Rookies

[catempire]

My understanding is that we'll have two selections in the Rookie draft.

I think it would be pretty wise to take at least one tall young forward. Especially so given that it appears that a lot of that type seemed to have missed out on Saturday.

Any thoughts on some likely types who we might take?

 

[tayls]

i reckon tim sheringham is a chance , traditionally they take the best falcon not drafted.

 

[vicpride99]

There are 3 rookies spots and i would go for these guys. Eddie Betts,tim sheringham and Josh Houlihan.

 

[catempire]

There are 3 rookies spots and i would go for these guys. Eddie Betts,tim sheringham and Josh Houlihan.

But isn't one taken by Buckland?

Another Houlihan would surely be an unwanted burden!

 

[Unwritten_Law]

6 spots for vets/rookies. 2 vets (Ricco and Sando), 4 rookie spots (Buckland).

3 left.

 

[catempire]

Here are some candidates from Matt Burgan at afl.com.au

Of these, Kirkby and Grundy look especially good.


The next most likely...
11:46:57 AM Mon 22 November, 2004
Matt Burgan
Sportal/exclusive to afl.com.au

10 names to watch out for in the National Bank's Pre-Season and Rookie Draft

Ruory Kirkby - Bendigo Pioneers
2 April 1986, 192cm, 80kg

Kirkby was the most surprisingly overlooked player in this year's National Bank's AFL Draft, as he was widely regarded as a top-30 selection. He will now be a key target either for the pre-season or rookie draft. A key defender/forward, Kirkby is terrific overhead and mobile for his size. He won All-Australian honours in this year's under-18 championships. Kirkby was also named in the 2004 TAC Cup team of the year.

Heath Grundy - Norwood
2 June 1986, 192cm, 92kg

Grundy was another key forward/defender expected to be taken in this year's draft, particularly after an outstanding under-18 carnival, where he too gained All-Australian honours. He kicked three goals and took 11 marks against Western Australian in the championships. An AIS/AFL Academy graduate, Grundy also impressed playing senior football for Norwood in the SANFL in 2003/04.

Danyle Pearce - Sturt
7 April 1986, 177cm, 68kg

Pearce had an outstanding Draft Camp, as he won the 20-metre sprint with a time of 2.79 seconds, while he also topped the agility run in just 7.79 seconds. Athletically, his results were the best performed at the championships. Possessing genuine pace, Pearce represented South Australia in the under-18 championships this year. Originally from a basketball background, Pearce is related to the Burgoyne brothers and Aaron Davey.

Ryan Bain - Oakleigh Chargers
7 January 1986, 184cm, 81kg

Bain represented Victoria Metropolitan in this year's championships, where he had an impressive carnival, while he was also named in the 2004 TAC Cup team of the year. He is a skilful midfielder with great speed, who consistently finds space and wins the football. He will be another player who will be sought after in the upcoming December drafts.

Ben Sharp - Oakleigh Chargers
10 July 1986, 187cm, 78kg

Aerobically terrific, Sharp was outstanding in the under-18 championships this year, when he kicked the winning goal against South Australia, in extra time, which helped give Victorian Metropolitan the title. He was also rewarded with All-Australian selection. An AIS/AFL Academy member, Sharp is a hard-running midfielder who is a fine linkman in play.

Jesse D.Smith - Calder Cannons
20 February 1986, 183cm, 82kg

He had a terrific season in 2004, representing Victoria Metropolitan in the under-18 championships, while he was rewarded with best-on-ground honours in this year's TAC Cup grand final win over Eastern Ranges. He notched up 34 disposals at the MCG on grand final day. Smith also won the Calder Cannons best-and-fairest award. He is not to be confused with new Kangaroos midfielder Jesse W.Smith

Eddie Betts - Calder Cannons
26 November 1986, 173cm, 75kg

Betts had an outstanding junior career, which included being named an All-Australian in the under-18 championships in 2003. He also represented Victoria Metropolitan in 2004. Betts was also a dual Calder Cannons premiership player in 2003/04. A small, crumbing forward with terrific pace, he has been compared in some circles as an Aaron Davey type of player, which could make him an interesting prospect in December.

Nick Becker - Calder Cannons
7 July 1986, 186cm, 78kg

Becker was a terrific performer in the Calder Cannons premiership victory over the Eastern Rangers this year, when he notched up 26 disposals. He is a disciplined midfielder, who possesses good pace, agility and a terrific work ethic. Becker is also a strong mark and a penetrating kick. He attended this year's Draft Camp and was another who will be sought after in December.

Beau Wilkes - Claremont
20 March 1986, 194cm, 91kg

A strong marking forward, particularly in contested situations, Wilkes has a terrific work rate for a player of his size. He represented Western Australia at this year's under-18 championships and was a fine performer in his side's final match against Victoria Country, when he claimed 22 disposals and 12 marks. He was also named captain of the WAFL Colts team of the year in 2004.

Rowan Nayna - Dandenong Stingrays
3 May 1986, 181cm, 77kg

A quick, defender/midfielder, Nayna possesses a terrific vertical leap and runs the lines well. He represented Victoria Metropolitan at this year's under-18 championships, while he was also named in the TAC Cup team of the year. He continued to improve as the season progressed and he claimed a third placing in the Dandenong Stingrays best-and-fairest in 2004. He attended the recent Victorian state-based screening.

