- Nov 24, 2007
- 13,156
- 950
- AFL Club
- Carlton
Have completed my phantom draft player profiles, but they are a little different to Ant555's and HFF's profiles to make it a bit more interesting, have got so called 'expert's' opinions on most/if not all of the players I have written down. I'll give you a sneak peak at the top 10, but don't take too much notice of the order.
No.1 – Nick Naitanui (WA) – 197cm, 95kg
Jason McCartney – “Nick was hard to ignore again, just for the fact he's had 10 clearances and six tackles. I suppose the thing with Nick, and what we've become accustomed to, is he's got great athleticism and he's great in and around the contests.”
Kevin Sheehan – “A ruckman with exceptional athletic ability, including speed and vertical jump, he was ranked first in division-one hit outs – winning 72 at an average of 24 per match. He was also in the top 10 for hardball gets (five per match). He had an outstanding final match against South Australia, adding contested marking to his attributes. His tackling was also rare for a tall player – he had 19 for the championships at an average of six per match.”
WA’s U/18 Coach – “He has the potential to be as fast as Chris Judd and the jumping ability to jump as high as Jeff White.”
Prospectus – “He was the No.1 hitout winner in division one at the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 championships where he averaged 11 disposals and five hardball gets per game. At WAFL colts level he was part of Swan Districts premiership team, scoring 11 goals in his 14 appearances.”
No.2 – Daniel Rich (WA) – 183cm, 83kg
Jason McCartney – “He is a quality player who uses the ball well and his left-foot is quite deadly and penetrating. He had 18 disposals, eight inside 50s and four centre clearances. He also has a strong body.”
Unknown recruiter 1 – “He's a very similar player to Rhys Palmer – they both enjoy contested situations. He's naturally aggressive and brings other players into the game.”
Unknown recruiter 2 – “He's got some similarities to Palmer and continually wins the ball in a contested situation. I really like the way that he goes about his football and thought that he had an outstanding game.”
Prospectus – “Rich's impressive performances for Subiaco in the WAFL seniors late in 2007 stamped him as a likely high selection in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft. He has 16 disposals and booted three goals in the preliminary final before picking up another 13 disposals and two goals in Subiaco's grand final win. Possessing one of the best kicks of anyone his age, Rich ranked No.1 for effective kicks at the 2006 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships and has maintained an elite kicking efficiency in his junior career to date. He was named in the All-Australian team after the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has the numbers to suggest he's going to be an elite goal kicking midfielder at AFL level.”
No.3 – Jack Watts (VM) – 194cm, 85kg
Jason McCartney – “Jack is a star. He’s one of our AIS boys and he’s also a very talented basketballer. He was a star in Vic Metro’s win Vic Country. He kicked five goals, had 17 disposals and took three really big contested marks. He has great agility, great lateral movement and the ball just melts into his hands. There has been a lot of talk about the WA boys and how talented they are, but Wattsy is a great kid and is right in that mix.”
Kevin Sheehan – “A key position player, Watts has shone up forward, taking 16 marks and booting 11 goals. He also has demonstrated his team orientation on a number of occasions highlighted by an exceptional assist in short passing (with great vision and skill) to teammate Tom Scully to seal the match against SA.”
Realfooty Article – “Watts' main asset is his marking — particularly in a contest — but he also has super speed for a player of his height. The Australian Institute of Sport basketball program timed him at 2.79 seconds for a 20-metre sprint, an exceptional time for a player of any size. In basketball, he played as a point guard and was regarded as the best prospect of his age in Victoria and possibly Australia.”
Unknown Recruiter - "If the draft was on tomorrow and I had first pick, I'd be choosing him without hesitation. He's just a natural player, he's an athlete and he's a very strong competitor.”
No.4 – Hamish Hartlett (SA) – 182cm, 74kg
Jason McCartney – “He's played senior footy and he frees the arms in a tackle and is able to dish off under pressure. Once he gathered the loose ball with one hand, swiveled and two players hardly laid a glove on him before he steadied to run inside 50 and kick a goal, so clearly and for very good reason, Hamish is rated highly.”
