Choose who you would select with Pick #4 - Part II

[tesseract]

I think Polec's kicking is being underrated due to a few minute snippet from a YouTube clip. From what I've learned of Polec's kicking - it's generally good. The clip shows that it may be occassionally ordinary, but I don't think it's a good call to call it suspect based on a clip. Reports I've read say that his kicking is good.

I want WC to pick Polec or Gaff. WC need a quality Wingman.

 

[bighit006]

I think Polec's kicking is being underrated due to a few minute snippet from a YouTube clip. From what I've learned of Polec's kicking - it's generally good. The clip shows that it may be occassionally ordinary, but I don't think it's a good call to call it suspect based on a clip. Reports I've read say that his kicking is good.

I want WC to pick Polec or Gaff. WC need a quality Wingman.

Agreed. Seems like of those things that gets mentioned, gains a little traction and then everyone on Bigfooty is sprouting it like its the truth. Haven't seen anything from him to suggest there sould be any question marks over his kicking.

 

[WCE_phil]

I think Polec's kicking is being underrated due to a few minute snippet from a YouTube clip. From what I've learned of Polec's kicking - it's generally good. The clip shows that it may be occassionally ordinary, but I don't think it's a good call to call it suspect based on a clip. Reports I've read say that his kicking is good.

I want WC to pick Polec or Gaff. WC need a quality Wingman.

The other thing i would suggest tess is that there is already a possibility we have quality wingmen on our list. Our coaching structure is very rigid and player positioning could do with a shake up. Players like hurn,smith and sheppard all have capabilities of becoming elite wingmen.

From what i've seen him of polec live a couple of times as well as the videos i would suggest he's a very good kick. His kicking style i dont rate that much however and his decision making isn't on the same level as heppell or gaff. He is very one sided and from my experience seems to kick around the ball a little.

Gaff's skills and decision making are better over the short to mid range (particularly the decision making) but he has the dreaded two handed ball drop happening.

Heppell's decision making and kicking depth i would call elite but his kicking accuracy is more about to an area than to a player.

None of them are elite prospects with the complete package and i would rate them all at around the same point as cunnington or rohan last year and close to morabito. However in saying that they are a step below the likes of bennell,scully,martin etc and a big step behind swallow imo who is the best young package in the last decade.

 

[Patron]

The other thing i would suggest tess is that there is already a possibility we have quality wingmen on our list. Our coaching structure is very rigid and player positioning could do with a shake up. Players like hurn,smith and sheppard all have capabilities of becoming elite wingmen.

From what i've seen him of polec live a couple of times as well as the videos i would suggest he's a very good kick. His kicking style i dont rate that much however and his decision making isn't on the same level as heppell or gaff. He is very one sided and from my experience seems to kick around the ball a little.

Gaff's skills and decision making are better over the short to mid range (particularly the decision making) but he has the dreaded two handed ball drop happening.

Heppell's decision making and kicking depth i would call elite but his kicking accuracy is more about to an area than to a player.

None of them are elite prospects with the complete package and i would rate them all at around the same point as cunnington or rohan last year and close to morabito. However in saying that they are a step below the likes of bennell,scully,martin etc and a big step behind swallow imo who is the best young package in the last decade.

Strongly agree. I think Gaff and Heppell are very close to morabito though.

 

[paran]

Not sure I'd say Hurn, Sheppard and Smith could be a wingman. A good wingman can really hurt forward of the the play. This is where a form Embley would excel. Huirn especailly looks for the play to come to him - typial HBF. I've not seen Hurn, Shepperd or Smith show an aptitude to play forward, but I suppose that could be worked on.

 

[PRANKSTER666]

I think Polec's kicking is being underrated due to a few minute snippet from a YouTube clip. From what I've learned of Polec's kicking - it's generally good. The clip shows that it may be occassionally ordinary, but I don't think it's a good call to call it suspect based on a clip. Reports I've read say that his kicking is good.

I want WC to pick Polec or Gaff. WC need a quality Wingman.

Have you seen the two vids of his SANFL final games which shows all of his possessions from those two games?

