Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves

[Yuley95]

expressed as a percentage, how fast is Ollie Greeves?

I’m not sure the percentage but I heard he ran the 100 metres in 7 Hartungs.

 

[unitedhawk2]

I'm happy to back in Newmo's pre-Xmas training report that suggested Ollie looked like he could be a draft steal.

If that were to come true, it would, with apologies to Bruce (and Cyril), be delicious.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

22 pages for Ollie. 6-8 for the other 4 recruits.

Amazing.

Let’s face it we all go a little nuts in the off season

 

[ReturningHawk]

We could say the same thing about people who don’t want to read rational thoughts about a kid rather than over the top gushing.

Three observations:

1. Gushing in all the other draftees threads is met with a big thumbs up from everyone. Compare Matt Le Ray to Michael Tuck and nobody has an issue.

2. I’ve read a lot more people making negative speculation in this thread, or insisting that he’s coming from a long way back, than I’ve read comments which are overly optimistic about his potential.

3. People have eyes. Ollie has looked sensational in skills and match sim since he got to the club. It’s been pointed out by fans, media and his teammates that he might be a really good player in the making. This is the right thread for that discussion, and the constant “let’s all just remember that nobody else wanted him” interruptions make for an argumentative and tedious read.

 

[kazzooka]

Three observations:

1. Gushing in all the other draftees threads is met with a big thumbs up from everyone. Compare Matt Le Ray to Michael Tuck and nobody has an issue.

2. I’ve read a lot more people making negative speculation in this thread, or insisting that he’s coming from a long way back, than I’ve read comments which are overly optimistic about his potential.

3. People have eyes. Ollie has looked sensational in skills and match sim since he got to the club. It’s been pointed out by fans, media and his teammates that he might be a really good player in the making. This is the right thread for that discussion, and the constant “let’s all just remember that nobody else wanted him” interruptions make for an argumentative and tedious read.

Had he been taken top 20 like some thought (he was certainly in the top 20 performers at u18 level. But we know that doesn't always make an AFL player). We would be talking him up with some worrying we blew a top pick on a guy with some work to do. If he was a pick 35 we'd be saying not much. Because he slid to rookie draft we get both over rating him just because of phantom drafts and junior form and under rating him based on draft position and few improvement areas.

 

[unitedhawk2]

Three observations:

1. Gushing in all the other draftees threads is met with a big thumbs up from everyone. Compare Matt Le Ray to Michael Tuck and nobody has an issue.

2. I’ve read a lot more people making negative speculation in this thread, or insisting that he’s coming from a long way back, than I’ve read comments which are overly optimistic about his potential.

3. People have eyes. Ollie has looked sensational in skills and match sim since he got to the club. It’s been pointed out by fans, media and his teammates that he might be a really good player in the making. This is the right thread for that discussion, and the constant “let’s all just remember that nobody else wanted him” interruptions make for an argumentative and tedious read.

Brilliant post!

The negativity towards Ollie is baffling.

There are plenty of great players who've been passed over by all other teams before being picked by the team that drafted them. Off the top of my head, Hird (70+), Grant (100+) and Breust (rookie, like Ollie) come to mind but I'm sure there were plenty more...

 

[TeamPlayer23]

Brilliant post!

The negativity towards Ollie is baffling.

There are plenty of great players who've been passed over by all other teams before being picked by the team that drafted them. Off the top of my head, Hird (70+), Grant (100+) and Breust (rookie, like Ollie) come to mind but I'm sure there were plenty more...

Key Examples of Late-Bloomers & Rookie Successes:

• Tom Stewart: A Geelong champion, drafted as a mature-age player, becoming one of the league's best defenders.
• Robbie Gray:
• A Port Adelaide icon, taken at pick 55 in 2006, became a multiple All-Australian and Brownlow medalist contender.
• Matt Priddis: An Eagles legend and Brownlow winner, he was a rookie pick (No. 31) after being undrafted multiple times.
• Adam Saad: Undrafted for two seasons before excelling in the VFL, leading to him being picked in the Rookie Draft and becoming a star.
• Luke Ryan: Overlooked in the draft, he won the Fothergill-Round Medal (VFL's best young player) before being nabbed by Fremantle as a late pick.
• Sam Collins: Drafted mature-age, delisted, then became a cult hero and best-and-fairest winner for the Gold Coast Suns.

 

[arupist]

Brilliant post!

The negativity towards Ollie is baffling.

There are plenty of great players who've been passed over by all other teams before being picked by the team that drafted them. Off the top of my head, Hird (70+), Grant (100+) and Breust (rookie, like Ollie) come to mind but I'm sure there were plenty more...

Heath Grundy played 250+ after being selected in 2005 rookie draft.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Three observations:

1. Gushing in all the other draftees threads is met with a big thumbs up from everyone. Compare Matt Le Ray to Michael Tuck and nobody has an issue.

2. I’ve read a lot more people making negative speculation in this thread, or insisting that he’s coming from a long way back, than I’ve read comments which are overly optimistic about his potential.

