WaynesWorld19
Finding Rhythm
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West Adelaide
Given we will probably have our first pick this year somewhere in the top 5, would you be inclined to go more for a midfielder, which we desperately need, or a KPP.
The early indications are that this year is one for good talls.
And getting good talls into our club has been a very very difficult hit and miss affair.
So with us having probably our best pick ever, what would you do - midfielder or tall?
Teenage star could solve Eagles' woes
By MICHAEL PLACE
27jun04
HE stands 195cm tall, has the aerobic capacity of a midfielder and is equally adept in attack as he is defence.
And he could be the answer to West Coast Eagles fans' prayers.
Lance "Buddy" Franklin may only be 17, but already he is being labelled the standout key-position player in this year's AFL national draft.
The countdown to his date with destiny begins next week when he represents WA at the national under-18 championships in Melbourne.
Franklin warmed up for the championships with a dazzling display against an open-age state country team at Leederville Oval last week.
Having lined up at centre-half-forward, Franklin menaced his more-seasoned opponent with four goals in the first quarter before being shifted to centre-halfback.
He proceeded to dominate in defence before resting on the interchange bench in the final term. Such was his influence, his razor-sharp skills and powerful physique would not have looked out of place in the senior WA-Victoria game that followed.
The Eagles' search for a key forward has been well-documented and Franklin looms as one of the club's first-round targets at this year's draft – if he is still on the market.
The Eagles' ability to net a player of Franklin's ilk will hinge largely on where the club finishes on the ladder.
Given his nationwide demand, there is a chance Franklin will already be netted by the time the Eagles have their first selection.
When asked if the club would consider taking him with its first pick, Eagles recruiting manager Trevor Woodhouse replied: "Of course you would. He's one of the exceptional talents running around.
"That's not a hidden fact. Stevie Wonder could tell you that. He's got that ability to probably play in a lot of places, but ideally in a key position at some stage."
Finding a game-breaking centre-half-forward has always been football's version of unearthing a gold nugget.
Even during their premiership years of 1992 and 1994, the Eagles never boasted a dominant centre-half-forward.
Fremantle recruiting manager Phil Smart said Franklin was blessed with the ideal dimensions to play in the AFL.
"He could end up with a similar build to Anthony Koutoufides," Smart said. "Whether he ends up being as good as him, time will tell."
Smart said the Dockers would also seriously look at Franklin if he was still available in the first round.
"He can play as a key forward, key defender, on the ball, on the wing, on a flank. He is a very versatile player," Smart said.
Franklin has made only a handful of appearances for Perth's WAFL colts this season due to his commitments with Wesley College.
Earlier this year he shone in the Australian under-17 team which played Ireland in a three-match International Rules series.
Although he is a Melbourne supporter, Franklin admitted his preference was to play for the Eagles or Fremantle.
"I'd love to stay here but if I have to go to Melbourne, or somewhere else, I will," he said.
It should come as no surprise that Franklin has grown up idolising James Hird, a player who is also renowned for his versatility and silken ball handling.
Although he considers himself more of a forward, Franklin said he did not mind being switched into defence when needed.
"I suppose it's good if I can show I can play in more than one position," he said.
"I did that last week (against WA Country) and it didn't worry me at all."
Franklin is not the only WA player to impress AFL scouts.
The early indications are that this year is one for good talls.
And getting good talls into our club has been a very very difficult hit and miss affair.
So with us having probably our best pick ever, what would you do - midfielder or tall?
Teenage star could solve Eagles' woes
By MICHAEL PLACE
27jun04
HE stands 195cm tall, has the aerobic capacity of a midfielder and is equally adept in attack as he is defence.
And he could be the answer to West Coast Eagles fans' prayers.
Lance "Buddy" Franklin may only be 17, but already he is being labelled the standout key-position player in this year's AFL national draft.
The countdown to his date with destiny begins next week when he represents WA at the national under-18 championships in Melbourne.
Franklin warmed up for the championships with a dazzling display against an open-age state country team at Leederville Oval last week.
Having lined up at centre-half-forward, Franklin menaced his more-seasoned opponent with four goals in the first quarter before being shifted to centre-halfback.
He proceeded to dominate in defence before resting on the interchange bench in the final term. Such was his influence, his razor-sharp skills and powerful physique would not have looked out of place in the senior WA-Victoria game that followed.
The Eagles' search for a key forward has been well-documented and Franklin looms as one of the club's first-round targets at this year's draft – if he is still on the market.
The Eagles' ability to net a player of Franklin's ilk will hinge largely on where the club finishes on the ladder.
Given his nationwide demand, there is a chance Franklin will already be netted by the time the Eagles have their first selection.
When asked if the club would consider taking him with its first pick, Eagles recruiting manager Trevor Woodhouse replied: "Of course you would. He's one of the exceptional talents running around.
"That's not a hidden fact. Stevie Wonder could tell you that. He's got that ability to probably play in a lot of places, but ideally in a key position at some stage."
Finding a game-breaking centre-half-forward has always been football's version of unearthing a gold nugget.
Even during their premiership years of 1992 and 1994, the Eagles never boasted a dominant centre-half-forward.
Fremantle recruiting manager Phil Smart said Franklin was blessed with the ideal dimensions to play in the AFL.
"He could end up with a similar build to Anthony Koutoufides," Smart said. "Whether he ends up being as good as him, time will tell."
Smart said the Dockers would also seriously look at Franklin if he was still available in the first round.
"He can play as a key forward, key defender, on the ball, on the wing, on a flank. He is a very versatile player," Smart said.
Franklin has made only a handful of appearances for Perth's WAFL colts this season due to his commitments with Wesley College.
Earlier this year he shone in the Australian under-17 team which played Ireland in a three-match International Rules series.
Although he is a Melbourne supporter, Franklin admitted his preference was to play for the Eagles or Fremantle.
"I'd love to stay here but if I have to go to Melbourne, or somewhere else, I will," he said.
It should come as no surprise that Franklin has grown up idolising James Hird, a player who is also renowned for his versatility and silken ball handling.
Although he considers himself more of a forward, Franklin said he did not mind being switched into defence when needed.
"I suppose it's good if I can show I can play in more than one position," he said.
"I did that last week (against WA Country) and it didn't worry me at all."
Franklin is not the only WA player to impress AFL scouts.
. We definetly need to trade into the top 10 and use those 2 picks wisely.
