The Rookies

[Coin_Toss]

Apart from Nicholls and Clarke we have two other rookies on the rookie list - Brent Macaffer and Sharrod Wellingham. Lesser known yes, write-offs, no.

As you're well aware by now, we've had some success in the Rookie Draft in recent times - Tarkyn Lockyer, hate him or love him, he was promoted off the rookie list and has gone onto play 150 AFL games. He's a success story in that respect. Nick Maxwell and Harry O'Brien are promising, the former is in the leadership group.

I'm after some info on Brent and Sharrod. I haven't been a regular watcher at training therefore I'll appreciate any news. Which one looks more promising?

Cheers.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

From all reports pre-draft, they look promising. Brent is from Phillip Island way, a place where they love their footy, so that's a start, and Sharrod got some big thumbs up in the WAFL. Obviously making the league means they are going to get good write ups.

Sharrod seems more promising though from what I have read.

 

[The Royal Sampler]

I'm a big rap for Sharrod, lightning quick and seems to have a good head on his shoulders.

I fully expect him to be promoted off the rookie list at the end of the season.

 

[Invigoration]

I'm less informed on Sharrod then Macaffer, but IMO and a few others, Macaffer was very stiff not to get drafted... And I was very happy to see us rookie him.

Plays very similar to Ben McKinley who was taken by the Eagles last yr with around pick 20? Correct me if I'm wrong. Both quick leading forwards, who I can have ratings of. I think McKinley will be a star. Which is good for Macaffer, because of their similarity.
I think if both had been mixed through the midfield abit more during the years for their TAC teams, they would have seen themselves drafted a lot earlier. Quick and strong in the air, should eventually be mixed through the midfield and prove a thing or two... Hopefully

 

[The Royal Sampler]

Funnily enough, Macaffer is taller than McKinley, because I thought Macaffer was short for a forward who has kicked so many goals.

McKinley is listed as 183.9 cms.

 

[Nickelass]

It's strange IMO that McAffer didn't get drafted. You'd think the leading goal kicker in the TAC and the player named full forward in the TAC team of the year would have been drafted.

I reckon we may have picked up a real bargain with him.

Wellingham looks real good on the ctv highlights, very didaky in a couple of the passages of play. Good overhead marking and quick to play on...

 

[didaka]

It's strange IMO that McAffer didn't get drafted. You'd think the leading goal kicker in the TAC and the player named full forward in the TAC team of the year would have been drafted.

I reckon we may have picked up a real bargain with him.

Wellingham looks real good on the ctv highlights, very didaky in a couple of the passages of play. Good overhead marking and quick to play on...

From what i know the pies were tossing up whether to use their final pick in the 06 draft on either Goldsack or Macaffer, but they were pretty sure they would be able to get Macaffer as a rookie and they did, so credit to the recruiting staff. Anyhow i like Macaffer, he has the size and the body to play at the level. He is quick and strong, and can obviously play as a medium forward as well as midfield. Both Wellingham and Macaffer will be interesting to follow in 07, and history shows us that the pies like to utilize their rookies and if they believe the boys are up to it they will be given every chance for a senior spot. 1 week to go. Let the games begin!

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

It's strange IMO that McAffer didn't get drafted. You'd think the leading goal kicker in the TAC and the player named full forward in the TAC team of the year would have been drafted.

With the arrival of McAffer and Medhurst and the improvement in Egan, we have plenty of new small forward options. Ryan Cook could be seriously under the pump this year to hold his spot on the list.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Good call Timmy. Cook seems an option in the future, but you are right in his spot being a little shaky if he can't break through in 07.

 

[Hells K1tch3n]

Im not so sure on that LF50, cook was taken very bottom age, infact is only slightly older than most of our 06 draftees. What we also have to take into account is that the likes of burns, wakelin, buckley, maybe even licuria could be in their last years. I think its definate for burns and wakes. We have culled massively in the last 2 years, and while it seems we have an abundance of small-medium forwards, there is usually the option with these types of players for them to take a stint in the middle, thus adding to midfield depth.

Players i would consider as small-medium.
Didak: Hopefully can make a more perminant move into the middle, but i do like him playing the linke man on the half forward line.
Davis: Last year he was awesome, especially against West Coast, absolutely tore them up with stints in the middle, and then when moved forward. I read on this board, cant remember who said it, but they were convinced that davis doesnt go in for the hard ball, i disagree, although he doesnt do it alot, he does put his head over the ball.
Medhurst: We heard earlier in the preseason that medders was looked at as a potential player for the midfield rotation, and all ive heard to support this is his exceptional endurance, but it could be enough to allow a near perminant rotation with didak, looking at about a 60-40 mix (time in the middle) with medders being the latter.
Cook: Has now had 2 preseasons, and while i havent seen any of the work he's putting in on the track, he seems to be a caracella type player (not quite as good over head?) but could be a welcome addition even after bucks has left.

Basically what im trying to point out, is that we shouldnt be so quick to write off players because they arent yet making a imprint in the senior team. Where our list stands at the moment, our key midfielders are moving on, which in turn should open up gaps in the forward/back pockets, and the forward/back flanks.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

I am just going by the benchmark that 2 years without a senior appearance usually sees you go. Then again, you raise a good point being that many have been culled, and then again, experience will go at the end of the season (retirees) so 5-6 delistees won't matter, and 2-3 may be all...

