Do we need more talls again?...

[Ford Fairlane]

Got me there ...

BTW love your draft page ... in fact I think I'll go back there and have another look at the KPP list ...

 

[Portia]

You'll just keep coming back to Nick Smith (195cm, 91 kg), I expect.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I suspect you may be right. Wade Champion might be ok in terms of size and strength, but he's predominantly a key forward. But then so was Pavlich when he started out.

Ah well anyway it really is just guesswork, who knows what they may have planned for Cornes or White or maybe even Tredrea down the track? Then their view on what we need in the draft is completely different to what I'm thinking today, and they'll draft Schammer and Kellet!

And I still like the Brennan/Corrie pairing ...

 

[Portia]

Schammer & Smith would likely be our best compromise duo....and also would be a bit of a coup to pull off.

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by Ford Fairlane
Corey seems to have a perceived weakness among recruiters, probably too slow. No one's taken a chance even on a rookie list. I'd be surprised if we picked him up now after he's been ignored for 2-3 years.

I'd say his chances have slimmed even further after being killed in the state game this year.

I wouldnt say he's too slow...he keeps up with the majority of forwards, i think its more his ungainly style which makes recruiters shy away from him.

 

[koulagirl32]

Originally posted by DaveW

The irrational part was the reasons you suggested for the Westies not playing him in the seniors.

Sorry to bring this up again but that's the most rational explanation. Nobody that good is kept down without an ulterior motive on behalf of the selectors. Despite whatever possible excuses you can come up with and that I have weighed up in the past (i.e. experience in leadership, stability in the reserves side, even when a finals campaign was hopeless, no place in the senior side) and found lacking, you cannot deny that there was something else going on. You cannot. And considering what I know and what evidence there is to support the Borchard theory, it seems pretty likely. And you know as well as all of us that it's football and anything can happen.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Porthos
In my opinion, we're one genuine ball-getting (as opposed to receiving) on-baller short in our top 22.

Wilson and Pickett can both run in stints in the midfield, but neither are proficient enough to play there for any length of time...they do lend toughness to the back and/or forward lines and with Pickett specifically around the periphery of the packs.

You guys could rotate a combination of Wilson, Pickett & Hardwick through the midfield to give a bit more steel. Each of them individually would struggle to run out a full game in the middle, but could provide some impact when required. Rucciuto is the type of player Port need to complete the midfield.

 

[mic59]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
Rucciuto is the type of player Port need to complete the midfield

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by mic59

Yeah, silly me - meant to say Ricciuto...

 

[Deestroy]

Originally posted by Porthos
If a fairly strong-bodied defender is on our urgent list, Corey Ah Chee at #61 or #72 wouldn't be a bad way to go.

Interesting that you bring Ah Chee up, as a member of a Demons board has been saying the Dees should pick him up as a stop-gap solution while Ellis and Nicho return from injury.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Originally posted by Deestroy
Interesting that you bring Ah Chee up, as a member of a Demons board has been saying the Dees should pick him up as a stop-gap solution while Ellis and Nicho return from injury.

Better drafting S Bassett IMO.

 

[Eddie Woloschek]

Originally posted by Porthos
Brent Guerra needs to convince Mark that he's untradeable, or he'll be traded....a 20 year old 50 gamer like Brent is worth a bit on the market, and if Choco doesn't think he's unique/important enough to make a required player, he'll be gone, which would suck.

How does he achieve that? Williams obviously sees a different player than most of us do. I can't believe Poults is a better player than him.

 

[Portia]

Originally posted by Eddie Woloschek
How does he achieve that?

I really have no idea. Maybe he can quickly become a Josh Carr style tagger (or that genuine ball-getter that I keep referring to us needing)

 

[PAfolwr]

He needs to play really well in one position, and **** everywhere else.
Because he is able to patch holes all over the ground, he is being used like a poor man's Wanganeen, and as such
1) He will always be second in line to Wanganeen until he retires, and
2) He will never have a chance to make any position his own.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by Porthos


Also, someone should tell Mr. Capel that 187cm does not suffice for a key position player.

Exactly what i thought when reading the article.

And unless Daniel Bell has grown a bit lately i doubt he is even that tall.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by Eddie Woloschek


I can't believe Poults is a better player than him.

