2009 Rookie Draft Thread

[The Royal Sampler]

Guys there's no room on our list we already have 40 players with 4 rookies.

Nonsense.

Our senior list has the same number of players as last year, we've lost three rookies (Bennell, Dyas, Thoolen) and added one (Reed, from outside the rookie list).

That equals two rookie spots available in my book, providing MacNamara is outside the rookie list in 2010 as Reed was this year.

 

[danielnajdek]

Does not mean we can't have a mature aged rookie as we have 2 players on the veterans list?

 

[TradeDraft]

Do we find out on Monday who is the Kids who will be Training with us - If Any?

 

[Invigoration]

Guys there's no room on our list we already have 40 players with 4 rookies.

You're allowed 6 rookies.

We have 2 spots in the upcoming draft (Bennell, Dyas and Thoolen, minus a spot for Reed).

There is definitely merit in looking at Thorp I think, provided he passes a medical test then I'd see no problem in picking him up.
The attitude problems are overplayed and there have been far more successful players with far deeper and more public issues than Thorp. I'd have confidence the stalwarts of the club could sort him out.
The risk reward formula would come into play here and I dare say it'd lean quite heavily toward the reward side of things.

We won't be looking at a bloke like Anton Wood though on the back of getting Blair and Franic last year and also just acquiring another 3 smallest mids to go with Sidebottom + Beams.
I dare say Collingwood will pull a few rabbit's out of the hat in the rookie draft and go with a couple of very raw boys who may not be featuring as highly on everyone's radar.
With the GC compromised draft and the fact we have just topped up the team significantly, I'd venture a guess that the spots will go to a couple of boys who the club think could prosper, but expect nothing from, especially in the short term.
They'll be Buckley's choice as well I think, or he'll certainly have a strong say in which way we go with the spots I think.

Hopefully Collingwood goes left field and manages to dig out a gem.
And although I do think we will go tall, we do have 4 NSW boys on the list who are already >190cms, with 3 of them only being 16/17. So hopefully one or two of them come on. I think Parsons is tall as well, but it doesn't list his height.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Whenever our first training session of the week is, I guess... but historically it's been only a weak guide.

Toovey trained with us, but Cox didn't, MacAffer didn't, Wellingham didn't, Casey-Leigh didn't, Francis didn't, Blair didn't, Bennell didn't.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

And although I do think we will go tall, we do have 4 NSW boys on the list who are already >190cms, with 3 of them only being 16/17. So hopefully one of two of them come on.

That's a good point, and I would think that Young and Witts have KP potential, Perry is more of a flanker... however given it's been pretty much 3 years since drafting a KPP, I'm reluctant to wait a fourth. As you say we could happily rookie someone and invest the time... look at someone like Zac Dawson, he has his foibles but he bulked up very nicely and is a lovely kick of the footy, it only took time and patience.

 

[TradeDraft]

That's a good point, and I would think that Young and Witts have KP potential, Perry is more of a flanker... however given it's been pretty much 3 years since drafting a KPP, I'm reluctant to wait a fourth. As you say we could happily rookie someone and invest the time... look at someone like Zac Dawson, he has his foibles but he bulked up very nicely and is a lovely kick of the footy, it only took time and patience.

I think Thomas is about 193cm and Witts I last read was 202cm at the Start of the Year.

 

[King Woodie]

True on the NSW kids, but a) they seem like they will eventually fall just short of the 195cm+ for a true key position player, and b) they seem to be defenders rather than forwards.

We should have a good look at Young this year in our ressies, but looks more suited to defence from what I have heard. Will probably also fail to get too much more than the 193 he is now.

Perry has considerable athletic qualities, and will probably also peak at 193ish. Looks set for a fback flankish position (throw him on the pile with the rest of the list).

Witts may become a forward, but at his height seems destined for the ruck.

Hartely, maybe. Will probably fall too short to become a ruck (despite the leap).

I just think we really need a KPF in this rookie draft, unless we plan on building some forwardline flexibility into Reid or Brown.

 

[TradeDraft]

Witts may become a forward, but at his height seems destined for the ruck.

Hine said he would become like Tippett.

"The exciting aspect with Jarrod is that he is very athletic and physically will develop into a very strong potential ruckman power forward not dissimilar to Kurt Tippet from Adelaide.”

