- Joined
- Sep 29, 2005
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- 10,525
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- St Kilda
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- New York Knicks, Redskins, NUFC
Nick Heyne
(Gippsland Power/Orbost Snowy Rovers, 187cm, 79kg)
Selected by St.Kilda at Pick #48
Where do i start! absolutely delighted that Nick slid this far... i was certain we wouldn't draft him after we traded our second rounder to the Western Bulldogs but as it turns out, it was a masterstroke! Nick, an AIS Academy member for the past 2 years brings plenty to the table, particularly going forward. Heyne has the ability to win games off his own boot and almost did so against Vic Metro in the first match of the National Championships this season. Possessed with an extraordinary leap, Heyne has taken plenty of hangers in 2008 (again, see the game against Vic Metro). He kicked 37 goals in the 2008 TAC cup season (with a best effort of 7) but is by no means pigeonholed as a forward, spending plenty of time on the wing and on the ball. In the final game of the National's, Nick spent most of the game up the ground and delivered 11 Inside 50's, setting up a number of Vic Country's goals. At AFL level i see Nick becoming an Alan Didak/Andrew Embley/Steve Johnson type player. capable of playing almost anywhere on the ground effectively. Gippsland Coach in 2008 and former Saint himself, Aussie Jones, believes that Heyne's biggest asset is his willingness to use his penetrating left foot to his advantage by almost always looking to go long. One of the things i like most about Heyne is his ability to be either the orchestrator of an attack or the recipient. does that make sense? what i'm trying to say is Heyne can deliver the ball to the forwards but is also more than capable of leading up and marking himself after being fed the ball and is more than comfortable playing deep forward and uses his brain, core strength and great leap to his advantage. Definitely more of an outside player but is by no means soft and will put his head over when it's his turn. Depending on how much faith the coaching staff has in him, Heyne is certainly ready and capable to contribute in season 2009. A forward line of Koschitzke, Riewoldt, Lynch and Heyne is definitely nothing to be scoffed at! I have a feeling however that earlier in his career we will mould him into the silky/evasive goal kicking winger/midfielder/forward flanker we've been lacking as he seems to find a way to goal and can kick those uncanny Milne type goals (without trying to do it all the time like Yapper does
). Time will tell but i'm stoked we've selected him.
B23's Analysis
Was Heyne the right player to pick?
In a word. Yes
I'm 110% sure Peake and Bevo didn't expect Heyne to still be there at 48 and felt that he was too good to pass up on. We definitely lack a player of his style and he brings something different to the table. Could be one of the steals of the 2008 draft.
Games in 09'
As previously stated in other threads, Ross doesn't seem to play kids unless necessary and so i'm not expecting Nick to feature much in 2009, but i don't see why he can't. he gives us something we lack and after a handful of AFL games i think he'll get used to the big time and fit in nicely. Play him as a forward pocket/HFF in 2009 and he could bring a lot to the table (similar to Cyril Rioli but a different style of player entirely)
Again, hard to predict but i'll say 2 or 3 at the least (maybe more if Ross changes his tune in 09 and plays the kids) Heyne should get a run in our practice matches and if he dominates (which he could well do) then i think Ross may give him a crack in round 1. time will tell
(Gippsland Power/Orbost Snowy Rovers, 187cm, 79kg)
Selected by St.Kilda at Pick #48
Where do i start! absolutely delighted that Nick slid this far... i was certain we wouldn't draft him after we traded our second rounder to the Western Bulldogs but as it turns out, it was a masterstroke! Nick, an AIS Academy member for the past 2 years brings plenty to the table, particularly going forward. Heyne has the ability to win games off his own boot and almost did so against Vic Metro in the first match of the National Championships this season. Possessed with an extraordinary leap, Heyne has taken plenty of hangers in 2008 (again, see the game against Vic Metro). He kicked 37 goals in the 2008 TAC cup season (with a best effort of 7) but is by no means pigeonholed as a forward, spending plenty of time on the wing and on the ball. In the final game of the National's, Nick spent most of the game up the ground and delivered 11 Inside 50's, setting up a number of Vic Country's goals. At AFL level i see Nick becoming an Alan Didak/Andrew Embley/Steve Johnson type player. capable of playing almost anywhere on the ground effectively. Gippsland Coach in 2008 and former Saint himself, Aussie Jones, believes that Heyne's biggest asset is his willingness to use his penetrating left foot to his advantage by almost always looking to go long. One of the things i like most about Heyne is his ability to be either the orchestrator of an attack or the recipient. does that make sense? what i'm trying to say is Heyne can deliver the ball to the forwards but is also more than capable of leading up and marking himself after being fed the ball and is more than comfortable playing deep forward and uses his brain, core strength and great leap to his advantage. Definitely more of an outside player but is by no means soft and will put his head over when it's his turn. Depending on how much faith the coaching staff has in him, Heyne is certainly ready and capable to contribute in season 2009. A forward line of Koschitzke, Riewoldt, Lynch and Heyne is definitely nothing to be scoffed at! I have a feeling however that earlier in his career we will mould him into the silky/evasive goal kicking winger/midfielder/forward flanker we've been lacking as he seems to find a way to goal and can kick those uncanny Milne type goals (without trying to do it all the time like Yapper does
). Time will tell but i'm stoked we've selected him.B23's Analysis
Was Heyne the right player to pick?
In a word. Yes
I'm 110% sure Peake and Bevo didn't expect Heyne to still be there at 48 and felt that he was too good to pass up on. We definitely lack a player of his style and he brings something different to the table. Could be one of the steals of the 2008 draft.
Games in 09'
As previously stated in other threads, Ross doesn't seem to play kids unless necessary and so i'm not expecting Nick to feature much in 2009, but i don't see why he can't. he gives us something we lack and after a handful of AFL games i think he'll get used to the big time and fit in nicely. Play him as a forward pocket/HFF in 2009 and he could bring a lot to the table (similar to Cyril Rioli but a different style of player entirely)
Again, hard to predict but i'll say 2 or 3 at the least (maybe more if Ross changes his tune in 09 and plays the kids) Heyne should get a run in our practice matches and if he dominates (which he could well do) then i think Ross may give him a crack in round 1. time will tell
sums him up perfectly too
