Craig Bird

[liz]

If he was born 22 days earlier I would like to think we would have rookie listed him.

If he was born 22 days earlier I like to think we'd have got in first to rookie him.

Agree that his decision (re staying at home) may have been different had he been on a fulltime list (even as a rookie) but there is no guarantee he'd have lasted until Port's pick. And by accepting a priority nomination onto the Swans' rookie list at least he'd have had some control over where he went.

But it's all academic now, and we're pretty happy to have him on board.

 

[RUNVS]

If he was born 22 days earlier I like to think we'd have got in first to rookie him.

Agree that his decision (re staying at home) may have been different had he been on a fulltime list (even as a rookie) but there is no guarantee he'd have lasted until Port's pick. And by accepting a priority nomination onto the Swans' rookie list at least he'd have had some control over where he went.

But it's all academic now, and we're pretty happy to have him on board.

Im already hyping him up in my mind. In my mind atleast he is already as good as Adam Goodoes and Paul Kelly

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

If he was born 22 days earlier I like to think we'd have got in first to rookie him.

Agree that his decision (re staying at home) may have been different had he been on a fulltime list (even as a rookie) but there is no guarantee he'd have lasted until Port's pick. And by accepting a priority nomination onto the Swans' rookie list at least he'd have had some control over where he went.

But it's all academic now, and we're pretty happy to have him on board.

I know it's academic now but if he was available for the 2007 rookie draft, ie in Dec 2006 we would have had a pick before you. We finished 12th you finished 2nd. Good luck to the Bird. Every time I see him playing at the SCG or the Stadium or on TV I wonder if I will be saying to myself, "if only we had..."

 

[liz]

I know it's academic now but if he was available for the 2007 rookie draft, ie in Dec 2006 we would have had a pick before you. We finished 12th you finished 2nd. Good luck to the Bird. Every time I see him playing at the SCG or the Stadium or on TV I wonder if I will be saying to myself, "if only we had..."

But we get to priority pick up to three rookies from NSW - so long as they agree. Once the ND is over (ie we can't priority list them before then), we can nab them before anyone else gets a chance. So if Bird had wanted to be a rookie with us, he would have been.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

But we get to priority pick up to three rookies from NSW - so long as they agree. Once the ND is over (ie we can't priority list them before then), we can nab them before anyone else gets a chance. So if Bird had wanted to be a rookie with us, he would have been.

Ok forgot that you and Brisbane have priority rookie picks. Bloody AFL 2007, 2006 etc books never list the priority rookie picks.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

http://afl.com.au/Season2007/NABAFLRisingStarsProgram/NABAFLDraft/tabid/282/Default.aspx

Tuesday Dec 11 (10am)
NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft Selection Meeting

Tuesday Dec 11 (10.15am)
Nomination of Brisbane Lions and Sydney eligible rookie list players

Tuesday Dec 11 (10.30am)
NAB AFL Rookie Draft Selection Meeting

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Im already hyping him up in my mind. In my mind atleast he is already as good as Adam Goodoes and Paul Kelly

I already have him as our future 300 game captain, and future premiership coach.

 

[EatBig Australia]

Does anyone have a picture of him? I would like to see the look of this new prospect.

 

[grimlock]

Give him #14!!!

 

[evo]

The 2 scouts (different clubs) I spoke to were concerned about his lack of height and pace, had the most hard ball gets in the Aust champs in 06 and was right up there again in 07.

Most clearances in 07.

Dont know what games the scout you spoke to was watching?

He will get in and have a go and certainly isn't gutless.

Extraction from contests is his forte'.

Agree with that.Watched him at this years championships and thought he looked very promising.As someone else said "sydneyesque" type mid.Not the quickest kid around but puts his head over the ball at all times.

Bit of a bargain in an otherwise weakish draft.

 

[RUNVS]

Give him #14!!!

14 must only be given out to players who are simply brilliant. Goodes could have had it but im not willing to risk giving number 14 to a untested player.

 

[liz]

14 must only be given out to players who are simply brilliant. Goodes could have had it but im not willing to risk giving number 14 to a untested player.

Why? In effect you're saying that no 14 will never be used again.

Giving it to a player who turns out not to be another Skilton or Kelly in no way devalues the legacy of those two players. It's just a number and I don't think anyone in their right mind thinks Kelly's achievements were in anyway related to the fact he wore Skilton's number.

Are we going to be scared to give no 37 to a new draftee in 2014 or 2015 or whenever it is in case he turns out not to be a quadruple Brownlow medallist?

 

[bloods01]

We have to give the number to someone sooner or later. There is no one on our list that is worthy of wearing it at the moment and I dont like the idea of having an existing player inheriting it anyway. A player should make the number his own, and not be given to them becuase they're a gun like Goodes. It should be given to a draftee who comes to the club.

Giving it to Bird isn't such a bad idea. He's a NSW boy and from all reports will be a great player for our club. Imagine the passion that will be generated when we see the number 14 burst out of the centre square?

 

[grimlock]

Yes stop making such a big deal of it. Travis Varcoe got #5 for Geelong and look how little fuss it has caused.

Now, #11 on the other hand...

 

[CharlieG]

Yes stop making such a big deal of it. Travis Varcoe got #5 for Geelong and look how little fuss it has caused.

Now, #11 on the other hand...

