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Draft

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jackmac7 said:
Yarran sounds good doesn't he. They will take into consideration he is an indigenous boy from the other side of the country. We know how Daniel Wells has slowly adapted after coming from WA.

Jackson Trengrove had a routine training mishap in june which ended his season. Did his knee, broke a bone in his leg which caused his hamstring to tear off the bone could see him slide beyond first round. Let's hope he doesn't have Kosi's syndrome:rolleyes:. How anyone can do that at training is beyond me.

Would Zeibell, Blease or Robinson be considered?

Hopefully Macca can plonk himself in the goal square next year rotating with Kosi in the ruck. King still our #1 ruckman with Kosi playing all over the ground also. Allen needs to step up and kick some goals to give Roo a hand.

Cousins to strengthen our midfeild with pace and skill.

So I think it's definately a Yarran half forward/midfeilder with blistering pace or Trengrove key back type. Lyon loves his defenders.

The million dollar question is which one of those guys carries a higher risk, Yarran's work ethic or Trengroves injuries? Saying that Buddy franklin was critisised for being lazy in his year.
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I would have thought Blease would be an option if he slides since he could fill that link up pace breaker to run alongside with Gram, Goddard & Montagna, Trentgrove was a decent prospect until his leg and right now that would be a bit of a problem since you'd be picking up already damaged goods before he's even played a single game, might be a bit to much risk for the potential to take as opposed to Yarran who couldsimply gel with the group to pick up the work ethic needed.

I think it was also about time we started utalising the ruck rotations to a forward position instead of the bench, had little idea why we didn't stick Kingy down there and replace himw ith Kosi a of couple times wihich would have then meshed witht he "hit and hope" panic times we had going.
 
Blease apparently doesn't get much of the ball. He's got pace and skills but was only averaging 12-15 touches in the Championships. Plus he's a twig, similar in size to Eljay. I saw some highlights of him and he looks bloody good, but I think we should go for someone a little more certain to make it. No more risky picks...

Anyway, I'm sure our recruiting managers, and Bevo know what they're doing. So whoever we take, I'm sure it will be the right decision.
 
Top_4_Tiger said:
With so many late picks your likelihood of aiming at a more senior player is probably high.

Any chance you could go for Greg Tivendale?

I heard he will be nominating for the draft, so maybe a club has told him they might be interested. I've also heard St Kilda's name pop up, but really not sure.

He was getting 35 possies + 4 goals in nearly every match for Coburg this year but Terry told him early on he was not required due to the youth policy. has finished in the top end of our B+F for many years, I've always thought he'd made a great wingman in a winning team (he was a gun in 2001 when Richmond were winning).

Just a thought, he's certainly 10x better than Fiora that's for sure.
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God no:thumbsdown:
 
Armitage2Riewoldt said:
Thats why they call it a highlights package, brother. ;)
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Yes brother, but show me a player who looks bad in their highlights package?

It's like the packages they show of NBA players. They never miss a shot!

Everyone looks like a star from a highlights package.
 

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I think you guys will be looking at Liam Jones from tasmania for your pick47 and others around that. He is a tall KP player around 195, and is also a bottom aged player. he didnt play in the championships this year because he got injured playing for Scotch College doing a knee injury. He also trained with St Kilda as part of his AIS sponsarship. Because he hasnt been heavily seen and is also bottom aged i reckon he would be avaliable. Would also suit St Kilda's needs because is apparently a better CHB but did play CHF this year.
 
Armitage2Riewoldt said:
Thats the one.

Should go alright I think, it's the calculator exam I'll fail miserably.
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You'll be right brother.

Hang tough....it'll be over soon and then the best break of your life.
 
Are you like one of them people that says.

'If you have a phone, mp3 player or any other electrical device, please raise your hand now'

We got a chick with a really deep voice to do it, it's hard to judge whether it's hilarious or down right scary. :eek:

And how come you stay at the same school year in year out, cos I remember her from last year...
 

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Armitage2Riewoldt said:
Are you like one of them people that says.

'If you have a phone, mp3 player or any other electrical device, please raise your hand now'

We got a chick with a really deep voice to do it, it's hard to judge whether it's hilarious or down right scary. :eek:

And how come you stay at the same school year in year out, cos I remember her from last year...
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Yeah, I'm usually the one who does that. I usually warn students on their way in, should see the treasure trove of electronic goodies left on the table prior to some exams.

