List Mgmt. Player Ages Thread

[Jade]

A lot of talk about quite a few potential players but I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't get anyone really

Our list is deep, probably in the best shape it's been since 2001.

We don't really need to get anyone.

 

[Yoda_]

More than Heppell.

2011 and 2012 drafts we've done very well, but one thing we haven't got is an absolute bottom of the pack ballhound. A lot of poise and class in Kav, Merrett, Ashby, Gleeson and Dalgleish but the closest thing to an inside midfielder in that time is NOB. If we don't draft someone this year then we end up with a 3 year void, and we don't want that.

Isn't this arguarbly the easiest position to fill from the U18 system?

Should have recruited a second inside midfielder last year IMO (and two bloody rucks after we lost Jenkins)

 

[Zach Package]

Isn't this arguarbly the easiest position to fill from the U18 system?

Should have recruited a second inside midfielder last year IMO (and two bloody rucks after we lost Jenkins)

If we're going to get into semantics i'd say that crown probably goes to half back flanker nowadays, but yeah, I feel like we're one short in that area, and if we were to snare a decent pick for crameri i'd just keep it and use it to plug that hole

 

[HirdyLannister]

Does anyone else here couldn't give two shits about NDS? He is not needed, we just need to get another preseason is in Zaha, Heppell, Myers, Melksham, Howlett. They are the future!

 

[Keystone agony]

If we're going to get into semantics i'd say that crown probably goes to half back flanker nowadays, but yeah, I feel like we're one short in that area, and if we were to snare a decent pick for crameri i'd just keep it and use it to plug that hole

According to knightmares phantom draft there will be some nice types that could fill this void and some nice SA prospects.

#19 GWS - Luke Dunstan (SA –Mid/Fwd)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 29/01/1995
Recruited from: Woodville-West Torrens
Style: Brad Sewell (with better ability forward of centre)
Player comparison:
Range: 10-30
Profile: Dunstan is a dominant inside midfielder with a strong body. Has future captain potential having captained SA through the u18 championships and is highly regarded for his leadership abilities. Has played plenty of senior SANFL footy and has played some strong footy. He’s a big time accumulator and a natural inside ball winner with the ability to win the clearances. He has very clean hands and that ability to be that real inside distributor with his work in close by hand as good as you’ll find really working to dish it off to those outside runners and get others involved. Not only is Dunstan an exceptional inside player but he can also swing forward, take a mark and hit the scoreboard when given the opportunity and I expect he will continue to be a very damaging player at the next level. Opinions on his kicking vary, but by position I’ve mostly been pretty happy with what he’s done not only finishing but also hitting his targets around the field. Not a particularly high level athlete with his pace below average and is more that strong bodied inside midfielder who can play right away.

#20 Melbourne - Trent Dumont (SA – Mid/Def)
Height: 185cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 30/06/1995
Recruited from: Norwood
Style: Brock McLean
Player comparison:
Range: 10-30
Profile: Strong bodied midfielder and a big time clearance player. Dumont has played plenty of senior SANFL footy and played well. Has some strength through the legs and hips which is always a great positive in a midfielder making him hard to tackle. Will put his head over the footy and win it. Has the smarts to draw some free kicks. He’s also excellent by hand and has a natural inside awareness of what’s around him making the right decisions in close. He has a relatively penetrating kick and can do some damage with it when given time and space but can also turn it over at other times and try to do too much. He has at times shown some versatility play back at times but his natural game is inside the contest. Athletically he’s not explosive and he’s not particularly agile either but he covers the ground well with his endurance excellent. He’s had some injury issues this year so we probably haven’t seen him play his absolute best footy but when healthy he’s shown that he can play some excellent footy.

