When will the penny drop for Cockatoo?

[David the Cat]

The first and the last lines werent great and probably made the original poster feel like crap - the rest of it was really well explained. But hey, i dont want to be accused of pretending to be a mod so will leave it with them.

Last line is gone....

 

[Frank Bunn]

Personally I'm not sure it ever will. I really like his intent, and athletically had some gifts many others would kill for. But just generally seems to lack game awareness, gets lost a lot, makes poor decisions a lot of the time. The kid, and yes I acknowledge that he is still a kid, missed the majority of his last two junior years with injuries and continues to miss now. 3rd year in the system id like to see a bit more than what we have the last couple of weeks.

He's exhibiting all the attributes of a young player with great potential. When will the penny drop for you?

 

[Two Planks]

Just like Motlop we are going to have to accept that for all the good things he does there is going to be the odd brain fade along the way. As long as the good continues to outweigh the bad he will be a very solid contributor in the next couple of years.

The player i still believe he can emulate is Dusty.

 

[freehat]

I think it's hilarious u kids talking sht about Cockatoo. U wouldn't say this sht to him in person, hes jacked. Not only that but he wears the freshest clothes, eats at the chillest restaurants, and hangs with the hottest dudes. Yall are pathetic lol.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

I think a stint at h/b where he can see ball and take off in a straight line might help his development.

 

[CatRiot]

He is an impact player. He won't accumulate large possession counts. He will have average similar stats to Cyril Rioli, and probably do the same amount of match-winning plays as him.

 

[witsend]

Did you give up on Bartel who was playing in the seconds at the same point in careers?

Cockatoos game awareness and decision making is excellent by the way. The worry with him is fitness and whether he can build up the stamina to play as a mid. Averaging more touches and more goals per game this year than Cyril by the way.

Who isn't?

 

[Seeds]

Disagree his game awareness needs a lot of work.

-Great physical attributes

-Doesnt get enough of the pill.

Does he get caught with the ball a lot? Nope and this is despite the fact he is more than willing to hold on to the ball and take on the tackler unlike most kids who dispose it as soon as they get it. Also makes some exceptional decisions that creates goals out of nothing. Pulls off a fantastic intercept every game now. You need great awareness to make those plays. Athletics doesn't get you there on its own. For his age I rate his awareness and vision elite. His main problem is fitness and kicking although his kicking has improved. Fitness is no where near where it has to be.

 

[ChookNorris]

3rd year is typically when a player begins to break out, should have mentioned this in the OP. I don't see this happening this year. Would anyone care to wager a top 10 bnf this year or next? Profile photo or sig?

 

[Catgirl]

I think it's hilarious u kids talking sht about Cockatoo. U wouldn't say this sht to him in person, hes jacked. Not only that but he wears the freshest clothes, eats at the chillest restaurants, and hangs with the hottest dudes. Yall are pathetic lol.

Hi Nakia

 

[The Unforgiven]

Hi Nakia

I was thinking Billie Smedts...

 

[Catsace]

Reckon he'll be fine. Some of his injuries have been a little strange, like broken thumb, his foot issue at times and did he also have an elbow or something too?

It's the start of his 3rd season, and he has amazing strength, he's already been to the tribunal once or twice...his picking up of Carlisle was quite astonishing. He was drafted high, but i do think if he gets a clear run at it with fitness he'll be a vital x-factor piece for our side, and all Premiership sides need to have something like that in the mix. he can take a mark, he's a nice long kick on the run, and one thing he's improved with significantly is set shot goalkicking...remember how he sprayed shots all over the park in his first year?

Patience i think will be rewarded, few players come in an dominate a la Selwood. But he has rare talent and once that is matched with fitness and experience he will be a vital piece for our team. To be honest, i feel he already is, he has pace that does add to our team, already in contrast to last season's side that looked ponderous and over-tall at times.

 

[Live in hope]

IMHO already one of our important players - his closing speed and tackling power are elite and are seriously worrisome to opposition mid fields and backs - you can literally see a degree of anticipated panic when they get possession with Nakia in the region. Worth equivalent of two other big bodied mids in this regard (see him playing "basketball deadlift" with Carlsie ?)

Has an X factor without question with ability to get 2 or 3 goals on a low possession day. I suspect he will soon start clunking some big marks unless Scott demands that he stays down.

A lock for the team, even at current output, but with massive upward potential.

 

[ChappyUK]

Personally I'm not sure it ever will. I really like his intent, and athletically had some gifts many others would kill for. But just generally seems to lack game awareness, gets lost a lot, makes poor decisions a lot of the time. The kid, and yes I acknowledge that he is still a kid, missed the majority of his last two junior years with injuries and continues to miss now. 3rd year in the system id like to see a bit more than what we have the last couple of weeks.

