Delisted Orren Stephenson (2012)

[vinum coupe]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Maybe someone popped an e into Wells water and he thought a 29 year old Orren was a 29 year old Ottens.

It's an understandable mistake.

 

[vinum coupe]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Getting Stephenson would also suggest that, barring some left-field rookie selection, Geelong are still satisfied that Dawson is the long-term plan for first ruck.

correct. thats a big +
And you'd think the forwards mean we dont trust our current forwards. But Balme said we hope they can go back. Now that's a wells gamble.

 

[Turbocat]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

He gives a mature , ready to go ruckman who has rucked against and beaten most of the AFL listed guys that have played in the VFL. Sure guys like NicNat will present a more of an athletic challenge than he has had before but he will now be able to push and get fitter than he has ever been.

He is ready to go insurance. We wanted another Mummy well here is the guy who capable of being the next pods. Here is another story that we will be hearing about if he can make it work against the big boys. If he cant we have lost very little. win/win as far as I can see.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...orren-stephenson/story-e6frf9jf-1226205386751

 

[hbk_aus]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Geelong had a (desperate) need for a ruckman who would be ready to go in 2012. We've currently go West, Simpson and possibly Vardy as ruckmen, and Vardy still has a lot of filling out to do. That's it. They were our ruckmen heading into the draft. What happens if Vardy's injury causes him more problems and then Simpson goes down - Lonergan into the ruck? Or some eighteen year old kid we've drafted with pick 78, who is 205cm and 72kg and is getting monstered by VFL ruckmen?

More than a long-term answer as a ruckman, our desperate need was for someone who can come in next season, maybe play 5-15 games (depending on injuries) and hold his own. Then do the same the next season. And maybe the season after that. That's all we need. It still may be worth taking a punt on a beanpole from the TAC Cup, or an ex-basketballer who's played ten games of football in his life, as a rookie, but with Stephenson, our ruck stocks look fine for the next two years.

He fills a huge need for us and I am delighted we got him.

Exactly the reasons, as confirmed by Wells:

Pick 78: Orren Stephenson, North Ballarat/Redan
Wells says: "He was one player that we came in with a plan to select with that pick. The thinking is that we've got three very good young ruckman and we thought we needed another ruckmen to complement them. We could've drafted another young one and watched him develop, but we think Orren has earned his chance as a mature player. It was a big decision, considering he's 29, but he's healthy, hasn't had any major injuries, and has played a lot of VFL games against other listed AFL players. Orren knows that we wouldn't have drafted him if Brad Ottens was still playing, but we thought that we needed an experienced ruckman to come in and complement what our young players will be able to deliver next year."

 

[Biggy_Boy]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

one of the most bizarre selections i can remember. perhaps the club thinks we can't win the premiership without a big bodied ruckman?

or perhaps he's just list fodder - someone we can delist at the end of next year to get an extra pick in a bumper draft

I don't think it's a bad choice.

It gives us extra insurance in the ruck in case Vardy, West or Simpson go down. If he gets a chance and does well, then he would be a steal and provide a much bigger and experienced body than the other ruckmen we have, much like Pods.

At Pick 78, might as well take the chance. It's unlikely we would find any young talent much better around there. At the very least, he provides back up, but hopefully he can shine and replace Ottens as our strong ruckman while the others are developing further.

 

[year of the roo]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

He feels like one of us, he has been a mainstay with our VFL affiliate for so long now. He is big and lumbering, even by AFL ruck standards, but uses his body as well as anyone. Strong, smart and a clever tap ruckman.

A great selection, very happy you gave him a crack.

 

[AM]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Some of us have been suggesting that the biggest hole left by those who have departed was that of Otto. Moons confirmed that in his interview on SEN today and Wells alluded to it in his comments tonight. Clearly Wells sees Stephenson as a ready made AFL proposition. That will give Vardy, Simpson, even Bathie, time to develop.

