How does a player like Joel Selwood go number 6 in a draft?

[H2F]

Can some of you BF guru's that follow the TAC cup and the draft camp explain to me how a guy like this goes or can go so late.

I keep hearing it was his knees but clearly they are no problem.

Am I the only one that cannot comprehend the fact that full time talent scouts can confuse his ability with guys above him. My club included.

Credit where it is due, for his age only Judd compares and by the end of the year we might be calling it even or seeing someone better. What a gun!!! Already the midfielder I would pick if I could have anyone, even in front of Ablet because of his selflessness and team orientated leadership. If I was running a club and my recruiting guy missed him I would be asking some hard questions because he did it from day one.

 

[MaxHunt]

Think it was 7. And yes there were queries over his knees.

Little bit like swift this year.

 

[H2F]

I played footy for 15 odd years and unless I am totally full of it I never played with a guy that I couldn't see his talent within a couple of games.

If they really watch these guys all year and then not really know this stuff then I want a job.

How can recruiters dissmiss stars based on risk, are they stupid or something? Sure some risks don't work out but the biggest risk is not taking guys because of things like junior injuries, possible attitude etc.

 

[krisholio14]

Can some of you BF guru's that follow the TAC cup and the draft camp explain to me how a guy like this goes or can go so late.

I keep hearing it was his knees but clearly they are no problem.

Am I the only one that cannot comprehend the fact that full time talent scouts can confuse his ability with guys above him. My club included.

Credit where it is due, for his age only Judd compares and by the end of the year we might be calling it even or seeing someone better. What a gun!!! Already the midfielder I would pick if I could have anyone, even in front of Ablet because of his selflessness and team orientated leadership. If I was running a club and my recruiting guy missed him I would be asking some hard questions because he did it from day one.

It basically went like this on here H2F. If you thought his knees were fine, he was number one. If you didn't, still an early to mid first rounder.

I'll never forget hearing us read out his name on draft day. We couldn't get it out fast enough, and you could almost hear the champagne corks popping in the background and tents collectively being pitched.

You could have had him at 6 too

 

[Brishawk]

Can some of you BF guru's that follow the TAC cup and the draft camp explain to me how a guy like this goes or can go so late.

I keep hearing it was his knees but clearly they are no problem.

Am I the only one that cannot comprehend the fact that full time talent scouts can confuse his ability with guys above him. My club included.

Credit where it is due, for his age only Judd compares and by the end of the year we might be calling it even or seeing someone better. What a gun!!! Already the midfielder I would pick if I could have anyone, even in front of Ablet because of his selflessness and team orientated leadership. If I was running a club and my recruiting guy missed him I would be asking some hard questions because he did it from day one.

Round Pick Player Recruited from Club 1 1 Bryce Gibbs Glenelg Football Club Carlton 1 2 Scott Gumbleton Peel Thunder Essendon 1 3 Lachlan Hansen Gippsland Power Kangaroos 1 4 Matthew Leuenberger East Perth Football Club Brisbane Lions 1 5 Travis Boak Geelong Falcons Port Adelaide 1 6 Mitchell Thorp Tassie Mariners Hawthorn 1 7 Joel Selwood Bendigo Pioneers Geelong
Our recruiter did miss him

Selwod was clearly struggling with his knee at the time of the draft and it was thought the condition was degenerative. Apart from Gibbs and Boak, the players above hime have not shown a great deal although they are all taller players and so you would expect their development to be slower.

 

[H2F]

It basically went like this on here H2F. If you thought his knees were fine, he was number one. If you didn't, still an early to mid first rounder.

I'll never forget hearing us read out his name on draft day. We couldn't get it out fast enough, and you could almost hear the champagne corks popping in the background and tents collectively being pitched.

You could have had him at 6 too

I can't really give it to my club because we have been pretty good but in all honesty they stuffed up massively in 2005, especially missing Selwood.

