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Matthew Clarke
- Thread starter Harry
- Start date
reading various snippets over time , it sounded like the different scouts from all over the country send in their suggestions
Blair , Clarke and others pour over video footage and short list
and then don't if its just Blair or a few , see them live and keep refining that short list
I do recall Blair mentioned a flying trip to WA to see a couple of prospects
reckon our WA numbers come about from a couple of factors
we have good talent scouts there
we are prepared to invest the time & effort to get over and see them
Blair , Clarke and others pour over video footage and short list
and then don't if its just Blair or a few , see them live and keep refining that short list
I do recall Blair mentioned a flying trip to WA to see a couple of prospects
reckon our WA numbers come about from a couple of factors
we have good talent scouts there
we are prepared to invest the time & effort to get over and see them
Guessing at a lot of clubs it could get political or time served has a louder voice, think different clubs would obviously go about it differently.
Must be frustrating even if the above isnt prevalent as you would have individual opinions and then group decisions, to see players you rate highly that as a recruiting group dont and then to be vindicated in years to come would burn a little i would imagine..
Thankless task really, i dont comment much on this aspect as i dont watch kids and read yours and other each year with Drafting (much appreciated), but for years including 2017 look at Franks page, just hammered..., for years...
Interesting to see not one Rookie in Dees 2020 flag, think we had 9/10 in 2020....
Martin > Petracca
Cotchin > Viney
We're ahead but father time will see Cotch retire so we need a replacement, sooner rather than later.
Oliver > RCD
Thought I'd make this comparison given it was the one I used in my draft write-up. Not looking great for the upside & there's a few more doubts that have crept in. Tom Bell was my worst case scenario and that eventuality hasn't completely evaporated. RCD used to be an elite handballer, have no idea as to why he looks rushed & panicky but this needs immediate attention.
Short = Salem
At least we're good for the critical rebounding position.
Gawn > Nank
Love Nank the Tank but for how much longer? Soldo probably B grade ceiling, the ruck perhaps an area of concern but ok for now.
Jack > Brown
Lynch > McDonald
We're good for another season but this could be the elephant in the room, hopefully Jack can eke another 2 seasons.
Fritsch > McIntosh
Time to upgrade this position, need a wingman this year and Goater & Howes should definitely be part of the discussion.
Pickett > Castagna
You might say pretty harsh on a triple premiership player but no player is beyond improvement, time to get busy for George. This is why Rachele, Butler & Murley should be on our radar.
My understanding is when certain players are on our radar we ensure different people see them play live so we can get a better, more rounded view. It stops recruiters from "falling in love" with certain players and being somewhat blinded (a bit like posters on PRE).
Will be interesting come draft time on how we do actually rate some of the WA kids with 4 expected to be in the first round
Erasmus , Johnson, Amiss , Jvr. Im sure we have alot of confidence in Sam Cousens ability and eye to recognise talent.
I remember Clarke being interviewed after the SA/WA game and he mentioned Johnson and JVR in his interview
Erasmus , Johnson, Amiss , Jvr. Im sure we have alot of confidence in Sam Cousens ability and eye to recognise talent.
I remember Clarke being interviewed after the SA/WA game and he mentioned Johnson and JVR in his interview
Probably spent so many years filling up with early picks they've hardly bothered to rummage around the bargain basement bin.
It highlights how well they've done in the early picks.
Something like ALL their drafts picks picks from r1 n r2 from the last 3 years played in the grand final.
So hitting their 2nd round picks 3 years running is a fair effort
Soldo s value peaks when he comes up against ruck titans , as he has a knack of breaking even , off setting their influence
We pay him workman's wages to break square with a millionaire.
Yep against Gawn, Grundy Nic Nat and the like he has been invaluable.
ATM Richmond fans are looking at the thinness of our midfield stocks with sober clarity.
There is no doubt in my mind that the football department, that the entire club noticed during 2021 and that there was a shift in recruiting focus in 2021.
The Matthew Clarke ND period from 2017 to 2020 was fruitless but for Noah Balta. (That was a good fruit.)
For now I want to have another look at pick 17 in the 2017 draft.
I like Higgins for his genius. But the profile he presented at draft time was nothing like a #17 pick. The first time we saw him at an intraclub he was miles behind a slow midget taken in the rookie draft. For athleticism, for decision making, for ball winning and for skill execution. For being a footballer.
To this day Liam Baker is a better footballer. And Liam Baker is facing huge challenges in 2022.
Jack Higgins does not profile as an AFL footballer. (And IMO should never have been recruited by the club.) He does not hit a single criterion - lacks BWA, terrible body/athlete, poor DMBIH save the odd miracle goal, poor execution.
The reason I'm drawing attention to this selection today is that a lot of our recruits in the 2017-20 period profiled poorly.
Most unlike the 2021 draft. The club has noticed and acted. 2021 was a very different year. Good profiles.
There is no doubt in my mind that the football department, that the entire club noticed during 2021 and that there was a shift in recruiting focus in 2021.
The Matthew Clarke ND period from 2017 to 2020 was fruitless but for Noah Balta. (That was a good fruit.)
For now I want to have another look at pick 17 in the 2017 draft.
I like Higgins for his genius. But the profile he presented at draft time was nothing like a #17 pick. The first time we saw him at an intraclub he was miles behind a slow midget taken in the rookie draft. For athleticism, for decision making, for ball winning and for skill execution. For being a footballer.
To this day Liam Baker is a better footballer. And Liam Baker is facing huge challenges in 2022.
Jack Higgins does not profile as an AFL footballer. (And IMO should never have been recruited by the club.) He does not hit a single criterion - lacks BWA, terrible body/athlete, poor DMBIH save the odd miracle goal, poor execution.
The reason I'm drawing attention to this selection today is that a lot of our recruits in the 2017-20 period profiled poorly.
Most unlike the 2021 draft. The club has noticed and acted. 2021 was a very different year. Good profiles.
All well and good Jack but who should have the club taken instead?
You are only as good as the players in the draft.
In my view we are holding players back from development by playing older established players even if they are clearly out of form and their efforts are poor. There are no consequences for these players if they just give up and stop trying because they have had success etc. Then we play the likes of Aarts a VFL standard that will take us nowhere but seems to be a coach favourite. For these reasons I blame Hardwick. I think Damien is "Store Blind" so to speak. In his bubble he is not seeing what we are obviously seeing. That's where the List manager Hartley has also failed through Arrogance. This arrogance is a weakness that could send us back to the bottom of the ladder fast. I would make an early statement if I was Hardwick. A good old fashioned wake up call to the senior leaders including Cotchin, Riewoldt, Martin and Co. Hard running torture to teach a lesson or two.
