We currently have 12 players on our senior & rookie list who are yet to debut, plus Lamb (1 game), Karpany (1) and Cole (2), which I feel is very high number for where our list is at.
Obviously solid intel on these blokes is fairly low, but it would interesting to predict how we think some of these blokes will go, and whether we have a few future-champions coming through the ranks.
Inevitably a few will never play, but there are surely a few who are looking like they are a chance as early as next year.
I've done a list of who I think will have the best career to worst.
Daniel Venables - Will be one of our top mids in a few years, spending time forward/midfield, once he gets over his injuries he'll prove why he was taken so high. Hopefully a debut in 2017.
Luke Partington - Had a good year in WAFL last year, found a lot of the ball and will look to continue to improve this year, training well and is filling his body out to be AFL ready. He could become that accumulator that we need.
Tom Cole - Looked good in his 2 games and can see him being a mainstay in our backline once Butler/Wellingham/Hurn move on. Could push for midfield, but might be better suited staying back.
Mathew Allen - A roughie to breakout, I love looking at his stats at Glenelg a few years ago, he's capable of some massive games. Too good for reserves level, hopefully gets a real go at league as West Coast will be looking for a few forwards to be coming through.
Tom Lamb - Appears to be getting serious about his footy this pre-season, has the makings of a great player who could be a dangerous forward. If he continues to work hard he has the potential to be a star player.
Jake Waterman - Will get a lot of opportunity when our forwards start to retire, shown a lot of promise at a young age, with a few issues that can be rectified. Finds a lot of the ball for a forward, fits a need.
Willie Rioli - Could be anything, no doubt will be given a lot of opportunity given our lack of smalls. Has turned his body around and has all the tricks of a typical Rioli, certainly the most exciting, athleticism will restrict him to just the Small Forward role, but could be very good.
Francis Watson - All reports indicate he's got some great skills and offers something different to what we have already. A very dedicated person who will take his chances and make the most of them, I'll back him to be a very good rebounding defender.
Josh Rotham - Early days, but seems a very safe option. Will learn off some excellent players down back and could be looking to replace Schofield as a 3rd tall in a few years.
Malcolm Karpany - Been given a lot of time, 1 game in to his career which was a promising game, but will need to really step it up if he's to survive on the list.
Kurt Mutimer - A lot of reserves last year where he racked it up despite injury. Not sure he's going to make it at AFL level.
Tarir Bayok - A real unknown, can't call how he'll go. Love the skill set he has, but whether he's got what it takes at AFL level is the test. Could be one of the biggest draft steals.
Paddy Brophy - Been given time and had a good year for EP finishing 3rd in B&F, I think others are ahead of him for a likely half-back role however. I hope he gets an opportunity at the top level.
Jordan Snadden - Playing a lot of reserves, will need to really prove himself to get a promotion off the rookie list (and hope for another few injuries perhaps). Think he'll miss out though.
Thomas Gorter - I simply don't know anything about him to make an informed enough opinion of his prospects.
Thoughts?
Obviously solid intel on these blokes is fairly low, but it would interesting to predict how we think some of these blokes will go, and whether we have a few future-champions coming through the ranks.
Inevitably a few will never play, but there are surely a few who are looking like they are a chance as early as next year.
I've done a list of who I think will have the best career to worst.
Daniel Venables - Will be one of our top mids in a few years, spending time forward/midfield, once he gets over his injuries he'll prove why he was taken so high. Hopefully a debut in 2017.
Luke Partington - Had a good year in WAFL last year, found a lot of the ball and will look to continue to improve this year, training well and is filling his body out to be AFL ready. He could become that accumulator that we need.
Tom Cole - Looked good in his 2 games and can see him being a mainstay in our backline once Butler/Wellingham/Hurn move on. Could push for midfield, but might be better suited staying back.
Mathew Allen - A roughie to breakout, I love looking at his stats at Glenelg a few years ago, he's capable of some massive games. Too good for reserves level, hopefully gets a real go at league as West Coast will be looking for a few forwards to be coming through.
Tom Lamb - Appears to be getting serious about his footy this pre-season, has the makings of a great player who could be a dangerous forward. If he continues to work hard he has the potential to be a star player.
Jake Waterman - Will get a lot of opportunity when our forwards start to retire, shown a lot of promise at a young age, with a few issues that can be rectified. Finds a lot of the ball for a forward, fits a need.
Willie Rioli - Could be anything, no doubt will be given a lot of opportunity given our lack of smalls. Has turned his body around and has all the tricks of a typical Rioli, certainly the most exciting, athleticism will restrict him to just the Small Forward role, but could be very good.
Francis Watson - All reports indicate he's got some great skills and offers something different to what we have already. A very dedicated person who will take his chances and make the most of them, I'll back him to be a very good rebounding defender.
Josh Rotham - Early days, but seems a very safe option. Will learn off some excellent players down back and could be looking to replace Schofield as a 3rd tall in a few years.
Malcolm Karpany - Been given a lot of time, 1 game in to his career which was a promising game, but will need to really step it up if he's to survive on the list.
Kurt Mutimer - A lot of reserves last year where he racked it up despite injury. Not sure he's going to make it at AFL level.
Tarir Bayok - A real unknown, can't call how he'll go. Love the skill set he has, but whether he's got what it takes at AFL level is the test. Could be one of the biggest draft steals.
Paddy Brophy - Been given time and had a good year for EP finishing 3rd in B&F, I think others are ahead of him for a likely half-back role however. I hope he gets an opportunity at the top level.
Jordan Snadden - Playing a lot of reserves, will need to really prove himself to get a promotion off the rookie list (and hope for another few injuries perhaps). Think he'll miss out though.
Thomas Gorter - I simply don't know anything about him to make an informed enough opinion of his prospects.
Thoughts?