Surely in under 18's they saw he was number one. To not take him because of injury concerns is stupid. All players get injured and it should be irrelevant IMO. We took Muston who was injured and even though I have only seen a snapshot of him he is an absolute gun. If he doesn't get through his injuries well so be it but FFS. It's like the concerns over Rioli's laid back attitude or Franklin's arrogance etc. Give me a break without some personal character you can't make AFL.

Just a rant and no bitterness to Geelong, but genuinely I either don't really get it or the recruiters from clubs are ordinary. In all my time following the Hawks only a couple of players haven't turned out like I thought they would from their first 10 or so games. Is it really that hard?

 

[Pessimistic]

maybe we are waiting for the next selwood who will be the best of the lot ?

Anyway we have the guys to handle selwood.

Not so Mitch thorp who would be the best forward at catland already. Man they stuffed up would have won in 08 easily with Mitch kicking a bag.

They really stuffed up.

 

[krisholio14]

I can't really give it to my club because we have been pretty good but in all honesty they stuffed up massively in 2005, especially missing Selwood.

Surely in under 18's they saw he was number one. To not take him because of injury concerns is stupid. All players get injured and it should be irrelevant IMO. We took Muston who was injured and even though I have only seen a snapshot of him he is an absolute gun. If he doesn't get through his injuries well so be it but FFS. It's like the concerns over Rioli's laid back attitude or Franklin's arrogance etc. Give me a break without some personal character you can't make AFL.

Just a rant and no bitterness to Geelong, but genuinely I either don't really get it or the recruiters from clubs are ordinary. In all my time following the Hawks only a couple of players haven't turned out like I thought they would from their first 10 or so games. Is it really that hard?

maybe we are waiting for the next selwood who will be the best of the lot ?

Anyway we have the guys to handle selwood.

Not so Mitch thorp who would be the best forward at catland already. Man they stuffed up would have won in 08 easily with Mitch kicking a bag.

They really stuffed up.

Is your tongue in your cheek there?

 

[H2F]

maybe we are waiting for the next selwood who will be the best of the lot ?

Anyway we have the guys to handle selwood.

Not so Mitch thorp who would be the best forward at catland already. Man they stuffed up would have won in 08 easily with Mitch kicking a bag.

They really stuffed up.

I have watched Thorp a bit at Box Hill and he can play but he has a long way to go still to even be a regular much less make an impact. Really hope he has some regular footy this year.

 

[Macca19]

Can some of you BF guru's that follow the TAC cup and the draft camp explain to me how a guy like this goes or can go so late.

He only played 3 matches in his draft year, due to injury. Thats the main reason why he fell down. He was widely spoken of as around the #1 pick previously.

 

[H2F]

He only played 3 matches in his draft year, due to injury. Thats the main reason why he fell down. He was widely spoken of as around the #1 pick previously.

Fair enough but it appears clubs also didn't see his talent because you'd think the knees would have been assessed a bit better.

Gotta wonder how someone like Gibbs created a media frenzy at number one when in reality he is one of the poorer number one picks we've seen. He has talent but not in the same league as most number one rated mids of recent drafts.

 

[krustyman]

recruiter will go for the skinny athletic down hill skier with upside. speed and beep test results are the thing they are looking for, not football talent.

 

[Macca19]

Fair enough but it appears clubs also didn't see his talent because you'd think the knees would have been assessed a bit better.

Gotta wonder how someone like Gibbs created a media frenzy at number one when in reality he is one of the poorer number one picks we've seen. He has talent but not in the same league as most number one rated mids of recent drafts.

You are taking the piss arent you? Hes played 2 seasons.

The reason Gibbs went number 1 is because first off he dominated the U16 champs, 2nd of all he dominated the U18 champs. Then to add to that, he forced his way into Glenelgs senior side at the age of 16 in 2005 and from that point on didnt get dropped until he was drafted.

In 2006 he played 16 SANFL games (missing 4 for state champs), finished 3rd in Glenelgs BnF playing on a wing averaging 21 disposals and a goal a game. His best game was against Port Adelaide at Glenelg where he had 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 6 goals...playing in the midfield the whole game...at the age of 17. I was there that day and it was one of the best individual games ive seen, let alone from a 17 year old.