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/nsw scholarship players/tabid/13174/default.aspx

 

[Quicky]

After doing a pretty extensive analysis of our list earlier in the year the two biggest issues we had were KPP both forward and back and the ruck. Other concerns were a hard mature inside mid, a tagger and pace in midfield.

In this draft we have managed to address our ruck, mature inside midfielder and pace in midfield.

This leaves us with KPP and a tagger to look for. I agree with TRS that we really need to look at KPP regardless of best available this year. Given the compromised drafts it is very important that we round out our list this year.

A KPD looks to be the biggest priority given Presti is near the end, Leigh Brown is not gonna be around for long and outside of Brown and Reid our other prospects are undersized. Looking at that list the two players that look really interesting to me are Tighe for his size and versatility and Stopp because he is a mature defender, with good skills and endurance so would be closer to senior football. Whether we take a KPD may depend on our confidence in Goldsack, Keeffe, Reed and Young potentially filling this role. Personally i'm not that confident in them.

DaVe86 also makes a good point that taggers are often found in the rookie as you really only need to find commited footballers, with good endurance and passable skills. I wouldn't mind picking up someone in this mould to develop as a tagger.

 

[Quicky]

True on the NSW kids, but a) they seem like they will eventually fall just short of the 195cm+ for a true key position player, and b) they seem to be defenders rather than forwards.

We should have a good look at Young this year in our ressies, but looks more suited to defence from what I have heard. Will probably also fail to get too much more than the 193 he is now.

Perry has considerable athletic qualities, and will probably also peak at 193ish. Looks set for a fback flankish position (throw him on the pile with the rest of the list).

Witts may become a forward, but at his height seems destined for the ruck.

Hartely, maybe. Will probably fall too short to become a ruck (despite the leap).

I just think we really need a KPF in this rookie draft, unless we plan on building some forwardline flexibility into Reid or Brown.

Tighe to me seems a good each way bet. He is true KP size and has the versatility to play forward or back. I can see the potential for both a KPF or KPB in the future so picking someone with that versatility may be the best way to go. Having said that I don't think 192-3cms rules a player out of being a KPP. There are plenty that do well at that height. Scarlett, Anthony, Bradshaw, Harris, Morris, Bolton to name a few are in that ball park.

 

[TradeDraft]

After doing a pretty extensive analysis of our list earlier in the year the two biggest issues we had were KPP both forward and back and the ruck. Other concerns were a hard mature inside mid, a tagger and pace in midfield.

In this draft we have managed to address our ruck, mature inside midfielder and pace in midfield.

This leaves us with KPP and a tagger to look for. I agree with TRS that we really need to look at KPP regardless of best available this year. Given the compromised drafts it is very important that we round out our list this year.

A KPD looks to be the biggest priority given Presti is near the end, Leigh Brown is not gonna be around for long and outside of Brown and Reid our other prospects are undersized. Looking at that list the two players that look really interesting to me are Tighe for his size and versatility and Stopp because he is a mature defender, with good skills and endurance so would be closer to senior football. Whether we take a KPD may depend on our confidence in Goldsack, Keeffe, Reed and Young potentially filling this role. Personally i'm not that confident in them.

DaVe86 also makes a good point that taggers are often found in the rookie as you really only need to find commited footballers, with good endurance and passable skills. I wouldn't mind picking up someone in this mould to develop as a tagger.

I agree we need to Go KPP even if Hine is not the Biggest Fan because the last 2 ND and last Rookie Draft has been just about All Mids and We need more KPP Prospects

 

[collingwill]

So GC get the 1st 5 picks in the rookie draft dont they ? if so kiss goodbye to beams IMO.

 

[Invigoration]

True on the NSW kids, but a) they seem like they will eventually fall just short of the 195cm+ for a true key position player, and b) they seem to be defenders rather than forwards.

We should have a good look at Young this year in our ressies, but looks more suited to defence from what I have heard. Will probably also fail to get too much more than the 193 he is now.

Perry has considerable athletic qualities, and will probably also peak at 193ish. Looks set for a fback flankish position (throw him on the pile with the rest of the list).

Witts may become a forward, but at his height seems destined for the ruck.

Hartely, maybe. Will probably fall too short to become a ruck (despite the leap).

I just think we really need a KPF in this rookie draft, unless we plan on building some forwardline flexibility into Reid or Brown.

Since when is true KPP size 195+? If anything that is venturing into the land of in between.

Riewoldt is 193, Fevola is 191, Roughead 193, Pavlich 191, Brown only just 195, Mooney 194 and so on. If anything, 195+ is the exception, not the rule.

