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Colm Begley?

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the_champ_2004

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Brisbane Lions axe Irishman Begley
October 28, 2008 - 4:49PM

Just days after playing for Ireland, Colm Begley has been dumped by AFL club Brisbane.

Begley, 22, was the only AFL-listed player picked for Ireland in their one-point International Rules win over Australia in the first Test in Perth on Friday night.

The utility has been told he does not fit in new coach Michael Voss' plans and his contract will not be renewed.

Begley is expected to consider entering next month's national draft to prolong his career.

However, Begley's countryman Pearce Hanley has impressed Voss.

The 19-year-old, from Ballaghaderreen in County Mayo, replaced Begley in the team to make his AFL debut against Carlton in round 21 this year.

The former Gaelic footballer won the Ron Barassi Medal as Ireland's best player in the 2006 under-17 international rules series against Australia.

Coincidentally, Begley helped Hanley settle in at the Lions, even flying over to Australia with the Irish youngster.

Begley played 29 games for the Lions after joining the club as an international rookie at the end of 2005.

Plucked from Stradbally in County Laois, the Gaelic footballer had to learn AFL from scratch upon arrival in Brisbane.

He made his AFL debut in round 20, 2006 - just eight months after kicking the Sherrin for the first time.

In doing so he also became the 100th player to don the Lions guernsey since Brisbane merged with Fitzroy in 1997.

"I didn't know all the positions. But I knew enough to get me by, I suppose," Begley told the Lions website.

His remarkable rise gained momentum in 2007 when he played 19 games under coach Leigh Matthews, winning rookie of the year honours.

But injury hampered his 2008 season, limiting him to just eight senior appearances.

In other news, former Lions tall Beau McDonald has been welcomed back by the club as part-time ruck coach.

McDonald, 28, will replace former premiership teammate Clark Keating as ruck coach next season.

"Keating was a valuable member of the Lions' coaching staff in 2008 but is unable to continue his role due to growing business interests," a Lions statement said.

McDonald returns to the club after injury forced him to prematurely end his 10-year playing career with the Lions in March.

He played 91 matches, including the 2001 and 2002 premiership wins.
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Is he worth a shot?

http://news.theage.com.au/sport/brisbane-lions-axe-irishman-begley-20081028-5adl.html
 
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He wasn't specifically referring to Irish spuds. Just our recruitments in general.

Anyway, I'd be happy to rookie Begley.
 
smiddaz123 said:
He wasn't specifically referring to Irish spuds. Just our recruitments in general.

Anyway, I'd be happy to rookie Begley.
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I also was referring the "spuds" in general not our very Irish, very "non-spuds".
 
I would look at him did show signs he could be a good player before his injury

Maybe working with Marty and Dyas might help his further development
 

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Maybe rookie but I don't think he adds anything that we really need.

With only 4 spots (I assume Wellingham and Macaffer are elevated) on the senior list I am against picking up any recycled players unless they fall to the rookie draft. Even then I think I would prefer to go with the kids unless they provide something we really need which is an inside mid or ruck, of which he does not appear to be either.
 
I hope Collingwood recruit this guy, I really do feel for him, he just moved half a world away from his home town just to play some AFL (possibly some $$). I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Collingwood Jumper.
 
Tripwire said:
I hope Collingwood recruit this guy, I really do feel for him, he just moved half a world away from his home town just to play some AFL (possibly some $$). I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Collingwood Jumper.
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But is he any good?
 
Snag Breac said:
But is he any good?
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begley17xa6.jpg
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begley17xa6.jpg

To answer your question, Yes, he actually was starting to show his ability. had a good 2007 year but missed out most of 2008 with a Quad Injury so If he gets back on a team, he will be a bit shaky, his speed also gave us a good Boost in 2007.

IRISH import Colm Begley believes he is worth another AFL contract after being delisted by the Brisbane Lions on Tuesday.
Begley, 22, was dumped by new coach Michael Voss after three years and 29 senior games as a Lion.
The young defender will now try his luck in the upcoming drafts as he believes he was only starting to show his potential as an AFL player.
"I thought this year would be a really big year for me. I've played the last three years and you get to a stage where you've played 20 or 30 games of AFL, and you've gained a lot more confidence in yourself and your skills," Begley told SEN on Wednesday morning.
"You look forward to really pushing the boundaries and really trying to improve.
"Hopefully that's what happens now, and a different club might push me on to learn a few different things from different coaches and players."
After being recruited to the club from Ireland's County Laois as an international rookie at the end of 2005, Begley was restricted to just eight games through injury this year.
He was informed of the decision to delist him once he returned from an end-of-season trip back home by Lions' football manager Graeme Allan, who was responsible for his initial recruitment.
Despite asking the Lions to hold off on making it public until the end of the ongoing International Rules series – for which he is part of the Irish squad - the club's list changes were released on Tuesday.
Begley said he hopes he can remain in Australia and obtain another AFL contract, but would also be content with returning to Ireland to finish a university degree and play Gaelic football part-time.
"There are a few options. At the moment, I'm focussed on the International Rules series, which is very important for me," he said.
"I'm enjoying the trip down here as it's keeping my mind off what's happened and the shock of being delisted.
"After the series, I'll look to see if there's any coach interested in picking me up in the pre-season draft.
"I've talked to my manager who is hopeful and that will play a major part in my decision of whether I stay or go back home.
"There are options from both sides. I would like to stay here. I've enjoyed the last few years and it's been a great experience.
"If I went home, there would also be a few options there and to go back home to my family wouldn't be a bad thing either."
 

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Interesting to see him training with us.

I actually believe he would be a useful HBF-type for us with the ability to run and carry the footy.
 
dalethomas13 said:
Interesting to see him training with us.

I actually believe he would be a useful HBF-type for us with the ability to run and carry the footy.
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If it allows us to play Heath as more a tagger in the middle or at least release him of a tag it wouldnt be so bad
 
The "Permission To Train" list has to be the AFL's biggest over-controlling wank.

Why should they care if I am down there sculpting the guns? So long as it isn't an U18 potential draftee then WGAF?!
 

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