Oppo Camp Atu Bosenavulagi (Traded to Nth Melb. 2020)

[swoop42]

Fiji very much punches above their weight in Rugby 7's still don't they?

I assume this is because of some natural athletic advantages over those nations of largely European descent with far greater populations.

Atu looks to be physically gifted, while his frame unlike say a Brad Dick shouldn't require multiple preseasons of strength and conditioning work in order to withstand the rigors of playing against men at VFL or AFL level.

Given Atu has only being playing the game for a few seasons we should be hopeful that with increased exposure and development to the game within an elite system he still has marked improvement left within and could prove to be a draft steal.

 

[Copeland]

2014 / 2015 Brenden ‘The big show’ Abbott
2017 / 2018 ‘All Hail’ Kayle Kirby

Hopefully we strike third time lucky with the fans’ favourite forward line player

The Bear nailed it.

 

[loki04]

http://www.collingwoodfc.com.au/video/2018-11-23/draft-highlights-atu-bosenavulagi

15 seconds in he sprays it left, he was pick 77 he is most likely gonna have a flaw my guess is its his kicking/ finishing. His marking and agility looks very good.

Ah yeah dunno why i missed that one, anyway all the rest hit the targets in that clip including the goals. Not saying he is Buckley but it doesn't appear to be a major issue/flaw either likely just average.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

The Bear nailed it.

And with his bare paws



(Pun intended)

 

[sr36]

Ah yeah dunno why i missed that one, anyway all the rest hit the targets in that clip including the goals. Not saying he is Buckley but it doesn't appear to be a major issue/flaw either likely just average.

He looked pretty awkward by foot in that clip, whilst he may have hit those targets they were pretty simple and none of his kicks looked criso or convincing, but a relative newcomer to the sport isn't he, so more likely to improve his kicking than those who have been kicking a sherrin their whole life.

 

[loki04]

He looked pretty awkward by foot in that clip, whilst he may have hit those targets they were pretty simple and none of his kicks looked criso or convincing, but a relative newcomer to the sport isn't he, so more likely to improve his kicking than those who have been kicking a sherrin their whole life.

Don't think he did when not under pressure or when not kicking whilst running at full tilt. The floater kick which was a goal after he sprinted through the guts to put 15m on the chaser, he just needed to have a couple steadier steps prior to kicking to fix that regardless it got the desired result.

As I said I think he is just average by foot, neither hugely flawed or next Nathan Buckley.

 

[sr36]

Don't think he did when not under pressure or when not kicking whilst running at full tilt. The floater kick which was a goal after he sprinted through the guts to put 15m on the chaser, he just needed to have a couple steadier steps prior to kicking to fix that regardless it got the desired result.

As I said I think he is just average by foot, neither hugely flawed or next Nathan Buckley.

I hope you are right. Can't tell from a short highlight oackage, but I saw a kid with a massive tick because he moves like Jaxson Barham, but may also kick like him.

 

[ppoiter]

How do you actually pronounce his name?

I would say Bosena-fulangi but lets hear it from the man himself

 

[Saintly Viewed]

Pronouncement?

Two possibles:

Bosana- vulagi

Or perhaps

Bosen avu lagi

 

[sr36]

Pronouncement?

Two possibles:

Bosana- vulagi

Or perhaps

Bosen avu lagi

Let's call him AB. It's a name that brings out greatness.

 

[Scodog10]

Big flaw I can see(based off 5 min vid mind you) is his kicking, that is my guess why he went so late

Only my two cents, but I don’t think clubs care about kicking anymore unless you win ridiculous amounts of outside ball and burn it when you do. With the way the game’s evolved they’ll back themselves in to get you to AFL standard as long as you have other tools.

I don’t know his game at all and this is only on the back of highlights and the TAC GF, but the knock to me may be consistency in game. Think JT or Varcoe they’re either hot or they’re not and the footage I’ve seen suggested he plays in a similar vein because he flashes in and out of individual contests which extrapolates to games overall.

It’s old school crumbing that’s both hard to teach and hard to build a career on...

