Rookie draft

[bmaurizio]

Mojo, do have any info on Rowan Bronson, read in the forum he is a special indigenous talent maybe a 2nd pick possibility.
The other option for 2nd pick could be a mature age choice say Cayden Beetham.
I would appreciate your thoughts on theses guys.
My first would be Matty White.
Thanks for making the effort to reply to so many questions.
Ciao

 

[OZBomb]

A bit of a smokey but what where your thoughts, Mojo, on Darren Crawford as a small defender option for the 2nd pick in the Rookie Draft.

Seems to really have footy smarts and a decent turn of pace. Was invited to play in the Vics vs Allies game meaning there was some interest there. Not sure how he went at state screening in Tassie.

 

[mojo31]

Mojo, do have any info on Rowan Bronson, read in the forum he is a special indigenous talent maybe a 2nd pick possibility.
The other option for 2nd pick could be a mature age choice say Cayden Beetham.
I would appreciate your thoughts on theses guys.
My first would be Matty White.
Thanks for making the effort to reply to so many questions.
Ciao

Bronson played in the Geelong League for Bell Park.

A small midfielder out of Northern Territory. Aboriginal and therefore compared to Tambling and any other highly rated aboriginal player.
Then words like 'magic', 'silky skills' and 'electrifying' get thrown around.

Plays for Bell Park. Npt very quick from what I have been told and just does a few decent things which shows he has a bit of talent but has nowhere near a complete game or the work ethic needed at this stage.

There was a death in the family and he returned home to the NT and did not come back. Not sure if he is going to and would not seem to have the committment for AFL and would seem to prefer the laid back life up north.

Would not take him. Realise he is aboriginal and has skills but these sort of blokes get overhyped far to much as the next Mcleod.

If there is 1 thing that Carlton would have learnt in the last few years is that work ethic and character are very very important factors in making a good AFL player.

Karl Norman and Angwin had the talent but not the character.

To think that a player like Bentick looks likely to become a decent AFL midfielder and that Setanta and Aisake might very well make it also shows that a bit of talent and a lot of work and desire to succeed is what we need.

For that reason I would aslo pass on Beetham. Quick player who is good around the stoppages and looks a million dollars when he breaks away with his pace and agility.
He never got himself fit enough to run out games and is a poor kick who blazed away or ran himself into trouble. Then walked away from the game and would not touch him now.

Lets avoid these talented headcases. They might show a bit here and there but not worth the effect they might have on our very young players. We dont have a lot of leadership and I would not be 'contaminating' the list with people who are the wrong type of influence.

Same for Zantuck, Cupido and the other headcases.

 

[mojo31]

mojo i know you understand the world of teh drafts better than myself in the rookie draft do clubs tend to take a high risk player often or a player who will be good but who just needs time to develop an if they start on teh rookie list while there developing club can still use 38 players. ALso does anyone have an opinion on currie looks to me he could be a good footballer, are there any other players available for the rookie draft that are fast with good solid skills that could play midfield or HBF. maybe an Ed lower type how are his skills?. any other players you think fit this catagory?

Good question Blueboy.

They cannot be bottom aged and have to be born before the start of 1988.

Therefore picking up a skinny kid like a Raso is not really something that can be done with the rookie draft.

The rookie draft is for players who have a question mark on them. Maybe lack a bit of pace or skills. Perhaps been injured or do not fit the profile.

Here are 3 rookie listed players who we have taken in the last few years.

Brett Thornton
Andrew Carrazzo
Adam Bentick

all have tremendous work ethics and character. Thats the type we need. Players who will improve slowly because they do everything they can to achieve there goal.
A talented player who has no work ethic is a very very slim chance to make it. Especially at Carlton with a lack of leadership and a likely bottom 6 position for at least 2 more years. I doubt Denis is the right bloke to nuture these types.
He likes his players hard and strong characters and thats why he succedded at North with Stevens, Archer and types like that.

Struggling at Carlton with the senior players since his time there not having those qualities.
The youngsters coming through seem to though. Fisher, Bentick, Waite, OhAilpins, Carrazzo and a few more will thrive under Pagan.

The softly softly approach worked for Parkin with Kernahan, Ratten, Bradley and others who were very committed and set the example for the tounger blokes. Camporeale was at his best there but not under Denis. Same for Lance.