 

[GeeCat]

We have 3 selections.

I'll be genuinely happy if any combo of Redden, Kirkby, Grundy, Clarke, Betts, Sheringham, Bain is selected.

 

[tayls]

no cmon having one houlihan at the club was enough, we dont want another, i hear he is no good anyway.

 

[Robin Hood]

Why would we want Eddie Betts we have enough Small Forwards on our list. It would be ridiculous to draft him because he won't get a game even if he last four years at Geelong.

 

[rizzo]

Smith Kirkby and Redden i would be happy with.

A couple of smokeys
Ryan Nye
Jack Juniper

 

[Robin Hood]

Id steer clear of Jack Jupiner - too much like Nathan Ablett in that is speculative whether he is 100% committed to playing football. I'd be a little scepticle of drafting Nathan Ablett and Jack Jupiner both have lots of potential but together the results could be disastorous. Two POTENTIALLY poor attitudes together, one could quite easily drag the other down too.

 

[Robin Hood]

Beau Wilkes interests me from the point of view that he is a "strong marking forward, particularly in contested situations". He would be my target, then after that just go after a couple of the Falcons' boys.

 

[GeeCat]

Why would we want Eddie Betts we have enough Small Forwards on our list. It would be ridiculous to draft him because he won't get a game even if he last four years at Geelong.

Have you even seen him play?

 

[Robin Hood]

Him being a small forward is not what we need. I made that clear. Who would he get a game over? And yes I have.

 

[GeeCat]

Him being a small forward is not what we need. I made that clear. Who would he get a game over? And yes I have.

Then you'd know that a quality that Betts possesses is that rare sheer excitement factor and pure freakishness; something it could be argued we lack apart from the likes of Ablett, and Johnson (could arguably throw in the likes of Mackie in as well).

I'll be the first to admit I'm not a huge fan of pure goalsneaks (i.e the likes of Milne, Neon Leon, Farmer to name but a couple). I generally see them as one trick pony's and a waste of a team spot (Note, there are exceptions with the likes of Brown - who is capable of filling other positions, Matera - who has the ability to play as a marking forward target as well, Davey - consistently does the one percenters, and knows how to contribute team wise if he's having an off day). That all being said I wouldn't have a problem if Betts was given the chance of a rookie list spot.

You don't always draft to fill needs, you also draft to build depth. Granting Betts a rookie list spot would not necessarily be because we need to replace someone. We certainly didn't rookie the likes of a certain Jeff Smith to replace anyone.

That being said, if you really must know who he may replace, then I can see the likes of Ablett and even Chappy moving into midfield roles, thus creating a void within that small forward area. This may all sound rather contradictory if one has read my earlier posts regarding the drafting of small forwards, but I'd make no fuss if we just gave him the chance to prove himself through a spot on the rookie list.

 

[Tweak Talent]

I'd like them to take 2 of kirkby, grundy, clarke, betts, sherringham and then maybe a smokey in juniper, watts.
It's my understanding that redden is too young to be drafted in the rookie draft and as sydney can nominate rookie listings from nsw clarke will probably go there.

 

[Ricketts]

please be Ruory.

 

[Turbocat]

Some of the names mentioned like Kirkby might be taken in the Pre-season draft by teams who miss on the experience player they hope to get, just like when we got Moloney a couple of years ago.
So, I'll toss in a couple of other names that were linked to us on footydraft.com
Earl Shaw
Shaw is a developing ruckman who has come on this year and shows real promise. He is very good at getting first hands on the ball in the ruck contest and palming it to advantage. Earl has a good leap, moves well and is very enthusiastic about his football, throws himself around and really works hard defensively.
Clinton Young
Clinton is a pacy full forward who leads well and knows exactly where the goals are. He is a reasonable mark, especially on a lead, and his set shot kicking is pretty good.
I also think Sheringham will get a chance, just based on our like of foot skills

 

[tara]

What is Falcons player Sam Dwyers chances of getting rookied. Finished 3rd in this years b&F? On the small side but knows how to get the ball im told.

 

[iameviljez]

Him being a small forward is not what we need. I made that clear. Who would he get a game over? And yes I have.

I want Betts to come in, I think he'd be the best pickup availiable for us, due to the fact that he could release Ablett and Johnson into the midfield

 

[GeeCat]

It's my understanding that redden is too young to be drafted in the rookie draft and as sydney can nominate rookie listings from nsw clarke will probably go there.

Ah right you are there, my bad for forgetting that certain fact.

 

[Robin Hood]

I want Betts to come in, I think he'd be the best pickup availiable for us, due to the fact that he could release Ablett and Johnson into the midfield

Shannon Byrnes??? Who we just promoted?

 

[iameviljez]

Byrnes is an onballer/wingman

 

[tayls]

Reserves player Sam Clark should be rookied he is quality and super hard, has that bit of freakish ability in him.

 

[catluke]

what about pearce hes very quick and we need quick midfielders.