Talls a Focus for the Crows

[Stiffy_18]

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=301077

Talls a focus for Crows
4:52:42 PM Fri 29 September, 2006
Alan Shiell
Sportal for afl.com.au

Tall, key-position players will be Adelaide's priority in the NAB AFL Draft on November 25.

But coach Neil Craig says any such players gained in the draft - at this stage, before the October 9-13 exchange (trade) period, the Crows have picks 14, 32, 48 and 64 - will 'not be a quick fix'.

"Two years ago we went with some tall ruckmen, last year we went for more midfield types and this year, because of the type of draft it is, all indications are that the number of bigger, key-position-type players is as good in this draft as it's ever been - and they're always hard to come by," Craig said on Friday.

"If you look at our list at the moment - Trent Hentschel and Rhett Biglands with the knee injuries and the loss of a Fergus Watts, who we had earmarked as a key-position forward for us - we need to, as a priority, look at that type of player.

"So that's what we'll go for, and there'll obviously be some midfielders. There are always midfielders, always guys my size.


"Unless that draft player is an exceptional young player, the chances of that person coming in and being able to play 22 games … how often does it happen in the total pick of the draft?

"We had (Richard) Douglas, who played three games this year, (Nathan) van Berlo, who played seven or eight (11) the year before.

"But you're not talking about a player there who takes charge of a game and you put him at centre half-forward and put that sort of responsibility on him. So we understand if we're able to get that type of player, it won't be a quick fix for us."

Craig left little doubt Adelaide would not be pursuing experienced ruckmen Michael Gardiner (West Coast) and Peter Everitt (Hawthorn).

"I'm not sure yet," he said initially before becoming even less enthusiastic about the idea. "Two years ago we recruited (John) Meesen (now aged 20 and 200 centimetres), (Ivan) Maric (20, 198cm), (Jonathon) Griffin (20, 202cm) … and you can say, well, that's okay because circumstances have changed radically because of Rhett Biglands' situation (knee reconstruction), not so much Matthew's (Clarke's retirement) because we half expected that or budgeted for it. So the dynamics have changed a little bit.

"But from what I saw of Ivan Maric this year, I've got some real confidence that Ivan will be able to come in and hold up - more than hold up, progress again.

"I've watched Ben Hudson play this year in the SANFL (after recovering from a knee reconstruction). It gives me a great degree of confidence that Ben can come back and perform in the AFL again.

"John Meesen has improved significantly this season and I know he's wanting to prove himself - and Jonny Griffin the same sort of thing. So if I had to err to one side at the moment, I'd say let's back those young kids in. With all young kids there's a bit of pain but that's why we recruited them to the club.

"It will put some more responsibility back on the coaching group to accelerate their learning and their expertise. They bring enthusiasm, new skills, they don't bring any preconceived ideas, so it's all pretty fresh and new, and that's the way I would certainly lean."

Craig said nothing had changed from Adelaide's charter of two years ago - 'to rebuild our playing squad'.

"We understood we had some highly talented senior players and we still have them," he said. "But (we had) to underpin that by getting young players into our football club who we think have got the talent and the character to be able to play outstanding winning football. Nothing will change. Certainly nothing's changed so we will not deviate and say, 'let's go and get two senior players now'. That's going backwards, and that's not where we're going."

Asked whether defender Ben Hart, 32 and a veteran of 311 AFL matches (only 13 this season because of injuries) would be offered another one-year contract, Craig said: "I'm not sure. I've just started to talk to the players in the last couple of days. I need to find out how Ben's feeling.

"His form at the start of the year was very good - very good - until he broke his arm. And from then it was disjointed - his preparation and his ability to be able to come back. The form wouldn't have been what Ben wanted.

"I'll be having a discussion with Ben just to see how he's feeling. He's got huge experience, great leadership qualities and is a really important player in our playing group. But the reality of it is that Ben has got to be convinced he can handle the physical side of the game and the training loads we expect from our players.

"What I won't allow to happen in our football club is people not being able to prepare to perform. You've got to be able to do the work."

I haven't followed the draft class closely this year other than a couple of youngsters who I have seen on a few occasions in the SANFL. So for all of you out there that have followed the draft closely, any genuine key position forward prospects that will be available with pick 14?

Anyone as good as or better than Fergus Watts that can be picked up with pick14?

 

[Gets!]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Jack Riewoldt. If he is there at 14....YES!!!

