Draft

[Stiffy_18]

Interesting comments from Craig Cameron (Melbourne's recruiting manager) regarding non selection of Toovey, Kirby and Grundy and late selection of Eckermann

Grundy and Kirkby suffered from being not athletic enough. Toovey from not finding the football enough and Eckerman from being small, not great in traffic, or with his hands in tight. He is also not quite as quick as some might believe. His first 5 metres needs work. As he gets older and more powerful this may come.

We considered Wood but chose Bate and Dunn ahead of him. He is a fair few years of being ready.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Being the conservative type, I am going to wait and see, so I'm a not sure.

I was surprised we went for three talls that are ruck/forward types - seeing we took 3 talls last draft too. and perhaps didnt look at a defender, in fact I don't remember much talk about defenders. Should we have looked at one. I notice some have said we maybe are one midfielder type short.

However, as was mentioned we have some talls already whose careers are in question.

dezzmo, I think Chad Gibson is more likely to be a defender than he is a forward

People say he will be a forward but I think he is a defender type and a big one at that. Already a big boy with his 195 cm / 93 kg frame. I think his size and athleticism makes him a very good KP prospect.

 

[macca23]

Interesting comments from Craig Cameron (Melbourne's recruiting manager) regarding non selection of Kirby and Grundy and late selection of Eckermann

Grundy and Kirkby suffered from being not athletic enough.

That's an interesting comment isn't it.

Particularly as both were expected by observers to go early in the draft - and didn't go at all.

Both are regarded as very good footballers. Does that mean there's no room in footy for someone who can really play footy but isn't an athlete?

 

[Stiffy_18]

That's an interesting comment isn't it.

Particularly as both were expected by observers to go early in the draft - and didn't go at all.

Both are regarded as very good footballers. Does that mean there's no room in footy for someone who can really play footy but isn't an athlete?

Thats why I think Grundy would be a a bargain pick up. Grundy was overlooked for exactly the same reasons as Rutten. A footy-smart player will always compensate for him lack of atheltic ability with his brain.

Certainly puts the Eckermann "confusion" to rest. There is nothing that ********s me more in a midfielder than not having clean hands in tight. From Cameron's description Eckermann is a slightly taller version of Skipworth at the same time in their junior careers.

 

[Nige_Bix]

dezzmo, I think Chad Gibson is more likely to be a defender than he is a forward

People say he will be a forward but I think he is a defender type and a big one at that. Already a big boy with his 195 cm / 93 kg frame. I think his size and athleticism makes him a very good KP prospect.

OK - that's interesting - and of course its good to have KP guys who can play at both ends of the ground too.

I reckon there is lot of pressure on Rhett Biglands to perform given the presence of Hudson and the others coming through. I guess lookng forward, it will also be interesting to see what happens with Andrews in 2006 as I dont know if he can be retained as a rookie.

 

[macca23]

Below are Burgatron's comments on both Kirkby and Grundy, and where he rated them in his phantom draft, after sniffing around all the recruiting scouts. It's hard to believe that they didn't get picked up - athletic or not.

I'd love to have either one of them on our rookie list along with a pair of mid-fielders.

ROUND TWO

20 - RICHMOND - Ruory Kirkby
(Bendigo Pioneers), 2 April 1986, 192cm, 80kg

Richmond is likely to continue targeting key talls early in this year's Draft and Kirkby will be right in the mix at pick 20. It will be Richmond's fifth selection at the meeting. The key defender/forward is terrific overhead and mobile for his size, while he capped off an outstanding carnival in the National Bank's AFL under-18 championships when he claimed All-Australian honours. He was among Victoria Country's best against South Australia during the championships. Kirkby was also named in the 2004 TAC Cup team of the year. He has attracted plenty of interest, with Hawthorn one club in particular closely monitoring his whereabouts around the selection 21 mark. He is widely regarded as a 15 to 30 draft choice. Maric is also in the mix for the Tigers.


28 - ADELAIDE - Heath Grundy
(Norwood), 2 June 1986, 192cm, 92kg

Regarded as a 'genuine footballer', Grundy is a strong marking, mobile key forward/defender who shone at this year's Draft, where he gained All-Australian honours. He showed he was good in one-on-one situations, while he kicked three goals and took 11 marks against Western Australia during the carnival. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate, Grundy impressed when he played senior football for Norwood in the SANFL in 2003/04. Adelaide has shown strong interest in him and it will be keen to snap him up at either selection 24 or 28, where he is likely to fit in the picture. Sydney may target him at selection 31, if he is overlooked by the Crows, while Sturt's Benet Copping will also be in Adelaide's thinking.

 

[Stiffy_18]

OK - that's interesting - and of course its good to have KP guys who can play at both ends of the ground too.

I reckon there is lot of pressure on Rhett Biglands to perform given the presence of Hudson and the others coming through. I guess lookng forward, it will also be interesting to see what happens with Andrews in 2006 as I dont know if he can be retained as a rookie.

