Past Darren Pfeiffer

[Silvagnis]

Welcome to Carlton Darren Pfeiffer.

 

[mightymightyblues]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Darren Pfeiffer

Details:
Club: Norwood
DOB: 28 September 1987 Hgt: 183cm Wgt:78kg
Position: Midfielder
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
- SA U18 MVP 2005
- All Australian U18 2005: Half Back Flank
- AFL Draft Camp 2005
Statistics:
U18 Championships 2005: 3 games, 1 goal, averaged 16.7 PPG
Draft Camp:
Vertical Jump: 72cm (1st)
Background:
One who went into 2005 already under the radar having played plenty of under 19 SANFL footy last year despite being eligible for U17.
This year was a good one for Pfeiffer – aside from having a terrific under-18 championships, where he earnt the SA MVP award and All Australian honours, Pfeiffer played six senior games for Norwood in the SANFL. With an athletic body and athletic qualities that AFL clubs look for, coupled with versatility that can see him play in various positions (although generally plays across half back), Pfeiffer is expected to be drafted early in the 2005 NAB National Draft.
His draft camp results were impressive – aside from his 72cm vertical leap, he ran 3 seconds for the 20m and tested quite well in the agility. His 3km was about average.
Strengths:
- Has played SANFL senior footy with Norwood
- Vertical Leap: highest at draft camp
- Very good overhead mark
- Has a touch of flair about him
- Quick/Speed: does run and carries the ball off half back
- Courageous/Strong tackler
Weaknesses:
- Sometimes prone to thumping the ball quickly without being really composed.
Footy Draft verdict:
Expected first round pick and could nudge the top 10. One of the better prospects in this draft.

Very interesting selection. A player that has been out out of favor at Adelaide. Had off field antics, injury problems and was said to have fallen out of sought with Coach Neil Craig. These were the factors that led to him being delisted by the Crows.
Pfeiffer plays a running HBF role (like Heath Scotland) and spends most of the time pushing into the midfield. Still only at 20 years of age, he still has a lot to offer and could prove to be a player that could lend a hand in leading the Carlton Football Club into the future.
Like it states in his profile, he is Courages, enjoys laying a tackle, Has quick speed that will get him to contests before his opponents and is solid overhead especially for his size.
Pfeiffer Could have gone in the top 10 in the 2005 draft and ended up being snatched by Adelaide at #17. He did not play a senior game but managed a few appearances in the Crow's NAB cup campaign.

If he can maintain an injury free season as well as putting his off field issues behind him, I think it could be a decision Carlton wouldn't regret. All he needs is a fresh start with new faces and getting back the confidence he was once full of prior to when he was drafted.

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

There is no need for any smart arse comments in this thread, but draft profiles and rankings make for interesting reading two years down the track.

11) Darren Pfieffer

Midfielder/HBF

I see him as a defensive type midfielder in the AFL. Very hard player who competes very well in the clinches. Close to the best tackler in the draft. Good overall package with goodish speed and agility and a good mark to go with the best vertical jump at draft camp.
Plays a hard running style of game which is well suited to the AFL. Not a zoning player when down back who racks up the easy stats but a good 1 on 1 player who will run hard to create an option when rebounding.

Disposal is pretty good but sometimes his decisions and poise could be a little better.

Named best player for SA in the U18s and managed to play senior football in the SA.

Would really improve most teams in the AFL with the mix he has.
Accountable hard tackling quality midfielders are exactly what a lot of clubs need who possess decent pace and skills.
A real plug and play type of player who is about a sure thing as there is to become a competent player. Might not become as good as some of the more ‘freak types’ but some players are needed to be blue collar and do all the team things which allow more creative types to do there thing.


12) Scott Pendlebury

Utility

Potential is the first thing that comes to mind with him. A tall flanker type who is still young.
Devoted himself to football this year after previously being a basketballer and holding a scholarship with the AIS.
Really improved after the U18 Championships and got better and better as the season went on.
I am expecting this trend to continue after really only playing football full time this year.

Is very evasive and may lend itself to being a wing at AFL level. Good the big hands that handle the ball well in traffic and ‘dancing feet’ which make him able to find space when there appears to not be any. Good kicking skills on his left foot and seems a good decision maker. Not really a contested possession and clearance player at this stage but may develop.
Good testing overall at draft camp and nothing is holding him back if he applies himself fully. Considered a little bit lazy as things come easy to him and this is a bit of a worry going forward.

a 190cm of pure athletic potential who is still young and very inexperienced. Showed in his football that he can play and do a number of roles. Is ready to be moulded into just about any type of player and position.
If he grows anymore he could almost play KPP with those huge hands and leap and long arms.

