Colin Wisbey on James Sellar

[crows98]

I am not sure if this has been posted previously so I do apologize if it has.


http://www.voy.com/51976/100266.html
SELLAR, James (14 ADE) [3] 195cm skilled, well-built footballer with athleticism, smarts, hands, disposal. Flaky '06, intensity query but you don't physically lose what he had displayed prior. Very bottom-age. I'm prepared to virtually ignore '06 as he apparently had to endure various on and off-field difficulties. In the '04 and '05 U16 Champs, I considered him even more impressive than Gibbs. Started 2006 as #1 in my rankings (Gibbs #2). In the end, Gibbs' performances were just so compelling, and without the queries that Sellar's '06 form raised, that I had to slip Sellar behind but I dropped off him only marginally. Even in his "disappointing" '06, he kicked 4g in 1st half of his 1st SANFL Seniors game (as CHF!), beat the highly rated Gumbleton as CHB, and averaged 17 disposals in the U18 Champs. (How many 195cm types, let alone any who had just lost 8kg through illness, do that in any U18 Champs?). By comparison, we were all quite satisfied with the Champs form of Gumbleton, Hansen and Leunberger, and they averaged 15, 13, and 11 disposals respectively and Sellar's disposal was the best of the lot. He even had 15d in just the 2nd 1/2 of one Champs game (albeit as virtually a loose wingman). Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. He did NOT have a disappointing year for a bottom-age 195cm kid, even a highly rated one. He just had a disappointing year for Sellar, based on our expectations of him specifically. Why did we have such high expectations? Because of the talent he had shown over a 2 year period prior to that. I suspect he has a personal issue to conquer but I would have taken him on the assumption that he can, such is his upside. Should be very versatile but especially has the makings of an outstanding CHB (although his preference is CHF). An exciting, and rare, combination of not only leap, 195cm, marking strength, defensive and negating skills, cool head and smarts but, importantly, the pace and confidence to give regular run and linking out of defence and roost the ball long to a target. I foresee him regularly turning defence into goal-scoring opportunities. I also think he is more suited to the straight ahead aspects of CHB than the "stop/start" of CHF. Excellent ruck skills and could well be a good AFL ruckman/follower a la Goodes (without the freakishness), despite being only 195cm, as he has such a big leap and athleticism and he seems to enjoy ruck contests. Has virtually all the attributes of a modern CHF also and I do rate him highly in that role. Makes the right decisions. Good evasion. Good vision and disposal (including depth), even on the run. Good hurt factors. Trademarks are (1) Fluency - in everything. (Always looks to be doing every action "on the bit", effortlessly). (2) One-grab mark, positioning and timing well, then either a quick, accurate feed or immediately run off his opponent and do a fluent, long, probably accurate kick. (3) Run to link, moving with arms stiff and hanging down, seemingly moving in slow motion until you notice the opponent struggling to keep up.

Lets not give up on the (Sorry Drummond but once again it’s just a figure of speech) 'kid'.

[bus24]

Who has given up on him?

The guy is the most talented draftee we've had in years.

I still can not believe we got him at #14. Thanks for tanking last year James :thumbsu:

[betterthanu]

Might as well put Tippetts up as well


TIPPETT, Kurt (32 ADE) [12] Versatile, mobile newby ruck/KP. Works hard. No very major fault. 19yo but big upside. I'm generally sceptical about kids who are in their first year of footy. That's because such kids usually show only tiny snippets that excite you. I'm far less willing than many are to extrapolate from such little data, no matter how impressed I may have been with the kid's snippets. With Tippett, he has shown a lot, not just random cameos. I think he has terrific potential. What really impresses me is the amount of footy smarts he already has, albeit that he is still in the early stages of the learning curve. Although still raw, I doubt anyone who knew nothing about him would realise when they first saw him play that he was new to footy. 201cm types who are likely to be able to play any KP or ruck, have the pace of a quite quick midfielder, are physically virtually plug 'n play, can leap over tall buildings, can get their own ball, are at least competitive overhead, have a sharp brain and have the ethics/intensity of an inside mid don't grow on trees. Many of the things I like about Tippett would be good in any player but I could add "especially for 201cm" to a lot of my comments. I am rating him as a ruck who can play KP but I would be almost as confident rating him as a KPP who can ruck. I rate him "definite" AFL, despite being a newby.

[dyertribe]

Interesting, no mention of Travis Boak...

[Sanguinarius]

cant wait tp see these two string some games together :thumbsu:

[James23]

mm for some reason its alot more exciting seein big men develop rather then the smaller midfielders

[kimirocks]

Boy I love these kids. I am however looking forward to seeing the development of David Mackay, but as J23 pointed out, big men are so much more exciting.

