New Players

[ben_cats_fan]

Pick 15: Travis Varcoe... Injection of a bit of pave, can't wait to see him in the hoops!

 

[ablett factor]

fantastic hes the one i wanted

 

[jim boy]

Travis Varcoe - Medium midfielder with blistering pace and excellent team orientation. Can go back or forward to create scoring opportunities. Debuted for Centrals in the SANFL this year after graduating from the AIS/AFL Academy. Injury to his right foot required operation mid season and missed NAB AFL U18 Championships. Outstanding for SA at U16 level last year. From Smithfield FC.

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Not the one I wanted, but reading up about the guy, he's EXACTLY what we needed! Here's hoping he doesn't suffer from the "Go-Home syndrome"!

 

[GeeCat]

Trent West.

Well, there's the 'big' I suppose.

 

[jim boy]

Trent West - Developing ruckman who can find the footy and works hard. Much improved following his selection for Victoria Country in NAB AFL U18 Championships this year. Clever ruckman who is very mobile. Capped off a great year playing in the winning TAC Cup Premiership team with Gippsland Power. Endurance super for a ruckman achieving 14.1 Beep Test result at the NAB AFL Draft Camp.

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Pick 35 is Stephen Owen. Can't say i've heard much about him, Medium Forward, do we really need another one of these?

 

[jim boy]

Stephen Owen - Powerful, medium forward who presents well on the lead and is strong overhead. Smart around goals. Speed and agility impressive at NAB AFL Draft Camp with a 2.96sec for 20m in the top 15% and 8.02sec for AFL Agility Run (Top 3%). From North Ballarat Junior FC.

 

[GeeCat]

Wells must see something in him.

Seems all too familiar with Cameron Thurley though. Very much a guy you can throw on to snag a few goals with his goalsense. Good set shot kick, but poor endurance restricts him in the midfield.

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Wells must see something in him.

Seems all too familiar with Cameron Thurley though. Very much a guy you can throw on to snag a few goals with his goalsense. Good set shot kick, but poor endurance restricts him in the midfield.

Ahh well, here's hoping he replaces Charlie!

 

[GeeCat]

Lucy, Laidlaw, or Grant would be nice.

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Ryan Gamble... Another South Australian? Perhaps to make Varcoe feel at home?!

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Austin Lucy still remains?!

 

[jim boy]

Ryan Gamble - Medium midfielder with terrific agility and versatility. From Millicent in Glenelg's country zone. Missed U18's due to mid-season injury to jaw. Very good overhead with a terrific leap and capable of playing both ends. Missed NAB AFL Draft Camp due to SA Grand Final, but his vertical leap at SA State Screening Session of 96cm was outstanding.

 

[GeeCat]

Ryan Gamble - Medium midfielder with terrific agility and versatility. From Millicent in Glenelg's country zone. Missed U18's due to mid-season injury to jaw. Very good overhead with a terrific leap and capable of playing both ends. Missed NAB AFL Draft Camp due to SA Grand Final, but his vertical leap at SA State Screening Session of 96cm was outstanding.

Has some pace and good disposal skills as well.

 

[Unwritten_Law]

Seems that they don't rate the national championship....

Quick, skilled midfielder
Ruckman
Medium Forward
Versatile Midfielder

From a needs basis it seems ok.

 

[GeeCat]

Matthew Stokes.

Older-aged draftee (20 yr old) - another lively-type forward. Originally from NT, so perhaps an incentive to help keep Varcoe?

 

[ben_cats_fan]

Matthew Stokes.

Older-aged draftee (20 yr old) - another lively-type forward. Originally from NT, so perhaps an incentive to help keep Varcoe?

Varcoe is from SA isn't he?

 

[GeeCat]

Varcoe is from SA isn't he?

More in reference to the Koori connection.

 

[Turbocat]

Varcoe is from SA isn't he?

Varcoe is aboriginal player and we arnt blessed with many at Catland.Is Stokes Aboriginal?I wouldn't be suprised if we pick up an Aborignal Rookie as well.We havent got ultra succefull history with these kids.Geelong must treat Varcoe with extra care,maybe a special mangement group needs to be created, if it fails I dont want to be for anything other than football reasons


I as so happy with our first two picks . Varcoe has been mentioned as a guy who could have been top5. Now this is conjecture, just like Muston but he is apparently lightning and when we settle down and think what anoyed us so often this year was a lack of pace to get away from packs. Its a role of the dice, he hasnt played for a while but plenty of upside.
West has a big leap on him and this will be were he is different to Sarge. I think McKinley would have been picked but we were piped by WC , mongrels

The other boys,???

 

[GeeCat]

Bomber was just on SEN:

- Was hoping for Varcoe to fall, considering he was talked up as a top 5 prospect. Foot should be okay, though it's still a little sore. Described him as "an exciting player, who can burst out of busy areas and set up play". Potentially can play right away, pending on how his foot is feeling.

- West was basically drafted to fill the club's needs for a ruckman after the Chambers trade (interestingly enough, doesn't that go against the clubs earlier comment during trade week that we'd be suitable with just the 3 listed ruckmen?). Was rated as the club's 2nd best ruck option, Baily was the first option. Has good aerboc capacity, but is a long term project.

- Described Owen as "intellingent, with some upside, but alot to learn".

- Gamble. Country boy, only had the one year of footy development. A reasonable kick of the ball.

- Stokes. "Dangerous, exciting, power forward". Club giving him a chance to make it.

