14. Gavin Urquhart [Archive]

Mr Reliable

23rd March 2007, 16:02

player profile
Gavin Urquhart
Fast Facts
Jumper No: 34
Height: 181.1
Weight: 80.1
DOB: 15/08/1988
Recruited From: Morningside

Our second pick in the National Draft- expect big things later this year, or next year!!

If some kind poster could help a computer illiterate by posting Gav's picture (or explaining how I can do it) I'd be very grateful.

Ted

23rd March 2007, 17:11

http://kangaroos.com.au/portals/0/images/players/kangaroos/Gavin_Urquhart_small.jpg

AFL Website 2007 Kangaroos Preview

Gavin Urquhart - Agile midfielder picked up by the Kangaroos with their second-round selection (21 overall) in last year's NAB AFL Draft. Missed most of the second half of the 2006 AFLQ season with groin injuries.

Lidge

26th March 2007, 14:53

Did you know?

Gavin Urquhart was selected in the All Australian U17 team to play the Irish in International Rules last year. He was the 1st choice goal keeper, but had to miss due to OP.

And here's a bit more: from the Morningside FC's 'Panther Roar' newsletter:

http://www.morningsidepanthers.com/news/roar/06/Roar_240506.pdf

Good to see he's fixed his hair!

Stock92

29th March 2007, 14:57

Will he get a game this year?

Pykie

29th March 2007, 15:01

Will he get a game this year?

I hope so, a couple of games would be ideal to get the hunger up for next season.

Pick 21 is a very big investment, especially the depth of last years draft. It seems the recruiting department have been spot on, on the later picks, i was a bit shocked at the time we took him, thought it may have been a bit of a reach. Will be interesting to see how he goes in the VFL. Still very slight.

year of the roo

29th March 2007, 15:36

Still very slight.
Yep, that and his injury history will no doubt be holding him back. I'm happy to be patient with Gav while he gets his body right, but if our midfield continues to be slow and lacking in the footskills department, he might need to be rushed in.

Mr Reliable

6th April 2007, 10:43

Named on the wing for North Ballarat. They're playing Casey Scorpions, 2pm Saturday at Casey Fields (Cranbourne). Troy Makepeace is playing for the Scorpions.

If I can I'll go to the game and report back.

Mr Reliable

10th April 2007, 10:58

Sorry all. Didn't get to the game. Team won but Gav didn't feature in the best or the goal kickers or the game reports.

Try again next week.

year of the roo

11th April 2007, 16:00

Sorry all. Didn't get to the game. Team won but Gav didn't feature in the best or the goal kickers or the game reports.

Try again next week.
Not so reliable, Mr.

Rooboy 34

15th April 2007, 22:07

Chatted to Gav in the Captains Bar after the game - seemed slightly embarrassed to be asked to autograph the footy record of someone who was 15 years his senior!!! Made him promise that he will be wearing #34 in the Kangaroos next Premiership team though!!! Go Gav - Go Roos. Kick it Anywhere!!!!

Mr Reliable

4th May 2007, 15:43

Yet to see our boy in action. From afar he has been slightly disappointing for a second round selection in the National Draft as he has not once featured in the best players and he has in the past fortnight or so gone from being named regularly on the wing to being named in the "interchange to be selected from..."

C'mon Gav, you're better than that. Cut loose for us against the Werribee this weekend!

Mr Reliable

1st June 2007, 21:21

Here we are at round 10 and our second pick in the National Draft is not picked to play for North Ballarat firsts. He is either injured or playing for the magoos.

More later.....

B-Rock

1st June 2007, 21:35

Here we are at round 10 and our second pick in the National Draft is not picked to play for North Ballarat firsts. He is either injured or playing for the magoos.

More later.....

Ouch.

year of the roo

3rd June 2007, 17:42

Here we are at round 10 and our second pick in the National Draft is not picked to play for North Ballarat firsts. He is either injured or playing for the magoos.

