Player Watch #24 Taj Hotton

[Calcium Man]

I think it does matter though that Cripps and Bont ran similar times. It means that if you're that good the pace won't be a factor.

What I’m saying is that Cripps and Bont
still had significant development in their pace (and aerobic capacity) once they arrived at afl level. Cripps has talked about this

Langford’s had all year to improve his speed as he knew it was question mark and it was exactly the same. Im not saying he won’t make it at afl, I definitely think he will.

I just question how much development he has to improve his pace, when he has significantly improved his aerobic capscity over the season, and I don’t think it compares to how much Bont and Cripps could improve once being drafted.

I still would take him 6th in draft but his pace put him as the last of the top line mids to take for mine.

 

[tigerfan1961]

What I’m saying is that Cripps and Bont
still had significant development in their pace (and aerobic capacity) once they arrived at afl level. Cripps has talked about this

Langford’s had all year to improve his speed as he knew it was question mark and it was exactly the same. Im not saying he won’t make it at afl, I definitely think he will.

I just question how much development he has to improve his pace, when he has significantly improved his aerobic capscity over the season, and I don’t think it compares to how much Bont and Cripps could improve once being drafted.

I still would take him 6th in draft but his pace put him as the last of the top line mids to take for mine.

Thank God the Shemons did, as I’m sure we would have taken him if Smillie was gone

 

[dirtybizza]

This kids gonna be a star. A steal at 12

 

[59Stanley]

I think it does matter though that Cripps and Bont ran similar times. It means that if you're that good the pace won't be a factor.

Pace for mids is a massive factor those first few steps are crucial. Langfords pace is a big worry but his game is very good at jnr level

 

[Azzleberry]

Absolutely the right pick
Allen was the worry, didn't feel like we needed that type after Sammy & Josh. The only other consideration was Berry but think that's an easier type to pickup in both FA or with mid first rounders every year- not many with the ceiling of Taj get out of the top 10

 

[Grrr]

Watched a video yesterday and evidently Hotton's 20m time preseason would have been top 2 or 3 in this draft combine in Sept, 2nd in the running vertical leap and he would have won the agility test. A bit from memory, but something like that.

 

[4tune8]

Watched a video yesterday and evidently Hotton's 20m time preseason would have been top 2 or 3 in this draft combine in Sept, 2nd in the running vertical leap and he would have won the agility test. A bit from memory, but something like that.

Correct, the below from the RMC site.


Few others compare to Hotton in the way of all-round athleticism. Putting his preseason testing numbers against the best of the National Draft Combine, Hotton would have placed third in the 20-metre sprint (2.882 seconds), second for the running vertical jump (93cm), and first in the agility test (7.807 seconds). Not only does he implement each facet into his game on-field, but they are all genuine strengths.

 

[tigs2010]

Not only does he implement each facet into his game on-field, but they are all genuine strengths.

The numbers are amazing but this is the most important part. He actually uses the traits.

 

[4tune8]

The numbers are amazing but this is the most important part. He actually uses the traits.

For sure, others seem to test well for speed for example but they don't drive their legs with power to utilise it. This bloke looks like he's a top speed within a few steps, then run rings around oppos using his agility and a genuine leap that has him standing on heads.

No wonder he did an ACL

 

[Grrr]

For sure, others seem to test well for speed for example but they don't drive their legs with power to utilise it. This bloke looks like he's a top speed within a few steps, then run rings around oppos using his agility and a genuine leap that has him standing on heads.

No wonder he did an ACL

You had to go and ruin a perfectly good story.

 

[of unsound mind]

Correct, the below from the RMC site.


Few others compare to Hotton in the way of all-round athleticism. Putting his preseason testing numbers against the best of the National Draft Combine, Hotton would have placed third in the 20-metre sprint (2.882 seconds), second for the running vertical jump (93cm), and first in the agility test (7.807 seconds). Not only does he implement each facet into his game on-field, but they are all genuine strengths.