Matt Thomas (training with us this week)
Matt White
Jon Simpkin

would be 3 I would look at for a rookie listing.

Not completely sold on Ryan Jackson.


Greg Bentley, Gareth Bowes, Daniel Nicholls, Toovey are a few more that I would be considering.

Take the best available with pick 1. Short or tall.
Then take a midfielder with our 2nd pick.


Paul Currie is a KPP player who is very skinny. Did not play at the Carnival so hard to judge where he is at. He is under 80ks and 6 foot 4. Basically another Anthony Raso type of tall player.
Had injuries as well and with that sort of histroy and build would be a long shot of making it in the AFL.
Very top aged and turn 19 next month so going to have ahard time filling out and being big enough.

Not slow but would not be expected to be when he is so skinny. Seen him player a couple of times and looks fine against the kids but when you realise he is a year older than most of them and is still getting pushed off the ball often its a real worry.
Sort of a bit Fisher like in his build and ability to jump up and take a mark from nowhere. But then looks way out of his depth at other times.

Not what we need at this stage overall.

 

[Blue70]

Good question Blueboy.

They cannot be bottom aged and have to be born before the start of 1988.

Therefore picking up a skinny kid like a Raso is not really something that can be done with the rookie draft.

The rookie draft is for players who have a question mark on them. Maybe lack a bit of pace or skills. Perhaps been injured or do not fit the profile.

Here are 3 rookie listed players who we have taken in the last few years.

Brett Thornton
Andrew Carrazzo
Adam Bentick

all have tremendous work ethics and character. Thats the type we need. Players who will improve slowly because they do everything they can to achieve there goal.
A talented player who has no work ethic is a very very slim chance to make it. Especially at Carlton with a lack of leadership and a likely bottom 6 position for at least 2 more years. I doubt Denis is the right bloke to nuture these types.
He likes his players hard and strong characters and thats why he succedded at North with Stevens, Archer and types like that.

Struggling at Carlton with the senior players since his time there not having those qualities.
The youngsters coming through seem to though. Fisher, Bentick, Waite, OhAilpins, Carrazzo and a few more will thrive under Pagan.

The softly softly approach worked for Parkin with Kernahan, Ratten, Bradley and others who were very committed and set the example for the tounger blokes. Camporeale was at his best there but not under Denis. Same for Lance.

Matt Thomas (training with us this week)
Matt White
Jon Simpkin

would be 3 I would look at for a rookie listing.

Not completely sold on Ryan Jackson.


Greg Bentley, Gareth Bowes, Daniel Nicholls, Toovey are a few more that I would be considering.

Take the best available with pick 1. Short or tall.
Then take a midfielder with our 2nd pick.


Paul Currie is a KPP player who is very skinny. Did not play at the Carnival so hard to judge where he is at. He is under 80ks and 6 foot 4. Basically another Anthony Raso type of tall player.
Had injuries as well and with that sort of histroy and build would be a long shot of making it in the AFL.
Very top aged and turn 19 next month so going to have ahard time filling out and being big enough.

Not slow but would not be expected to be when he is so skinny. Seen him player a couple of times and looks fine against the kids but when you realise he is a year older than most of them and is still getting pushed off the ball often its a real worry.
Sort of a bit Fisher like in his build and ability to jump up and take a mark from nowhere. But then looks way out of his depth at other times.

Not what we need at this stage overall.

Mojo I am now turning my attention to next years draft. Whilst I believe that we will improve significantly next year I think we need another year where we get good quality players in the draft, and possibly a Superstar. All the talk is that next years draft is sensational, however can you tell us a little about the likely top 5 - 10 players and their attributes.

If we do improve and finish 9th or 10th I would be happy providing I know that we will still pick up a very good player through the draft.

 

[Salaryman]

Also a couple of names i have noticed being busy players in the TAC cup are Chris Dunne and Adam Prior.

I believe Prior is a KPP forward, so may not be what we need and hasn't really been talked up much so will not be best available.

Dunne sounds like a hard working type, but again like JAckson, not overly quick.