Am I the only one who finds it ridiculous that we've retired 11 for two years already?

I agree about giving 14 to Bird.

 

[EatBig Australia]

Am I the only one who finds it ridiculous that we've retired 11 for two years already?

I agree about giving 14 to Bird.

I like the idea of it going to a NSW boy.

 

[RUNVS]

I agree about giving 14 to Bird.

Ive got a great idea to really pile on the pressure on Craig Bird. Not only do the Swans give him the number 14 but they also create a elaborate ceremony where Paul Kelly officially hands over the number 14 to Bird. I personally couldnt think of a way to put him under more pressure as the Swans would basically be saying to him "We expect you to be as good as Kelly"

 

[grimlock]

I like the idea of it going to a NSW boy.

Give it to Playfair then.

 

[CharlieG]

Ive got a great idea to really pile on the pressure on Craig Bird. Not only do the Swans give him the number 14 but they also create a elaborate ceremony where Paul Kelly officially hands over the number 14 to Bird. I personally couldnt think of a way to put him under more pressure as the Swans would basically be saying to him "We expect you to be as good as Kelly"

I have a good idea. How about no fanfare whatsoever?

Either we have retired the number forever (I hope not) or eventually someone is going to have to wear it on his back and deal with whatever attention derives from it (not much after a day or two, I suspect). That will be easier to do after five years than after ten, or fifteen, or twenty...

 

[niltiac]

I am most excited to see this Bird fellow play!

 

[xxscubaxx]

we should never retire the no.14, even if some are dudds we should encourage young players to try and add to legacy, not keep it stuffed inside a cabinet somewhere. it would be a shame to never see it out on the field again, ive still got my first swans gernsey with 14 on the back..

 

[SamSwan]

Craig Bird - New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory, 177cm, 75kg, Nelson Bay
Small midfielder, Bird captained NSW/ACT and accumulated 69 disposals, averaging 23 touches. He had 18 hard-ball gets - the second best in the championships - and laid 17 tackles, which was equal third. He also led the championships in clearances, with 22 at an average of seven per match - four more than his nearest rival.

Seems pretty impressive stats to me.

Similar size to the Schneiderman, and he may grow a little. Certainly some weights will add some kilos.

 

[liz]

Similar size to the Schneiderman, and he may grow a little. Certainly some weights will add some kilos.

Not sure that adding some kilos will be an issue. He's a pretty solidly built young man. It's going to be more a case of toning up to turn young bulk into sleek muscle.

He also plays pretty differently to Schneider. He doesn't look to have Schneider's pace, for instance. Schmidt is probably the best comparison we have for him (though given some people are suggesting Schneider and Schmidt are interchangeable, not sure that will give people much of an idea). Moore is also quite similar - from behind they're dead ringers. Can't see all three of Bird, Moore and Schmidt finding permanent places in the Swans long term, though that's not to say they can't all become good footballers in their own right.

 

[FM0226]

Not sure that adding some kilos will be an issue. He's a pretty solidly built young man. It's going to be more a case of toning up to turn young bulk into sleek muscle.

He also plays pretty differently to Schneider. He doesn't look to have Schneider's pace, for instance. Schmidt is probably the best comparison we have for him (though given some people are suggesting Schneider and Schmidt are interchangeable, not sure that will give people much of an idea). Moore is also quite similar - from behind they're dead ringers. Can't see all three of Bird, Moore and Schmidt finding permanent places in the Swans long term, though that's not to say they can't all become good footballers in their own right.

In my view, Moore is a bit like Schneider and is likely to be more successful as a small forward than a midfielder (not sure he has the stamina to play midfield). On the other hand, Bird probably has the potential to be a more inside midfielder - a ball magnet with clean disposals, so I don't see why those two can't be in the same team.

On the other hand, we really need to make a decision about Schmidt, in my opinion he has the potential to be a really good player for us, and in start to give a true position for him. I don't think making him play as a spare parts player in the back and forward line is fair to his talent (though he did a fairly good job as a small forward, I must say). In my view, he could well be a Buchanan-like midfielder that can go inside and outside with good delivery into the forward 50 - he's nothing like Schneider in my opinion.

 

[liz]

In my view, Moore is a bit like Schneider and is likely to be more successful as a small forward than a midfielder (not sure he has the stamina to play midfield). On the other hand, Bird probably has the potential to be a more inside midfielder - a ball magnet with clean disposals, so I don't see why those two can't be in the same team.

At U18 level, Moore was a ball magnet with clean disposals. And in the couple of games I've seen Moore and Bird play together (late in the season for the reserves team) both took their turns at centre bounces and Moore was clearly the more consistent and effective (and to be fair, spent more time there). Clearly its not fair to compare the two since one has been on the list 3 years and is older. But at ACTAFL level, they show very similar attributes.

I don't think Moore has Schneider's pace or acceleration over those first few steps. Indeed, I don't think any of our younger (or older, for that matter) small brigade does other than Phillips, who doesn't have the bulk, and Jack who is maybe the closest. That's why I am still a bit baffled about Schneider's departure. I reckon Monty is also a bit quicker than Moore, yet Monty's not expresss either.

(One qualification - Simpkin is another who probably does have the pace but he still has a lot of other things to work on and may well find himself squeezed out of the list within the next week or so.)