John Meesen v Cameron Wood

[Drummond]

As we all know the Crows took John Meesen at No.8 in the 2004 NAB Draft. There was speculation we would pick West Adelaide’s Cameron Wood, however we opted for Meesen and Wood was selected by Brisbane with the 18th pick.

Meesen has been developing with Norwood and has come a long way this season, but still has not yet made his AFL debut. He is 20 years old and while his ruckwork still has a way to go, he has shown tremendous ability at finding the footy around the ground.

Wood on the other hand is only 19 years of age and tonight played his 5th game of AFL footy. Last week he had 10 possessions, 7 marks and 13 hitouts. Tonight he had 14 possessions, 5 marks and 9 hitouts and to be honest, he showed unbelievable potential. He took some nice strong marks, dodged a few opponents, and has a thumping kick. He is still very thin and there’s no doubt he was beaten in the ruck, however he has a good spring and with more time and weight he will be dominant. And around the ground he looks very, very good as he has great athleticism and can rack up plenty of the ball.

So looking back on the 2004 draft and with Wood looking at home playing AFL footy at the age of 19, I wonder if we made the right decision. I have no doubt Meesen will be a great AFL ruckman, but he is still yet to sign and could return home at the end of the year. While Wood on the other hand is South Australian and looks set to be one of the competitions most complete ruckmen.

[Total Power]

I was surprised that we didnt draft Wood when Crows let him slip.Not that i am unhappy with Adam Thomson but i'd reckon he would have been available @14 as well. Big mistake by both Port and Crows.

[Bentleigh]

Looked very good, didn't he? I remember he was rated very highly pre-2004 draft.

To add to the debate, Adam Pattison (pick 16) loaped his way to his 14th game and had a tidy 14 touches, 5 marks & 7 hitouts on top of a goal from limitied game time. Has done well to go past Knobel as the #2 ruckman behind Simmonds.

Bit of an unco but has ticker.

That said Wood looks very Jeff White.

[Drummond]

Looked very good, didn't he? I remember he was rated very highly pre-2004 draft.

To add to the debate, Adam Pattison (pick 16) loaped his way to his 14th game and had a tidy 14 touches, 5 marks & 7 hitouts on top of a goal from limitied game time. Has done well to go past Knobel as the #2 ruckman behind Simmonds.

Bit of an unco but has ticker.

That said Wood looks very Jeff White.
:p Yeh he's going to be a fine player no doubt.

And I completely agree in regards to your last comment, very much in the Jeff White mould. Charman going down was terrible for both he and the club, but it opened the door for Wood who probably wouldn’t have got a game otherwise. He’s taken the opportunity and certainly looked capable.

[Crow-mo]

since when do mediocre stats for a bottom team matter?

Cameron Wood wouldn't be getting a game for us right now either.

[Mad Dog]

As we all know the Crows took John Meesen at No.8 in the 2004 NAB Draft. There was speculation we would pick West Adelaide’s Cameron Wood, however we opted for Meesen and Wood was selected by Brisbane with the 18th pick.

Meesen has been developing with Norwood and has come a long way this season, but still has not yet made his AFL debut. He is 20 years old and while his ruckwork still has a way to go, he has shown tremendous ability at finding the footy around the ground.

Wood on the other hand is only 19 years of age and tonight played his 5th game of AFL footy. Last week he had 10 possessions, 7 marks and 13 hitouts. Tonight he had 14 possessions, 5 marks and 9 hitouts and to be honest, he showed unbelievable potential. He took some nice strong marks, dodged a few opponents, and has a thumping kick. He is still very thin and there’s no doubt he was beaten in the ruck, however he has a good spring and with more time and weight he will be dominant. And around the ground he looks very, very good as he has great athleticism and can rack up plenty of the ball.

So looking back on the 2004 draft and with Wood looking at home playing AFL footy at the age of 19, I wonder if we made the right decision. I have no doubt Meesen will be a great AFL ruckman, but he is still yet to sign and could return home at the end of the year. While Wood on the other hand is South Australian and looks set to be one of the competitions most complete ruckmen.
you not only need to compare the ruckmen - but also compare the clubs, the other ruckmen on the list, the respective injury lists, and what stage the clubs are at in their cycle.

It's too one dimensional to draw a conclusion from just 5 v's 0 games.

I'm happy with Meesen - and in terms of selection hasn't been overlooked IMO - just not gotten a chance yet.

Patience Drummond....;) :D

[Mad Dog]

since when do mediocre stats for a bottom team matter?

Cameron Wood wouldn't be getting a game for us right now either.
Nail, Hammer....

[Wayne's-World]

Have seen Meesen several times and for a 20 year old ruckman he does impress.

Has the aerobic capacity, and strong marking that is maybe better than Wood.

