Past #39: Eric Wallace - released by the Carolina Panthers

[boneofshin]

From Heath:

Former college basketballer @EricM_Wallace on 10-day trial with @NorthKangaroos More soon on kangaroos.com.au - 197cms, 105kgs!

Info on him: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebas...wallace-following-path-to-football-down-under

 

[The Nostradamus]

I'd be happy to take a punt on him, will only take up an international rookie spot.
He tested incredibly well at the combine and is a massive unit, sign him up.

 

[muttley45]

I'd be happy to take a punt on him, will only take up an international rookie spot.
He tested incredibly well at the combine and is a massive unit, sign him up.

agree,huge upside,nothing to lose,go for it i say

 

[GarnerSmash]

AMERICAN Eric Wallace has started a 10-day trial at North Melbourne as the club weighs up whether to sign the former basketballer as an international rookie.
Wallace, who turns 24 on Thursday, started training on Monday with the Kangaroos after being one of 10 international athletes to attend and test at October's NAB AFL Draft Combine.
There he caught the eye of the Kangaroos with his athletic ability. The 196cm and 102kg product recorded an 80cm standing vertical jump (in the top 3 per cent of results) and ran 2.90 seconds in the 20m sprint.
The club will use the next week-and-a-half to assess Wallace's character before making a final decision before its Christmas break.
"Eric's got some terrific athletic potential with his size, power, speed and agility, all those things are fantastic," North coach Brad Scott told AFL.com.au on Monday.
"The primary thing we are looking for is we really just want to see Eric as a person.
"We saw Eric at the Combine and we're right across his athletic testing, but really we just want to get to know him personally so we can make an assessment as to whether he's going to fit the mould of our group and the culture of our club.
"He can have all the athletic potential in the world but we've got to make sure he's a rock solid person. From all our background checks, and the way he's conducted himself so far, he appears first class in that area."

http://www.nmfc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4912/newsid/152269/default.aspx

 

[Hard_to_Beat]

I'll take him just because he's 24 and 105kgs.

 

[ArjenTheGreat]

We've never had enough money for an international rookie... We must be flying!

Why not? Chuck him in the nursery with Maj, Blacky and Curran.

 

[Dan]

At his age, he'll have to learn quickly.

But yeah, why not.

 

[Daz]

If we have the cash, do it.

Interesting that during trade week Chief said we weren't interested in any of the Yanks.

 

[winalotroos]

I think it is interesting, but having never played the game who is he going to play for.

 

[Tas]

I think we should take him irrespective of his probability of making it at AFL level, as long as Brad says they are evaluating him as a person and if he will fit the group.

We need to devise a program that can fastrack skill development, a program especially designed for someone who didn't grow up playing AFL. The basics from learning to kick the ball properly, to handballing properly, be able to teach someone a smooth efficient technique in a short time.

Even if he doesn't make it as a player, I think he could be invaluable as a future development coach for foreign/US based kids. For guys who are 24 or so you can't take 3-4 years to get them up to speed, you want to spend no longer than a year I think getting their skills up to par. We are not going to pull that off first off. We need to develop a program to be able to achieve that.

 

[juzzo]

I can't make sense of this. Don't you have to use a rookie draft selection on players like this? Maybe Twomey means you'll give him an international scholarship and then rookie him the following year.

 

[Hard_to_Beat]

I think it is interesting, but having never played the game who is he going to play for.

Play him in the backline at Werribee.

 

[Dan]

 

[WatooRoo]

vid is not that great but here is his kicking

 

[Dan]

 

[the bolter]

Took an interest in this guy when USA combine was on. Checked the # and he seemed to be the only guy talking about it. Seemed amazed by the game. Been following him on Twitter and been really impressed with is dedication.

One thing I can confirm, if it's down to character, this guy seems sociable and honest when it comes to Twitter etc. Puts best foot fwd. Has been training by himself and really seems to have fallen in love with the game.

One Twitter convo he did say he would be happy to play vfl to prove his worth if need be. Very happy with this

 

[ShinbonerBaz]

vid is not that great but here is his kicking

Well you wouldn't call that fluid, but it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[Ghostwriter]

Would be a hit with the ladies i'd imagine.

 

[FedEXFalls]

Very good decision by your club, he'll give it a red hot go.

 

[Dan]

Very good decision by your club, he'll give it a red hot go.

Thanks Macca

 

[richolovesgoal]

Good get. I was hoping we'd pick him up. Almost 200 cm, 100 kegs and runs like the wind. Could be a steal.

 

[Chog]

Sheeeeeeeeeeeet he's a big rig. Set shot doesn't look too bad either, although kicking on the run is another matter.

Give him a crack, why not.

 

[GarnerSmash]

I think we should take him irrespective of his probability of making it at AFL level, as long as Brad says they are evaluating him as a person and if he will fit the group.

We need to devise a program that can fastrack skill development, a program especially designed for someone who didn't grow up playing AFL. The basics from learning to kick the ball properly, to handballing properly, be able to teach someone a smooth efficient technique in a short time.

Even if he doesn't make it as a player, I think he could be invaluable as a future development coach for foreign/US based kids. For guys who are 24 or so you can't take 3-4 years to get them up to speed, you want to spend no longer than a year I think getting their skills up to par. We are not going to pull that off first off. We need to develop a program to be able to achieve that.

Interesting PoV Tas. Good idea and good rationale. I like.

 

[TennisPlayerAndy]

Send him to Shaun Atley kicking school.

Massive unit.

 

[Elite Master]

Looks to have the physicality and aerobic ability with all reports suggesting he has a first class attitude as well. This could turn out to be a very good recruit at its best, at worst, well we have nothing to lose.