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Basically what im trying to point out, is that we shouldnt be so quick to write off players because they arent yet making a imprint in the senior team. .

Nobody's writing him off and point taken re him being young, but its hard to prove yourself in starvation corner, and every year the list has to be turned over. Cook looks like a specialist smal forward to me.

I was not aware that McAffer was the leading goalkicker last year, so thats a quality recruit who is aiming for the same position as Cook. Plus Medhurst who is already a proven player and still quite young.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

From what i know the pies were tossing up whether to use their final pick in the 06 draft on either Goldsack or Macaffer, but they were pretty sure they would be able to get Macaffer as a rookie and they did

Actually, it was between Goldsack and Wellingham - That's why we took Wellingham in the first round of the rookie draft, and Macaffer in the second.

Cook: Has now had 2 preseasons, and while i havent seen any of the work he's putting in on the track, he seems to be a caracella type player (not quite as good over head?) but could be a welcome addition even after bucks has left.

Better overhead, but doesn't have the football brain or sublime footskills as Caracella, and doesn't seem as suited to getting a run on-ball or on the wing.

As for my opinions on Wellingham, Wellingham is one I am very excited about. Much like D ick, in that he has genuine pace and skill, but unlike D ick, is already very much in the mould of an on-baller, and should definitely develop as a midfielder.

Macaffer is another that is interesting - Many consider him now to be a forward option because he was the TAC Cup's leading goal-kicker. However, that was the first year he had played as a key forward, and up until 2006, he was considered a midfielder. It is still very possible that he is developed as a midfielder who can drag his man forward and kick goals on him.

 

[RustyG]

Macaffer is another that is interesting - Many consider him now to be a forward option because he was the TAC Cup's leading goal-kicker. However, that was the first year he had played as a key forward, and up until 2006, he was considered a midfielder. It is still very possible that he is developed as a midfielder who can drag his man forward and kick goals on him.

I'm starting to like the sound of this kid.
It sounds like he could be a good pick up for us.

Damn,I'm envious of you guys in Victoria,being able to go and watch the boys train and play all the time.
I'm sick to death of hearing and/or reading about the Eagles and Dockers over here.It's like they're the only two teams in the AFL.

 

[Coin_Toss]

I understand what Timmy's talking about - Cook looks comfortable in the forward line - but he could push into the midfield, he's got good endurance and seems to know where to move in traffic. I can think of a few players, aside from Cook, who should get the chop at season's end if they don't show any improvement.

Thanks for the update!
I'm looking forward to seeing Brent and Sharrod.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

I understand what Timmy's talking about - Cook looks comfortable in the forward line - but he could push into the midfield, he's got good endurance and seems to know where to move in traffic.

Hope you're right, I'll be pleased if I'm wrong.

Would you like to name who you think is under the pump for delisting at years end? It would need to be a minimum of five, and with Burns and Waklein two obvious choices, who else might be in the firing line?

For me players like Davies, Cook and Stanley will be those most at risk of being moved on, as well as one of the senior players like Richards Davis Lockyer and Lonie. The good news is for once we have a decent list and no duds.

 

[Coin_Toss]

Hope you're right, I'll be pleased if I'm wrong.

Would you like to name who you think is under the pump for delisting at years end? It would need to be a minimum of five, and with Burns and Waklein two obvious choices, who else might be in the firing line?

For me players like Davies, Cook and Stanley will be those most at risk of being moved on, as well as one of the senior players like Richards Davis Lockyer and Lonie. The good news is for once we have a decent list and no duds.

Davies, Stanley and Richards are the 3 players that spring to mind and then the retirees Burns and Wakelin. I've named 5 players there.

Davies is making up the numbers. Stanley lacks leg speed and doesn't look the part. Richards needs to step up to the plate, aside from Fraser, he's the only ruckman on the list.

Lockyer's safe as long as Malthouse remains at the helm.

 

[DavidInellaFanClub]

I guess I could say I know Brent pretty well, as have played alongside him since U/15's and have had many kick to kicks with him in the park over the years 2 see him progress....
Brent is a real confidence player, once that is up he never looks back. Made huge in-roads as a footballer in 2005, where he played predominately in the midfield and just stood out as the gun player in the competition (Alberton Football League)...was unlucky to not win league best and fairest but due to TAC cup commitments and senior commitments didnt play enough games.
Moved to full forward start of '06 and just kept improving to the level that put his name up as a potential draftee....if you had of told any of us (including Brent) that his name would have even been mentioned at the draft table this year, let alone get drafted, we would not have believed you, so that is how much he improved as a footballer in 2006 to get to the level hes at now.......If Brent can establish himself as an AFL footballer, you Collingwood supporters will have a good player on your hands for years to come....

 

[didaka]

I've been watching cookie play since his was a youngen, and he has midfield capabilites.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Davies, Stanley and Richards are the 3 players that spring to mind and then the retirees Burns and Wakelin. I've named 5 players there.

Fair enough. Ive got Cook in my five, you have Richards. If Richards stays fit I think his spot on the list is safe, God knows we hav few enough rucks as it is.

Five delistings is the absolute bare minimum, too. If we have any rookie promotions, there will likely be more delistings. Cook needs a big year in 2007.