From those two games I think you have enough footage to draw a conclusion on his kicking abilities.

They are by no means bad, but also not great, and the point I have made time and again is that it is my opinion we need a great user of the ball first and foremost given our current midfield stocks and why I have question marks over him.

 

[kempy]

We must pick up Smith at some point given his name begins with S. Any other S's in the draft?

 

[INSANE]

You'd say it's very likely out of Gaff, Heppell and Polec.

Gaff is as good as Scully imo, workhorse, spots up targets in similar fashion, will be the best he can possibly be....And, will impact the scoreboard more than Tom.

 

[INSANE]

i'd be happier if there was one stand-out

instead it seems the top 3 are clearly the stand-outs, and after that it's any one of a solid bunch.

we really screwed ourselves this year

I can almost guarantee they will not be the top 3 when we have the benefit of hindsight in a few years.

In 2001- Judd, Hodge and Ball were considered miles in front, now we see Gaz and Swan are the top two 8 years on.

Guys like Gaff n Heppell imo, are far more likely to be better than Day and Bennell. They have the football ability, athletic ability....But better than that, they're driven to the shithouse.

Am very excited at the prospect of getting Gaff/Heppell

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

We must pick up Smith at some point given his name begins with S. Any other S's in the draft?

I like the way you think

Billie Smidts is another. But sadly, from everything I've seen it doesn't look likely that either of them will be around for pick 26.

Though I would've said the same thing about Koby Stevens last year.

 

[Wirra for PM]

Not sure I'd say Hurn, Sheppard and Smith could be a wingman. A good wingman can really hurt forward of the the play. This is where a form Embley would excel. Huirn especailly looks for the play to come to him - typial HBF. I've not seen Hurn, Shepperd or Smith show an aptitude to play forward, but I suppose that could be worked on.

Sheppard has shown plenty of potential as a winger IMO, he really attacks the ball and has demonstrated a bit of creativity and guts in trying to take the game on.

Next year I would start Sheppard on one wing and Strijk - provided he can get get fit enough - on the other.

 

[daddy_4_eyes]

Polec lacks polish and I wouldn't risk drafting him at 4 in case those skills don't improve, we can ill afford another so-so user of the ball.

Gaff while not having a penetrating kick users the ball much like Dal Santo, shorter precise kicking. He has plenty of time on the ball and makes good decisions to spot up targets, which is a very important skill against the zone. He will link and spread and feed off our inside mids.

I always rated Gaff on top but Heppell has convinced me late he can be the better player, and turn into a pendlebury type damaging midfielder. Like Pendles is a Gippsland product with a basketball background which helps them with their vision on the ground. Heppell is so clean off the ground and then makes good decisions to offload by hand or using his penetrating left foot.

Heppell has won all the accolades you could hope for and has more upside than Gaff IMO, but would be very happy either way, for the record I think we will pick Gaff purely because of his endurance qualities, something I think our recruiting team loves, esp on the wide expanses of Subi.

This.

Expert opinion (or at least the ones printed in the media) are along those lines too, rating Heppell and Gaff as the only genuine candidates for #4. Heppell was being talked about as a chance to sneak into the top 3 only recently.

Also agree with INSANE's post. Top 3 at draft don't mean sh1t. Personally I'd be nervous if we were in the running for Bennell. Another Wells, Sampi, Tambling & Tenace in the making. All the potential in the world, will never live up to it.

 

[INSANE]

Sheppard has shown plenty of potential as a winger IMO, he really attacks the ball and has demonstrated a bit of creativity and guts in trying to take the game on.

Next year I would start Sheppard on one wing and Strijk - provided he can get get fit enough - on the other.

Yeah true, the way he plays and his body shape remind me a little of Daisy Thomas....Good thing.

 

[adagio]

I can almost guarantee they will not be the top 3 when we have the benefit of hindsight in a few years.

In 2001- Judd, Hodge and Ball were considered miles in front, now we see Gaz and Swan are the top two 8 years on.