Really hope Otto takes up a role with us as a ruck coach to complete the picture.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Orren has knocked back offers from other clubs before, including North and Hawthorn (they offered him the spot that ended up going to Skipper) because he runs his own business (he's an electrician I think) and playing at North Ballarat he can do that, but to give that up for a rookie wage with a wife and kids he can't do that. I have no problem with that, I'm not from much money myself, and being in the middle of trying to organise a wedding on a shoestring and trying to think about kids in the future etc, I totally appreciate where he's at, family has to come first, so I have no problem with the fact that he asked to be senior listed and the club gave it, it's pick 78 in a weak draft anyway.

And rest assured he can play, I've seen a lot of VFL and Orren dominates it like Pods did. He's not quick, but he has great endurance, he's a beast physically and a very good tap ruckman. I think he can make the step up and will do a good job for us next year, so fear not we haven't selected a dud.

My initial reservations are more based on the fact that I wanted us to bring in more depth in a mature ruckman, someone who could take their turn to ensure the kids don't get run into the ground, or if we get injuries, not someone who will be the clear #1 and leave Dawson in the VFL for most of the year (as I think he needs to play). And make no mistake Orren will do that, you don't put a 29 year old on your list unless you expect him to play at least a dozen games, as Bomber said straight upfront with Pods. That won't effect West because he can play a variety of roles, and Vardy's body can be protected, but Orren is much more useful in the ruck than anywhere else, and Dawson doesn't have the IQ as a forward yet, which means he'll be seeing a lot of VFL next year, which I don't think is good for him nor necessarily good for our ruck stocks long term.

That said, Orren's a good ruckman and a really good bloke, I welcome him to the club and I wish him all the best, and I think he'll go well next year. One positive is at least I've found my 4th ruck for my supercoach team now!

 

[Gogeelong]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Orren in action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvfOcVpxQm8
He is a cult hero already

 

[Selective Retention]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Hey PO when is dawson signed up until? Losing him to GWS mummy style if Orren over takes him is the one worry I have with it.

 

[manboob]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

It's sensible given next years finals opposition.
WC - Cox
Pies - Jolly
Carltank - Kreuzer
Freo - Human tree
We just want someone who can break even against these guys and I think Orren will deliver.

 

[Boxhead_31]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Orren in action
[YOUTUBE]vvfOcVpxQm8[/YOUTUBE]
He is a cult hero already

Crikey he is a seriously big unit

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Hey PO when is dawson signed up until? Losing him to GWS mummy style if Orren over takes him is the one worry I have with it.

We don't know.

Look if Dawson is happy to take the slow track and we can sign him up long term then it's not a bad decision, because as I said Orren is the best ruckman outside the AFL, but I do really hope they had a long and positive chat with Dawson first, is all.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Crikey he is a seriously big unit

He looks much bigger than that when you go to games. I remember the VFL Grand Final last year and he was HUGE in person.

 

[Selective Retention]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

That's the one possible negative, otherwise I'm right on the bandwagon.

You need 4 rucks that are reasonably ready to go, and we have that now.

With Pods the club has enough goodwill to roll the mature age dice again.

If it doesn't work we've still taken 5 kids in the draft anyway.

 

[AM]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Hey PO when is dawson signed up until? Losing him to GWS mummy style if Orren over takes him is the one worry I have with it.

Dawson was interviewed on the Mangrook Footy Show late in the year. Said he loved being a Cat. Reckon it would take something extra special for him to even contemplate a move.

London to a brick you'll see him running around in the ones quite a bit this year. Particularly with the uncertainty over Vardy and when he'll be AFL game ready.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

That's the one possible negative, otherwise I'm right on the bandwagon.

You need 4 rucks that are reasonably ready to go, and we have that now.

With Pods the club has enough goodwill to roll the mature age dice again.

If it doesn't work we've still taken 5 kids in the draft anyway.

I do agree with that, it was the decision our list needed, cost virtually nothing and Orren like I said is a ripping bloke who will be very good for our kids off the field too.

I just hope they've got some sort of plan mapped out along the lines of Orren playing crash and bash when we play against the seasoned giant ruckmen types, with Dawson still being given some games while Orren is rested against the less mature ruckmen. I don't want to see Dawson only play 1 or 2 games across the whole season.

