Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves

[The Jet From Poowong]

The man child claims I don’t really get. He is big, solid but you still have to know how to play football regardless of your size. Plenty of big blokes he played against made little difference. It is obvious he doesn’t have the running ability of the others that were drafted but then not every AFL player does.

The attitude stuff I do get. Seems a bit cocky and arrogant but that isn’t a hanging offence if you can back it up. Being confident and expressing that in a dramatic way, isn’t that what a lot of youngsters in the squad has displayed in the past 24 months? It can be the downfall of anyone if you don’t back it up with performance. He has been able to do that to date.

I spoke to someone around Eastern circles who should know Ollie well enough and he confirmed the FIGJAM swagger, it is real. Apparently no different to his older brother Zach who also made the Eastern Ranges, just that Ollie is a better prospect.His footy ability is real to this point.

The ego would have taken a massive dent this week and hopefully the events spur him on in the right way. Time will tell. Most likely in his first 12 months he will have to show a professional application including a professional athlete’s diet.

I wish him well. Go get em Ollie.

 

[ReturningHawk]

The only Rookie with a 9-minute highlight reel!

Would’ve been so annoyed to see someone else pick him up. Welcome welcome welcome Ollie Greeves!

 

[rei154]

Will temper my expectations on his output, but it's hard not to get excited about this kid.
I'm hoping like many have said here that he has a chip on his shoulder for slipping so far, but that chip will turn into a crack if he doesn't work hard from here.
He could end up as a feel good story for us for the next 15 years, or he could end up being another victim of the deadly "potential" label.

go well, Greevesy!

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I thought the numerous one handed gathers also show a fair bit of nonchalance and self confidence…. We will soon see if his output can match his swagger.

He is Harley Reid lite. This is more evidence.

 

[NigelTufnel]

The attitude/FIGJAM stuff doesn't concern me nearly as much as the lack of pace and defensive application. Without those you're unlikely to succeed as a mid in 2026.

Needless to say I hope he proves me wrong, a Rookie spot sounds about right for where he's at.

 

[Roddy]

Our club seems to have a natural no dickheads policy. Hopefully he locks into that, while still letting his natural personality come through. Like blokes like Ginni, Wiz, Croc etc have…

 

[hawkinoz]

If he works hard & delivers on potential, then his contracts for Year 2 & 3 in AFL will be significantly higher than all the other 1st round Draftees & better Yr 2 than all the national draftees.

Ball is in his court. Imagine he signs a 3-4 yr extn by middle of next yr.

Clear silver lining in getting on list via rookie draft instead of ND.

PS : I bet Harley Reid would have preferred to be picked on Rookie Draft instead of ND as heart wrecking as it will be. Could have made extra 1-2 millions. If you are ultra talented with good work ethic, that would be ideal but AFL rules trap you into 3 yrs on low pay.

 

[hardway]

Would Worpel be a good comparison for Greeves in their draft years

 

[Ka Norkers]

Would Worpel be a good comparison for Greeves in their draft years

Scaife seems to be a better comparision.

 

[tl92]

He doesn’t look any worse of an athlete than Josh Smilie - who went top 10 in a supposed super draft. All very odd.

 

[The Kipster]

Welcome Ollie, wishing you great success in the B&G young fella.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Would Worpel be a good comparison for Greeves in their draft years

Don't think so. Worpel was a contested midfielder that was a consumate professional and a leader. He struggled with versatility and skills by foot.

Meanwhile Greeves is skilful by foot, not exclusively a contested midfielder and is versatile enough to spend time resting forward.

 

[Howe Amazing]

Don’t know much about him but is he a Ned Long type

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Call it an educated guess but I get the feeling him not turning up to the draft combine did him zero favours with recruiters.

I heard a fund manager for one of the major banks being interviewed once and he was asked how he got to his position.

The guy said it wasn’t that he was smarter or worked harder than his peers, it was that he was quite simply for the most part simply “there” when they needed someone to do a role.

It’s a great lesson for young people, it’s amazing how far you can get by just turning up!

Anyway I am a big advocate of size in the midfield and this guy has it along with some very neat skills.

Day 1 of preseason every player is equal and he can stake his case like every other player for a spot in the seniors.

Good luck young fella

 

[Tomohawks]

What happened here? after our failed NGA attempt, did he/hisfamily/his manager put a memo out saying he only wanted to go to hawthorn? About all i can think happened given his early projections

Not a chance. That's ridiculous. So, tell all other teams he'd rather be the last rookie taken than not get a guaranteed two year deal on decent money for a kid elsewhere?

