Player Watch Reef McInnes

[The Royal Sampler]

Was he wearing a bathrobe?

I can’t remember, I have a concussion. But mostly I’m trying to remember if he punched me aggressively or out of boisterousness. Or perhaps love.

 

[Mollythedolly]

Have been to training a few times this pre season.

Reef has made incredible strides on his fitness, but not only that, when in match sim he is really getting involved and doesn't look out of place at all.

To me he looks a lock with Finlay Macrae and Oliver Henry as Round 1 starters.

Sat out much of his pre-draft year with a back injury so concerns over poor endurance testing pre-draft were always likely to be a bit overblown.

 

[Mike Olotripo]

Sat out much of his pre-draft year with a back injury so concerns over poor endurance testing pre-draft were always likely to be a bit overblown.

He didn't play at all in 2020 due to COVID and the fact he had multiple stress fractures in his back.

Glad he's on the recovery path from that and is firing on all cylinders at the moment from all reports.

 

[Jen2310]

Reef snaps a goal

 

[Mooresome]

Reef snaps a goal

Really impressive young man , developing nicely.
Thanks again for all your efforts in bringing these pics and reports to us Jen.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Does anybody else panic like me when they see a thread about a player bumped in the off-season? I tend to think the worst

 

[Mick F]

Reef snaps a goal

Minimal risk of being tackled.

 

[jimmy35]

Does anybody else panic like me when they see a thread about a player bumped in the off-season? I tend to think the worst

That they’ve been bathrobe shopping?

 

[Harry O]

Debut round 1 on the cards?

 

[Jen2310]

Debut round 1 on the cards?

He could replace Kreuger?

 

[Harry O]

He could replace Kreuger?

Interesting tweet by the club hinting that might happen

 

[Jen2310]

Interesting tweet by the club hinting that might happen

I just took it as its social media content day and Reef loves content haha.

But either way, fingers crossed he does get an early debut.

 

[mwhop]

Ive seen enough to be convinced he'll make it afl level
Daicos will be out point of difference in the midfield and so we need someone who will be well suited to feeding him the ball.
I think reef will get a run at that role eventually, so for me he is the most important player on our list, in the sense that we will really go places if he is really good or better

 

[Scodog10]

Ive seen enough to be convinced he'll make it afl level
Daicos will be out point of difference in the midfield and so we need someone who will be well suited to feeding him the ball.
I think reef will get a run at that role eventually, so for me he is the most important player on our list, in the sense that we will really go places if he is really good or better

Given he’s never played at the level I have to ask how you can be convinced of that? I agree with your reasoning though that Reef is currently the most important piece in our rebuild (that could change if we bring a Lemmey or Keeler in post 2022) unless they build Henry up to be an inside mid.

 

[sr36]

Given he’s never played at the level I have to ask how you can be convinced of that? I agree with your reasoning though that Reef is currently the most important piece in our rebuild (that could change if we bring a Lemmey or Keeler in post 2022) unless they build Henry up to be an inside mid.

Henry as an inside mid seems a stretch. Hirdy could play there in the end though, so you never know.

I'd like to see us add more, unless they're bullish on guys like Reef, Macrae and Draper becoming quality inside mids. I'd look to add a mature one in the mid-season draft if we have a pick, as well as another kid.

 

[whiskeytown]

Just play him eh pablo disco bar

Bring him in as a bench player. Can slot him in for stints up front, in the middle… even has experience down back at NAB level… though I wouldn’t play him there at AFL level. But the point is he is versatile and has a number of strengths in different areas

Doesn’t matter if he plays only 65% game time and builds…

Out Bianco, In Krueger

Out T Brown, In Reef

Time for this kids debut

 

[Scodog10]

Henry as an inside mid seems a stretch. Hirdy could play there in the end though, so you never know.

I'd like to see us add more, unless they're bullish on guys like Reef, Macrae and Draper becoming quality inside mids. I'd look to add a mature one in the mid-season draft if we have a pick, as well as another kid.

I get that re Henry and I don’t think it’s in the clubs plans, but his movement strikes me as being capable of holding his own if he can build his body up like Pendles did. It was a small sample, but the way he hunted the ball through the midfield in that trial match v Hawthorn was impressive.

I think we’re light on as well, but we need a difference maker which is super rare in a mature ager and I wouldn’t invest early draft assets in one based on the current list profile. I’d build through the draft for now and target one via trade or FA. The interesting one would be Taranto because I imagine we’ll have an interest post 2022, but I have concerns around it being too early. The thing for me is Taranto + a top 5 pick invested in a KPP post 2022 could leave us well poised heading into 2023 if we get a spike from our 2-6 year players.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Good to hear people talking up the likes McInnes Henry Johnson Harrison etc, along with Daics jnr. Exciting times as they all progress.

Re Henry, I reckon he’s a forward. In time he’s the Elliott replacement. McInnes to the midfield. I haven’t seen much of Johnson. No clue about Harrison!

 

[mwhop]

Given he’s never played at the level I have to ask how you can be convinced of that? I agree with your reasoning though that Reef is currently the most important piece in our rebuild (that could change if we bring a Lemmey or Keeler in post 2022) unless they build Henry up to be an inside mid.

fair call
based on footage from 2nds - admittedly its not much - but he just really appears to have the size and the tools .
hes big, hes clean, composed and hes suited to a bunch of positions. to me he looks more likely than most

 

[magpies42]

Hopefully the development group can harness that elite acceleration (2.779 sec 20m) and bring it into his on field game. As yet from what I have seen, he doesn't use it in a game sense ie a Swan burst etc he is more a cruiser in game bit like Pendles.

And we desperately need pace.

I’m very keen to see what this lad can bring, has all the attributes you could want. Let’s see if he can bring at AFL level.

 

[Mollythedolly]

And we desperately need pace.

I’m very keen to see what this lad can bring, has all the attributes you could want. Let’s see if he can bring at AFL level.

Reef remains the player from the 2020 draft cohort that most excites me. The combination of size, pace, power and good skills seems ideally suited to senior footy.

To paraphrase some guru, just play him!

 

[mwhop]

Given he’s never played at the level I have to ask how you can be convinced of that? I agree with your reasoning though that Reef is currently the most important piece in our rebuild (that could change if we bring a Lemmey or Keeler in post 2022) unless they build Henry up to be an inside mid.

looked pretty likely today
just seems to have the tools

 

[Brent24]

Reef could be something special. Not saying he'll get to the level, but definitely in the Martin, Petracca, De Goey mould. Power and strength.

Laid a few bone crunching tackles today and also presented well at the ball when up forward.

 

[Seedsfan]

The goal on the right, then the goal on the left a minute later. Presents well out of the square, is aggressive has that power to break out of the stoppage when in the middle. Still a long way to go but the potential is incredible

 

[Masked Magician]

For those that watched the VFL today, what role/position was Reef playing.

Was it all day as a FWD or did he spend some time in the MID? did he attend any Centre Square bounces?