http://www.afc.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/4417/Default.aspx?newsId=52989
From AFC.com
Rise of the rookies
2:12 PM Fri 2 November, 2007 | Back
By Katrina Gill
for afc.com.au
From AFC.com
Rise of the rookies
2:12 PM Fri 2 November, 2007 | Back
By Katrina Gill
for afc.com.au
News
TWELVE YEARS ago, missing out on selection at the NAB AFL Draft meant a year-long wait for a young footballer still determined to pursue his dream of playing in the AFL.
The Pre-Season Draft opened a window for a lucky few, but with the majority of December picks traditionally used to claim recycled players; the unsuccessful nominees faced another season at local level before they could put their name forward again for selection.
In 1997 the AFL came up with a new innovation, which allowed a club to supplement its senior playing list with up to six (nine for Sydney and Brisbane) 'rookies' aged between 18 and 23.
A club is also allowed to place one player over the age of 23 on its rookie list providing that player hasn't previously been listed with an AFL team.
Despite its relatively short existence, the NAB AFL Rookie Draft has already proved successful for many AFL clubs, with big names Dean Cox, Aaron Sandilands, Aaron Davey, Tahdg Kennelly, Russell Robertson and Danyle Pearce all products of the system.
Adelaide has been particularly successful in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, with captain-in-waiting Ben Rutten, Nathan Bock, Rob Shirley, Jason Porplyzia and Michael Doughty all coming to the club via the club's rookie list.
All-Australian defender Nathan Bassett also began his career as a rookie when he was picked up by Melbourne with the third-ever Rookie Draft in 1997.
In fact, eight players who took the field for the Crows in 2007 originated from rookie lists.
Crows recruiting manager Matt Rendell said the NAB AFL Rookie Draft had been an "excellent innovation".
"There have been some good players to come out of the rookie draft," he said.
"Adelaide has picked up a few, West Coast and Melbourne are very strong in the rookie list, too."
Rutten, who captained South Australia in the U18 Championships one year after having a full-knee reconstruction, was overlooked by all 16 clubs in the 2001 National Draft, but was rookie-listed by Adelaide that same year.
"I suppose the national draft was a pretty disappointing time for me, but I got called up by the Crows not long after to ask if I wanted to train for the rookie list, so that was a bit of a consolation," Rutten said.
Rutten was elevated to the senior list at the end of 2002 and after kicking three goals with his first three kicks in AFL, he quickly established himself at the other end of the ground and was selected at full-back in 2005 All-Australian team.
Also elevated to Adelaide's senior list in 2002 were centre half-back Nathan Bock and 98-gamer Marty Mattner, who was recently traded to the Swans.
"We've had a bit of success with our rookies over the last five or six years," Rutten said.
"A lot of guys on our list started out as rookies, which goes to show that it's not the be-all and end-all to be drafted as a 17-year-old. There are other ways to play AFL footy."
Shirley notched up his 100th game milestone this season and two other former rookies, Jon Griffin and Jason Porplyzia, both had career-best years.
Bock, who reached his 50 game milestone, believes the rookie system was coming along nicely at West Lakes.
"The rookie list eases the young guys into the AFL system," Bock said.
"They get a feel for AFL and the effort that's required and if their form warrants it, they have the opportunity to be elevated the following year."
North Adelaide defender Greg Gallman is the latest rookie to be elevated to the senior list and the club is hopeful the promising 18-year-old can continue the Crows' successful tradition.
Do we now just wait for the official announcement?
Pretty happy with this call if this is how the club goes
I also think its safe to say he is staying
TWELVE YEARS ago, missing out on selection at the NAB AFL Draft meant a year-long wait for a young footballer still determined to pursue his dream of playing in the AFL.
The Pre-Season Draft opened a window for a lucky few, but with the majority of December picks traditionally used to claim recycled players; the unsuccessful nominees faced another season at local level before they could put their name forward again for selection.
In 1997 the AFL came up with a new innovation, which allowed a club to supplement its senior playing list with up to six (nine for Sydney and Brisbane) 'rookies' aged between 18 and 23.
A club is also allowed to place one player over the age of 23 on its rookie list providing that player hasn't previously been listed with an AFL team.
Despite its relatively short existence, the NAB AFL Rookie Draft has already proved successful for many AFL clubs, with big names Dean Cox, Aaron Sandilands, Aaron Davey, Tahdg Kennelly, Russell Robertson and Danyle Pearce all products of the system.
Adelaide has been particularly successful in the NAB AFL Rookie Draft, with captain-in-waiting Ben Rutten, Nathan Bock, Rob Shirley, Jason Porplyzia and Michael Doughty all coming to the club via the club's rookie list.
All-Australian defender Nathan Bassett also began his career as a rookie when he was picked up by Melbourne with the third-ever Rookie Draft in 1997.
In fact, eight players who took the field for the Crows in 2007 originated from rookie lists.
Crows recruiting manager Matt Rendell said the NAB AFL Rookie Draft had been an "excellent innovation".
"There have been some good players to come out of the rookie draft," he said.
"Adelaide has picked up a few, West Coast and Melbourne are very strong in the rookie list, too."
Rutten, who captained South Australia in the U18 Championships one year after having a full-knee reconstruction, was overlooked by all 16 clubs in the 2001 National Draft, but was rookie-listed by Adelaide that same year.
"I suppose the national draft was a pretty disappointing time for me, but I got called up by the Crows not long after to ask if I wanted to train for the rookie list, so that was a bit of a consolation," Rutten said.
Rutten was elevated to the senior list at the end of 2002 and after kicking three goals with his first three kicks in AFL, he quickly established himself at the other end of the ground and was selected at full-back in 2005 All-Australian team.
Also elevated to Adelaide's senior list in 2002 were centre half-back Nathan Bock and 98-gamer Marty Mattner, who was recently traded to the Swans.
"We've had a bit of success with our rookies over the last five or six years," Rutten said.
"A lot of guys on our list started out as rookies, which goes to show that it's not the be-all and end-all to be drafted as a 17-year-old. There are other ways to play AFL footy."
Shirley notched up his 100th game milestone this season and two other former rookies, Jon Griffin and Jason Porplyzia, both had career-best years.
Bock, who reached his 50 game milestone, believes the rookie system was coming along nicely at West Lakes.
"The rookie list eases the young guys into the AFL system," Bock said.
"They get a feel for AFL and the effort that's required and if their form warrants it, they have the opportunity to be elevated the following year."
North Adelaide defender Greg Gallman is the latest rookie to be elevated to the senior list and the club is hopeful the promising 18-year-old can continue the Crows' successful tradition.
Do we now just wait for the official announcement?
Pretty happy with this call if this is how the club goes
I also think its safe to say he is staying
