The Kids

[gouki88]

That’s it, really. Of our “kids” the ones to shine have been;
Bianco: drafted 2019 and had a full U18 and some VFL exposure
Poulter: played SANFL all year in 2020
McCreery: played SANFL all year in 2020.

Then looking at Macrae, Henry, McMahon, Reef: drafted in 2020 after basically no football.

Lots and lots of catching up to do, and it's unfair to assume they can do so in such a short amount of time. Especially with the VFL disruption.

Would have the same effect if we drafted some kid straight out of year 11 I bet.

 

[Go Woods]

Merge this with ‘Where are we going as a football team’ thread.

 

[barrackers]

There is a very big difference between a good VFL player and even a serviceable AFl standard player.

Use Alex Woodward as an example, prior to all of his knee complications he won a JJ Liston medal only to get a few games for Hawthorn.

VFL form rarely translates into prolonged AFL success

I get your point, but the likes of Crocker or the other Pendleburys would be a better example. Woodward looked a class above and without knee recos he would have played a lot more senior footy.

 

[barrackers]

So we're half way through the year and have finally had exposure to the draftees and inclusions over the past few years. Not all of them are going to make it, and some others will be stars.

I've been told I've been a bit harsh when discussing this with a number of my mates, but here is how I see the lay of the land.

Potential Stars:
Bianco - An elite kick of the footy as evidenced by his two games. A previous captain of Oakleigh Chargers. Has all the skills to make the grade and a good enough understanding of his flaws to fill in the gaps. He doesn't rely on pace to make an impact, which has a kid is a massive positive.

Poulter - The fact he has come into the team and held his spot for the best part of a month is telling. Raking boot and with his mullet, flapping in the wind, there are definitely similarities between him and a young Daisy. Lacks the polish, but would expect him to play 150 games for the club as a minimum.

Solid Contributors
Mcreery - small pressure forwards float in and out of games, which is why he is not in my potential star list. He is everything we need right now and should have a long tenure at the club.

Murphy - I think he'll settle into a back line role, similar mold to Toovey, dour, but with a bigger tank.

Kelly - could just as easily be in the 'Looking Unlikely' category, but has kicked a goal at AFL level and has looked somewhat relevant in the one game he has played. Interesting seeing him go down back, generally an easier role to play than a KPF, however with a few years under his belt already, time is ticking.

T Brown - He'll play a lot of games due to his size, was tracking ok before his injury this year. Far from a world beater but I see him playing more games than he misses moving forward.

Keane - By no means a best 22 player, but solid depth. Will only get bigger and better, but probably not enough to be a consistent AFL standard KPD

Looking Unlikely
Rantall - hasn't shown much in the games he has played. Looks like he's getting smaller and slower some how. With the likes of Murphy, Poulter and others coming along - he's going to need to find a niche to solidify a spot.

Mccrae - have not been impressed with his game at all. His first game was all but done and duster at 3/4 time and he had a big last quarter. Goes missing far too often. He's very small and will need to have a big offseason before he just becomes another Cal Brown.

Henry - Similar to Mccrae, hasn't shown anything at the level. Will need a big offseason but if he continues his current trajectory, its not looking good.

Lynch - Played ok on the weekend against ROB, however hasn't been able to break into the side with Grundy, Cameron and Cox ahead of him. May keep his spot on the list is Cox is moved on at the end of the year but doesn't look like he will be much more than shallow depth.

List Cloggers
Wilson - failed experiment. 24 years old with two years in the system. Reaping the benefits of a bulging salary cap, would be lucky to get a game at a contending club.

Ruscoe - some will call this harsh, given he has kicked a few goals, but the fact he can't break into the current side doesn't bode well. Was a drafted as a backman, but is now playing forward. Might not be all his fault, but may be lost to the system.

Tohill - been around since 2018 without being able to crack the side, unlikely.