More later.....
Yep playing magoos. Our kids sure take a while to make any sort of impact (Swallow aside).

trueroo

4th June 2007, 08:26

VFL Reserves

SCORES TEAMS TIME/VENUE
16.16-112 North Ballarat 11:10 AM
Sat 2/Jun

AUSTAR Arena
def.
5.6-36 Sandringham
North Ballarat
Goal Kickers: D. Micallef 3, W. Schultz 2, M. Sharkey, N. Spolding, R. McHugh, D. Horbury, M. Raworth, B. Hartigan, J. Searle, S. McDougall, G. Urquhart, R. Waight, T. Gilmour
Best Players: J. Searle, D. Micallef, S. Caldow, M. Raworth, R. Head, W. Schultz
Sandringham
Goal Kickers: S. Monaghan, N. Henry, D. Dunne, A. Gileno, N. Lyall
Best Players: S. Tregear, S. Monaghan, D. Hayes, P. Zarra, D. Gribbin, D. Dunne

Mr Reliable

4th June 2007, 09:09

Thanks, trueroo. I would prefer to see his name highlighted in the best players. Hopefully playing a role in the VFL Reserves is all part of his education.

year of the roo

4th June 2007, 12:54

Thanks, trueroo. I would prefer to see his name highlighted in the best players. Hopefully playing a role in the VFL Reserves is all part of his education.
Not getting in the bests in the VFL reserves is a concern. Has been injury free for a while now, and being a midfielder and considering the pick we used on him he has been a tremendous disappointment so far. Lift Gavin, lift!

tommydee

6th June 2007, 21:03

I was always of the opinion that Ricky Petterd, and Bachar Houli were more highly rated as a juniors than our Gavin. Sadly, at this stage it looks like Stibbard has stuffed up again. If he can't feature in the best for Nth Ballarat seconds, we certainly do have a problem on our hands.

micky_11

6th June 2007, 22:35

come on, he is 18, what league were you playing in when you were that age, i bet nothing even close to VFL reserves

Mr Reliable

7th June 2007, 09:58

come on, he is 18, what league were you playing in when you were that age, i bet nothing even close to VFL reserves

micky_11 tommydee is entitled to be concerned that a player we used our SECOND pick on is currently an also ran with the NB Reserves. Tommydee is not on our list (I'm assuming) so it doesn't matter what he was doing at Gavin's age.

We're all hoping that Gavin will kick on and prove to be a great selection but until he does we are entitled to be a little concerned. He is the type of player who unless injured/recovering from injury should be ready to go IMHO. To me 'ready to go' means he should be holding his own in NB's midfield or backline or doing well for their reserves. I haven't seen him so I can only go on the fact that he has not been once named in their best players.

Everyone is going to compare him with the players that were selected before and after him in the 2006 Draft.

tommydee

8th June 2007, 19:20

come on, he is 18, what league were you playing in when you were that age, i bet nothing even close to VFL reserves

Are you telling me micky_11 that you don't find it just a little disconcerting that our 2nd selection in possibly the strongest National Draft ever is struggling to make an impact with the Nth Ballarat seconds. Look at the youngsters that followed him i.e. Petterd, Houli, N.Krakouer, etc. Obviously, you are a supporter who accepts mediocrity. Unlike yourself, I like to question why we did infact pick up Urquhart so early when there is obviously better talent out there.

micky_11

8th June 2007, 20:00

im just saying lets give him some time before we start to make a judgment on him, everyone is leinient on hansen just becasue he is tall and skinny, but just because urquhart has an "afl ready body" everyone thinks he should be playing seniors pfft, we drafted him knowing he had ostitus pubis, maybe he is just getting over that and regaining some confidence and match fitness in the VFL reserves. he will come good

Mr Reliable

18th June 2007, 17:24

Rd 10 v Casey Scorpions. Big win to NB.

Gav played in the NB Reserves, kicked a goal and was not named among the best 5 or 6.

Anti Gold Coast

18th June 2007, 22:04

It's not like he lacks talent. When he was fit, he was AA u18 as a 17 year old, a feat not achieved by too many. It mike take him a while to find his feet and get used to the game style. Let's give him time, and hope that he regains some match practice. Our recruiters must have seen something in him, and even if he turns out to be a dud, we should at least give him some time.

Rooboy 34

30th June 2007, 16:10

It's not like he lacks talent. When he was fit, he was AA u18 as a 17 year old, a feat not achieved by too many.

I think you mean as a 16 year old - most Under 18 reps are 17... ;)

Mr Reliable

1st July 2007, 19:55

Kicked 3 for NB Ressies and featured in the best. Hopefully he'll play well enough next week to be promoted to NB Ones and stay there for the rest of the year. Might even play VFL finals in the Ones.

