2012 Draft Discussion

[stuyd1]

What about this Jake Stringer character??? Have I asked this question before?

Stringer taken by Geelong today/late yesterday

 

[JasRulz63]

Stringer taken by Geelong today/late yesterday

That's Jesse Stringer who was elevated from Geelong's rookie list. Jake Stringer is the super talented player that would've gone up there in this draft had he not broken his leg. Quite interested to see where he ends up.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

I wonder if there's any chance Stringer or Shaw could slide to 23. I think probably not with Stringer, but perhaps with Shaw.

The situation with Shaw reminds me of Shane Kersten last year. A year out, he was tipped by some to be top 10. Closer to the draft, most phantoms had him in the 10-20 range (many even spoke about grabbing him with our pick 12). Ended up falling to pick 34 which was quite a surprise. I wonder if Shaw may slide similarly, although he's probably been rated slightly higher than Kersten when in his best form.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Well Stringer's highlights are definitely impressive.

 

[theteamtobeat]

Stringer has to get his fitness up, just like Rockliff did when he broke his leg as the same age as Stringer.

 

[JasRulz63]

I wonder if there's any chance Stringer or Shaw could slide to 23. I think probably not with Stringer, but perhaps with Shaw.

I think the biggest knock on Kersten was his height, not something that Shaw has a problem with. I don't think we'll see him get past Freo's first pick.

On that note, Kersten has been good from what I've seen of him at Geelong's VFL side, looks like he'll be a handy player:

 

[Quigley]

In terms of Qlders, outside of the high profile group of Boston, Cameron and Bourke - a few others who might be a chance for rookie spots. What are the rules for Qld rookies this year?- alternate selections with Gold Coast or based on academy areas (or is this only from next year?).

Wallin interesting one - overage this yr in state 18's as injured last yr and did well there and in NEAFL but didn't get invited to state screening. Johnson also 19 - played forward and back in state 18's and at Morningside. He's over 190 cm - you didn't mean Wyld as somewhat shorter (188) KPD - played all 5 state games and several NEAFL games deep defence and did go to state screening. Wardle also 188 and went to state screening - played for Qld in defence,forward and in ruck, but NEAFL for Labrador mainly in defence.

No I definately meant Johnson. He is listed at 191 which is a height I still worry about nws it is the same height as Michael etc. Wyld did very well at the Champs in a KPD role but at 188 I would struggle to take him. Johnson similarly good defensively and I think better going forward. He moves nicely as well.

Wardle is very athletic and looks very good on the football field moving around the park. He was one of the keys to beating WA with his performance in the last with his effort. He was not as consistent throughout games though. He would be a good rookie prospect though as the flashes of talent he shows are impressive.

 

[jjami15]

Well Stringer's highlights are definitely impressive.

Well, Now I've done it again. Got my heart set on a player and well know I can kiss 'em goodbye. Wines or Stringer at 8 but I would be suprised if either of them were there. Big body brutes!

 

[PattyKwasagun]

Well, Now I've done it again. Got my heart set on a player and well know I can kiss 'em goodbye. Wines or Stringer at 8 but I would be suprised if either of them were there. Big body brutes!

Yeah I think I would take the punt on Stringer at 8 if he was there. If it weren't for the leg, I think he'd be top 2 or 3.

 

[jjami15]

Yeah I think I would take the punt on Stringer at 8 if he was there. If it weren't for the leg, I think he'd be top 2 or 3.

That seems to be the mail. Is highly rated with the concern being about the leg. Melb, WB forums are pretty keen as well.

 

[PattyKwasagun]

That seems to be the mail. Is highly rated with the concern being about the leg. Melb, WB forums are pretty keen as well.

I know this comparison can't be made every time there's a top 10 talent with injury worries, but if the Selwood case is anything to go by, the talent doesn't go away if you back your club to fix the injury.

 

[spotthedog1]

I know this comparison can't be made every time there's a top 10 talent with injury worries, but if the Selwood case is anything to go by, the talent doesn't go away if you back your club to fix the injury.

See, there's always a flipside... someone like Bartlett, where we did exactly that... huge talent, probably would've gone about pick 10 without injury concerns, and what happens? We recruit, we heal, he injures, we heal, he injures... and now he's on the pile of what is likely "we'll recontract him IF we can fit him"...

 

[POBT]

See, there's always a flipside... someone like Bartlett, where we did exactly that... huge talent, probably would've gone about pick 10 without injury concerns, and what happens? We recruit, we heal, he injures, we heal, he injures... and now he's on the pile of what is likely "we'll recontract him IF we can fit him"...

There are some separate issues though:

1. Does the player's injury type have a high rate of re-injury?

2. Does the player's medical history suggest a higher than normal injury susceptibility? (I don't even know if they can determine this)

3. Will the player's injury impact on his ability to reach his full potential?


Bartlett was a "no" on (1) and (2) IIRC. (3) was what dropped him down the draft order.