 

[iGNITER]

Can't wait to see this kid light it up.

Definitely going to try and head to a few more VFL games next year to see him and a few other youngsters in action to build towards a senior berth.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Given that the lad is was a Bulldogs supporter, curious that he nominated for Collingwood’s NGA Academy?

Either it was impractical for him to join Bulldogs NGA (locationwise) ...

Or he actively wanted to come to Collingwood?

Or he thought his chances of getting drafted would be better if he was part of an academy? Is there a higher probability of players being drafted if they’re part of an academy?

 

[DrDavoren]

Nothing wrong with this kid, seems to think his way through situations well and all else fails the don’t argue seems to work well too!

 

[jackcass]

Given that the lad is was a Bulldogs supporter, curious that he nominated for Collingwood’s NGA Academy?

Either it was impractical for him to join Bulldogs NGA (locationwise) ...

Or he actively wanted to come to Collingwood?

Or he thought his chances of getting drafted would be better if he was part of an academy? Is there a higher probability of players being drafted if they’re part of an academy?

Family would have had to relocate a few years ago for him to qualify for the Doggies zone as I understand it. Always had the option of declining the NGA listing and taking his chances but that probably doesn't improve his chances of getting to the Doggies.

There are a few benefits available to clubs with academy options (discounts, potential Cat B listing) that do make them attractive to clubs. They can also work with these players from a fair way out.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Family would have had to relocate a few years ago for him to qualify for the Doggies zone as I understand it. Always had the option of declining the NGA listing and taking his chances but that probably doesn't improve his chances of getting to the Doggies.

OK, so if I understand it, it doesn’t matter who a player plays for in the TAC Cup - it’s their residential address that determines which zone that they’re in? It just so happens that for folks who live in our zone, the Oakleigh Chargers are the closest?

There are a few benefits available to clubs with academy options (discounts, potential Cat B listing) that do make them attractive to clubs. They can also work with these players from a fair way out.

Benefits to the player? I guess they get a little extra support, exposure to the AFL system, and it helps them stand out from the crowd?

 

[loki04]

Only my two cents, but I don’t think clubs care about kicking anymore unless you win ridiculous amounts of outside ball and burn it when you do. With the way the game’s evolved they’ll back themselves in to get you to AFL standard as long as you have other tools.

I don’t know his game at all and this is only on the back of highlights and the TAC GF, but the knock to me may be consistency in game. Think JT or Varcoe they’re either hot or they’re not and the footage I’ve seen suggested he plays in a similar vein because he flashes in and out of individual contests which extrapolates to games overall.

It’s old school crumbing that’s both hard to teach and hard to build a career on...

Here's some stats on his TAC year top 5 club and also league wide position @ round 16 (not sure on final season numbers).
https://www.afldraftcentral.com.au/2018/08/16/the-run-home-oakleigh-chargers/

Top Fives:
Disposals:

1 – Xavier O’Neill – 260 (16th overall)
2 – Trent Bianco – 204
3 – Noah Answerth – 189
4 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 184
5 – Riley Collier-Dawkins – 180

Marks:

1 – Xavier O’Neill – 52 (eq. 24th overall)
2 – Trent Bianco – 44
3 – Dylan Williams – 40
4 – Noah Answerth – 35
4 – Jay Robertson – 35

Contested Possessions:

1 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 109 (eq. 22nd overall)
2 – Xavier O’Neill – 100
3 – Riley Collier-Dawkins – 84
4 – Trent Bianco – 79
5 – Noah Answerth – 75

Tackles:

1 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 62 (eq. 19th overall)
2 – Jake Gasper – 48
3 – Xavier O’Neill – 47
4 – Xavier Fry – 45
5 – Kyle Viccars – 43

Hitouts:

1 – Lachlan Harry – 111 (eq. 16th overall)
2 – Jay Robertson – 87
3 – Nick Bryan – 81
4 – Bailey Griffiths – 73
5 – Tom Hogan – 41

Clearances:

