Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves

[Noel Gallagher]

Have no idea if he will make it or not. Really hope he does because a big bodied skillful midfielder who can drift forward and kick goals is exactly the type we desperately need to compliment the existing group. Pretty excited about the midfield next year actually. Expect Ward to impose himself more and Mczkenzie to step up to the level we think he can get to. Adding in Wiz, Moore and maybe Croc running through for stints will bring some real x factor and surprise a few teams I think

 

[Slainte]

Greeves is a similar size and seems to have similar attributes to Matteus Phillipou who was selected at #10 in the 2022 draft. The big difference is that Phillipou had excellent sprint and time trial numbers. So far, Phillipou has not shown a lot over his 44 games (although injury may be a factor). I am hoping that Greeves becomes what many expected of Phillipou but has, so far, not materialised.

 

[essaynode]

Oddly, Greeves was projected to go top 20 in most phantom drafts.

It's not like Jeka at all, whose form did not stack up in his final u18 season.
Greeves truly dominated.

So when I run the eye test, I see an exceptionally talented footballer.
Unlike, for example, when I watched Ben Hobbs and just saw a big plodder.

Greeves does look a touch heavy, especially when compared to his underage season, which IMO is his ideal body shape for senior football. His movement can look laboured at times, and at other times he seems just fine.
His 20m, 2km, and agility numbers all look fine.

His ball handling, kicking, marking, contested work, stoppages, disposal, competitiveness - all look elite.
He is def an elite footballer. A question of whether his endurance can reach the minimum.
He reminds me of Jonathan Brown when he played midfield - though Brown did reportedly have elite endurance for a KPP.

Lots of talk here about Greeves. Some insight from Ash Browne's industry sources here: https://hawksinsiders.substack.com/p/draft-recap-five-new-hawks-in-the

My read on the AFL system is you need to have some sort of strength or quality that is outstanding that will contribute to the team as a whole. My hope is that all the recruits become 200+ game A-graders, but the reality is that the majority don't - they end up being on the list for a few years, but don't develop their strengths or overcome their weaknesses to be a class above VFL-standard. Some have the strengths but are let down by their body.

Only time will tell whether Greeves makes it in the AFL environment.

 

[Todman]

Isn't that why some clubs weren't keen on Buddy..?

They thought Buddy was a bit fragile.

 

[CD Xbow]

Lots of talk here about Greeves. Some insight from Ash Browne's industry sources here: https://hawksinsiders.substack.com/p/draft-recap-five-new-hawks-in-the

My read on the AFL system is you need to have some sort of strength or quality that is outstanding that will contribute to the team as a whole. My hope is that all the recruits become 200+ game A-graders, but the reality is that the majority don't - they end up being on the list for a few years, but don't develop their strengths or overcome their weaknesses to be a class above VFL-standard. Some have the strengths but are let down by their body.

Only time will tell whether Greeves makes it in the AFL environment.

Thanks for posting, very enjoyable.
I'm bullish on all this years draftees, they all seem to have something.

 

[hawkinoz]

Lots of talk here about Greeves. Some insight from Ash Browne's industry sources here: https://hawksinsiders.substack.com/p/draft-recap-five-new-hawks-in-the

My read on the AFL system is you need to have some sort of strength or quality that is outstanding that will contribute to the team as a whole. My hope is that all the recruits become 200+ game A-graders, but the reality is that the majority don't - they end up being on the list for a few years, but don't develop their strengths or overcome their weaknesses to be a class above VFL-standard. Some have the strengths but are let down by their body.

Only time will tell whether Greeves makes it in the AFL environment.

Thanks for that. Jus as with this thread at double the pages as other draftees, OG took most of the talk..

For those interested from 19 to 28min mark covers the Rookie Draftees

 

[MrPremiership]

My interest in Greeves is because of the slide

Can't think of too many recent examples where a top 15 prospect falls to the rookie draft (where there isn't some significant off-field issue). Curious as to why he was initially seen as a great prospect, only for 18 clubs to then decide he wasn't in unison.

 

[The Chad and I]

Lots of talk here about Greeves. Some insight from Ash Browne's industry sources here: https://hawksinsiders.substack.com/p/draft-recap-five-new-hawks-in-the

My read on the AFL system is you need to have some sort of strength or quality that is outstanding that will contribute to the team as a whole. My hope is that all the recruits become 200+ game A-graders, but the reality is that the majority don't - they end up being on the list for a few years, but don't develop their strengths or overcome their weaknesses to be a class above VFL-standard. Some have the strengths but are let down by their body.

Only time will tell whether Greeves makes it in the AFL environment.

Thank you.

I'm aware of his weaknesses, but I am hopeful he can mitigate those.
His versatility also gives him a bigger chance.

 

[The Chad and I]

Thanks for that. Jus as with this thread at double the pages as other draftees, OG took most of the talk..

For those interested from 19 to 28min mark covers the Rookie Draftees

I think they cover Greeves very well in this pod.

 

[OnWardnUpWard]

They thought Buddy was a bit fragile.

