Rookies training with Crows

[Stiffy_18]

Does anyone know the list of players that have been invited to train with us??????

I hope we invited this chap. ( from Hawksheadquarters )

Adam Bentick

Details:
Club: St Bernards
DOB: 13 Jun 85 Hgt: 184cm Wgt: 79kg
Position: Centreman
Natural foot: Right

Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
Half Forward Flank in TAC Team of the Year
Neale Daniher Medal for BOG in Herald Sun Shield
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003

TAC Stats:
2002: 20 games, 5 goals, 16.9 PPG.
2003: 17 games, 7 goals, 23.0 PPG.

Profile:
Bentick is a hard working inside midfielder who was the perfect foil for Brock McLean in helping Calder dominate the stoppages all year. He is very much a stoppage specialist - his favourite trick is to grab the ball at a stoppage and quickly slam it on the boot or around the corner ala Tony Woods.

Adam had a fantastic season on the ball, he was very consistent gathering over 20 possessions a game, most of them kicks. He didn't make the initial squad of 50 for Victoria Metro, but received a late call-up. He was then cut before being reinstated a week before the carnival. He was OK at the championships, played well against WA but wasn't brilliant in the other two games.

Bentick is a natural ball winner who knows where to run to, especially at stoppages. He has a very good left foot despite being a right footer, and his disposal by foot is excellent. He really spears his kicks and is great at hitting targets on the forward line.

He has clean hands and runs to receive well. I wouldn't say he is super quick, and that might be my only query over him. He did get in the top 12 for the shuttle run however at draft camp.

Bentick combined duties for Calder with his school St. Bernard's. He was best on ground in the Herald Sun final and spoke excellently after the TAC Cup Grand Final, very poised.

There aren't that many good inside midfielders in this draft, so I think Bentick should get picked up a bit later.

Might prove to be a good pick up.

 

[macca23]

Originally posted by Stiffy_18
Does anyone know the list of players that have been invited to train with us??????

I hope we invited this chap. ( from Hawksheadquarters )

Might prove to be a good pick up.

I've been searching for just such a list, Stiffy, but haven't found one yet either.

Bentick would be a good pickup for the rookie list Stiffy, as would the very next player on that list, Ben Clifton.

He kicked 4 goals for Calder in the U/18 GF. I think he was playing FF that day, and looked pretty good

Ben Clifton

Details:
Club: Greenvale
DOB: 5 Apr 85 Hgt: 191cm Wgt: 84kg
Position: Centre Half Forward
Natural foot: Right

Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003

TAC Stats:
2002: 6 games, 10 goals, 9.0 PPG.
2003: 12 games, 14 goals, 13.5 PPG.

Profile:
The son of former 3DB racecaller Terry, Clifton is a centre half forward who has come on this year to be a real chance of getting picked up.

Ben played for Victoria Metro at under 16 level before contracting glandular fever and struggling for a year. Calder then dropped him on the eve of the finals last year. However, he was much more productive in 2003, mostly as a marking forward.

Clifton is easy to recognise with his blonde hair. His main strength is overhead, is very strong even in a contested situation. He has a good leap on him (top 10 at draft camp) and appears to be fairly athletic.

There are a few things that make me wary however. Clifton tends to drop his head at times and can be a bit lazy, such as not chasing and giving away silly free kicks. His field kicking is OK, usually passes the ball well. However, he can get the yips in front of goal, doesn't seem totally confident.

Has pretty good pace over 20 yards too. I think given his size and athleticism he will go around the middle of the draft, but I'm not totally sold yet.

 

[Stiffy_18]

macca23, I am not sold on Clifton. For a regular FF he doesn't kick nowhere near enough goals. He is one of those blokes who doesn't know how to time his leads and is not a natural forward.