Looking at a real utility who could develop into an Andrew Embley type of matchup nightmare with finding the right player with pace and aerial skills to go with him.
There is nothing lacking in his athletic ability or football skills which would prevent him playing anywhere on the ground.
Just the question on whether he develops as it is expected or his attitude of being a bit laid back due to his natural gifts and does the minimum required

13) Dale Thomas

HFF/midfield

A hard player to judge. Very quick (2.93 for 20m) and likes to run and carry the ball and break open play. However his kicking is not so good. Can do some really fantastic things as well as look a bit ordinary at times.
Good around goals. Like Nathan Jones he had a very good GF in the TAC and it can put him a little higher in peoples ratings since it was the last game seen.
Spectacular type of player. I feel he will be a forward pocket and not an AFL midfielder. Did not test well for the 3km or beep test and does not seem to have the tank as is a burst player at this stage.
Not overly big but likes to go for his marks. Small frame and will need to really fill out. If he can develop the endurance and put his head over the ball even more and his kicking really improves then he will be a very good get.
To many ifs for mine to take early. Some people will rate his X-Factor higher than me and have him much higher.
Moved way up in peoples opinions recently but I dont see it as much as others.



14) Ben McKinley -


HFF


The forgotten man of the draft is Ben. Not big enough to play KPP and not athletic enough to play midfield according to some. But can he play?
Just like Marcus Drum he does not fit the profile that people want so he slips down the order and is overlooked.
He really can do the freak things and does them more than anyone else I saw in the TAC this year.
Did not test very well at draft camp for his 20m and endurance testing so slipped further down.

When I have seen him play he seems reasonable quick with the ball in play and reacts quicker than others. Really goes hard at the ball and throws himself in.
Takes a huge mark for his size of just over 6 foot. Is a bit of a predator around goals and knows where they are at all times.

Dominated in the TAC and his form just got better and better after the U18 Championships.

Just a very good footballer who will play half forward flank and link up play and kick goals. A shorter and slighlt slower version of Andrew Embley is how I project him being as well as the standard Russel Robertson comparison.

15) Darren Pfeiffer

Midfielder/HBF

I see him as a defensive type midfielder in the AFL. Very hard player who competes very well in the clinches. Close to the best tackler in the draft. Good overall package with goodish speed and agility and a good mark to go with the best vertical jump at draft camp.
Plays a hard running style of game which is well suited to the AFL. Not a zoning player when down back who racks up the easy stats but a good 1 on 1 player who will run hard to create an option when rebounding.

Disposal is pretty good but sometimes his decisions and poise could be a little better.

Named best player for SA in the U18s and managed to play senior football in the SA.

Would really improve our side and would be a dream he is available at 20.
Accountable hard tackling quality midfielders are exactly what we need who possess decent pace and skills.




so far then my top 20 is

1) Murphy
2) Hurn
3) Ryder
4) Swallow
5) Ellis
6) Dowler
7) Kennedy
8) Drum
9) Clark
10) Hughes
11) Oakley-Nicholls
12) Varcoe
13) McKinley
14) Lucy
15) Pfeiffer

Pheiffer - will provide the defensive pressure the Fremantle need. Others are purely ball winners and if it is not going there way get exposed. Pheiffer will tackle and chase as well as anyone in the draft. Has a good AFL ready type body which will be able to compete. Can hurt going the other way and will play tight and close and allow for Haselby and others to be more offensive. Good in the air to make up for the lack of height of Schammer, Bell and others.

 

[CarltonFan]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

any video highlights? im not very familiar with pfeiffer

 

[Blueinblood]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

On Norwoodfc.com there are some hilights of matches and he is in 1 i hink..he appears 2-3 times....round 8 i think..nothing spec

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Colin Wisbey's opinion on Darren Pfeiffer.

Darren Pfeiffer (Norwood)

183/79 mid-age right foot (has other foot if necessary) HBF/utility.

*STYLE LIKE: Paul Kelly.

*MY RANKING (not meant to reflect appropriate draft pick to use): 19

*PROBABILITY OF AFL CAREER: Likely. Ready Year 1.

- Within an AFL team list, could prove capable of SUSTAINING a ranking of 10-15.

*HURT FACTORS (Offensive/Defensive/Negative): M / M / M

*TRADEMARK:

- Fearless, and probably successful, fly for a big mark, then tear off downfield but show tunnel-vision and maybe not get value from his kick.
- Just about anything else involving courage.

*SUMMARY ASSESSMENT, RECOMMENDATION:

- Courageous/fearless and ferocious 6ft take-them-on terrier dasher and high-flyer but kicking, decision-making and accountability a worry. At times, looks serious AFL potential and moves like a good aggressively intense, hard-running AFL type.