Bozz.Clunker.H

21st July 2007, 23:02

he got in NB's bests 2day, well done Gav

Mr Reliable

23rd July 2007, 14:51

he got in NB's bests 2day, well done Gav

Gav played in the firsts against the Bullants. The bad news- they lost by over 100 pts. The good news- Gav was named among the best.

He kicked 6 straight behinds.

Signs are encouraging.

ReturnOfTheKing

23rd July 2007, 15:43

He kicked 6 straight behinds.

He had 6 votes on the VFL site, not 6 behinds!

Mr Reliable

23rd July 2007, 16:08

He had 6 votes on the VFL site, not 6 behinds!

Oops... Thanks ROTK. Might pay me to read things a bit more carefully.

Mr Reliable

9th August 2007, 09:49

Watched Gav on the ABC playing for NB against Box Hill last Saturday. He didn't seem to spend much time on the ground and he didn't make much of an impact (to my eye anyway) while he was out there.

Frankly, I was disappointed with what I saw, or didn't see.

But a much bigger disappointment was only hours away:(.

tommydee

9th August 2007, 21:11

I watched the 2nd half of the match against the Box Hill Hawks. I must admit I was not overly impressed with what I saw. I thought this kid was meant to be a gun, but at this early stage looks like the worst of our 2006 ND selections. Considering he was selection 21 in the ND, I was expecting a whole lot more. I also must question our selection of Todd Goldstein in the 3rd round of the draft. We have an abundance of ruckmen on our list....if anything I would have preferred an onballer with a bit of pace. i.e. Nathan Krakouer.

HeLlO-mOtO

9th August 2007, 23:39

HeLMie

13th August 2007, 17:58

Give the poor bloke some time. He has so many youngesters to compete against for a spot in the team. Jesse Smith took atleast an year & a half to get to were he is now. Plus with the likes of Sinclair, Firrito, Watt & Pratt all running backman, its going to be hard to put him in the squad.

Hahahahaha Ankle injury probably had more to do with it then you think...

Mr Reliable

13th August 2007, 19:10

Give the poor bloke some time. He has so many youngesters to compete against for a spot in the team. Jesse Smith took atleast an year & a half to get to were he is now. Plus with the likes of Sinclair, Firrito, Watt & Pratt all running backman, its going to be hard to put him in the squad.

He's struggling for a game at NB not at NM right now. He's not competing with any of the players you named. FAR FAR from it.

WesternRoo

13th August 2007, 21:51

That VFL football is rubbish, especially playing at the S*ITHOLE Austar stadium.

I think he is the sort of player that would look better with better players around him, not half the duds that run around for Nth Ballarat.

Mr Reliable

20th August 2007, 09:22

Played for the NB Reserves on the weekend. The team beat Sandringham.

Gav kicked a goal. He wasn't named in the best.

Mr Reliable

27th August 2007, 11:33

Played for the NB Reserves on the weekend. The team beat Sandringham.

Gav kicked a goal. He wasn't named in the best.

Played for NB Ressies again. They thrashed Bendigo. Kicked a couple of goals but not named in the best.

Grima was BOG.

year of the roo

27th August 2007, 18:15

I would like DF's opinion on Urquhart. I think Gav has been extremely disappointing, but you know what they say about the Fish, can rate youngsters :thumbsu:

Mr Reliable

28th August 2007, 09:19

I would like DF's opinion on Urquhart. I think Gav has been extremely disappointing, but you know what they say about the Fish, can rate youngsters :thumbsu:

He might be bubbling along in the VFL Ressies at a good consistent level just below 'the best' each week. Let's hope so.

The next pre-season should be his opportunity to show us what he's got. He's a midfielder not a gangly ruckman. Midfielders come to hand pretty quickly as a rule.

If he's not 'in the mix' next year I'll be thinking we've wasted a second round selection in one of the strongest national drafts ever.

(I've actually suspected it from day one and nothing has happened to ease my suspicions.)

ReturnOfTheKing

28th August 2007, 10:33

micky_11

28th August 2007, 20:39

i thought he was fairly solid?

year of the roo

30th August 2007, 11:45

Urquhart is a 181cm pencil thin rookie with groin problems. Give him a pre-season or two please, and wait until you see him play before giving him the 'bust' label!

I'm sure he was pick 21 for a reason.

So leave him alone, all of you.

