Rookie Draft

[year of the cat]

We have 5 rookie spots, with 2 being taken up by the Todd and Domsy.

3 picks on December 12th.

Thanks for the clarification

 

[Stoney]

Do we need another ruck with Blake and West starting to go alright? or is it best to have more than 4 on the list?

I find it hard to believe that i think this comment was not actually meant to be sarcastic

Blake and West are possibly worse than every club's backup ruckman.

Adelaide - John Meeson > Blake / West
Brisbane - Mitch Clarke > Blake / West
Carlton - Dyl McLaren = Blake > West
Collingwood - Guy Richards = Blake > West
Essendon - Patty Ryder > Blake / West
Freo - Longmuir
Hawthorn - Mark Blake would probably be their second choice ruckman
Melbourne - Mark Jamar and Paul Johnson > Blake and West
Kangas - even the guy they delisted Chad Jones is better than Blake and West
St.Kilda - Brooks and Blake on par
Sydney - Jolly > Blake
West Coast - Seaby > Blake
Western Bulldogs - Street > Blake and West

 

[cats2rise]

Most if not all of the above mentioned have had more experience or been in the system longer.

Stupid comparison.

 

[Stoney]

it was a comparison of all those team's backup ruck stocks.

 

[GeeCat]

Stoney, have you actually seen any of the above names play, or are you simply throwing them out to help fuel your 'Blake is a dud' theory?

 

[Stoney]

Meeson no- (as he hasnt played an afl game has he??? either way his wraps were huge when he was drafted and all reports are he's coming along nicely (much unlike my opinion of Blake)
Clarke yes
McLaren yes
Richards yes
Ryder yes
Longmuir yes
Taylor yes
Baily yes
Jamar yes
Johnson yes
Jones yes
Brooks yes
Jolly yes
Seaby yes
Street god yes

so all in all ... iv seen everyone bar Meeseon play in the flesh, and iv seen enough of Blake to say I'd trade him for almost everyone of the above players bar about 3 - in which case it would be a lose - lose situation. West would be on par with Chad Jones who was earlier deslited by the Kangaroos.

 

[Reg Hickey]

Meeson no- (as he hasnt played an afl game has he??? either way his wraps were huge when he was drafted and all reports are he's coming along nicely (much unlike my opinion of Blake)
Clarke yes
McLaren yes
Richards yes
Ryder yes
Longmuir yes
Taylor yes
Baily yes
Jamar yes
Johnson yes
Jones yes
Brooks yes
Jolly yes
Seaby yes
Street god yes

so all in all ... iv seen everyone bar Meeseon play in the flesh, and iv seen enough of Blake to say I'd trade him for almost everyone of the above players bar about 3 - in which case it would be a lose - lose situation. West would be on par with Chad Jones who was earlier deslited by the Kangaroos.

All I can glean from that exchange is that you are a truly shocking judge of a footballer.

But everyone is entitled to an opinion I suppose.

 

[Stoney]

Make no mistake, im not claiming any of them are good, just that the vast majority are better than Blake, and most of them (if not all) are better than West.

 

[pilkos_cats]

Any thoughts on an aboriginal fella called Daniel Hayes, i dont think he was drafted and would be a good rookie pick up?

Daniel Hayes
(180cm, 70kg, Montrose)
Hayes, a lightning-quick winger, had an interrupted season at TAC Cup level but his talent and physical attributes are undeniable. He produced top-10 results for the agility and vertical leap tests at the AIS draft camp and applied himself diligently in every challenge presented. He was a surprise selection for last year's Vic Metro team.
Lamont: ``It depends on how much the AFL clubs like him. Obviously, there are a few that are interested in him because he got an invite to the camp. He worked pretty well up there; we've just got wait and see now.''

 

[costanza23]

Why is everyone bagging West? He looked lost earlier on in the year, but he did show a bit of promise in the VFL finals. Some things I liked about his play in the finals was the improvement in his tap work and his mobility. I have heard he's balked up a bit more too. I wouldn't be surprised if he is played ahead of Blake next year. But to be fair, we need to give him another season in the VFL before he can show anything in the AFL. So stop having a go at him! All of you! (I thought it was appropriate).

As for the rookie's, is Tom Couch actually any good to give him a spot?

 

[Reg Hickey]

Make no mistake, im not claiming any of them are good, just that the vast majority are better than Blake, and most of them (if not all) are better than West.