Probably been said but he's one of those players that is currently torn between what they know they can do and what is best for the team.

Once he knows he absolutely he belongs he'll rip the place to shreds.

Happened with Chappy. I remember Billy Brownless saying Chappy was a very shy character at first then one day after a big game Billy walked into the club and Chappy yelled out 'Billy!' He was finally comfortable and knew he belonged. Never looked back.

Cocky will get there.

 

[David the Cat]

patience...the kid....and he is a kid... is on track to be a star.

 

[Rockford]

IMHO already one of our important players - his closing speed and tackling power are elite and are seriously worrisome to opposition mid fields and backs - you can literally see a degree of anticipated panic when they get possession with Nakia in the region. Worth equivalent of two other big bodied mids in this regard (see him playing "basketball deadlift" with Carlsie ?)

Has an X factor without question with ability to get 2 or 3 goals on a low possession day. I suspect he will soon start clunking some big marks unless Scott demands that he stays down.

A lock for the team, even at current output, but with massive upward potential.

Exactly this. Just wait for an eventual breakout game and appreciate what he's doing in the meantime.

 

[ryzza11]

He is fine... he has only played 21 games and does amazing things.

 

[DanA]

Dangerfield didn't really break out until his 5th year of AFL football although the talent was obvious. I think it's the same with Cockatoo. At this stage of his career Danger was averaging about the same as Cockatoo and they're similar types of players IMO.

Patrick Dangerfield after 22 games:
13 disposals 2.2 tackles, 0.9 goals per game

Ablett Jnr after 22 games
12.5 disposals, 2.8 tackles, 1.0 goals per game

Nakia Cockatoo after 22 games:
10.7 disposals, 2.9 tackles, 1.3 goals a game

Not everybody is a Joel Selwood, you just look at the power he plays with, the speed and his ability to do the freakish and it's not what you see from normal players, it's obvious to me he's going to be one of the competition's elite players. Danger and Ablett are setting the bar too high but the point is even the best players can take time to adapt to the AFL system and there's nothing IMO to suggest Cockatoo has a ceiling on his ability.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I think it's hilarious u kids talking sht about Cockatoo. U wouldn't say this sht to him in person, hes jacked. Not only that but he wears the freshest clothes, eats at the chillest restaurants, and hangs with the hottest dudes. Yall are pathetic lol.

I do know one thing, his girlfriend is drop dead gorgeous.

 

[dazbroncos]

Its his 3rd year... and the first one was getting over the injury and he's been hurt again since.

The thirst for instant gratification in player development drives me batty sometimes. Players take time and the game is harder than ever.....

Tank, strength and experience all come with time.

IMO he will continue to build and become a very very good player- maybe great - but its still a year of two off for mine.

I just want to see the gaps between the brilliance continue to shorten..

GO Catters

 

[Ray Donovan]

Different type than CR but its a good comparison. They say CR has the most impact for the least amount of possessions. Well its sort of the same with Cockatoo.. but he add real beef to the pressure. We made a huge error (imo) not playing him in the finals last year. The VFL final showed what he is capable of in 5 -10 minutes.

From all the draft reports Cyril had a very poor fitness base at the draft combine and at scotch college. Read he had to work very hard at it at scotch to even run a passable beep test.

Get's described as literally just having freakish skills through the midfield and vertical jump. Which is clear now was very shy kid and a bit of a question mark if he would handle the AFL training levels. But why doubt pedigree I suppose.

I don't think cockatoo has those silky skills or reads the play quite as well as Cyril I think watching him play it's that real see ball get ball mentality going a 1000 miles an hour you can almost feel his energy watching him live. So will never be in that mould of really clever efficient small forward.

What he doe's have is the speed and agility and a real hunger for the contest. Very strong overhead and is definately going to worry any half back flanker ambling outside of defence. If he could get that tank up get some more time on a wing a few centre bounces will probably take a while to build him up fitness wise a few more pre - seasons.

He is a project player I actually think he is further along in his development than they thought he would be. Even with all the injuries I think he is that mix wells has been looking for ball winning ability like Allen christensen and the toughness of djerkka ( bang bang ) with the perfect physical attributes - the tank at present.

I think this will be a bit of a slower burn and frustrating at times but the payoff if it clicks is exciting

 

[Turbocat]

From all the draft reports Cyril had a very poor fitness base at the draft combine and at scotch college. Read he had to work very hard at it at scotch to even run a passable beep test.

Get's described as literally just having freakish skills through the midfield and vertical jump. Which is clear now was very shy kid and a bit of a question mark if he would handle the AFL training levels. But why doubt pedigree I suppose.

I don't think cockatoo has those silky skills or reads the play quite as well as Cyril I think watching him play it's that real see ball get ball mentality going a 1000 miles an hour you can almost feel his energy watching him live. So will never be in that mould of really clever efficient small forward.

