Young guns report

[DanA]

Guys, Ranga might be a player but we don't know yet. Let's not get too caught up in the hype of a guy who's never played genuine senior footy. He isn't that tall or super-quick, while his skills have a lil way to go from reports.

If we rookie him, we can develop him for a year or so and then see if he's worth elevating. Pretty sure you'll find that's what we'll do. That way we keep others' mits off him but keep him at the Cattery.

We can then draft others - after all, this is the last good crack at a draft for a bit.

As for de-listing Hogan, that is an absurd suggestion. Word is he is a real keeper.

It's only his second year and he was an emergency earlier this year. Sheez, cut the kid some slack. He's trying to break into the best team in the country.

I'm sorry but putting him on the rookie list defies logic. Why the hell would he accept a rookie listing position if he is worth a 1st or 2nd round pick? He'd have to have the shittest negotiator in the world as his manager to accept that. It's basically forfeiting 50% of his salary plus potential match payments.

As for him being unproven at senior level that's pretty much the case for 70% of 1st round pick anyway.

Regarding Hogan. AFL rules require us to draft a minimum of three players. Most people are reluctantly saying he is the 3rd choice to delist. David Johnson, Tenace are first two and then we have a choice of players coming out of contract. They are Hogan, West and Djerkurra.

 

[DanA]

"The AFL has tight controls over the player lists of each club. Each club can have a senior list of 38 players plus up to six rookie or veteran players."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Football_League#Playing_lists

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Curious to know your thoughts on Dan McKenna. I played cricket with him in Gippsland and am keen to see him push on with you guys. Great kid with a very steady head on his shoulders. Just wondering what your thoughts are of him and how he is progressing???

 

[DanA]

Curious to know your thoughts on Dan McKenna. I played cricket with him in Gippsland and am keen to see him push on with you guys. Great kid with a very steady head on his shoulders. Just wondering what your thoughts are of him and how he is progressing???

I certainly am not disappointed we took him late in the draft. Big ask for a kid to hold down CHB in the VFL though and he hasn't really stood out when I have seen them. Too early to tell IMO but my 2c are that if he can get his body up to AFL size then he is a smart enough player to make it in the AFL.

 

[GARY JNR]

I'm sorry but putting him on the rookie list defies logic. 1) Why the hell would he accept a rookie listing position if he is worth a 1st or 2nd round pick? He'd have to have the shittest negotiator in the world as his manager to accept that. It's basically forfeiting 50% of his salary plus potential match payments.

As for him being unproven at senior level that's pretty much the case for 70% of 1st round pick anyway.

Regarding Hogan. AFL rules require us to draft a minimum of three players. 2) Most people are reluctantly saying he is the 3rd choice to delist. David Johnson, Tenace are first two and then we have a choice of players coming out of contract. They are Hogan, West and Djerkurra.

1) Cats have first crack at him, and have shown faith in him from the start. Also, rookies get 40K or something, so he wouldn't be going too bad if he got rookied. As for him possibly being a 1st or 2nd round pick ... pffffft. Dunno where you're getting your info from Dan A, but he's not in that ballpark.

Also, if we can nab him w a rookie spot we thereby keep him in our net but also allows us to keep a draft pick open without using it on a player that theoretically we already have. The Cats will explain that to him. They'll say, 'Look mate, you're not ready to play senior footy next year, come down and we'll develop you for a year with a view to possibly elevating you'.

After the good faith the Cats have showed the past couple of years, the guy will feel some loyalty to the club.

If you think about it, it makes sense.

I agree that most guys in the draft are unproven at senior level, but I was just saying that a lot of ppl seem to be getting super excited about this kid when he hasn't really achieved a lot. I've heard from ppl up north that he's not at the same level Craig Bird was last year. He hasn't been playing the game as long, but, make of that (their opinion) what you will.

2) Who are these most people? Your mates? Most Geelong supporters? Really, unless it's Bomber, Balmey and co, their opinions count for squat. Hogan is in his second year. Second!!! And he's been going well in the twos and showing signs of becoming a pretty decent player.

 

[proboy]

RIght on GAZ JNR, i'm with you all the way, ranga hasn't even got the fitness base of hogan so why senior list him

 

[DanA]

1) Cats have first crack at him, and have shown faith in him from the start. Also, rookies get 40K or something, so he wouldn't be going too bad if he got rookied. As for him possibly being a 1st or 2nd round pick ... pffffft. Dunno where you're getting your info from Dan A, but he's not in that ballpark.

