No surprises this year Kinnear

[Maverick]

Hasn't mattered too much I suppose that Beatson has made some bizarre decision over the past few years as we have not had early draft picks.

Some times I think that people can try being too clever for themselves.

This year though...if we do get pick No 3, we cannot afford any more "surprises" from Kinnear.

Quite simply...who ever is left out of Wells, Salopek and Goddard; we should take.

[NathanD]

A bit tough on Gram and Wright as the 22 has been a bit tough to crack lately.

Oh, and yep - Pikey was so bizarre Mav.

[cjwalkley]

I agree with Mav here, Kinnear is definitely no Scott Clayton. I think Ash McGrath at 13 highlights this. No other club had him rated in the top 30, yet we punted and took him at 13. Don't get me wrong, McGrath is a handy player, but definitely not top 15 quality. We need quality at 5 and 21 and then after that we take a few punts!

[BrainOfMorbius]

I think realistically the only thing that matters is that we get players that suit our team and who will fit into our future plans. There's no point drafting good midfielders, for example, if you've got plenty and a few more coming through.

The club took the punt on McGrath at pick #13 and good luck to it. I don't think it's been proven wrong just yet anway.

[Stocka]

I tend to agree with CJ and Maverick, although, BoM makes a good point too.

What I find interesting, is that in interview Beatson is often given credit for, and appears happy to take credit for "assembling" the Premiership team along with Matthews.

However, I think a lot of credit should also go to the likes of Scott Clayton, Robert Walls, and perhaps even John Northey for their efforts in drafting/recruiting quite a number of players prior to the Matthews/Beatson era, who have gone on to become top players with us in the last few years.

After all, I'm pretty sure it was Clayton who spotted Black, Power, McDonald, Notting, and quite a few of the others (including O'Bree), who have proven to be very talent players.

One disappointing thing in recent years, has been the virtual waste of a #6 pick on D.Cupido, via trading him to Essendon for little in return. We got this pick through trading M.Clarke, who was a big loss for us at the time, and likewise, I still believe that we were ripped off by Essendon in giving Cupido up so readily.

[cjwalkley]

Do you think Robert Walls is bitter about not getting more recognition for the assembling of the Lions premiership outfits?

Watching some of the games on Fox Footy again all he does is take pot shots at the Lions and any umpiring decisions that went our way. Is it because he is a little bitter, or just he always barracks for the underdogs (ie his attitude against Essendon)?

[BrainOfMorbius]

I don't know about that - he definitely has a favourites at the club such as Darryl White, Michael Voss and Shaun Hart, players that he brought to the club and coached for a long time.

The only time I've noticed any particular slant away from the Lions was during the Grand Final this year. I suspect the producer suggested he make a bit of an effort not to appear too biased and to give the underdog (who was expected to be flogged) a bit of a go.

Any specific examples? I was just thinking perhaps the umpiring decisions were simply poor ones.

[cjwalkley]

I was watching the Essendon game from Colonial on Fox and Walls appeared very negative towards the Lions on a number of occassions. It may just be he was trying too hard not to show any bias, but I couldn't find him giving praise at any stage to a Lion. He really gives Chris Johnson a hard time whenever he commentates.

[jonathon.e]

Originally posted by Stocka
I tend to agree with CJ and Maverick, although, BoM makes a good point too.

What I find interesting, is that in interview Beatson is often given credit for, and appears happy to take credit for "assembling" the Premiership team along with Matthews.

After all, I'm pretty sure it was Clayton who spotted Black, Power, McDonald, Notting, and quite a few of the others (including O'Bree), who have proven to be very talent players.


Beatson was the recruting manager in charge when we drafted the likes of Power, Black, O'Bree, McDonald, Notting, Hilton, Headland and Shattock.

Scott Clayton was the football manager during that time. You could argue we haven't done that well since the partnership broke up, but Beatson must be given some of the credit.

[Denno]

I reckon our recruiting hasn't been as good either, since Clayton left.