#24 West Coast – James Tsitas (VIC – Mid)
Height: 180cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 03/03/1995
Recruited from: Geelong Falcons
Style: Mitch Robinson
Player comparison:
Range: 20-50
Profile: Hard midfielder with elite endurance and the ability to find the footy. Tsitas rarely fumbles and has a hunger for the contest and can win his own footy, win the clearances, distribute by hand effectively as well with his tackling game also very good. He’s not your most damaging user of the footy and his footskills could further improve with his penetration and ability to do damage limited but he still shows clean hands and is a very good inside distributor. Tsitas despite being more of an inside player is also exceptionally capable outside and will provide a linkup option and get to the right positions to receive it down the field. He also has an above average two way running game with his tackling excellent and some good defensive running to go with it. He’s just not a star athlete and while he’ll run all day he does lack some pace.

Or one of these could hopefully slip or be there

#16 Fremantle – Marcus Bontempelli (VIC – Mid/Def)
Height: 191cm, Weight: 83kg, DOB: 24/11/1995
Recruited from: Northern Knights
Style: David Mundy
Player comparison:
Range: 5-20
Profile: Bontempelli is a very athletic tall who does a bit of everything. Best known for his 50 disposal, 10 goal game in school footy through the midfield. Bontempelli can play pretty much anywhere. Off a back flank he can really break the lines with his pace but also has a nice leap on him making him a weapon in the air when he pushes forward. He has a nice combination of athletic gifts with above average speed, agility and endurance at his height. He also has some real penetration on that left foot and has the ability to do some major damage. As a midfielder he’s still developing his inside game but it’s coming along nicely with his clean hands and his improving ability to win his own ball and distribute by hand so there’s plenty to work with. With Bontempelli I’ve really enjoyed his improvement in recent seasons and he still seems to be growing and with a late year birthday he’s a guy who over future seasons has the opportunity to really develop into a monster if things go right. Just what position that ends becoming his and exactly how far he can take his game are the unknowns at this point.

#11 Richmond - Christian Salem (VIC - Mid)
Height: 183cm, Weight: 82kg, DOB: 15/07/1995
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Style: Luke Hodge
Player comparison: Taylor Hunt
Range: 5-20
Profile: Midfielder with a real physical presence and physical style of playing. I also really enjoy Salem’s tackling game, he just hunts the man and you can see he really enjoys it, and he does big damage every time he lays a tackle and it’s a real feature of his game. When it’s his turn to go he goes, whether it be a marking contest where he knows he will get crushed or going for the hard ball he will put his head over it and just go for it. He also does some really impressive work at times with some good blocking or bumps on or off the footy where required and just has that hard edge you love to see. He plays a good two way game running both ways and also stopping his direct opponent or playing a shutdown role as required. His footskills are above average and he hits his targets and can at times do damage, particularly when within range from goal. Also has ok but only above average pace, but regardless of this will run and carry the footy and cover ground with ball in hand when the opportunity is there. He’s more outside than inside at this stage and the next step will be to develop that inside game. I’d class Salem as a guy who screams “component of a winning team” without projecting as a particularly elite individual talent. I also have some questions about how much development is left with Salem an early bloomer having been roughly the same height and size for a few years now.

#12 Carlton – Matt Crouch (VIC – Mid)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 80kg, DOB: 21/04/1995
Recruited from: North Ballarat Rebels
Style: Joel Selwood
Player comparison: Toby Greene
Range: 5-20
Profile: Crouch is an elite inside player and probably the elite inside player in this draft. In the TAC he has not had any games with less than 30 disposals and multiple 40+ disposal games to demonstrate just how dominant he is. High production player and can contribute from season one. Real stoppage specialist and just thrives on the contested aspects of the game. Hard at the ball and a really natural inside extractor burrowing in, winning the ball and setting up the receivers outside of the pack by hand with that real inside distributing side of his game particularly excellent. He does it as well as any and just thrives on that contested ball type game as that clearance specialist. Crouch is also an exceptional tackler showing strong tackling technique and really going in hard with those tackles and it seems to be another area of the game that he just really enjoys. Athletically Matt is not nearly as explosive as his older brother Brad but has shown some improvement over the past season in his foot speed which is encouraging. Footskills only average by position. He’s not going to do damage by foot but his footskills are also on the improve and can be with further training solid at the next level. The aspect I do like with his footskills is that particularly in the forward half in those stoppage situations he’s very dangerous because he gets his hands on it and can quickly get it onto his boot for a quick snap on either side. Crouch despite his competition best numbers through the midfield is relatively considered a lazy trainer with his endurance is not nearly where it could be so if he can step into an AFL program and if he smartens up and puts in the work he has the ability to become a special midfielder.

