Competition: The Draft by Emma Quayle

[Chief]

Emma Quayle is (so it seems) a leading authority on junior football and the draft. She's also been described as a 'nice chick', and joined BigFooty in September 2007. Emma Quayle has written a book.

The Draft is the inside story of the AFL draft, looking at all aspects - scientific and instinctive - of identifying whether a boy has the talent and mental toughness to be an elite footballer and whether he fits a club's requirements. It's do-or-die for the boys, and crunch time for the coaches and recruiters.

This book has been described by BigFooty users as, among other things:

"one of the best books i have ever read, couldn't put it down."

We have some copies to give away, but you need to do something to win them and you need to do it by November 11:

In 25 words or less, tell us what you think has been the most inspired draft choice.

AND

In 25 words or less, tell us what you think has been the least inspired draft choice.

Emma will be judging the entries. The winner receives a copy of the book signed by Brad Ebert, Pat Vezspremi, Trent Cotchin, Cyril 'Junior' Rioli and Ben McEvoy - all of whom are featured in the book.

Two runners up will receive unsigned copies (maybe Emma will sign it for you if you ask nicely )

Post your entries in this thread.

 

[taraba]

Most Inspired:

Jarryd Roughead - Taken at #2 when Pre draft talk was all about Deledio, Griffen and Tambling this guy has been pivotal in Hawks success.

Least Inspired:

Jarryd Oakley-Nicholls - Not content with selecting a solid prospect at #8 Tiges went for X-Factor in a move that has seemingly backfired. Plenty better who followed.

 

[tribey]

"I already have this book".

 

[Silvagnis]

Here's Gilly's chance to receive a free signed copy if he gives us his phantom draft.

I already bought this top book.

Jarryd Roughead for the most inspired draft pick.

Hawthorn knew the other clubs wanted Roughead if he was available and didn't rate Franklin above Griffen and Tambling.

Drafting a KPP at two for Hawthorn's list structure worked the draft system beautifully and handed them Franklin and Roughead on a platter.

Tambling for the least inspired choice if Collingwood's trading of pick seven for pick ten trade doesn't count.

Collingwood traded pick seven and traded Nixon for picks 10 and 37 because the player they wanted would be available at 10.

The Pies ended up throwing away the chance to draft Jordan Lewis to draft Chris Egan.

Collingwood then traded Hawthorn's pick 37 for Chad Morrison and missed out on Mark LeCras.

 

[buddymania]

Most Inspired:

2005 Draft: Pick 2- Dale Thomas, a suprise selection and most didnt even have him in there top 10. A bold selection by Collingwood with the critics all over them directly after the draft. Overall it was an important draft for them which was the catalyst for a youth/rebuild focus.

Least Inspired:

2004 Draft: Pick 10- Chris Egan, was considered a bargain pick up here and didnt show much and was delisted at the end of this year. Maybe Collingwood learned there lesson to not go with the crowd and to take a risk which paid off with Thomas and Pendlebury the year later. Could have gone the tambling bash here but i think in 2009 he will show us what he can do.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Most Inspired:
1990 Draft: James Hird pick 79.

In his forefathers footsteps, was drafted to the club of his dreams. A whim, blessed with one of the greatest players in the modern era.

Least Inspired:
2003 Draft: Kepler Bradley pick 6.

A forward cursed by Sheedy's uncompromising will to create a backman. Scape goat for poor team performances, Essendons trash might be Fremantles treasure.

 

[Moo]

Most Inspired:

1995 Pick 1- Clive Waterhouse

If ever a player personified his club it was Crazyhorse.

15 seasons later how many players still only need one name to be recognised ...Clive.


Least Inspired:

1995 Pick 1 - Clive Waterhouse

At a time when Freo needed a guaranteed winner they got a long haired, Pommy/South Australian albino soccer player.

Long live Crazyhorse.

 

[stefoid]

You mean that particular draft, or like, any draft for ever?

 

[Junior boi]

25 words or less people!

 

[emmaq]

Just wanted to say thanks guys for all the nice feedback the book has received on this site so far (not that I have looked ... or that any family members have ). It's a bit scary to send a book out into the world, especially after working on it for so long, so it makes me feel good that people seem to be liking it!

Look forward to seeing what comes up in this thread and giving a few copies away.

 

[doona]

Most Inspired: 1988 VFL Draft: Pick no.23 Michael Long (Essendon)

Kevin Sheedy saw something in Michael Long, a young Aboriginal kid when there were not many aboriginal AFL/VFL players. Michael Long paved the way for Aboriginal players to be recognized.

Least Inspired: 2004 AFL Draft: Pick no.47 David Spriggs (Sydney)

You cant call a youngster that gets drafted an uninspired pick, you dont know what you are going to get. Sydney drafted an older player that went on to be a reserves player.

 

[scout]

Already have the book, good read.

Most inspired pick, Stuart Dew. No 45 in last year's draft.

