Smith and O'Brien

[Pure Purple]

There's been at least some stuff this week about how younger players are doing in the WAFL but I haven't seen anything on Smith or O'Brien. Has anyone caught them or heard about them in action? Both look likely lads to me.

 

[Freoman]

O'Brien played for Subiac Ressies this week as Peel had a bye.

Couldn't find any mention of Smith in the Swans reserve info so don't know if he played or not.

 

[surfsup]

Regarding Brock O'Brien;
Someone I know who is involved with the coaching side of things at Peel described him as;

".... a bit like Shannon Hurn but quicker, better skills and a booming kick. He's aggressive but has a very short fuse! He should go ok."

 

[theGav56]

If that's an accurate description surfsup, then he'll be more than handy. Have you actually seen him play? How far from afl ready is he? Hopefully we are at the stage where 2-3 years of development is a comfortable option for the club to take with players if they need it.

 

[estibador]

Hopefully we are at the stage where 2-3 years of development is a comfortable option for the club to take with players if they need it.

Yep that's a real positive of where the clubs at these days. Earlier in our history we were forced to fast track kids into the team when they perhaps weren't quite ready - Polak's probably a good example.

CC seems to have a good policy now of draftees spending a development year in the WAFL and getting at least two preseasons under their belt before they are expected to step up. Gives them a chance to mature physically and get their confidence up. If they show enough like Drum they can be blooded towards the end of the year.

We've seen the results with guys like Mundy. Wasn't really considered in his first year but with another preseason under his belt was able to slot seemlessly into the team.

 

[surfsup]

If that's an accurate description surfsup, then he'll be more than handy. Have you actually seen him play? How far from afl ready is he? Hopefully we are at the stage where 2-3 years of development is a comfortable option for the club to take with players if they need it.

No I haven't seen him play, I'm just going on what a member of the coaching staff think of him.