1 – Riley Collier-Dawkins – 33 (eq. 33rd overall)
1 – Xavier O’Neill – 33 (eq. 33rd overall)
1 – James Rowbottom – 33 (eq. 33rd overall)
4 – Jack Ross – 31
5 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 22

Inside 50s:

1 – Xavier O’Neill – 45 (eq. 14th overall)
2 – Jake Gasper – 35
3 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 31
4 – James Rowbottom – 27
5 – Jay Robertson – 25

Rebounds:

1 – Trent Bianco – 35 (eq. 19th overall)
1 – Isaac Quaynor – 35 (eq. 19th overall)
3 – Xavier O’Neill – 27
4 – Noah Answerth – 21
5 – Dylan Williams – 20

Goals:

1 – Jake Gasper – 32 (3rd overall)
2 – Matthew Day – 17 (eq. 9th overall)
3 – Daniel Scala – 15
4 – Jay Robertson – 9
5 – Charlie Whitehead – 8

He only kicked 15 goals for the year 4 coming in the EF, so will need to lift his scoreboard impact.

 

[jackcass]

OK, so if I understand it, it doesn’t matter who a player plays for in the TAC Cup - it’s their residential address that determines which zone that they’re in? It just so happens that for folks who live in our zone, the Oakleigh Chargers are the closest?

That's my understanding.

Benefits to the player? I guess they get a title extra support, exposure to the AFL system, and it helps them stand out from the crowd?

Yeah, exactly. These guys have been coming into the club a couple of times a year for a while now so they'd get that more intensive support and access to all that expertise. Certainly can't hurt.

 

[Markfs]

Derek Hine isn''t exactly a beacon of charisma himself.

Derek is more like a desperate at a speed dating night. He blurts out anything that gets him a little attention and he starts waffling about how his latest choice is the love of his life....

 

[Saintly Viewed]

That's my understanding.



Yeah, exactly. These guys have been coming into the club a couple of times a year for a while now so they'd get that more intensive support and access to all that expertise. Certainly can't hurt.

I like how it lets a club take a longer term interest and investment.

Does Collingwood or any club risk working with Mason Cox at first if no Cat B set up?

 

[jackcass]

I like how it lets a club take a longer term interest and investment.

Does Collingwood or any club risk working with Mason Cox at first if no Cat B set up?

Yeah, I reckon he'd still get a rookie spot, as would most of the guys you hear there are multiple clubs chasing.

 

[Pragmatic Shill]

Given that the lad is was a Bulldogs supporter, curious that he nominated for Collingwood’s NGA Academy?

Either it was impractical for him to join Bulldogs NGA (locationwise) ...

Or he actively wanted to come to Collingwood?

Or he thought his chances of getting drafted would be better if he was part of an academy? Is there a higher probability of players being drafted if they’re part of an academy?

Bulldogs NGA region is a big chunk of western Victoria, so he would have fallen outside of it.

 

[Scribe26]

Gesundheit

 

[Scodog10]

Here's some stats on his TAC year top 5 club and also league wide position @ round 16 (not sure on final season numbers).
https://www.afldraftcentral.com.au/2018/08/16/the-run-home-oakleigh-chargers/

Top Fives:
Disposals:

1 – Xavier O’Neill – 260 (16th overall)
2 – Trent Bianco – 204
3 – Noah Answerth – 189
4 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 184
5 – Riley Collier-Dawkins – 180

Marks:

1 – Xavier O’Neill – 52 (eq. 24th overall)
2 – Trent Bianco – 44
3 – Dylan Williams – 40
4 – Noah Answerth – 35
4 – Jay Robertson – 35

Contested Possessions:

1 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 109 (eq. 22nd overall)
2 – Xavier O’Neill – 100
3 – Riley Collier-Dawkins – 84
4 – Trent Bianco – 79
5 – Noah Answerth – 75

Tackles:

1 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 62 (eq. 19th overall)
2 – Jake Gasper – 48
3 – Xavier O’Neill – 47
4 – Xavier Fry – 45
5 – Kyle Viccars – 43

Hitouts:

