Where's Aaron Young at?

[Portmanteau]

(I wanted to make this thread before the proliferation of individual player threads, so please bear with me.)

The 'forgotten man' of the squad? Young has not seemed close to selection so far this year, after playing 12 AFL games last year.

He was transferred from North Adelaide to the Port Adelaide Magpies after a 41 possession, 3 goal best on ground performance in round 2 of the SANFL. Since playing for the Magpies he has played 5 games for an average of 16.2 disposals and kicked 1 goal.

So when does he come into calculations? Does he need to be racking up 20+ disposals a game before he is considered? Personally, Young has always struck me as a 'busy' player, one that is constantly on the move and can be involved multiple times in possession chains. In other words, he has some of the traits that are quite suited to the modern AFL player. I view him as as a link man running on the wing, who while doesn't have the same skill set, is probably competing for the positions held in the team by Kane Cornes and Matthew Broadbent.

No doubt he is still a fair way away from a berth in the AFL team, but I think he can add something when he comes in. It would be interesting to see how he would have gone in the 5-0 run. In fact, his energy on the field is something that could easily be injected to reinvigorate the team that has been far too static and lacking creativity for a month.

 

[Portia]

Trade bait

 

[DonDynamite]

I personally really rate Young. Energy and creativity are the keywords you used there, he has those in spades, he'll bust his gut every time he gets on the park. I would love to see him potentially in but I'm not sure if his SANFL form has ultimately convinced Ken and co to drop a Broadbent, Cornes or Mitchell for him just yet.

 

[Doctor Feel]

Not sure really, I like the kid.

 

[Zakk Wylde]

Doesn't excite me... Would love him to come on however..

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Think he would make an interesting sub. Looks quick but isn't, but plays a high energy game that could exploit tiring opponents.

 

[Schulzenfest]

Seems like every year we have a promising young player who has a crap pre-season, everybody says 'it's only the preseason', but then that player misses AFL selection and struggles to get his place back. It's been guys like Lower and Thomson in the past, last year it was Mitch Banner, and I remember saying this year that I hope Young isn't this year's Banner. Unfortunately it looks like he might be.

I like Young, I think he has something to offer at AFL level. Problem is that he's at the wrong club. We have Wingard, Gray, Monfries, Westhoff, P. Stew, Neade, Mitchell, Hitchcock, Thomas and Brettbert (although those one or two of those last few might not be on our list next year) who are all suited to that HFF/mid rotating role, and even Andrew Moore tends to perform better off of a half forward flank than he does as a midfielder. We also have Newton and Ah Chee developing in the SANFL who are suited to that role. It's difficult to see where Young fits in to our side. I'd be sad to see him go, but Portia's trade bait suggestion might have some merit.

 

[Sewer de Lance]

Seems like every year we have a promising young player who has a crap pre-season, everybody says 'it's only the preseason', but then that player misses AFL selection and struggles to get his place back. It's been guys like Lower and Thomson in the past, last year it was Mitch Banner, and I remember saying this year that I hope Young isn't this year's Banner. Unfortunately it looks like he might be.

I like Young, I think he has something to offer at AFL level. Problem is that he's at the wrong club. We have Wingard, Gray, Monfries, Westhoff, P. Stew, Neade, Mitchell, Hitchcock, Thomas and Brettbert (although those one or two of those last few might not be on our list next year) who are all suited to that HFF/mid rotating role, and even Andrew Moore tends to perform better off of a half forward flank than he does as a midfielder. We also have Newton and Ah Chee developing in the SANFL who are suited to that role. It's difficult to see where Young fits in to our side. I'd be sad to see him go, but Portia's trade bait suggestion might have some merit.

Yeah, tend to agree with your sentiments about Young. We have enough players on our list who have similar game styles, which probably doesn't say a lot about our recruiting over the last 5 years or so.

I also think his energy around the ground is his main weapon, but energy isn't enough unless your someone like Max Rooke. Now thats the type of player I would really like to see on our list. Didn't have the greatest set of skills, but damn I loved watching him play.

 

[b0ydman]

Who?
I'm not even kidding.
if he can't get a game ahead of colhoun, Logan and Thomas ( I just had an omfg moment typing those two names) he's not even in consideration.
trade/ cut

It, he has something to offer but ken though those two plodders could help us beat Geelong.