I doubt they've been consigned to the positions they are bound to plan for the rest of their careers either at the age of 16. Anthony and Reid have both just switched ends after being drafted to fill a completely opposite role. Where they are playing now is virtually irrelevant in the scheme of things.

I don't think we are that desperate for a key forward anyway, with Cloke and Anthony both having proven they are AFL quality and long term prospects we aren't in significant trouble. Rusling coming on would be a benefit, even if it iss far from assured, but Dawes is developing steadily as well, solely as a KPF.
I don't deny another tall would be helpful, but we've got two young blokes who are managing reasonably well up forward as it stands.

 

[Snoop Dog]

I was pretty surprised that we picked up four mids in the draft and given we only have 2 selections in the rookie I would be amazed if they werent both talls.

For me its one at either end of the field so my preferences would be;

Key Position Fwds (in order for me)

Matt Panos - Wont get to us but stranger things have happened in these rookies. If he doesnt go PSD or rookied by GC then dont be surprised if he is in the mix by us. Clearly clubs dont think the agility is there. Surprised me and a lot of other good junior footy watchers.

Serhat Temel - I love the big fella and if the champs had of been played at the end of the year he would have been a moral certainty for the Metro side. Mail was good that 4 clubs were into him a week out but they all went cold in the last few days. Apparently he is still no certainty in this draft.

Tom Hill - One who could play CHF but has been a bit injury riddled. Nice height and plays a lot like Griffiths who also has his injury worries. Needs to fill out a bit and get injury free but certainly has a heap of upside.

Luke McDonald - Another who must be on the cusp. Really worry about the agility though. Still - leading TAC goal kicker so worth a shot.

Zac Fitzgerald - Real smokie from SA and is probably more a third tall than a KPF. Have seen vision of him and he can take a grab. Seems to have a nice kicking action and seems athletic enough to run up the field when required to do a defensive role.

Dan Archer - Surprised me but tested really well at SS. I think he lacks a bit of agility but leads well, good sprint, takes a contested mark and nice easy kicking action. Left fielder.

Josh Milani - This is a bloke I really liked. Didnt do a great deal but at this stage you are looking for a bloke who has all the attributed and a few tricks. Ideally you get him into an AFL programme and he improves out of sight.

Key Position Defenders (in order of preference)

Josh Donaldson - a crime he didnt get picked up. Thats why I am a novice but he is a much better footballer than Houghton. Would be a super CHB. Incredibly athletic.

Sean Tighe - Probably my favourite and I know he was in the mix late. Could play ruck, CHB or maybe CHF as well. Good skills and very athletic. You just see potential in him.

Kyle Hartigan - He is an interesting one. He was top 15 at the start of the year and played champs. he didnt do to badly but he didnt reach the level of last year so that might be the issue. Nice height, good spoiler and a penetrating kick but I wonder if clubs mark him down bc it doesnt often seem to go to advantage. That might be unfair but its the only thing I can really peg him on.

Joe Dare - just think of Nick Maxwell.

Chris Luff - the new Matty MacGuire. Tough, pyhsical, close checking, angry, mean and hates losing. Had a really good champs and could play FB or CHB. I like him.

Dylan Grimes - No nonsense type. Not a lot of tricks just a good close checking back who was probably a bit over hyped on BF.

Mitch Taylor - Seen him a few times now. Has a real go and plays taller than his listed height. Seems to time his spoils really well and has terrific closing speed.

Alex Stopp - had him in my mock last year at both National and Rookie I think. Anyway didnt go but has had a ripping year at SANFL level. Not a lot of tricks but does all the little things right. Like Presti but not as tall. Very athletic though.

Luke Thompson - another that should have gone last year. Goes alright and should be in the mix.

Tom MacKenzie - just remembered him.....lot of upside.

Others - would love McNeil (but he should go NSW zone selection), Hutchings, Carey, Beams, McAdam, Gordon, Long, Dyson, Roberts, Hunter,

 

[smiddaz123]

KP players is more than just about height. Build, arm span, leap etc all contribute. A 190cm guy with long reach, broad, bulky shoulders with athleticism would make a good KP player. Harry O is sub 190cm and is a solid KP player (though still more suited to a smaller role, admittedly).

 

[TradeDraft]

KP players is more than just about height. Build, arm span, leap etc all contribute. A 190cm guy with long reach, broad, bulky shoulders with athleticism would make a good KP player. Harry O is sub 190cm and is a solid KP player (though still more suited to a smaller role, admittedly).