Shai had 94cm running vertical jump, 2.95s in 20m sprint, didn’t place in agility. But as others have said its how you use those traits. Shai used them well but Taj has even more to work with.

 

[of unsound mind]

Also love that he’ll have big bodies around to do the physical stuff. Makes him more likely to succeed. Still needs to hold his own though and apply defensive pressure like Shai could.

 

[JAKLAUGHING]

The numbers are amazing but this is the most important part. He actually uses the traits.

Yes he would be terrific as a soccer player!

 

[Michaels]

The kid is a jet, will become a very very good player IMO.

Welcome Taj!

 

[Morro]

Anyone know what his courage, attack on the ball and man etc is like?

Every player seems to be super brave either in the air or on the ground, but havent seen enough of Taj to know.

 

[4tune8]

Anyone know what his courage, attack on the ball and man etc is like?

Every player seems to be super brave either in the air or on the ground, but havent seen enough of Taj to know.

 

[Noidnadroj]

Quite a few young players with ACL injuries have never been impacted
Selwood is one and Petracca also

This is the right time to be taking risks in the rebuild

Ashcroft won a NS Medal just 15-months after an ACL.


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[Noidnadroj]

We must have known a fair way out that we weren't just going to have pick 1.

Still over the moon with this selection.

I think it was just providing re-assurance that we’d draft him at any pick regardless… could’ve been pick-89 - of course he was always going earlier than that, but just giving him the comfort that he wasn’t going to be left to rot.

Class act from the club to make that call and immediately calm his nerves about his rehab.


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[Forensi Tiger]

Love the talent, massively worried about a body that's done an ACL at under-age level and how that holds up for the future.

Yes I do too but I seem to recall Richo did his ACL at about 20 and had a good run of injuries after. Maybe if you do one when young it’s better than doing in later years e.g. Coghlan, David Schwartz.

 

[Noidnadroj]

Two things, firstly the chance that one or more of our picks don’t make it is high. No draft has guarantees.

Secondly, Zach Merrett has played 230 games and never been on a team that’s won a final.

Pickett had played one and won a premiership.

How many games a player plays is meaningless, you’re trying to build a premiership list.



I read it as more of something the club did to keep his spirits up after the injury as opposed to agreeing to draft him six months out from the draft.

It’s almost certain at least 2 of our 8 selections will be complete duds or average players at best. It’s just reality, even in a deep draft.

I’d be happy with : 2 x Uber elite. 1 x excellent. 2 x very good. 1 x good.

That’d be a great result. If we do better it’ll be a deadset miraculous draft, as history tells you most drafts have 16-20 very good players or better in the top-30. I think the most ever from my research was about 22.


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[SleepingGiant]

Im amazed the club said that. We hadnt even secured the picks for bolton and baker at that stage

Great pick. Im more excited looking forward to this kid than any of the others we got

Well as I predicted very far out there were plans in the works. Well in advance.

 

[tunksy]

Love it if he could be a bit of a Stevie j mid/ half forward

Don’t think we have had that sort of player since Nath brown

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Also love that he’ll have big bodies around to do the physical stuff. Makes him more likely to succeed. Still needs to hold his own though and apply defensive pressure like Shai could.

Hopefully he has a better conversion rate kicking for goal

 

[Maurice Mitchell]

Sounds like he was always a target

We must have known a fair way out that we weren't just going to have pick 1.

Still over the moon with this selection.

Feel like it was more a reminder to him that he was still gonna get drafted despite injury.

Probably was more a 'we will pick you if the opportunity is there' rather than a commitment to pick him I think

I’m guessing he was top of our list at that stage and we were determined to pick him.

 

[Tzatziki_Man]

Sounds like he could be the 'Nat Fyfe' of this draft- not actually Nat Fyfe, but someone whose actually a top end pick, that slid, in this case, due to injury.

Very interested to see how this goes, what I like about Taj, and the remaining players, is that they're all so familiar with one another, years of experience and friendship together.

I feel this will accelerate our rebuild