Welcome Welcome to Hawthorn: Ollie Greeves

[Fleabane]

How is it so hard to believe that a young kid is putting in extra work at home? No one said he is sprinting up and down, he could very well be setting a slow pace (which from what I understand is great for cardio?). He slid from top ten to rookie draft and maybe it has woken him up?

He is putting in the work and seems determined so far which I think is fantastic. He could be away from the club and playing up like some talented kids have in the past, but he isn’t (to my knowledge).

There's no knowing how he would have approached things if he'd been a top draft pick but it seems highly likely that the slide (with accompanying doubters and possibly more precarious position on the list) has given him fierce motivation. I'm pretty impressed with how he's approached this pre-season. Full credit to him.

 

[Ka Norkers]

don't know if there are many doubters here, but there are many like me who are totally intrigued by this situation. How can all 18 so-called professional list managers rate this bloke so poorly he doesn't even get a spot in the national draft, yet seems to be so full of potential? I actually find it quite bizarre.
it happens though, nobody is perfect. But all 18 blokes get this wrong? seems weird.

we've had a few blues, the latest being Max Hall sitting under our nose at BHH. But that is an individual case, not all 18 teams.

 

[TheFourPillars]

don't know if there are many doubters here, but there are many like me who are totally intrigued by this situation. How can all 18 so-called professional list managers rate this bloke so poorly he doesn't even get a spot in the national draft, yet seems to be so full of potential? I actually find it quite bizarre.
it happens though, nobody is perfect. But all 18 blokes get this wrong? seems weird.

we've had a few blues, the latest being Max Hall sitting under our nose at BHH. But that is an individual case, not all 18 teams.

Max Hall wasn't a blue we were keen on him but St Kilda had the pick before us

 

[Xtreme]

don't know if there are many doubters here, but there are many like me who are totally intrigued by this situation. How can all 18 so-called professional list managers rate this bloke so poorly he doesn't even get a spot in the national draft, seems to be so full of potential? I actually find it quite bizarre.

He probably let off a massive fart while in an elevator with them all.

Its the oy logical explanation

 

[Ka Norkers]

Max Hall wasn't a blue we were keen on him but St Kilda had the pick before us

I may be wrong, but didn't we have the opportunity to get him in the previous mid-season draft??

 

[TheFourPillars]

I may be wrong, but didn't we have the opportunity to get him in the previous mid-season draft??

Maxxy didn't apply for the 2023 drafts. Worked hard on his game after being dropped for the prelim by box hill in 2023 nominated in 2024 and St Kilda picked him up. He was training with us during pre season

 

[NigelTufnel]

don't know if there are many doubters here, but there are many like me who are totally intrigued by this situation. How can all 18 so-called professional list managers rate this bloke so poorly he doesn't even get a spot in the national draft, yet seems to be so full of potential? I actually find it quite bizarre.
it happens though, nobody is perfect. But all 18 blokes get this wrong? seems weird.

we've had a few blues, the latest being Max Hall sitting under our nose at BHH. But that is an individual case, not all 18 teams.

I don't think there's any hidden agendas or that 18 list managers were asleep at the wheel, his lack of endurance and defensive pressure are big hurdles he has to get over if he wants to be an AFL mid, hence some of the comments from David Hale and this extra work on running that he's apparently doing.

If he becomes a player (it wouldn't be the first time and I'm encouraged by the work he's doing) then I'm doing backflips, if he doesn't then we lose nothing.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

don't know if there are many doubters here, but there are many like me who are totally intrigued by this situation. How can all 18 so-called professional list managers rate this bloke so poorly he doesn't even get a spot in the national draft, yet seems to be so full of potential? I actually find it quite bizarre.
it happens though, nobody is perfect. But all 18 blokes get this wrong? seems weird.

we've had a few blues, the latest being Max Hall sitting under our nose at BHH. But that is an individual case, not all 18 teams.

Next time we have a NGA candidate turned down we just tell them to chuck a sickie for the draft combine. Solid strategy.

 

[hawkinoz]

don't know if there are many doubters here, but there are many like me who are totally intrigued by this situation. How can all 18 so-called professional list managers rate this bloke so poorly he doesn't even get a spot in the national draft, yet seems to be so full of potential? I actually find it quite bizarre.
it happens though, nobody is perfect. But all 18 blokes get this wrong? seems weird.

we've had a few blues, the latest being Max Hall sitting under our nose at BHH. But that is an individual case, not all 18 teams.

I have had a theory which borders on conspiracy theory. I think AFL had a hand in it given they earlier rejected the NGA request and then approved the NGA request for Cochrane on a similar request.