I wasn't making that mistake.

I was referring to your assessment of Blake. Make no mistake, the Gazelle can play. He may still be a few years off his best, but assuming we stick with him he will win a B&F for the Cats before he is through.

 

[Reg Hickey]

Any thoughts on an aboriginal fella called Daniel Hayes, i dont think he was drafted and would be a good rookie pick up?

Daniel Hayes
(180cm, 70kg, Montrose)
Hayes, a lightning-quick winger, had an interrupted season at TAC Cup level but his talent and physical attributes are undeniable. He produced top-10 results for the agility and vertical leap tests at the AIS draft camp and applied himself diligently in every challenge presented. He was a surprise selection for last year's Vic Metro team.
Lamont: ``It depends on how much the AFL clubs like him. Obviously, there are a few that are interested in him because he got an invite to the camp. He worked pretty well up there; we've just got wait and see now.''

Second in the agility and vertical leap at the draft camp, but didn't make top 10 in the sprints even though "lightning-quick"?

The other questions I would have include:
- Can he play footy??
- What are his skills like, especially foot disposal?
- How well does he read the play? Does he have "footy smarts"?
- He's very light, so what is he like with the physical side? Can he tackle?
- Does he have good closing speed?
- What about his ball handling?

 

[Turbocat]

tom collier please

Tom COLLIER (25/03/89) – 192cm/86kgs

A bit too young I think Linger.


I think with three spots , Id like to see us have ruck (201+enough with the short guys), another indegenious player but maybe a player with a little more height than the ones we have on our list and probably a Falcon.

So , any indegenious 186+ players over in WA that have been missed that the local may know about or the Eagles have stashed away. Hey what happened to that kid , Caleb Mourish was it , that was going to be the big ringin for the Bombers , did he go? Is he too young for a Rookie spot?

 

[DanA]

Meeson no- (as he hasnt played an afl game has he??? either way his wraps were huge when he was drafted and all reports are he's coming along nicely (much unlike my opinion of Blake)
Clarke yes
McLaren yes
Richards yes
Ryder yes
Longmuir yes
Taylor yes
Baily yes
Jamar yes
Johnson yes
Jones yes
Brooks yes
Jolly yes
Seaby yes
Street god yes

so all in all ... iv seen everyone bar Meeseon play in the flesh, and iv seen enough of Blake to say I'd trade him for almost everyone of the above players bar about 3 - in which case it would be a lose - lose situation. West would be on par with Chad Jones who was earlier deslited by the Kangaroos.

Firstly We have Ottens and King. So I count two ruckmen ahead of Blake. If you count Jamar, Longmuir and Brooks you have to count Ottens.

Then lets look at the list:
Longmuir - 5 years older, pick no.2 in draft totally unfair comparison
Jolly - 3-4 years older unfair
Seaby 3-4 years older unfair
Brogan - 3+ years older unfair
Mclaren - 3-4 years more in the system
Jamar - Looks good, 2 years older, Blake has shown more at comparable age
Ryder - Gun, pick 8 in draft, and overachieving IMO
Moran- is much better, Chad Jones is a chump
Street - 4 years older was rubbish until 2005

BLAKE

Clark - Blake has shown more
Richards - Older, injury prone, hasn't shown much more than Blake. I'd start Blake before him.
Taylor - Blake is Better, Bailey could be a gun though
Paul Johnson - Older, injury prone, I'd take Blake
though
Brooks- Played 1 game shown less than Blake but highly rated
Meeson- Blake has shown more


So of the list, I have 9 I would select above Blake, and 6 below. Of those on the list 2 are younger. Of those above him, 6 are more than 3 years his senior. The other (Jamar) is 2 years older and was showing less at the same age.

So Blake our 3rd ruckmen is about middle of the range but showing a lot of promise. 2 current ruckmen in the league are showing more at a younger age. What more can you ask?

 

[scottydeewah]

Firstly We have Ottens and King. So I count two ruckmen ahead of Blake. If you count Jamar, Longmuir and Brooks you have to count Ottens.

