Welcome to Hawthorn, Jack Saunders - Pick #4 2020 rookie draft

[Strapping Young Lad]

Welcome Jack!

Looks a very likely type.

 

[MrPremiership]

Welcome Jack.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

nice fend off and goal

 

[WWSD]

It looks like Wright has addressed the lack of speed and small forwards.

 

[On Topic]

I know next to nothing about this one but he looks ok for a rookie pick. Welcome to the Hawks!

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Write-up from the U18s semi-finals

#21 Jack Saunders

Saunders backed up his best-on-ground performance last weekend with another standout showing in Norwood’s big semi-final victory over Sturt at Thebarton Oval. He spent some time off half-back early on, where he was able to use his speed and booming right-foot kick to turn defence into attack. However, he was most effective when moved onto the ball. Saunders provided an instant spark and became the most damaging player on the ground. He attacked every contest at high-speed and ran hard both ways to link up the play between the arcs. He was very clean and precise by foot and backed-himself to hit a couple of difficult targets through the middle of the ground. Saunders will have accumulated an abundance of metres-gained in what was another fantastic performance from the dynamic, hard-running midfielder. He finished with 25 disposals, eight marks, three tackles, three clearances, five inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

And another U18 game

Jack Saunders
Norwood | Midfielder
11/02/2002 | 178cm | 71kg

Stats: 29 disposals (20 kicks), 8 marks, 7 tackles, 4 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s, 5 goals, 2 behinds

Our scouts said: “Saunders was the clear best-on-ground in Norwood’s comprehensive triumph. He started in the middle and impressed with his breakaway pace. Although his foot skills have been questioned by some throughout the course of the season, his kicking was precise for much of the contest against West Adelaide. His tackling pressure remained high for the entirety of the contest and Saunders was able to break the game open with his burst running and intensity around the ball. He used his strength well one-on-one while up forward and harassed the ball carrier relentlessly, but his impact on the scoreboard was what separated his game from the rest.” – Tom Wyman

Verdict: Saunders’ senior experience has clearly done his confidence and form a world of good, taking his game to another level as he dropped back down into the Under 18s setup. The hard-running midfielder put on a show for Norwood and will likely make them a finals force in the coming weeks, with some terrific class on the inside allowing him to run the show on the outer. As are scouts suggested, Saunders did it all, but it was his five goals which truly set his game apart. He would have been a smoky for South Australia’s state squad, and is a reliable player with good qualities at SANFL level.

Looks like he had some decent games at SANFL level before dropping down to U18s level, too.

Quick, small endurance on-baller that has been played off half back and can kick a goal up forward.

 

[Scrads]

Posted this in the draft thread but will drop it here too:

In 2020 played 10 x U18 games for Norwood (4 'times in bests') and 6 x Reserves games (also 4 'times in bests'). Kicked a 5-goal haul in one of his U18 games.

Jack Saunders - Player Statistics

Player Statistics for Jack Saunders while playing in the SANFL Powered by GameDay

websites.sportstg.com

Unfortunately we didn't capture stats for Reserves (and U16) games this year in the SANFL comps because of budget cuts.

 

[TazHawk15]

Welcome to the Hawks young fella, work hard and learn.

 

[Brishawk]

Seems to have good power meaning he has the tools to play inside at AFL even at his height. I think he will attract a cult following.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

A gut running mid who had 29 disposals, 7 tackles and kicked 5 goals....and he’s taken in the rookie draft.

 

[Teamwork Talks]

I feel the need...the need for speed!

 

[burner1]

Is maybe an outside / wing option longer term as has the speed and tank?

 

[Blackhawk42]

Is maybe an outside / wing option longer term as has the speed and tank?

At his size and skill level could be more a Zach Merrett or Dayne Zorko

15

Dayne Zorko

Age

35

Ht

175cm

Wt

77kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.4

5star

K

13.2

5star

HB

8.2

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

6.0

5star

CL

3.6

5star

D

14.0

3star

K

9.0

4star

HB

5.0

3star

M

2.0

2star

T

5.0

5star

CL

2.0

4star

D

16.4

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

6.6

4star

M

5.2

5star

T

6.6

5star

CL

1.2

4star

type I'd say. Mid/fwd who plays bigger than his height suggests.

 

[matsta1975]

Is maybe an outside / wing option longer term as has the speed and tank?

Inside mid mate

 

[Milkshaker]

A gut running mid who had 29 disposals, 7 tackles and kicked 5 goals....and he’s taken in the rookie draft.

Size I reckon. 178cm 71kg and one of the goals he kicked he out marked a waif. Another small forward/mid speculative pick maybe?

 

[Roger Rogerson]

looks a player doesnt he.

 

[burner1]

Inside mid mate

At that size? Seems unlikely at afl level. Would need 10kgs+

 

[TazHawk15]

A gut running mid who had 29 disposals, 7 tackles and kicked 5 goals....and he’s taken in the rookie draft.

How the silly Crows did not bid on him instead of JUH, has me perplexed.

BTW this is for Roby................. Relax dude it was a joke, I am not having a go at Strapping Young Lad.

 

[Big Hotdog]

looks a player doesnt he.

Liked the fend off and in traffic still slotted the goal.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Size I reckon. 178cm 71kg and one of the goals he kicked he out marked a waif. Another small forward/mid speculative pick maybe?

Someone who has watched him has since messaged to say that his kicking needs a little bit of work.

 

[caseman2]

A really smokey when you consider he wasn't event listed on the SANFL's website draft hub!

2022 AFLW Draft - SANFL

sanfl.com.au

Welcome aboard young fella.

 

[Omega]

We shouldnt expect too although looks like he has some positive attributes. If he can add some weight and improve kicking could eventually play some senior games. Good option as a rookie. I wish him all the best along with all of our other rookies.

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Good luck and welcome Jack !!

 

[toomanysquibs]

That's a fair highlights package, the lower level notwithstanding.

To quote the NAB draft crew, kicks goals from all phases of the game.

Strong for his size. If that is translatable into him developing an AFL hardened physique over the pre-season we might see him before too long.

 

[Slick]

Hadn't heard his name mentioned before but looks likely. He had a day out in those highlights!