Rookie Draft

[WattsGoodForYou]

Follow it here

http://psrdrafttracker.afl.com.au/

No.14 - Daniel Nicholson (University Blues)
No.31 - Michael Evans (Claremont)
No.48 - Kelvin Lawrence (Peel Thunder)
No.63 - Cameron Johnston (Geelong Falcons)
No.75 - Robert Cambpell (Junk heap)
No.83 - Tom McNamara (Melb)

 

[master bate]

I like it.

4 speedy small players who can play back/forward/middle.

Tom McNamara who's around the mark and definitely worth another year. And Campbell is better than Johnson and can help out/cover injury to Jamar.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Dan Nicholson looks a terrific pick-up, star at amateur level, not unlike the Bail selection a few years ago.

Might even fancy himself to jump straight in front of the injury-prone Strauss.

 

[MarcMaverick]

What about Sinclair?

 

[master bate]

Michael Evans - http://www.afl.com.au/News/NEWSARTICLE/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=104425

Which AFL team do you support and how did you come to barrack for them?
Melbourne - I enjoy watching their midfield and the recent improvements and developments that they’ve made as a team.

Good on him!

 

[cannons]

Look, I don't know much about the younger guys we selected, but in terms of needs, I think we've drafted perfectly.

It seems as if we've gone for skilful players who also possess speed, and I think that's the one area of the team that could be enhanced. Sure, we have players like Blease already on the list that meet this description, but we don't have too much depth in this regard, and as such, it's great to have selected the players that we did.

Nicholson, in particular, sounds like exactly what we need. Moreover, Campbell should provide good depth - especially given his previous AFL experience, and I really liked McNamara, so it's good to see him get a second chance as well.

Overall, v. happy with the direction that we've taken in the rookie draft.

 

[stretcharmstrong]

Look, I don't know much about the younger guys we selected, but in terms of needs, I think we've drafted perfectly.

It seems as if we've gone for skilful players who also possess speed, and I think that's the one area of the team that could be enhanced. Sure, we have players like Blease already on the list that meet this description, but we don't have too much depth in this regard, and as such, it's great to have selected the players that we did.

Nicholson, in particular, sounds like exactly what we need. Moreover, Campbell should provide good depth - especially given his previous AFL experience, and I really liked McNamara, so it's good to see him get a second chance as well.

Overall, v. happy with the direction that we've taken in the rookie draft.

Yeah ditto. Seems like we definitely had speed and footskills at the top of the criteria here. Hopefully one (or more) of these guys can have a succesful step up to AFL level.

 

[WattsGoodForYou]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/105980/default.aspx

MELBOURNE
Barry Prendergast, recruiting manager
"Our last six national draft picks have been 190cm and over. We were looking to bolster our run, speed and ground level players. We think we've been able to do that.

"We wanted to get another mature ruckman on to our playing list. We've been looking at the options there. Robbie Campbell is obviously a really good option in that respect. He is a premiership player and has great experience. He finished off the year at Box Hill last year."

 

[DemonBlood]

What about Sinclair?

"What about me, it isn't fair.."

 

[AllenJakovich13]

very happy with Nico & Evans. Glad we hanged onto T Mac.

 

[KickLongTackleHard]

Kind of staggers me how positive even all the Rookie bio's are. Why don't they name a few of their weaknesses that has obviously kept them from being selected in the National draft or during the typical age bracket. It's like people are too precious to have their area's that need improvement stated.

On topic, looks like we have done ok with our rookie picks. Having said that, no idea who most of them are, but let's hope Campbell can stay fit.

 

[bing181]

Interesting choices. Jakobi and Harvey trained with us, but were then taken before we had our first pick.

Bummer for Hughes that the Bulldogs didn't nab him, and same for Valenti - was talk that he would get picked up somewhere.

As for TJ ... career over it seems. Thanks for the memories.

 

[AllenJakovich13]

Prendergast on 6 draftees video: http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/106010/default.aspx

 

[dee64]

BP pretty much stated that we didn't get the players we wanted in the National Draft ("the numbers didn't fall our way"), but is upbeat about the rookie selections.

I'm really happy about our choices, and wouldn't be surprised if our rookies outperform our national draftees. Could easily see Nicholson and Campbell being in our round 1 side.

 

[Deefence]

yer i noticed that as well...looks like we missed out a on a few we really wants in the national draft

 

[Rudeurrection]

**** C.S, Campbell fills a need. He is better (if injury free) than half the AFL's first rucks out there right now. Hawthorn included. Very happy.

 

[bing181]

yer i noticed that as well...looks like we missed out a on a few we really wants in the national draft

I took it to mean that there weren't any gifts for us, and that we drafted more or less at the level of the choices we had.

It seems they were hoping for Lynch, but that was always going to be a long shot. Perhaps there were other long shots they were hoping for as well (Lycett for our pick 2??) but "the numbers didn't fall our way".

 

[Demon 16]

We are effectively committed to 6 of our 7 rookies for 24 months now.

I would have passed on McNamara and left 1 spot open.

Otherwise pretty happy - particularly with Nicholson and Campbell.

 

[master bate]

We are effectively committed to 6 of our 7 rookies for 24 months now.

I would have passed on McNamara and left 1 spot open.

Otherwise pretty happy - particularly with Nicholson and Campbell.

Why do you say that. Surely Juice, McNamara and Campbell will only be one year if things don't go well. The younger guys are more likely to get a second if they do all the right things, particularly the WA's but I think we could see all 7 staying at the club or only 3-4 depending on how they go.

 

[Whispers]

Here is a story on Cam Johnston from last year.

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/05/19/71601_geelong_sports.html

 

[Bartram_Class]

Why do you say that. Surely Juice, McNamara and Campbell will only be one year if things don't go well. The younger guys are more likely to get a second if they do all the right things, particularly the WA's but I think we could see all 7 staying at the club or only 3-4 depending on how they go.

I think he is referring to the fact that supposedly all new rookies get a two-year deal, I know that is true for draftees, does the same apply to rookies?

 

[Deestroy]

Rookies get 1 year deals. Hasn't changed as far as I know.

 

[RockyBalboa]

Guys -nicholson is a jet.

Broke the agility record at screening(previously held by hill from freo), ran a 2.82 20m metre last year and ran a 14.2 beep.

Raking left foot kick and is an absolute flying machine with a great tank.

He can trun the light off and get into bed before it is dark!

Can play half back or would even be a perfect run with..

Has dominated A grade ammos for two years so has been targeted by men and tackled by men-great pick up

 

[dee64]

Guys -nicholson is a jet.

Broke the agility record at screening(previously held by hill from freo), ran a 2.82 20m metre last year and ran a 14.2 beep.

Raking left foot kick and is an absolute flying machine with a great tank.

He can trun the light off and get into bed before it is dark!

Can play half back or would even be a perfect run with..

Has dominated A grade ammos for two years so has been targeted by men and tackled by men-great pick up

It really surprises how someone like Nicholson, who from all reports is a natural footballer, gets overlooked in the National Draft.

I like the idea of using late draft picks on players who have dominated at senior football at a youngish age, rather than going for kids with supposed upside who need years of development. Mitchell, Barlow and Jurrah fit this criteria, and hopefully Nicholson follows in their footsteps.

 

[RandB]

I'm glad we've taken on a couple of 20 yr olds too.

Just on the rookie list, I see Tommy Mac (who was senior list delisted) now appears on our rookie list as he should, Newton on the other hand still remains on our senior list on the club website after being delisted and then being on our rookie list all year. I get the feeling this will never change even once his career is over.