't get out and about too much these days, but he's a good fella. I catch up with him when I can."
Thorp is also related to former Demon and Eagle Andy Lovell, "somewhere on my dad's side", and sees another cousin, Craig Davis, when Nick's dad heads to Tasmania at Christmas. "He's a cousin to me. No, actually to my dad. Or to me. I don't really have any idea, but Craig's a great guy," Thorp said. "Me and Nick are a bit different, but that's OK. He's got a premiership, so he's done all right."
All those things considered, Thorp still understands why he so badly wants to play football, and why he plays with such desperation. He can't remember really watching his father, Peter, play, but people keep telling him how similar they are.
He knows his dad was accidentally shot many years ago, and that he was supposed to never walk again, but ignored medical wisdom and went on to win 10 best and fairests in a row in Campbelltown. Thorp doesn't know all the details, because his dad doesn't like to talk about it, but he has nonetheless been inspired.
"He played for 12 years after it happened, even longer than that, and everyone tells me how good he was, and how tough. He was just a really tough player and that's what I want to be like," Thorp said.
"He rides me pretty hard, and he wants me to do well. We have our clashes every now and then, our little fights, but two days down the track we're fine. If I'm any good at footy, he's the one I got it from."
Thorp wasn't able to do much at last month's AFL draft camp in Canberra, where 72 AFL hopefuls were put through their paces in the lead-up to Saturday's AFL National Draft, because of a swollen left ankle. However, he will be ready to go when he gets to his new club next week.
The recruiters have long known that Thorp is an intense and versatile player, who played in Tasmania's VFL side all of last season — at both ends of the ground, in the ruck and even on the ball.
Most like him best in the forward line. "He plays centre half-forward in a way that everyone would love. He's strong, and he's courageous, and he competes," said Western Bulldogs recruiting manager Scott Clayton. "He's just really good at his craft, really smart at his craft."
Tough, too, and in more ways than one. Thorp has a tattoo on his right arm that says "fortuna" — good luck, in Latin — and if you could rub tattoos off and start over, he'd go back for lots more. "It (getting the tattoo) is a good sort of pain," is his theory. "I actually kind of like it. It felt good."
Thorp moved from his Launceston farm at the start of last season, to live in a "pretty flash" Hobart house with a couple of other teenage Devils, learning to cook stir-fries and practise making his bed. "You're meant to be able to put a 50-cent coin down on it and not make a crease," he said. "Mum's always at me to do that. It's not easy."
Neither was competing against players already on AFL lists, though Thorp felt more used to that as the year wound on and tried to learn from the Kangaroos players who came back to play with the Devils.
Jade Rawlings, a former Devonport player who was recruited from the Devils, phoned each week to see how he was doing, and made other important gestures. "The week before he played his last AFL game, he'd kicked eight goals up to three-quarter-time," said Thorp. "He came back out and kicked his ninth, then came off for me to get back on the ground. He could have stayed on and kicked 10 and had all his glory, but he came off to give me a run. That just tells you what sort of guy he is. I was rucking that day, but I went forward and managed to kick a goal. I told Jade he could have it, for his 10th."
The 2006 AFL draft takes place on Saturday from 10am. AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan places Thorp in his top 30.
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/11/20/1163871340095.html
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"He's a cousin … or a second cousin. Something like that," Thorp said.
Derr. It's Tassie. 8)
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Lachlan Hansen is a Tigers supporter but he won't last to 8 for us to get him :-\
Although a noted defender, Hansen can also play up forward. Although he barracks for Richmond and his hero is Matthew Richardson, he has modeled his game on a Power premiership player.
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=302143
If by some miracle he slips I reckon we will snap him up without hesitation
Hansen confirmed again he was a Tiger supporter in the Herald-Sun yesterday :(
A lifelong Richmond fan, Hansen said he would have liked the opportunity to play for the Tigers alongside his idol Matthew Richardson.