[crow87]

Boy I love these kids. I am however looking forward to seeing the development of David Mackay, but as J23 pointed out, big men are so much more exciting.
Yep, not sure why but you're spot on. As good as it is when someone like knighta plays a good game, when Griffin first broke through with that big game it commanded much more of a fuss. "A good big man will always beat a good little man" perhaps? ;) dunno what it is but its true. As for Sellar, certainly exciting and will be interesting to see how he goes. I hope for his sake he can get off to a solid start (this year in the SANFL) while in his first year as an afl player to get a real base he can build on, especially given our unfortunate history of gun KP forwards.

[Kickin_Goals]

Boy I love these kids. I am however looking forward to seeing the development of David Mackay, but as J23 pointed out, big men are so much more exciting.

Sounds erotic :p

[kimirocks]

Sounds erotic :pMy reaction to hearing that we drafter Sellar was quite erotic.

[crows98]

I know lots of poster don’t like talking about next year this early but we could have as many as 10 or 11 new recruits next year.

James Sellar, Kurt Tippett and David Mackay have not played much SANFL football this year so next year they may be like brand new recruits add those three to the new draftees from next year, we could have ¼ of our list next year with having played less than 5 AFL games.

Exciting time ahead.

[Jars458]

I know lots of poster don’t like talking about next year this early but we could have as many as 10 or 11 new recruits next year.

James Sellar, Kurt Tippett and David Mackay have not played much SANFL football this year so next year they may be like brand new recruits add those three to the new draftees from next year, we could have ¼ of our list next year with having played less than 5 AFL games.

Exciting time ahead.


And if we lose our next two games (as the bookies will expect) we can start thinking about pick number four or five in the draft;)

[crows98]

And if we lose our next two games (as the bookies will expect) we can start thinking about pick number four or five in the draft;)


No, we can and will make the finals; it just won’t be top 4.


I am not talking about tanking.

[Vader]

I know lots of poster don’t like talking about next year this early but we could have as many as 10 or 11 new recruits next year.

James Sellar, Kurt Tippett and David Mackay have not played much SANFL football this year so next year they may be like brand new recruits add those three to the new draftees from next year, we could have ¼ of our list next year with having played less than 5 AFL games.

Exciting time ahead.

We have this situation now. Our senior list (including the promoted rookie, McIntyre) currently contains 9 players with 5 or less games of AFL. 8 of these are yet to debut, with Hinge having played a solitary game to date.

Those with 5 games or less:
Bryce Campbell
Nick Gill
John Hinge
David MacKay
Andrew McIntyre
John Meesen
Darren Pfeiffer
James Sellar
Kurt Tippett

[crows98]

We have this situation now. Our senior list (including the promoted rookie, McIntyre) currently contains 9 players with 5 or less games of AFL. 8 of these are yet to debut, with Hinge having played a solitary game to date.

Those with 5 games or less:
Bryce Campbell
Nick Gill
John Hinge
David MacKay
Andrew McIntyre
John Meesen
Darren Pfeiffer
James Sellar
Kurt Tippett

Then next year it could be as many as 1/3 of the list, we could have up to 15 players that has played less than 5 games.

The point I was making, Sellar, Tippett and MacKay will be like brand new recruits, we have not basically seen anything from them this year.

You can add Taylor Walker to the list as well.

[Vader]

Then next year it could be as many as 1/3 of the list, we could have up to 15 players that has played less than 5 games.

The point I was making, Sellar, Tippett and MacKay will be like brand new recruits, we have not basically seen anything from them this year.

You can add Taylor Walker to the list as well.

I agree it will be an exciting time. It may well be a turning point when we drop from having the oldest list in the AFL, heading towards being one of the younger sides.

I too look forward to the likes of Sellar, Tippett & MacKay making their debuts in 2008.

However, the reality is that this is no different to any other year. Already this season we've had Hinge & Griffin making their debuts. There's a pretty fair chance that they'll be joined by several others before the year is done - most likely McIntyre, Campbell, Gill, Pfeiffer and possibly Archard.

[G_Money]

Boy I love these kids. I am however looking forward to seeing the development of David Mackay, but as J23 pointed out, big men are so much more exciting.

I watched a couple of games of the U/18 National Championship last year, and I really liked the looks of McKay. He is obviously not a big guy, but he was dynamic, and liked to run with the ball. I hope he can make the AFL grade, and I reckon he will be a real fan favourite in coming years.

[noddy]

I am yet to be convinced that J Sellar is as good as most of you guys are saying & was worth pick 14.


& i despise the word potential.

[bus24]

I am yet to be convinced that J Sellar is as good as most of you guys are saying & was worth pick 14.

He is as good as we are all saying. Pick 14 was an absolute bargain.

[King Elvis]

Having those two on our list makes losing Henstchel this year hurt even more.

I think next year, those two boys + Griff + Meese could be awesome for us - we'll go from having an absolute famine of KPPs, to having a glut of massively potentialled ones.