And the school and its appointed head supervisor organises my employment, not VCAT or VCAA or whatever the hell it is these days, hence the same school year after year. I've been at the same school for 3 or 4 years now.

holllywood said:
if you are same school as me, little bit of slack towards fellow saints supporters?

perhaps u can turn a blind eye wen i fone a friend ? :D:D:D
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Yeah let me think about it, no. Don't want to jeopardise the big bucks I make (varies from subject to subject, $122 for English)
 
Usually most kids are smart enough to either turn it off in their pockets (I dont see the point of bringing it in, just added risk). One kid actually handed his up when we were all sitting down, guess he just thought 'shiiit why risk it'. But damn, I left my phone at home lol, whats the point...

Jeez, $122 to stand around and do nothing for 3 hours. Where do I sign up? :p
 
Armitage2Riewoldt said:
Usually most kids are smart enough to either turn it off in their pockets (I dont see the point of bringing it in, just added risk). One kid actually handed his up when we were all sitting down, guess he just thought 'shiiit why risk it'. But damn, I left my phone at home lol, whats the point...

Jeez, $122 to stand around and do nothing for 3 hours. Where do I sign up? :p
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That's exactly what I thought. But that doesn't include the setting up the room and organising the papers (do you think all those damn stickers magically appear on the papers?), or collecting and sorting the papers to go to VCAT/VCAA/whatever. All in all English is 5-6 hours, and the three hours of the actual exam are so damn boring.
 
goodie23 said:
With key backs there's always a chance, if any position tends to slide it's tall defenders. Look at Rance last year.
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True. I think though there are more clubs looking for Key backs this year than last. Carlton, Essendon, Collingwood, Roos, Sydney

Trengove/Hurley seem to be the popular choices say if they're gone, who do we go with? Do we go for a pacy mid? Blease, Swift, Hill, Robinson, Yarran?
How about Lewis Johnston? a big chance to still be available, partner him with Allen and Riewoldt and we could have a dangerous forward line again. What about McKernan?
 
CHBench said:
True. I think though there are more clubs looking for Key backs this year than last. Carlton, Essendon, Collingwood, Roos, Sydney

Trengove/Hurley seem to be the popular choices say if they're gone, who do we go with? Do we go for a pacy mid? Blease, Swift, Hill, Robinson, Yarran?
How about Lewis Johnston? a big chance to still be available, partner him with Allen and Riewoldt and we could have a dangerous forward line again. What about McKernan?
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I was thinkin McKernan sounded pretty good as well. Will definitely be in the mix.

Gees Yarran sounds like a goer tho... If he's available I say take it. We need a good HFF. Goddard can only play so many positions... Sigh.
 

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Draft talent analysis: tall defenders



In his role as the AFL's youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney has worked extensively with the elite footballing talent eligible for the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Speaking exclusively to afl.com.au McCartney offers a rare insight into some of this year's draft hopefuls. Today he looks at tall defenders and tomorrow he will run his eye over small-medium midfielders.

