Doing the Rounds

[Dave The Man]

WHILE a couple of Collingwood draftees have been making headlines over the summer, another first-year Pie hasn’t gone unnoticed by coaches at the Lexus Centre.

Luke Rounds, Collingwood’s fourth selection and taken with the 46th overall pick last November, has quietly been impressing with his strong work ethic and hard running.

The likes of Steele Sidebottom and Dayne Beams have not only stood out on the field, but their catchy names and the latter’s distinctive tattoos have made them hard to miss at training.

Meanwhile Rounds, the quietly-spoken youngster from country Victoria, has been more-than happy to sit back and let his housemates take much of the focus.

“My progress has been pretty good but I’m happy for Beamsy and Steele to take all the media attention,” he told collingwoodfc.com.au.

The trio share a house in one of Melbourne’s bayside suburbs along with rookie Magpie Scott Reed – a far cry from Rounds’ hometown of Mortlake.

But he is loving life in the big smoke – and at the Lexus Centre.

This year he could easily be back home, making a weekly trip to train and play TAC Cup football.

The running defender, who only turned 18 earlier this month, is still eligible to play U18 footy but the Pies swooped early, knowing if they let the athletic youngster slide either another club would grab him or he would quickly be snapped up in next year’s draft.

“I didn’t expect to be drafted, being bottom-age,” Rounds said.

“I didn’t have the best year … it was just consistent.

“I played most of it on the wing and down back, on a back flank. I liked playing on the back flank and being able to run the ball and set up.”

Rounds averaged 17 possessions from 16 games for the Geelong Falcons last year, but it was his neat disposal and athletic ability that had regional manager Michael Turner likening him to Travis Boak when he was coming through the Falcons’ system.

A standout performance in the Falcons’ first final had recruiters drooling, and when he bolted 20m in 2.83 seconds at last year’s state screening sessions, most clubs had seen enough to know they had a player in the making.

Like most draftees, Rounds isn’t setting any unrealistic goals in his debut season but he would like to taste senior action.

And he has given himself a solid base to work from. He arrived at the club weighing 74kg but after a few short months in the gym is up to 79kg.

“I’m happy with that,” he said. “I’ll hopefully keep on adding to that a bit over the next couple of years.

“I’ve just got to try and get a kick now, though.”

Rounds played predominately in defence during the Pies’ intra-club match late last month and, like his fellow draftees, won praise for his efforts.

But the Collingwood coaching staff held back their young guns for the trip to Perth in their NAB Cup opener.

“Fingers crossed my chance will come,” Rounds said.

Good Interview and Hope to see him Play in the NAB Cup

Story Here

 

[Soups]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

"And he has given himself a solid base to work from. He arrived at the club weighing 74kg but after a few short months in the gym is up to 79kg."

This is the bit that I really liked to hear. Someone said that he had bulked up a bit and he has put on heaps of weight in only a few months. Very good signs.

 

[Dave The Man]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

This year he could easily be back home, making a weekly trip to train and play TAC Cup football.

The running defender, who only turned 18 earlier this month, is still eligible to play U18 footy but the Pies swooped early, knowing if they let the athletic youngster slide either another club would grab him or he would quickly be snapped up in next year’s draft.

“I didn’t expect to be drafted, being bottom-age,” Rounds said.

“I didn’t have the best year … it was just consistent.

That was also Intresting to read that he thought he was not expected to get Drafted becasuse he thought he did not play great footy.

Weird becasue quite a few teams I heard where very eager to draft them with there next pick after us

 

[ksardog]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

as ive said before this is the guy im most excited about from this draft and thats saying something considering the talents of sidebottom and beams.this could be the draft that finally delivers not only a premiership but an extended period at the top of this competition.fingers crossed!

 

[shawthing09]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

Dave you seriously are like a 5 year old who was given their first bike for christmas with these draftees.

 

[unplugged]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

Representing the South West by putting on 5kg!

 

[wixism]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

He will be the size of buckley in 5 years if he keeps doing that
hopefully he gets a go in the NAB cup.

 

[King Woodie]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

He will be the size of buckley in 5 years if he keeps doing that
hopefully he gets a go in the NAB cup.

His build is not entirely dissimlar. Buckley played at mid-high 80s, Rounds is at 80 now, but a bit shorter. Seriously, I was astounded by how solid he was, especially through the legs. Very very solid legs. I wouldn't want him to get too much heavier to be honest, early 80s would be fine.

AS LONG AS HE DOESN'T LOSE SPEED AND GROUD COVERAGE!!! In my opinion, these are greater assets to his game than having a tank-like build, and he must make sure he maintains them.

 

[DoubleO7]

Re: Doing the RoundsDoing the Rounds

In his final years Buckley was playing at 92 Kg.