Then lets look at the list:
Longmuir - 5 years older, pick no.2 in draft totally unfair comparison
Jolly - 3-4 years older unfair
Seaby 3-4 years older unfair
Brogan - 3+ years older imfair
Mclaren - 3-4 years more in the system
Jamar - Looks good, 2 years older, Blake has shown more at comparable
Ryder - Gun, pick 8 in draft, and overachieving IMO
Moran- is much better, Chad Jones is a chump
Street - 4 years older was rubbish until 2005

BLAKE

Clark - Blake has shown more
Richards - Older, injury prone, hasn't shown much more than Blake. I'd start Blake before him.
Taylor - Blake is Better, Bailey could be a gun though
ages though
Paul Johnson - Older, injury prone, I'd take Blake
though
Brooks- Played 1 game shown less than Blake but highly rated
Meeson- Blake has shown more


So of the list I have 9 I would select above Blake and 6 below. Of those on the list 2 are younger. Of those above him 6 are more than 3 years his senior. The other Jamar is 2 years older and was showing less at the same age.

So Blake our 3rd ruckmen is about middle of the range but showing a lot of promise. 2 currnet ruckmen in the league are showing more at a younger age. What more can you ask?

I see it about the same way.

I think if he continues to imporve he will be a good player. I just hope he doesnt get to a place where he stagnates.

 

[pilkos_cats]

another indegenious player but maybe a player with a little more height than the ones we have on our list So , any indegenious 186+

A Fella called Dean ******** from Perth 193cm 85kg
Any thoughts on him?

 

[Jack-Packenham]

Hey what happened to that kid , Caleb Mourish was it , that was going to be the big ringin for the Bombers , did he go? Is he too young for a Rookie spot?

Drafted by freo

 

[catempire]

Firstly We have Ottens and King. So I count two ruckmen ahead of Blake. If you count Jamar, Longmuir and Brooks you have to count Ottens.

Then lets look at the list:
Longmuir - 5 years older, pick no.2 in draft totally unfair comparison
Jolly - 3-4 years older unfair
Seaby 3-4 years older unfair
Brogan - 3+ years older imfair
Mclaren - 3-4 years more in the system
Jamar - Looks good, 2 years older, Blake has shown more at comparable
Ryder - Gun, pick 8 in draft, and overachieving IMO
Moran- is much better, Chad Jones is a chump
Street - 4 years older was rubbish until 2005

BLAKE

Clark - Blake has shown more
Richards - Older, injury prone, hasn't shown much more than Blake. I'd start Blake before him.
Taylor - Blake is Better, Bailey could be a gun though
ages though
Paul Johnson - Older, injury prone, I'd take Blake
though
Brooks- Played 1 game shown less than Blake but highly rated
Meeson- Blake has shown more


So of the list I have 9 I would select above Blake and 6 below. Of those on the list 2 are younger. Of those above him 6 are more than 3 years his senior. The other Jamar is 2 years older and was showing less at the same age.

So Blake our 3rd ruckmen is about middle of the range but showing a lot of promise. 2 currnet ruckmen in the league are showing more at a younger age. What more can you ask?

Good assessment.

Why do people need to be told over and over again that ruckman don't mature into decent players until at least their mid 20s?

Stoney, you're jumping the gun. Watch Blake in the VFL. That's what he'll be like in the AFL in 2-3 years.

 

[Turbocat]

Drafted by freo

Thanks Jack.
Hey Jack by the way , happy with our picks? Houli went a lot later than you thought so I guess you would have liked him at 25? Are you happy with our talls or will H be your main man in the cross hairs again in 07? Selwood will be a very good player , the question is what he does for sides structure , even Stephen Welles on the radio this morn said he was similar to a few other on our list in speed.
Basically Id say I'm happy but the Hogan pick is not what I would have gone with when we only had 4 picks. Really considering the players that slipped , I wish they had made a couple of harder choices with 2 other players because a kid like Prismall and several others who are bottom aged could have been taken in the draft but are too young to be taken as Rookies.

 

[Jack-Packenham]

Thanks Jack.
Hey Jack by the way , happy with our picks? Houli went a lot later than you thought so I guess you would have liked him at 25? Are you happy with our talls or will H be your main man in the cross hairs again in 07? Selwood will be a very good player , the question is what he does for sides structure , even Stephen Welles on the radio this morn said he was similar to a few other on our list in speed.
Basically Id say I'm happy but the Hogan pick is not what I would have gone with when we only had 4 picks. Really considering the players that slipped , I wish they had made a couple of harder choices with 2 other players because a kid like Prismall and several others who are bottom aged could have been taken in the draft but are too young to be taken as Rookies.

Overall very happy with our picks. Obviously would have loved to have nabbed Houli but that's only my opinion. As it turned out we could have got him with pick 28 if we had traded S Johnson. I still think the club shirked a couple of tough decisions and should have delisted Gardiner and drafted Prismall.