Fingers crossed for this year.

[Stocka]

Regarding Robert Walls, I've always found him to be supportive of the Brisbane Lions in the regard that he is pro-merger, and has often had a good word to say about the Fitzroy element of the club, as well being willing to give Fitzroy a mention in general. He also comments regular on his time with the Bears, and is generally positive about quite of lot of the players he coached in that time, who are still playing. I can't say that I've ever found him to be too negative towards C.Johnson, however, it may just be that Johno's style of play isn't appreciated by Walls.

I remember before the Grand Final, Walls said something along the lines of, that his support was behind the Lions not only because he'd had an involvement with both merger partners, but also because he couldn't stand Collingwood due to Ross Brewer's goal in the '81 1st Semi Final (to sink Fitzroy by 1 point), as well as the negativity which Fitzroy received when co-tenants at Victoria Park (most significantly, the Collingwod cheer-squad sign which read "Fitzroy - Unwanted Guests, Not Co-Tenants").

I have noticed a sense 'bitterness' in some ways, when questioned about the conditions which he faced when he was with the Bears. I think there has always been a hint of bad-blood between he and various other people who were at the club at the time.

[Homer]

Kinnear Beatson has been the Recruiting Manager since prior to 1995. So he has made some wonderful decisions for the club.
Just becuase in the last few years we have not blooded the guys he has recruited doesn't mean they are not good players.
I think he has a gift for recruiting, he is passionate about our club and has helped us develop a great group of players.

Very few duds over the years.

[Roylion]

Originally posted by jonathon.e


Beatson was the recruting manager in charge when we drafted the likes of Power, Black, O'Bree, McDonald, Notting, Hilton, Headland and Shattock.

Scott Clayton was the football manager during that time. You could argue we haven't done that well since the partnership broke up, but Beatson must be given some of the credit.


Correct.

I can distinctly remember Beatson being the Victorian manager in 1997, but I think he was also the recruiting manager the same year and definitely held both positions in 1998.

Clayton was the chairman of the match committee in 1997-1998.

You'd have to conclude therefore that Beatson was primarily responsible for identifying and recruiting of all Lions players since the merger and there are some handy names in that list. I'm not sure he's necessarily been less successful than Clayton.

They include: Luke Power, Shane 0'Bree, Simon Black, Scott Ralph
Marcus Picken, Beau McDonald, Des Headland, Craig Bolton, Aaron Shattock, David Calthorpe, Damian Cupido, Jonathon Brown, Shane Morrison, Ashley McGrath, Richard Hadley, Jamie Charman, Luke Hammond, Dylan McLaren, Jason Gram and Jarrad Wright

I haven't counted any trades or any rookie elevations.

A perception that Beatson hasn't been successful lately probably arises for two reasons.
1) It's pretty hard for many of the players recruited from roughly 2000 or even 1999 (Clayton left at the end of 1998) onwards to break into the best side in the competition.....as yet. Jonathan Brown is the exception. Des Headland and Jamie Charman also fit into Brown's category.
2) Counting 1999, the Lions have only had ONE pick in the Top 10 in the National Draft. Cupido was taken at #6. Our next earliest picks were #13 in 2000 with which we picked up Ashley McGrath and #19 in 2001 with was used to select Jason Gram.

After these our last three drafts have yielded Picks #22, #29, #30, #33, #35, #44, #45, #59.

In the last three drafts we've had eight picks in the Top 40. Cupido, McGrath, Gram, Hadley, Charman, Brown, Pike, and Wright were selected. While the last three were used on Morrison, Clarke (redrafted rookie) and Hammond.

Personally I believe Beatson has done a reasonable job, with what he has had to work with.

Hopefully he'll select wisely with the #5 pick which may become the #3 pick this Friday. If so, I hope the Lions use #3 to pick up Salopek. If we keep #5, then perhaps Paul Johnson might be the next best alternative for our needs.

[keatings_gal]

i dont really care....
but i will hate him forever if he doesnt get Nugget