Too Early to Tell
Begg, Johnson, Mcinness, Mcmahon, Ginnivan, Chugg

I assume you haven’t seen much VFL footy? Tohill will overtake Keane if he hasn’t already and will be our replacement for Roughead; Mcrae and Henry aren’t ready for seniors, but they’ve shown enough at VFL level to be hopeful; Ruscoe has looked much better in defence at VFL level, still not completely convinced he’ll make it, but that should be his position.

 

[Masked Magician]

Best 22 Players for 5-10 years:
Quaynor
Daicos
Bianco
Macrae (left and right side, elite hands in contest, needs a year or 2 in the gym and to build a better tank)
Kelly (Key Back beyond Roughead)
McInnes (will take over Sier and T Brown's Big Bodied Mid spot)
Poulter
McMahon
McCreery
Henry (needs 3 years in the gym, could see him taking over Howe's spot)
Murphy (third tall off half back/Wing/Mayne role)

Might make it but will need to lift:
Rantall (needs to see him play midfield to really judge, think he might need to become a tagger)
T.Brown (only way making it would to be a tagger)
T. Ruscoe (Down back like Goldsack/Toovey)
T.Wilson

Won't Make it/Shouldn't be anywhere near our team in 2-3 years time:
C. Brown
Sier
J. Noble
M. Keane

 

[sr36]

I assume you haven’t seen much VFL footy? Tohill will overtake Keane if he hasn’t already and will be our replacement for Roughead; Mcrae and Henry aren’t ready for seniors, but they’ve shown enough at VFL level to be hopeful; Ruscoe has looked much better in defence at VFL level, still not completely convinced he’ll make it, but that should be his position.

What's Ruscoe's field kicking been like. He's looked a very good kick the couple of times he's got the ball in the AFL. Moves well too. If he wasn't picked to play in our forward line way before he was ready, he'd be viewed as a promising kid with some nice attributes. I've got a good feeling about him.

 

[barrackers]

What's Ruscoe's field kicking been like. He's looked a very good kick the couple of times he's got the ball in the AFL. Moves well too. If he wasn't picked to play in our forward line way before he was ready, he'd be viewed as a promising kid with some nice attributes. I've got a good feeling about him.

His kicking was good, looks to take the game on as a defender, and appears more a half back rather than a tight defensive type. Pity he got injured and that we haven’t had any VFL for a few weeks as I was interested to see how he settled into the role.

 

[jackcass]

Written off several players way too early.

Focusing on McRae... he has just not played on the ball enough at senior level. In two VFL games he averaged 28 touches, 5 tackles

20 of those average touches were handballs... which says he was played extensively in the middle and quite effective when there. Wish I had the clearance numbers. But I also think with McRae he could be played off half back, wing, etc so with his generally good disposal he will definitely find a home in the best 22 at some point

Kid just needs more time... I’ll put money on him and McInness (again from witnessed VFL form) still making the grade... just as I think Poulter, Bianco and McReery will

Keane and Kelly will be serviceable defenders.

Henry is an awkward size but with his hands

The other 2020 draftees and Cat B rookies just haven’t had enough exposure to AFL to make a call

Even Ruscoe. While he's shown he can do enough as a forward to kick a goal a game, it's his more recent performances at HB in the VFL that have me more excited. Might even eventually be that Tom Langdon replacement we so desperately need. Has pace, is a good mark, and good foot skills.

 

[Gone Critical]

Maybe a bit strong with assessments but don’t mind the thread. I think all the views should be taken with the big* saying it’s too early to have any certainty. With that proviso I think views are starting to form. Mine are based on AFL form as haven’t gone down the VFL yet

Still I would say over my time watching VFL form wash’s out pretty quickly once AFL games kick in.

