classy, skilled, small, FAST draft prospects

[LA Tiger]

Apologies. Not sure where to put this or even how to post this but spent the day watching the International combine in LA. Recruiters from 6 clubs there including a representative from the Tiges.

Got to say - albeit from someone based in LA for 14 years - this is an experiment well worth a look for the Tiges. Only had 84 athletes over 200cms tested in the history of the AFL combine, today they had 20. They could easily have had 20 more apparently - they had to knock back applicants.

Raw is the important word.

One 211cm American ran 3 secs for 20 metres. Apparently bigger than Sandilands and ran as fast as most midfielders. Another 198cms ran 2.8 which is the 5th fastest time ever recorded.

So a reality check: almost all of them haven't even seen the game let alone play it. But surely it's a better option than a homesick, sun struck Irishman?

And remember we're talking men here, not skinny teens. Most have come from a basketball background in many cases a multi-million dollar college training program. So they are (semi) professional and committed.

With all due respects, but surely a better bet than a young man from Papua New Guinea or a couple of skinny kids from Ireland.

Apologies if not posted correctly. Go Tiges.

 

[TigerMasochist]

McCartin's an interesting one, gun junior, but he's diabetic. Could he cope with the rigours of an AFL lifestyle?

The Flea managed o.k. for a couple of years and a handfull of games.

 

[tigersnake]

He's a gun, I certainly don't have any issues with using pick 11 on him, the only real knock on him is size. His ability to kick on either side is as good as anyone in the draft, and he's also got very impressive acceleration. If we want a genuine rover then he'd be close to topping the list.

Bullus on Lewis Taylor. Looks bloody good to me. damnit

 

[shawry]

The Flea managed o.k. for a couple of years and a handfull of games.

Yes as did Nathan Bassett. Don't think it would be an issue.

 

[tigersnake]

Impey, Lewis Taylor and Kennedy-Harris all instant key members of their respective sides. Take note Dimma and Francis, I have no doubt they are.

 

[bullus_hit]

Impey, Lewis Taylor and Kennedy-Harris all instant key members of their respective sides. Take note Dimma and Francis, I have no doubt they are.

The interesting thing Snake is that these types haven't really fallen under FJ's template for drafting, we haven't really targeted one genuine rover since he took over, this has been a massive oversight. Hardwick & FJ don't like short players, this is completely wrong in my opinion and goes against the evidence of 100 years of AFL football. The line that the game has changed and that one can only run with 6 footers is just another one of these passing fads that will eventually be exposed as pure folly.

 

[tigergollywog]

The interesting thing Snake is that these types haven't really fallen under FJ's template for drafting, we haven't really targeted one genuine rover since he took over, this has been a massive oversight. Hardwick & FJ don't like short players, this is completely wrong in my opinion and goes against the evidence of 100 years of AFL football. The line that the game has changed and that one can only run with 6 footers is just another one of these passing fads that will eventually be exposed as pure folly.

I have to put my hand up as one who advocates a no <180 rule. However, its a subordinate policy to my indigenousness policy.

In plain English, if you are small, youve got to be black and fast and duel sided. my definition of duel sided is just that. not can swing on the non preferred under pressure, but you cant tell which their preferred IS. Think Josh Simpson with a Scotch College education. Purely in AFL football terms.

 

[bullus_hit]

I have to put my hand up as one who advocates a no <180 rule. However, its a subordinate policy to my indigenousness policy.

In plain English, if you are small, youve got to be black and fast and duel sided. my definition of duel sided is just that. not can swing on the non preferred under pressure, but you cant tell which their preferred IS. Think Josh Simpson with a Scotch College education. Purely in AFL football terms.

Dahlhaus, Prestia and Elliott would therefore be exempt? I think we need to move away from the type casting and treat players on their merits. I love what the indingenous players bring to the table but they don't have a mortgage on speed and and football x-factor. Two players from last year's draft, Taylor & Hartung will bring just as much excitement as JKH & Impey.

 

[ToraToraTora]

What about this tall winger type Lamb? Not Lamb22. Sounds quick, can kick and mark. And kick a goal.

 

[tigersnake]

I have to put my hand up as one who advocates a no <180 rule. However, its a subordinate policy to my indigenousness policy.

In plain English, if you are small, youve got to be black and fast and duel sided. my definition of duel sided is just that. not can swing on the non preferred under pressure, but you cant tell which their preferred IS. Think Josh Simpson with a Scotch College education. Purely in AFL football terms.

don't care what colour they are, as long as they are fast and classy. Lewis Taylor looks tremendous, he also looks like he's related to Prince Charles. Simpson doesn't look like he's got it to me. Early days and all, but just my feeling

 

[tigersnake]

The interesting thing Snake is that these types haven't really fallen under FJ's template for drafting, we haven't really targeted one genuine rover since he took over, this has been a massive oversight. Hardwick & FJ don't like short players, this is completely wrong in my opinion and goes against the evidence of 100 years of AFL football. The line that the game has changed and that one can only run with 6 footers is just another one of these passing fads that will eventually be exposed as pure folly.

totally agree. every top side has at least 1, usually 2 top rovers. Our biggest hole

 

[Scoop]

Dahlhaus, Prestia and Elliott would therefore be exempt? I think we need to move away from the type casting and treat players on their merits. I love what the indingenous players bring to the table but they don't have a mortgage on speed and and football x-factor. Two players from last year's draft, Taylor & Hartung will bring just as much excitement as JKH & Impey.