Selwood is also almost 12 months older than Gibbs.

 

[Neville Bartos]

H2F, I wouldn't worry about it. Selwood is a star now, but in 5 years time, he might have had another 2 recos and played 10 games, while Thorp/Gumbleton/Hansen have gone on to become dominant CHFs/CHBs. So much can happen in football and one general rule of thumb, is that if you pick a midfielder over a KPP, you'll expect to see some rapid improvement early in their career and then the scope for improvement will drop, while with a KPP, you won't get much out of them in their early years (there are a few exceptions obviously), but in the long run they have the potential to become a much more valuable player.

 

[Lunchlady Doris]

Vic Country MVP and National Champs All Australian, Team of the Year, captain of older kids on the Inter Rules tour of Ireland, then the Ron Barassi Medal for MVP of the tour. Mike Fitzpatrick Scholarship, AFL Life Members Education Award. He's the most decorated junior to play the game, and he has continued that into his senior career.

His final TAC Cup year was ended by his fourth knee operation in 2 years, it is a little bit off putting.

 

[Neville Bartos]

You are taking the piss arent you? Hes played 2 seasons.

The reason Gibbs went number 1 is because first off he dominated the U16 champs, 2nd of all he dominated the U18 champs. Then to add to that, he forced his way into Glenelgs senior side at the age of 16 in 2005 and from that point on didnt get dropped until he was drafted.

In 2006 he played 16 SANFL games (missing 4 for state champs), finished 3rd in Glenelgs BnF playing on a wing averaging 21 disposals and a goal a game. His best game was against Port Adelaide at Glenelg where he had 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 6 goals...playing in the midfield the whole game...at the age of 17. I was there that day and it was one of the best individual games ive seen, let alone from a 17 year old.

Selwood is also almost 12 months older than Gibbs.

Wow that's f***ing impressive! And to think Ratten has Gibbs playing in the backline....

 

[nineteen eighty]

Fair enough but it appears clubs also didn't see his talent because you'd think the knees would have been assessed a bit better.

Gotta wonder how someone like Gibbs created a media frenzy at number one when in reality he is one of the poorer number one picks we've seen. He has talent but not in the same league as most number one rated mids of recent drafts.

Gibbs is at least the equal of all other number 1 rated mids in recent drafts. The guy is an absolute gun and is still a kid. Will captain the Blues down the track and be their on field general for years to come. IMO will be an elite player within a couple of years. As Macca said, he's a year younger than Selwood (who will probably move into elite category this year). The one I'm hoping will also be elite is Cotchin

 

[Pessimistic]

Is your tongue in your cheek there?

Oly a little. Cats already have a good midfield already but the forwards come up short.

Mitch would have had more opportunity at catland than at the hawks so who knows ? With hindsigt they still had N Ablett (although his interest in AFL footy was always flakey)

I do also wonder if they erred in clearing Steven King. He'll be running around this year for the saints so could have helped them to third third flag in a row

 

[qldbluesman_43]

Gibbs is at least the equal of all other number 1 rated mids in recent drafts. The guy is an absolute gun and is still a kid. Will captain the Blues down the track and be their on field general for years to come. IMO will be an elite player within a couple of years. As Macca said, he's a year younger than Selwood (who will probably move into elite category this year). The one I'm hoping will also be elite is Cotchin

At least somebody recognises Gibbs ability. I know my opinion is blurred because I'm a Carlton supporter except but Gibbs is a gun. The only better young player than him is Selwood. (Well if Buddy counts then him too.) They will both catpain their clubs.

Also why did Hawthorn pick Thorp when in the previous draft they picked up Roughead and Franklin, two key position players? Look what it's done now, you've got a damn good key pos forward who can't get a game.

 

[ShinSplints]

Hansen and Gumbleton?? ouch. poor kangas and bombers....

Boak is awesome.

nothing beats tambling and franklin though

 

[Zeke]

You are taking the piss arent you? Hes played 2 seasons.