I'd go hard for a small forward next year - with these talls I think we're covered.

[Stiffy_18]

Having those two on our list makes losing Henstchel this year hurt even more.

I think next year, those two boys + Griff + Meese could be awesome for us - we'll go from having an absolute famine of KPPs, to having a glut of massively potentialled ones.

I'd go hard for a small forward next year - with these talls I think we're covered.
I think you are expecting a hell of a lot out of these talls next year.

For Griff to be effective for 22 H&A games + finals he would have to have at least 10 Kgs on his frame at the start of next season (not gonna happen). Meesen would also need plenty of Kgs AND he would be one very inexperienced player and lets not even talk about Tippett and Sellar.

Neither of those boys can come in and perform in a key forward position for the entire year.

As for Hentschel, I just hope that people around here don't expect too much of him next year. I don't think he will even play AFL football next year. His knee was completely stuffed, he lost the strength and he sure as hell will lose a lot of mobility because of it. Mark my words, he will struggle in 2008. I just hope our supporters show some common sense and don't turn on him like PAPs have turned on Tredrea.

It takes full year of football before a player recovers from a reconstructed knee and thats not even taking into the account the bone damage as a result of the injury.

We won't be much better off next year with key forwards than we are thins year, unless of course we recruit a ready made player to give that area a legitimate boost.

Expecting these kids to come in and hold the forward line together next year is just a pipedream.

[dyertribe]

I'm a bit wary of the fact Wisbey has Bachar Houli as a z0mg c4nT M1s$ sUpERsT4r!!!!!11111jd&cokethanks1111.

He supposedly does these reports way back at pre-draft time, but I dunno, off the back of the recent Houlidooley phenomenon it's a little too convenient for him to say, 'oh I always had him pegged as a Sherrinator'.

[crows98]

As for Hentschel, I just hope that people around here don't expect too much of him next year. I don't think he will even play AFL football next year. His knee was completely stuffed, he lost the strength and he sure as hell will lose a lot of mobility because of it. Mark my words, he will struggle in 2008. I just hope our supporters show some common sense and don't turn on him like PAPs have turned on Tredrea.

It takes full year of football before a player recovers from a reconstructed knee and thats not even taking into the account the bone damage as a result of the injury.



I agree with you Stiffy when you say that he will have lost a lot of the mobility and strength from his injury but I disagree that he won’t play in 2008. It is highly likely that he will never be the same sort of player (or even athlete) again but IMO if the Crows play him as a 3rd defender for at least the next 12 months he will not miss a beat.

He should be moved into defence so he can run in straight lines and get his touch and feel for the game back, his knee injury will dramatically effect his lateral movement and this will limit his ability to play as a CHF.

In 2008 Trent Hentschel should be given the role Marty Mattner is playing now and then Mattner could move back to the wing.

IMO Trent Hentschel will never be able to play as a competent key forward again.

[Eggzoi]

I'm a bit wary of the fact Wisbey has Bachar Houli as a z0mg c4nT M1s$ sUpERsT4r!!!!!11111jd&cokethanks1111.

He supposedly does these reports way back at pre-draft time, but I dunno, off the back of the recent Houlidooley phenomenon it's a little too convenient for him to say, 'oh I always had him pegged as a Sherrinator'.
IIRC Houli was rated highly by many people before the draft.

[CarnCrows]

I think you are expecting a hell of a lot out of these talls next year.

As for Hentschel... I just hope our supporters show some common sense and don't turn on him like PAPs have turned on Tredrea.

Yup - the talls are still young and developing - 2008 they should be aiming to regularly make the team, 2009 onwards and upwards!

Football emotion and common sense hardly make a good pairing. Though I do enjoy the PAPs bickering....

[dyertribe]

IIRC Houli was rated highly by many people before the draft.

Fair enough, I'll take your word for it.

[jmorg1]

I think you are expecting a hell of a lot out of these talls next year.

For Griff to be effective for 22 H&A games + finals he would have to have at least 10 Kgs on his frame at the start of next season (not gonna happen). Meesen would also need plenty of Kgs AND he would be one very inexperienced player and lets not even talk about Tippett and Sellar.

Neither of those boys can come in and perform in a key forward position for the entire year.

As for Hentschel, I just hope that people around here don't expect too much of him next year. I don't think he will even play AFL football next year. His knee was completely stuffed, he lost the strength and he sure as hell will lose a lot of mobility because of it. Mark my words, he will struggle in 2008. I just hope our supporters show some common sense and don't turn on him like PAPs have turned on Tredrea.

It takes full year of football before a player recovers from a reconstructed knee and thats not even taking into the account the bone damage as a result of the injury.

We won't be much better off next year with key forwards than we are thins year, unless of course we recruit a ready made player to give that area a legitimate boost.

Expecting these kids to come in and hold the forward line together next year is just a pipedream.