Tall Defenders
Michael Gugliotta
DOB: 26/6/90
State league: NT
Club: Nightcliff
JM: Googs was in our AIS/AFL Academy two years ago and he's an extremely athletic player and presented outstandingly well in most of the physical components of Draft Camp.
I think there will be a fair bit of interest in him from clubs, probably not on what he's delivered yet, but just because of his size, shape and athleticism.
He's been a bit of a project player for us at the academy over the last couple of years. He didn't win a lot of the footy at the under-18 championships, but what was pleasing was the way he stood up under pressure when required.
I saw him go back with the flight with his hands above his head, which is extremely brave because he knew the pack was coming, and he marked it and in the same game he ran with the flight and marked it Jonathan Brown-style. He's improved his kicking and he's still got a bit to do there, but he's a player who, in a really good quality development program, could end up being a midfielder."
Matthew Broadbent
DOB: 1/8/90
State league: SA
Club: Woodville-West Torrens
JM: Broady was with us at the AIS/AFL Academy this year and actually played a bit of senior footy with the (Woodville-West Torrens) Eagles. He's a player that you look at and he's a solid all-rounder and someone you'd love to have in your team. He's probably not going to be one of the stars, but he runs hard, he runs straight and he's disciplined.
I know Vossy (ex AIS/AFL Development Coach Michael Voss) encouraged him to take the opposition on a bit more when he gets the footy and you could see in games where he was actually trying to act on that.
He was probably one of SA's better players in the first three games of the under-18 championships and he came over to Melbourne and finished off playing a really good brand of footy.
He was playing half-back, and at times through the midfield, attacking the ball hard with clean hands and then running and breaking the lines. He's a good disciplined kid who had a run-with role in one game and played very well.
Jordan Jones
DOB: 29/6/90
State league: VIC
Club: Geelong Falcons
JM: Jordan was the centre half-back for the Vic Country side and the games I saw him in he was a solid contributor who was very good in one-on-one situations. He provides a lot of rebound and wins the contested footy well in a marking situation.
He's not a defender who will just try and nullify an opponent – he is able to win the footy and run off and create.
Michael Hurley
DOB: 01/6/90
State league: VIC
Club: Northern Knights
JM: Michael's one of our AIS/AFL Academy boys and to me he is just a natural defender who I think can just walk into an AFL club and play.
There haven't been many players in the last couple of years who have been able to come in through the NAB AFL Draft and play straight away and I don't want to put those expectations on Hurls, but I think as a key defender he wouldn't be that far off it.
He played a bit of footy as a forward this year with some success – I think he kicked seven goals in one game for the Knights – and I think that's great for his development as a backman.
The ball just doesn't get past him in the back line. He's strong and he's physically intimidating, even though he's not huge at 192 cm, and he's a beautiful kick of the footy. Whether he's at full back or centre half-back when he gets the football in his hands he disposes of it well.
He's not super quick, but reads the ball well and does something that I haven't seen many kids do or even many players at senior level, and that's have the ability to spoil the ball well with either hand. So if he's caught out of position a bit he can very naturally get his left or right fist in. On a fast flat track at Telstra Dome his speed wasn't an issue and he played very well.
He'll be a good pick-up and you'd have to think that Port Adelaide, Essendon or Carlton would look at him in the first round (in the draft).
Casey Sibosado
DOB: 13/10/90
State league: NT
Club: Northern Territory Thunder
JM: Casey is actually from up in the Kimberley region in WA, but he ended up playing for NT at under-18 level because they get a few concessions for their small population.
One of the best things Casey did this year was play for Oakleigh Chargers after his commitment with Xavier College which really helped his development. He moves really well, has great athleticism and is real rangy in his movements and covers the ground well. He did a couple of things in games which made you say; 'yeah, he can play'.
There's a bit of x-factor about him, a bit of excitement, and he'll really benefit from a solid pre-season. I think he would be an exceptional late pick-up.
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No Trengove? :confused:
 
