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Streaker
16 Nov 2003, 00:43
Many AFL teams are in the mood for Matthew
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,7878279%255E2762,00.html

"The West Coast Eagles, whose first pick is No. 11, are understood to be keen on tough midfielders Brock McLean, Riley Dunn, Kane Tenace and Colin Sylvia."

Tenace and Sylvia will probably be gone by pick 11 but McLean and Dunn might be available.

Profiles from http://www.hawkheadquarters.com

Brock McLean

Details:
Club: Aberfeldie
DOB: 11 Mar 86 Hgt: 182cm Wgt: 86kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Right

Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
Victoria Metro 2003
All Australian 2003
Ruck Rover in the TAC Team of the Year
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Medal for BOG in the TAC Cup Grand Final

TAC Stats:
2002: 14 games, 8 goals, 13.8 PPG.
2003: 14 games, 18 goals, 20.3 PPG.

Profile:
Hawthorn don't need inside midfielders, so this probably won't interest a lot of you much. But this kid should be a great player at AFL level. There are so many things about him that make you think he could really mix it with the best.

As you can see from the long list of honours McLean has had a sensational and decorated junior career, right from when he was captain of the Vic Metro under 16s. He is pretty much a hard centreman but the best thing is he also has the ability to go forward and play one-out.

The nephew of hardman Ricky McLean, Brock is also tough as they come and doesn't mind the physical side of the game. In fact, he thrives on it. In the Preliminary Final he laid a shirtfront off a step that was one of the hardest hits I saw all year - sent the poor bloke into next week.

Brock is extremely strong in the clinches and will win a lot of hard balls. He is also unbelievably strong in the hips - is quite prepared to take body contact so he has the extra second to find an option. His ability to swivel the hips and break a tackle is fantastic to watch. His disposal under pressure, particularly by hand, is close to the best I've seen this year.

One of the smartest footballers in the comp, always runs to the right spots, and at exactly the right time. Is not explosive, but covers a lot of ground (was in the top 10 for the 3km run and shuttle run at draft camp). His kicking is exceptional, saw him kick several goals on the run from outside 50 metres. One of the best bits of play I saw all year was in the Grand Final, with a waterlogged footy and kicking into the breeze McLean unleashed a 60 metre torpedo into the breeze that went straight through. It was an amazing goal.

Brock stands up when he has to. Was great in all three games for Vic Metro, kicking 7 goals and winning a lot of footy. He was incandescent in the Grand Final with 34 possessions in a game that showed real leadership.

Knows how to find the goals and can play one-out in the forward line, so isn't a one trick pony. The other thing I love about McLean is his super-competitive streak. He just loves winning. Can get into trouble with the umpires as he doesn't mind backchatting or sledging the opposition.

He is mature beyond his years and might not have the scope to improve of some of the others. He also tends to try and spear his kicks low, can be a bit cute at times. But he is one serious footballer who looks ready to play senior footy next year, despite not turning 18 until March. Definitely worth a top 10 pick in my eyes, might drift a little as not a tall or super quick, but he will make it.


Ryley Dunn

Details:
Club: Shepparton Bears
DOB: 7 Oct 85 Hgt: 182cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Flanker
Natural foot: Right

Honours:
Victoria Country 2002, 2003
All Australian 2002, 2003
Half Back Flank in TAC Team of the Year
Mike Fitzpatrick/AFLPA Scholarship 2002
National Draft Camp Invitee 2002, 2003

TAC Stats:
2002: 15 games, 2 goals, 12.8 PPG.
2003: 18 games, 9 goals, 23.1 PPG.

Profile:
Dunn was touted as a top 10 prospect at the beginning of the season, and I'd say that's where he will go. There is a lot to like about this kid. His credentials are excellent, twice All Australian, in the team of the year and a great leader as well (was co-captain of Murray and Vic Country).

Dunn's versatility is very appealing. Over the past two years he has held Aaron Edwards (last year's leading goalkicker in the TAC) goalless in defence, tagged Daniel Wells, played off half-back, and played as a forward as well. He is reasonably quick so I suspect he will end up playing on a flank or wing at AFL level. But the ability to either play a close checking defender or a forward is pretty impressive.

The other thing to like about Ryley is his attack on the footy/man. He is TOUGH. He thrives on the physical stuff, the bumps, the push and shove, the throwing the body in recklessly to help the side. It's great to watch.


I would say his main asset is overhead - his marking ability is great for someone who is not particularly tall. His disposal is good, particularly by foot. Has a real classical kicking action that works nicely for set shots. He is an excellent decision maker and will cover a lot of ground throughout the game.

Hands are also very clean, I remember in a shocking day at Box Hill his ability to handle the ball made him stand out. He is also described as super competitive and a born leader. Had a very consistent year in the TAC, racking up a lot of touches as well as marks and tackles.

I don't really have too many queries about this bloke. It was only when I went back on my notes I realised just how good he'd been in all the games I'd seen. Somewhere between 5-10.

Streaker
16 Nov 2003, 00:48
Sheedy in WA raid
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,7878280%255E2762,00.html

"There's two boys in Perth we're looking at at the moment," said Sheedy, who has had success in the past with WA recruits of the ilk of Billy Duckworth, Leon Baker, Darren Bewick, Paul Barnard and Derek Kickett.

"Probably a midfielder and a six foot two or three player – I'm not going to mention his name."

Any ideas who he spoke to today?