*That is if we get pick 22 or 25 for Crameri which we should at the least and something more.

I think Will Hams is someone that people are overlooking hes a real go getter and once hes bulked up should be that type but that will take some time and for now we have Watson, Myers, Hocking, Howlett as those types

 

[Zach Package]

yep, i've got Dunstan on the brain for that pick

Dunstan as an inside midfielder, or Jono Marsh as someone who is a bit Crameri-ish.

I wouldn't be trading pick 22, it won't get us Shaw on it's own, and i'd only have Dal for free.

but that's just me

 

[longdaveyjetta]

I'm currently watching Chappy's last game for Geelong, I am 15 minutes in and this guy is exactly what we need for the short term, absolute gun.....He's running well setting up and kicking goals, if his legs are shot you could have fooled me...this will come back to bite Geelong... he's a gun but surely we all agree he's always been a superstar..Bomber said he wants him, I'm tipping we'll do it...WHooo Hoooo..
drooling at the thought of him in red and black...

I'll let you know how the rest of the game goes...


I've never watched a replay of port vs Geelong before, it's kinda weird...

 

[longdaveyjetta]

That proves my point. We are not where Hawthorn was last year- they had just played in a GF. Even allowing for the ASADA we were going to finish at best 5th. We are not in the top 4, NDS is not the player to take us from 5th to premiers...he isn't Gary Ablett for crying out loud! We need to be realistic we are 12 months away at least, our goal should be a top 4 finish and a preliminary final. That is why I would target David Mundy as then we are in a position where we can gamble on a few free agents. Chappy is less risk- cheap and we know what we can get!

This guy says Hi...as do the 3 amigos behind him,
in 1992 nobody gave us a chance in 93, we were 33 to 1 after five rounds to win the flag..
Throw in an x factor player like Timmy and bang...
I'm serious when I say rate chappy as good a player as what Tim Watson was, at that is really saying something....

All bomber fans should watch this clip as well to see some legendary moves...
Crikey, Watson, Longy, Wanga, Hirdy, Bewick, Mercuri, talk about silk...

 

[hurlygurdy]

This guy says Hi...as do the 3 amigos behind him,
in 1992 nobody gave us a chance in 93, we were 33 to 1 after five rounds to win the flag..
Throw in an x factor player like Timmy and bang...
I'm serious when I say rate chappy as good a player as what Tim Watson was, at that is really saying something....

All bomber fans should watch this clip as well to see some legendary moves...
Crikey, Watson, Longy, Wanga, Hirdy, Bewick, Mercuri, talk about silk...

You pray for 93' grand finals, but you don't trade/plan for them because you damage the more realistic chance that is coming soon after. The great thing is that we can get Chappy at very small penalty. And maybe the instruction value to the likes of Howlett and Kommer will make it worth while regardless.
I get chills watching Long kick those goals in that final series...

 

[Yoda_]

If we're going to get into semantics i'd say that crown probably goes to half back flanker nowadays, but yeah, I feel like we're one short in that area, and if we were to snare a decent pick for crameri i'd just keep it and use it to plug that hole

Probably spot on that half backs are easier to find, inside midfielders are probably right up there though hence why I feel we haven't invested in this area of the list. You could snare inside mids later in the draft, should we pick up a top 30 selection, use it on best available and go from there.

 

[Duckworth]

Probably spot on that half backs are easier to find, inside midfielders are probably right up there though hence why I feel we haven't invested in this area of the list. You could snare inside mids later in the draft, should we pick up a top 30 selection, use it on best available and go from there.

Agree. Use it on best available with an eye to inside midfielders. After that we need a good ruck prospect.

 

[Yoda_]

Does anyone else here couldn't give two shits about NDS? He is not needed, we just need to get another preseason is in Zaha, Heppell, Myers, Melksham, Howlett. They are the future!