Not necessarily a hard-nut, as in "natural insider onballer" type like Paul Kelly was, but he does get his own ball and he plays a very similar style and his attributes and deficiencies are very similar to a HBF version of Kelly's - especially in the areas of courage, ferocious desire for the ball, hard running without being lightning, ability to play tall, ability to withstand physical pressure despite not having a tank build, fierce attack on the man, and NQR kicking efficiency. Pfeiffer will never reach the heights Kelly reached and Kelly was ahead in reliability of decision-making but I do see a lot of Kelly in Pfeiffer and Kelly was one of my most admired players.

- There is plenty to like, and some things to love, about Darren. In addition to the above, he links well and runs hard to do so, he gives a lot of run off half-back

However, his kicking and vision / decision-making on the run let him down too often, he is not nearly accountable enough for someone whose natural AFL role would seem to be HBF, and he is a run-the-lines dasher but not especially quick. I rate him but not with quite the same degree of enthusiasm many others do. If he wasn't inclined to have tunnel vision on the run (which he very often is) and if he hit more targets by foot and if he exercised more judicious accountability, or if I was really confident he could fully address that, I'd rank him as a first rounder and be really excited about him as a great package. But he is, he doesn't, he doesn't, I'm not, so I can't. Hence I wouldn't consider paying more than an early 2nd round pick (but I would quite happily take him with that) and there is a degree of good faith even in accepting that price. I expect him to go mid-late first round.

I have no doubt he will play plenty of AFL games and he will probably hit the ground running. At the moment though, his hurt factors are out of sync (and I've been a bit generous in how I've labelled them). He has to improve his 3 hurt factors (especially DHF and NHF) if he is to become a quality AFL long-termer.

- Originally from rural SA. Has shown he can mix it with the men (not that there should have been any doubt). Had a very good year of SANFL Reserves footy this year and some useful exposure to Seniors (not a lot of game time until an impressive 21 disposals game in Rnd 23).

*DISPOSAL:
(see above)

- Overall, good by hand (but doesn't do enough handballs) and very dicey by foot. Too many turnovers, let alone other inaccurate kicks.

- Dual-sided. Almost equally comfortable right or left but he has days where his non-preferred left gets him into serious trouble. At times his left foot delivers very well but it also has a frustrating turnover record. I would like him to use his left only when using his right is inconvenient. He too often chooses to use his left when he could just as easily, or almost as easily, use his right.

- Kicking when not on the run: Often quite good but not reliably so, and sometimes downright poor. Can get good depth but is not a thumping kick.

- Kicking on the run: Very mixed bag indeed. Sub-standard reliability. He regularly loses form (kicking technique), hunching over and hurriedly banging the ball onto the boot, even when not under any great pressure. He seems to have poor awareness of the pressure he is or isn't under. Too often kicks on the run as if he is about to get nailed. His frequent failure to steady and maintain technique means his kicks on the run often lack depth and power. Too many of his kicks on the run are mongrels/wobblers,

- Good by hand - quick hands, good hurt factor.

*DECISION-MAKING, SMARTS:
(see above)

- In general, vision / looking for options, and decision-making are mixed bag, sometimes exceptional, sometimes showing poor judgement. He is very often very good at traffic in terms of instinctive quick thinking, vision etc. However, in a tactical sense, he needs to play more footy-smart.

- He is somewhat of a ball magnet in the reverse sense. i.e. he is drawn to the ball like a moth to a flame. His fierce appetite for the ball is both a strength and a weakness. Strength in that he runs hard and far for it and won't accept "No" for answer once he has an opportunity to get it (ground, receive, or overhead). Weakness in that he is not always judicious in working out when to go and when to stay (assuming his thought processes actually do accommodate the prospect of a "stay" option). He is not drawn to the ball in the sense of a 12yo chasing it all over the park. He is smarter than that. It's just that his natural instinct is to almost always try to either run at the ball or run to a position in which he anticipates the ball will eventually come to or through. (see "Accountability" comments below). To put it another way, he puts more emphasis on making the play than on minimising the opportunities for the opposition to make the play. He is ultra competitive in his passion for the ball but needs a better grasp of the other side of competitiveness (i.e. adopting a miserly distaste for his opponent getting easy possessions elsewhere).

- Excellent reader of both play and ball when the play is unfolding in front of him. Excellent at roving the spill, especially good at front and square - a speciality of his. In that context, he knows where to run and when, and is very efficient in gathering and often in disposing when he does.

- When under pressure, even little-medium pressure, he needs to focus on slipping into space to buy time. Needs to improve his ability to do same.