Streaker
16 Nov 2003, 00:51
Meet WA's next Simon Black
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,7878073%255E2762,00.html



A big call.

materamagic
16 Nov 2003, 09:13
it's remarkable to think that Peel Thunder for a WAFL club on the brink of existance, and by far, less superior to any Perth based club could be responsible for producing 2 of the best football players to come out of the state in recentl years. An incentive for WAFL to persist with this region, boy it is producing great young talent

Voice of Reason
16 Nov 2003, 09:24
Originally posted by materamagic
it's remarkable to think that Peel Thunder for a WAFL club on the brink of existance, and by far, less superior to any Perth based club could be responsible for producing 2 of the best football players to come out of the state in recentl years. An incentive for WAFL to persist with this region, boy it is producing great young talent

There are too many non sequiturs in there for me to argue with without missing surf club.

YAKUZA
16 Nov 2003, 10:52
Originally posted by materamagic
it's remarkable to think that Peel Thunder for a WAFL club on the brink of existance, and by far, less superior to any Perth based club could be responsible for producing 2 of the best football players to come out of the state in recentl years. An incentive for WAFL to persist with this region, boy it is producing great young talent


Don't get too carried away, Daniel Wells didn't come to WA until he was 13.

YAKUZA
16 Nov 2003, 10:54
Originally posted by West Coast Stre
Meet WA's next Simon Black
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,7878073%255E2762,00.html



A big call.

Not really, especially when you consider that he is a much better player than Black was at the same age!

Sera
16 Nov 2003, 11:11
Originally posted by YAKUZA
Not really, especially when you consider that he is a much better player than Black was at the same age!

If Farren Ray wins a Brownlow medal and a Norm Smith medal I will eat my hat.

Frodo
16 Nov 2003, 11:14
Originally posted by West Coast Stre
Sheedy in WA raid
http://www.sundaytimes.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,7878280%255E2762,00.html

"There's two boys in Perth we're looking at at the moment," said Sheedy, who has had success in the past with WA recruits of the ilk of Billy Duckworth, Leon Baker, Darren Bewick, Paul Barnard and Derek Kickett.

"Probably a midfielder and a six foot two or three player – I'm not going to mention his name."

Any ideas who he spoke to today?

Callum Burgess
Kepler Bradley

theorangeapple
16 Nov 2003, 11:52
hmm possible but a 6foot2-3 players is around 188-89cm so that is probly Moody...kepler is 198 so that makes him 6'6/'7 (i think)

theorangeapple
16 Nov 2003, 11:57
i cant believe that we would pass up on a Chaplin if he was available ...to go for a brock Mclean type. i no we go for the 'best available option' but if we pass up Chaplin i will be VERY disapointed. Chaplin was rated top 5 at one stage and is a KP defender which we are crying out for, whereas Mclean/would stuggle to get a game in our midfield.

having said that i do like the sound of Dunn...so if he was available along with Chaplin (highly unlikely) then i wouldnt mind which way we go.

dasler
16 Nov 2003, 12:08
Anyone else notice the Sunday Times articles were crap? :p Got to love journalistic integrity.

carneagles
16 Nov 2003, 12:22
I noticed that, and I didn't even have to read the Sunday Times.

Sera
16 Nov 2003, 12:31
Originally posted by theorangeapple
i cant believe that we would pass up on a Chaplin if he was available ...to go for a brock Mclean type. i no we go for the 'best available option' but if we pass up Chaplin i will be VERY disapointed. Chaplin was rated top 5 at one stage and is a KP defender which we are crying out for, whereas Mclean/would stuggle to get a game in our midfield.

having said that i do like the sound of Dunn...so if he was available along with Chaplin (highly unlikely) then i wouldnt mind which way we go.

Nothing wrong with Brock Mclean, a very good player IMO. Dunn and Mclean are very similar players. Both would step straight into our side. Chaplin had a very poor finish to the year and probably driifted a little in the same way Matthew Moody has. Also, he was probably rated so highly to begin with because of a lack of talls in this draft.

dasler
16 Nov 2003, 13:16
Originally posted by Sera
Nothing wrong with Brock Mclean, a very good player IMO. Dunn and Mclean are very similar players. Both would step straight into our side. Chaplin had a very poor finish to the year and probably driifted a little in the same way Matthew Moody has. Also, he was probably rated so highly to begin with because of a lack of talls in this draft.

Moody's year never started. The Journos and clubs get their favourites and push them at the expense of better players who get less credit than what they deserve.

YAKUZA
16 Nov 2003, 13:31
Originally posted by Sera
If Farren Ray wins a Brownlow medal and a Norm Smith medal I will eat my hat.


Let it be known that I will gladly purchase the hat. That aside, what you have stated sera bears no relativity to my statement whatsoever.

YAKUZA
16 Nov 2003, 13:33
Originally posted by dasler
Moody's year never started. The Journos and clubs get their favourites and push them at the expense of better players who get less credit than what they deserve.


I think that it is also worth mentioning that his season started somewhat slowly due to medical reasons.

dasler
16 Nov 2003, 13:39
Originally posted by YAKUZA
I think that it is also worth mentioning that his season started somewhat slowly due to medical reasons.

I understand that yakuza, however when you get fed the ball by the strongest midfield brigade for years in a colts team lace up everytime on the chest it makes your life alot easier, even if you play from behind. He just seemed a little lazy at times this season.

Moods was no where near last seasons form, even towards the end of the year. He showed something brilliant in the first half of the `02 GF that was simply breath taking, didn't even come close to that this season.

I suppose we do have a huge expectation on him though....hard to live up to what people think you should be in light of medical reasons.

Exeter
17 Nov 2003, 16:18
Originally posted by dasler
Anyone else notice the Sunday Times articles were crap? :p Got to love journalistic integrity.

I recently used a discarded copy of the Sunday Times to wrap fish guts in before binning it.

Certainly the most appropriate use of that rag that I can think of.

The Goods
17 Nov 2003, 17:45
Got stuck out bush without toilet paper - so I proceeded to use the Sunday times. It would be nice if they released a softer version of the paper though.

Sunday Times is “gutter” journalism at it’s best.