Unknown recruiter – “He uses the ball nicely on both his left and right side and makes the right decisions under pressure.”
Unknown recruiter – “A player of definite ability who simply understands how to play football. Hamish has genuine class.”
Prospectus – “Hartlett is the younger brother of Adam who has been on Carlton's list for three years. But Hamish is a completely different player. While his brother is a key position type, Hamish is a midfielder who was prominent for South Australia in the 2006 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. In that carnival he averaged 31 disposals and ranked No.1 for hardball gets and uncontested marks. He averaged 17 disposals in last years NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and made his senior SANFL debut late last season.”
No.5 – Michael Hurley (VM) – 192cm, 92kg
Jason McCartney – “Another AIS boy, Michael was All-Australian at this level last year. He doesn't rack up the stats, but he plays a typical Michael Hurley game every week – playing in a key defensive post, either on talls, mediums or smalls. He's a rock in the back-half. He's strong overhead and he uses his body really well. Michael rarely gets beaten. He's a natural defender and we haven't seen him up forward during the carnival, yet, but I know he can play forward – he has done for the Northern Knights. I see him as a natural defender, who can spoil with his left and right hand, which is really important. He also anticipates well, although he isn't naturally quick, but he reads the play well.
Alan McConnell – “Hurley was the best backman on the ground. He just doesn't get beaten in one-on-one contests. He hasn't had high possessions, but whenever he's been in a one-on-one contest, he never gets outmarked. He also doesn't give his opponent easy possessions, so I'd say he was the dominant defender.”
Prospectus - “Hurley is a proven performer at both ends of the ground and produced impressive numbers in the 2007 season. In 17 games for Northern in the TAC Cup he averaged 18 disposals per game playing in key positions at either end of the ground. When up forward he was always a threat, being a multiple goal kicker five times including a haul of 6.”
No.6 – Jack Ziebell (VC) – 188cm, 84kg
Jason McCartney – “This kid was the star in my opinion. He was outstanding and uses the ball so well. I've been lucky enough to have a bit to do with him through the AIS academy this year, and it's a big call, but I think he has AFL leadership written all over him. Against WA he was tough in the contest, his clearance work was fantastic and he set the standard for his teammates early diving head first into a contest. He has good disposals – is a really good kick with both feet – and he's a good decision-maker and reads the play really well. He just reads the play so well and as a result ended up with 22 touches. Jack also had seven clearances and three tackles and he is a great player to have back in the side, firing for Victoria Country.”
Prospectus - “Ziebell is a utility who performed well in a variety of roles for Vic Country in the 2007 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. He averaged 17 disposals per game with his ball use the feature of his play, hitting the target with an elite 89% efficiency. He laid the third most tackles of any division one player also.”
No.7 – Shaun McKernan (VM) – 196cm, 95kg
Kevin Sheehan – “He has been prominent in the ruck with 38 hit outs and 16 marks. Unbelievably like his older brother Corey both in looks and movements at the same age. Has a wonderful leap, good feel for the game, courage and versatility. At 196cm can play forward/back or in the ruck.”
Jason McCartney – “Shaun is really playing his part. Saturday’s game was probably the most time he has spent on the ground during the championships so far. He has a great attack on the footy in the air and is a great contested mark. He was really solid in the ruck with 15-hit-outs and it was another good performance from Shaun. It’s just frightening to think I played with his brother and watching Shaun is like seeing Corey play all over again. He’s just a replica.”
Prospectus – “McKernan is a similar player to his older brother Corey, spending time both up forward an in the ruck for Calder in the 2007 TAC Cup. He scored 17 goals in his 12 games last season and was a multiple goal kicker on five occasions.”
