Player Watch Zemes Pilot - Port Adelaide NGA

[davesnothere]

They’ll sort it out next year.

One thing you don’t want to to is put too much pressure on a developing body or expose him to a level that he hasn’t had the foundation laid for.

Dougie is having his minutes managed in the SANFL and that will work out ok.

 

[Malibu#27]

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A NINE-goal haul for Zemes Pilot has put further spotlight on the talented under-16s prospect two years out from his draft year.

Pilot, playing for South Adelaide in the SANFL's under-16s competition, booted a massive 9.4 from 27 disposals, six inside-50s and six tackles. He had opportunities to hit the 10-goal barrier late in the game but missed his shots.

Pilot is tied to Port Adelaide's Next Generation Academy and is eligible for the 2027 draft.

What the bidding rules look like in two years is up for debate, and clubs are also waiting to see if Tasmania's list build rules will give them any extra access to Academy and father-son players ahead of their 2027 draft hand before their proposed 2028 start in the AFL.

The Power have a number of players who are linked to the club in coming seasons, with Louis Salopek (son of Steven) and Tevita Rodan (son of David) eligible as father-sons in 2027.

The AFL is also still working through the Power's application for Dougie Cochrane, who starred recently on his senior debut in the SANFL, to be eligible as a NGA player in the 2026 draft. – Callum Twomey

 

[chiwigi]

Nahhh expose the kids as soon as possible to the faster game, ensure hand to foot is quick and the mind is quick. That is what ‘can’t’ be taught in a gym or training track, needs to be instilled at a young age.

You have to learn to do things in a slower environment before you can do them in a faster one.

To use a basketball analogy, where would be the best place to learn how to shoot 3's? The bbl where there is space to get the shot off and more opportunity to practice under pressure, or the NBA where there will be someone in your face immediately and you'll only get a quarter of the shots?

 

[RangaInTeal]

You have to learn to do things in a slower environment before you can do them in a faster one.

To use a basketball analogy, where would be the best place to learn how to shoot 3's? The bbl where there is space to get the shot off and more opportunity to practice under pressure, or the NBA where there will be someone in your face immediately and you'll only get a quarter of the shots?

The mechanics yes, no arguments there at all, game play and smarts get him against the men. Didn’t hurt Bradley, Anderson, Abber…

 

[chiwigi]

The mechanics yes, no arguments there at all, game play and smarts get him against the men. Didn’t hurt Bradley, Anderson, Abber…

Yeah, I see that too, let’s just hope we get the balance right if we are getting him.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Just about all elite talent, across all sports, are fast tracked once they are identified and health and injuries aren't an issue. No difference with Zemes.

 

[davesnothere]

My concern would be his physical conditioning.

He’s going to be 200cm he’s going to be solid. Really solid.

He’s 16.

While he’s an aerobic beast, bone density tendons, ligaments etc while he’s growing ?

Everything takes a while to catch up.

Just no rush.

There’s a point where you would like him to be when he’s 19 and you would like him to be sound when he gets there.

Same goes with Dougie.

 

[portforever]

My concern would be his physical conditioning.

He’s going to be 200cm he’s going to be solid. Really solid.

He’s 16.

While he’s an aerobic beast, bone density tendons, ligaments etc while he’s growing ?

Everything takes a while to catch up.

Just no rush.

There’s a point where you would like him to be when he’s 19 and you would like him to be sound when he gets there.

Same goes with Dougie.

I get the interest but now that changes are happening to the academies which will stop Port from picking up players in the first round, he will be lost presumably to some other bottom feeder afl club most likely victorian. Can anyone provide information on these changes and realistic possibilities of getting elite players in the academies now.

 

[Zakk Wylde]

I reckon it'll lie somewhere in the realm of using a pick in the same round as the bid....

Not trading back for points accumulation.

 

[davesnothere]

Too many clubs with too much to lose although I did laugh at Clarkson being interviewed last night complaining how hard it was for the bottom sides to get hold of top end talent.

