Rookie Draft Discussion Thread

[Godfrey Jones]

Re: Collingwood take Jarryd Blair with second pick in Rookie Draft

so two mids so far?

 

[jefffff34]

Re: Collingwood take Tristan Francis with first pick in Rookie Draft

Has to be called Scooter.

 

[Optimax]

Welcome John Bennel from Peel, highly rated by us supposedly

 

[Godfrey Jones]

sounds like a midget(172cm) small forward/mid judging from a google search

is that jake king territory?

 

[joefootylover]

Bennell is the midget small forward, Blair is a midget mid.

 

[Godfrey Jones]

Re: Jarryd Blair

gippsland's been good to us so far... fingers crossed

 

[MightyQuinn]

Re: Collingwood take Jarryd Blair with second pick in Rookie Draft

hehe looks like a major flex in his top photo...

 

[Swanny36]

Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

I will get some Info....feel free to add anything...

Cheers Opti...

John Bennell (Peel)

Brief: Top-aged, sneaky, quick, elusive, clever, colourful small forward/wingman with a good goal sense and a big vertical leap.


DOB: 1st February 1990

Height: 174cm

Weight: 71kg

Preferred foot: Right foot


Projected Quality: 5.5 to 7.5


AFL Player Comparison: Eddie Betts


Background


- From Pinjarra FC

- Didn't nominate last year as an eligible bottom-ager


Honours:


2008 WA U18 squad

2008 Prendergast medal (Reserves B&F) – 5 votes (2 games)

2008 WAFL colts team of the year - FP


2008 Form:


After being passed up last year as a bottom ager, despite showing some good form in the 2nd half of the season for Peel in the WAFL colts competition, Bennell started of the WAFL colts season in very good fashion with 18 goals and 4 bests in his first 5 games along with a state selection.


He had an outstanding start to the national U18 championships against NSW/ACT at Subiaco in WA’s opening game, starring everywhere forward of half back with his clean touch, athleticism and goal sense, finishing the afternoon with 12 disposals, 4 marks, 4.0 game. However it was downhill from there with a quiet game against SA (6 disposals, 1 mark, 1.1) and an almost anonymous performance against Vic Country with just 3 disposals all up, which saw him dropped for the remainder of games.


After stringing together some good colts performances upon his return he moved up to reserves level where he impressed enough in his 2 games to earn a league berth. While he didn’t star at league level, he chipped in with at least a goal in each of his games and showed WAFL fans some exciting glimpses of what he’s capable of.


Disposal/Decision making – Kicking 8/10, Handballing 8.5/10


- Very neat foot skills

- Good DM

- Hits his targets with above average hurt factor

- Capable of using both sides of the body

- Decent penetration – ability to carry it 50m on the RF


- Lightning quick hands and reflexes in traffic/under pressure

- Good vision and DM


Hands – 9.5/10


- Excellent ball control – appears to have it on a string

- Clean 1-handed one touch scoop pick ups on the run


Work-ethic – Attacking 7/10, Defensive 7/10


- Chasing didn't impress me in the championships games, but improved at the back end of the season

- Doesn’t lay a lot of tackles, but when he does shows good technique and intensity

- Not a big inside ball/contested possession winner, much more outside

- Works for the HBR and particularly well into space for UC marks when running through the middle, but doesn't have the engine to sustain for long periods and accumulate high possession tallies.


Footy nous/Ball-winning ability – Footy Nous 9/10, Ball-winning ability 6/10


- Exceptionally clever footballer – plenty of tricks originating from above the shoulders

- Not a big ball winner – rarely tallies over 15 possessions

- Plays an outside style - most his footy comes from LBG, UCM and HBR


Goal Kicking Ability – 8.5/10


- Natural front and centre crumbing tendency

- Effective at pushing inside 50 for a goal from a wing/flank

- Very instinctive

- Can kick goals from any angle inside 50

- Plenty of highlight reel worthy efforts

- Very accurate kick in front of goal from both general play and set shots


Athleticism – 8.5/10


- Very good pace off the mark

- Excellent evasive ability - can turn on a dime, moves well through light traffic and frequently makes defenders look like gooses

- BIG vertical leap that does get used...

- Aerobic capacity needs a fair bit of work (poor beep test)

- Lacks body strength for the push and shove, but balance is very good


Aerial ability – 6.5/10


- Lead & mark isn’t much of a feature of his game (much more of a crumbing type)

- Above average reach for his height

- OK on the lead, but not a pack or contested marker

- Can take some mean speccies with that massive vertical leap and loves going up for them


Versatility – 7/10


- Has played FP/HFF/wing this year - all with good effect

- Ability to play midfield or HBF with some work


AFL Ready?