Stokes may play seniors, West not much. Varcoe pending on foot injury.

 

[Turbocat]

Footydraft.com says

Travis Varcoe
Details:
Club: Central Districts
DOB: 10 April 1988Hgt: 179cm Wgt: 72kg
Position: Midfielder
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
SA Under 16s 2004
AIS/AFL Academy 2004/2005
AFL Draft Camp 2005
Background:
State under 16 player for South Australia last season where he earnt an AIS/AFL academy scholarship. He also represented Central Districts under 17 premiership side. After touring Ireland with the Academy early this season, he made his debut for the Central District senior side on Anzac Day, kicking one goal, but it was his second SANFL match when injury struck. An incident where his left foot was stepped on caused damage to the ligaments and bone, resulting in him having to write off the rest of season 2005. As a result he missed the under 18 national championships and restricted him at the draft camp. Has similar qualities to Aaron Davey.
Strengths:
- Blistering pace, agility
- Very good defensively
- High skill level
- Was considered a good chance of playing senior SANFL for most of the season before injury
Weaknesses:
- Foot injury this season, and unlikely to start pre-season until Christmas
- Fairly skinny build
Footydraft.com comment:
A difficult one to judge, but having seen one of his under 16 matches he was a real eye catcher. If it wasn’t for his injury this season we’d probably be talking about him as a top six draft pick, but it is likely he will slip down the order a little. Would surprise if he wasn’t drafted first round. Only bad medical reports on his foot should cause that to happen.

Trent West
Details:
Club: Wonthaggi/Gippsland Power
DOB: 17 October 1987 Hgt: 197cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Ruck
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
- Vic Country U18 Squad 2005
- AFL Draft Camp 2005
TAC Stats:
2004 TAC Cup: did not play
2005 TAC Cup: 19 games, 4 goals, averaged 13.0 PPG, 10 times in best
2005 U18 Championships: 3 games, 0 goals, averaged 6.3 PPG
TAC Awards:
2005 TAC Cup Coaches Award: 8 votes
2005 TAC Cup Morrish Medal: 4 votes
Draft Camp:
Height: 198.2cm (6th)
Mass: 89.8kg (8th)
Background:
Good young ruckman from Gippsland who was not on the Power's list in 2004 but did well enough early in the season to earn a Vic Country jumper in this year’s U18 championships. Got better as the season went on and impressed during his finals series, in particular against the Calder Cannons in the first final where he virtually rucked all day against a trio of ruckman from the Cannons and was named Gippsland's best on ground.
Strengths:
- Does cover plenty of ground in a game – endurance reasonably good
- Kicking is quite good for a taller player
- Having just one year in TAC Cup and came on quite well, expect plenty of improvement there
Weaknesses:
- Not quick
- Didn't do a lot when playing up forward
Footydraft.com:
Arguably the best Victorian under-18 ruckman in the draft. Expect him to continue learning but should be a very good player down the track and is worthy of a first round pick in this year’s draft.

Stephen Owen
Details:
Club: North Ballarat
DOB: 19 July 1987 Hgt:187cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Wingman/Flanker/Forward
Natural Foot: Right
Honours:
Vic Country U18 – emergency 2005
AFL Draft Camp 2005
TAC Cup Awards:
2005 TAC Cup Coaches Award: 1 vote
2005 TAC Cup Morrish Medal: 1 vote
Draft Camp:
Agility: 8.02 sec (3rd)
Statistics:
2005 TAC Cup: 17 games, 21 goals, average 13.8 PPG, average 4.1 MPG, 3 times in best
Background:
Attended the draft camp this year after a season playing for the North Ballarat Rebels. His best game was a six goal haul against the Falcons in Round 2 which would have been a contributing factor to him being given an invite to the initial Vic Country squad. He was on the fringe for that side and was named an emergency. At the draft camp he performed very well in the speed (20m) and agility testing.
Strengths:
- Impact player, knows where goals are
- Good set shot
- Speed and agility were terrific at draft camp
Weaknesses:
- Endurance test poor at draft camp
- Inconsistent/Has a lot to learn
- In between sort of height
Footy Draft verdict:
In the mix for a late selection. Would be a good rookie selection.

 

[Turbocat]

When lookin at Owen, it sound like he is under done.Put him in an AFL training situation and he may have big upside

 

[GeeCat]

Site has player profiles up.

Travis Varcoe
Trent West
Stephen Owen
Ryan Gamble
Matthew Stokes

 

[Turbocat]

Bomber was just on SEN:

- Was hoping for Varcoe to fall, considering he was talked up as a top 5 prospect. Foot should be okay, though it's still a little sore. Described him as "an exciting player, who can burst out of busy areas and set up play". Potentially can play right away, pending on how his foot is feeling.

- West was basically drafted to fill the club's needs for a ruckman after the Chambers trade (interestingly enough, doesn't that go against the clubs earlier comment during trade week that we'd be suitable with just the 3 listed ruckmen?). Was rated as the club's 2nd best ruck option, Baily was the first option. Has good aerboc capacity, but is a long term project.

- Described Owen as "intellingent, with some upside, but alot to learn".

- Gamble. Country boy, only had the one year of footy development. A reasonable kick of the ball.

- Stokes. "Dangerous, exciting, power forward". Club giving him a chance to make it.

Stokes may play seniors, West not much. Varcoe pending on foot injury.

GFC has this kid way less than 180cm, Power forward?. Does Bomber know who he picked or is the stats wrong