Clarkson had to convince others at Hawthorn to pick up an out of condition player who'd left football after losing the passion. But Clarko appears to have posessed a crystal ball. Dew proved his worth in the 2008 GF, particularly with a scintillating Premiership quarter performance.

 

[smiddaz123]

Collingwood traded pick seven and traded Nixon for picks 10 and 37 because the player they wanted would be available at 10.

The Pies ended up throwing away the chance to draft Jordan Lewis to draft Chris Egan.

Collingwood then traded Hawthorn's pick 37 for Chad Morrison and missed out on Mark LeCras.

What the?

They were always going for Egan over Lewis, hence why they made the trade in the first place.

 

[xamol]

Most inspired -

David Rodan.
Let go by Richmond after a knee reco only to be picked up by Port and have his best year ever.

Least inspired

Lawrence Angwin

Sacked by 2 clubs after being given too many chances. A major waste of talent.

 

[coasting]

Most Inspired: 1989 Pick 4 Peter Matera

The only player ever drafted in the top 10 to be in the hall of fame.

Least Inspired: 1995 Pick 7 Ben Edwards

Being from Claremont, Freo could have had him for free. They then drafted him at 7 and delisted him before the start of the 1996 season.

 

[The Hulkster]

Already read it, one of the best books i have ever read, couldnt put it down.

 

[SASQUATCH09]

MOST INSPIRED-2004-Daniel Pratt-Pick 74-Kangaroos

Third time lucky, open door,
They saw young Pratt had some more,
Pulled him back from Northern shores,
After many had passed at pick 74!

LEAST INSPIRED-2002-Gary Moorcroft-Pick 39-Melbourne

One mark wonder this boy,
What the hell were we thinking?,
Pick number 39, NOOOOOOOOOO,
What an absolute dud,
WHAT THE HELL WERE WE THINKING!!!

 

[Bonz]

Most Inspired
Brett Kirk pick 40 1998 rookie draft.

Redrafted after being delisted Later became a duel club champion and will go down in folklore as one of our greatest spiritaual leaders. Great work ethic.

Least Inspired
Ricky Mott Carlton Pick 57 2003 draft.

Drafted after both Sydney/ Fremantle had delisted him.
Work ethic was an issue from the start.
Shows you have to work hard and Sacrifise.

 

[Johnson#26]

Most Inspired: Rupert Betheras, 1998, Pick 76.

Extremely underrated, gave the club brilliant service. 85 games of hardness, including a stirring 2002 finals series and a matchwinning 3 goals vs BL (R802).

Least Inspired: Danny Roach, 1999, Pick 7.

A crucial time for the Magpies, yet we cost ourselves dearly. Roach played one game for one tackle, retiring in 2001 with a hip injury.

 

[aaab]

Most Inspired:

Dane Swan:
Picked late in the draft on one finals series in the underage comp. Smart footballer and an elite midfielder.

Least Inspired:

Des Headland:
High price for a selfish footballer, never had the right mentality to make it as a star of the game.

 

[Digby_from_Dingley]

Most inspired: Scott Pendelbury - there were safe options -he hadn't played a heap of football. his success has made recruiters look at basketball backgrounds more.

Least inspired: Adam Cooney - no inspiration needed, just basic common sense.

 

[blues4flag]

Most Inspired: Sam Mitchell
Wasn't drafted initially because he didn't conform to the view of a "modern football". He's more than repaid their faith in him. Football ability over athleticism.

Least Inspired: Luke Livingston, Sporn
In a draft where Motlop, Burgoyne, Harris, Thompson, Kerr and Kornes went top 20, Livo and Sporn always leave me asking what could've been.

 

[Moo]

Just wanted to say thanks guys for all the nice feedback the book has received on this site so far (not that I have looked ... or that any family members have ). It's a bit scary to send a book out into the world, especially after working on it for so long, so it makes me feel good that people seem to be liking it!

Look forward to seeing what comes up in this thread and giving a few copies away.

When is 'The 7 Faces of Clive' being released?

 

[BlackGun1]

Most inspired - Pick 105, Chris Grant (1988)
Vastly underrated as a junior footballer, and went on to captain the Bulldogs for a number of years, and finished top vote getter at the 1997 Browlow medal. A career that featured 341 games, and 554 goals.

Least inspired - Pick 1, Des Headland (1998)
Alot of hype surrounded Des Headland when he made his way to Brisbane via the number 1 pick. Apart from one good season, never really produced.

 

[Bay Pie]

Wanted to say taking Scott Pendlebury at pick 5 but being unbiased:

Most Inspired
Brett Kirk pick 40 1998 rookie draft.

Not the most gifted of footballers but achieved what he did through an unmatched work ethic.

Least Inspired
Luke Livingstone Pick 4 2000 draft

Receiving pick 4 for Aaron Hamill, carlton got very little from this trade. Current list badly lacks what this guy could have been, a Key Defender