2006 crop

[mojo31]

Grant Weeks

Forward

189cms and 86kgs
Bendigo Pioneers (TAC)
17/8/1988

A tall flanker who played at full forward, centre half forward and the half forward flank early on in the year for Bendigo. They were a pathetic mess for the year and did not win a game but Weeks was one of there few shining lights.
He presents to the contest well and takes a very strong overhead mark. His conversion rate is not great and was inaccurate but still kicked 25 goals (30 behinds as well).
Week in week out he had a 2 defenders up against him anytime I saw him play.
He takes a very good mark when he was left with only 1 opponent and reminded me a bit of Ben McKinley who also played taller than his height.
Seems best suited to the flank or at CHF and covering a lot of ground as he seems to possess very good endurance. Not explosively quick but has good toe and decent agility and good below his knees for a high marking player.

Later on in the year he was rotated through the midfield for half his game time and looked very lively. Regularly got over 20 possessions and then went forward to kick goals. His game against Murray I was extremely impressed with and had really clean hands on the deck and an ability to run and carry the ball. Then pushed hard forward on his midfield opponent and took a couple of strong marks and goaled.

Not sure he will make it as a pure midfielder but more as a half forward flanker with an ability to link up as well as take a strong mark. Like in the Andrew Embley mold.
Is well built and has a strong body and not so much development left there. Good field kick but does not seem to be translated into a good kick for goal.

He is 189cms tall and if he is able to grow 2 or 3 cms and move up into a key positions size then he moves way up the rankings. With his good speed, endurance, clean hands overhead and on the deck and ability to run and carry the ball he would be a tantalising prospect at 192cms plus.

Played at the Championships for Vic Country and did not look out of his depth. Would think that in a decent TAC team with a better midfield and supply he would dominate.

Prediction: 15 to 25 (depending a great deal on how much he grows)

 

[irish_setanta]

Hi mojo, how does eddie betts compare to leroy jetta? And is there room for them both in our forward line?

 

[mojo31]

Hi mojo, how does eddie betts compare to leroy jetta? And is there room for them both in our forward line?

Similar types and its a good question.

Jetta is more of a midfielder and a link player who runs and carries thew ball. Eddie is more of a crumber who reads the ball of the hands of a pack and then uses anticipation and great footowork to evade a tackle.
Jetta is more likely to just flat out run away from players on the wing and take 4 bounces.

So Jetta would be very explosive over 10 to 20 meters where Eddie has a quick first 3 steps but is not lightning after that. Jetta has a better tank to play midfield and is taller at 176 already.

I would not hesisiate to take Jetta because of some similarites to Eddie if he shows good endurance at the draft camp. What would worry me is the height and then carrying Blackwell, Murphy, Eddie to go with our shortish Stevens, Scotland, Bentick and Carrazzo plus Jetta at 176cms on top.
I know that some of those misdielders are listed as not being short but trust me having stood next to them that Bentick is not 184 and Carrazzo 187 according to the websites. More like 182.

So if Jetta is 178 plus by November this year then I would be happier.

He is clean, classy and has electrifying pace. Not quick but explosive.
Quick is Kade Simpson. Explosive and electrifying is Judd/Deledio. We need at least quick from now on in with the majority of our draft picks. A couple of absolute grass burners are also a priority to not just be competitve but have players capable of changing the game/winning the game/breaking open the game.
Jetta is one such player in the Deledio/Judd range. Just the height issue.

Jetta is a very attacking player who has little defensive side to his game. Will hunt the ball and not worry about his opponent. Nothing worng with that for a 16/17 year old player.

Plus if we get him you can just imagine the crowd reacting when he gets the ball. JETAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

 

[audas]

How tall are the parent ? Any siblings ?

 

[Pafloyul]

Mojo, do you know anything about David Gourdis? All I know is he is a key-position player from WA and if the right-ups for the U/16s are anything to go by he was probably unlucky to miss out on an AIS scholarship. I am always interested if there are some players who may sneak under the radar of the recruiters and slip down the draft order.

 

[mojo31]

Mojo, do you know anything about David Gourdis? All I know is he is a key-position player from WA and if the right-ups for the U/16s are anything to go by he was probably unlucky to miss out on an AIS scholarship. I am always interested if there are some players who may sneak under the radar of the recruiters and slip down the draft order.

David Gourdis is a centre half forward from WA who plays with the Subiaco club. Just makes the age cut off for the next draft (14/3/89) and will be a bottom aged key position prospect. He is physically built and is a physical player who can take a very strong contested mark.
Not the most skillful kid but has a good work ethic and is hard at the ball and very good in the air.
Is 191cms and 88kgs for the U16s Champs and would very likely be bigger now. Wont have a problem being the right size for key position. Played well at the U16 Championships

Another key position prospect who just scrapes in this year is Ben Reid. Son of Bruce Reid who played with the Dogs and Carlton. He is born 29/4/89 and the cut off is April 30 1989. He is very thin and needs to bulk up and is a bit like Anthony Raso at this stage. Playing with Murray Bushrangers who are being coached by Peter Dean this year. He is 192cms and 75 kgs and is very athletic and has superb hands. Reads the play well and has played as a CHB and CHF.

