Rookie elevation

[you pick one]

I'm going early here.
Josh Walker to be elevated this coming week,he's doing every thing right has height the body can play both ends of the ground,terrific mark,his time is now.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

First off, they won't elevate anyone until the week they are going to be selected (because it costs money to do so) and all the rookies are playing well but they are probably not that close to the 22 yet.

If one is elevated I do agree it should probably be Walker on form.

His biggest issue I think though is whether it would make us top heavy-we have to play 3 kpb as scarlo harry and lonners are all best 22, our 2 tall forwards are in super form and we need 2 rucks. Given we look a bit slow across the ground I don't think we can carry any more talls than that.

So Walker will probably need an injury or general soreness to see a debut.

 

[MightyMark]

What about Bathie, another tall I know, but can pinch hit in the ruck iirc.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

What about Bathie, another tall I know, but can pinch hit in the ruck iirc.

Possibly although he's playing full back at vfl level and that might be his best position.

I'm not sure there's room for either unless we drop a ruckman and I can't see us doing that as we need to use the next 6 weeks or so to see what Orren has to offer.

I do think that Walker will debut at some stage in the year though if he keeps up his vfl form.

 

[Turbocat]

I want to see Walker at some stage but surely its not the bigs that we need atm.

We need to something to our engine room , its our onballers that are the weakness. From that point Id like to bring in Stringer or Simpkin or Schroder etc

Who goes out . I'd give Chappy a pass , he has plenty in the bank as far as Im concerned , and before he gets dropped Id make him a sub , remind him this is where Dasher was 12 months ago , and see if thats puts a bit go in him. Probably could say the same for Joel Corey.

But Byrnes , no such pass.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I agree midfield should be the focus now.

But surely if his vfl form is good over the next few weeks you'd be considering Hogan before Stringer Simpkin etc. He's the most experienced (in no of years anyway) depth midfielder we have and if you felt the clearances and the spread need boosting that's where you'd go.

Byrnes just needs some time in the 2's. He's missed too much footy and he's rusty, until he gets some work under his belt we can't really assess where he's at best 22 wise. Still has more to give, but has to find his touch again first.

Re Chapman he won't be dropped to sub or out. Not saying I disagree with you necessarily but it won't happen. Not at this stage of the year anyway. We will see how his body goes and then he and the coaches will make the decision when the time comes. Corey I'm less worried about as I think he simply had a bad day.

On Walker he will debut at some stage this year IMO, too good not too if he keeps up the form he's shown so far. But this week probably too early.

 

[Turbocat]

PO you do love to push the Hogan case. But my bias may be showing too.

Play whoever is the best form. Forget the age

 

[Pure_Ownage]

PO you do love to push the Hogan case. But my bias may be showing too.

Play whoever is the best form. Forget the age

Sorry I didn't phrase myself well.

What I was trying to say was of the kids currently outside the side Hogan is the most 'pure' midfielder we have (we don't have a lot of pure mids on the list) and to boot he is more experienced than the others and brings to the table stuff we saw we haven't had so far this year (clearances, speed on the spread). He has to get in on form like anyone else, no backing away from me on that, and he hasn't yet shown the oustanding form he did last year in the vfl, hence not being in the seniors atm. But if you hit a situation later in the year where Stringer Simpkin and Hogan are all in equally good form, you would pick Hogan for the reasons stated I'd say.

Walker by contrast can easily come up off the rookie list with some good performances (which he's already starting to put down) because we've got depth cover issues (down back if Gillies doesn't come on and ruck until Simpson is fit) which we don't have anyone on the senior list to come in from outside the 22.

That's kinda what I was trying to say, didn't make much sense because I didn't explain it that way.

 

[footscore]

with Corey & Chappy getting on age, you'd reckon Wells will likely use our comp pick in the much anticipated 2013 draft to secure a top midfielder. Seems to be either a mid or ruck that would be on the end of most Cat supporters tongues.

 

[Duskfire]

with Corey & Chappy getting on age, you'd reckon Wells will likely use our comp pick in the much anticipated 2013 draft to secure a top midfielder. Seems to be either a mid or ruck that would be on the end of most Cat supporters tongues.

Wouldnt a tall defender be better?

Scarlett is almost certain to retire at the end of the year. Lonergan and Mackie will turn 28 this year. If we dont start seeing some talent in our backline we could be in trouble in a couple of years. Our future crop of midfielders with the likes of Christensen and Varcoe should be alright, as well as Selwood of course.

 

[footscore]

Wouldnt a tall defender be better?

Scarlett is almost certain to retire at the end of the year. Lonergan and Mackie will turn 28 this year. If we dont start seeing some talent in our backline we could be in trouble in a couple of years. Our future crop of midfielders with the likes of Christensen and Varcoe should be alright, as well as Selwood of course.

we got Taylor and Gillies though, Gillies needs time...the blokes only 22 years of age. Josh Walker and Mitch Brown are two guys who have the agility to be molded into defenders. Brown is fairly light framed but he is very Fletcher-esque with those long arms of his.
That's two guys who have been in our system for a couple of years so the club may look at turning one of those into our next KPD.

Lonergan, Mackie will be around for a good 4-5 years and we all know that defenders truly come into their own around 26-28 years of age.

I just reckon a really talented mid like we had with Jnr would complement Selwood, Bundy and Duncan perfectly for the next 7-10 years.

 

[krisholio14]

If anyone is going to get elevated in the short term it will be Stringer. He's been in sterling form at VFL level.

 

[rizzo]

If anyone is going to get elevated in the short term it will be Stringer. He's been in sterling form at VFL level.