I am encouraged by looking at Tomi Johnston's stats, he seems to do it all, tackling, running hard, racking up posessions and i assume he was one of the younger guys running around this year?

 

[mojo31]

Mojo I am now turning my attention to next years draft. Whilst I believe that we will improve significantly next year I think we need another year where we get good quality players in the draft, and possibly a Superstar. All the talk is that next years draft is sensational, however can you tell us a little about the likely top 5 - 10 players and their attributes.

If we do improve and finish 9th or 10th I would be happy providing I know that we will still pick up a very good player through the draft.

A brief summary?

I have seen all of these play either live or on tape.

Lachlan Hansen KPP. Gun +++
Scott Gumbleton (WA) KPP. Gun ++
Joel Selwood inside midfielder better than both his brothers put together.
Gun ++
Leroy Jetta small midfielder out of WA. Very fast and has electrifying skills and agility. Gun ++

Jack Riewdolt KPP. Cousin of Nick.Played senior football in Tassie. Gun +
Mitch Thorp another KPP from Tasmania. Gun ++
James Sellar (SA) KPP/Ruck. Gun ++

Albert Proud (Qld) smallish midfielder. Gun +.

There is a few off the top of my head.

All are better than anyone in the last draft other than Marc Murphy.

I would put Marc at around 7 to 8 in that list if all were available this year.

Also a lot more depth next year for later picks to fill the list out.

1) Gibbs
2) Hansen
3) Thorp


8) Marc Murphy


15) Xavier Ellis


would be about where I would rank them

 

[mojo31]

A bit of a smokey but what where your thoughts, Mojo, on Darren Crawford as a small defender option for the 2nd pick in the Rookie Draft.

Seems to really have footy smarts and a decent turn of pace. Was invited to play in the Vics vs Allies game meaning there was some interest there. Not sure how he went at state screening in Tassie.

Not got all the results in front of me and will check them when I get home.


Will get back to you about him.

 

[Salaryman]

Mojo = John Beveridge of the Carlton board

 

[Silvagnis]

Where does Leuenberger rank in next year's draft?

How about Alex Lee? I saw the GF live and he is already built like a brick ********house at just 17.

 

[mojo31]

Also a couple of names i have noticed being busy players in the TAC cup are Chris Dunne and Adam Prior.

I believe Prior is a KPP forward, so may not be what we need and hasn't really been talked up much so will not be best available.

Dunne sounds like a hard working type, but again like JAckson, not overly quick.

I am encouraged by looking at Tomi Johnston's stats, he seems to do it all, tackling, running hard, racking up posessions and i assume he was one of the younger guys running around this year?

Tommi is very small. 174 from last meaurement. Very skinny (60kgs) and slow. Does not have great endurance or agility either.
Finds the ball and is footy smart and clever. Tough and hard. Liken him to Blackwell but even smaller.

Might be a late developer like his old man and we will certainally look at him.

Will wait to see how he tests for Sandy and if he has grown and filled out.
Should play the U18 Champs as well this year and will have a very close look at him then.

 

[mojo31]

Where does Leuenberger rank in next year's draft?

How about Alex Lee? I saw the GF live and he is already built like a brick ********house at just 17.

Pretty high. Beat Ryder this year. Better than any true ruck in this years draft easily. WA ruck. Seen him play 2 times and is a long way ahead of Max Bailey (pick 18) for example.

Leuenbergrer that is I mean here.

 

[bmaurizio]

I agree with your comments 100% Mojo , re work ethic and right attitude.
Hughes and Pagan have done an outstanding job with the drafting so far.
We have bagged a group of kids with exemplary character and a fantastic work ethic.
Happy with all selections, a very positive feel for the team.

Hopefully the PSD and Rookie drafts will follow suit.

Yes the quick fix days are over and it will take time to recover from the past mismanagement and consequent penalties.

Thanks, appreciate your comments,
Ciao

 

[Silvagnis]

Pretty high. Beat Ryder this year. Better than any true ruck in this years draft easily. WA ruck. Seen him play 2 times and is a long way ahead of Max Bailey (pick 18) for example.

To get another early pick we just have to convince Laidley Lance was a former Hawk.


Alex Lee?

Cheers.

 

[mojo31]

I will put up the info on the others I missed here tomorrow.