ALL OF YOU
Well I thought Smith was pick 6 for a reason, Trotter pick 8 for a reason, Watson pick 14 for a reason, Shore pick 18 for a reason...

Shane Clayton

2nd October 2007, 23:57

lol did watson ever end up putting any weight on?

Johno03

14th October 2007, 19:56

I played with Gav in his junior years..he was always a very skillful and versatile player who could play anywhere...give him time and you wont be disapointed has a big bright future for the rooers..slightly injury prone of late but i believe after a big pre-season it will do wonders for himself and his body..

Mr Reliable

22nd January 2008, 14:57

For all of us 'Gav watchers' here is a positive report from the Zebra after his mid-January trip to pre-season training (many thanks to The Zebra:thumbsu:):

"Apart from Wells (who wasn't on much) probably the most impressive guy out there was one Gavin Urquart. I know - exciting. I have no doubt that this kid has grown. Listed at 181cm, but he was standing next to Lower at once stage and was almost the same height (Lower is 187cm). He moved beautifully, nice pace and his kicking is sensational. Forward 50 entries were spot on. Involved in the best play of the day where he took blokes on from the back flank, weaved through a couple and took off towards the forward 50 - I looked up and saw no options- but he spotted Azza through traffic and hit him with the perfect 40 metre kick. It was very, very nice. Gav looks good."

Mr Reliable

7th February 2008, 12:22

Gav is fit and flying, if reports from yesterday's intra-club praccy are anything to go by (which I'm sure they are).

Here's a link to the thread on our forum. Posts 11, 32, 36 and 37 are examples of Gav comments. Post 37 in particular reports Gav as BOG:thumbsu::).

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=412664&page=3

rickety

17th February 2008, 16:34

i am thinking he did not get a lot of gametime on friday. liked what i saw of him tho. seems to be a smooth mover over the ground and is strong enough to hold his ground. has a fair roost on him too!

The Zebra

17th February 2008, 20:43

Gerard Healey is certainly smitten with our Gav.

CrazyQ

18th February 2008, 00:28

Gerard Healey is certainly smitten with our Gav.
Also Brown.

Mr Reliable

18th February 2008, 09:24

I'm hoping that Gav will join Pratty as our kick in specialists. He can certainly roost a footy.

Mr Reliable

6th April 2008, 09:13

BlackGun1

7th April 2008, 09:43

I cant wait for him to get a game. I used to watch him when he played for Morningside.

Macgonagle

8th April 2008, 09:28

I can't wait too ! (he's in my dream team).

:)

Mr Reliable

13th April 2008, 12:50

OK great news. Gav was BOG yesterday for North Ballarat.

Having watched us get outrun at the 'Dome I'm tipping a big week for Gav (assuming he's not injured of course).

I reckon he'll be named to play against the Dees.

We need a midfielder who can run and kick the footy.

OK he didn't get into the side but he was an emergency. It would have been a perfect opportunity for him to debut.

He didn't feature in the best for North Ballarat but he still might have played well. However, Laidley may not risk him on the big stage against Collingwood.

Star

13th April 2008, 19:48

I was almost certain he would play ahead of Lower yesterday

Would have been a good game to bring him in.

Can't be far off it now. Great for our depth.

Mr Reliable

28th April 2008, 10:38

Named in the best for NB who lost to top team Williamstown (Western Bulldogs alliance) on Sunday.

19 kicks, 10 handballs.

Got to be close now. We were smashed at the stoppages yesterday.

Tell me he's not a better long term investment than at least one of our players. Tell me!!!!

Give Gav a Go.

Mr Reliable

20th May 2008, 14:09

From all reports Gav slipped back last week playing for NB. He may even be carrying a niggle of some sort. Hopefully not a return of the dreaded OP.

I'm not expecting him to be promoted anytime soon (which often translates to immediate promotion to the seniors:rolleyes:).

HeLlO-mOtO

22nd May 2008, 20:47

Hopefully gets a shot in the big time this week!

Groggyk

22nd May 2008, 23:08

Mr Reliable

23rd May 2008, 17:07

Round 9:

Final changes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IN: Pratt
Out: Obst
EMg: Sinclair Urquhart Ross

Not long to wait now......

toafriend

29th May 2008, 09:14

he's in this weekend, i know that for a fact, he's excitied about playing his first game at home

Paddy_Mac

29th May 2008, 15:06

he's in this weekend, i know that for a fact, he's excitied about playing his first game at home
Source?