He's not.

Saying that i think the Guru is still probably just outside our top 22 players, yet to me he is very much a required player. He's already played 50 games, can play both ends, in many roles, his time will come, hopefully he is still at Port when it does. Unfortunatly (for him) we keep recruiting half back flankers, brining in Hardwick & Pickett and with wilson back again makes it tough on a young kid to cement a position in the backlines.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by Kane McGoodwin
You guys could rotate a combination of Wilson, Pickett & Hardwick through the midfield to give a bit more steel. Each of them individually would struggle to run out a full game in the middle, but could provide some impact when required. Rucciuto is the type of player Port need to complete the midfield.

At this stage Wilbur is fit enough to run out three games on the trott in the midfield, although match fitness is different to general fitness i guess.

Getting back to who we win draft, i'd like to see Brennan as he does sound an exciting prospect. If carlton lose a couple of picks then maybe we will look to one of the smaller types, Schammer or maybe Grimma would be high on my list considering the top 3 are just about set in stone.

 

[Portia]

I'd like to think we wouldn't take Brennan unless Schammer had already gone.

 

[Eago77]

Originally posted by dreamkillers


That said 2003 will be a make or break year for a number of players that have been on out list for a few years........

Cain Ackland - only 20 which probably helped and will have to improve to move up from 4th ruck.....

Big year for Ackers, will get a lot of game time with the Magpies as their first ruckman, it will either make or break him as a AFL player.

Originally posted by dreamkillers

Domenic Cassisi/Paul Koulouriotis - as with Cain only 20 although both have strugled with injuries and form - probably fighting for the same spot with the player showing the most in 2003 more than likely retaining a spot but both will be expected to step up........

Tough on Dom comparing him to Koula. I've seen enough of Dom to be very confident that he'll make a good AFL player. Koula i'm not so sure. Even with an average year Dom will still be there, but Koula must have a good year at Westies to stay on the list.

Originally posted by dreamkillers


Stuart Cochrane - well it won't take much to show more than one M Stevens - will be interesting to see if he makes the grade......

Che ****atoo-Collins - probably lucky he was still contracted for next year...........can see him playing a few games for the Magpies in 2003 unless he can produce his best.......

Cochrane will be a good backup, much better value than M Stevens or Murray.

Che is certainly on thin ice again, will he come through it again like he did in 2001? If he can reproduce that type of effort and there is nothing to stop him doing it again he will be very valueable for us in 2003, if he doesn't, it may well be curtains for Che at the Power.

Originally posted by dreamkillers

Brent Guerra - Still only 20 and a player most of us like in the side but will have to show more in 2003 - our Mr fixit in 2003 who will be looking at cementing a regular spot........

Chris Hall - would have played this year except for being struck down with OP.............the club will be looking for Chris to be fighting for a spot in 2003 and is one player that could surprise.......

Lets hope the Guru can continue to get game time, atleast enough to keep him at the Power for another year or two, by which time, the likes of Dimma and Gav may have moved on and he will be a ready made replacement.

As for Hall, just needs to keep injury free, no real need for him to get too worried, just find his level at SANFL level again and go from there. Another year or two on the list with decent form at South will hold him in good stead to cover a Francou type IMO.

Originally posted by dreamkillers

Brendon Lade - at 26 will be fighting with Broges for the No 2 ruck spot although with some confidence could also be a key forward in 2003 (which will be in competition to White).........after a disappointing 2002 the club will be expecting to see him return to earlier form.......

Adam Morgan/Toby Thurstans - 21/22 - both players have been groomed for key defensive rolls - with Mead gone and Paxman in probably his last season both have a chance to secure a spot in our defence..........more than likely the best player in the pre season will see themselves lining up for the real thing in 2003.......

Damon White - at 19 is being developed as a key forward.......will more than likely get a chance to show his wares in the pre season and with the right form could press for a spot during the year..........

Ladey has to repay the faith that we have shown in him, if he cant produce this year serious questions need to be asked. Ok he has had bad injuries but surely he can get back to something like his 1999 form and be very handy for us for another 5 or so years.

As for Morgs & the Thrust, it's their time to step up, enough waiting in the wings, they first need an opportunity and then really need to take it. More than likely one will move a head will the other doesn't. For the one who doesn't their time may well come in another year or two but can we/they wait that long?