3. People have eyes. Ollie has looked sensational in skills and match sim since he got to the club. It’s been pointed out by fans, media and his teammates that he might be a really good player in the making. This is the right thread for that discussion, and the constant “let’s all just remember that nobody else wanted him” interruptions make for an argumentative and tedious read.

1. The other draftee threads are barely posted in. Whoever compared LeRay to Tuck is having a laugh.

2. I’ve read people rationalize the reason he fell to the rookie draft and was not taken by any club in the national draft. That’s not negativity, just reality that he’s obviously got some knocks on him.

3. I’ve been to most training sessions this preseason, and although he’s done some nice things, to say he’s been sensational is again, over the top.

Fact. He was overlooked by every club in the draft after being a top 10 lock in the draft only 12 months ago, so he’s quite clearly got things he has to work on, and quite clearly things other clubs didn’t think he could work on, or they’d have snapped him up well before the rookie draft.

If you want to ignore that and just read people calling his summer “sensational” because he nailed a handball or got a target at training or suggest that he could replicate one of the best key forwards we’ve had in the last 40 years, then I’m sorry, but that’s not how it’s going to roll for every one.

He has weapons the club will be looking to have him use and strengthen, but he also has plenty to work on as a junior.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

There are plenty of great players who've been passed over by all other teams before being picked by the team that drafted them. Off the top of my head, Hird (70+), Grant (100+) and Breust (rookie, like Ollie) come to mind but I'm sure there were plenty more...

Key Examples of Late-Bloomers & Rookie Successes:

• Tom Stewart: A Geelong champion, drafted as a mature-age player, becoming one of the league's best defenders.
• Robbie Gray:
• A Port Adelaide icon, taken at pick 55 in 2006, became a multiple All-Australian and Brownlow medalist contender.
• Matt Priddis: An Eagles legend and Brownlow winner, he was a rookie pick (No. 31) after being undrafted multiple times.
• Adam Saad: Undrafted for two seasons before excelling in the VFL, leading to him being picked in the Rookie Draft and becoming a star.
• Luke Ryan: Overlooked in the draft, he won the Fothergill-Round Medal (VFL's best young player) before being nabbed by Fremantle as a late pick.
• Sam Collins: Drafted mature-age, delisted, then became a cult hero and best-and-fairest winner for the Gold Coast Suns.

As has been pointed out in here before this a completely false equivalence to Ollie being rookie listed.

None of those players mention in your post or the one above were highly slated bottom age players that then dominated U18 level, touted as a top 10 pick and was then overlooked by every single club in the National Draft.

If Luke Breust or James Hird were considered one of the best kids heading into their draft year only to then have an outstanding year but not be picked up by anyone in the ND they’d be similar stories. But they’re not.

The closest player I can think of that was so highly rated going into their draft year, still rated highly pre-draft and then slid massively was Austin Lucy.

We all want Ollie to make it, we all want him to be a fairy tale pick up, but comparing him slipping to the rookie draft to others who were actually never considered to be top 10 picks in their draft year is a reach.

 

[marklar]

Both Hird and Breust came from unexplored or relatively untapped lands at the time, Suckling too. It's really not a fair comparison to drafting someone outside of the private school clique these days, there is so much more information available to the scouts and list managers now.

Maybe Ollie interviewed badly, maybe he did a number on everyone and let them know he was all-in on us, or would seek a trade ASAP? Who knows?

It's all noise now, he's on our list, let's see what happens next.

 

[ReturningHawk]

1. The other draftee threads are barely posted in. Whoever compared LeRay to Tuck is having a laugh.

2. I’ve read people rationalize the reason he fell to the rookie draft and was not taken by any club in the national draft. That’s not negativity, just reality that he’s obviously got some knocks on him.

3. I’ve been to most training sessions this preseason, and although he’s done some nice things, to say he’s been sensational is again, over the top.

Here’s an extract from the recent interview with Massimo d’Ambrosio and Timmy Newman:

Tim: “Who's caught your eye in particular this preseason? You've spoken about a few players, but are there a couple in mind that you think just have really caught your eye and have shone brightly?

Massimo: Yeah, I touched on a few of the boys there. I have actually really enjoyed watching Oliver Greeves' composure in contests. I think coming from a basketball background, he's obviously got that composure ready, but to be able to come into an environment like this, and you can get a bit nervous and shy, but I think he's been the opposite.

He's really embraced the club and has been really composed under pressure. So credit to him. I think he's done the work, and he's willing to get the best out of himself every day.”

Sounds like more than a few nice handballs.Think you need to give a little here. He’s been good, and I’ve heard it from quite a few different folks, some of them keener track watchers than yourself.

And no, the Leray/Tuck comment wasn’t a joke. It’s just a simple double standard, and I’ll explain why it exists, and why this thread has so much traffic: People are obsessed with his draft position, and more invested in watching him fail than succeed. Exhibit A:

I would love the kid to do well and become a great player, but the fall from grace, so to speak, is what intrigues me the most.

