Player Watch #28 Kane McAuliffe

[Calcium Man]

Mcauliffe has potential but I don’t think he will make it long term unless he can add more flexibility to his game ….. I think it’s worth trying him as a Kevin sheedy back pocket player and then rotate into the midfield when our best mids need a rest. Flexibility is the key

Id need some highlights of him playing back pocket before I agree

 

[wegetpumped]

Mcauliffe has potential but I don’t think he will make it long term unless he can add more flexibility to his game ….. I think it’s worth trying him as a Kevin sheedy back pocket player and then rotate into the midfield when our best mids need a rest. Flexibility is the key

He is flexible and has all the traits of a top mid. Just all these nagging injuries are holding him back. He reminds me of Oliver at his best.

 

[Grrr]

Mcauliffe has potential but I don’t think he will make it long term unless he can add more flexibility to his game ….. I think it’s worth trying him as a Kevin sheedy back pocket player and then rotate into the midfield when our best mids need a rest. Flexibility is the key

Seems a tad glass half empty. He certainly has the talent to play midfield, and he is exactly what we need in there, some pace and a very good kick, so ideally that is where he should play. But if he keeps getting injured, then if a backline gig would at least allow him stay on the park, then worth considering.

He did do his latest injury at training, so maybe just a spell of bad luck.

 

[Forensi Tiger]

Seems a tad glass half empty. He certainly has the talent to play midfield, and he is exactly what we need in there, some pace and a very good kick, so ideally that is where he should play. But if he keeps getting injured, then if a backline gig would at least allow him stay on the park, then worth considering.

He did do his latest injury at training, so maybe just a spell of bad luck.

We also saw evidence of him being a decent overhead mark which adds a string to his strings

 

[docko911]

Here’s one that will be ridiculed because it apparently doesn’t reflect real performance…

Harley Reid only had 4 games in 2025 where he scored over 90 SuperCoach points.

Murphy Reid also had 4 games.

McAuliffe had 3 in 5 games.

The top 10 non ruck SuperCoach scorers were…

Bont
Butter
McLuggage
Rowell
Bailey Smith

3

Bailey Smith

Age

25

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

8.5

3star

HB

9.8

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

3.8

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

19.8

5star

K

9.6

4star

HB

10.2

5star

M

1.8

2star

T

3.2

4star

CL

3.2

4star

D

14.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.2

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.4

5star

CL

1.6

4star

Daicos
NWM
Dunkley
Anderson
Bradshaw

So yeah pretty sure this kid has a bit of promise.

 

[NZ_Tiger]

He was too big this season. The Quade injury was no surprise.

 

[Grrr]

He was too big this season. The Quade injury was no surprise.

He came back from the break looking like Tarzan. Maybe he hit the gym too hard. You'd think that would be addressed by the new fitness staff and his workload over the break would be targetted to a more running game. He is naturally strong anyway.

 

[NZ_Tiger]

He came back from the break looking like Tarzan. Maybe he hit the gym too hard. You'd think that would be addressed by the new fitness staff and his workload over the break would be targetted to a more running game. He is naturally strong anyway.

No benefit to carrying all that extra muscle if it slows you down.

 

[peejay]

Poor decision maker , won’t survive past his current contract.

 

[Danog]

Poor decision maker , won’t survive past his current contract.

...and you rate Dow?

 

[Achilles Heel]

He was too big this season. The Quade injury was no surprise.

Ricky Quade?

 

[Grrr]

Poor decision maker , won’t survive past his current contract.

His decision making is better than Hop/Tar/Pre by some way.

For a guy in and out mainly through injury and only 14 games under his belt, to write him off is a pretty bold prediction, especially when he was building into some good form.

He is also very aggressive with 2 of his 5 games with 6 tackles, Hopper managed that 3 times from his 23 games. To me he is exactly what we need in the middle, but needs a bit of luck i.e an injury free preseason/season.

 

[peejay]

...and you rate Dow?

Yes

 

[Calcium Man]

Yes

 

[rfctigerarmy]

sante position vacant for new favourite player after Bauer wasn't retainted.

Thoughts?

 

[Jammo1111]

Yes

Dow (or Dud) is a possible OK VFL player. He panics, can’t kick, can’t evade, and makes poor decisions. He has been around long enough. Limited future. Wouldn’t get near a game in any good team. What are the attributes that some find enticing??

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Dow (or Dud) is a possible OK VFL player. He panics, can’t kick, can’t evade, and makes poor decisions. He has been around long enough. Limited future. Wouldn’t get near a game in any good team. What are the attributes that some find enticing??

At least Richmond didn't use pick 3 on him like Carlton did on his brother Paddy.

 

[sante]

sante position vacant for new favourite player after Bauer wasn't retainted.

Thoughts?

Sounds good to me

 

[tropicaltiger]

He was too big this season. The Quade injury was no surprise.

?

 

[Tivva29]

He came back from the break looking like Tarzan. Maybe he hit the gym too hard. You'd think that would be addressed by the new fitness staff and his workload over the break would be targetted to a more running game. He is naturally strong anyway.

Looks like he certainly put in a big off season. The photo that was then photoshopped made him look massive but in reality he’s not that big and is more of a chunky solid kid that would frighten the crap out of other kids in junior footy.
He works really hard so getting himself into the right condition won’t be an issue.
Has a heap of talent. Can’t wait to see him, Lalor and Smillie running around together

 

[Woodstock]

Just needs a good run with injury and to break the duck with a goal (which seems to be hanging over his head).

Seems tough at the contest, has pace and poise, and a point of difference for us in the middle. Definitely persevere.

 

[of unsound mind]

Looks like he certainly put in a big off season. The photo that was then photoshopped made him look massive but in reality he’s not that big and is more of a chunky solid kid that would frighten the crap out of other kids in junior footy.
He works really hard so getting himself into the right condition won’t be an issue.
Has a heap of talent. Can’t wait to see him, Lalor and Smillie running around together

plus Hotton…and Robey

 

[tiger_tough]

I have extremely high hopes for this kid. He is absolutely dominant at VFL level when fit and his game should translate to AFL level.

Just need to keep him on the park

 

[tiger_tough]

In the VFL he had 30 coaches votes in 5 games. Was on track for a 120-vote season. The winner got 87.

It's easy to forget he has only played 14 VFL and 14 AFL games in his career.

 

[captain bloodsport]

In the VFL he had 30 coaches votes in 5 games. Was on track for a 120-vote season. The winner got 87.

It's easy to forget he has only played 14 VFL and 14 AFL games in his career.

Just needs a clear run at it. Reckon he could be a very good player