- Capable of displaying good vision but, on the run, too often has tunnel vision instead of steadying and sorting out best option.

- Dubious awareness (see above).

- He needs to mix his game up more. At the moment he would offer an opposition AFL coach little challenge in planning a range of tactics to handle and exploit him. There is currently too much of an "Ignore opponent, run to ball or space, gather or receive or fly to mark ball, carry ball downfield, kick in direction of goals" predictability about his game.

Ratio of kicks to feeds is too high. Doesn't feed off nearly often enough (especially given his handballing ability). Too often has tunnel vision and just kicks straight and as far as he can instead of looking for best option. Needs to be more attuned to opportunities to feed off, especially to other runners in space and/or to switch direction.

- Inclined to too often fly for the mark when he has little or no chance of taking it, instead of waiting down.

*HANDS:

- Usually clean all levels. Not routinely special but does often collect the pill off the ground very cleanly at pace.

*OVERHEAD MARKING:

- Very strong overhead for his size. Plays tall. Attacks his marks very aggressively with reckless abandon, including launching himself into the face of the pack. Maintains balance, usually judges flight well and has good hands.

- As stated above, could be more judicious in selecting which aerial contests are worth flying for though, and on which occasions it is better to stay down and sweat of the spill or cover a dangerous free opponent.

- No DC reach figures were published but I suspect he might have a bit of a reach advantage (unconfirmed).

*ATHLETICISM:

- Quite good pace, a bit above average for his size, but he can often look quicker than he actually is because he often already has momentum when getting the ball so steals an initial break once he gets it. He is certainly not super quick but he does often seem to be able to find another gear on the run.

- Excellent leap.

- Will finish up with a very good build for AFL and it won't take long.

- Even allowing for the hard running he does, he does appear to tire at times, and his body shape doesn't appear to be all that rock-hard at this stage so I suspect his endurance is not quite there yet but that he has plenty of scope to lift it.

*INTENSITY, ETHIC:
(see above)

- Accountability is a concern. He is certainly not a downhill skier. He runs hard both ways and is super competitive and regularly desperate and ferocious in trying to nail both ball and man. It's just that he routinely backs his judgement. It's not "just" that he zones off his man at the last minute. He is too inclined to free-wheel and without being necessarily discerning. His opponents made him pay on various occasions this year and a clever AFL forward will make him pay dearly. He is very accountable and intensely physical once an opponent already has the ball or looks a chance to get it. However, in other cases, Pfeiffer's implicit "If I manage to get the ball, the opposition will have to worry about me because they won't have the ball" policy can get in the road of what is sometimes a more important need to make sure his opponent doesn't or is not left in a position where he could be damaging..

- Other than accountability, he usually displays excellent intensity and ethic.

- Fiercely competitive. Ferocious. "Never" gives up. Chases hard, tackles well. Attacks both man and ball with purpose. Always plays as if he really wants the ball. Attacks a marking spoil with the same enthusiasm as when competing for the mark.

- Virtually all the 1%ers covered.

- Ultra courageous.

- An almost relentless runner. Runs hard, covers ground, works hard when he gets to the ball/contest.

*CONSISTENCY:

- Rarely plays a poor game. What you see is what you get.

*AFL VERSATILITY:

- Running HBF seems ideal but he must lift his accountability to his own opponent. "Wing" also suits. In time, when he builds up endurance and if (!) he decides to become much more accountable, might even be a chance of a run-with role.

- I don't see him as a HFF as I think he is better when he can see the play unfold more in front of him and run direct with the ball. Hasn't played a lot as a forward but doesn't seem to read the play and run to the right spots and at with the right timing like a natural forward would. There are some elements of the same on display when he plays onball (as compared to a "wing" role. For that reason I am dubious of his prospects of becoming a smart inside onballer.

*CSI (COMPARATIVE SCOPE for IMPROVEMENT):

- No special factors.

*QUERY:

- Kicking accuracy, especially on the run.
- Tunnel vision on the run.
- Evasion, creating space.
- Accountability.

*SOME STATS:

- Stats summary '05 U18 Champs:
Averaged 17 disposals and 5.0 marks in his 3 games. (Best TD 21).
Kicks per 20 disp: 17.
Kicks long vs short: 21-15 (6 long per 10 kicks).
Ineffective kicks: 7/43 (1.6 per 10 kicks), incl 3 clangers (0.7 per 10 kicks).
Ineffective handballs: 1/7 (1.4 per 10 handballs), incl 1 clangers (1.4 per 10 handballs).
Ineffective disposals: 8/50 (3.2 per 20 disp), incl 4 clangers (1.6 per 20 disp).
HandBall Receives: 16/50 (6 per 20 disp).
Hardball gets: 6/50 (2 per 20 disp).
S.P. clearances: 3/50 (1 per 20 disp), incl 2 BU (1 per 20 disp), incl 0 CBC (0 per 20 disp).
Tackles: 6 (Avg 2.0 per game).
Marks: 15 (6 per 20 disp), incl 3 contested (2.0 per 10 marks).

