John Meeson

[Kane McGoodwin]

They could have had him but for that strange Bo Nixon trade.

Yeah, it's their own stupidity ... again.

Eddie may be good with the talk, but is lacking with the walk.

Crows will finish above the Pies in 2005.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Yeah, it's their own stupidity ... again.

Eddie may be good with the talk, but is lacking with the walk.

Crows will finish above the Pies in 2005.

I'd be seriously disappointed if we don't

 

[drakeyv2]

Yeah, it's their own stupidity ... again.

Eddie may be good with the talk, but is lacking with the walk.

Crows will finish above the Pies in 2005.

I would just be happy to beat them for a change!

 

[macca23]

A good article on our 3 new talls on afl.com.au today.

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=178420

New Crows talls eager to get started
10:49:46 AM Tue 23 November, 2004
Matt Robran
afc.com.au/Sportal
Adelaide did as expected in the National Bank's AFL Draft, and went tall. And the Crows' three new ruckmen among their five selections are ready to start their AFL careers.

With only their second-ever pick in the top 10, the Crows were delighted that Geelong Falcons ruckman John Meesen was still available for their first selection (No. 8 overall).

The strong marking ruckman/forward said at AAMI Stadium on Monday he was looking forward to his chance with an AFL club.



"It is a huge opportunity for me," he said. "I will try to learn as much as possible off Matt Clarke and Rhett Biglands. Hopefully they can give me some good advice on rucking."

Meesen, 18, 199cm and 89kg, said he always had been prepared to move interstate to play in the AFL.

"I had prepared myself for a possible move away from home for a while, so coming to Adelaide is no big issue," he said.

"The move was big because it happened so suddenly, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can play a small part in the Crows moving up the ladder.

"My family have been very supportive and they understand that sacrifices have to be made to play AFL footy."

Like any young draftee, Meesen is realistic about his chances of making his AFL debut in season 2005.

"I would say that it would be a goal but at this stage my aim will be to play consistently in the SANFL," he said.

Norwood's Chad Gibson, 17, 195cm and 93kg, was Adelaide's third draft pick (No. 28) and the only player the club took from the SANFL.

"I couldn't have asked for anything more," he said. "It was a dream to get drafted, but to be able to stay in Adelaide was even better. The family was very excited as well. I think they are still trying to calm down."

The key-position player who can pinch-hit in the ruck certainly understands there is plenty of work to be done over the summer.

"My first goal is to get through pre-season training and then I will set some new goals after that," he said.

"I would like to play well for Norwood, but I know I have a fair bit of work ahead of me."

And what attributes does he think he brings to the Crows?

"I think I have a good leap and athleticism and I'm a fairly good runner," he said. "I like to have a bit of aggression in my game. I think as a ruckman you need to have that."

The third member of the new tall trio, and selected with the club’s fourth pick (No. 40), is Calder Cannons ruckman Ivan Maric, 18, 198cm and 96kg.

Maric gave up a promising basketball career to play football. He had played for Victoria in the under-16 and under-18 national championships.

"I decided to play footy because we lived across from Keilor Oval and it was easy to go over there and have a kick," he said.

The quietly spoken Maric said he had been inspired by the feats of Dean Brogan, who won a NBL championship with the Adelaide 36ers before winning an AFL premiership medal with Port Adelaide.

"I think it is inspiring that Dean Brogan has been able to switch from basketball to football and do so well," he said. "It proves it can be done."

Maric, involved with football for only two years and once described as a 'brute', was asked about his strengths and weaknesses.

"Aside from playing in the ruck, I'm able to play a forward position and kick some goals," he said. "I think I have a very good aerobic capacity.

"I will try to improve my reading of the play because it is a good skill to have, especially when playing in the ruck."

 

[NikkiNoo]

Will be a strange (but good) feeling having a ruckman who gets possessions around the ground ... & takes more than the occassional mark.

Just don't shock the kid when he takes his first mark - I can imagine the roar at footy park now