List Mgmt. Welcome to Hawthorn Will Golds - pick 30, 2018 rookie draft

[MrPremiership]

Would love to see the next time trial between Smith and Scully though

 

[OnTheRocks]

Was def one of the best against the Lions today, had a few in the crowd asking who he was and saying that he has some class.
Too right he does! He has a light frame but he knows how to get it and what to do with it. Watch this kid with interest!

 

[Hawk Dork]

Im callin it early future Norm Smith Medalist

 

[TheFourPillars]

Certainly caught the eye at training. Has a great turn of speed from a stand start. Fatigued by the end but hard not to see some great positives throughout the match

 

[COKEandCOLA]

So much to like about this kid, really impressed me today.

Needs to put on a little size, but that's nothing that a preseason or two won't fix.

Will surprise many supporters with his game sense and skills.

Plus, who couldn't love having a Hawthorn supporter on our list, with the surname Golds?

 

[burger09]

For a first up performance, he was exceptional.

The training reports were spot on. We have a live one here.

 

[tommyk72]

Great athleticism to build on. An excellent foundation and good nous. Good first hitout, even if pre-season.

However, when I see a frame like his I always get a little gun shy. After the Billy "could be like Chris Judd" Hartung fiasco, I'm optimistic but not going to get my hopes too high until I see him delivering a little more consistently.

 

[The Kipster]

However, when I see a frame like his I always get a little gun shy. After the Billy "could be like Chris Judd" Hartung fiasco, I'm optimistic but not going to get my hopes too high until I see him delivering a little more consistently.

I know of noon that stated Billy could be the next Judd, wow. Who said that? David King?

 

[tommyk72]

I know of noon that stated Billy could be the next Judd, wow. Who said that? David King?

A little hyperbole from me, but the word Judd-like was mentioned in a few training reports from a few years ago from our watchers. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hold it against them as they do an amazing job with all the reports, info and critical analysis. It’s just that that was a big lesson for me to temper my expectations

 

[Dr.J]

My dear departed Dad used to say that predictions made in Feb / March hold little value except as fodder for September ridicule.

It's March and they're still dancing with their sisters.

 

[Tomohawks]

This is what I thought that we were getting when we rookied him but didn't expect to see it for a year or two against big bodies with his slight frame. Just imagine when he's fully grown. You can't teach what he has in footy nous not to mention his running ability. He could be our Issy replacement on that first up performance.

 

[Rocket72]

Yep, it's March. It was a practice match. The reason I am surprised that there are not more people raving about this kid is that he was identified as a great aerobic athlete more than a footballer. Well, he has now shown that he has promise as a footballer. Regularly put himself in the right position, always ran on to offer another option, good disposal and thoroughly convinced me that he has promise. I never say anything negative about young players so I won't use names, but IMHO this kid just passed half a dozen or more others on our list....

 

[Collins-Langford-Ayres]

Certainly has hit the ground running.

Not sure why he dropped so late in the draft, was it because of his ACL injury?

 

[threesixpio]

Future captain

 

[Rocket72]

Certainly has hit the ground running.

Not sure why he dropped so late in the draft, was it because of his ACL injury?

His size might have been a concern?

 

[KermitJagger]

Certainly has hit the ground running.

Not sure why he dropped so late in the draft, was it because of his ACL injury?

I honestly can't figure it out. I've been looking at the reports of him through the his TAC Cup games after he recovered and he played well every game.

26 touches, good disposal plenty of inside 50s.
27 touches, good disposal plenty of inside 50s.
25 touches, good disposal plenty of inside 50s.

It was just that over and over again, plus comments about how he gets to the right places and runs well. It's exactly what you want from a footballer.

It's a lot easier to put some size on a bloke than it is to teach them to get to the right spots.

 

[4THAWN]

Haven't heard much about the kid. Any updates?

 

[Hawk Dork]

Im picking it early Gold to CHB

 

[RIOLINWITPUNCHS]

Haven't heard much about the kid. Any updates?

From the weekend:

 

[KermitJagger]

From the weekend:

View attachment 698947

Just reads like he's a genuinely smart footballer.

 

[Brant]

Just reads like he's a genuinely smart footballer.

We find these with relative frequency - I just hope this one is quick

 

[scaryness]

How was his first season in the end?

Saw him a handful of times at U18 and thought he had a fair bit to work with so I have been tentatively excited about him.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

How was his first season in the end?

Saw him a handful of times at U18 and thought he had a fair bit to work with so I have been tentatively excited about him.

He had a pretty good year.
He can find it and he can use it well, but he’s still slight of build and learning.

 

[Tomohawks]

How was his first season in the end?

Saw him a handful of times at U18 and thought he had a fair bit to work with so I have been tentatively excited about him.

I would rate his first season as very good considering he was always picked for a longer term look with his slight build and coming off a long term injury. His ability to take the opposition on and link up well with good speed and agility really stands out. If he can gain some size and strength he could be our Issie replacement in the waiting.

 

[SuperSic]

Ever since I watched his draft highlights I’ve been extremely bullish on this kid. I remember watching it and thinking “how the hell did he make it through to the rookie draft?”. I think in the fullness of time he will prove to be a steal, might be a few years away yet.