But with the Tigers sacrificing their first draft pick -- No. 8 -- during trade week, it is more realistic that Hansen will one day line up on Richo rather than alongside him.
"My favourite player has always been Richo at Richmond," Hansen said. "I just like the way he plays. He's always been my favourite. Big grabs, he's just the best."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20785949%255E20322,00.html
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"He's a cousin … or a second cousin. Something like that," Thorp said.
Derr. It's Tassie. 8)
You're on fire this morning FF :ROTFL
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(http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5312890,00.jpg)
Great pick: dual under-18 All-Australian Leroy Jettas is widely tipped to be a first-round selection in Saturday's AFL national draft. Picture: Michael Dodge
Leroy Jettas into calculations
23 November 2006 Herald-Sun
David Hastie
IF THE No. 1 pick in Saturday's AFL national draft was determined on the strength of his surname, South Fremantle's Leroy Jetta would be a shoo-in.
One of the smallest prospects in the draft, Jetta, a dual under-18 All-Australian, is widely tipped to be a first-round selection.
At 177cm, Jetta's blistering pace and ball-winning ability sees him stand out in a draft oozing with talent.
Speaking from Western Australia, Jetta said his preference was to remain in Fremantle next season.
However with the Dockers sacrificing both their first and second round picks during trade week, it seems highly unlikely the livewire midfielder and forward would be granted his wish.
"I wouldn't mind going to Freo," Jetta said.
"I've spoken to the club so, yeah, that's where I want to play.
"But I wouldn't mind moving to Melbourne.
"There's always something to do over there."
Either Collingwood or the Western Bulldogs look his likely home.
Port Adelaide has also expressed interest in Jetta, but is unlikely to use its No. 5 pick to secure him.
Jetta, who played six senior games for South Fremantle in the WAFL this season, isn't feeling any pre-draft pressure but is keen to learn where he will play his football.
"There's not that much pressure on me really," he said. "Just wait and see where I'm going."
South Fremantle football manager Marty Atkins described Jetta as an emerging talent, likening him to a young Andrew McLeod.
"I've got no doubt that he'll be destined for the midfield but I think very early on in his career he'll just be a small forward," Atkins said.
"He's very light-framed but his pace and his evasiveness is exceptional. I wasn't around when Andrew McLeod first started his football career but they rate (Jetta) along the same lines as him at the same stage."
While he admitted Jetta's light build had occasionally told against him at South Fremantle, Atkins said it didn't stop the youngster from showing flashes of brilliance.
"He was basically in the (South Fremantle) squad most of the year. At times he struggled to play league footy and at other times just showed you how good he's going to be," Atkins said.
"He's a terrific kid. Now he basically has to realise he's in for a lot of hard work."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,20805232%255E19742,00.html
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(http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/11/24/wbFOOTYboak2_wideweb__470x331.jpg)
Photo: Drew Ryan
Brave new world
Emma Quayle
The Age
November 25, 2006
SHOULD the AFL draft take Travis Boak away, he will miss home and he will be missed.
Last week, the teenager went to his high school valedictory dinner, with friends he has grown up with on the beach at Jan Juc. "They're all wondering what they'll be doing next year, so I'm a bit lucky in that way," Boak said.
"I know what I'll be doing, hopefully. I just don't know where I'll be doing it."
Boak can sense how much his 14-year-old sister, Cassie, looks up to him, and will miss being near her and his elder sister, Sarah. Then there is his mother, Chicki, such a devoted kick-to-kick partner that she injured her knee chasing after a loose ball this year, and had to have surgery.
"She fell to the ground and Cassie and I were laughing, telling her to get up and stop having a rest," Boak said. "I suddenly thought: 'Uh oh … I'd better get over and help, here!' "
In these ways, Boak is no different from the hundreds of young footballers who have thrown their names forward this morning, understanding that the draft might take them to a place far away, but still wishing they could choose where.
But in the days, weeks and months before his big day, Boak has thought about much more than getting through school, getting a kick, and what the recruiters might see in him.