 

[unitedhawk2]

If a highly-rated junior fell down the draft order for some reason but then, during pre-season training, started showing why he had been so highly rated, I'd be delighted as a supporter of the club that drafted the kid, thinking we might've got ourselves a bargain - and I most certainly am delighted.

The reasons for Ollie's draft slide are no longer relevant.

What he's doing on the training track is what actually matters.

Edit: As a 49ers fan, I'm already starting to see some parallels with Niners QB Brock Purdy, who was the last player picked in his draft year but is now our established, Franchise QB. He's having a splendid career but a lot of NFL fans still can't get around the fact that he was 'Mr Irrelevant' and therefore refuse to give him the credit he deserves.

 

[ahhhhhh]

If a highly-rated junior fell down the draft order for some reason but then, during pre-season training, started showing why he had been so highly rated, I'd be delighted as a supporter of the club that drafted the kid, thinking we might've got ourselves a bargain - and I most certainly am delighted.

The reasons for Ollie's draft slide are no longer relevant.

What he's doing on the training track is what actually matters.

Edit: As a 49ers fan, I'm already starting to see some parallels with Niners QB Brock Purdy, who was the last player picked in his draft year but is now our established, Franchise QB. He's having a splendid career but a lot of NFL fans still can't get around the fact that he was 'Mr Irrelevant' and therefore refuse to give him the credit he deserves.

I've been drawing parallels between Jai and Purdy for years. Always stands up in big moments when it matters, but is constantly underrated by the media and neutrals because of his draft position. On a side note, hopefully Ricky and Fred are back this week.

 

[eldorado]

Future captain

 

[ppphawk]

Future captain

Just trying to wind up Strapping Young Lad ?

 

[eldorado]

Just trying to wind up Strapping Young Lad ?

Possibly

 

[grumbleguts]

If he was a pick 35 we'd be saying not much.

But in two years we'd be saying, "Can you believe he only cost pick 35? Bargain!"

 

[Manila_Hawk]

Australians have a strong cultural affinity for supporting the underdog, often called the "battler," cheering for those overcoming adversity against overwhelming odds, seen in sports where they rally behind underdogs like their national teams against powerhouses, reflecting a national identity valuing grit, fairness, and resilience over pure dominance.

 

[CHUBBSS]

Chol doesn't like this post.

Chol proved he can be the best ruck forward in the game in the final series, don’t think that’s Ollie’s competition

 

[DearJai]

I've been drawing parallels between Jai and Purdy for years. Always stands up in big moments when it matters, but is constantly underrated by the media and neutrals because of his draft position. On a side note, hopefully Ricky and Fred are back this week.

Both of them just grew into their role like they'd belonged in the top end of the draft to begin with.

Personally, I never consider where Purdy was drafted. He's just a very good player.

 

[ahhhhhh]

Both of them just grew into their role like they'd belonged in the top end of the draft to begin with.

Personally, I never consider where Purdy was drafted. He's just a very good player.

People can't get over the fact he's not 6'4 and super athletic. A bit like the way a lot of people look at Jai.

To bring it back to Ollie, it appears some people are making the same assumptions here.

If Brock Purdy can go 272 in the NFL Draft I reckon there's a fair chance AFL recruiters may get some wrong despite what some in here are saying.

 

[DearJai]

Future captain

People are going to come back to this thread, and highlight this post for decades.

Before he'd even finished a preseason, before his draft thread had even reached a measly 50 pages, it was called and ordained!

On another note... as my dad who hated fun of all kinds would point out,,. in between delivering backhanders that could sometimes break cartridge... 'I bet people in this thread think they're having a good time!'.

 

[tl92]

As has been pointed out in here before this a completely false equivalence to Ollie being rookie listed.

None of those players mention in your post or the one above were highly slated bottom age players that then dominated U18 level, touted as a top 10 pick and was then overlooked by every single club in the National Draft.

If Luke Breust or James Hird were considered one of the best kids heading into their draft year only to then have an outstanding year but not be picked up by anyone in the ND they’d be similar stories. But they’re not.

The closest player I can think of that was so highly rated going into their draft year, still rated highly pre-draft and then slid massively was Austin Lucy.

We all want Ollie to make it, we all want him to be a fairy tale pick up, but comparing him slipping to the rookie draft to others who were actually never considered to be top 10 picks in there draft year is a reach.

Tom Rockliff is the best comparison. Was a gun junior for VIC country and won the goal kicking for the bushrangers at TAC Cup. Expected to go first or second round and then went undrafted on the back of concerns around pace and endurance. Had a good career too with 2 bnfs.

 

[Lickmesocks]

People can't get over the fact he's not 6'4 and super athletic. A bit like the way a lot of people look at Jai.

To bring it back to Ollie, it appears some people are making the same assumptions here.

If Brock Purdy can go 272 in the NFL Draft I reckon there's a fair chance AFL recruieters may get some wrong despite what some in here are saying.

We all get caught up in “leg speed and super athletic profile”

If the kid can find it and then use it by foot, we will be fine with that.