Steve Gaertner?

[Richo83]

Was touted as a top ten pick by Weaver and top twenty pick by TOA.

Freakish skills, X-factor, bottom aged last year so could be picked up, was missed last year, whats the chance of him being picked up? Wouldn't mind if Richmond spent a pick on him fwiw.

[vinnie_vegas69]

Probably a late speculative pick - A hell of an athlete, but doesn't appear to put it all together in a way that works on the field. I wish he would, because he's an exciting talent and he'll be interesting to watch if he gets up and running.

I still think he should have moved into the ruck this year - At 198cm, with his long arms and huge leap, he could have been a much more interesting ruck prospect than he is a KP prospect.

[davey_magik]

Athletically he's a freak, I wouldn't say he has freakish skills though.

He's similar to Andrew Walker in the way that he's essentially an athlete still learning how to play footy. He's definitely worth a shot this year but I wouldn't quite say top 10-20 just yet.

[ant555]

Has been playing very well at CHB in games this season. Has really attacked from half back and shown good pace and run.
The problem remains with his kicking. He can take a good grab and sprint out of defence only to kick a high floater to no one in particular. Has a habit of just trying to boom it long without much direction.
One thing i will say about him is he has improved his consistancy a heap this year. Last year you would see glimpses of what he could do for 5 or 6 minutes over a couple of quarters but leave disapointed that he never really took a game apart. This year he has been playing much better footy over 4 quarters.

[Richo83]

Hmm, sounds like someone Richmond should pick up simply based on his height, we still need some tall ruck/KPP. If not that simply his raw potential, could be anything and seems worth a third round pick or so.

Was it his kicking which let him slip out of drafting, or more? Gourdis who I read was similar slipped too, what was the problem?

[beanus]

played with him for a few years. won us a grand final in the last 30 seconds of a game
can play
top 20 wouldnt suprise, hell of an athlete, not the longest kick in the world but if you have to have a weakness, that would be it

[TFLUA-Tiger]

Gaertner is one I had going 2nd round in last years phantom.

I saw him, and still see him, as a great talent, an untapped one, who once he has been developed to his full potential, can be an absolute superstar.

He's athletic, tall, has a great leap, does all those kind of things right, but his disposal is nothing short of very ordinary, especially by foot.

I imagine they are playing him off a half back flank for the reasons you mentioned, he's got a massive engine, and a lot of pace for a big man. They want some run through the backline so they've put him there. And I can't see him playing as a ruckman at AFL level. CHB is about where I see him playing, but as an attacking defender who runs off the flank.

And to be able to do that, he MUST improve his footskills. That is the primary reason for him being played in the backline, in my opinion.



The search button is your friend.

No, seriously, there's a lot of stuff on him around, from both this year and last year. Here's a post of mine from late May on him that I dug up.

[richoatthedisco]

I agree he seems a good fit for Richmond. With his height and athleticism he could become the anti-Buddy we're gonna need to knock off the Sqwaks over the next decade. I was hoping we would draft him last year with a late pick. We could have delisted a couple of the duds we have instead held onto, and picked up Gaertner and Rockliff as absolute steals. That's what I would have done - goddamn why aren't I a Tigers recruiter!?!;)

[HBF]

A really great kid, and I hope a club does select him. He'd give them 110%, and I reckon a development coach would do wonders with him on an AFL list.

[bellzy]

Sounds like the perennial Shannon Watt.

[Anti Gold Coast]

Sounds like the perennial Shannon Watt.

Except Gaertner is actually good.

Really....Natanui is a great athlete, i'll afford him that, but his skills aren't increadible. Sure, he's shown some great upside, but if a club is willing to take him at Pick 1, then I think Steve really has a chance. He's great athletically, and I believe some time in an AFL system will make him quite servicable.

[davey_magik]

A really great kid, and I hope a club does select him. He'd give them 110%, and I reckon a development coach would do wonders with him on an AFL list.

He sure is :thumbsu: , he's a great kid.