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Jayden Pitt

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Darling will be of the same build as Brown. Eagles are going to have a ridiculously scary forward line for the next 5-10 years with Le Cras, Kennedy and Darling.

We will have an abundance of half back flankers and outside players.
 

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Leslie_Chow said:
Darling will be of the same build as Brown. Eagles are going to have a ridiculously scary forward line for the next 5-10 years with Le Cras, Kennedy and Darling.

We will have an abundance of half back flankers and outside players.
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The issue being midfields win you flags.

*Should* we be in a position to challenge for a flag in the next 5-10 years - I would assume that LeCras would be playing largely on ball, with only spells resting in the forward line.
 
Tayl0r said:
So how does he get better in a way that Jayden Pitt won't, while he also gains strength?
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No one here besides Clay is saying Pitt won't dramatically improve and become a good player. But Darling is already a few years further down the track, and would have been very handy in 2011 and 2012 whilst we still have Pavlich, McPharlin and Sandilands fit and firing.

Just because Darling's body is fully matured doesn't mean he won't keep progressing as a footballer, on the flip side Pitt gaining strength doesn't necessarily mean he will become a better footballer.
 
Notorious_29 said:
No one here besides Clay is saying Pitt won't dramatically improve and become a good player. But Darling is already a few years further down the track, and would have been very handy in 2011 and 2012 whilst we still have Pavlich, McPharlin and Sandilands fit and firing.

Just because Darling's body is fully matured doesn't mean he won't keep progressing as a footballer, on the flip side Pitt gaining strength doesn't necessarily mean he will become a better footballer.
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Exactly. It's not a question of: 'we need to give him more time before we decide whether he was a good selection'. No ones saying Pitt won't be a good player - he shows every sign of being a highly skilled player who will hit his straps in about 5 years time.

But by then Pav, Sandi and McPharlin will be gone. Mundy will be getting there. Picking a project player suggests the club thought we had the cattle to have a dip at the flag in the next 2-3 years while our elite players are still cherry ripe.

Clearly this isn't the case if a couple of injuries leaves us with Pav playing midfield (and averagely at best) and Kepler our only proper KPF.

Pitt's selection didn't fill a hole in our list (KPF, KPD, inside mid) or didn't add to our flag chances while the above players are still elite.

That's the problem with taking him over Darling or an inside mid.
 
I don't disagree that 2x Chris Mayne in the forward line, which Darling would have given, would make us a better side now than we are. I just believe that a kid rated as the best user of the draft would make us a better team later.

I think Fremantle 2012 will be smashed by Fremantle 2016. I would rather win 4 premierships in a row later than cash in our chips now to buy a premiership for Pavlich, no matter how small it is to pick one player or another.

I think Darling will be a great player, but I don't think they'll ever build a forward line around him. He had a great run at the start of the season when he got the fourth defender, now that he's getting attention he hasn't kicked a goal.

Then again, he could Brendan Fevola
 
Here's a thought. Would you prefer 2x Stephen Hill's or 2x Chris Mayne's. The club felt Pitt has Hill's potential. Deadly kick, Good pace, good agility it just hasn't come together yet.

If next year Pitt is kicking running goals and cutting apart zones you will all be eating humble pie. He may never reach that potential but it was a risk the club was willing to take. Mellington might be the Chris Mayne clone in 1-2 years and we hit the bulls eye with both selections. Then again he may be delisted.

The club took the development route which it hasn't done ever in its history. I'm glad we are trying a different approach.

There is no point targetting a 1 or 2 year window for a premiership. 1-2 injuries might totally derail those seasons and you are left requiring another rebuild.

Constant improvement, constant list building, no short cuts and a premiership will come our way. Mick Malthouse recently suggested sometimes champion players retire without a flag, but their legacy brings one to the club by their teachings to younger players. He was referring to Nathan Buckley. Maybe Pavlich isn't destined to win a flag, maybe he is, either way we should continue to build towards the flag with solid foundations. Not quick fixes.
 
E Shed said:
Other than Clay I don't think anyone is suggesting he can't play, more (like me) a bit puzzled we didn't take a KPP or someone a little more ready to go given our 3 best players are in their last years.
No one could have anticipated the depth of our injury list & certainly I remember Lloyd saying we had the luxury last year of taking someone we could develop.
So, at least in my case, pretty happy that he will be a decent player, just curious about the rationale behind the pick. It's an interesting conversation.
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I was surprised we didn't try to pick up a key position forward like Chalwell or Hamp as priorities, even in the Rookie Draft. We do have Houghton kicking around in the WAFL, but the bloke is always injured.

Could make the argument that Anthony and Faulks were recruited as KPP's with less development time required.

Had heard that this draft was a bit skinny on quality KPPs anyway. Don't know for sure whether that is the case though. Opinions?
 
I think the club also had to look at the impact his skull injury could have if does cop a big hit to the head in this day and age of concusssion and he didn't test either at the draft camp as well....

every club could have picked him up and whilst he would have helped us more this year, who knows what will happen in 4-5 years down the track..

supporters have been spoilt in thinking if a player doesn't play straight away and contribute their no good, lets wait a few years and then have a look..
 

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Neither Hamp or Chalwell are setting the world on fire I guess though, One's deeply entrenched playing with Claremont reserves even though he's on an AFL list. The other didn't even get drafted and was a 1 trick pony that only rucks but isn't even close to 200cm. Have I left anything out?

This draft isn't just skinny in KPP's, it's also lacking in overall depth except for flankers (I can sense Clay's eyes lighting up already :o).
 
Nickos66 said:
Neither Hamp or Chalwell are setting the world on fire I guess though, One's deeply entrenched playing with Claremont reserves even though he's on an AFL list. The other didn't even get drafted and was a 1 trick pony that only rucks but isn't even close to 200cm. Have I left anything out?

This draft isn't just skinny in KPP's, it's also lacking in overall depth except for flankers (I can sense Clay's eyes lighting up already :o).
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Cheers for the feedback.

Thought Chalwell was KPB and played some KPF? Thought he was only rucking part time? What was Chalwell's one trick? Only watched his highlights so don't now much about his game apart from that.

By the way... meant that I'd heard that last year's draft was skinny on KPP's (i.e. the one we got Pitt in). I don't have any idea about this draft, but your note re: dearth of depth except flankers isn't reassuring.
 

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