Guys like Gaff n Heppell imo, are far more likely to be better than Day and Bennell. They have the football ability, athletic ability....But better than that, they're driven to the shithouse.

Am very excited at the prospect of getting Gaff/Heppell

Well said (though disagree on Swan).

Talent, and junior form, is only part of the equation.

Upside and professionalism/work ethic are just as, if not more important, and recruiters know it.

You only have to look at how speculative the first three picks in 2008 were: Watts, Naitanui and Hill. Far and away the player with the most runs on board in that draft was Rich. But the upside in each of those three was way higher, and they had the temperament to match.

Yarran had a similar level of upside, but purportedly doesn't have the same work ethic. Accordingly, he hasn't been as impressive so far.

Then of course there's luck, particularly with injury, which unfortunately some guys just never seem to have.

 

[Patron]

This.

Expert opinion (or at least the ones printed in the media) are along those lines too, rating Heppell and Gaff as the only genuine candidates for #4. Heppell was being talked about as a chance to sneak into the top 3 only recently.

Also agree with INSANE's post. Top 3 at draft don't mean sh1t. Personally I'd be nervous if we were in the running for Bennell. Another Wells, Sampi & Tambling in the making. All the potential in the world, will never live up to it.

There is a lot of risk in both bennell and day. Bennell is considered reasonably safe because he did extremely well as a junior winning the larke medal and has runs on the board.

 

[draftpro]

This.

Expert opinion (or at least the ones printed in the media) are along those lines too

LOL 'expert opinion' .... Same experts who had us taking lucas last year?

Also agree with INSANE's post. Top 3 at draft don't mean sh1t. Personally I'd be nervous if we were in the running for Bennell. Another Wells, Sampi & Tambling in the making. All the potential in the world, will never live up to it.

A tad racist dont you think? Why not throw buddy franklin in there he's aboriginal. Heck chuck in stephen hill as well.

 

[WCE_phil]

LOL 'expert opinion' .... Same experts who had us taking lucas last year?



A tad racist dont you think? Why not throw buddy franklin in there he's aboriginal. Heck chuck in stephen hill as well.

O really. So because someone says 3 players range from being shit hacks up to decent without fulfilling their potential it's automatically racist because they all happen to be aboriginal. You sir should look at yourself in the mirror before making those sorts of claims. Just maybe they were 3 incredibly talented youngsters who never quite achieved what they could have.

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

Can we take out Wells and replace him with Kane Tenace, just so this doesn't become about race? Thanks.

 

[maxrm]

What I thought was the opinion of the board has definitely been expressed in this thread. Everyone seems divided between Heppell and Gaff, with Polec an outsider. But everyone seems to be happy with whoever we draft out of Heppell and Gaff. I personally really don't mind out of the 2, with Gaff's professionalism and work ethic he is a very safe selection. Almost guaranteed to be a very good player. While Heppell has more upside, more potential to be a star. I'm not fussed either way, both seem like fantastic prospects. As does Polec, who we have to remember has been ripping it up in the SANFL, with 3 B.O.G's at just 17. Whilst Heppell and Gaff have been playing in the TAC cup. And to their credit, dominating, particurly Heppell. Another upside to drafting Gaff is that with his elite running, he'll be well suited to the wide expanses of subi oval. Whilst Heppell's versatility is a major plus. Both endurance and versatility will become even more important with the new sub rule being introduced. The fact that all 3 are left-footers is a very welcomed bonus too. I'm personally very happy with any of the above 3 players, although I have a strong feeling We'll draft Gaff. Apparently his professionalism, work ethic and kicking skills really impressed our recruiters. And apparently he is a top guy, almost bordering on too nice He'd also look really good in a WC jumper

Ps: Happy birthday to Jared Polec, turning 18 I'd assume.

 

[draftpro]

We're not going down this path - FS

 

[tesseract]

The other thing i would suggest tess is that there is already a possibility we have quality wingmen on our list. Our coaching structure is very rigid and player positioning could do with a shake up. Players like hurn,smith and sheppard all have capabilities of becoming elite wingmen.