Draft talent analysis: small-medium mids




Small/Medium Midfielders
Chris Hall
DOB: 25/6/90
State league: SA
Club: Woodville-West Torrens Eagles
JM: Chris was very consistent during the under-18 championships for South Australia and was particularly good in the first couple of games when SA played at home. He played predominantly as a half-forward, but he's a quality mover and an excellent finisher.
Eventually you would think he will play through the midfield, but as a half-forward he really didn't need to get a lot of the footy to have an impact on the game. He's a good decision maker who uses the ball well and he was extremely prominent when SA came to Melbourne and finished off the tournament well.
Sam Blease
DOB: 2/5/90
State league: VIC
Club: Eastern Ranges
JM: Sammy has exceptional speed. He was with our AIS-AFL Academy this year and I think what he achieved with his footy this year was quite remarkable considering he had no preparation coming in. He had minor surgery on both his hips – one in December and one in January – so he had no continuity in his training, but was very diligent with the way he went about it.
His first game for the year was actually when we were in South Africa and what was great was that he didn't miss a beat. His capacity to run the lines was remarkable, he can run really hard at top pace, and he used the ball really well. He backed that up in the second match over there where he was one of our better players.
He sets high standards for himself; he was disappointed with his third game when we came back to Perth, but that's to be expected when you have no pre-season.
What really stood out for me, in a strong Vic Metro side in the final of the under-18 championships, was a passage of play that I think would have just had recruiters drooling. He ran down a Western Australian player between wing and half-back at top speed, the ball spilled free, another player gathered the loose ball and then handballed on to Blease who had run to just forward of the wing and drilled the goal running inside 50. The defensive chase, tackle and recovery and then to be able to get on the end and finish was special.
I think he'll be a first or high second-round pick.
Jamie Sheahan
DOB: 11/8/90
State league: VIC
Club: Murray Bushrangers
JM: Jamie is quite a small player (178cm) but he actually uses his body really well. He's good overhead and he's good in a contested situation and is very clever around the goals. He's just very smart, keeps finding the footy and I think he'll be someone clubs will have a good look at around the third round of the draft.
He played a lot of footy this year with school commitments as well, but really acquitted himself well.
Nick Suban
DOB: 9/5/90
State league: VIC
Club: North Ballarat
JM: Nick has an outstanding couple of years having been named All-Australian in 2007 and 2008. He was in the AIS-AFL Academy this year and what stands out about Nick is that he has great leadership qualities and he's a left footer who kicks the ball well.
He also has a great flexibility to his game, he plays predominantly midfield and half-back, but for Vic Country over in Perth he actually played in a back pocket on Chris Yarran, who is a great young player, and really shut him out.
Chris is a leading forward so he was even playing full back at times and I think when you see a young player have the ability to do that it really adds strings to his bow.
David Zaharakis
DOB: 21/2/90
State league: VIC
Club: Northern Knights
JM: David was draft age last year and was overlooked. He's in the leadership group at the Northern Knights and is just a super-quality kid and is an in-and-under type player with a great work ethic. You can really see why he was one of the leaders at the club.
He sets a positive example by the way he plays and has firm values that he lives his life by. He got a kick in the guts last year in not being drafted, but he's hit back really well this year.
Mitchell Banner
DOB: 5/6/90
State league: VIC
Club: Western Jets
JM: Mitch went head to head with Daniel Rich here in the final of the Under-18s and played a really good game. Rich was pretty good as well, there's no doubt about that, but what I liked about Mitch in that game was that he wasn't over-awed by playing on a really good quality player. He went out and won a bit of the footy himself in that game.
There had been a bit of a question mark over his disposal, but he's worked really hard at it and you could see how that has improved over the course of the year.
Michael Walters
DOB: 7/1/91
State league: WA
Club: Swan Districts
JM: Michael is an AIS-AFL Academy boy who has just got exquisite skills and his balance is quite phenomenal. He's quite small (177cm), he plays in the midfield and a bit up forward and he's quite creative, but he also has a real hardness about his game.
He's great mates with Chris Yarran and Nick Natanui because they all went to the same high school. He's another left footer who kicks the ball well. We actually played him a bit down in a back pocket for a couple of games with the Academy and he really impressed. His closing speed to get a fist in and spoil was superb and then the way he set up and rebounded was quite phenomenal.
Stephen Hill
DOB: 1/5/90
State league: WA
Club: West Perth
JM: "For me this was a great story for the year. Stephen, for me, came from right off the radar and really jumped up in the championships. The first game at Subiaco for Western Australia – and you've got to remember we're only playing 20-minute flat quarters – he had the GPS on him and he ran 15 kilometres playing off half-back and through the middle.
He played with great bounce and agility and it was no coincidence that he broke the record for the agility test at the draft camp. He plays with great acceleration and for me what really stood out was that he played on Hamish Hartlett, who is a really talented young player from SA with senior experience, in a run-with role but he really impressed with the way that he went and got his own footy. Hamish actually later spoke about that as being one of the hardest games he played in the year.
Stephen was still right there with him and did the disciplined things, but it's about beating your man to the footy and he was fantastic in that role. He's not a dour player at all though; he's a super-exciting talent that can be quite creative when used in a different role.
With his performances in the champs and his testing at the camp he's one who has rocketed up the charts in my view.
 
Draft talent analysis: medium midfielders



In his role as the AFL's youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney has worked extensively with the elite footballing talent eligible for the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Speaking exclusively to afl.com.au McCartney offers a rare insight into some of this year's draft hopefuls.