Some of the others I mentioned on this thread ARE NOT eligible for this years draft. They are Thomas Bellchambers (9/7/89) and Ben McEvoy (11/7/89) who are developing ruckman. Both two young.

 

[Effes]

Mojo,

What are your thoughts on Harry Croft?

 

[Pafloyul]

Thanks, Mojo.

 

[mojo31]

Mojo,

What are your thoughts on Harry Croft?

Sorry Bluemike I missed this one.
Harry Croft is not eligible this year.
Born 24/10/1989 and the cut off is April 30 1989.

Oakleigh Chargers skinny utility who should grow into a key position size when finished. 190cms and 76kgs at the U16s Championships in 2005.
Has skill and I will have a good look at him soon and Sammy Sheldon at an Oakleigh Chargers pre season game when I have the chance.

 

[Effes]

The book; "AFL prospectus" also provides some good profiles about likely 2006 draftees, Mr Proud included

 

[mojo31]

The book; "AFL prospectus" also provides some good profiles about likely 2006 draftees, Mr Proud included

Got a list of 25 I was reading on the draft board. Have to have a read of the prospectus when I get a chance.

Here is a thread from Lingsface I just read on the draft board. He knows about the WA kids coming through. This is one Clayton Collard and Leroy Jetta playing senior football for South Freo in the pre season.

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225588

I will be putting up some more draft information tomorrow.

 

[Pafloyul]

One youngster whom I had thought was ineligible is Christopher Schmidt. He sounds Like a more than handy type too; any thoughts Mojo?

 

[mojo31]

Chris Schmidt

Wing/flanker

20/3/1989
186cms and 76 kgs
West Adelaide

Saw him (on tape) at the U16s Championship. He looked very classy. Maybe the 3rd best player on show for SA (on form) with Gibbs and Sellar in front of him.
Played on the wing at times and also roatated through the midfield and forward flanks. He has very good skills and takes a strong mark and shows good judgement above his head.
He has good pace and good footwork. Hard at the ball and got into a few scuffles with players niggling him. Maybe not as focused as he could have been. Did not look as comfortable in traffic and was better in a 1 on 1 contest and would prefer him on the wing and in space.
See him as a half forward flank/wing type with skills and a good leap and mark. Not really an in and under midfielder who can run all day.
More in the Andrew Embley mold than a Luke Ball type.

Got that tall lanky body with long arms and a bit gangly but the marks stick when he reaches at full extension. Recovers quickly and is good below his knees. Not a fumbler under pressure but not as clean in the clearances as he could be.

Good size, skills and pace. A question mark on his endurance possibly. Maybe a bit of a burst player rather than a consistent one at this early stage.

Prediction: 20 to 30.

 

[OZBomb]

Is Andrejs Everitt in the draft this year Mojo? Any info on him if so.

 

[mojo31]

Zac Millar

Half forward flank/midfielder

12/3/89
181cms and 80kgs
North Adelaide

Aboriginal player from South Australia. AIS member who has skill and talent. Is deadly around goals and is a smart reader of the play. Superb skills by foot and is a great kick. Got such good touch to be able to kick across his body, snap the ball and also to weight his kicks (like Bradley could). Kick through it and puch the ball as well as kick up over an oncoming player when he has to. Just got a natural feel about his kicking that really cant be taught.
He is well built and quite hard at the ball and I am not sure he is a natural midfielder. Its about his style which is more flashy than always effective. Does the exceptional things but maybe does not do the simple basic things as well as he can. Will look to kick across his body rather than straighten up or to fly 1 handed for a mark, tap the ball on rather than take the ball and wear the tackle.
He is not a great aerobic athlete and will need to develop that side of his game to become a bona fide midfielder.
Pretty light on his feet but is not explosive. Pace is reasonable but he is not electric.

Seems best suited on the forward line with his skill and lack of endurance. Very smart player who needs to improve physically as well as his discipline to do the team things to develop as a player. Has to work harder in games.

Prediction: 25 to 35.

 

[mojo31]

Is Andrejs Everitt in the draft this year Mojo? Any info on him if so.

Yes he certainally is. I will do a bit of work now and put something up on him in a couple of hours.

Yes it is true. I sometimes have to work.

 

[mojo31]

Andrejs Everitt

Key position player

13/3/89
189cms and 74 kgs
Dandenong Stingrays.

Brother of Peter (Spida) Everiit at Hawthorn. AIS scholarship holder who looks similar to his brother but is a different type of player. Played for Vic Metro at the U16 Championships.