Given we all agree the AFL house puts its thumb on rules to tilt as they wish, I think they did do that here to ensure OG gets to us so that we don't kick up a stink over the next decade if Cochrane sets the comp alight( & OG did the same at another club). Other clubs are likely to join pile on if we kick up stink. A bit of forward planning by some genius at AFL House or a quid pro quo to HFC for agreeing to some AFL demands in the earlier clarko saga( the earlier NGA rejection may also be because we were holding out on some AFL demands & this was a correction).

That is the only thing that makes logical sense for the sequence of events.

Hawks' bid to add talented midfield prospect to NGA rejected

The AFL has made a call on Hawthorn's attempt to list draft talent Ollie Greeves as an NGA player

www.afl.com.au

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

 

[Roger Rogerson]

I have had a theory which borders on conspiracy theory. I think AFL had a hand in it given they earlier rejected the NGA request and then approved the NGA request for Cochrane on a similar request.

Given we all agree the AFL house puts its thumb on rules to tilt as they wish, I think they did do that here to ensure OG gets to us so that we don't kick up a stink over the next decade if Cochrane sets the comp alight( & OG did the same at another club). Other clubs are likely to join pile on if we kick up stink. A bit of forward planning by some genius at AFL House or a quid pro quo to HFC for agreeing to some AFL demands in the earlier clarko saga( the earlier NGA rejection may also be because we were holding out on some AFL demands & this was a correction).

That is the only thing that makes logical sense for the sequence of events.

Hawks' bid to add talented midfield prospect to NGA rejected

The AFL has made a call on Hawthorn's attempt to list draft talent Ollie Greeves as an NGA player

www.afl.com.au

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

That’s a very interesting take.

 

[SSSSSS]

I have had a theory which borders on conspiracy theory. I think AFL had a hand in it given they earlier rejected the NGA request and then approved the NGA request for Cochrane on a similar request.

Given we all agree the AFL house puts its thumb on rules to tilt as they wish, I think they did do that here to ensure OG gets to us so that we don't kick up a stink over the next decade if Cochrane sets the comp alight( & OG did the same at another club). Other clubs are likely to join pile on if we kick up stink. A bit of forward planning by some genius at AFL House or a quid pro quo to HFC for agreeing to some AFL demands in the earlier clarko saga( the earlier NGA rejection may also be because we were holding out on some AFL demands & this was a correction).

That is the only thing that makes logical sense for the sequence of events.

Hawks' bid to add talented midfield prospect to NGA rejected

The AFL has made a call on Hawthorn's attempt to list draft talent Ollie Greeves as an NGA player

www.afl.com.au

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

I think it's just simpler to assume that Ollie had some clear deficiencies and his type of player (big slow mid) is currently out of vogue in modern list management.

Plenty of talented players slip to the rookie draft for one reason or another.

 

[ViperV10]

Hearing Ollie eats 20 weatbix for breakfast every morning

I hear he's hanging weights off his fingers to make his hands larger

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I hear he's hanging weights off his fingers to make his hands larger

Mark Pittonet would like this post but he can’t quite grasp an iPhone.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

I think it's just simpler to assume that Ollie had some clear deficiencies and his type of player (big slow mid) is currently out of vogue in modern list management.

Plenty of talented players slip to the rookie draft for one reason or another.

You’re probably right, but it’s still somewhat odd that he slid harder than the bloke who committed lude acts on his pet and the bloke who bullied a disabled kid to the point of a suicide attempt.

 

[play2win]

Ginnivan also ‘slipped’ to the rookie draft, it’s not that uncommon.

 

[Noel Gallagher]

Ginnivan also ‘slipped’ to the rookie draft, it’s not that uncommon.

Where was he rated in his draft year? I remember watching a practise match against Collingwood down Gippsland way

Ginnevan was playing in maybe his first or second game after being drafted and tore us to shreds. Remember thinking how the hell did this kid slip to the rookie draft. Dead set looked like a kid who should have gone top 10

 

[Leather Poisoning]

I think it's a good sign for Ollie that he and Schubert were the only draftees that played in the practice game.

Very interested to see if he gets a go against the doggies (but don't think he will)

 

[streetspirit]

Where was he rated in his draft year? I remember watching a practise match against Collingwood down Gippsland way

Ginnevan was playing in maybe his first or second game after being drafted and tore us to shreds. Remember thinking how the hell did this kid slip to the rookie draft. Dead set looked like a kid who should have gone top 10

25-50 here

Jack Ginnivan Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

 

[Dewnior]

I have had a theory which borders on conspiracy theory. I think AFL had a hand in it given they earlier rejected the NGA request and then approved the NGA request for Cochrane on a similar request.

