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Rookie shows he is all Hart
ANDREW CAPEL
February 02, 2007 01:15am
Article from: The Advertiser
IT is a big call and fraught with danger but Adelaide might already have found a long-term replacement for retired legend Ben Hart.
And he's not even on the club's senior list.
In 19-year-old rookie list player Andrew McIntyre, some Crows players and officials believe they have a player who could hold down a key defensive post for the next decade.
And they note the remarkable similarities between McIntyre and club games recordholder Hart, who he is being groomed to replace.
"He's got a bit of that Harty look about him, absolutely," Adelaide defender Kris Massie said.
At 190 cm and 82 kg, McIntyre is virtually the same size as Hart, who entered his 16th and final season last year at 190 cm and 83 kg. He plays a similar style of tight-checking game to Hart and, like the 311-game, four-times All-Australian, has great hands and hails from North Adelaide.
McIntyre, who was a standout in last year's SANFL finals in his debut season and was the first of four players taken by Adelaide at the December rookie draft (No. 14 overall), has impressed at pre-season training and is eyeing an early call-up to the senior list.
Coach Neil Craig has stressed to his rookies that two spots are immediately available because of the long-term knee injuries to Rhett Biglands and Trent Hentschel. McIntyre and South Adelaide rover Rhys Archard have the inside running ahead of 18-year-olds Greg Gallman (North) and James Turner (South).
Massie likes what he sees in fellow defender McIntyre, who won the Roosters' best first-year player award.
"He's a tight defender, he's got good height and I think he will be pretty good for us," he said.
"Hopefully he can improve his game in the areas he needs to and can make a good career of it.
"He's giving himself every opportunity, he's got a good work ethic, a good head on his shoulders (he's studying law) and he's mentally strong, which is what you need. I hope he does well."
Massie says the first-year players at Adelaide are more advanced than any group of new boys he has seen come through the doors at West Lakes.
"The boys have stepped straight in, picked up the rope and trained with real intensity," he said, adding all had good character and strong work ethics which are two of Craig's key recruiting mandates.
"Craigy hasn't needed to pull the group in and berate the young fellas and they are actually training at the standard that's required of the three-to-four-year players, which is a real plus for the club."
* I'm not sure that I like the comparison to BH at this early stage, but good luck to the guy. It's good to see he is keen to get a senior spot.
ANDREW CAPEL
February 02, 2007 01:15am
Article from: The Advertiser
IT is a big call and fraught with danger but Adelaide might already have found a long-term replacement for retired legend Ben Hart.
And he's not even on the club's senior list.
In 19-year-old rookie list player Andrew McIntyre, some Crows players and officials believe they have a player who could hold down a key defensive post for the next decade.
And they note the remarkable similarities between McIntyre and club games recordholder Hart, who he is being groomed to replace.
"He's got a bit of that Harty look about him, absolutely," Adelaide defender Kris Massie said.
At 190 cm and 82 kg, McIntyre is virtually the same size as Hart, who entered his 16th and final season last year at 190 cm and 83 kg. He plays a similar style of tight-checking game to Hart and, like the 311-game, four-times All-Australian, has great hands and hails from North Adelaide.
McIntyre, who was a standout in last year's SANFL finals in his debut season and was the first of four players taken by Adelaide at the December rookie draft (No. 14 overall), has impressed at pre-season training and is eyeing an early call-up to the senior list.
Coach Neil Craig has stressed to his rookies that two spots are immediately available because of the long-term knee injuries to Rhett Biglands and Trent Hentschel. McIntyre and South Adelaide rover Rhys Archard have the inside running ahead of 18-year-olds Greg Gallman (North) and James Turner (South).
Massie likes what he sees in fellow defender McIntyre, who won the Roosters' best first-year player award.
"He's a tight defender, he's got good height and I think he will be pretty good for us," he said.
"Hopefully he can improve his game in the areas he needs to and can make a good career of it.
"He's giving himself every opportunity, he's got a good work ethic, a good head on his shoulders (he's studying law) and he's mentally strong, which is what you need. I hope he does well."
Massie says the first-year players at Adelaide are more advanced than any group of new boys he has seen come through the doors at West Lakes.
"The boys have stepped straight in, picked up the rope and trained with real intensity," he said, adding all had good character and strong work ethics which are two of Craig's key recruiting mandates.
"Craigy hasn't needed to pull the group in and berate the young fellas and they are actually training at the standard that's required of the three-to-four-year players, which is a real plus for the club."
* I'm not sure that I like the comparison to BH at this early stage, but good luck to the guy. It's good to see he is keen to get a senior spot.