Would this be an accurate assessment of Hentschel's status afccomau? :)

[CarnCrows]

IIRC Houli was rated highly by many people before the draft.
He is rated very highly - just ask Sheedy (not that he will blow his own trumpet)

[Dandy_GO]

I'm a bit wary of the fact Wisbey has Bachar Houli as a z0mg c4nT M1s$ sUpERsT4r!!!!!11111jd&cokethanks1111.

He supposedly does these reports way back at pre-draft time, but I dunno, off the back of the recent Houlidooley phenomenon it's a little too convenient for him to say, 'oh I always had him pegged as a Sherrinator'.

Tons of people had him going first round in their phantom drafts, and there were articles on AFL.com before draft day suggesting that he was a likely top 10 pick.
God knows why he slipped, but he was certainly rated by most observers before the draft from what I read.

[Crow-mo]

& i despise the word potential.

but it speaks so highly of you? ;)

[Crow-mo]

IIRC Houli was rated highly by many people before the draft.

except by anyone who matters :)

[Eggzoi]

except by anyone who matters :)
True, I was just pointing out that Colin could have easily written that pre draft.
And the people that matter let Sellar drop to us, so I'm happy.

[bus24]

Interesting that despite the issues he had last year, still rated him as the 3rd best player in the draft. Behind Gibbs and Hawkins. At one stage he had Sellar ahead of both.

[Kane McGoodwin]

I agree with you Stiffy when you say that he will have lost a lot of the mobility and strength from his injury but I disagree that he won’t play in 2008. It is highly likely that he will never be the same sort of player (or even athlete) again but IMO if the Crows play him as a 3rd defender for at least the next 12 months he will not miss a beat.

He should be moved into defence so he can run in straight lines and get his touch and feel for the game back, his knee injury will dramatically effect his lateral movement and this will limit his ability to play as a CHF.

In 2008 Trent Hentschel should be given the role Marty Mattner is playing now and then Mattner could move back to the wing.

IMO Trent Hentschel will never be able to play as a competent key forward again.
I also agree that we won't see the best of Trent next year & that playing him in defence could be a good option ... however, I still remain confident after being back in the game for a year (ie. 2009 season) that he can return to being a dangerous forward.

[Stiffy_18]

I also agree that we won't see the best of Trent next year & that playing him in defence could be a good option ... however, I still remain confident after being back in the game for a year (ie. 2009 season) that he can return to being a dangerous forward.
That I agree with.

Season 2009 will be a lot better than 2008 for Trent because he will give that knee a bit more of a workout, get his confidnce in it and regain some of that mobility that made him a dangerous player and difficult to match up on.

Hentschel might play some AFL games in 2008 but I think people need to realise that he will not be anywhere near as good as he was in 2008. After the 2008 season (and hopefully an injury free one with games under his belt at any level) he will come out and have a much better year in 2009.

Even if you compare Huddo of this year to the one in 2005, you would say the one in 2005 had a bigger impact on the game. Thats understandable IMHO but expect bigger things from Huddo next year.

[crows98]

I also agree that we won't see the best of Trent next year & that playing him in defence could be a good option ... however, I still remain confident after being back in the game for a year (ie. 2009 season) that he can return to being a dangerous forward.

That’s is why the club should completely remove all the pressure associated with playing as a key forward, playing in the AFL is hard enough but trying to return and perform as a key forward after having one of the worse knee injuries ever…..almost impossible.

Ideally I would like to see Nathan Bock moved back to CHB but if there is no one else he will have to stay as a key forward. Give him another pre season to build up his fitness and strength and see how he goes.

Playing Trent Hentschel as a forward in 2008 will almost kill him career.

[FIGJAM]

I'm a bit wary of the fact Wisbey has Bachar Houli as a z0mg c4nT M1s$ sUpERsT4r!!!!!11111jd&cokethanks1111.

He supposedly does these reports way back at pre-draft time, but I dunno, off the back of the recent Houlidooley phenomenon it's a little too convenient for him to say, 'oh I always had him pegged as a Sherrinator'.
I can confirm that he posted his top 15 a day or so after draft and he rated Houli in his top 10.

You can rely on Wiz's integrity in terms of telling it how he saw it pre-draft. It's just an opinion and he is right and wrong like anyone else.

Out of interest, what is going on with Sellar? I know Tippet got injured. Same for James??

[Eggzoi]

Tippett's done his shoulder, season gone. Sellar did his groin just before the real stuff began and has now played 2 games with Glenelg ressies to get his form back. Supposedly looked much better in the second game, hopefully seniors soon.

[Sanguinarius]

Out of interest, what is going on with Sellar? I know Tippet got injured. Same for James??


safe guess considering our injury list.

just got back on the park in the last two weeks. looked good last weekend (in the ressies so he should) but needs to get his fitness back up to scratch all over again.