My positives

Bianco
Poulter
McCreery

These 3 have shown the early signs you expect in players who will become solid AFL
types. Too early to declare them over the line but really promising

Suggestive of possibilities

Keane - Has struggled at times but does a few things that make you take a bit of notice. My guess he makes a solid AFL
Defender

Kelly- see above but less moments so less certain

Haven’t seen it yet

McCrae
Henry

Not a big worry but they didn’t belong there when they played. Would have liked them to show something. Henry especially needs to play bigger than he is to be some type of marking forward. Like Jamie Elliott did from the start. Niggling worry over these 2 but too soon to read much into it

Unlikely

Ruscoe
Wilson
Rantall

Just haven’t looked like they have the tools. All picked up later in draft or non draft. A lot from that range don’t make it. Too early to have any certainty but unlikely to have significant careers.

Rest too
Soon to say

 

[Lockyer24]

I’d like to see Bianco, Henry and Macrae bond together over summer and do some extra running.
Bianco - could be an elite player with a high fitness base., bit like our own Zac Merrett.

The other two boys, they have found out quickly that skill alone won’t see them survive in this league. They need to add that layer to their game to be able to start competing and then allowing their skills to be the cherry on top. We saw Didak/Swan/Ben Johnson take a while for the penny to drop with their tanks and the sooner these guys can get up there the sooner they will become good AFL players.

McCreery has not surprised me. Has all the tools to be a long term role player for us. Just needs to keep his professionalism to have a good career.

Poulter is the pick of the boys though. A bit like when we picked up Beams, straight away you wondered how a kid like that slipped to us at pick 30. He won’t just be a wingman or flanker, he has midfield potential and can be a Copeland winner in time.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Poulter is the pick of the boys though. A bit like when we picked up Beams, straight away you wondered how a kid like that slipped to us at pick 30. He won’t just be a wingman or flanker, he has midfield potential and can be a Copeland winner in time.

Interesting comparison. Seemingly both slid a bit due to skepticism about the quality of the competition they were playing in.

 

[pablo disco bar]

I assume you haven’t seen much VFL footy? Tohill will overtake Keane if he hasn’t already and will be our replacement for Roughead; Mcrae and Henry aren’t ready for seniors, but they’ve shown enough at VFL level to be hopeful; Ruscoe has looked much better in defence at VFL level, still not completely convinced he’ll make it, but that should be his position.

You think they will "just play him "? (Tohill)

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

What a load of crap.

 

[legendstatus]

So we're half way through the year and have finally had exposure to the draftees and inclusions over the past few years. Not all of them are going to make it, and some others will be stars.

I've been told I've been a bit harsh when discussing this with a number of my mates, but here is how I see the lay of the land.

Potential Stars:
Bianco - An elite kick of the footy as evidenced by his two games. A previous captain of Oakleigh Chargers. Has all the skills to make the grade and a good enough understanding of his flaws to fill in the gaps. He doesn't rely on pace to make an impact, which has a kid is a massive positive.

Poulter - The fact he has come into the team and held his spot for the best part of a month is telling. Raking boot and with his mullet, flapping in the wind, there are definitely similarities between him and a young Daisy. Lacks the polish, but would expect him to play 150 games for the club as a minimum.

Solid Contributors
Mcreery - small pressure forwards float in and out of games, which is why he is not in my potential star list. He is everything we need right now and should have a long tenure at the club.

Murphy - I think he'll settle into a back line role, similar mold to Toovey, dour, but with a bigger tank.

Kelly - could just as easily be in the 'Looking Unlikely' category, but has kicked a goal at AFL level and has looked somewhat relevant in the one game he has played. Interesting seeing him go down back, generally an easier role to play than a KPF, however with a few years under his belt already, time is ticking.

T Brown - He'll play a lot of games due to his size, was tracking ok before his injury this year. Far from a world beater but I see him playing more games than he misses moving forward.

Keane - By no means a best 22 player, but solid depth. Will only get bigger and better, but probably not enough to be a consistent AFL standard KPD

Looking Unlikely
Rantall - hasn't shown much in the games he has played. Looks like he's getting smaller and slower some how. With the likes of Murphy, Poulter and others coming along - he's going to need to find a niche to solidify a spot.

Mccrae - have not been impressed with his game at all. His first game was all but done and duster at 3/4 time and he had a big last quarter. Goes missing far too often. He's very small and will need to have a big offseason before he just becomes another Cal Brown.

