The 'Recruit'

[master bate]

Power rankings:
1. Johann Wagner - continues to play well, has AFL athleticism and age on his side
2. Brendan Goss - 23 so young enough, skilled enough and 80 goals in the VAFA indicates he'd easily be a good VFL player
3. Chris Moreland - 24, seems to do a lot of things well
4. Waylen Manson - skills are there, but little indication fitness or commitment to AFL has significantly improved
5. Ryan Semmel - Solid body, skills look good, but again at 26 unless he's got the talent and fitness to play right away he wont get picked
6. Bradie Foster - 204cm, 24 years old, has the athleticism but physicality seems a concern
7. Ryan Smith - decent size, ok skills, but haven't seen enough to know if he's a true contender
8. Nathan Jackel - Hard, tough, but short and questionable skills and at 26 unless he can play right away I don't think clubs will be interested
9. Reece Maxwell - about to turn 24 so hardly young and whilst the potential might be there it will take a couple of years just for him to learn VFL footy
10. Mark Cisco - 205cm but passed over by other US rookies in recent times and we haven't seen enough of him
11. Padraig Lucey - we've just haven't learnt anything about him yet

Really I'm just guessing because we haven't been shown nearly enough footage or got enough details about their physical details.

Updated rankings
1. Wagner - unchanged
2. Goss - Showed some leadership and responsibility
3. Moreland - despite the night on the piss he played a good game and still seems some what draftable
4. Maxwell - big jump by this guy after a promising game and seems to do a lot of things right
5. Foster - good game and he's not getting any smaller or less athletic
6. Manson - made a selfless call at the end but disappointed the captains pressure got to him on field. He should've tore that game apart
7. Semmel - drops a couple of spots because at his age if he's not dominating the whole thing he won't win it
8. Lucey - pick him up a spot by the default that they aren't saying bad things about him
9. Jackel - isn't getting any taller or younger as the weeks go on
10. Cisco - he's big, but slow, possibly unfit and where's the desperation?

 

[Underdog]

While the latest episode was enjoyable, it was so rigged it was pissing me off for the whole episode.

The other captains challenges have involved a definitive outcome, where a player has the best score, or best time. This latest one was set up so only Waylen could win it.

While Waylen is my favorite on the show, the show itself is really turning me off.

I'd have loved to see more of the game in the dirt though. Looked brutal.

these challenges would be mapped out well in advance of the story and finalists.

 

[master bate]

+1 for not getting the Seppo.

I get Bradie the volleyballer as he is 204cm tall, clearly athletic and coordinated and is working to instruction on his tap work, positioning etc. to see if he can display the attributes of an AFL standard ruckman.

The yank - who comes across as big rather than particularly athletic - seems to just lumber around and looks like what he is, a foriegner having a go at a new sport. He looks as though if he played WAFL/SANFL/VFL or A-grade etc. he would be destroyed by his opponents week in week out. Why is he on the show again?

He's on the show to add something interesting. And he already has had AFL recruiters run their eyes over him as part of the group who came out last year and trained with Roosy in the Swans academy and then saw Jason Holmes rookied by St Kilda. Presumably the recruiters feedback was no thanks but not a complete no. Remember he's a division one US college basketball player so whilst he might not have the fluid athleticism of Bradie he can probably jump and move around. Bradie did play footy as a kid, have his dad play VFL and play a few games last year, so he's a long way off someone foreign to the game. Bit like K Hunt v Folau. Anyway the interesting thing is that he's ended up on this show. After not making it last year what the AFL should do I think (and this should be extended to the Irish and any other groups of talent they have) is give out 10k grants to state league clubs who will sign and help find jobs/housing etc for these guys and have them play a year in the state leagues. AFL clubs aren't going to spend 50k just for the sake of it unless they are pretty confident. VFL clubs can't afford anything but that's the environment they need to show something first by getting a taste for the game. Any sort of athlete keen to play footy should be able to show something in the VFL reserves and push for VFL seniors and from there AFL clubs will take note if they are still eligible as international rookies.

 

[damochandler]

bradie foster has been playing for the suns reserves side since he got back from the recruit

 

[Macca19]

I want to know the process behind selecting the American bloke. I mean, he was a good basketball player a few years ago. Doesn't look like he's been heavily involved in sport since then... surely he must know someone at Fox or soemthing to even get a gig. The bloke doesn't even know the game.

I was really enjoying the show until they brought those two in. They dropped the ball on that one. It's now drama for drama's sake, and I know it's a TV show, but it's still ruined it.