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Jack Riewoldt. If he is there at 14....YES!!!

Better than Watts?!

 

[King Elvis]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Jack Riewoldt. If he is there at 14....YES!!!

Is that Nick's brother?

Anyway, I'm glad Craigy is taking that attitude with our ruck division.

As for the tall situation, should we pursue a stop gap to cover Trent until he's back?

Maybe Jay Schulz.
Maybe Polak.
Maybe Kingsley.
Maybe a Cloke.

Would you consider them?

 

[Gets!]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Riewoldt has shown more then Watts ever did pre-draft.

Riewoldt has taken a couple of VFL games by the scruff of the neck. Kicked 5 in a final and had 20 touches from memory.

He is Nick's cousin Elvis.

Riewoldt >>>> Polak

 

[Gets!]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Is that Nick's brother?

Anyway, I'm glad Craigy is taking that attitude with our ruck division.

As for the tall situation, should we pursue a stop gap to cover Trent until he's back?

Maybe Jay Schulz.
Maybe Polak.
Maybe Kingsley.
Maybe a Cloke.

Would you consider them?

No way. Neil Craig said in the above article that building our team is what the AFC are about, not plugging holes with latter aged players.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Riewoldt has shown more then Watts ever did pre-draft.

Riewoldt has taken a couple of VFL games by the scruff of the neck. Kicked 5 in a final and had 20 touches from memory.

He is Nick's cousin Elvis.

Riewoldt >>>> Polak

Pretty big claim that. Fergus Watts had an OUTSTANDING season a in his draft year. He was U18 AA and took more contested marks than anyone else by a fair margin. He also kicked some bags of goals for Vic Metro in the championship.

I think you forget that Graham Polak was playing senior Football in the WAFL as a 16 year old and has had multiple bags of 5 goals during his draft year, including one in a final (could have been a GF)...

In what aspects of the game is Riewoldt better than both Polak and Watts at the same age?

 

[Gets!]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Riewoldt has better agility than Watts. He also has a nicer and more fluent kicking action and VERY strong hands.

Polak may well have been developed more so at the same age, but fact is he is now 22 and has done sweet nothing. Riewoldt has far more upside then Polak. Also being from Tasmania, there would be no 'go home' factor.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Riewoldt has better agility than Watts. He also has a nicer and more fluent kicking action and VERY strong hands.

Polak may well have been developed more so at the same age, but fact is he is now 22 and has done sweet nothing. Riewoldt has far more upside then Polak. Also being from Tasmania, there would be no 'go home' factor.

But there could be "I want to play with cousin Nick" factor

Is Riewoldt a crash and bash type player or is he more of a leading type? Are his hands as good as Watts'?! Overhead Fergus was fantastic but the low balls did give him a bit of grief.

 

[King Elvis]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

No way. Neil Craig said in the above article that building our team is what the AFC are about, not plugging holes with latter aged players.

And I agree with that, but we need to plug a hole next year, plain and simple.

We should go close again next year, but we aren't going to do that with an 18 year old freshly drafted, we need a player to cover us until our boy Trent is back.

 

[Gets!]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Stiffy, I havent yet completed my masters on Jack Riewoldt, perhaps google him or check out the drafts and trading board.

One thing is for sure, if our pick 14 goes to Fremantle for Polak, I will contemplate suicide. He is a massive dud. Soft and worst kick ever.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

And I agree with that, but we need to plug a hole next year, plain and simple.

We should go close again next year, but we aren't going to do that with an 18 year old freshly drafted, we need a player to cover us until our boy Trent is back.

And you are not exactly going to take the next step with Schulz, Kingsley and ESPECIALLY Cloke

Those would actually struggle to make out team. There is no reason why the holes cannot be plugged with the talls that we do have on our list. Much better than anyone you mentioned in your list bar Polak.

 

[macca23]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Riewoldt has better agility than Watts. He also has a nicer and more fluent kicking action and VERY strong hands.

Polak may well have been developed more so at the same age, but fact is he is now 22 and has done sweet nothing. Riewoldt has far more upside then Polak. Also being from Tasmania, there would be no 'go home' factor.

I'm with you here Gets.

Riewoldt has far more agility than Watts had. His hands are very good, but I'm not sure I agree about the kicking action, although he is a good kick.

Very hard at it type. Can be a match-winner.