No.8 – Chris Yarran (WA) – 179cm, 82kg
Jason McCartney – “Chris had 16 disposals and seven tackles. He played forward and got into the midfield a bit, but he is very classy and uses the ball extremely well. It looks like he is coasting around in second or third gear, because he is such a great mover, but when he got up into the midfield, he put the foot down and accelerated a few times. There is still more in the tank from Chris, so that's a worry for Vic Metro on Wednesday.”
Prospectus – “Yarran is a talented general forward who booted 26 goals in 12 games for Swan Districts in the 2007 WAFL colts. He scored at least one goal in each game he played and was also a threat around the stoppages where he averaged four clearances. He played all three games for Western Australia at the 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships where despite limited game time he totalled four goals and three score assists.”
No.9 – Nick Suban (VC) – 179cm, 82kg
Jason McCartney – “Got my attention for different reasons against WA. He's an on-baller, but full credit to the Country coaching staff, they changed things up against the home side. He played as a permanent small defender on Chris Yarran, an exciting talent who looked extremely dangerous, and wore him like a glove. He provided good rebound when needed and uses the ball exquisitely.”
Alan McConnell – “Suban's ball-winning ability and ground work was great.”
Prospectus - “Suban averaged 19 disposals per game in the 2007 TAC Cup where his kicking efficiency of 76% ranked in the elite category. He can play all over the ground and works hard when not in possession, averaging five tackles per game last year. Suban was named in the All-Australian team at the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he ranked in the top three in division one in kicks, long kicks and rebound 50s and won a large portion of his possessions in an uncontested manner.”
No.10 – Aaron Cornelius (TAS) – 192cm, 84kg
Kevin Sheehan – “Strong marking tall forward who took 18 marks in the championships – averaging six per match. His seven goals included five against Queensland during Tasmania's first match at the SCG. He has a spectacular leap and a vice-like grip, whether on the lead or in a contested marking situation.”
Prospectus – “Cornelius has proven in his junior career to date to be one of the best marks for his age. Since taking nine contested marks for Tasmania in the opening game of the 2006 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships, Cornelius has continued that form to average more than three per game in 14 games of under-age football for his state in the past two years. At age 17 he made his debut for Tasmania in the VFL late last season and took the equal most marks of anyone in the 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.”
No.1 – Nick Naitanui (WA) – 197cm, 95kg
Jason McCartney – “Nick was hard to ignore again, just for the fact he's had 10 clearances and six tackles. I suppose the thing with Nick, and what we've become accustomed to, is he's got great athleticism and he's great in and around the contests.”
Kevin Sheehan – “A ruckman with exceptional athletic ability, including speed and vertical jump, he was ranked first in division-one hit outs – winning 72 at an average of 24 per match. He was also in the top 10 for hardball gets (five per match). He had an outstanding final match against South Australia, adding contested marking to his attributes. His tackling was also rare for a tall player – he had 19 for the championships at an average of six per match.”
WA’s U/18 Coach – “He has the potential to be as fast as Chris Judd and the jumping ability to jump as high as Jeff White.”
Prospectus – “He was the No.1 hitout winner in division one at the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 championships where he averaged 11 disposals and five hardball gets per game. At WAFL colts level he was part of Swan Districts premiership team, scoring 11 goals in his 14 appearances.”
No.2 – Daniel Rich (WA) – 183cm, 83kg
Jason McCartney – “He is a quality player who uses the ball well and his left-foot is quite deadly and penetrating. He had 18 disposals, eight inside 50s and four centre clearances. He also has a strong body.”
Unknown recruiter 1 – “He's a very similar player to Rhys Palmer – they both enjoy contested situations. He's naturally aggressive and brings other players into the game.”
Unknown recruiter 2 – “He's got some similarities to Palmer and continually wins the ball in a contested situation. I really like the way that he goes about his football and thought that he had an outstanding game.”
