Recruiting athletes

[Stiffy_18]

I just can't help but notice our tendency to pick up or be interested in players with superb aerobic capacity under Neil Craig.

We picked up Nathan Van Berlo (A super athlete). We are interested in Troy Selwood (another super athlete). We also picked up John Meesen who finished right up there in fitness stakes in last year's draft camp. He was unbeleiveably high in the testing considering he is a big lad. We also picked up Chris Knights and he runs all day.

I am interested in yor thoughts on this. Is it coincidence or is it part of our recruiting strategy??????

Should we be surprised if we pick up Tom Rischbieth in the National Draft?

Thoughts

 

[jc67]

I have long been of the opinion that fitness is all that separates all levels of football.
In fact I reckon there are blokes running around in the ammos that are much much better skilled than a lot of AFL players, but the pace of the game is drastically different. and these skilled players would never be able to run out a game or in most cases a qtr.

So Yes to your question, athletes.
All the better if they like pain (believe it or not a hell of a lot of fitness freaks actually do like pain)

 

[Crow-mosone]

we overlooked danyle pearce

 

[tribey]

Just as half the league overlooked Pettigrew in 2003.

 

[- PC -]

I have long been of the opinion that fitness is all that separates all levels of football.
In fact I reckon there are blokes running around in the ammos that are much much better skilled than a lot of AFL players, but the pace of the game is drastically different. and these skilled players would never be able to run out a game or in most cases a qtr.

Unfortunately your correct

In answer to the OP .. I think NC and his game plan requires you to do a full court press on a football field.

 

[No 1 Draft Pick]

In answer to the OP .. I think NC and his game plan requires you to do a full court press on a football field.

As required in the modern game. You need midfielders with the aerobic capacity to run 15-20 kms per game.

Its easier to turn natural athletes into highly skilled drilled footballers but you cant turn natural footballers into athletes.

Craigy is on song again

 

[Markthirtytwo]

I have long been of the opinion that fitness is all that separates all levels of football.
In fact I reckon there are blokes running around in the ammos that are much much better skilled than a lot of AFL players, but the pace of the game is drastically different. and these skilled players would never be able to run out a game or in most cases a qtr.

So Yes to your question, athletes.
All the better if they like pain (believe it or not a hell of a lot of fitness freaks actually do like pain)

I think that having something between the ears and using it properly is also a huge factor. We have an athlete on our list now and well.............he doesnt always use what god gave him now does he?

 

[- PC -]

Its easier to turn natural athletes into highly skilled drilled footballers but you cant turn natural footballers into athletes.

Absolute rubbish, Glyniss Nunn would struggle to get the ball, Capobianco etc would struggle.As to highly skilled your definition of highly is a lot different to mine

What is a ''natural footballer''? It is evolving over time and to make a judgement on that is not so definite.

 

[Stiffy_18]

we overlooked danyle pearce

Just as half the league overlooked Pettigrew in 2003.

Yes but we showed considerable interest in both of those. Pearce is the only one we overlooked under Craig but in fairness he was in our Rookie camp.

 

[Stiffy_18]

As required in the modern game. You need midfielders with the aerobic capacity to run 15-20 kms per game.

Its easier to turn natural athletes into highly skilled drilled footballers but you cant turn natural footballers into athletes.

Craigy is on song again

You are kidding aren't you??????

If this was the case we would have turned Brett Burton into Darren Jarman MANY MANY years ago.

I would have natural footballers over athletes any day of the week. Under your criteria players like the Jarman brothers, Diesel Williams, Roger James etc... would never have played AFL footy.

Fitness is important no doubt but football ability is paramount. If you are lucky enough to recruit a player with both footy smarts, skills and aerobic capacity, then you get champions like Nick Reiwoldt.

 

[Truck Rutten]

You are kidding aren't you??????

If this was the case we would have turned Brett Burton into Darren Jarman MANY MANY years ago.

I would have natural footballers over athletes any day of the week. Under your criteria players like the Jarman brothers, Diesel Williams, Roger James etc... would never have played AFL footy.

Fitness is important no doubt but football ability is paramount. If you are lucky enough to recruit a player with both footy smarts, skills and aerobic capacity, then you get champions like Nick Reiwoldt.

You're spot on with all points here Stiff.

Give me Darren Jarman over dare I say it Chris Judd.