I'd be delighted to get Riewoldt at #14 - genuinely delighted.

 

[macca23]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Fergus was fantastic but the low balls did give him a bit of grief.

I didn't know he suffered from such a painful affliction Stiffy.

A bit too much swing, I guess.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

I didn't know he suffered from such a painful affliction Stiffy.

A bit too much swing, I guess.

Might be the reason why broke his leg

 

[jc67]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Where will James Seller go in the draft, is it possible to trade up to there?
I don't mean because of his friendship with Bryce either.
The games (2) I have seen him play have been pretty good up forward.
Also I'm buggered if I can understand why he's being converted to a ruckman.

 

[Jerome]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Here's a link to Jack's stat's for Tassie (hopefully it works)

http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/nf/...83256876&pname=Jack Riewoldt&news_task=DETAIL

In regards to Schultz, I'm pretty sure the Tiges have him signed up for a few years yet.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Where will James Seller go in the draft, is it possible to trade up to there?
I don't mean because of his friendship with Bryce either.
The games (2) I have seen him play have been pretty good up forward.
Also I'm buggered if I can understand why he's being converted to a ruckman.

I honestly think he will end up with Port if they don't trade away pick 5.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Here's a link to Jack's stat's for Tassie (hopefully it works)

http://www.sportingpulse.com.au/nf/...83256876&pname=Jack Riewoldt&news_task=DETAIL

In regards to Schultz, I'm pretty sure the Tiges have him signed up for a few years yet.

Thanks Jerome

Looks like he is a bit wasteful in front of goals.

 

[Macca19]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

I honestly think he will end up with Port if they don't trade away pick 5.

Id hope we would pick Thorp or Riewoldt before Sellar.

jc67 - I think Sellar has always been a ruckman but would need to find form as a forward to make it. Hes a bit short. Ive seen him a couple times and hes generally been very unimpressive.

Riewoldt does look impressive. Id be surprised if he lasts till 14 myself and Id hope Port would nab him at 5 if other players are taken.

 

[crowsarethebest]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

I can Guarantee that Reiwoldt won't be there. If he's quality then he'll get snapped up. Top 10 for sure IMO. Unless we trade up I can't see us getting Jack. Also the fact that he is Nick's cousin... He'll be looked at even more closely. It's basically, Hansen, Gumbleton, Thorp, Sellar and Riewoldt as stand out KPP, all will most liekly go top 10, Then the next batch is a bit more iffy.

This Profile is by Mojo who sadly has left Bigfooty.. He's done some great write ups on players.

7) Jack Riewoldt

Key position player

193cms and 83kgs
31/10/88
Clarence, Tasmania

Very impressive at the U18 Championships and stood out for Tasmania. Played all over the ground and showed he was up standard as a forward or as a back. Looks like his cousin Nick and moves like him. Not as athletic (who is?) but has good pace and endurance and the trademark long searching lead of Nick. Also showed the ability to play as a key defender and looked very comfortable there organising the defenders and using his body. Read the play and was not caught out and was good in the 1 on 1 contests.
Clean handler of the ball and especially above his head. Capable of taking a pack mark and playing on stronger and physical opponents when up forward. Showed his class and maturity by dominating in the finals in Tasmania for Clarence (senior football) where he played as key forward and kicked 4 and 5 goals in successive weeks and took a lot of strong marks and was there best finals player.
Was targeted in those games from his opponents but never shirked the issue and was impressed with that. This is not TAC cup where the slightest indiscretion is picked up but a pretty physical and rough style.
A good kick and fine athlete who is tough, versatile and already a good size. Has a very good leap and is similar in style to his cousin.

_______________________________________________

Rieowldt has grown a bit I think since Mojo wrote the profile up.



With pick 14, we could go with a lad who hasn't played footy for a long time, from Queensland, and another one who has a basketball background. His name is Kurt Tippet. He's pretty well built for a person of his age, and is pretty tall 199cm. He's got a great leap and could play ruck. He's played as a key forwad though in the QAFL. He's done pretty well but can be prone to miss sitters, mainly due to his lack of football experience IMO. He missed a shot from 5 m out directly in front..


Another guy from the Murray Bushrangers in the TAC cup would be Ben Reid. His father played 97 games for the Doggies- so close to F/S selection. He's built like a stick though. He's only 80 kg or so at the moment. He's 194cm tall, but a very athletically gifted player. A mobile player, although he'll probably have to lose some of his mobility when he puts more KG on. He can play down back as well.