MEDIUM MIDFIELDERSDayne Beams
DOB: 12/2/90
State league: QLD
Club: Southport
JM: Dayne was extremely good for Queensland in division two of the under-18 championships. He just kept winning the footy and he runs the lines well. Dayne could easily play a few AFL games next year because he's had a year or so of senior footy at AFLQ level.
He chose not to go with the Gold Coast franchise because he is a bit more mature than some of the guys who did sign with them and he perhaps would have done himself out of some senior experience waiting for 2011.
I'm not sure whether he'll be a star in your team, but he's one of those guys who will be a real solid contributor on a regular basis.
Hamish Hartlett
DOB: 12/8/90
State league: SA
Club: West Adelaide
JM: When you look at sheer talent alone, Hamish is probably in the top three or four in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft; he has exquisite skills and balance.
In South Australia's first game against Tasmania at the Adelaide Oval I remember the ball being loose at half-forward and, with opposition players around him, he somehow reached in and grabbed it away from two Tassie players, did a blind turn and nailed the goal from 50m off two steps.
It was actually a bit frustrating watching him in those first two games of the championships because everything he did was quality, but he just wasn't getting enough of the ball. It was no coincidence that when SA did better later in the tournament, Hamish had two really good games.
He's very laid back and he's a great kid, but he's just needs … to be a little bit more meticulous in his preparation. He's a super talent though; he's a ripper and he'll be a great pick-up for someone.
Mitch Robinson
DOB: 07/6/89
State league: TAS
Club: Tassie Mariners
JM: Along with Stephen Hill and Ryan Schoenmakers, Mitch really jumped out for me at this year's championships. He won the medal for best player in division two and then stepped up into division one and kept playing the same sort of football.
He carried the ball extremely well, took the game on and any time he got the ball he'd do something good with it. He's got great penetration on his kicks and he would have averaged in the high 20's for possessions in every game. Mitch was a real standout – there's no doubt about that – and he ended up being named All-Australian.
The good kids in division two, sometimes there's a bit of a question over how they would handle the better quality opposition, but Mitch – and most of his teammates for that matter – played well in division one after they qualified. Click here to watch Mitch Robinson in action.

Jack Ziebell
DOB: 28/2/91
State league: VIC
Club: Murray Bushrangers
JM: Jack Ziebell is potentially an AFL captain. He was in our AIS/AFL Academy this year and he was one of the five nominated leaders of the group. He doesn't say a lot around the place, but when he's on the track or on the field he leads by his actions and he gives great direction and is very instructional.
Jack won the Ben Mitchell Medal at the academy which is voted on by the 30 scholarship holders [based on a core set of values and key qualities] and he won it with 34 votes and the next best was 17.
A game that stands out for me was for the AIS team in Perth after we'd just flown back from South Africa the day before. It's a bit of a test for the boys with the travel and the changing time zones and it was pouring rain as well.
We played West Perth and Jack was one of the standouts. He isn't the quickest player, but he reads the play extremely well, he's great around stoppages, he's a good kick and he sees the game so well. That day when guys were falling over left, right and centre, he was strong at the footy didn't get knocked off the ball and showed outstanding leadership.
He marks going back into packs, he smothers, tackles – the whole package – and he just reeks of leadership. Click here to watch Jack Ziebell in action.

Matthew DeBoer
DOB: 10/3/90
State league: WA
Club: Claremont
JM: Matty chose not to nominate for the draft last year and he just accumulates lots of the footy. He probably lacked a bit of penetration in his kicking early on, but he's got a great attitude and he's worked his backside off to address that. I think it's a good sign when you've got a guy who is willing to do some hard work to make a change.
Matt has a high work-rate on the field, has really good endurance and is really good at the clearances; he's just constantly winning the footy.
Tom Swift
DOB: 06/7/90
State league: WA
Club: Claremont
JM: Tommy will be a really interesting one come draft day because he was in our AIS/AFL Academy last year and Daniel Rich was in that side at the time and I believe there wasn't much difference between the two of them.
What happened with Tom though was he did his knee in our first game in Perth on the way to South Africa and spent 12 months off in rehab. Coming back this year he had a setback with his opposite knee, not an ACL, but it saw him miss the under-18 championships.
He's a super intelligent kid and didn't miss a session in his rehab; he's very diligent in his preparation and has a high work ethic. So when he came to Draft Camp his speed was good and his beep test was good as well.
He didn't end up playing, not because of the knee, but he's 192 cm now and he's had some growing pains with that. He's virtually missed nearly two years of footy, but I think he might surprise a few people with how high he gets taken.
Tom sets really high standards for himself and he just wants to achieve.
Daniel Rich
DOB: 07/6/90
State league: WA
Club: Subiaco
JM: I don't think there would be many players who have gone into the draft in recent times being a dual-premiership player at senior level. Daniel was in our academy last year and he's been All-Australian for two years.
It was interesting to watch Daniel in the under-18 championships this year. Last year he was part of a gun midfield with Chris Masten, Rhys Palmer and those guys, but this time he was a target for the opposition and he probably struggled to come to terms with it early.
He worked away at it though and he's got a left foot which is just so penetrating. If he gets his hands on it at a centre clearance he's putting it 20m out from goal lace out; it's just a thumping left foot.
Nathan Buckley hadn't seen a lot of Daniel before the final of the championships in Melbourne, but at one point he just looked at me and gave me the nod of approval which I think says a lot.
It will be great for him to get into an AFL environment now because there are some areas of his game that will really benefit. He's a terrific kid and he's obviously been touted in that top three or four pick area and he'll be a really good player for a long time.


http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69265
 
Draft talent analysis: medium forwards



In his role as the AFL's youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney has worked extensively with the elite footballing talent eligible for the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Speaking exclusively to afl.com.au McCartney offers a rare insight into some of this year's draft hopefuls.