White, lets hope that if given a chance he will play like most of us believe he can, just needs to string a season together with no injuries and he well could be the answer to one of our main problems.

Originally posted by dreamkillers

Michael Wilson/Byron Pickett - not make or break but I'm sure we're all looking forward to seeing them out on the ground in 2003.......

Will be interesting to see which rabbits out of the hat Stewie's got in store for us next week...........

Dam right, can't wait!

 

[dreamkillers]

Originally posted by Eago77
Tough on Dom comparing him to Koula. I've seen enough of Dom to be very confident that he'll make a good AFL player. Koula i'm not so sure. Even with an average year Dom will still be there, but Koula must have a good year at Westies to stay on the list.

Probably a little tough on Dom (I also like what I have seen in him so far) but I believe they are probably fighting for the same spot..........

Originally posted by Eago77
Lets hope the Guru can continue to get game time, atleast enough to keep him at the Power for another year or two, by which time, the likes of Dimma and Gav may have moved on and he will be a ready made replacement.

It's funny how he keep getting mentioned each year........I'm pretty confident he will be at our club for a number of years to come and agree within a couple of years will be a crucial player in our starting 18............

It was interesting when speaking about him to Chocco and others after our matches that they all see him being a long term Port Adelaide player..........and most of us forget he only turned 20 this year...............

Originally posted by Eago77
As for Hall, just needs to keep injury free, no real need for him to get too worried, just find his level at SANFL level again and go from there. Another year or two on the list with decent form at South will hold him in good stead to cover a Francou type IMO.

I'd actually like to see him in there next year should his form warrant it..........another in and under player to assist Francou would be a handy option........as well as nothing wrong with having another good left footer in the side..........

Originally posted by Eago77
As for Morgs & the Thrust, it's their time to step up, enough waiting in the wings, they first need an opportunity and then really need to take it. More than likely one will move a head will the other doesn't. For the one who doesn't their time may well come in another year or two but can we/they wait that long?

Yep with Mead gone and someone being groomed to make way for Packo one will get the opportunity to seize a regular spot..........both should have an interesting pre season knowing they will be competing for that spot............

Originally posted by Eago77
White, lets hope that if given a chance he will play like most of us believe he can, just needs to string a season together with no injuries and he well could be the answer to one of our main problems.

In a way the mystery man..........could be the surprise of 2003.........looking forward to seeing our 2002 mystery man in Junior Burger play in 2003.........

Originally posted by Eago77
Dam right, can't wait!

 

[dreamkillers]

Originally posted by Porthos
I'd like to think we wouldn't take Brennan unless Schammer had already gone.

I notice that Cameron Illett is being mentioned as a draft prospect but haven't seen anything about his brother Jared......

Is he too young for the draft as he was certainly the better brother for the Magpies this year............

 

[Portia]

I thought Jared was the older brother?

 

[dreamkillers]

Originally posted by Porthos
I thought Jared was the older brother?

He is........I'll blame it on being Sunday...........

He turned 21 at the beginning of the month so he may have passed his used by date for the AFL..........

 

[Macca19]

Originally posted by dreamkillers


He is........I'll blame it on being Sunday...........

He turned 21 at the beginning of the month so he may have passed his used by date for the AFL..........

Jared is a very good player, but i dont think he would make it at AFL level. Altho he was on fire mid year...was getting Best player week in week out for almost two months at Port. He's a tad slow and not very strong in the upper body...and given he is fair short i dont think he would be suited to a midfield role at an AFL club.

Cameron is only 17 and seems to have more pace than Jared. I hope we get him with a rookie pick, as i reckon he will develop into a very good player.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Originally posted by Porthos
Schammer & Smith would likely be our best compromise duo....and also would be a bit of a coup to pull off.

I think so. I've had another read of Colin Wisbey's review of Schammer and you would expect Port to take him if he's still there at pick #8 (#6) - no matter what Alan Stewart's red herrings might be about picking for position with the first round selection this year. Then it's just a matter of holding out to see who's still available at #18 (#16) - hopefully Smith.

Anyone know anything about Daniel Merrett (Qld)? Sounds a likely type, listed as a ruckman but at 194 cm more likely to be a KPP at AFL level.