News Essendon going after Joseph Forrester (Bronco).

[gO_bOmBeRz]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-clubs-brisbane-and-essendon-seek-out-exciting-broncos-prospect-joseph-forrester/story-fni5f4q3-1226655320873

AT only 20, rising Broncos star Joseph Forrester is such a natural athlete that two AFL clubs are gunning for his signature.

Essendon and Brisbane Lions have scouted the 191cm, 105kg centre.

The Alice Springs-born and raised talent trained with the Lions reserves team last week, impressing club officials.

He will travel to Melbourne to trial with the Bombers this month and complete a series of skills and athletic tests.

"He's had real interest from Essendon and the Lions and he's impressed them so far,'' Forrester's manager Kim Ingebrigtsen said.

"He loves Aussie rules and I think if he's offered a contract he will switch codes.

"Both Essendon and the Lions have had their eye on him for some time. He really enjoys it at the Broncos but I think his passion has always been Aussie rules.''

Forrester, yet to play in the NRL, has stood out in several games for the Brisbane Broncos National Youth Competition team this year.

If he chooses to stay in league he could graduate to the club's top 25 next season. Growing up he represented the Northern Territory in both league and Aussie rules.

If he does change codes he will follow in path of pioneers and former Broncos Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau.

Essendon attempted to poach Maroons superstar Greg Inglis last year with coach James Hird meeting the dynamic fullback three times.

Ingebrigtsen works for Velocity Sports Management whose director is Lions legend Alastair Lynch.

The management company has several AFL stars on its books including Sydney Swans forward Kurt Tippett and GWS Giants star Tom Scully.

"Alastair has met him and spoken to him about the AFL,'' Ingebrigtsen said.

"Joseph is just a natural athlete. He's a good rugby league player who could go far in the NRL but he really wants to try and crack the AFL. He could be another dual-code athlete.

"The salary cap in AFL allows exemptions for players from another code and that means Joseph is a really attractive prospect.''

Forrester, contracted to the Broncos for the rest of this season, was an Aussie rules standout as a junior in the Northern Territory where he also dominated rugby league as an outside back.

He was recruited by renowned league nursery Keebra Park for his final years of schooling and then signed for the Sydney Roosters before homesickness saw him return to southeast Queensland.

He said earlier this year he choose league because he enjoyed it more at the time.

"I had a choice to make when I was in school and went with league because I enjoyed it more then but I still like AFL,'' he said

 

[eth-dog]

Where would we play him? He'd need to lose 10 kg's IMO

 

[gO_bOmBeRz]

Might be groomed into a midfielder ? I mean he is the same height as Jobe Watson.

As you said he would need to lose 10 kg, because I can't see him being a KPP.

 

[Yoda_]

before homesickness saw him return home

 

[vaughany]

Lol say what why why why

 

[yaco55]

These are the type of options that EFC should be pursuing.

Especially if the AFL pasys part of his wage.

 

[Knight Ryders]

Our draft picks could get slaughtered over the next few years so bring on the outside the square options

 

[Knight Ryders]

...and father/sons!

 

[Yoda_]

These are the type of options that EFC should be pursuing.

Especially if the AFL pasys part of his wage.

Ive been on record saying that Essendon should be giving these alternative rookies and scholarship holders a go. We had a free crack at KPP Oliver Tweedale a couple of years ago and would have cost us pittance as well as a spot outside the actual list and EFC didn't pursue it..

Hope we give him a go. The guys with some junior footy background seem to have some grasp on the game after playing high levels in other sports (see Karmichael Hunt, Mark Blicavs).

 

[VelvetSledge]

Give him a crack.

Doesn't actually look all that big!

 

[Yoda_]

Brisbane will just 'zone' him anywaus, won't they? After all, that's what they do with all the good Qld kids nowadays -_-

 

[Autobahn]

He looks like a real trouble maker - sign him up!

 

[zackah]

As a broncs fan I'm getting a bit sick of the AFL poaching all our players ffs

 

[bombermick]

Appears to be chasing the AFL dollars, but he's worth a go considering headquarters will be paying most of his wage.

 

[monty1104]

Could be a worthwhile experiment. I wonder if we could squeeze him onto our list in a way similar to the international rookie spot

 

[Zach Package]

Could be a worthwhile experiment. I wonder if we could squeeze him onto our list in a way similar to the international rookie spot

Not sure on the rules regarding this.

Cats have 2 category B rookies which i'm guessing is for alternative talent or something similar since blicavs and bathie (athletics and basketball) are on it so maybe we can do something similar.

Somehow i doubt the afl would give us a wage chop out though

 

[Towno78]

Brisbane will just 'zone' him anywaus, won't they? After all, that's what they do with all the good Qld kids nowadays -_-

Thought that for someone who hasn't played footy for 3+ years we could just sign him up as a rookie outside the regular rookie list, so it would be more about who he chooses to sign with as opposed to who gets in first in the draft. He would then get picked up as our last rookie pick. Can anyone confirm that?

Anyway, aside from technicalities, I like that we are pursuing these options.

 

[Towno78]

Give him a crack.

Doesn't actually look all that big!

Most rugby players would be carrying a lot more through the legs which aren't pictured though

 

[Rack Watts]

He's like Crameri as an athlete, quick, powerful and really hard to take down.
He'd take a good 3 years to get the cardio required, would need to lose all of his lower body muscle.

 

[Shane Mead]

Will be a good move.