The other night on the ABC there was a documentary, the name of which I missed but it was based around the 1998 draft, the lead up to it and its aftermath. The three players who were the centre of the Documentry were Dessy Headland, Ramanauskas and Fevola. It showed the three of them at the u18 carnival, then at the draft camp, and then on draft day, then next year having their first game. Good inside stuff.
Headland, wow what a head case. In 98, the final of the U18 was Vic v WA and the star was Dessy Headland. So the big question was who was going to get #1 pick to get him Hawks were on the bottom for a while thru the middle of the season but in the end it came down to Brisbane having first pick and Fremantle having #2.He was desperate to stay in WA and was not shy about it. He went to pre draft meeting with Brisbane wearing a Fremantle shirt, told them with strong emphasis how bad his current injuries were etc. When Brisbane picked him anyway, he looked like his dog had just died. FairDinkum. Not happy Jan
Ramanauskas, This was well before all his probs with the dreaded Johnny Dancer, he was very good young player for the Vics. but was no cert to go top20. Ess traded a Premiership player who had played only 70 games( cant remember who) to get pick 12 and used to get him. All his family were very happy. It showed a sitdown video review with Sheedy and Rama after his first game , in which Sheedy let him know his effort were not up to it.
Fevola was very interesting. One can see that he had talent at that age but one could also see that he looked a bit like train wreak waiting to happen. Once picked by Carlton one could almost see how Kernahan and Parkin just didn't like his attitude and style and their opinions of him slowly built. With hindsight one could also understand why he was so happy to have Pagan come. They also showed his big 12 goal Millennium game.
The story stopped with Fev getting another 2 year contract and Headland asking to be traded to WA. This was before Brisbane's first Flag
It made me think of what I have heard several times in recent years when the Cats have talked about who they have drafted. They have placed great emphasis on the quality of the boy and not just the quality of his talent. I think one can see why Headland has failed to go onto be things by looking at him at this stage , a talent strong, mental weak character that went alright with a good side and will continue to play good games when play runs his way. From today's perspective either Hasleby and Pavlich should have gone #1 in 98 but even then the signs were there that Dessy was a very risky #1. Brisbane is better without him !
Headland, wow what a head case. In 98, the final of the U18 was Vic v WA and the star was Dessy Headland. So the big question was who was going to get #1 pick to get him Hawks were on the bottom for a while thru the middle of the season but in the end it came down to Brisbane having first pick and Fremantle having #2.He was desperate to stay in WA and was not shy about it. He went to pre draft meeting with Brisbane wearing a Fremantle shirt, told them with strong emphasis how bad his current injuries were etc. When Brisbane picked him anyway, he looked like his dog had just died. FairDinkum. Not happy Jan
Ramanauskas, This was well before all his probs with the dreaded Johnny Dancer, he was very good young player for the Vics. but was no cert to go top20. Ess traded a Premiership player who had played only 70 games( cant remember who) to get pick 12 and used to get him. All his family were very happy. It showed a sitdown video review with Sheedy and Rama after his first game , in which Sheedy let him know his effort were not up to it.
Fevola was very interesting. One can see that he had talent at that age but one could also see that he looked a bit like train wreak waiting to happen. Once picked by Carlton one could almost see how Kernahan and Parkin just didn't like his attitude and style and their opinions of him slowly built. With hindsight one could also understand why he was so happy to have Pagan come. They also showed his big 12 goal Millennium game.
The story stopped with Fev getting another 2 year contract and Headland asking to be traded to WA. This was before Brisbane's first Flag
It made me think of what I have heard several times in recent years when the Cats have talked about who they have drafted. They have placed great emphasis on the quality of the boy and not just the quality of his talent. I think one can see why Headland has failed to go onto be things by looking at him at this stage , a talent strong, mental weak character that went alright with a good side and will continue to play good games when play runs his way. From today's perspective either Hasleby and Pavlich should have gone #1 in 98 but even then the signs were there that Dessy was a very risky #1. Brisbane is better without him !