 

[PortAdelFC1997]

Too many clubs with too much to lose although I did laugh at Clarkson being interviewed last night complaining how hard it was for the bottom sides to get hold of top end talent.

Can’t believe I’m saying this but look at how Adelaide developed their list in the last five years.

It’s a cop out for clubs to use the whole “compromised draft” for failing to improve and develop their high end draftees.

 

[davesnothere]

Can’t believe I’m saying this but look at how Adelaide developed their list in the last five years.

It’s a cop out for clubs to use the whole “compromised draft” for failing to improve and develop their high end draftees.

It sells the idea of tanking being the issue.

Crows are yet to do anything Port hasn’t.

We’ve won more games without tanking.

 

[VineValerian]

I get the interest but now that changes are happening to the academies which will stop Port from picking up players in the first round, he will be lost presumably to some other bottom feeder afl club most likely victorian. Can anyone provide information on these changes and realistic possibilities of getting elite players in the academies now.

This

 

[davesnothere]

This

Nobody has said anything about changing anything that isn’t just rumour and guess.

The clubs have made it clear they will shut the academy’s if 1st round access is blocked.

Won’t happen.

 

[It Just Is]

My concern would be his physical conditioning.

He’s going to be 200cm he’s going to be solid. Really solid.

He’s 16.

While he’s an aerobic beast, bone density tendons, ligaments etc while he’s growing ?

Everything takes a while to catch up.

Just no rush.

There’s a point where you would like him to be when he’s 19 and you would like him to be sound when he gets there.

Same goes with Dougie.

He’s playing under 16’s with a moustache. He isn’t growing much from his current height.

 

[philthy05]

He’s playing under 16’s with a moustache. He isn’t growing much from his current height.

Yeah I’m amazed how often people here read heights of kids and seem to extrapolate out to “he’s gonna be 200cm” or whatever.

It’s doesn’t work that way at all.

Most people barely grow after 16. Some do. Some grow late. There’s zero way to know, but yeah, massive growth spurts after 16 are pretty rare.

I’m one of the exceptions. I prob grew 7-10cms between 16-18 lol. but I ate my body weight a day in my teens.

 

[davesnothere]

He’s playing under 16’s with a moustache. He isn’t growing much from his current height.

Known a few who hit puberty earlier than most. They kept growing.

“Having a mustache at 15 years old is not uncommon and is usually a sign of puberty, which can vary significantly from person to person. The presence of facial hair is typically linked to hormonal changes, particularly an increase in testosterone.

Regarding height, having a mustache or other signs of puberty does not directly affect your growth in height. Growth in height is primarily determined by genetics, nutrition, and overall health. Most individuals continue to grow taller during their teenage years, and growth plates in the bones usually close after puberty“

 

[davesnothere]

Ok

4.2

25 disposals

7 inside 50s

4 marks ( doesn’t mind working for the ball)

5 clearances.

 

[Rash]

Ok

4.2

25 disposals

7 inside 50s

4 marks ( doesn’t mind working for the ball)

5 clearances.

Absolute piss taker he is

 

[Young Gun #6]

Dodgy ****ing AFL better not take him away from us.

 

[Ant Bear]

 

[rignanv]

Ok

4.2

25 disposals

7 inside 50s

4 marks ( doesn’t mind working for the ball)

5 clearances.

Was this under 16s or 18s? I'm assuming a final as well?

 

[Rash]

Was this under 16s or 18s? I'm assuming a final as well?

u16 elim final

 

[Papa G]

Too many clubs with too much to lose although I did laugh at Clarkson being interviewed last night complaining how hard it was for the bottom sides to get hold of top end talent.

For a shit heap club like Norf he's probably right. One of the few advantages we/ Crows have is that if a top end talent wants to come back to SA there's only 2 choices. See JHF, Dawson, Rankine. No Victorian player of that calibre is picking Norf.

 

[all seeing eye]

Going to be a star for Tassie unfrtunately.