MEDIUM FORWARDS

Steven Motlop
DOB: 12/3/91
State league: NT
Club: Waratahs
JM: Steven is the brother of Port's Daniel and Shannon Motlop, who played in a premiership at North Melbourne, and he has an amazing bag of tricks like his brothers. He's very wiry and he's had some issues this year with his shoulders which meant he didn't play any under-18 football, but he's working hard to strengthen that area.
He's probably been pigeon-holed as a bit as a permanent small forward, but despite being injured at the Draft Camp, he ran the beep test and recorded a score in the high 13s which I think is a pretty good effort.
So he's got good endurance, but around goals he has an unbelievable sixth sense and can slot them from everywhere. I've seen him kick five goals in a game where you wouldn't have thought he was a really dominant player, but he still can have these bursts and kick a bag.
He'd be someone who will get looked at later in the draft or as a potential rookie, but with his bloodlines you'd think he would definitely be someone Port Adelaide [who have Daniel and Marlon Motlop] might have a look at as a project player.
Ryan Schoenmakers
DOB: 08/11/90
State league: SA
Club: Norwood
JM: I didn't know a great deal about Ryan leading into the under-18 championships, but I spoke to one of the recruiters after his first game and he likened him to a Ryan O'Keefe-type player; he is of a similar build and he definitely has the blonde hair. Although he didn't do a lot a few of the recruiters really liked the way he moved.
He played a bit down back early in the carnival, but moved up forward in the last couple of games when SA played very well and he was that third tall who covered the ground really well and had a fantastic set of hands. He was a real key to his side's success here in Melbourne in those last two games of the carnival.
He's just a really good size and shape and he won the repeat sprint test at Draft Camp which tells you a bit about his running ability.
Ryan just looks like a player; he comes up and meets the ball well, he has good hands and he uses it well by foot.
Charlie Sharples
DOB: 16/2/89
State league: SA
Club: Sturt
JM: Charlie's one that I've seen a bit of over the years because he's come through our indigenous program, but he's come to a lot of other people's attention by playing a bit of senior footy at Sturt.
He played for SA against the VFL this year and acquitted himself quite well, but he wasn't at Draft Camp because he was playing in the reserves when they had finals on.
Charlie is not too dissimilar to Cameron Stokes and they played together for the Northern Territory. He's a really smooth mover is extremely hard at it.
Charlie's a little bit leaner and taller than Stokes and with the success that the Hawks had with him this year, and the same with Melbourne and Austin Wonaeamirri, you'd have to think someone would have a crack at Charlie late or as a rookie.
Nick Heyne
DOB: 22/7/90
State league: VIC
Club: Gippsland Power
JM: Nick is one of our AIS/AFL Academy boys, but he's another one who was a bit hampered early in the program late last year and earlier this year with groin pain. He overcame that to have a very consistent year for Gippsland though.
He singlehandedly nearly won the game for Vic Country against Vic Metro in the first game of the under-18 championships. He was quiet in the first quarter, but after that he took a couple of massive hangers and kicked three or four goals. Nick plays predominantly as a wing/half-forward, but he can be very dangerous deep and has a great vertical leap as well as a good set of hands.
Some of the marks he took were just fantastic and he got them in front, but then Jack Watts clunked one from four deep and won the game for Metro. There's a lot of excitement factor about Nick, there's no doubt about that, but I think his main aim would be to get a little bit more consistency across four quarters.
He'll figure pretty prominently in the upper section of the draft as maybe a second-round pick. Click here to watch Nick Heyne in action.

