- Nov 23, 2015
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Phoenix Gothard
Height: 178cm
Weight: 72kg
D.O.B: 07-09-2005
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
SNAPSHOT: “One of the draft’s most athletically gifted players, Phoenix Gothard is a creative force up forward with his ability to get into space and put speed on the ball.”
Hailing from Albury, Gothard was able to show his wares for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League, while also being linked to the Allies for the National Championships. He played a key hand for the Bushies in the forward half, able to make the most of his opportunities inside 50, but also capable of pushing up the ground and showing off his disposal skill heading forward. Gothard showed flashes of brilliance for the Allies, playing all four games in their title-winning run. He averaged 10 touches and a goal at representative level, while putting up 16 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal per his 10 Talent League outings.
STRENGTHS:
In the Championship-winning Allies side, Gothard was able to play inside 50 for larger chunks of games than in the Talent League, able to make the most of his opportunities when the ball hit the deck with his manic attack on it, and strong defensive application to lay tackles or apply pressure. Although his statline was not quite as eye catching as it was at Talent League level, Gothard adapted to the level seamlessly, playing his role well throughout.
Arguably Gothard's most appealing trait as a prospect is his athleticism, testing excellently for agility, speed and leap. His ability to utilise all three of these on field has improved throughout the season, as he gradually pushed further up the ground and backed himself to weave out of traffic, or take on opposition players one-on-one in foot races heading forward. Along with this improvement saw a more sustained impact on games, where teammates would often look for him out in space and give him the opportunity to run onto the ball, and better utilise his disposal skill free of pressure.
Gothard’s defensive game is another aspect that has evolved as the season has progressed, bringing opponents to ground more consistently the later into the season it got, and gradually building up his urgency to apply pressure or get to opposition in possession, almost working just as hard defensively as he does offensively.
SUMMARY:
In a draft which lacks depth of talent, Gothard’s natural ability and room for improvement makes him an attractive prospect. He has the athleticism required of exciting modern-day smalls, and is clever enough with his possessions to suggest he can adjust to the speed of higher levels. At AFL Level, Gothard has some work to do in regards to his strength, particularly in the contest where he can be pushed off the footy, to give him a better opportunity to consistently win the ball and impact the game. Along with this, hitting the scoreboard more often, or converting some more of his ‘gettable’ goals, would round out his game nicely as a forward half player. In the way of consistency, enhancing his four-quarter impact and turning promising patches into long stints will allow him to have a greater impact - teams want the ball in his hands.
What National Recruiting Manager Adrian Caruso says: “Phoenix is a small forward that we feel is a great fit for us. He plays in a way that suits the style we have adopted over the past 12 months, and he has attributes to succeed at the next level. Given it was his first year in the program this year we feel he will go to another level when in a full-time environment.”
Height: 178cm
Weight: 72kg
D.O.B: 07-09-2005
Leagues: AFL U18 Championships, Coates Talent League Boys
SNAPSHOT: “One of the draft’s most athletically gifted players, Phoenix Gothard is a creative force up forward with his ability to get into space and put speed on the ball.”
Hailing from Albury, Gothard was able to show his wares for the Murray Bushrangers in the Coates Talent League, while also being linked to the Allies for the National Championships. He played a key hand for the Bushies in the forward half, able to make the most of his opportunities inside 50, but also capable of pushing up the ground and showing off his disposal skill heading forward. Gothard showed flashes of brilliance for the Allies, playing all four games in their title-winning run. He averaged 10 touches and a goal at representative level, while putting up 16 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal per his 10 Talent League outings.
STRENGTHS:
- Athleticism
- Creativity
- Forward craft
- Ground balls
- Tackling
- Strength
- Four-quarter consistency
In the Championship-winning Allies side, Gothard was able to play inside 50 for larger chunks of games than in the Talent League, able to make the most of his opportunities when the ball hit the deck with his manic attack on it, and strong defensive application to lay tackles or apply pressure. Although his statline was not quite as eye catching as it was at Talent League level, Gothard adapted to the level seamlessly, playing his role well throughout.
Arguably Gothard's most appealing trait as a prospect is his athleticism, testing excellently for agility, speed and leap. His ability to utilise all three of these on field has improved throughout the season, as he gradually pushed further up the ground and backed himself to weave out of traffic, or take on opposition players one-on-one in foot races heading forward. Along with this improvement saw a more sustained impact on games, where teammates would often look for him out in space and give him the opportunity to run onto the ball, and better utilise his disposal skill free of pressure.
Gothard’s defensive game is another aspect that has evolved as the season has progressed, bringing opponents to ground more consistently the later into the season it got, and gradually building up his urgency to apply pressure or get to opposition in possession, almost working just as hard defensively as he does offensively.
SUMMARY:
In a draft which lacks depth of talent, Gothard’s natural ability and room for improvement makes him an attractive prospect. He has the athleticism required of exciting modern-day smalls, and is clever enough with his possessions to suggest he can adjust to the speed of higher levels. At AFL Level, Gothard has some work to do in regards to his strength, particularly in the contest where he can be pushed off the footy, to give him a better opportunity to consistently win the ball and impact the game. Along with this, hitting the scoreboard more often, or converting some more of his ‘gettable’ goals, would round out his game nicely as a forward half player. In the way of consistency, enhancing his four-quarter impact and turning promising patches into long stints will allow him to have a greater impact - teams want the ball in his hands.
What National Recruiting Manager Adrian Caruso says: “Phoenix is a small forward that we feel is a great fit for us. He plays in a way that suits the style we have adopted over the past 12 months, and he has attributes to succeed at the next level. Given it was his first year in the program this year we feel he will go to another level when in a full-time environment.”