So either ken has him on the axe list, or, ken is an idiot

 

[b0ydman]

Look at our good players?
Did they "come on", or were they good from day 1.

Wines and wingard prove you either are or aren't good from day 1.

Broadbent was my hope that players develop but clearly he was medicated last year and the essendon thing has scared him because he is a seriously sh1t player this year.

If young is older than 19.5 years, and not a kpp potential at 190 cm....forget about him.

Won't come on, won't make it.

they rarely, very rarely, do

 

[It Just Is]

Had very high hopes for Young on the back of last year, even in the nab cup he looked ready to kick on, but he's stagnated badly in the last 8 weeks. Needs to get the spark back into his game, maybe the thought of being traded to St Kilda, Bulldogs or Melbourne will do that for him.

 

[philthy05]

was a pick 35(ish) , and is still very young.

did come up to afl level but lost his spot when we had fierce competition and has had average form (not terrible form) since going over to the magpies.

i like that he is going to have to spend more time at sanfl level to earn his spot. if he makes it , sweet , if not then big deal. its not like he has been given daniel stewert or tom logan type centuries to make it on our list.

 

[Macca19]

I'd like to see what he can do as an inside mid. Seems to have good inside traits, can stand up in a tackle, one grabs the ball, gets arms free regularly. I hope he gets back in the side soon

 

[Mr39]

From what I saw of preseason training, he didn't get much work in through the summer. 2013 could very well be a write off.

 

[SupportMe]

Trade bait

As steak knives for a bigger deal?

 

[Chrizzt]

Like him, think he plays with a fair bit of spirit and passion. Probably fighting with Monfries and Wingard for a spot though. Wouldn't mind trading him, but I would like a fair bit for him as I think at the very least he's quite a good depth player.
Definitely needs to show more in the SANFL though to be considered.

 

[Portmanteau]

Bump.

Where is he at now? Or to be precise, where isn't he not at?

Could he be the Lionel Richie to the "we need pacy, linebreaking midfielder(s)" request?

 

[PJ Power]

To me, he looks every bit an AFL player and we are foolish if we make the same mistake early next year of being seduced into playing fresh new rookies ahead of him just for the sake of speed or excitement.

Young is deceptively strong, poised, evasive and better than average with his decision making and finishing.

He showed at a couple of centre square stoppages last night, that he can be a clearance midfielder as well.

 

[*PAF]

Didn't know what to think of him but after the last two games there is a lot to like.

 

[BornPort]

Another talent to add to the growing list.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Bump.

Where is he at now? Or to be precise, where isn't he not at?

Could he be the Lionel Richie to the "we need pacy, linebreaking midfielder(s)" request?

He's not on the trade bait list any more I would have thought.

He's not a pacy line-breaking midfielder, he is deceptively slow. But he has a good footy brain and as others have mentioned is surprisingly strong despite his wiry frame, can stand up in a tackle, get his arms free and dish off. Gets in good positions and isn't afraid to take a shot.

He was looking like another Greg Bentley for a while but like Andrew Moore looks to have taken a step or two forward under the new regime.

It would be good if he and Newton can step up after some unfavourable comparisons to players taken around them in the draft.

 

[Forzaport]

Is definitely AFL calibre but will struggle to make our 22 - perfect trade option for us and should net us a decent pick - if we're being ruthless.

 

[PJ Power]

I think he can fit into our 22 playing the high HF role.
I'd have him in before Mitchell and at this stage before Neade.
Let's not forget that places in our 22 may be more open next year if we have a tougher run with injuries.

 

[tboak]

He has really put some core strength on, he couldn't break those tackles last year and his pace was exposed. Liked his game last night, has a future

 

[sog35]

The benefit I see in playing Young is his size. Paying Neade, Mitchell and ; , makes a small team. Replace one for a KPF and start Young on the ground in a high HF. Adds some true flexibility to the team. His development could lead us to offering some one like Paul Stewart up. Not something I'd be keen on doing but we'll need to be a seller at some point. Most successful teams will shed the 18-25th selected players to allow for the players personal opportunities, bring in other youngsters, balance the cap and pick up additional picks to use (hopefully wisely)