Adds to his myth. A shy, fragile kid, who then had a shadow of trouble over him… goes on to become a GOAT. Humble all throughout.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Have no idea if he will make it or not. Really hope he does because a big bodied skillful midfielder who can drift forward and kick goals is exactly the type we desperately need to compliment the existing group. Pretty excited about the midfield next year actually. Expect Ward to impose himself more and Mczkenzie to step up to the level we think he can get to. Adding in Wiz, Moore and maybe Croc running through for stints will bring some real x factor and surprise a few teams I think

Remember when roughy was unstoppable in the middle and staying forward, I’m not saying his him but same size and future weights, it’s a good comparison for the future, he may be more midfield focused but a big bodied half forward with great skills who can roll through the middle is a pretty important roll and one we haven’t really had in a while

 

[Dewnior]

My interest in Greeves is because of the slide

Can't think of too many recent examples where a top 15 prospect falls to the rookie draft (where there isn't some significant off-field issue). Curious as to why he was initially seen as a great prospect, only for 18 clubs to then decide he wasn't in unison.

So has this been ruled out as a reason for the slide?

 

[earthworms]

My interest in Greeves is because of the slide

Can't think of too many recent examples where a top 15 prospect falls to the rookie draft (where there isn't some significant off-field issue). Curious as to why he was initially seen as a great prospect, only for 18 clubs to then decide he wasn't in unison.

we’ve been told it’s because he’s slow and maybe bad at defence but he was touted as a top 10 pick a few months before the draft, surely clubs would have known about his speed and defensive issues in those past months when he was projected top 10 but wanted him anyways, it doesn’t make sense that clubs scouting departments only suddenly discovered his lack of stamina/defence in the recent months/weeks leading up to the draft. what changed their minds and caused all 18 clubs to pass on him?

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Remember when roughy was unstoppable in the middle and staying forward, I’m not saying his him but same size and future weights, it’s a good comparison for the future, he may be more midfield focused but a big bodied half forward with great skills who can roll through the middle is a pretty important roll and one we haven’t really had in a while

Roughy was an absolute menace when he played in the middle. He loved to hurt players and he had amazing one touch skills for a guy his size.

It was such a great ace up the sleeve for Clarko to throw Roughy on the ball for a 5 - 10 minute period.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Roughy was an absolute menace when he played in the middle. He loved to hurt players and he had amazing one touch skills for a guy his size.

It was such a great ace up the sleeve for Clarko to throw Roughy on the ball for a 5 - 10 minute period.

**** he was good, before the Achilles was an utter beast

 

[Simon Crawshay]

**** he was good, before the Achilles was an utter beast

Sometimes I think because of the way his career ended we tend to forget just how good he was in his peak.

He honestly wasn't that far off Buddy in his absolute prime for game impact.

Like you say he was a 193, 100kg key forward who could kick 75 goals in a season who could also go into the middle and dominate with his all round football ability.

Those types of players don't grow on trees!

 

[MrPremiership]

So has this been ruled out as a reason for the slide?

Not aware of it being ruled out, but nothing has come out of it either.

Just don't think our club would have still taken him if there was

 

[JaegarTime]

Personally have pretty high hopes for OG. Like most of us, I hope he proves a lot of clubs silly.

 

[The Chad and I]

Remember when roughy was unstoppable in the middle and staying forward, I’m not saying his him but same size and future weights, it’s a good comparison for the future, he may be more midfield focused but a big bodied half forward with great skills who can roll through the middle is a pretty important roll and one we haven’t really had in a while

I agree.
He's gonna start as a forward-mid.
Zero concerns about his tank in this role.

 

[matey]

The kid can move when he puts the pedal down!

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

I will temper my expectations of Greeves, knowing it's more unlikely than likely that he makes it.

 

[TylerDurden]

I'm hearing his kicking is a feature.

 

[kazzooka]

we’ve been told it’s because he’s slow and maybe bad at defence but he was touted as a top 10 pick a few months before the draft, surely clubs would have known about his speed and defensive issues in those past months when he was projected top 10 but wanted him anyways, it doesn’t make sense that clubs scouting departments only suddenly discovered his lack of stamina/defence in the recent months/weeks leading up to the draft. what changed their minds and caused all 18 clubs to pass on him?

He was being touted as a top 10 by the media because he was one of the top 10 performing players in the Talent League and National Championships. I mean he averaged 25d and a goal in both comps.

But that doesn't reflect how clubs rank them looking at their potential to step up to AFL level.

As far as I know Greeves didn't play VFL like Dovaston and other prospects either so there may be doubts on if he can stand out when he doesn't have that size advantage like he does against U18s. But I think he's going to have a height and strength advantage at AFL level too eventually.

 

[Hawk fanatic]

OG is an intriguing Rookie Pick affer much early speculation on him being a potential top 10 pick. Mitch and MM have seen plenty of Ollie and Im trusting their judgement on him.

 

[TazHawk15]

I am treating him like a gun until I see consistent evidence to the contrary.