I'm starting to think that NDS possibly upgrading Howlett/Myers/Melksham whoever isn't that big of an upgrade with all proving capable of playing AFL standard football.

On the flip side, Chapman upgrading Merret/Davey/Kommer is a significant enough upgrade with the three aforementioned proving a liability or not good enough at the moment.

Chapman I could deal with, not going to cost us the world (delisted free agent) and fills a pressing need for us (fwd/mid).

 

[Yoda_]

Agree. Use it on best available with an eye to inside midfielders. After that we need a good ruck prospect.

The rucks I personally would have an eye on, you could pick up at least one later in the draft.

Toby Nankervis, Cameron Conlon, Rory Lobb, Michael Apeness are the guys I'd be keeping an eye on.

Conlon is apparently the wildcard who was cruelled by injury this year after showing plenty of promise last year as an underager. Nankervis is the AA U18 ruck men whilst Lobb is a 21 year old converted basketballer who has taken leaps and bounds this year. Apeness is a forward who can ruck and work around the ground.

 

[222EB]

Does anyone else here couldn't give two shits about NDS? He is not needed, we just need to get another preseason is in Zaha, Heppell, Myers, Melksham, Howlett. They are the future!

Other than pissing off Norf/Barrett, no not really.

 

[rines]

I'm starting to think that NDS possibly upgrading Howlett/Myers/Melksham whoever isn't that big of an upgrade with all proving capable of playing AFL standard football.

On the flip side, Chapman upgrading Merret/Davey/Kommer is a significant enough upgrade with the three aforementioned proving a liability or not good enough at the moment.

Chapman I could deal with, not going to cost us the world (delisted free agent) and fills a pressing need for us (fwd/mid).

Glad to see you coming around Yoda..

I don't think we are looking to destroy our 'youth first' policy or the development of our guys.. but realistically our options at HF are limited.. and Chapman would be a perfect fit.. at the end of the day we are getting him FA.. so we don't 'lose' anything..

If the young guys step up and are better than him.. then he loses his spot.. simple.

Hearing that Chapman almost a done deal..

 

[ant555]

Do you think we'll look at Mitch Thorp?

Has not been any indications that we are looking that way so far.

 

[yodellinhank]

You pray for 93' grand finals, but you don't trade/plan for them because you damage the more realistic chance that is coming soon after. The great thing is that we can get Chappy at very small penalty. And maybe the instruction value to the likes of Howlett and Kommer will make it worth while regardless.
I get chills watching Long kick those goals in that final series...

Agreed. Sheedy was planing an assault on '94.

Get chappy 2 years, let's aim for 2015 and be pleasantly surprised again!

 

[JR95]

Glad to see you coming around Yoda..

I don't think we are looking to destroy our 'youth first' policy or the development of our guys.. but realistically our options at HF are limited.. and Chapman would be a perfect fit.. at the end of the day we are getting him FA.. so we don't 'lose' anything..

If the young guys step up and are better than him.. then he loses his spot.. simple.

Hearing that Chapman almost a done deal..

Hearing anything else in terms of who we are into right now and could land, rines?

 

[HirdyLannister]

I'm starting to think that NDS possibly upgrading Howlett/Myers/Melksham whoever isn't that big of an upgrade with all proving capable of playing AFL standard football.

On the flip side, Chapman upgrading Merret/Davey/Kommer is a significant enough upgrade with the three aforementioned proving a liability or not good enough at the moment.

Chapman I could deal with, not going to cost us the world (delisted free agent) and fills a pressing need for us (fwd/mid).

100% agree, I'm not a huge fan of recruiting players older than jobe/BJ but Chappys best is still elite an massive upgrade for a short time span.

In 2 years time Chappy retires and hopefully our young midfielders step up and Jobe can spend/replace Chappy in the forward line more often. Like Jude Bolton

 

[Yoda_]

Glad to see you coming around Yoda..

I don't think we are looking to destroy our 'youth first' policy or the development of our guys.. but realistically our options at HF are limited.. and Chapman would be a perfect fit.. at the end of the day we are getting him FA.. so we don't 'lose' anything..

If the young guys step up and are better than him.. then he loses his spot.. simple.

