WA Draft Standing

[WAFLfan1969]

Does anyone know results of the WA State Combine Testing?

 

[clipboardbinocs]

Houghton is a fair comparison for Garstone. I'd be happy to take him late in the rookie draft, even if just to see if he being in an AFL environment for a year gets him to put it all together. The pure talent looks to be there, even if the workrate isn't. You're not going to get much better at the back end of the rookie draft, so I'd give him a year like Fremantle did with Alex Howson.

Howson could afford to be lazy, he was explosive off the mark, Garstone doesn't have the same speed, not exactly a Hogan in the air, just a bit "meh"

Watched enough of Abbott before he went down south, question is not on his football ability . It's application and choices.
His left boot is sensational, he enjoys running in straight lines and he's not afraid of throwing his plentiful weight around.

Plays predominantly off the back flank simply because his tank is non existent.

 

[the doc]

I know that a number of clubs very interested in woods from Subi, where do you feel he sits with the wa boys?

 

[WAFLfan1969]

I agree with the first two. Difficult to see where everyone else is going to fall, I'll compare once you're finished.

TJ what happened to you giving us your thoughts? I'd like to read them

 

[clipboardbinocs]

I know that a number of clubs very interested in woods from Subi, where do you feel he sits with the wa boys?

I think he showed some really solid attributes when he made his league debut, has been kicking bags for the past two seasons at colts level with an open 50.

Strong set of hands overhead, my concerns with Wood is his frame, it's a tiny base. His shoulders have minimal width, for me, you need a decent frame to be able to put on the kilos.

Just think he might fall into that tweener brigade.

I absolutely love his field kicking though, does not waste the footy, may slot into a side as a creative half forward who can push deep to expose a defender, haven't seen him play anywhere else but forward.

 

[Obeanie1]

13. Steven Edwards

This kid started like a bat out of hell, his pre-season and first 5 games of the season were outstanding, absolute quality. Another Albany lad, Steven toyed with his opponents running off the half back line, he sold candy in bulk, ran away from opponents and delivered some beautifully weighted kicks to running players heading toward goal. He was outstanding.

And then it stopped, almost as if someone flicked the off button on his jet pack. I'm not buying it. This boy has the potential to be an outstanding offensive half back flanker. His ball use by foot in particular is first class, just a smooth moving, agile offensive minded sweeper. I really do rate his kicking, picks out his targets very early in the piece and decides where he wants the player to run to, a skill in itself.

Now, some will say he just couldn't cope with attention after his outstanding start, I don't buy it, I think he was playing within himself, for whatever reason. Needs to improve his defensive game, lay more tackles and look to physically impose himself on more contests rather than consistently look to put the ball out in space, but I don't think he's totally against winning his own ball.

A genuine smokey for me, I wouldn't be surprised to see him snaffled up earlier than many think.

That sounds like a WA side said whooo boy settle down we are going to draft you with a late pick so stop making waves and looking so good to attract interstate interest.

 

[tigs2010]

clipboardbinocs What are your thoughts on Richard Bourne?

 

[clipboardbinocs]

clipboardbinocs What are your thoughts on Richard Bourne?

He's a freak are my thoughts.

He's got freakishly long arms, is ambidextrous, hand and foot. Has elite top end speed and acceleration, top that off with high class foot skills and you'd think you've got a top draft pick.

My issue with Richie is that he's soft, he just doesn't want to get involved physically whether it be winning his own ball or shutting someone down by applying physical/tackling pressure. He just wants it in space.

The way the game has gone recently he could potentially be a weapon like Jetta, if he turns you around its game over.

He's got a lot of weapons though, I just think it's tough to inject a heart into a player who's developed outside traits over an extended period. Tends to drift out of games too easily. Let himself down at the carnival against the better teams.

 

[tigs2010]

He's a freak are my thoughts.

He's got freakishly long arms, is ambidextrous, hand and foot. Has elite top end speed and acceleration, top that off with high class foot skills and you'd think you've got a top draft pick.

My issue with Richie is that he's soft, he just doesn't want to get involved physically whether it be winning his own ball or shutting someone down by applying physical/tackling pressure. He just wants it in space.

The way the game has gone recently he could potentially be a weapon like Jetta, if he turns you around its game over.

He's got a lot of weapons though, I just think it's tough to inject a heart into a player who's developed outside traits over an extended period. Tends to drift out of games too easily. Let himself down at the carnival against the better teams.

pretty much mirrors my thoughts. He has longer arms than Krakouer and was it Roger Hayden for you guys? I mentioned him in PM to a few Richmond fans on here. The issue is I don't think Richmond will take a kid whose 61kg. I wonder how he'd go with some more weight. I'd only seen minimal amounts of him though so thanks for the info.

Finally where in WA is he from exactly? Is he a country or city kid?

 

[Masto]

Bourne reminds me of Lewis Broome. The kid can play. His issue is will he ever be able to bulk up. If he does he'll be a player.

 

[tigs2010]

Bourne reminds me of Lewis Broome. The kid can play. His issue is will he ever be able to bulk up. If he does he'll be a player.

Wasn't Broome a complete midget as well as being a scrawny kid?

 

[Masto]

Wasn't Broome a complete midget as well as being a scrawny kid?

Yes. He was 170cm but could never put on any weight. Bourne is about 178cm I think so a little more hope for him.

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Broome actually had a torso though.

 

[WAFLfan1969]

Clipboard what are your thoughts in Sam Garstone from Perth Colts? Got an invite to National Combine but is t getting mentioned much on these forums

 

[mattyc75]

did you manage to catch any of brenden abbotts games?Looks like a solid unit.could he be a shot at getting on a list?

 

[jono18]

No mention on Dayle Garlett. Do you not rate him or did I miss him?

 

[RGDW]

Great right up and insight into the WA boys (more so of the lesser know prospects).

Wanted to ask you about Rowen Powell. I haven't seen him play (just saw the snipet on the afl website). He seems like a likely prospect from your description. How do you rate him compared to the WA defenders that played at the champs like Vandeleur and Barrass?

 

[clipboardbinocs]

Clipboard what are your thoughts in Sam Garstone from Perth Colts? Got an invite to National Combine but is t getting mentioned much on these forums

See my thoughts earlier on Garstone.

 

[clipboardbinocs]

No mention on Dayle Garlett. Do you not rate him or did I miss him?

I rate him on talent as a top 10 pick.

But I don't see a club other than perhaps a Sydney or St Kilda taking a punt.

I don't think he has any idea of the behaviours required to get into the AFL system.

 

[Quigley]

Great job here clip btw. Really interesting read and I am making sure I read all your stuff when I write up a WA kid.

I am not sure how many I will end up including as I didn't really rate the WA crop this year although I have to say I thought they were more competitive at the Champs than I was expecting. If Hogan, Martin and Robertson had been in there they might have given it a real shake.

 

[clipboardbinocs]

I was surprised at how competitive WA were as well to be honest.

A few boys stood really well outside of Sheed, I was surprised by the performance of the likes of Mcarthy, Hodgson and Cripps in particular, gives me hope a few more than I had imagined will get a contract, though I do think the underaged players were very good.

Waterman and Smith in particular performed really well.

WA will be tough to beat next year IMO.

 

[yakamoto]

How do you rate Alir Alir ClipBB? Looked to have the attributes of a good running tall defender in the U18 game I watched.

 

[clipboardbinocs]

Not for me.

 

[clipboardbinocs]

Not for me either, don't think either are AFL quality.