*OTHER STUFF:

- Good Reserves form '05. Played a few Seniors games (21d R23).

 

[andrew4443]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

How is Darren Pfeiffer going in Preseason? Does you reckon he will get a game this year?

 

[gandaal]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

How is Darren Pfeiffer going in Preseason? Does you reckon he will get a game this year?

That all depends on him but his preseason has been pretty poor due to an injury he suffered during an unofficial practice match he played with the Tigers before the PSD.

He's a risky pick for the dreamteam comp if that's what you want to know.

 

[andrew4443]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

That all depends on him but his preseason has been pretty poor due to an injury he suffered during an unofficial practice match he played with the Tigers before the PSD.

He's a risky pick for the dreamteam comp if that's what you want to know.

Thanks mate

 

[cwebb(go_fish#14)]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

I've hardly heard about this guy throughout the preseason. Does anyone know how far out of our best 22 he is atm?

 

[Blue Dimension]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

I dont think he'll be a round 1 starter, but i think he'll be in the side sooner rather than later.

 

[cwebb(go_fish#14)]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

I dont think he'll be a round 1 starter, but i think he'll be in the side sooner rather than later.

Thanx mate, also says his a utility, where do ya reckon he will play?

 

[Dima]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Thanx mate, also says his a utility, where do ya reckon he will play?

I'm pretty sure I've read that he was recruited for the backline. He will probably be used at half back flank to take advantage of his pace.

 

[cwebb(go_fish#14)]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

I'm pretty sure I've read that he was recruited for the backline. He will probably be used at half back flank to take advantage of his pace.

thanx again

 

[hey shorty]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Spoke to Darren briefly before your boys headed off to South Africa. Says he is really enjoying the second (and last) chance that he's been given by your club. Is missing friends and family but that is to be expected early on I guess. I also, saw you guys through him in the middle against Freo, eventually that where I think he'll play.

When he played up here in the Adelaide Hills in the junior grades he was just a step or two above everyone else going through the midfield. His father was also a VERY handy player back here and Daz got every bit of his talent. Hopefully the boy stays out of trouble and becomes a very hand footballer for your lot.

 

[gandaal]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Gee it looks like I was wrong about Darren. What a great game from the kid today. He's put himself in contention for a long term spot in the senior side if he continues to play the way he did against Port. Good work Pfeiffer

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Pfeiff standing up in tackles to dish off and getting the ball in the middle of the ground was the most impressive part of his game tonight.

Darren needs to improve his kicking though.

 

[BlueBelle]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Very impressed with his game tonight. Well done Darren, keep it up!

 

[cwebb(go_fish#14)]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

He answered all my questions about him last night, hope it wasn't a one off

 

[Jeremias]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Very impressed by Darren last night - that was about as good a debut game as we could have realistically hoped from him.

Showed great courage and commitment to get the ball and involve himself and his teammates in the play. Skills were a little rusty, and that's the only negative of his game, but it's round 1 of the NAB Cup, so there's nothing to worry about in the slightest.

If he keeps playing like that, he's a certain starter for round 1 vs the Tigers. Long way to go between now and then, though.

 

[Dogga79]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Hopefully Darren can keep it up. The signs were positive yesterday. Looks like being away from his home environment and his mates has done wonders for him.

 

[Beloved]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

My god this fella' played a solid game yesterday. He used his body and continuously got his hands on the footy. Well done to Darren.

 

[hey shorty]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Pretty impressed by Darren yesterday, as I was by a few other Blues youngsters. Slotted in nicely and a couple more performances like that should see him make his debut in Rd1.

 

[Bluebear]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Gave Jordan Russell a lesson in "How to make the most of your chances", and may well pinch his place oin the senior team.

Would be interested to see how he finishes on a ground that doesn't suck balls in terms of kicking for goal, such as at the Dome on Saturday.

 

[Dima]

Re: Darren Pfeiffer

Gave Jordan Russell a lesson in "How to make the most of your chances", and may well pinch his place oin the senior team.

Would be interested to see how he finishes on a ground that doesn't suck balls in terms of kicking for goal, such as at the Dome on Saturday.

Didn't really seem to have much of a problem at AAMI. Ellard on the other hand....