He actually did the draft combine at the end of last year

 

[EssendonNick]

Now we see how rigged it is. There was no way in hell Waylen was going anywhere before "his episode".

 

[MotleyLemon]

bradie foster has been playing for the suns reserves side since he got back from the recruit

And aren't they having a great year?

0-17 with a % of 42.

Bringing in a volleyballer has probably made them better.

 

[damochandler]

And aren't they having a great year?

0-17 with a % of 42.

Bringing in a volleyballer has probably made them better.

they have been struggling all year

 

[MotleyLemon]

they have been struggling all year

Hence why bringing in a volleyballer has probably made them better...

 

[Experimental]

bradie foster has been playing for the suns reserves side since he got back from the recruit

Probably why they keep losing.

 

[soupaman]

I think the hate for Cisco is a bit unfair. He hasn't been slagging people off, and this show clearly isn't just about who is the best now, but rather who is the most draftable. Cisco is huge and apparently fairly athletic, so a few years down the track when he has played more than 4 scratch matches and has properly practised his skills he could be a decent ruckman or something. My only query there is that we never see anyone other than Bradie in the ruck, but then we never see more than maybe 2 minutes of the game anyway so who knows.

As for Cisco "talking shit" he doesn't really, he just has the typical American confidence and knows he is here to try and win, so of course when they ask him questions about what he thinks he is capable of he is going to talk himself up. Besides I'm sure the editors are cutting a lot of stuff he says out.

 

[saintkildaman]

#****cisco

 

[getgaff]

Just watched the replay. As for the Captain's Choice that was set up for Waylen to either win or show his weaknesses mentally.

Over the few weeks we've seen him come out of his shell a lot more and feel more comfortable around his team mates. Did a gutsy thing as a leader by putting himself up for nomination over Moreland because he felt his captain's duty was to make Moreland more accountable.

On the footage of the NT Game alone I can see why Smith was the de-listed player. Had a poor game, didn't set the game on fire and possibly struggled in the different and difficult ground conditions.

Think Cisco needs to be next to go but, otherwise players who have playing ability will be making way for him.

 

[BACCS]

I want to know the process behind selecting the American bloke. I mean, he was a good basketball player a few years ago. Doesn't look like he's been heavily involved in sport since then... surely he must know someone at Fox or soemthing to even get a gig. The bloke doesn't even know the game.

I was really enjoying the show until they brought those two in. They dropped the ball on that one. It's now drama for drama's sake, and I know it's a TV show, but it's still ruined it.

Well, Paul Roos had him out at the Swans academy last year, so he isn't totally foreign to the sport.

 

[Jascave]

Next year, if 'The Recruit' is on again for another season, this is what I'd like to see:
-Coach to be either Terry Wallace, David Parkin or Rodney Eade
- Kevin Sheehan to be talent manager
-Host to be Anthony Hudson
-Players wanting to be on 'The Recruit' must be around 18-24 years of age.
-Players must come from the VFL/SANFL/WAFL/TAC Cup pathway
-No 'Captains Call' to keep/delist players. Selection panel to make decision instead.
-Get rid of 'Rate your Mate'.
-Have 3 trial games; 1) against a TAC Cup side, 2) a VFL club side; 3) the AIS AFL team. Players who don't do well at the end of those games will be delisted.

 

[robertg22]

Next year, if 'The Recruit' is on again for another season, this is what I'd like to see:
-Coach to be either Terry Wallace, David Parkin or Rodney Eade
- Kevin Sheehan to be talent manager
-Host to be Anthony Hudson
-Players wanting to be on 'The Recruit' must be around 18-24 years of age.
-Players must come from the VFL/SANFL/WAFL/TAC Cup pathway
-No 'Captains Call' to keep/delist players. Selection panel to make decision instead.
-Get rid of 'Rate your Mate'.
-Have 3 trial games; 1) against a TAC Cup side, 2) a VFL club side; 3) the AIS AFL team. Players who don't do well at the end of those games will be delisted.

I love most of these suggestions, but Parko is in his 70s so doubtful he would want to commit to something of this size, Rocket's pretty busy as a full time employee of Collingwood and Terry would only be good for the comedy value, he is a muppet.

 

[Jascave]

I love most of these suggestions, but Parko is in his 70s so doubtful he would want to commit to something of this size, Rocket's pretty busy as a full time employee of Collingwood and Terry would only be good for the comedy value, he is a muppet.