Mojo's Profile:

17) Ben Reid

Key position player

194cms and 78kgs
29/4/1989
Murray Bushrangers

A very tall skinny key position player. Will start his TAC career this year and is a bit of an unknown at this stage. Watching him at the U16 Championships he was super impressive. Very good set of hands and picks up the flight of the ball quickly and judges it well. Does not run underneath it and takes it out in front and at its highest point when he was on the lead. Very good leap and is very mobile and athletic. Pretty good second efforts and hands below his knees.
Played up forward and down back as a centre half back. Looked good in both roles and maybe a little bit more comfortable as a defender.

Takes contested marks, offers rebound as a defender and is a versatile tall. Very young and is only just eligible for the next draft by a few days and will be a bottom aged skinny kid who has heaps of development in him for the future. A good year in the TAC for Murray will see him move right up the rankings and be much sought after.

The fact I have not seen him very much and his skinny body (needs 20kgs almost) means I have pushed him down a little at this stage. Nothing lacking in his game and I do like what I have seen so far.



Another that could be around pick 14 is Eric Mackenzie. He is more a natural defender, he positions himself well and reads the play well. As a forward he doesn't have the natural instincets to paly there. He uses his body well and can take a good contested grab for you. He's proabably around 195cm now.


13) Eric Mackenzie

Key Position Player

193cms and 88kgs
19/5/88
Claremont (WA)

Physically powerful and strong key position player. Played mainly down back and it is as a defender where I have been most impressed with him. Plays really tight and reads the play and anticipates well. Legitimate big defender who has strength and discipline. Good skills and is quite attacking on the rebound but it is his bodywork which catches the eye for me. Rarely beaten and does it with power and positioning.

When played up forward is capable of taking a good strong contested mark but does not seem to have the same good natural instincts as when he plays as a defender. Played some ruck when he was even younger and has been basically the same height for a number of years. So unlikely to grow a lot more but at 193cms is tall enough to play a key position player.
Seems to have good endurance and his pace was fine. Suited to playing down the corridor on power players. Tough and physically ready and seems to love body contact. Athletic and versatile.
Just missed the last draft and will be top aged this time and ready for action in his first year on an AFL list. Not quite as much scope for improvement as some of the other talls available but he is a pretty solid key position prospect who is not a really a risk for a team who needs a tall defender.
I think he could play either end as he develops but do think he is best suited down back at this stage.




Go to the draft and trading board. You learn a lot about youngsters.

Mojo's thread:
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=225797&highlight=Reid

 

[crowsarethebest]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Thanks Jerome

Looks like he is a bit wasteful in front of goals.

In the VFL match against Bendigo he was wasteful. Should've kicked 6 instead of 4. But he dominated that match though. 20 or so possesions, a dozen marks. What mroe could you want from him especially when he is still very young. To be honest I can not see how he is going to go at pick 14. I'm sure he'll get snapped up by Richmond, Geelong or St Kilda or if he goes outside top 10 then Doggies will take him in a flash. Even with the decent amounts of KPP St Kilda have, they'll want the set.

 

[Supertiger]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Schulz is contracted and youd have to cough up 14 and 32 to get him or 14 and a player so I think its very doubtful indeed that itll happen.

 

[just maybe]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Schulz is contracted and youd have to cough up 14 and 32 to get him or 14 and a player so I think its very doubtful indeed that itll happen.

14 and 32 or 14 and a player for Schulz? Bahahahahahahahaahhah!

Pull the other one!

32 for Schulz is about fair...

 

[Gets!]

Re: Talls a focus for Crows

Date/Time Played For Opposition Goals Behinds
Sat 3/Jun 1:10 PM Tasmania Port Melbourne 2 1
Sat 10/Jun 1:10 PM Tasmania Werribee 1
Sat 15/Jul 6:30 PM Tasmania Coburg Tigers 1
Sat 22/Jul 2:00 PM Tasmania Casey Scorpions 4 1
Sat 5/Aug 2:00 PM Tasmania Bendigo Bombers 4 3
Sun 13/Aug 2:00 PM Tasmania Werribee 3
Sat 19/Aug 2:00 PM Tasmania Williamstown 1
Sat 26/Aug 10:45 AM Tasmania Box Hill Hawks 5

Yeah...real wasteful.