True just Can't Be Tall, You would need a Few Things you are good at. Big Things is a Fill For the Game and Know when and where to go

 

[TradeDraft]

Snoop the ones I like are:

Serhat Temel - I love the big fella and if the champs had of been played at the end of the year he would have been a moral certainty for the Metro side. Mail was good that 4 clubs were into him a week out but they all went cold in the last few days. Apparently he is still no certainty in this draft.

Rookie List means we can see if he has Potential and Don't waste a Rookie Pick

Luke McDonald - Another who must be on the cusp. Really worry about the agility though. Still - leading TAC goal kicker so worth a shot.

Goal Kicker and Footy Smarts

Sean Tighe - Probably my favourite and I know he was in the mix late. Could play ruck, CHB or maybe CHF as well. Good skills and very athletic. You just see potential in him.

Kyle Hartigan - He is an interesting one. He was top 15 at the start of the year and played champs. he didnt do to badly but he didnt reach the level of last year so that might be the issue. Nice height, good spoiler and a penetrating kick but I wonder if clubs mark him down bc it doesnt often seem to go to advantage. That might be unfair but its the only thing I can really peg him on.

Both would be Excellent Rookie KPD Prospects

 

[danielnajdek]

I went and watched the Western Jets once and Tighe was hopeless. Maybe he just had a bad day but didn't look that good. A guy that impressed me but probably won't get picked up is Sherlock. Seem to be pacy and disposal wasn't to bad. Wouldn't mind Hartigan even though I can't remember him on that day. Also when is Pendles younger brother eligable is it next year if so he might be going to the GC

 

[TradeDraft]

I went and watched the Western Jets once and Tighe was hopeless. Maybe he just had a bad day but didn't look that good. A guy that impressed me but probably won't get picked up is Sherlock. Seem to be pacy and disposal wasn't to bad. Wouldn't mind Hartigan even though I can't remember him on that day. Also when is Pendles younger brother eligable is it next year if so he might be going to the GC

Tighe was the Jets B&F so he might of had a Shocker.

Pendles brother Ryan is up for next year and People say he would be the best of the Lot

 

[King Woodie]

My point is we have a lot of players in the 190-193 range, both now and for the future.

Key position forwards are getting taller - we need taller key position defenders to play on them. The key position forward of the future will be 197ish cms (ala Buddy.)

You wouldn't play O'Brien against a Tippett-type and expect him to beat him in the air consistently. We have a gap in the 195cm+ key position forwards, outside Brown, Reid, Cloke. We have no real depth here, and therefore I think this needs to be a focus.

 

[TradeDraft]

My point is we have a lot of players in the 190-193 range, both now and for the future.

Key position forwards are getting taller - we need taller key position defenders to play on them. The key position forward of the future will be 197ish cms (ala Buddy.)

You wouldn't play O'Brien against a Tippett-type and expect him to beat him in the air consistently. We have a gap in the 195cm+ key position forwards, outside Brown, Reid, Cloke. We have no real depth here, and therefore I think this needs to be a focus.

Yeah I think you need a KPP that is 195cm in the Forward Line and in the Defense

 

[danielnajdek]

Tighe was the Jets B&F so he might of had a Shocker.

Pendles brother Ryan is up for next year and People say he would be the best of the Lot

Ok I thought he might of.The only reason I went was to watch Ryan play but he didn't end of playing so I haven't seen how good he is.Wouldn't mind having a punt on Hartigan sounds promising.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Snoop, Inside Footy has Donaldson listed as a ruck but his coach says he can play both forward and back. Certainly he has size at 195cm, and he sounds both athletic (quick) and a good reader/position maker. What do you see as his shortcomings, and is he best suited to any one role or is he someone that could be brought into the club and just moulded as we see fit? He certainly sounds like a strong choice!

 

[Quicky]

With Reid, N Brown and Keeffe we have a few of the 195+cm KPD developing on our list. If anything I think our 192-3cm defenders lack the physical maturity to play KPD, guys like Goldsack, Reed, Blight seem more suited to flanks. Like Smiddaz mentioned if we pick up a player like that we need them to have that reach, agility, physical maturity aspect to their game that allows them to be a good KPD. I actually hope we target two KPP with our rookies - it just makes sense from a list balance pov. Plus we'd be hedging our bets somewhat that way.