- If he get's picked in the ND, maybe an outside chance come in for some games as a FP in 2009 with some good state league form behind him

Upside


- Building his engine up some he can spend more time up the ground, get more of the footy and improve both his defensive and offensive work-rate

- Needs a lot more size and much more of an engine to play midfield roles (has the instinctiveness/lightning quick hands/reflexes combo to do so)


Overall Assessment


The height/size factor always always raises question marks, but if he can consistently apply himself he has more than enough footballing ability and athleticism to make it as a very handy 2 goal/game elusive, tricky crumbing forward pocket that could be even more. I wouldn't be opposed to giving up a late 4th or 5th round selection for him, but he'd probably be better suited to a rookie list IMO.


Strengths

- Pace off the mark

- Vertical Leap

- Smarts/creativity/tricks

- Ball handling

- Handballing ability

- Footskills

- Goal sense

- Scope



Weaknesses

- Skinny

- Height

- Aerial ability

- Work ethic/Engine

- Inconsistency


Queries?

- Can he improve his consistency?

- Does he have the determination to keep improving his defensive ethic?


Stats:


2008 AFL U18 Championships Stats (3 games, 1 best):

4.3 kicks, 2.7 handballs, 2 marks, 1.7 goals, 0.3 behinds


2008 WAFL Stats (5 games):

4.6 kicks, 2.8 handballs, 1.6 marks, 0.6 FF, 1 FA, 1 goal, 0.2 behinds


2008 WAFL Reserves Stats (2 games, 2 bests):

12 kicks, 3 handballs, 4.5 marks, 0.5 FF, 2.5 I50s, 2.5 goals, 0.5 behinds


2008 WAFL Colts Stats (8 games, 6/7 bests – NOTE: 1 game’s stats not recorded apart from goals):

10.1 kicks, 3.1 handballs, 3.1 marks, 1 FF, 2 FA, 0.1 hitouts, 3.4 goals, 1 behind

 

[Optimax]

Re: Collingwood take Tristan Francis with first pick in Rookie Draft

Has to be called Scooter.

Only if he kicks someone in his first game

 

[jefffff34]

Future looks bright for talented brothers

http://mandurah.yourguide.com.au/ne...for-talented-brothers/778858.aspx?storypage=1

“If I was to compare them to anyone I would say they play a similar style to the Davey brothers.”

 

[jefffff34]

Re: Collingwood take Tristan Francis with first pick in Rookie Draft

Only if he kicks someone in his first game

And it has to be blatant.....

He can't kick Murray Rance, but perhaps Alex Rance from the Tigers?

 

[Optimax]

Re: Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

small forward from peel thunder (Wa), was linked to us late in the ND

 

[Godfrey Jones]

Re: Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

go pies

 

[Optimax]

Re: Collingwood take Tristan Francis with first pick in Rookie Draft

And it has to be blatant.....

He can't kick Murray Rance, but perhaps Alex Rance from the Tigers?

That would do

 

[shawthing09]

Re: Collingwood take Jarryd Blair with second pick in Rookie Draft

Warm milk favourite drink? favourite song by hanson? I am sensing major sarcasm or a serial killer.

 

[Swanny36]

Collingwood Re-Draft Thoolen

Hope he matures this year...and puts in a little bit more effort!

 

[Godfrey Jones]

Re: Collingwood Re-Draft Thoolen

meh.

 

[MacTruck]

there is one for Dave, we redraft Thoolen at 56 with Gaertner going 2 later at 58. One to watch for those future comparisons.

TBU has a small clip of Blair on youtube here http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=06MKjM68K5w

Massive midfield draft for the Pies.

 

[Optimax]

Re: Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

go pies

yeah i know nothing about any of the either lol

 

[Optimax]

Re: Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

VV69 posted this link elsewhere sounds a good sort
http://wadraftprofiles.blogspot.com/2008/11/john-bennell-peel.html

 

[Optimax]

is that jake king territory?

yes and ive heard they prefer the term little person

 

[3066]

Re: Collingwood take Jarryd Blair with second pick in Rookie Draft

warm milk favourite drink? Favourite song by hanson? I am sensing major sarcasm or a serial killer.

lol.

 

[Optimax]

Re: Collingwood take Jarryd Blair with second pick in Rookie Draft

Warm milk favourite drink? favourite song by hanson? I am sensing major sarcasm or a serial killer.

smart arse, im hoping smart arse

 

[Heater39]

Re: Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

Just a bit from the AFL site

http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=70862

 

[shawthing09]

Re: Collingwood take Jonny Bennell with third pick in Rookie Draft

Not sure on the thought process behind picking a player we have an abundance of as a speculative pick late in the rookie draft