Given we all agree the AFL house puts its thumb on rules to tilt as they wish, I think they did do that here to ensure OG gets to us so that we don't kick up a stink over the next decade if Cochrane sets the comp alight( & OG did the same at another club). Other clubs are likely to join pile on if we kick up stink. A bit of forward planning by some genius at AFL House or a quid pro quo to HFC for agreeing to some AFL demands in the earlier clarko saga( the earlier NGA rejection may also be because we were holding out on some AFL demands & this was a correction).

That is the only thing that makes logical sense for the sequence of events.

Hawks' bid to add talented midfield prospect to NGA rejected

The AFL has made a call on Hawthorn's attempt to list draft talent Ollie Greeves as an NGA player

www.afl.com.au

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

There are a range of things that could have happened surreptitiously or other. It's best we don't go there and just enjoy the fact he's on our list.

 

[rei154]

I have had a theory which borders on conspiracy theory. I think AFL had a hand in it given they earlier rejected the NGA request and then approved the NGA request for Cochrane on a similar request.

Given we all agree the AFL house puts its thumb on rules to tilt as they wish, I think they did do that here to ensure OG gets to us so that we don't kick up a stink over the next decade if Cochrane sets the comp alight( & OG did the same at another club). Other clubs are likely to join pile on if we kick up stink. A bit of forward planning by some genius at AFL House or a quid pro quo to HFC for agreeing to some AFL demands in the earlier clarko saga( the earlier NGA rejection may also be because we were holding out on some AFL demands & this was a correction).

That is the only thing that makes logical sense for the sequence of events.

Hawks' bid to add talented midfield prospect to NGA rejected

The AFL has made a call on Hawthorn's attempt to list draft talent Ollie Greeves as an NGA player

www.afl.com.au

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

Definite conspiracy theory, but I'm all for it

 

[matey]

Maybe this was the plan from the start coming into the draft …….. eat all the KFC and Macca’s you want, don’t train much to burn off the calories but when you arrive you gotta work hard to get the skin folds down quickly over summer. Screw you the AFL we can also play games within the rules

 

[TeamPlayer23]

Maybe this was the plan from the start coming into the draft …….. eat all the KFC and Macca’s you want, don’t train much to burn off the calories but when you arrive you gotta work hard to get the skin folds down quickly over summer. Screw you the AFL we can also play games within the rules

Yes, within the rules of course.
And let's not forget the mistirious illness that prevented him from testing at the National Combine.


Never underestimate the mind of our coach and our recruiting team, this draft crop this year will prove to be one of our best, since 2004 IMO.

Olie Greeves and 3 of our other recruits made the Australian under 18 team in July: https://central.rookieme.com/afl/2025/07/28/profiled-2025-afl-under-18-all-australian-team/

I believe Ollie will be spoken off by the media as one of the biggest steals in the 2025 AFL draft for years to come, and one day when all the dust is settled the real truth to why he slid to our rookie list at pick 12 will come out, until then I will be enjoying watching him becoming a regular member of our seniors best for years to come.

Go Hawks

 

[Dewnior]

I believe Ollie will be spoken off by the media as one of the biggest steals in the 2025 AFL draft for years to come, and one day when all the dust is settled the real truth to why he slid to our rookie list at pick 12 will come out

I just hope the truth doesn't affect the 5 flags we pick up in the meantime.

 

[unitedhawk2]

I have had a theory which borders on conspiracy theory. I think AFL had a hand in it given they earlier rejected the NGA request and then approved the NGA request for Cochrane on a similar request.

Given we all agree the AFL house puts its thumb on rules to tilt as they wish, I think they did do that here to ensure OG gets to us so that we don't kick up a stink over the next decade if Cochrane sets the comp alight( & OG did the same at another club). Other clubs are likely to join pile on if we kick up stink. A bit of forward planning by some genius at AFL House or a quid pro quo to HFC for agreeing to some AFL demands in the earlier clarko saga( the earlier NGA rejection may also be because we were holding out on some AFL demands & this was a correction).

That is the only thing that makes logical sense for the sequence of events.

Hawks' bid to add talented midfield prospect to NGA rejected

The AFL has made a call on Hawthorn's attempt to list draft talent Ollie Greeves as an NGA player

www.afl.com.au

Port Adelaide Statement – NGA Application

Port Adelaide acknowledges the AFL's decision to approve Dougie Cochrane as a member of the club's Next Generation Academy.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

A theory wherein the AFL itself indulges in draft tampering... I like it.

 

[The Gulden Child]