Henry - Similar to Mccrae, hasn't shown anything at the level. Will need a big offseason but if he continues his current trajectory, its not looking good.

Lynch - Played ok on the weekend against ROB, however hasn't been able to break into the side with Grundy, Cameron and Cox ahead of him. May keep his spot on the list is Cox is moved on at the end of the year but doesn't look like he will be much more than shallow depth.

List Cloggers
Wilson - failed experiment. 24 years old with two years in the system. Reaping the benefits of a bulging salary cap, would be lucky to get a game at a contending club.

Ruscoe - some will call this harsh, given he has kicked a few goals, but the fact he can't break into the current side doesn't bode well. Was a drafted as a backman, but is now playing forward. Might not be all his fault, but may be lost to the system.

Tohill - been around since 2018 without being able to crack the side, unlikely.

Too Early to Tell
Begg, Johnson, Mcinness, Mcmahon, Ginnivan, Chugg

Your name suits this summary - very harsh


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[No SPIN]

What's Ruscoe's field kicking been like. He's looked a very good kick the couple of times he's got the ball in the AFL. Moves well too. If he wasn't picked to play in our forward line way before he was ready, he'd be viewed as a promising kid with some nice attributes. I've got a good feeling about him.

Not as a fwd for me - but as a tall agile running HB.

 

[sr36]

Not as a fwd for me - but as a tall agile running HB.

I agree.

 

[Good_Old]

 

[Leviathan Pie]

Stiff on Macrae, Henry & Rantall.

They have time.

 

[Vicky Park]

Interesting that of all the kids, the coaches chose Henry as the first debutant. We know that hasn't worked out - yet - but it’s indicative of where the kids were ranked before the season started. And of our need for true forwards.

Article inThe Age today about Brad Scott’s new AFL role in supporting community/local footy in Victoria. Goes to the impacts of a whole season lost last year. I don’t think we should underestimate the effects of missing a year of development for the Victorian draftees. These kids will need extra time.

 

[sideswipe]

Interesting that of all the kids, the coaches chose Henry as the first debutant. We know that hasn't worked out - yet - but it’s indicative of where the kids were ranked before the season started. And of our need for true forwards.

Article inThe Age today about Brad Scott’s new AFL role in supporting community/local footy in Victoria. Goes to the impacts of a whole season lost last year. I don’t think we should underestimate the effects of missing a year of development for the Victorian draftees. These kids will need extra time.

One thought I had on reading that article is why did the AFL appoint someone so completely inexperienced in this particular role?

 

[ipswichpies]

Even Ruscoe. While he's shown he can do enough as a forward to kick a goal a game, it's his more recent performances at HB in the VFL that have me more excited. Might even eventually be that Tom Langdon replacement we so desperately need. Has pace, is a good mark, and good foot skills.

Tommy was a real good defender also, we have really missed him but getting back to Ruscoe if he develops into half the player Langdon was we will have done alright I feel.

 

[Vicky Park]

One thought I had on reading that article is why did the AFL appoint someone so completely inexperienced in this particular role?

High profile? Scott has that AFL ‘success’ aura, three-time premiership player etc. I assume he has people working for him with stronger connections to community footy.

Could also be the old boys/old mates network at it again. Looking after their own until he lands another coaching gig.

 

[sideswipe]

High profile? Scott has that AFL ‘success’ aura, three-time premiership player etc. I assume he has people working for him with stronger connections to community footy.

Could also be the old boys/old mates network at it again. Looking after their own until he lands another coaching gig.

Say it ain't so! You aren't suggesting that the AFL took on Scott to relieve North Melb of termination payout obligations and just thought, "we will find something for him"?

Brad "only" a two-time flag winner. He does tell a good story about his early days at Brisbane. He hadn't yet debuted, but he was close to selection. Chris was out suspended. Teams were announced, Chris not picked. Was then in a lift with Lethal, who remarked to him something like, "we were thinking about naming you and having your brother play." Brad came very close to whacking the coach.