So, who do you think will be the coach on 'The Recruit' for next season?

 

[robertg22]

So, who do you think will be the coach on 'The Recruit' for next season?

I don't think Voss has been that bad, TBH. Not sure they'd really need to change it.

 

[GWSP]

So far they have hardly shown Chris Moreland during games. Don't think The Recruit viewers realise what a seriously good footballer he is yet.

 

[Watson_my_mind]

So far they have hardly shown Chris Moreland during games. Don't think The Recruit viewers realise what a seriously good footballer he is yet.

they have shown his inside work with jackel and semmel in the prison game it was excellent

 

[FlowersByIrene]

How the hell can you not send Cisco home?

I agree with Gossy he should be watching AFl all week long. Figuring out where he wants to play, KPD? KPF? Ruck and watching AFL footballers players do that, especially off the ball.

But he isn't (according to Goss) so why should he be there if he isn't trying to improve?

 

[Underdog]

I agree with Gossy he should be watching AFl all week long. Figuring out where he wants to play, KPD? KPF? Ruck and watching AFL footballers players do that, especially off the ball.

But he isn't (according to Goss) so why should he be there if he isn't trying to improve?

I disagree.

It's like suggesting someone who can't play guitar to watch Chris Cheney to learn how to.

He needs to be taught and coached the game to learn the tactics, strategies, nuances etc. If Goss was willing to sit and go through it all with him thoroughly and Cisco declined, he might have a point.

Aside from that, he basically said his biggest issue was not knowing where to be and you don't learn that on TV. You need to be at games and watching the running patterns of the big guys.

Again, people are getting too hooked up on how good a player is now as opposed to whether they have traits to be an AFL footballer. From what I understand, Cisco's physical traits are enticing. Voss will be looking to potentially emulate Mike Pyke.

Basically they're saying, for example, Smith has a 50% chance of being a bottom 5 listed player and a 0% chance of progressing further. Cisco is only a 10% chance but he has a 2% of emulating Mike Pyke. So in this instance Cisco is the better, albeit riskier, chance of getting a solid footballer.

 

[timtamWB]

I disagree.

It's like suggesting someone who can't play guitar to watch Chris Cheney to learn how to.

He needs to be taught and coached the game to learn the tactics, strategies, nuances etc. If Goss was willing to sit and go through it all with him thoroughly and Cisco declined, he might have a point.

Aside from that, he basically said his biggest issue was not knowing where to be and you don't learn that on TV. You need to be at games and watching the running patterns of the big guys.

Sure, but is he constantly practicing as often as he can, going through drills with the ball so he gets used to it, going for runs with it so he knows what it's like to go for a run with the ball?

Great guitarists practice every day, for at least two hours, and 95% of the time, they practice for longer than that. Or if they're not practicing, they're still playing. And I doubt that he's trying to replicate that to an even higher level, which is what he needs to do.

Like Goss said, Cisco should also be constantly asking all of the boys about the game, which he isn't doing.

 

[Underdog]

Sure, but is he constantly practicing as often as he can, going through drills with the ball so he gets used to it, going for runs with it so he knows what it's like to go for a run with the ball?

Great guitarists practice every day, for at least two hours, and 95% of the time, they practice for longer than that. Or if they're not practicing, they're still playing. And I doubt that he's trying to replicate that to an even higher level, which is what he needs to do.

There's only so much physical activity one can do and is ALLOWED to do. It appears they have schedules to emulate (to a lesser degree) AFL commitments. These are semi-professional or amateur footballers. The standard training sessions are going to wreck them. Additional to that, they have Burgess there who'd assign work loads they would not be able to exceed.

Like Goss said, Cisco should also be constantly asking all of the boys about the game, which he isn't doing.

Goss didn't say that at all. He spoke for himself and there was no input from any other player. He said nothing about not asking others about the game. Voss clearly understood there they have a personality conflict and perceived Goss's comments as a release.

Finally, learning an endeavour 24/7 might sound committed, but it can also create stress, fatigue, burn-out, unhappiness etc. People need down time and to relax. He probably does so by watching NBA and NFL. Given he's an outsider and a lone American in a house of Aussie's that don't want him there, he might need that comfort as well.

 

[Damon_3388]

I want to know the process behind selecting the American bloke. I mean, he was a good basketball player a few years ago. Doesn't look like he's been heavily involved in sport since then...

He finished playing college basketball just last year, not "a few years ago".