The Henry issue I think is nearly dead and buried. At last the coaching staff and fellow supporters have stopped the ranting about Henry being our best option at CHF and that he will improve. The VFL series summed him up when having to be moved to defence to give NAblett and Kingsley room to move. He is a very average player now and always will be. N Ablett & Hawkins should be given priority before him to partner Mooney and Ottens in the forward line. That probably leaves Playfair competing with Spencer for the tall defence back up position if Egan, Scarlett or Harley were to go down injured.

 

[year of the cat]

Overall very happy with our picks. Obviously would have loved to have nabbed Houli but that's only my opinion. As it turned out we could have got him with pick 28 if we had traded S Johnson. I still think the club shirked a couple of tough decisions and should have delisted Gardiner and drafted Prismall.

The Henry issue I think is nearly dead and buried. At last the coaching staff and fellow supporters have stopped the ranting about Henry being our best option at CHF and that he will improve. The VFL series summed him up when having to be moved to defence to give NAblett and Kingsley room to move. He is a very average player now and always will be. N Ablett & Hawkins should be given priority before him to partner Mooney and Ottens in the forward line. That probably leaves Playfair competing with Spencer for the tall defence back up position if Egan, Scarlett or Harley were to go down injured.

No one wanted him. Both Essendon and Collingwood who were interested were horrified when they saw the xrays of his ankles. He will be staying at Geelong or be delisted down the track. I have it on good authority that he is not overly popular amongst a lot of the playing group due to an ongoing alcohol problem and the fact that he can tend to lead some of the other players astray.

 

[Stoney]

Good assessment.

Why do people need to be told over and over again that ruckman don't mature into decent players until at least their mid 20s?

Stoney, you're jumping the gun. Watch Blake in the VFL. That's what he'll be like in the AFL in 2-3 years.[/b]

Sorry catempire, but iv heard this too many times over the years with our young ruckman, 1) Leigh Brockman (high draft pick - showed nothing), 2) Paul Lindsay (was always a gun in the reserves, couldn't do anything in the seniors), 3) Paul Chambers - how we got a second round pick - even in a weak draft - is beyond me, u lose Sydney! 4) Peter Street - if anything, was showing more than Blake at the same age ... 4-5 years of promising form in the VFL saw him show nothing in the AFL, hence - delisted.

 

[Stoney]

I wasn't making that mistake.

I was referring to your assessment of Blake. Make no mistake, the Gazelle can play. He may still be a few years off his best, but assuming we stick with him he will win a B&F for the Cats before he is through.

Dear god, i relise that ruckman take time to develop ... but when they're as agile as a giraffe, and move like a sloth, they won't cut it against the other young ruckman in the competition.

If Blake wins a B&F i will feel for the coach in charge of the pathetic playing list, do u think he'll ever out poll ... Gary Ablett? Nathan Ablett? Jimmy Bartel? James Kelly? Steve Johnson? Andrew Mackie? Kane Tenace? (All of whome are within 2 years of Blake) - Not to mention Tom Hawkins, Joel Selwood, Travis Varcoe and Nathan Djerrkura who could all be champions - for Blake to win a B&F would require resting all of the above players for a good 12 months. Not guna happen - ever!

 

[catempire]

Sorry catempire, but iv heard this too many times over the years with our young ruckman, 1) Leigh Brockman (high draft pick - showed nothing), 2) Paul Lindsay (was always a gun in the reserves, couldn't do anything in the seniors), 3) Paul Chambers - how we got a second round pick - even in a weak draft - is beyond me, u lose Sydney! 4) Peter Street - if anything, was showing more than Blake at the same age ... 4-5 years of promising form in the VFL saw him show nothing in the AFL, hence - delisted.

I never held the opinion, nor did I ever hear anyone else speak of an opinion of any of those players as highly as I and others rate Blake.

Poor comparison.

It's fine for you to think he won't make it. But prepare to put your hand up and say "I was wrong" when he does. It will point to one thing and one thing only and that is that you judged him too early.

 

[Stoney]

fair call, if he does turn into a good ruckman at AFL level I'll happily put my hand up and say "I was wrong" ... however i honestly dont think i'll need to say that.

as a passionate geelong supporter, i hope he does turn into a gun big man ... but even my optimisn can't blind me from his lack of talent.