Mr Reliable

29th May 2008, 16:04

Source?

We'll know soon enough. I'm not going to invest anything based on the info so why not accept it at face value instead of challenging it?

If it's true, it's fantastic for Gav and hopefully for us.

Mr Reliable

29th May 2008, 17:48

he's in this weekend, i know that for a fact, he's excitied about playing his first game at home

Good info, toafriend:thumbsu:. Stay in touch.

Gav's getting a game - named in the back pocket.

Woodson

30th May 2008, 00:21

We'll know soon enough. I'm not going to invest anything based on the info so why not accept it at face value instead of challenging it?

If it's true, it's fantastic for Gav and hopefully for us.

Pharro dropped the hint yesterday about the club $aving on airfares. Not needing to fly the debutant's family down. That's quite clever. Pencil in Ben Warren to get a game in our follow up games in Rugby territory.

Anti Gold Coast

31st May 2008, 22:07

Gun, gun, gun, gun, gun.

Hopefully will get the NAB rising star nod.

Ceebee

31st May 2008, 22:41

Well done young man , your dad would be be very proud.
Good luck with your career, certainly a great start.:thumbsu:

toafriend

4th June 2008, 14:12

gavy has a nother game this weekend, just hope he gets over his cold in time, he did well last week, he copped a bit of a knock in the last quater i think but he's fine...
cheers

Mr Reliable

6th June 2008, 15:33

gavy has a nother game this weekend, just hope he gets over his cold in time, he did well last week, he copped a bit of a knock in the last quater i think but he's fine...
cheers

Thanks for the info toafriend. He was certainly impressive on debut. One of the most impressive debuts I've seen at NMFC for years. Usually, our debutants are too scared to do much early in their careers for fear of stuffing up. Not Gav. He kicked well, handballed well, ran on, competed hard, involved himself in the play. I was very happy with him. 7/10.

JHAD

12th June 2008, 10:56

Yeah Urqy!

Mr Reliable

12th June 2008, 17:40

Good again in the Geelong game. He seems to be one of those young players who takes promotion to the AFL in his stride. [Hopes he hasn't spoken too soon]

I'm really liking his confidence and willingness to be involved:thumbsu:.

toafriend

19th June 2008, 12:01

our boy is playing against the hawkes this weekend, he's most probably going to play on junior rioli, he knows how he plays and cause having played with him in australia side and against him and rioli crumbs around franklin at the 50 and doesnt have the long kick to make the distence so gav should be a good match up with his closing speed to run him down and also get away from him

The Zebra

19th June 2008, 13:10

I like it. Gav has shown a good defensive side so far, much the same as Jesse Smith last year, he seems to be able to handle the small forwards OK.

chubbspeterson

20th June 2008, 18:03

He's been very impressive. Him and Riggio have given us some good run through the middle. Gav looks surprisingly comfortable with the AFL level. He rarely turns it over when he's under pressure, and has a bit of cheek about him when he dashes past opponents of half-back, bit like Jesse.

Mr Reliable

21st June 2008, 22:20

Groggyk

22nd June 2008, 01:05

Sat behind the goals today and watched Gav closely. He's an excellent runner and a good ball user but he's also just fine in close. Man, he looks the goods.

Here is a link to a very highly complimentary post-Hawks game thread on Gav's game:

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=457553

Yep.

Sittin behind the goals in m30 gave a great view of the great skills and ability to sum up the play in the bliink of an eye that this kid posesses(????had a few) didn't it?

Massive plus and has just slotted in beautifully.

Mr Reliable

13th July 2008, 19:11

Gav continues to REALLY impress:thumbsu:. Congrats to Nifty Nev for the second round pick and to all the posters who urged patience with this kid.

This after the Port Adelaide win, started by NorthBhoy:

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=464317

Shellz

15th July 2008, 16:45

How do you pronounce Urquhart?

RooBuoy

15th July 2008, 16:59

Erk art?

Mr Reliable

15th July 2008, 18:10

Erk - Hart?

Shellz

16th July 2008, 14:25

ohh I thought it would be Erket. Learn something new everyday.

Mr Reliable

16th July 2008, 17:22

ohh I thought it would be Erket. Learn something new everyday.

Don't take our word for it, Shellz. We used ????.