From what i've seen him of polec live a couple of times as well as the videos i would suggest he's a very good kick. His kicking style i dont rate that much however and his decision making isn't on the same level as heppell or gaff. He is very one sided and from my experience seems to kick around the ball a little.

Gaff's skills and decision making are better over the short to mid range (particularly the decision making) but he has the dreaded two handed ball drop happening.

Heppell's decision making and kicking depth i would call elite but his kicking accuracy is more about to an area than to a player.

None of them are elite prospects with the complete package and i would rate them all at around the same point as cunnington or rohan last year and close to morabito. However in saying that they are a step below the likes of bennell,scully,martin etc and a big step behind swallow imo who is the best young package in the last decade.

I think Hurn and Smith may only be part time Wingman, if they ever get opportunities in that role as rotations. I see both of them more as flankers. Both are burst players, without the stamina required to be first choice Wingmen. That could change if they develop the tank, but I don't see it with Sheppard, Gaff/Polec and Rosa getting games.

I think Sheppard needs a companion for the other wing. If WC get Gaff or Polec, they can then start slowly phasing out players like Rosa and Houlihan who're of decent but lesser standard.

 

[tesseract]

Have you seen the two vids of his SANFL final games which shows all of his possessions from those two games?

From those two games I think you have enough footage to draw a conclusion on his kicking abilities.

They are by no means bad, but also not great, and the point I have made time and again is that it is my opinion we need a great user of the ball first and foremost given our current midfield stocks and why I have question marks over him.

I've seen Polec's YouTube highlights. Like I've stated previously, it's not a good call to base opinions on such limited vision, especially when reports conflict with opinions that say his kick is questionable.

I've seen more than a few highlights packages of good players, who had clips with no highlights in them at all. It's possible for players just to have off games, and it seems to be the case in Polec's case because reading suggests that he's not a suspect kick.

I understand the point you're making, but I disagree that 2 games is enough to draw a conclusion. WC need to look at more than just who's the best kick. A single attribute shouldn't be the overriding factor in deciding who the club should select.

 

[tesseract]

This.

Expert opinion (or at least the ones printed in the media) are along those lines too, rating Heppell and Gaff as the only genuine candidates for #4. Heppell was being talked about as a chance to sneak into the top 3 only recently.

Also agree with INSANE's post. Top 3 at draft don't mean sh1t. Personally I'd be nervous if we were in the running for Bennell. Another Wells, Sampi, Tambling & Tenace in the making. All the potential in the world, will never live up to it.

It's true that most, if not all, have Gaff and Heppell as likely pick 4 targets; but it's not true that they've unanimously come to the conclusion that it's only down to these two. Did not Rendell say that Polec is a definite pick 4 possibility. Isn't he more qualified than these so-called media experts?

 

[PRANKSTER666]

I've seen Polec's YouTube highlights. Like I've stated previously, it's not a good call to base opinions on such limited vision, especially when reports conflict with opinions that say his kick is questionable.

I've seen more than a few highlights packages of good players, who had clips with no highlights in them at all. It's possible for players just to have off games, and it seems to be the case in Polec's case because reading suggests that he's not a suspect kick.

I understand the point you're making, but I disagree that 2 games is enough to draw a conclusion. WC need to look at more than just who's the best kick. A single attribute shouldn't be the overriding factor in deciding who the club should select.

Polec was considered best aground in the first half of the 2nd game so its not as if the footage has caught him playing poorly, but I feel I have seen enough of him to draw a conclusion on his kicking abilities.

I agree the highlight packages from the u18 carnival can be misleading but these two finals videos capture his every touch, so I think it can provide a much clearer picture when somebody is assessing ones talent.

I love watching him run and carry the ball, but his kicking skills and polish let him down IMO.

He is a much riskier proposition and we can't afford to get this pick wrong.

He would be a great pick to add to an already established midfield but I don't think ours is just yet with question marks over Masten, Ebert and Swift going forward.

 

[Patron]

Polec is an even more evasive stephen hill.

He's just got more arrogance and a worse kick which is why he wont be taken as high.
will be Pick 6 off to richmond.