Interesting you raise Rowan Andrews "issue" here. As I said in the other thread the first thing that came to my mind when we picked up Maric @ 40 was "I wonder what Rowan would think about this"

The club has been very impressed with what Rowan showed this year, hence the second year on the list. I reckon selectionof 2 young ruckman puts more pressure on the likes of Biglands, Hudson and Andrews to perform. I reckon it creates a bit of competition and knowing Rowan's character I think he will set himself up for a big season in 2005. If he becomes a regular SANFL league player next year I think we will promote him.

Clarke out, Andrews in. Thats a big if though.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

If professionals like your good selves are reasonably happy then an amateur like myself must be stoked.

Good one AFC

Who isnt happy then?

 

[Nige_Bix]

The club has been very impressed with what Rowan showed this year, hence the second year on the list. I reckon selectionof 2 young ruckman puts more pressure on the likes of Biglands, Hudson and Andrews to perform. I reckon it creates a bit of competition and knowing Rowan's character I think he will set himself up for a big season in 2005. If he becomes a regular SANFL league player next year I think we will promote him.

I agree, he would need to be a league regular to warrant upgrading in '06. Would be nice to see Krueger be there more consistently too.

 

[Ozzie]

I agree, he would need to be a league regular to warrant upgrading in '06. Would be nice to see Krueger be there more consistently too.

This draft sets up the rucks to be Meesen,Andrews and Maric in 2 years time.

Clarke will retire after this coming season and Biglands and Hudson are mere stopgaps at this stage.

I liked Huddo at the start of the year, but as it progressed I felt he had peaked. I think he is good at SANFL level but just short of being a true AFL lead ruckman.

As for the likes of Kruegar and a couple of the others the same applies, they must make a mark this year or they are gone.

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

8/10 for me. If we pick up either Grundy or Redden ( if possible ) in the PSD the mark will increase to 8.5.

It appears the AFC heard our calls for more aggression, Gibson, Thompson and Meeson - you lil beauty.

 

[macca23]

Interesting to see that perennial Crows basher and critic, Chris McDermott has rated this as the best Crows drafting ever (as has Pat Fantasia), and Meesen as the best draft pick ever made by the Crows.

This seems to be the overall feeling by the critics in general.

Personally I'm stoked!!

 

[macca23]

Matt Burgan's comments from the AFL site:

Now for the verdict
10:10:49 AM Sun 21 November, 2004
Matt Burgan
Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au

ADELAIDE
Adelaide did exceptionally well and looking into the future, it could be the club's best effort at a National Bank's AFL Draft. The club now has three key men in its recruiting stocks - James Fantasia, Alan Stewart and John Turnbull, which will only benefit the club. The Crows nabbed three key talls, Meesen, Gibson and Maric, along with two midfielders, Van Berlo and Knights. Surprisingly Adelaide selected Victorian Meesen over South Australian ruckman Cameron Wood with its first selection. But it's not hard to understand why as many believed Meesen was the best available ruckman in this year's draft. Gibson is a powerhouse key defender/forward who has been likened to Lions champion Jonathan Brown. Van Berlo is an outstanding athlete, who can also play the game, while Knights, despite some injury problems, is promising.

8 - John Meesen (Geelong Falcons)
24 - Nathan Van Berlo (West Perth)
28 - Chad Gibson (Norwood)
40 - Ivan Maric (Calder Cannons)
56 - Chris Knights (Eastern Ranges

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Who voted no in the poll?

 

[crowsarethebest]

Who voted no in the poll?

The ones who do not know how the players we drafted play

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

The ones who do not know how the players we drafted play

I just wish they would show themselves...

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I just wish they would show themselves...

Trolls
So far no-one has posted any negativity to our selections

 

[Leigh Roy]

Thanks for your info guys and especially Stiffy for the PMs.

I'm normally clueless with this kind of stuff as a lot of you probably already know, I have not voted yet but I'm leaning towards yes. Those of you with an eye for this stuff seem pleased, that counts for something.

Meeson - interested in him

Van Berlo - the word on him is good, bit unsure myself, I'll wait and see

Gibson - this boy seems very hyped up, hope he does well

Maric - this is part of a bigger question I have about the overall draft, I don't think there is/can't find any analysis of the surprises/twists/turns the draft took. Why Tambling went late (to Richmond!).....the circumstances which gave us Maric......I'd like to see some play-by-play info of the actual event. Not that I'm taking away from the lad or the recruiting staff - but why was he still there? Our club isn't this lucky in these types of things.

Knights - Another midfielder to put a rocket up the current squad to get them to play better for their spots. Would like to see him challenging a few of the passengers.

I'm cautious, but we've got a nice catch there it seems. Hope the boys are managed well by the club so they are keen to be one-club players; and they aren't too fazed by all the hype surrounding them. This could blow up in the club's face if everybody in the country starts putting too much pressure on these kids, not saying they'd leave but they might not reach their potential. That means, get the flag thoughts out of your heads and let the club some footy, you lot!

 

[Stiffy_18]

Thanks for your info guys and especially Stiffy for the PMs.

No worries