Your pronunciation may well be correct.

King Corey

17th July 2008, 21:02

ohh I thought it would be Erket. Learn something new everyday.

That's the way they pronounce it over here (Scotland) so I think you've nailed it.

Mr Reliable

18th July 2008, 11:10

Thanks to GoNorth, who posted this article from today's Australian on the main NM Board.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.
Silky skills hand-deliver young Kangaroo to colder climes

July 18, 2008

GAVIN URQUHART is an interesting contradiction. For a Queensland kid he loves the cold.

So much so that the North Melbourne youngster spends much of his time wandering around Melbourne in a T-shirt.

"I got used to the cold when we lived in Toowoomba," Urquhart, 20, recalled this week.

It's just as well that the skilful running back has no aversion to the colder climes because during the last season and a half there has been a lot of travelling to North Ballarat playing in the VFL to develop his game.

So it came as a wonderful surprise then that this newly acclimatised Melbourne boy made his AFL debut against Brisbane at the Gabba, where he had spent the second half of his teenage years barracking for the Lions.

"Michael Voss and Simon Black were my heroes back then," Urquhart said.

"I liked Voss, just the way he went about his football, and Simon Black with his skills."

Now it is Urquhart's sublime skills have made such an impression during his six games in the big league. Mark Browning, the former Swans captain who is now AFL development manager in Queensland, saw something special in Urquhart.

"Gavin's always had unbelievable ball-handling skills. He's always been a very clean one-grab player with terrific kicking skills, left and right," Browning said.

"He was a boy who always had those skills which are so vital to play the next level of footy and I think that's why he slotted in so well.

"The first (senior) game he played I just couldn't believe how composed he was. That all came from the fact he was so clean with his skills. It gave him more time."

As a Queensland kid living in a number of country towns before moving to Brisbane as a 15-year-old, Urquhart played rugby league and rugby union and enjoyed both.

"They were more physical than AFL when I was young. There wasn't much tackling in the early years of playing footy."

But there was never any doubt which code Urquhart would follow. His father Jim played under-19s and reserves with Essendon and was assistant coach to 1975 North Melbourne premiership player Paul Feltham at Toowoomba before Gavin was born.

For the past 16 years Jim Urquhart has been an AFL development officer in Queensland.

Browning believes it is the hours of kicking the football with his father which gave Gavin the skills to become an AFL player, but there is an inner resolve.

He recalls Gavin's struggle with injuries during his time in Queensland underage state teams, first with a knee problem in the under-16s and then with osteitis pubis two years later.

"I take my hat off to him because it was a frustrating time," Browning said. "He's one of those kids who's always got a footy in his hands, which is a bit of a rarity up here, and he found it very difficult to do nothing.

"Even when we were in Melbourne for the under-18 champions it was a pretty social time for the kids.

"They like to go into town but Gavin was just fantastic because he knew that if he was on his feet all the time, he'd struggle to come up for games.

"So he stayed in his room, did all the stretching, did all the rehab. Everything he needed to do to get through, which was a real good indicator to me because it meant he really wanted to make it and was prepared to make the sacrifices."

Had Urquhart been a couple of years younger he could have stayed and been part of the initial squad for the new Gold Coast team, which will begin playing in the under-18 TAC Cup next year and become an AFL team in 2011.

But he is having none of it.

"North Melbourne have been great and I'm loving Melbourne," Urquhart said. "It's a whole new thing. I'm very happy where I am."

His father Jim is understandably delighted with the explosion in Australian football in Queensland, particularly since the AFL poured money and staff into the state six years ago.

"Our Auskick (primary school age) numbers went from 3500 to about 19,000 overnight and now we've got 28,000 kids doing Auskick," said Jim, who has three full-time staff, three part-timers and 30 casuals working under him in the west Brisbane region.

"Since I've been involved, the number of development officers in Queensland has gone from about eight to 80."

He's enthusiastic about the future of the sport in Queensland, but more enthusiastic about travelling to Melbourne to watch his son play in tonight's finals-shaping blockbuster against Collingwood at Telstra Dome.

"It's a crucial game in front of a big crowd," Gavin said. "But you try not to think about the crowd. You're too busy thinking about what you have to do."

B-Rock

21st July 2008, 22:13

ohh I thought it would be Erket. Learn something new everyday.

Some commentators seem to call him "Erket"

I'm not sure, I suppose you would have to ask him.