What he doe's have is the speed and agility and a real hunger for the contest. Very strong overhead and is definately going to worry any half back flanker ambling outside of defence. If he could get that tank up get some more time on a wing a few centre bounces will probably take a while to build him up fitness wise a few more pre - seasons.

He is a project player I actually think he is further along in his development than they thought he would be. Even with all the injuries I think he is that mix wells has been looking for ball winning ability like Allen christensen and the toughness of djerkka ( bang bang ) with the perfect physical attributes - the tank at present.

I think this will be a bit of a slower burn and frustrating at times but the payoff if it clicks is exciting

Im not saying he is a clone by any means..but he is a HILP player like Rioli. Its interesting that player like Liam Ryan I think missed based on the criteria you attribute to Rioli.
I would say Cockatoo is more like Judd , he has the potential to burst away from a pack in a strong way , he is probably stronger overhead than Judd was but probably will never reach Judd's heights. If he can become a regular High Impact player even with a Low Possession count he could win may games for the Cats in 5-10 minutes of play.

 

[Ray Donovan]

Im not saying he is a clone by any means..but he is a HILP player like Rioli. Its interesting that player like Liam Ryan I think missed based on the criteria you attribute to Rioli.
I would say Cockatoo is more like Judd , he has the potential to burst away from a pack in a strong way , he is probably stronger overhead than Judd was but probably will never reach Judd's heights. If he can become a regular High Impact player even with a Low Possession count he could win may games for the Cats in 5-10 minutes of play.

I read about liam Ryan not even close to a comparison. As junior was rated in the top 3 playing state football as a junior and they dont just hand out scholarships at scotch. He was also one of the youngest to play very few bottom agers play. So junior star

I don't think so rioli was rated a top 7 in the country talent wise. And slid because of his draft camp his ability was unquestioned. May I add that his dedication to play AFL was unquestioned he moved to Melbourne on a scholarship at 14-15 one of his mentors was Michael long. His cousin went home after 3 weeks and he stayed by himself.

The only question was would he handle the extra training loads and attention afl football brings. Because his psych testing and evaluation was a major flunk one recruited described it as worst interview ever.

I don't see the Judd comparison chalk and cheese for mine. Just because a bloke has electric pace. Cockatoo is more a straight line operator has a sidestep but more likely to try and go through someone and break a tackle.

Judd is like ablett they have movement attributes and strength through the hips you can't teach.

I find it difficult to describe a rare few can run at full pace and turn at the same time that's why they are both so near impossible to tackle. And composure around clearances so you mesh those with strength through hips you get player attributes you very rarely see.

The best examples are when they are being chased from behind you can see them just swerve slightly to the right arch the back down a bit and the player behind generally struggles to change direction like that.

 

[Turbocat]

I read about liam Ryan not even close to a comparison. As junior was rated in the top 3 playing state football as a junior and they dont just hand out scholarships at scotch. He was also one of the youngest to play very few bottom agers play. So junior star

I don't think so rioli was rated a top 7 in the country talent wise. And slid because of his draft camp his ability was unquestioned. May I add that his dedication to play AFL was unquestioned he moved to Melbourne on a scholarship at 14-15 one of his mentors was Michael long. His cousin went home after 3 weeks and he stayed by himself.

The only question was would he handle the extra training loads and attention afl football brings. Because his psych testing and evaluation was a major flunk one recruited described it as worst interview ever.

I don't see the Judd comparison chalk and cheese for mine. Just because a bloke has electric pace. Cockatoo is more a straight line operator has a sidestep but more likely to try and go through someone and break a tackle.

Judd is like ablett they have movement attributes and strength through the hips you can't teach.

I find it difficult to describe a rare few can run at full pace and turn at the same time that's why they are both so near impossible to tackle. And composure around clearances so you mesh those with strength through hips you get player attributes you very rarely see.

The best examples are when they are being chased from behind you can see them just swerve slightly to the right arch the back down a bit and the player behind generally struggles to change direction like that.

You dont have to see the Judd comparison... just like you do not value my comparison of Ryan. You and all are entitled to their own opinion..its neither right or wrong its just opinion.

 

[scottydeewah]

Thread title makes it sound like it is an application problem with Nakia - all reports out of the club appear to be at odds with this idea.

Big game for the lad this week with Menzel out.

Not sure every player is going to be a ball magnet midfielder. HFF is a hard position to play, and it often takes those middling sized flankers/undersized key position players a little longer to find their groove. He actually reminds me more of a Goddard type than a Judd or Ablett. Has that size and strength to pinch hit at CHF/CHB but can realistically play almost every position on the ground. Still has a lot of development to go and just needs a clean run at it on the injury front.