Tom Rockliff
DOB: 22/2/90
State league: VIC
Club: Murray Bushrangers
JM: I remember seeing a little bit of Tommy late last year at TAC Cup level being played predominantly as a small forward and he's very good in that role. He uses his body exceptionally well, and while he hasn't got the same quickness as Paul Medhurst, he has a similar ability to use his body well in a marking situation.
You can see he was a bigger-bodied stronger kid earlier at junior level so he was predominantly put in the goal square to let him work his way to the ball, but what was pleasing this year was the way he could play in spurts through the midfield and he was very good around the stoppages. He's just strong through the core, he has those footy smarts and his ability to play a different role really adds to his appeal with recruiters.
Chris Yarran
DOB: 19/12/90
State league: WA
Club: Swan Districts
JM: Another of the indigenous lads out of WA who was in our AIS/AFL Academy last year. Chris played senior footy this year with Swan Districts predominantly as a small forward.
He's very quick, he's got good hands and he kicks the ball well. I could definitely see him in an AFL environment in a couple of years, once he's developed the engine and endurance base, he could be unbelievable through the midfield because he makes good decisions and uses it so well.
He was a bit underdone going into the championships this year, but he was quite creative in patches up forward and they threw him in the midfield at times, but he just didn't quite have the tank to run it out. When he is on the ball it was like he was working in another gear compared to some of the other boys.
We also threw him down back with the Academy and he just saw the game so well. Click here to watch Chris Yarran in action.

http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69267
 
2008 Draft talent analysis: ruckmen



In his role as the AFL's youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney has worked extensively with the elite footballing talent eligible for the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.

Speaking exclusively to afl.com.au McCartney offers a rare insight into some of this year's draft hopefuls.

RUCKMEN
Shaun McKernan
DOB: 01/9/90
State league: VIC
Club: Calder Cannons
JM: "I've known Shaun for a while through being good mates with his brother Corey. When we announced the AIS-AFL Academy for this year Shaun hadn't been mentioned because he'd been out injured with a shoulder most of last year, but the week after the announcement he played his first game and kicked five or six and took four contested marks.

"He competes really well in the ruck, he's got a great leap, he tested well in speed and agility at draft camp and he's just a big strong lad. I've talked to Corey about the similarities between the two of them and he doesn't see it, but I think it's frightening how similar they are which is a fair compliment to the lad.

"You could also see him playing as a power forward and he's one who has really jumped up the rankings. If he's not late first, he would be an early second round pick."

Jordan Roughead
DOB: 03/11/90
State league: VIC
Club: North Ballarat
JM: "I only saw Jordan for the first time at the championships this year and I was just really impressed with the way he competed. He was good at ground level for a big bloke which is important and good around the ground as well. He didn't have the athleticism of Naitanui or McKernan – probably not many do – but he was really good with his hands with his ruck work as well. He looks like he has a bit to offer."

Tom Hill
DOB: 07/4/90
State league: VIC
Club: Northern Knights
JM: "Tommy was one of our Academy members this year. He's 199.7 cm tall and I reckon he's still growing. He'll be a project player. He's got good hands, but he's just got some core stability issues with being that height and a bit wiry and light weight that he needs to address. He had a quad injury this year that lingered a bit, so he didn't have the great preparation that some did for the championships. What I probably thought at the start of our program was that he would be a key forward, but he'll end up being over 200 cm tall so he'll be a ruckman. He'll take a little time, but he has a big upside."

Tyrone Vickery
DOB: 31/5/90
State league: VIC
Club: Sandringham Dragons
JM: "Tyrone did an ACL the year before, but his dad is one of the fitness guys at Richmond so he did a power of work on his rehab. Tyrone was in our Academy the year before last and he was outstanding. I remember a game he played for us -- he was playing forward because Naitanui was in the ruck and in the first five minutes he grabbed three marks and kicked a couple of goals and was really good below his knees. In the ruck he's got beautiful soft hands, he's a very intelligent kid so he understands the game well and knows how to get in the right spots.

"He was outstanding at the under-18s this year. After having a year out where does he fit in the picture? I would think he's right up in the top half a dozen [in the draft] now."

Nicholas Naitanui
DOB: 04/5/90
State league: WA
Club: Swan Districts
JM: "He is a freak athlete – I've not seen anything like it. He's grown too. When he was in the Academy he was 196 cm, but he was measured at 200.9 cm at draft camp. I stood beside him at one point and he is a really big, intimidating man now.

"What I like about Nick is he got physically tested a couple of times this year because there was a bit of a query in that area, but he's got a bit of a mean streak and he hit back hard.

"He's got a lot of upside, but I was a bit concerned earlier in the year at the hype that was being generated about him, especially out of WA. I didn't want too much pressure put on this kid because he's not going to walk into a club and start playing straight away.