Cheers guys.

 

[OZBomb]

1) Gibbs
2) Hansen
3) Thorp


8) Marc Murphy


15) Xavier Ellis


would be about where I would rank them

I'd concur with that assessment, with the exception that I'd rate Riewoldt just ahead of Thorp at three.

Probably the deepest and highest quality draft ever held. It's not a slight on Marc Murphy to be rated as an 8 in next years meeting, if he where entering it.

 

[mojo31]

In light of all the questions about Tommi Johnston and Sammy Sheldon.


Tommi Johnston

born 2/2/1988. Eligible for this draft. Not eligible for the rookie draft (to young). Plays for Sandringham Dragons.


His stats from the pre-season from the Dragons in 2005 (taken in Feb this year) are

Pre Season Test Results
Height 174.40
Weight 58.20
Arm Length (cm) 73
Hand Span (cm) 20.50
Standing Reach (cm) 223
Standing Vertical Jump (cm) 60
5 Metre Sprint (sec.) 1.17
20 Metre Sprint (sec.) ? 3.13
Agility Test (sec.) 10.53
Shuttle Run (beep) (level) 13.09
Baseline Flexibility (cm) -19
Reach Flexibility (cm) 10
Traditional Flexibility (cm) 29


They have been updated as of over a month ago. I do not believe the new stats and would think that testing would not have even taken place yet.

So please take the new stats on Tommi with a grain of salt.

He is an inside midfielder. Very clever and smart. Has very good hands and is a good kick on either side. Is slow and not agile and is very very small build and short.
Gets a lot of the ball and handballs a lot due to his lack of speed.
Is a terrific young kid and is working on his deficiencies.

Seem him play a few times and he is not excpetional. Needs to be at that size. Just not quick enough.

However he is bottom aged and has another year in the TAC next year and like his old man might be a late developer. So there is definitely a chance for him next year.



Sammy Sheldon

Oakleigh Chargers. Not seen him play. Turned 16 this year.
Born March 1989.

Played the U16 Championships. Was 180 and 74 kgs in June this year. Is taller now and has been down at the club a few months ago.

What was told to me from someone at Carlton is that he has a very good football brain. Can find space and is composed and is pretty good in traffic. Very very good kick of the ball and either side. Good mark and plays tall.
Footballer and not athlete.

Not quick. Reasonable endurance.

Now he is eligible for next years draft. Wont be eligible for a rookie listing.
Can pass on next year and play TAC in 2007 (like Tommi is doing this year).

So we can take Sammy next year for a 3rd round pick. Tommi for a 2nd round pick.
Rookie Tommi next year (if no other club takes him)

We can also not take them father son and just take them with later picks (a risk they are still there).

Let Sammi develop another year in 2007.

I hope that explainas the options open to us for these 2 for next year.

One last point. There is a bloke on the draft and trading board who claims to know Sheldon personally. Not sure if it is true. Does not even know that he is eligble next year. So hard to know.

If he comes on here and starts his "this is wot I think.... he is a gun.... turns it on like a tap... a bit of this un that...." sms speak. Just ignore him for gods sake.

I will be watching both next year and they both should play U18 Championships so should be able to judge them then.

 

[mojo31]

Also a couple of names i have noticed being busy players in the TAC cup are Chris Dunne and Adam Prior.

I believe Prior is a KPP forward, so may not be what we need and hasn't really been talked up much so will not be best available.

Dunne sounds like a hard working type, but again like JAckson, not overly quick.

I am encouraged by looking at Tomi Johnston's stats, he seems to do it all, tackling, running hard, racking up posessions and i assume he was one of the younger guys running around this year?

Chris Dunne.

Midfielder for Gippsland Power.

Smallish (same size as Marc Murphy) and top aged and turns 19 in Feb.

Did not go to draft camp but had a state screening.

No real pace and is not very composed with the ball and in contested situations. Good kick but thats when he has time and is on his own.
Seems to lack "time" on the ball to make decisions and with a step up to AFL speed he would be way out of his depth.

His testing shows no pace. Reasonable endurance and an okay beep test. At that size it needs to be better.
Has not improved much since last year when he was overlooked as well. Just a player who has reached his potential. Undersized and will struggle at AFL level.