Agreed. With Mitch Brown back up and Pods and Hawk in flying form, Walker would be an absolute outside chance to play this year.

 

[you pick one]

Agreed. With Mitch Brown back up and Pods and Hawk in flying form, Walker would be an absolute outside chance to play this year.

I certainly respect your judgment and you would have seen more of him than me but.
Out of contract at the end of this year a 19 year old kid 196 cm and 90kgs who can take a big mark and been tutored by the Cats will draw attention from more than one club.
Can we really leave him in Limbo?

 

[rizzo]

I certainly respect your judgment and you would have seen more of him than me but.
Out of contract at the end of this year a 19 year old kid 196 cm and 90kgs who can take a big mark and been tutored by the Cats will draw attention from more than one club.
Can we really leave him in Limbo?

I totally understand what you mean, but I think Walker should be happy by just being promoted to the senior list, rather than commanding a senior game. I think giving young players senior games just to keep them at the club sets a dangerous precedent.

I'd rather see Josh have a strong season in the VFL this year, get promoted, and then push for a senior game next year.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Walker doesn't necessarily need to play senior footy this year to be promoted to the senior list, a really good year at vfl level will get him that.

That said I think he will debut later in the year.

I'm not so certain Stringer's first cab off the rank, all the rookies have been good, I haven't seen anything to suggest he's ahead of them, so it's fairly level pegging right now. That said, if we keep getting smashed in clearances that only helps him, because while his disposal can be scrappy at times, clearances are his go.

 

[you pick one]

Walker doesn't necessarily need to play senior footy this year to be promoted to the senior list, a really good year at vfl level will get him that.

That said I think he will debut later in the year.

I'm not so certain Stringer's first cab off the rank, all the rookies have been good, I haven't seen anything to suggest he's ahead of them, so it's fairly level pegging right now. That said, if we keep getting smashed in clearances that only helps him, because while his disposal can be scrappy at times, clearances are his go.

I realize that,but would that promotion be before trade week or after,I'm not an expert on that side of things,and would we be taking a risk of waking up one morning especially if he does have a really good year only to find he's been offered a lucrative contract some where else.It does happen we know that only to well.
I hope we are right for forwards for some time to come,looks like there might be a couple left in Pods and there is Hawkins,Menzel and hopefully Brown.
Down back might be our weakness short term,can't see Scarlo or Wojo going around again,this is where I see a spot for Walker even this year if we were to lose Lonners it would be nice to at least have a game or two into Walker via the Old General.
Ideally I like to see him promoted as soon as possible with a two year contract extension.
I really rate this kid.

Josh's Dad.

 

[sarah.13]

In the short term , if there is to be an upgrade it will be a midfielder/clearence type as this is a claring weakness at the moment

 

[Selective Retention]

That is Stringer.

The other issue is an in form "taller" half forward that could provide another avenue to Pods/Hawk as our small forwards at the moment are all too small and SJ is obviously playing hurt. That may open the door for Burbury if he plays well in the VFL, even though I don't think he is really ready. Something that may be considered though.

 

[you pick one]

In the short term , if there is to be an upgrade it will be a midfielder/clearence type as this is a claring weakness at the moment

Our clearance players are not in top form right now,and a couple are playing out of position to cover for injuries, we still have Hogan,Stokes,Schroder,Cowan,Varcoe who didn't get a run last week who are already on the list.Can't really see another one being promoted in the short term.

 

[Selective Retention]

The only one of those 5 names that is potentially a clearance player at AFL level is Schroder, and he has spent most of his development as a forward.

 

[you pick one]

We have one tall backman in Lonergan,and two fit ruckmen on the list,do you really want to use up your rookie promotion on a half forward flanker because SJ may have carried a slight injury into the last game,bearing in mind also with an ounce of luck we will have Menzel back mid year.

 

[Selective Retention]

I personally don't think they will use the rookie upgrade at all.

They can up one now for Menzel, going back to a rookie when he returns, and another at round 12 if they wanted. Plus anymore LTIs that touchwood hope we don't get. Vardy too offers a spot for a rookie.

If it is only 1 or 2 games like the Scarlett suspension they have already shown by West flying solo in the ruck against the Hawks, and Gillies playing against the roos that they aren't going to promote Walker or Bathie to ruck or play KPD.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

The only one of those 5 names that is potentially a clearance player at AFL level is Schroder, and he has spent most of his development as a forward.

Hogan's a clearance player and has been in the 25 the last two weeks.

Cowan is too, albeit that he's presently out injured.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I realize that,but would that promotion be before trade week or after,I'm not an expert on that side of things,and would we be taking a risk of waking up one morning especially if he does have a really good year only to find he's been offered a lucrative contract some where else.It does happen we know that only to well.
I hope we are right for forwards for some time to come,looks like there might be a couple left in Pods and there is Hawkins,Menzel and hopefully Brown.
Down back might be our weakness short term,can't see Scarlo or Wojo going around again,this is where I see a spot for Walker even this year if we were to lose Lonners it would be nice to at least have a game or two into Walker via the Old General.
Ideally I like to see him promoted as soon as possible with a two year contract extension.
I really rate this kid.

Josh's Dad.

All good YPO, I rate him too.

On the bolded I'm not sure of the exact date for when you have to lodge your promoted rookies and whether that's after trade week but I do know the player reviews and when the guys get told whether they are likely to be delisted is usually before trade week, so if they are going to promote him he'll have a contract offered to him before then.

I reckon he'll make it and I'm not worried about him being poached.