If we dropped those three into our side this year, we would be top 4. Without question.

We lack three pacey types and they all fall outside of the FJ model of line & length footballers. There is going to need to be a massive change in strategy from HQ.

 

[tigersnake]

If we dropped those three into our side this year, we would be top 4. Without question.

We lack three pacey types and they all fall outside of the FJ model of line & length footballers. There is going to need to be a massive change in strategy from HQ.

Yes and no. the model has been line and length (I like that metaphor) thus far for very good reason, we all know what those reasons are. It would be dumb to only draft these types forever, everyone know that, even me, I reckon the strategy has been line and length, build a solid chassis, then change shift focus to the finishers, x-factor types. So it won't be a massive change of the strategy, it will be next phase of the strategy.

I liked, and agree with what McGuire said to Ralph tonight, words to effect of ' you blokes have to hold your nerve, you're 3 years in to a 5 year plan.' and said in the past we've tended to panic at this stage. Reading PRE, its easy to see why

 

[spook]

I agree, snake. Not one of our current talls was on the list when FJ took over. How would our tall stocks look if we hadn't used second-rounders on Rance, Griff, Elton, Maric, Hampson, McBean and a third-rounder on Astbury. We were that bad, the list was that shot, that a complete rebuild was required, and you have to start with the big blokes because they take time. The mistakes were Post and Batch instead of Beams and Parker.

Now we can add some mustard, and hopefully we will.

 

[ToraToraTora]

I wonder what FJ will do if McCartin or Goddard is staring him in the face? Go well rounded mid again?

 

[Scoop]

Yes and no. the model has been line and length (I like that metaphor) thus far for very good reason, we all know what those reasons are. It would be dumb to only draft these types forever, everyone know that, even me, I reckon the strategy has been line and length, build a solid chassis, then change shift focus to the finishers, x-factor types. So it won't be a massive change of the strategy, it will be next phase of the strategy.

I liked, and agree with what McGuire said to Ralph tonight, words to effect of ' you blokes have to hold your nerve, you're 3 years in to a 5 year plan.' and said in the past we've tended to panic at this stage. Reading PRE, its easy to see why

Don't disagree TS. The three gusys I mentioned, I mentioned for a specific reason. Here's why.

Dion Presita- Top 10 pick, certified star at underage level and proving to be an elite AFL midfielder after 3 years.

Luke Dahlhaus- Taken pick 22 in the 2011 rookie draft. In a compromised draft. We took Ben Jakobi 11 picks before.

Jamie ELliot - Was pre-listed by Greater Western Sydney and was traded to Collingwood along with Martin Clarke and draft selection No. 67 in exchange for pick No. 25. After being an over ager in the TAC. ( And Tom Langdon has been another overager that the Pies have swooped on) Definite pattern.

These guys were got by a variety of methods so there is no excuse for us not to have these types on the list. Although FJ has to do some patch work, he fundamentally ignored this list requirement and as these three show, it doesn't need to be at huge expense or a bevy of first round picks.

I wonder what FJ will do if McCartin or Goddard is staring him in the face? Go well rounded mid again?

Angus Brayshaw would be a no brainer if we pick in our current situation but it we get to pick 8-12 it will be different. Peter Bampton is another that I like.

 

[tigersnake]

Don't disagree TS. The three gusys I mentioned, I mentioned for a specific reason. Here's why.

Dion Presita- Top 10 pick, certified star at underage level and proving to be an elite AFL midfielder after 3 years.

Luke Dahlhaus- Taken pick 22 in the 2011 rookie draft. In a compromised draft. We took Ben Jakobi 11 picks before.

Jamie ELliot - Was pre-listed by Greater Western Sydney and was traded to Collingwood along with Martin Clarke and draft selection No. 67 in exchange for pick No. 25. After being an over ager in the TAC. ( And Tom Langdon has been another overager that the Pies have swooped on) Definite pattern.

These guys were got by a variety of methods so there is no excuse for us not to have these types on the list. Although FJ has to do some patch work, he fundamentally ignored this list requirement and as these three show, it doesn't need to be at huge expense or a bevy of first round picks.

Angus Brayshaw would be a no brainer if we pick in our current situation but it we get to pick 8-12 it will be different. Peter Bampton is another that I like.

Yeah thats all fair enough, but we've improved, we need to improve more. Its that simple. Collingwood are ahead of us, hopefully we can catch them. I don't like draft hindsightism generally, but we're all human and sometimes you can't help it, but the one that is sticking in my craw a bit at the momet is that Kennedy Harris went a few picks after the one we traded for Hampson . I still don't think it was an almighty stuff up, a bit of a stuff up maybe. I can see why we did it and think we paid thereabouts, but still.

 

[mtench]

Went along and watched the Falcons v Cannons under lights last night. Another one of the Falcons boys who will be a ripper is Rhys Mathieson, again bottom age but easily one of their best. Couple of good small/mids for the Cannons were R Smith (good by foot) and B Allen(pace to burn!)

 

[tigergollywog]

callum toowey paints a tanatalising word picture of jared pickett and clem smith on a website whose initials could stand for ALL FOOLS LANGUISH.com

 

[MTiger]

U18 squads for Vic Country and Vic Metro were announced today