 

[Blue70]

A brief summary?

I have seen all of these play either live or on tape.

Lachlan Hansen KPP. Gun +++
Scott Gumbleton (WA) KPP. Gun ++
Joel Selwood inside midfielder better than both his brothers put together.
Gun ++
Leroy Jetta small midfielder out of WA. Very fast and has electrifying skills and agility. Gun ++

Jack Riewdolt KPP. Cousin of Nick.Played senior football in Tassie. Gun +
Mitch Thorp another KPP from Tasmania. Gun ++
James Sellar (SA) KPP/Ruck. Gun ++

Albert Proud (Qld) smallish midfielder. Gun +.

There is a few off the top of my head.

All are better than anyone in the last draft other than Marc Murphy.

I would put Marc at around 7 to 8 in that list if all were available this year.

Also a lot more depth next year for later picks to fill the list out.

1) Gibbs
2) Hansen
3) Thorp


8) Marc Murphy


15) Xavier Ellis


would be about where I would rank them

Thats Sensational Mojo, thanks - At least if we do rise up the ladder next year we are still guaranteed of picking up a very good player, even with pick 7 or 8...... Good work....

 

[mojo31]

Also a couple of names i have noticed being busy players in the TAC cup are Chris Dunne and Adam Prior.

I believe Prior is a KPP forward, so may not be what we need and hasn't really been talked up much so will not be best available.

Dunne sounds like a hard working type, but again like JAckson, not overly quick.

I am encouraged by looking at Tomi Johnston's stats, he seems to do it all, tackling, running hard, racking up posessions and i assume he was one of the younger guys running around this year?

Adam Prior

CHF for Murray Bushrangers.

Not tall and around 189cms. Very big bloke at 95 kgs and physically developed.
Monsters smallers opponents.
Kicked over 50 goals this year. Averaged over 8 marks.
His strength is in his marking. He is not very quick and is rather slow. Works hard and presents well and keeps moving. Put him a skinny bloke and he dominates but in the AFL where he wont have that luxury I think he will struggle with not having the height or athleticism to get off his man and make an impact.
Think of a Lance Whitnall (without the footy smarts).

Also is a pretty poor kick for goal who converts at not much more than 50%.
Physically developed player who needs to harden his body up and improve his agility and leap if he is any chance to make it in the AFL.
Not quick and agile enough to play the flank and not big enough to be true KPP.

Welcome to the problem that Denis Pagan has with Big Red.

 

[mojo31]

mojo i know you understand the world of teh drafts better than myself in the rookie draft do clubs tend to take a high risk player often or a player who will be good but who just needs time to develop an if they start on teh rookie list while there developing club can still use 38 players. ALso does anyone have an opinion on currie looks to me he could be a good footballer, are there any other players available for the rookie draft that are fast with good solid skills that could play midfield or HBF. maybe an Ed lower type how are his skills?. any other players you think fit this catagory?

Ed Lower

Good size and physically built flanker type.
Plays with Norwood and had a decent season. Brother was drafted.

186 and 85kgs. Played the final game of the year in the seniors in the SA.

Has leg speed which we require. Also a strong body and a good work ethic in that he does give everything he has.
Lacks real aerobic capacity and did not have a great 3km or beep test. Needs to work on that.

Is good in contested situations and is suited to playing tight man on man down back. Not very creative but will still to his task and his kicking is actually quite okay. Just a stopper at this stage who needs more strings to his bow. A bit more creativity and run would help a lot and would seem to be 1 of the reasons he was overlooked in the draft and his brother was not.

 

[Pafloyul]

I don't know Mojo, I think you may be overrarting Hansen and underating Sellar.

 

[mojo31]

I don't know Mojo, I think you may be overrarting Hansen and underating Sellar.

You must not have seen Hansen play. I thought putting him at 2 was very conservative to be honest.

 

[bmaurizio]

Hansen would be an outstanding addition to our defence.
We are desperate for a very talented CHB.
Ciao

 

[Pafloyul]

I have seen Hansen play a couple of games (TV ) but not a lot. It is just that he did not seem to do enough to warrant comparisons with players with the reputation that Gibbs and as Sellar have. I am just guessing however and maybe I am not really qualified to comment.