Today he will feel nervous — then happy, he hopes, and relieved — but there will be some sadness too. Even though he knows his father, Roger, who died last year, will know exactly how things work out. "It feels like he will," Boak said. "I know he will. I know whatever happens, he'll be there with me."
For a long time, Boak didn't understand exactly how tough his dad had been. But when his mum told him Roger had fought the cancer in his stomach for a 18 months longer than his doctor thought he could, he wasn't at all surprised.
He had been inspired by his father long before then, anyway. A Carlton supporter, Boak grew up wanting to be a bit like Anthony Koutoufides, but more like the guy who wore No. 5 in 230 games for Torquay.
Already, his mum has seen him play with the same instinct that her husband displayed. "One of Roger's coaches used to call him 'Dial-a-Goal'. He'd say, 'Call Boaky, he'll get you a goal' and, sure enough, he would," Chicki said.
"He always knew what to do. He was a very smart player, very intelligent, and I can see a lot of that in Travis. You can see he's thinking all the time out there. He always seems to have time."
Football, though, was not always the game Boak thought he would play. He was a cricketer as a kid, made a couple of representative sides in Geelong, and thought that was the sport calling him.
He was a fast bowler playing in senior and junior teams. The workload caused stress fractures in his back, which he fixed for good only last summer, but which helped tell which sport he really preferred to play.
"I hated being injured. I needed a punching bag some days but, when I think back on it, it was probably a bit of a blessing," Boak said.
"All I could do was handball, and a bit of kicking, so I was doing skills, skills, skills, all the time, and I think that's made me a better player. But it just made me want to play again. I realised how much I loved footy, and that was a good thing."
Earlier confirmation had come when Boak made the AIS-AFL Academy after the national under-16 championships in 2004. He toured Ireland at Easter last year with Joel Selwood, Lachlan Hansen, Scott Gumbleton and others, and will wait to hear their names called today, too.
Last week, Boak hung out on a Queensland beach with Mitch Thorp, another academy boy keen to know which club will choose him. "We went up there to get away from the draft and not speak about it," Boak said. "It was the only thing we did talk about, in the end …"
Chicki and Cassie went on the Irish trip, too, and discovered their own network of footy friends, who have been there for them ever since.
Roger had wanted to go, but he wasn't well enough; having Chicki with him meant Boak worried less than had he been away on his own, but his mind was still full, and he thought of his dad every time he played.
He took his Australian guernsey straight home, and made sure it was hanging in his dad's hospital room when he died, three weeks later. "I gave it to him as soon as I got home. I just wanted him to have it and for him to feel really proud," Boak said.
"While I was away it was the only thing that helped me get by, thinking of him every time I was out in the jumper and wishing he was there with me.
"It was hard in some parts, but it motivated me as well. I knew my dad would just want me to go out there and play and so every time I went for the ball I wanted to go flat out, because I knew he was there with me.
"It was a terrible time. It was crazy. It was really scary sometimes. You never think something like that will happen to your family, but he was so tough and such a fighter, and that's what I keep thinking.
"He was an inspiring person and he fought as hard as he could. He didn't want to leave us, and that's something that will be with me for the rest of my life. It drives me, a fair bit."
Boak has spoken to every club since the end of the season, and knows he could end up anywhere. Both Adelaide and Port Adelaide drove out to his home last week, but he might not have to take his bags that far.
Geelong and a bunch of Melbourne-based clubs hold the eight picks between the Crows and the Power, and the odds are Boak will be chosen somewhere in there.
The team that does choose him will get its hands on a smart, speedy and skilful player who, according to Geelong Falcons regional manager Mick Turner, confirmed himself as an early pick in week six of the TAC Cup season.
"He only had half a game under his belt after his back injury. We played Queensland, who were highly rated, and he was our best player," Turner said.
"He's just a natural. He knows how to play. The great thing about Travis is that once he gets his hands on the ball, he makes a decision and releases it very quickly.