Was disappointed in Meesens last game against the bays after a very promising first qtr.....but then factored in that all players including those in the SANFL would have had that 4 week "solid" training block.....Meesen certainly appeared to tire quickly.

Have been disappointed that his body hasn't developed as much as I had hoped in 2 years.....this IMO is vital for him to take the next step to AFL - he simply isn't strong enough ATS.

He also has demonstrated ATS a lack of consistency in games fading in and out ....associated with youth but not an AFL player.

In summary IMO Adelaide chose correctly, I think Meesen will stay at the AFC and he will be our premier ruckman surpassing Maric!

Big statement - hope Iam right;)

[SpringChoke]

Irrelevant comparison as neither Meesen or Wood will laying at the AFC next year. In hindsight, I wish we recruited Monfries.

[Wayne's-World]

Irrelevant comparison as neither Meesen or Wood will laying at the AFC next year. In hindsight, I wish we recruited Monfries.
Don't be a pessimist ;) It's not purely Meesens decision as to stay or go...he hasn't exactly many runs on the board as yet.

The AFC may be holding off to view his full seasons results before completing contract negotiations....because they're not completed mid season cannot have any implications drawn.

[GoSarge]

Irrelevant comparison as neither Meesen or Wood will laying at the AFC next year. In hindsight, I wish we recruited Monfries.

Everyone has a PHD in hindsight Springy.

IMO, its too early to make a call between Meesen and Wood. Circumstances at Brisbane have aided Wood getting a game but in the end he's only played a handful of games. If we weren't gunning for a premiership, perhaps Meesen would have had some games under his belt by now, but who knows.

Monfries would have been another option and probably would have also been on the radar with pick 12 had we not traded it for Thompson.

[crowsarethebest]

IMO woods looked very very good. He dropped back in defense and took some good defensive marks. Around the ground he was very good as well, and yes, he's got a big thumping long kick. He's more of a lankier version of Jeff White.


Until Meesen has a taste at AFL level we do not know who is going to be better. Some players just can't seem to dominate in reserves but go very well at AFL for some reason.

[Stiffy_18]

Cameron Wood wouldn't be getting a game for us right now either.
Thread over!!!!!

I have had the chance to watch Wood before he got drafted and I also had the chance to get a couple of tapes of Meesen in Geelong Falcons. Meesen has been and still is a better player no matter how much of a spin people want to put on it.

IMHO, the competition for ruck spots in Adelaide has NEVER been more intense. We have 5 or 6 legit ruckman that have to compete against each other for 2 ruck spots. That point shouldn't be lost on anyone. If the situations were reversed and Wood was with the Crows and Meesen with the Lions. Meesen would have played more than 5 games for the Lions.

2 totally different clubs at different stages of the development and greatly different ruck depth at the 2 clubs.

Meesen will be a premier ruckman of the AFL and will surpass Maric. Bookmark it.

[jo172]

Interesting point there stiffy, Yesterday I was watching the 97/98 grand final DVD's and I noticed we went into each game with three ruckmen (Rehn, Pittman and Keating and Rehn, Pittman and Marsh).

Could anyone see the AFC playing three ruckmen this year?

[Wayne's-World]

Meesen will be a premier ruckman of the AFL and will surpass Maric. Bookmark it.
:thumbsu:
For once we agree ;)

[SpringChoke]

Don't be a pessimist ;) It's not purely Meesens decision as to stay or go...he hasn't exactly many runs on the board as yet.

The AFC may be holding off to view his full seasons results before completing contract negotiations....because they're not completed mid season cannot have any implications drawn.

Blind Optimists Board.

[Kristof]

Meesen and pick 16 for Geelong's first round pick - which hopefully in the final rub will be before the PAP, at around pick six.

[macca23]

Irrelevant comparison as neither Meesen or Wood will laying at the AFC next year. In hindsight, I wish we recruited Monfries.

No hindsight here.

Check the old posts. Monfries was my first choice!!

[Crow-mo]

if reports were to be believed, matthew bate was the guy if we didn't go ruckman.

[Crow-mo]

Meesen and pick 16 for Geelong's first round pick - which hopefully in the final rub will be before the PAP, at around pick six.

meesen & pick 16 for wood? ;)

[The Crows Truth]

Irrelevant comparison as neither Meesen or Wood will laying at the AFC next year. In hindsight, I wish we recruited Monfries.

:eek: how do you know that?

[The Crows Truth]

Meesen and pick 16 for Geelong's first round pick - which hopefully in the final rub will be before the PAP, at around pick six.

if meese does go then that sounds plausible

however geelong wont have pick 6. probably pick 8 or possibly 7 and it will be after ports pick

[Redline]

Agreed with the above you can't compare the two as Wood would be no where near getting a game for the Crows. In my opinion Meeson will be a better ruckman than Maric having seen a fair bit of both of them.