I remember the same confusion over Drew Petrie when he started.

Took a while until we found out whether it was "Pea-tree" or "Pet-tree"

RooBuoy

22nd July 2008, 22:39

Some commentators seem to call him "Erket"

I'm not sure, I suppose you would have to ask him.

I remember the same confusion over Drew Petrie when he started.

Took a while until we found out whether it was "Pea-tree" or "Pet-tree"

Pratty was interviewed after the match vs pies and he called him Erk heart

Devil Fish

27th July 2008, 19:17

Liked his game today. Did lots of clever things. His disposal by foot has me a bit worried BUT I have been assurred that he is quite a good kick. You would think he has a very bright future at NMFC.

Mr Reliable

2nd August 2008, 10:15

He's got to be close to a NAB rising star nom.

One more quality game should just about do it. He's not starring, but he's playing bloody good footy every week. And he's picking up quality opponents at times and doing well on them. Davey was one of his opponents last week.

Go Gav!:thumbsu:

Mr Reliable

2nd August 2008, 22:35

rickety

2nd August 2008, 22:37

Mr Reliable

5th August 2008, 11:37

was good again tonight, very composed and cool and our best over the night i thought. finally torched the sherrin in the last quarter :D someone had better phone the bank and let them know who he is :thumbsu:

Excellent idea, rickety:thumbsu:. This from today's Age:

NORTH Melbourne has won its first NAB AFL Rising Star nomination for the year, with young defender Gavin Urquhart claiming the honours for round 18.

Urquhart, 20, made his debut this year in round 10 and has held his spot ever since with a string of impressive performances running off half back.

The Rockhampton native was drafted by the club with selection No.21 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, and made the move to Victoria where his dad Jim once played under 19s and reserves for Essendon.

Urquhart served a tough apprenticeship in the VFL reserves last year, playing nearly all season for North Ballarat.

But he broke through for his first senior appearance just before the half-way point of this year, and has been a key member of the Roos' defence since.

Urquhart moved to Brisbane when he was 15, and previously played both rugby league and rugby union.

Once taking up Australian Rules, he became a member of the AIS/AFL under 17 Academy squad in 2006, and represented Queensland in the under 18s in 2005-06. He also played in the Morningside Grand Final side in 2006 while playing in the AFLQ.

During his time with the underage teams, Urquhart struggled with injuries including knee problems and osteitis pubis.

In his nine senior games this year he has averaged over 17 possessions a game, with his best return of 22 coming on Saturday night against the Lions.

Urquhart joins Bachar Houli (Essendon), Josh Hill (Western Bulldogs), Rhys Palmer (Fremantle), Kieren Jack (Sydney), Ben McKinley (West Coast), Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn), Austin Wonaeamirri (Melbourne), Kurt Tippett (Adelaide), Garrick Ibbotson (Fremantle), Nathan Brown (Collingwood), Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton), Trent Cotchin (Richmond), Jarryd Morton (Hawthorn), Colin Garland (Melbourne), Jack Riewoldt (Richmond), Kyle Reimers (Essendon) and Brett Ebert (West Coast) as contenders for this year's prize.

Mr Reliable

12th August 2008, 12:02

Have a look at this clip from Grimface 87 (thanks for posting it, G!) and if you're a North supporter who's not smiling after you see it, you should get an immediate psychological check-up.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=476430

Mr Reliable

18th August 2008, 19:55

Gav won the prestigious round 19 Army Award for the run down and tackle featured in the previous post. He beat the brilliant tap on by Corey Jones and some other dude's effort. No, Nick's effort was great too, making Super-Gav's big win even the more meritorious.

Final results..
Nick Maxwell (Collingwood)
Fantastic goal saving smother against St. Kilda 22%

Corey Jones (North Melbourne)
Skilful knock on to teammate’s advantage 21%

Gavin Urquhart (North Melbourne)
Brilliant chase and diving tackle 57%

Mr Reliable

19th August 2008, 16:29

More good news on Super-Gav, with thanks to Roolander:

PROMISING North Melbourne defender Gavin Urquhart has re-signed with North Melbourne for two seasons.

Urquhart, like Daniel Wells, will be contracted to the North Melbourne Football Club until the end of the 2010 season.

The 20-year-old has become a vital member of the fourth-placed Roos’ defence since launching his AFL career in Round 10