Prospectus – “Rich's impressive performances for Subiaco in the WAFL seniors late in 2007 stamped him as a likely high selection in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft. He has 16 disposals and booted three goals in the preliminary final before picking up another 13 disposals and two goals in Subiaco's grand final win. Possessing one of the best kicks of anyone his age, Rich ranked No.1 for effective kicks at the 2006 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships and has maintained an elite kicking efficiency in his junior career to date. He was named in the All-Australian team after the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has the numbers to suggest he's going to be an elite goal kicking midfielder at AFL level.”
No.3 – Jack Watts (VM) – 194cm, 85kg
Jason McCartney – “Jack is a star. He’s one of our AIS boys and he’s also a very talented basketballer. He was a star in Vic Metro’s win Vic Country. He kicked five goals, had 17 disposals and took three really big contested marks. He has great agility, great lateral movement and the ball just melts into his hands. There has been a lot of talk about the WA boys and how talented they are, but Wattsy is a great kid and is right in that mix.”
Kevin Sheehan – “A key position player, Watts has shone up forward, taking 16 marks and booting 11 goals. He also has demonstrated his team orientation on a number of occasions highlighted by an exceptional assist in short passing (with great vision and skill) to teammate Tom Scully to seal the match against SA.”
Realfooty Article – “Watts' main asset is his marking — particularly in a contest — but he also has super speed for a player of his height. The Australian Institute of Sport basketball program timed him at 2.79 seconds for a 20-metre sprint, an exceptional time for a player of any size. In basketball, he played as a point guard and was regarded as the best prospect of his age in Victoria and possibly Australia.”
Unknown Recruiter - "If the draft was on tomorrow and I had first pick, I'd be choosing him without hesitation. He's just a natural player, he's an athlete and he's a very strong competitor.”
No.4 – Hamish Hartlett (SA) – 182cm, 74kg
Jason McCartney – “He's played senior footy and he frees the arms in a tackle and is able to dish off under pressure. Once he gathered the loose ball with one hand, swiveled and two players hardly laid a glove on him before he steadied to run inside 50 and kick a goal, so clearly and for very good reason, Hamish is rated highly.”
Unknown recruiter – “He uses the ball nicely on both his left and right side and makes the right decisions under pressure.”
Unknown recruiter – “A player of definite ability who simply understands how to play football. Hamish has genuine class.”
Prospectus – “Hartlett is the younger brother of Adam who has been on Carlton's list for three years. But Hamish is a completely different player. While his brother is a key position type, Hamish is a midfielder who was prominent for South Australia in the 2006 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. In that carnival he averaged 31 disposals and ranked No.1 for hardball gets and uncontested marks. He averaged 17 disposals in last years NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and made his senior SANFL debut late last season.”
No.5 – Michael Hurley (VM) – 192cm, 92kg
Jason McCartney – “Another AIS boy, Michael was All-Australian at this level last year. He doesn't rack up the stats, but he plays a typical Michael Hurley game every week – playing in a key defensive post, either on talls, mediums or smalls. He's a rock in the back-half. He's strong overhead and he uses his body really well. Michael rarely gets beaten. He's a natural defender and we haven't seen him up forward during the carnival, yet, but I know he can play forward – he has done for the Northern Knights. I see him as a natural defender, who can spoil with his left and right hand, which is really important. He also anticipates well, although he isn't naturally quick, but he reads the play well.
Alan McConnell – “Hurley was the best backman on the ground. He just doesn't get beaten in one-on-one contests. He hasn't had high possessions, but whenever he's been in a one-on-one contest, he never gets outmarked. He also doesn't give his opponent easy possessions, so I'd say he was the dominant defender.”
Prospectus - “Hurley is a proven performer at both ends of the ground and produced impressive numbers in the 2007 season. In 17 games for Northern in the TAC Cup he averaged 18 disposals per game playing in key positions at either end of the ground. When up forward he was always a threat, being a multiple goal kicker five times including a haul of 6.”