"He can sum up a situation well, he's got good hands, he can read the play, and he's a beautiful long kick on both feet. He's a bit like Brett Deledio in how he moves. He's just a very good player."
He feels fit now and ready to get fitter. Boak can't wait to get started on his first real pre-season, and to become part of a whole new team.
"It makes me a bit nervous," he said, "but it's been such a long wait. It will be so good to just get started."
He's not so keen on the other realities of moving — learning to wash his own clothes, etcetera — though Chicki had planned to teach him a few quick culinary tricks last week. "I think it will start with that and end with that," she said. "I won't even mention the iron. That's getting far too complicated!"
Like Boak, Chicki expects some relief when his name is called today, and knows there will be a few tears. The uncertainty will end, and her boy will have a chance at something he has worked hard for, and wanted badly.
"I'm extremely proud of him. Very much so," she said. "He's kept himself together and he's dealt with things most kids would never think of. He's been unbelievable. I couldn't be more proud."
http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/11/24/1164341396782.html
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Memory of dad drives teen
By Courtney Walsh
THe Australian
November 25, 2006
AFL draft bolter Calib Mourish is likely to be more emotional than most of his peers if selected today among the next crop of potential AFL stars.
The significance of today's draft means a great deal to Mourish because, if picked among the 91 spots available, it will allow him to better his dad, Gus.
It is not that Mourish, 18, wants bragging rights over his father, a bush star who also played in the WAFL, rather that he wants to make him proud.
The Geraldton boy's father, whose career was cut short when he required a kidney transplant, died two years ago, but his passing has given Mourish the drive to chase a career at the top level.
"It was pretty hard at first, but I was thinking to myself a few times, as I was sitting by myself, just thinking, 'I've just got to do it for dad. I've got to push through and get to the next level'," Mourish said.
"Dad played for Perth in the WAFL, but he lost a kidney and just stopped there, so to make that next level, pass my dad, would hopefully make him proud."
Mourish's path to possible selection differs from most of today's 1700 candidates, who are either trying to re-start a stuttering career or have played in the elite state junior competitions.
Mourish, whose bleached blond locks made him a standout at Clontarf's Midwest Academy in Geraldton this year, played only a couple of Colts games in the WAFL this season, preferring instead to play senior football in his home town, about four hours' drive north of Perth.
While his selection would surprise some, Clontarf Football Academy football operations manager Ashley Prescott, who is also Claremont's senior coach, believes Mourish, who at 189cm is taller than the AFL average, has serious talent.
"I reckon he is a real dark horse for the draft. A few of the AFL clubs said, 'You have got to get him down here for a couple of games, just to qualify him'," Prescott said.
"He's a bit of a Lance Whitnall type with fantastic hands, great skills, really good awareness.
"He's pretty raw, and he might need to lose a little bit of puppy fat, but he can play."
Mourish, who said he would dye his hair blue if picked up by Carlton, dreams of playing senior football at the MCG.
"This year's granny (grand final) I was actually there. One point. What a wicked game," he said.
"The roar, you think you're playing, and you just get cold shivers. It is such a wicked feeling.
"Playing, it would be whole different feeling. It would be totally different to what I'm used to playing on in Geraldton."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20816536-23211,00.html
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By Courtney Walsh
The Australian
November 25, 2006
Mourish's Clontarf stablemate Carl Peterson also looms as an unusual draft story, having worked as a grave-digger in Perth this year after graduating.
Peterson, 19, from Kununurra in the Kimberley, broke into Claremont's senior side late last season and is an exciting prospect, according to AFL national talent manager Kevin Sheehan.
"He is another interesting one. His vertical leap is incredible," Sheehan said.
"He takes off on Monday and lands on Thursday. He is a wonderful athlete."
The softly spoken Peterson, who weighs 70kg, described his stint in the WAFL as an eye-opener that would force him into the gym over summer.
"There are a lot of mature bodies," he said. "They are pretty big people, so I think I'm going to have to lift a few weights."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,20816536-23211,00.html