1 – Lachlan Harry – 111 (eq. 16th overall)
2 – Jay Robertson – 87
3 – Nick Bryan – 81
4 – Bailey Griffiths – 73
5 – Tom Hogan – 41

Clearances:

1 – Riley Collier-Dawkins – 33 (eq. 33rd overall)
1 – Xavier O’Neill – 33 (eq. 33rd overall)
1 – James Rowbottom – 33 (eq. 33rd overall)
4 – Jack Ross – 31
5 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 22

Inside 50s:

1 – Xavier O’Neill – 45 (eq. 14th overall)
2 – Jake Gasper – 35
3 – Atu Bosenavulagi – 31
4 – James Rowbottom – 27
5 – Jay Robertson – 25

Rebounds:

1 – Trent Bianco – 35 (eq. 19th overall)
1 – Isaac Quaynor – 35 (eq. 19th overall)
3 – Xavier O’Neill – 27
4 – Noah Answerth – 21
5 – Dylan Williams – 20

Goals:

1 – Jake Gasper – 32 (3rd overall)
2 – Matthew Day – 17 (eq. 9th overall)
3 – Daniel Scala – 15
4 – Jay Robertson – 9
5 – Charlie Whitehead – 8

He only kicked 15 goals for the year 4 coming in the EF, so will need to lift his scoreboard impact.

Those numbers provide some great context and you prompted me to do some digging of my own.

I wouldn’t have expected midfield numbers from him, but (tackles aside) it’s not great involvement for a guy that was drafted. There was even a 6 week stretch mid year where he didn’t crack 10 effective possessions and averaged under 14 overall. It’s not terrible from a small, but light on, IMO, because if he’s not finding it at that level it won’t get easier at the next.

http://websites.sportstg.com/team_i...03266252&client=1-3020-111727-477658-26140577

His CP ratio is fantastic and you can see what they like when that’s coupled with his speed/ power/ agility characteristics. The problem as I see it is there just isn’t enough production for him to have gone any higher. Can he add an outside game? Will he be a midfield option long term?

I would really like the club to explore starting him in defence because he has the mindset for a defensive role and I think he’ll find it tough to make an impact if he’s pigeonholed as a FWD as soon as he walks through the door. I don’t mind the selection though because the only guy still on the board I liked was Butts.

 

[Crazy Tails]

Those numbers provide some great context and you prompted me to do some digging of my own.

I wouldn’t have expected midfield numbers from him, but (tackles aside) it’s not great involvement for a guy that was drafted. There was even a 6 week stretch mid year where he didn’t crack 10 effective possessions and averaged under 14 overall. It’s not terrible from a small, but light on, IMO, because if he’s not finding it at that level it won’t get easier at the next.

http://websites.sportstg.com/team_i...03266252&client=1-3020-111727-477658-26140577

His CP ratio is fantastic and you can see what they like when that’s coupled with his speed/ power/ agility characteristics. The problem as I see it is there just isn’t enough production for him to have gone any higher. Can he add an outside game? Will he be a midfield option long term?

I would really like the club to explore starting him in defence because he has the mindset for a defensive role and I think he’ll find it tough to make an impact if he’s pigeonholed as a FWD as soon as he walks through the door. I don’t mind the selection though because the only guy still on the board I liked was Butts.

Geez those stats on the Sports TG site are hard to follow aren't they? I just want to know how many disposals he had!

If you look at the numbers across the whole season they don't look that fantastic. In saying that if you have a look/listen to the video up on the club website by Ned Guy after the draft he said that his growth over the season was enormous. Not to paraphrase but he said something along the lines of his last 4-6 weeks being at a level they couldn't even comprehend he could achieve based on his early season form.

The tackling numbers look very strong the whole way along (which you'd expect with his rugby background) but that at least shows a high work rate all year.

Other comments from Ned of note:

- High pressure forward, a lot of pace, tackling machine, with a long reach and good goal sense.
- Also to note he had a really good finals series (which we all know Dekka likes).

To use a much used term he appears to have a lot of "upside" and good enough for me at the bargain price of pick 77!