No.6 – Jack Ziebell (VC) – 188cm, 84kg
Jason McCartney – “This kid was the star in my opinion. He was outstanding and uses the ball so well. I've been lucky enough to have a bit to do with him through the AIS academy this year, and it's a big call, but I think he has AFL leadership written all over him. Against WA he was tough in the contest, his clearance work was fantastic and he set the standard for his teammates early diving head first into a contest. He has good disposals – is a really good kick with both feet – and he's a good decision-maker and reads the play really well. He just reads the play so well and as a result ended up with 22 touches. Jack also had seven clearances and three tackles and he is a great player to have back in the side, firing for Victoria Country.”
Prospectus - “Ziebell is a utility who performed well in a variety of roles for Vic Country in the 2007 NAB AFL Under-16 Championships. He averaged 17 disposals per game with his ball use the feature of his play, hitting the target with an elite 89% efficiency. He laid the third most tackles of any division one player also.”
No.7 – Shaun McKernan (VM) – 196cm, 95kg
Kevin Sheehan – “He has been prominent in the ruck with 38 hit outs and 16 marks. Unbelievably like his older brother Corey both in looks and movements at the same age. Has a wonderful leap, good feel for the game, courage and versatility. At 196cm can play forward/back or in the ruck.”
Jason McCartney – “Shaun is really playing his part. Saturday’s game was probably the most time he has spent on the ground during the championships so far. He has a great attack on the footy in the air and is a great contested mark. He was really solid in the ruck with 15-hit-outs and it was another good performance from Shaun. It’s just frightening to think I played with his brother and watching Shaun is like seeing Corey play all over again. He’s just a replica.”
Prospectus – “McKernan is a similar player to his older brother Corey, spending time both up forward an in the ruck for Calder in the 2007 TAC Cup. He scored 17 goals in his 12 games last season and was a multiple goal kicker on five occasions.”
No.8 – Chris Yarran (WA) – 179cm, 82kg
Jason McCartney – “Chris had 16 disposals and seven tackles. He played forward and got into the midfield a bit, but he is very classy and uses the ball extremely well. It looks like he is coasting around in second or third gear, because he is such a great mover, but when he got up into the midfield, he put the foot down and accelerated a few times. There is still more in the tank from Chris, so that's a worry for Vic Metro on Wednesday.”
Prospectus – “Yarran is a talented general forward who booted 26 goals in 12 games for Swan Districts in the 2007 WAFL colts. He scored at least one goal in each game he played and was also a threat around the stoppages where he averaged four clearances. He played all three games for Western Australia at the 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships where despite limited game time he totalled four goals and three score assists.”
No.9 – Nick Suban (VC) – 179cm, 82kg
Jason McCartney – “Got my attention for different reasons against WA. He's an on-baller, but full credit to the Country coaching staff, they changed things up against the home side. He played as a permanent small defender on Chris Yarran, an exciting talent who looked extremely dangerous, and wore him like a glove. He provided good rebound when needed and uses the ball exquisitely.”
Alan McConnell – “Suban's ball-winning ability and ground work was great.”
Prospectus - “Suban averaged 19 disposals per game in the 2007 TAC Cup where his kicking efficiency of 76% ranked in the elite category. He can play all over the ground and works hard when not in possession, averaging five tackles per game last year. Suban was named in the All-Australian team at the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships where he ranked in the top three in division one in kicks, long kicks and rebound 50s and won a large portion of his possessions in an uncontested manner.”
No.10 – Aaron Cornelius (TAS) – 192cm, 84kg
Kevin Sheehan – “Strong marking tall forward who took 18 marks in the championships – averaging six per match. His seven goals included five against Queensland during Tasmania's first match at the SCG. He has a spectacular leap and a vice-like grip, whether on the lead or in a contested marking situation.”
Prospectus – “Cornelius has proven in his junior career to date to be one of the best marks for his age. Since taking nine contested marks for Tasmania in the opening game of the 2006 NAB AFL Under 16 Championships, Cornelius has continued that form to average more than three per game in 14 games of under-age football for his state in the past two years. At age 17 he made his debut for Tasmania in the VFL late last season and took the equal most marks of anyone in the 2007 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.”