Also, if we can nab him w a rookie spot we thereby keep him in our net but also allows us to keep a draft pick open without using it on a player that theoretically we already have. The Cats will explain that to him. They'll say, 'Look mate, you're not ready to play senior footy next year, come down and we'll develop you for a year with a view to possibly elevating you'.

After the good faith the Cats have showed the past couple of years, the guy will feel some loyalty to the club.

If you think about it, it makes sense.

I agree that most guys in the draft are unproven at senior level, but I was just saying that a lot of ppl seem to be getting super excited about this kid when he hasn't really achieved a lot. I've heard from ppl up north that he's not at the same level Craig Bird was last year. He hasn't been playing the game as long, but, make of that (their opinion) what you will.

2) Who are these most people? Your mates? Most Geelong supporters? Really, unless it's Bomber, Balmey and co, their opinions count for squat. Hogan is in his second year. Second!!! And he's been going well in the twos and showing signs of becoming a pretty decent player.

You contradict yourself. You offer your opinion very matter of factly and then berate mine because I'm not Bomber or Neil Balme? Is your mate up North Balmey or Bomber is it?

I not Stephen Wells but I can tell you he has averaged the most clearance, possessions and inside 50's in the entire U18 carnival. He was far and away the standout for NSW before he did a hammy this year and was also the standout for DIV 2 last year (behind Rioli).

Every report I have seen from the media has stated that Geelong have scored a bargain with Ranga. 40K is about half what he would earn on the senior list. He could be rookie'd but I can't understand why a player would take half the wage he can get if he is drafted.

 

[themuddy#3]

Djerkurra - Tough as nails, brutal tackler who never gives up with solid though not exceptional skills, a mini Rooke with perhaps a bit more X factor. His weakness is definitely his height. I would expect him to follow a similar path of development to Stokes eventually making the team as a consistent performer first as a forward and then rotating into the middle.

Davenport - Uses his massive motor and is very creative running forward of the ball. Can cut up the opposition when not tagged. Like the 2008 Robert Harvey he is not great at winning hardball ball gets and kicks floaters but seems to always choose the right options.


Hogan - One of the best runners in the AFL and has improved on last year in his ability to win contested ball. Solid across the board in all areas of the game however is still too light to be considered for AFL selection. Has the capacity to play as a poor man's Ryan O'keefe IMO. lot to like about him and I'd prefer to hold him than take a kid in the 3rd round but with spots on the cats list at a premium he might struggle to stay on the list.

Donohue - Smart, strong, versitile small with good skills and good decision making, he can lock down on his man and has shown an ability to run off his opponent and create. To be honest I don't really see a weakness, he just needs to further develop across the board. IMO plays a similar game to Adcock.

D.Simpson - Giant, big bodied ruckmen who has above average skills for someone his size and can take a mark. IMO has struggled to adapt to the VFL and looks slow and lumbers around the field a little lost. Looks a little like Sandilands did in his first year and needs another preseason to improve his athleticism and gain some confidence before you can really judge him.

B.Moles - Mature aged rookie who can play forward or in the middle. Stand out as a player that can pick up the ball at full tilt and break tackles. He has an eye for a goal and shows flashes of brilliance. Has a tendency to fade in and out of games which could indicate a poor motor. At 23 years of age he's not getting any younger but I would definitely promote him at the end of the year onto the senior list.

Scott Simpson - Very hard working on the field, he continually presents an option. with clean hands overhead. A CHF option in the vain of Ashley Hansen (minus the injuries). A good future prospect

Those are the players I like and a comparison in style (not ability) to a current AFL player.

this post is pretty much what i was too lazy/ignorant to say. ones to look out for are Donahue and davenport

 

[shake_and_bake]

this post is pretty much what i was too lazy/ignorant to say. ones to look out for are Donahue and davenport

what about scott simpson?? kid will be a star i reakon!! and why donohue and davenport? davenport i dont think will get a game anytime soon so i dunno how much longer he will be around.

 

[thejester]

Sorry, but if you're worried about Ranga 'not being a player' than you may as well abandon the idea of drafting from the U/18s and just trawl senior state footy. By all accounts is built like a tank, has a massive engine and is a magnet for contested footy. He's captained his state side and is their clear standout. What more do you want?