With Stringer, I don't know the answer to (1) and (2) but broken legs seem to be very difficult to achieve full recovery from which makes me worry about (3). That's not to say that he won't recover fully or that he won't be able to compensate for any loss of athleticism. Plenty have made a recovery and gone on to play good quality footy. There have been a few though who have never been the same player.

As I said, I don't know enough about the injury and all clubs would be doing their due diligence. But it has me worried and, if we draft him, I'll remain worried until I get the chance to see him in a game situation.

 

[Judge]

With Stringer, I don't know the answer to (1) and (2) but broken legs seem to be very difficult to achieve full recovery from which makes me worry about (3). That's not to say that he won't recover fully or that he won't be able to compensate for any loss of athleticism. Plenty have made a recovery and gone on to play good quality footy. There have been a few though who have never been the same player.

As I said, I don't know enough about the injury and all clubs would be doing their due diligence. But it has me worried and, if we draft him, I'll remain worried until I get the chance to see him in a game situation.

Not so sure about that POBT, but it all depends on the severity/type of the fracture and whether the bone has united properly etc.

I guess you're thinking about guys like Vossy and Goose, but I haven't checked on what happened to Stringer

My impression is that the issue as to whether or not Stringer's fracture has healed well should be pretty apparent from his x-rays/scans, which would be available for scrutiny by club medicos, and his form since returning to the playing field. No doubt there will be Drs fom several clubs checking him out, presumably including ours.

 

[POBT]

Not so sure about that POBT, but it all depends on the severity/type of the fracture and whether the bone has united properly etc.

I guess you're thinking about guys like Vossy and Goose, but I haven't checked on what happened to Stringer

Sorry Judge, I didn't mean to be so general - I meant "some" broken legs are difficult to recover from. In addition to the guys you named, I'm thinking the likes of Nathan Brown, Dale Morris are other guys who have struggled to return to their best and others like Barlow have taken the long route in terms of complete recovery.

But yeah, plenty of guys also come back as good as new. I mean, Pendlebury technically broke his leg and was back within a month or so.

My impression is that the issue as to whether or not Stringer's fracture has healed well should be pretty apparent from his x-rays/scans, which would be available for scrutiny by club medicos, and his form since returning to the playing field. No doubt there will be Drs fom several clubs checking him out, presumably including ours.

I guess the healing process is part of it. The rest is whether or not he has full function. Then again, he's a kid - they tend to bounce back from most things.

 

[Judge]

Sorry Judge, I didn't mean to be so general.

Shouldn't that be "I'm sorry Your Honour"?

 

[bhys16]

Kristian Jaksch can certainly mark and pretty nice kick too, how did he test at the combine? if we are looking for a forward marking target he goes alright..

 

[POBT]

Shouldn't that be "I'm sorry Your Honour"?

I just assumed you were Ken Judge?

 

[chopperduck]

From memory Voss said with his it took 2 years to get over it. He could play after 1 year but his training was very limited as he still had pain in the leg. I would say with a major break or fracture developing sore spots would be the main ongoing concern.

 

[Grimreepah]

From memory Voss said with his it took 2 years to get over it.

That wouldn't be a concern for us. How we think he will perform over 10 years is what we will assess him on.

 

[POBT]

From memory Voss said with his it took 2 years to get over it. He could play after 1 year but his training was very limited as he still had pain in the leg. I would say with a major break or fracture developing sore spots would be the main ongoing concern.

There's got to be a mental factor with a badly broken leg too. Maybe not for someone like Voss but for mere mortals, it must be hard to recover from.

 

[chopperduck]

No doubt POBT, would be a test of character. I don't think you would lose much speed/agility wise, especially after a few years and the bone has its strength back, but pain management, and ability to play with that would be a factor, along with the mental side as you mentioned.

 

[JasRulz63]

Pendlebury broke only his fibula, the smaller of the two bones in your leg. It doesn't really support a lot of weight, therefore he was able to come back quite quickly.

Stringer had a compound fracture on his left leg where both bones in the leg were completely broken, that's your Nathan Brown type break.

 

[chopperduck]

That wouldn't be a concern for us. How we think he will perform over 10 years is what we will assess him on.

Agree, if u are deciding whether to draft high talent with it, you would have to back them in I think. Would have to do some knowing u r more so drafting a player to play in a few years,with little on the short term.

 

[footymaad]

No I definately meant Johnson. He is listed at 191 which is a height I still worry about nws it is the same height as Michael etc. Wyld did very well at the Champs in a KPD role but at 188 I would struggle to take him. Johnson similarly good defensively and I think better going forward.

Thanks for that - was just thinking at 191-192, well built and quite athletic Johnson just about big enough for a key defensive role, although I guess not on an opponent closer to 200cm. Agree seems more suited to defense than forward.