The reason Gibbs went number 1 is because first off he dominated the U16 champs, 2nd of all he dominated the U18 champs. Then to add to that, he forced his way into Glenelgs senior side at the age of 16 in 2005 and from that point on didnt get dropped until he was drafted.

In 2006 he played 16 SANFL games (missing 4 for state champs), finished 3rd in Glenelgs BnF playing on a wing averaging 21 disposals and a goal a game. His best game was against Port Adelaide at Glenelg where he had 33 disposals, 16 contested possessions and 6 goals...playing in the midfield the whole game...at the age of 17. I was there that day and it was one of the best individual games ive seen, let alone from a 17 year old.

Selwood is also almost 12 months older than Gibbs.

That's lovely.

Despite all that, Selwood is twice the player Gibbs is.

 

[krisholio14]

Oly a little. Cats already have a good midfield already but the forwards come up short.

Mitch would have had more opportunity at catland than at the hawks so who knows ? With hindsigt they still had N Ablett (although his interest in AFL footy was always flakey)

I do also wonder if they erred in clearing Steven King. He'll be running around this year for the saints so could have helped them to third third flag in a row

As you well know, list management cannot possibly be an exact science. Hindsight is also a beautiful thing. All clubs make howlers, just some make less than others, like ourselves and yourselves in recent times.

You can say what you like about Thorp, but it's always been my view he's a better prospect as a defender than as a forward, and you guys could certainly use him standing up and taking on one of the key positions down back, even if he evolves into a forward later.

The other thing too, is that it's all too easy to look at a draft and say 'Well we could have picked that bloke, why didn't we?' a la Thorp and Selwood.

There is that hindsight thing, there is also drafting for need, and also giving young blokes due time to kick on.

But I think the one thing people often forget in football when it comes to these things is how you come to get some of these picks in the first place. Say with Hawthorn with blokes like Dowler and Muston.

You cleared out a bunch of guys who were going nowhere at your club and opened up space on the list, and playing time on the ground, to have a look at these young blokes. All of them will not come up and be stars, but as long as you've got a good strike rate overall, which Hawthorn does, it's far far better all round to go down this road.

Imagine if you'd hung onto blokes like Chick, Hay and Thompson instead of letting them go and getting some picks for them? One things for sure, you wouldn't have won last years flag. It also doesn't matter that a few of these picks didn't turn into blokes that played in your premiership side. Again, it gives opportunity...for the kids to play, for the coach to mould a side from the ground up, for these blokes to come through and learn their footy together, and for them to put good honest competition on each other for sopts. All things you absolutely have to have to win flags.

This is also how Geelong comes to find blokes like Egan, Stokes and Rooke with late picks and rookie picks. If the space isn't there, and spots are being taken by list cloggers, these fellows either don't get picked in the first place, or don't get much of a go if they do.

I've done a bit of work in apple orchards in my time, and the one thing that helps you get better apples the next season, is to give all the trees a damn good pruning at the end of each season. Some need more than others, but nevertheless it is not in yours or the fruits best interests to spare the sacetuers so to speak.

 

["The Roar Is Back"]

The one I'm hoping will also be elite is Cotchin

Selwoods ability to step up, when the game is in the balance, is 2nd to none and I agree is easily identified within players at a very young age. However injuries do play a big part and there is no better example than Selwood, who most had concerns over when drafted and has shown no further signs, yet in comparison Cotchin who was thought to have a short term injury when drafted that is now starting to long term !

 

[krisholio14]

I used to say this about Luke Hodge when Hawthorn was being pilloried for picking him instead of Chris Judd, and i'll say it now about Gibbs and Selwood.

By the time their respective careers are finished, both will be premiership players, and among the most decorated footballers to have played the game. Wait until then before suggesting Selwood is miles ahead of Gibbs. As a Geelong supporter, I can tell you i'd be just as happy to have Gibbs in my side as I am Selwood. He (Gibbs) will be a champion, and you can bookmark that and come and see me in ten years.

 

[Anjahads]

Adam Goodes went at pick 43 from memory!James Hird pick 72.There will always be someone who slips abit.