 

[peter9789]

So we're half way through the year and have finally had exposure to the draftees and inclusions over the past few years. Not all of them are going to make it, and some others will be stars.

I've been told I've been a bit harsh when discussing this with a number of my mates, but here is how I see the lay of the land.

Potential Stars:
Bianco - An elite kick of the footy as evidenced by his two games. A previous captain of Oakleigh Chargers. Has all the skills to make the grade and a good enough understanding of his flaws to fill in the gaps. He doesn't rely on pace to make an impact, which has a kid is a massive positive.

Poulter - The fact he has come into the team and held his spot for the best part of a month is telling. Raking boot and with his mullet, flapping in the wind, there are definitely similarities between him and a young Daisy. Lacks the polish, but would expect him to play 150 games for the club as a minimum.

Solid Contributors
Mcreery - small pressure forwards float in and out of games, which is why he is not in my potential star list. He is everything we need right now and should have a long tenure at the club.

Murphy - I think he'll settle into a back line role, similar mold to Toovey, dour, but with a bigger tank.

Kelly - could just as easily be in the 'Looking Unlikely' category, but has kicked a goal at AFL level and has looked somewhat relevant in the one game he has played. Interesting seeing him go down back, generally an easier role to play than a KPF, however with a few years under his belt already, time is ticking.

T Brown - He'll play a lot of games due to his size, was tracking ok before his injury this year. Far from a world beater but I see him playing more games than he misses moving forward.

Keane - By no means a best 22 player, but solid depth. Will only get bigger and better, but probably not enough to be a consistent AFL standard KPD

Looking Unlikely
Rantall - hasn't shown much in the games he has played. Looks like he's getting smaller and slower some how. With the likes of Murphy, Poulter and others coming along - he's going to need to find a niche to solidify a spot.

Mccrae - have not been impressed with his game at all. His first game was all but done and duster at 3/4 time and he had a big last quarter. Goes missing far too often. He's very small and will need to have a big offseason before he just becomes another Cal Brown.

Henry - Similar to Mccrae, hasn't shown anything at the level. Will need a big offseason but if he continues his current trajectory, its not looking good.

Lynch - Played ok on the weekend against ROB, however hasn't been able to break into the side with Grundy, Cameron and Cox ahead of him. May keep his spot on the list is Cox is moved on at the end of the year but doesn't look like he will be much more than shallow depth.

List Cloggers
Wilson - failed experiment. 24 years old with two years in the system. Reaping the benefits of a bulging salary cap, would be lucky to get a game at a contending club.

Ruscoe - some will call this harsh, given he has kicked a few goals, but the fact he can't break into the current side doesn't bode well. Was a drafted as a backman, but is now playing forward. Might not be all his fault, but may be lost to the system.

Tohill - been around since 2018 without being able to crack the side, unlikely.

Too Early to Tell
Begg, Johnson, Mcinness, Mcmahon, Ginnivan, Chugg

I think it's way too early to make a call on these kids. I think Josh Daicos never looked like it in his 1st season or 2, but had a break out year last year and now looks so self assured and a class player.

I think the likes of McCrae and Henry will take time but think its way too early to make a call.

If you look over the draft history, at most 1 to 2 actually make it and have a career (play more than 50 games) with the rest falling by the wayside. But it takes 2-3 years and a couple of pre seasons to figure this out.

 

[Scratchy05]

I would personally change it to
Good players or better
- C.Poulter
- T.Bianco

Solid contributers
- N.Murphy
- B.McCreery

Need to see more/Unsure
- F.Macrae
- J.Rantall
- O.Henry
- M.Keane
- W.Kelly
- T.Brown
- Other players drafted in the past 12 months who are yet to play

looking unlikely
- T.Wilson
- A.Tohill
- T.Ruscoe

These players are very young. To say looking unlikely to guys like Macrae, Hery & Rantall after 5 or less games is ridiculous.