Hearing that Chapman almost a done deal..

Just been thinking about what he will bring, compared to Kommer &/or Davey whom he would more than likely be fighting with for a spot in the 22. Would bring an extra 4 - 5 possessions a game (which could be anything from score assists/goals/scoring chain assists) whilst the experience of where to run to, how to set up cannot be underestimated.

I do feel that paying overs for NDS would be a bit of a backstep towards what we have built in the past couple of years. I wouldn't be throwing everything at NDS for a slight upgrade on Myers/Howlett/whoever he would displace.

Thinking further though, IF we managed to snare NDS as a free agent, potentially trading Myers + pick 22 for pick 2 would be a wonderful off season. Wouldn't lose anything from our best 22 (essentially NDS replacing Myers) whilst giving ourselves the best possible chance to pick up one of the best midfield prospects in the draft (with pick 2)

OUT:
- Stewart Crameri
- David Myers

IN:
- Paul Chapman (Delisted Free Agent)
- Nick Dal Santo (Restricted Free Agent)
- Pick #2

Would be a wonderful off season IMO.

Would still try and upgrade our later picks with clubs that won't be using there later round picks and still aim for 4 picks inside the top 50.

 

[Yoda_]

100% agree, I'm not a huge fan of recruiting players older than jobe/BJ but Chappys best is still elite an massive upgrade for a short time span.

In 2 years time Chappy retires and hopefully our young midfielders step up and Jobe can spend/replace Chappy in the forward line more often. Like Jude Bolton

Just what someone said a page or two back that by the time Chapman, Jobe, BJ etc. are getting on, hopefully the next gen of Essendononians will be ready to take the next step and displace these guys by 2015.

 

[JR95]

Just been thinking about what he will bring, compared to Kommer &/or Davey whom he would more than likely be fighting with for a spot in the 22. Would bring an extra 4 - 5 possessions a game (which could be anything from score assists/goals/scoring chain assists) whilst the experience of where to run to, how to set up cannot be underestimated.

I do feel that paying overs for NDS would be a bit of a backstep towards what we have built in the past couple of years. I wouldn't be throwing everything at NDS for a slight upgrade on Myers/Howlett/whoever he would displace.

Thinking further though, IF we managed to snare NDS as a free agent, potentially trading Myers + pick 22 for pick 2 would be a wonderful off season. Wouldn't lose anything from our best 22 (essentially NDS replacing Myers) whilst giving ourselves the best possible chance to pick up one of the best midfield prospects in the draft (with pick 2)

OUT:
- Stewart Crameri
- David Myers

IN:
- Paul Chapman (Delisted Free Agent)
- Nick Dal Santo (Restricted Free Agent)
- Pick #2

Would be a wonderful off season IMO.

Would still try and upgrade our later picks with clubs that won't be using there later round picks and still aim for 4 picks inside the top 50.

Have to agree that would be an excellent off season. But it won't all happen unfortunately.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

This guy says Hi...as do the 3 amigos behind him,
in 1992 nobody gave us a chance in 93, we were 33 to 1 after five rounds to win the flag..
Throw in an x factor player like Timmy and bang...
I'm serious when I say rate chappy as good a player as what Tim Watson was, at that is really saying something....

So ONE flag in the last 13 years and you want to gamble on all of that! I have no issue with getting Chapman, I have a massive issue with getting NDS who is expensive and would cost the farm to get him!

 

[lenny2013]

Anyone hear any whispers on Freo's due diligence on Gumbleton.

A straight swap with Mellington would be a good result for both parties.

The below article finishes with Chris Bond saying that they want to help mellington to get back to Victoria.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-08/freo-look-at-pods-gumby

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Anyone hear any whispers on Freo's due diligence on Gumbleton.

A straight swap with Mellington would be a good result for both parties.

The below article finishes with Chris Bond saying that they want to help mellington to get back to Victoria.
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-08/freo-look-at-pods-gumby

Yes, a good fair deal, lets be honest Gumby is steaknives but Mellington does give us a player we can use, and he is a better player than Davey and Kommer at least!