Tommy Walsh

[Horsebox]

How'd he get on during his week training with the Saints?
The word is here that he'll be gone after next season i.e. he'll make the switch to the AFL at the end of 2009.
I've heard nothing about his visit in terms of what people thought of him as a potential AFL player.
Did anybody here get a look at him?

 

[CHBench]

Young Irish star finishes trial with Saints, may be back

Ahmer Khokhar and Martin Boulton | December 13, 2008

AFTER successfully completing a week-long trial with St Kilda yesterday Tommy Walsh is flying home to Ireland this weekend, already planning his return date.
The 2008 Young Gaelic Player of the Year — from Tralee in County Kerry — has impressed to such an extent that when players' agent Ricky Nixon told Nick Dal Santo that Walsh was still in his teens, the Saints superstar shook his head in disbelief.
"It's been a very enjoyable week and all of the Saints' players and coaches have been very helpful," Walsh told The Age.
Saints football manager Matthew Drain insisted that Walsh's ability to pick up the finer points of football after only a few days didn't come as a surprise.
"Tommy fitted in really well and we're not surprised because skilled athletes can adapt to any game," Drain said. "All three of the Irish players we've had a look at this year — including Niall McKeever and James Kielt — have been very impressive.
"We haven't signed anyone or offered anyone a contract. It's just a starting point for us in terms of building a relationship."
Read Full Article.

I personally didn't see him train. But a few on Saintsational did:

-Tom and a Trainer were 25m apart and the trainer said "kick it to me" it went about 2m above his head and 10m past him...horrible kick. but as they just did chip kicks to each other it slowly got better but still a very poor kick, can barely drop punt, it just flops off the side of his boot and sometimes hits the hands of the trainer.

-Irishman Tommy Walsh trained on his own with fitness staff analysing his endurance. He looked good. About 190cm and 95kg but quick and evasive. If he tackled you it would hurt ! He is a big lad at 19 years old.
Link.

 

[Horsebox]

Well I'd imagine it's par for the course that he wouldn't pick up the kicking straight away. It's a completely different style. Still though, looking at the other Irish lads in the AFL they seemed to get to grips with it reasonably well after plenty of practice. Also, I'd be very surprised if he isn't another 3/4 cm taller and 2/3 kg heavier than the estimation above. He's a very big guy for his age. I'm a bit surprised his running ability was highlighted. It's not something I'd have listed as a strength of his.