One of the guys who is in a Tigers e-mail loop with me at work is putting together a one-a-day player critique starting at #1 and working through the player list. It's a pretty good read so I thought I would share it with you.
Part 24 in the series….
25 - Jay Shultz
Position: Key position
Age: 17, turns 18 just before round 4
Height: 192cm
Weight: 86kg
Career Games: 0
Career Goals: 0
Draft History: Taken selection no 12 in 2002 National Draft.
2002 Averages: N/A
2002 Summary: Played for S.A. in the National U18's where he was O.K.
without being outstanding. To my knowledge spent most of the season playing
SANFL reserves, which may not sound exciting, but considering he was still 16
at the start of the season and would have played it primarily as a developing
17yo "Tall" is nothing to be overly concerned about. I didn't see anything of him
obviously at that level, so not sure how he's coping against "Men", hopefully
Richmond did (I'm not holding my breath on that though). Was a member of the
AIS squad and toured Ireland where he was outstanding.
Previously: A very highly rated Junior player who had been dominate at under-
age level.
Ratings: Will wait till end of the year.
Strengths: Good height, very mobile and very good skills. Is a good ball handler
for his size.
Weaknesses: Looked at the U18's to be a bit undersized for a key position
player and is probably a couple of pre-seasons away from having the strength
to cope with AFL level footy. Didn't seem to be able to use his body that well.
Overall: Is very much a young developing "Tall" who we'll be lucky to see much
off probably before 2005. I would be surprised if he was played on merit this
year, although possibly will get a few games as part of his development then
some serious senior footy next year. Is mobile for his size, a good ball handler
and has some impressive all-round skills, but a bit too easily pushed around at
the moment and looks to me like he's physically undeveloped at the moment,
doesn't look the type to develop into a total Bourke-Like rake, so I'm not too
concerned.
I would think the Tigers are hoping he'll develop as a forward - plan B to fill a
key defensive post. At the start of 2002 I rated Shultz along with Goddard as
my two main "targets" that I wanted to see in Richmond colours. His stocks
probably dropped through the year as others overtook him and he treaded
water a little bit. Typical of a Richmond draft pick over the last few years he is
a definite gamble and I have a sneaking suspicion that I read somewhere that
Beck accompanied the U17's to Ireland which will be where he drew his main
impressions of him. But continuing the gamble analogy, while the "Odds of
success" may be higher than you might want for a first round pick, the "Return"
is probably over the odds in this case and to be honest I can't question this pick
as I'm pretty certain I would have done the same, although the fact that Byron
Schammer was still surprisingly available, made it a very close call, our lack of
young talls would have made the decision.
Is the youngest on the Richmond List by 8 months and the last Richmond Senior
Listed player still currently listed who started the season as a 17yo was
Bowden. I'm fully expecting the name Shultz to pop up over the next couple of
years as another Richmond recruiting first round failure, but it won't be fair.
Like Melbourne supporters bagging the selection of Travis Johnston, Shultz
most likely will come good and come very good. He will need time and can't be
judged on 2003 & 2004.
Part 24 in the series….
25 - Jay Shultz
Position: Key position
Age: 17, turns 18 just before round 4
Height: 192cm
Weight: 86kg
Career Games: 0
Career Goals: 0
Draft History: Taken selection no 12 in 2002 National Draft.
2002 Averages: N/A
2002 Summary: Played for S.A. in the National U18's where he was O.K.
without being outstanding. To my knowledge spent most of the season playing
SANFL reserves, which may not sound exciting, but considering he was still 16
at the start of the season and would have played it primarily as a developing
17yo "Tall" is nothing to be overly concerned about. I didn't see anything of him
obviously at that level, so not sure how he's coping against "Men", hopefully
Richmond did (I'm not holding my breath on that though). Was a member of the
AIS squad and toured Ireland where he was outstanding.
Previously: A very highly rated Junior player who had been dominate at under-
age level.
Ratings: Will wait till end of the year.
Strengths: Good height, very mobile and very good skills. Is a good ball handler
for his size.
Weaknesses: Looked at the U18's to be a bit undersized for a key position
player and is probably a couple of pre-seasons away from having the strength
to cope with AFL level footy. Didn't seem to be able to use his body that well.
Overall: Is very much a young developing "Tall" who we'll be lucky to see much
off probably before 2005. I would be surprised if he was played on merit this
year, although possibly will get a few games as part of his development then
some serious senior footy next year. Is mobile for his size, a good ball handler
and has some impressive all-round skills, but a bit too easily pushed around at
the moment and looks to me like he's physically undeveloped at the moment,
doesn't look the type to develop into a total Bourke-Like rake, so I'm not too
concerned.
I would think the Tigers are hoping he'll develop as a forward - plan B to fill a
key defensive post. At the start of 2002 I rated Shultz along with Goddard as
my two main "targets" that I wanted to see in Richmond colours. His stocks
probably dropped through the year as others overtook him and he treaded
water a little bit. Typical of a Richmond draft pick over the last few years he is
a definite gamble and I have a sneaking suspicion that I read somewhere that
Beck accompanied the U17's to Ireland which will be where he drew his main
impressions of him. But continuing the gamble analogy, while the "Odds of
success" may be higher than you might want for a first round pick, the "Return"
is probably over the odds in this case and to be honest I can't question this pick
as I'm pretty certain I would have done the same, although the fact that Byron
Schammer was still surprisingly available, made it a very close call, our lack of
young talls would have made the decision.
Is the youngest on the Richmond List by 8 months and the last Richmond Senior
Listed player still currently listed who started the season as a 17yo was
Bowden. I'm fully expecting the name Shultz to pop up over the next couple of
years as another Richmond recruiting first round failure, but it won't be fair.
Like Melbourne supporters bagging the selection of Travis Johnston, Shultz
most likely will come good and come very good. He will need time and can't be
judged on 2003 & 2004.