"He'll need a fair bit of work put into him because what he does great now as a ruckman is he gets his hands on the footy and he's great at clearances because he can follow up really well. He has great speed and agility so his level of chasing and tackling is something I've not seen from a ruckman.

"But the majority of his possessions at the moment come in that area and not from marks so he needs to develop that side. When the umpire has got the ball, though, you can almost guarantee he's going to get it. Once he can add that element of finding space behind the play or pushing forward and marking it, he's going to be a fair package."

http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69405
 
Draft talent analysis: medium defenders



In his role as the AFL's youth and high performance coordinator Jason McCartney has worked extensively with the elite footballing talent eligible for the 2008 NAB AFL Draft.
Speaking exclusively to afl.com.au McCartney offers a rare insight into some of this year's draft hopefuls. Today he looks at medium defenders while tomorrow he casts his eye over tall defenders.

Medium Defenders
Kade Klemke
DOB: 22/7/90
State league: NSW
Club: Gippsland Power
JM: I saw some similarities between Kade and Jack Ziebell in that he has some really good leadership qualities as well.
He reads the play well and has that ability to cut off the lead of the opposition and take the mark and, more often than not, he uses the footy well on the way out. He's a good inside player and he had a really consistent year.
Rhys O'Keefe
DOB: 8/8/90
State league: SA
Club: North Adelaide
JM: Rhys played across half-back early in the championships for SA and I also saw him play a bit more through the midfield later on.
He has a penetrating left foot and runs really hard and straight at the ball; there's never any deviation and he's a real inside player. In the first game he had 20-odd disposals but I think the thing that impressed me most was his ability to go and win the hard footy.
Tyson Slattery
DOB: 3/12/90
State league: SA
Club: West Adelaide
JM: We have a camp with the AIS-AFL Academy each December for guys who were close to getting a scholarship, but didn't quite make it and Tyson came to that and he struck me as a really impressive, good quality kid.
He played off half-back and the wing during the championships and he carried the ball really well. He wins his own footy, but what really stands out his ability to run and carry and break the lines.
Ashley Smith
DOB: 20/7/90
State league: VIC
Club: Dandenong Stingrays
JM: Ash was with the Academy two years ago as a bottom-aged lad and he plays mostly off half-back and is super quick - he won the 20m sprint test at draft camp. He's a great kick who started the year really well at TAC Cup level, but had some injury issues leading into the championships which meant he didn't play until late.
He had a fantastic game playing as a small defender in the Stingrays' preliminary final win. He has the ability to beat his man, but what I found really impressive were the strides he took this year in terms of his footy knowledge. He knows when to stay and when to leave his man and influence the play. He would have had 10 or 12 possessions in the third quarter of that prelim to really influence the outcome.
Rory Sloane
DOB: 17/3/90
State league: VIC
Club: Eastern Ranges
JM: Rory's an amazing young lad. I met him at draft camp and he wasn't a boy that was over-awed in any of the interview situations. He's really down to earth and David Parkin made the comment that it was so refreshing to see a player who, for the whole three days, was so excited to be where he was and really enjoy what is a mentally and physically taxing environment.
Toward the end, the strain was starting to show in a few of the guys and here's this kid still bubbling along. He's got good leadership qualities and is a real character."
Steele Sidebottom
DOB: 2/1/91
State league: VIC
Club: Murray Bushrangers
JM: Steele was in the medium defenders' group at draft camp, but he obviously caused a bit of a stir with 10 goals in the TAC Cup Grand Final. The great thing about Steele is his ability to win the footy in and around the clearances. He had 30 possessions, took 14 or 15 marks and had 10 clearances in that match, so it wasn't like he was playing as a permanent forward either.
He played through the midfield and up forward mostly with the AIS and he has the ability to lose his man in traffic. He knows how to create space which is a great strength and wins the contested footy. I've seen him gather 16 possessions in a quarter of footy for the Bushrangers playing as a defensive wingman.
He'll probably end up playing through the middle and up forward in the AFL, but he can also play in defence. He's very natural with his kicking to the point where when I first saw him play I couldn't tell whether he was left or right footed. He doesn't test super quick over 20m, but he's got a fantastic side step which means he rarely gets caught with the ball.
He's a potential top 10 pick and, remarkably, the longer the TAC Cup season went, when the wear and tear was showing on a few others, Steele just kept getting better and better.
I've never seen him down either – he's always got a silly Anthony Stevens-type grin on his face all the time – he's like a Labrador pup; he's got a lot of energy and is a really good kid.

http://afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=69263
 

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