He is a versatile player who played up forward and down back and looks reasonable comfortable in both places. He has a huge leap that really stands out when you see him play. Just throws himself in the air at the ball and can really take a huge mark. He is a very good kick and is agile and pacy. Very skinny and is a long way off being a key position at AFL level with his build.
Someone mentioned to me is 192cms now and not sure if that is from the AIS or not.

I think he looks more comfortable as a forward and is better suited there with his marking ability. Is a flanker size at the moment and will need to grow a bit to be a KPP size and hopefully put on some weight this year.
Very athletic and a very strong mark of the ball. Can really fly for the ball like few others and his rating will move up if he can put on a few cms and add some bulk. Would like him as a full forward if he could.
Not sure his style will be suited to the crushes of CHF. A shorter version of Beau Dowler at this stage. Andrejs is 6cms shorter, better leap and not as good a kick as Dowler as a comparison. Not as smooth as Beau but a similar type.

Prediction: 20 to 40 (20 if he is 192 plus, 40 if he is 189cms at draft camp)

 

[OZBomb]

Andrejs Everitt

Key position player

13/3/89
189cms and 74 kgs
Dandenong Stingrays.

Brother of Peter (Spida) Everiit at Hawthorn. AIS scholarship holder who looks similar to his brother but is a different type of player. Played for Vic Metro at the U16 Championships.

He is a versatile player who played up forward and down back and looks reasonable comfortable in both places. He has a huge leap that really stands out when you see him play. Just throws himself in the air at the ball and can really take a huge mark. He is a very good kick and is agile and pacy. Very skinny and is a long way off being a key position at AFL level with his build.
Someone mentioned to me is 192cms now and not sure if that is from the AIS or not.

I think he looks more comfortable as a forward and is better suited there with his marking ability. Is a flanker size at the moment and will need to grow a bit to be a KPP size and hopefully put on some weight this year.
Very athletic and a very strong mark of the ball. Can really fly for the ball like few others and his rating will move up if he can put on a few cms and add some bulk. Would like him as a full forward if he could.
Not sure his style will be suited to the crushes of CHF. A shorter version of Beau Dowler at this stage. Andrejs is 6cms shorter, better leap and not as good a kick as Dowler as a comparison. Not as smooth as Beau but a similar type.

Prediction: 20 to 40 (20 if he is 192 plus, 40 if he is 189cms at draft camp)

Great, thanks for that. Had heard he was past 190cm now also.

 

[Effes]

His first name is no typo either

AFL prospectus book has him at 193/74....listed as key defender but also had stints up forward

 

[mojo31]

His first name is no typo either

AFL prospectus book has him at 193/74....listed as key defender but also had stints up forward

Maybe it is an AIS figure taken recently but would view it with some scepticism right now.

Looked more comfortable up forward but can play as a defender. Just like for him to use that leap and marking ability as a forward rather than as a defender who spoils.

 

[OZBomb]

Maybe it is an AIS figure taken recently but would view it with some scepticism right now.

Looked more comfortable up forward but can play as a defender. Just like for him to use that leap and marking ability as a forward rather than as a defender who spoils.

If he has got to 193 already, many clubs would be looking on in a lot of interest if he was 196 at the draft camp with some time in the ruck under his belt given his leaping ability.

 

[mojo31]

If he has got to 193 already, many clubs would be looking on in a lot of interest if he was 196 at the draft camp with some time in the ruck under his belt given his leaping ability.

Welcome to the wonderful world of trying to predict the draft.

Kids have growth spurts, some get ungainly while others do not. We make assumptions based on their height and then they are a lot taller by the time the draft is on. Makes it tough to pin a player down. But I try to say in that in most of the profiles with some leeway depending on if they grow or not.

I am rewriting these profiles and putting it up on the draft board.

 

[mojo31]

I have rewritten the top 5 now and posted over on the draft board.

Hansen
Gibbs
Gumby
Thorpe
Sellar

kept the order the same but changed a few things and tidied a few things up.
will post at least 6 to 10 tomorrow.

Talk about a conflict of interest now (Collo style).

 

[Bomber Man]

I remember reading about a kid named Maric on here who (I think) was playing for Greenvale and ripping it up.

Is he not of drafting age yet, or not actually as good as that write-up led me to believe?

 

[jj1978]

There is some talk about trading Whitnall for an extra pick...

Yeah I know he's slow of foot and can stuff up at times on the field.... but Whitnall should be Captain next year! He's a true blue and I would prefer him to be captain than Stephens!

No one else would come close to Captain material next year!

Plus making Whitnall captain would inspire him to stay in shape and work harder and make him more of an asset!

I agree the draft will be awesome but would rather trade another 5 players for a 2nd round pick!

Go Blues!