Other than that, on reflection it makes a lot of sense.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Dawson was interviewed on the Mangrook Footy Show late in the year. Said he loved being a Cat. Reckon it would take something extra special for him to even contemplate a move.

London to a brick you'll see him running around in the ones quite a bit this year. Particularly with the uncertainty over Vardy and when he'll be AFL game ready.

I wouldn't say a lot. As someone who watches a lot of VFL, both Dawson and Orren are ruckmen, neither are forwards nor will work for long periods there.

What the selection does do is free up West to cover that mobile ruck/fwd role which means we don't have to bring Vardy back in until he's ready.

Dawson will still play games next year but he won't play a heap if Orren is fit, we haven't drafted Orren to play VFL.

 

[AM]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

With more games next year and taking into account the way Chris rotates plus Stephenson's age -much tougher backing up week-after-week in the ones than the VFL - reckon Simpson will play 6 to 8 games performances permitting. His speed and mobility are impressive for a big man, giving us some added flexibility.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

More from Wells on Orren:
http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/another-veteran-in-bag-for-cats-20111124-1nx26.html

''He has earned his chance with years of consistent performance in the VFL,'' Wells said. ''We wanted to bring in an experienced ruckman to complement the three young guys that we have got. He has earned that chance.''


''When we lost a couple of ruckman this year, we looked for what might be able to help us straight away,'' he said. ''He has been a good performer for a number of years. Orren can cover the ground OK. He is well and truly able to compete and kick some goals in the forward line as well.''

​

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/another-veteran-in-bag-for-cats-20111124-1nx26.html

 

[meto]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Does say a bit about Dawson's competency and Vardys' health IMO.
Wells probably wasn't impressed with the youngies on offer either.
Our best option in this case!

 

[you pick one]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

bump.I agree with the bolded,but think our ruck devision could be our Achilles in 2012 as it stands Simpson is the only no1 ruckman of any size,with West and Vardy better suited to the 2nd ruck role.
30 AFL games between them is not much to hang your hat on,even if the potential is there.
Ottens is a huge loss pity he couldn't go around one more year but thats life.It would be remiss of me not to even make mention of Blake, not every ones favorite player but a genuine no1 tap ruckman so thats two gone in the same year.
A long term injury to West or Simpson and were up the famous old creek and I expect the club know that. It will be interesting to see if they try to address it in the draft,I hope they don't still have Hawkins in their thinking.
Any way I think our list is still capable of a top four finish to answer the op's question.

It's not rocket sergery.

 

[volcboy]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Does say a bit about Dawson's competency and Vardys' health IMO.
Wells probably wasn't impressed with the youngies on offer either.
Our best option in this case!

I don't know if it does. We spent most of the year playing one big ruckman (Ottens/Simpson) and a ruck/forward (Vardy/West). Orren gives us backup for Dawson as a big bodied ruckman, as you wouldn't bet on him backing up for 22-25 games at his age.

 

[SJ]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

Stephenson coming up on SEN.

 

[catswhiskers]

Re: 2011 National Draft selection No. 78 - Orren Stephenson

I don't think this will impact Dawson Simpson in any negative way. Reading between the lines put out from the inner sanctum they recognised they need insurance in the ruck area.

I expect to see Simpson if fit to open up the season with West and play quite a few on the trot while Orren settles in. We will see Stephenson when one of three things happens:

1. Simpson shows he is well and truly ready but "in the new way" needs to
be rested for 6 or 7 games
2. Simpson is injured
3. Simpson shows he is not quite up to it (which I seriously doubt will
happen) .

Pick 78 in this draft would not be expected to be playing much for a couple of years anyway, and a 1 in 5 chance to play at all, so it all makes sense to me. Especially if you look at it as the staff at GFC did last year when we copped some injuries in the ruck. If Simpson is injured that leaves West and Vardy (if he is fit). Too risky.

I really rate Simpson. He is seriously big, mobile enough, a competitor on the groundafter the ruck contest and has good all round skills. Like West up to end 2011 he just hasn't had the opportunity to show it all off on a regular basis. So watch out!!