It's because he's so painfully slow. Not quick enough to get any separation as a medium sized forward and he seems to rely quite heavily on being bigger than the other kids for most in the midfield which won't work with the big boys without any speed at all. If you're not quick and you're an average kick and without a great engine ypu're coming from a fair way back to make it. Of course, I truly hope that I'm utterly wrong and that he becomes the player that a lot of people here think that he can become. I'm just not expecting it.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Not a chance. That's ridiculous. So, tell all other teams he'd rather be the last rookie taken than not get a guaranteed two year deal on decent money for a kid elsewhere?

It's because he's so painfully slow. Not quick enough to get any separation as a medium sized forward and he seems to rely quite heavily on being bigger than the other kids for most in the midfield which won't work with the big boys without any speed at all. If you're not quick and you're an average kick and without a great engine ypu're coming from a fair way back to make it. Of course, I truly hope that I'm utterly wrong and that he becomes the player that a lot of people here think that he can become. I'm just not expecting it.

As someone else posted, if hes "painfully slow"what does that say about essendons first pick?

Theres just something which makes no sense for such a big slide.

 

[Flukey!]

The attitude/FIGJAM stuff doesn't concern me nearly as much as the lack of pace and defensive application. Without those you're unlikely to succeed as a mid in 2026.

Needless to say I hope he proves me wrong, a Rookie spot sounds about right for where he's at.

The defensive application I suggest he will learn if he wants to play seniors and enjoy success with the rest of the squad.

 

[ReturningHawk]

Not a chance. That's ridiculous. So, tell all other teams he'd rather be the last rookie taken than not get a guaranteed two year deal on decent money for a kid elsewhere?

It's because he's so painfully slow. Not quick enough to get any separation as a medium sized forward and he seems to rely quite heavily on being bigger than the other kids for most in the midfield which won't work with the big boys without any speed at all. If you're not quick and you're an average kick and without a great engine ypu're coming from a fair way back to make it. Of course, I truly hope that I'm utterly wrong and that he becomes the player that a lot of people here think that he can become. I'm just not expecting it.

Josh Smillie got drafted inside the top 10 last year and is certainly no quicker than Greeves. Must be concerns over his distance running and overall fitness and whether he has the right attitude to address those weaknesses.

Running and defensive side of the game is completely effort-based. We'll know early on what the buy-in is like.

 

[Mojo]

It's not often you say a draftee needs to lose weight, but I think losing a few kg's would allow him to cover the ground better.

From his highlights, the athleticism (agility, endurance, acceleration, pace, etc) of AFL will be Ollie's biggest challenge.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

So, I wake up here 8 hours behind and see this??? Fantastic for the kid. Obviously, some things to work on, this showed in his interviews which left a lot to be desired apparently. But, it's no hanging offence. Really happy the young man gets his dream of playing for the club he's been most linked with. Big pre season ahead.

Someone with talent but is rough around the edges is perfect for a rookie selection.

Low risk high reward is the best you can hope for.

 

[cyrilicious]

Congrats Greeves on being selected. Its a great opportunity to show your ability. Put your head down, bust the gut and try as much as you can. Things arent given to you and you have been given a chance! Take it and show the doubters wrong. But at the very least dont listent to the doubters, just do your thing, enjoy the limelight and kick some fookin arse!! You're part of the hawthorn crew now!

 

[mustang]

Not a chance. That's ridiculous. So, tell all other teams he'd rather be the last rookie taken than not get a guaranteed two year deal on decent money for a kid elsewhere?

It's because he's so painfully slow. Not quick enough to get any separation as a medium sized forward and he seems to rely quite heavily on being bigger than the other kids for most in the midfield which won't work with the big boys without any speed at all. If you're not quick and you're an average kick and without a great engine ypu're coming from a fair way back to make it. Of course, I truly hope that I'm utterly wrong and that he becomes the player that a lot of people here think that he can become. I'm just not expecting it.

Everyone is saying he is slow, but is he any slower than Worpel was or is he even slower more a plodder?

 

[mustang]

It's not often you say a draftee needs to lose weight, but I think losing a few kg's would allow him to cover the ground better.

From his highlights, the athleticism (agility, endurance, acceleration, pace, etc) of AFL will be Ollie's biggest challenge.

Jordan Lewis wasn't that fast from memory, and he slimmed down and went ok.

 

[Tomohawks]

I read somewhere that off field behaviour is a big reason why he slipped through to the rookie draft, can anyone shed any light ? Is it anything more than being a FIGJAM as another poster said earlier ? Or just online trolls making up bullshit ?

Everyone is saying he is slow, but is he any slower than Worpel was or is he even slower more a plodder?

Worpel would leave him in his wake. Now think about that.

 

[tommyk72]

I come in peace. Good get fellas. Deserved to be picked up in the actual draft. Can't understand the slide.

Thanks for the message.

I noticed your AFL Club and other teams. I'm sorry for how life has turned out for you.