Preview Rookie draft- who do we get?

[Ando727]

Tom Couch with an article in the HUN. I took a read of it and was really impressed with what I read...



http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/persistence-pays-off-for-couch/story-fn4hg9de-1226220754107

Here we have a man who wants to do nothing more than get on an AFL list and crash some packs and get his hands dirty. I really hope to see him get a game or two next season.

Got to admire that sort of initiative and determination. Hope he makes it into the side.

 

[Mr Controversy]

Good luck to Couchy and co who got picked up yesterday. Time will tell with the rookies as most of them fall by the way side but Couchy seems like a determined young man so hopefully he can make it. The hard work is still yet to come for our rookies….

My only issue with picking Couchy is why didn't Geelong pick him up?? The cats had a chance to pick him up under the father son rule years ago but they didn't and they decided to pick some guy who can run like the wind instead of many others this year..... i know im being picky but by golly the cats have been the premier team for many years now and i just hope we aren't falling behind the ball.

Anyway enough negativity good luck to all.

 

[saj_21]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...in-recruiting-key-forward-20111213-1osj4.html

Article on Williams, good height and size on the kid and playing against senior bodies to should him in good stead, may take some time adjusting to the speed. Good to see we've picked up some players who have worked hard for a chance at AFL may just kick some other blokes into gear.

 

[Logger]

After looking at their videos on the mfc website, Magner may cop a few weeks if he tackles like that in the AFL. They all look like they can pla though.

 

[lukemaggers]

After looking at their videos on the mfc website, Magner may cop a few weeks if he tackles like that in the AFL. They all look like they can pla though.

Have to agree regarding Magner. I loved his attack but he will have to be careful. But he looks like a beast who is really physical. Couch's tackles were also really good and he's pretty good at reading the tap work.

Sheahan and Williams both have a fair bit of agility and can take a mark. Sheahan especially can take a very nice contested mark. Williams makes good use of his body.

That's what I took from the short videos on the website. Let's remember they are rookies, so they make a JPod Or Barlow impact or they might last one year on the list.

 

[Bartram_Class]

Speculative call, but if Magner can take the next step, there's definitely a spot for him in our starting rotation.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I think we need a bit more class than what Magners or Couch have to offer.

 

[Spirit of 39]

I found myself falling into the trap of getting all excited about our rookies. I then read the BS supporters from other club were sprouting about their pick-ups. For example, the Tiger supporters are talking up Addam Maric as the second coming on their board.

I hope for the best with the boys and remain optimistic, but I have brought my expectations down a peg or two.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

The only one I really see a future for is Sheahan.

He has ability.

Couch and Magner don't appear have the class to play in a top four midfield from what I've seen of them.

 

[Spirit of 39]

The only one I really see a future for is Sheahan.

He has ability.

Couch and Magner don't appear have the class to play in a top four midfield from what I've seen of them.

Couch seems like a popular kid who has worked his ass off, but nothing in his playing past has suggested he is up to the level. I hope I'm wrong.

Magner has a massive body and hits hard. He may surprise.

Sheahan will be hit or miss, but his ceiling is high from what I've heard. Williams is a talent at local level. He has not played a higher level, so again he is very much an unknown quantity.

I'm just happy we didn't go with recycled blokes like Valenti, Tuck, etc. who we have already seen at the level and we know they aren't going to be the difference for us.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I agree, Sheahan is definitely a hit or miss candidate but also fantastic value at pick 6 in the rookie draft (IMO).

Good contested mark, good footskills, smarts and vision, good height, good frame to work with and performed well in the TAC Cup this year - I honestly have no idea why he wasn't snapped up much, much earlier.

 

[Spirit of 39]

I agree, Sheahan is definitely a hit or miss candidate but also fantastic value at pick 6 in the rookie draft (IMO).

Good contested mark, good footskills, smarts and vision, good height, good frame to work with and performed well in the TAC Cup this year - I honestly have no idea why he wasn't snapped up much, much earlier.

He came second in the TAC goalkicking and won the Falcon's BF. Who knows what these recruiters are looking at. I wonder whether they put too much emphasis on the Combine results sometimes.

 

[DeeWong6996]

Sheehan was unlucky not to go in the ND. He has a strong pair of hands and his decision making is second to none. His frame will be a working progress, hopefully by 2013 he can play some solid games. Getting him at pick 6 is a bargain, considering he was one
of the better forwards after Patton. GWS nearly picked him as one of their 17yr olds!

Couch seems like your old fashioned no nonsense midfielder. His work rate is exceptional and his clearance work is commendable also. IMO, seems like the least talented out of our rookies, but gives 100% at everything nonetheless.

I'm a big fan of Magner. Everything about him screams tough. He tackles relentlessly and never fails to follow up. His aggression would be an amazing acquisition to our midfield, considering that was an area we were lacking. At 24, he will have more expectation to perform.

 

[dee64]

The only one I really see a future for is Sheahan.

He has ability.

Couch and Magner don't appear have the class to play in a top four midfield from what I've seen of them.

The same comments were probably made of Mitchell, Sewell, Barlow and Blair.

Not sure about Couch, but Magner has the credentials to be a good AFL footballer.

Out of the 4 rookies, I'd say that Sheehan is the least likely to play AFL.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

I don't think they add anything to our midfield group if with Jones, Moloney and Bate as the inside mids.

Sheahan might be the least likely to play AFL football, but if he does he has the scope to be a better player than any of the others we picked up.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Magner and Couch were chosen purely because they can play in 2012 if required. They have played against men, and have bodies that can handle the pressure at the top level. Also very good stoppage players which we are literally last in the comp at right now.

Magner out of the 4 rookies chosen is the one who will get first crack IMO. He is tough as nails and if unleashed, will do anything to get the pill at stoppages. I watched him live a few times last season in the VFL and he is a monster at stoppages and no one breaks his tackles. Will struggle around the ground a touch as his skills are average, but we need players who can win the ball and he will do that.

Couch would be after Magner IMO. He's obviously got some ticker and persistance and hard work has won him the spot ahead of skills. But he is a handy back up if a midfielder became injured, although Evans and Magner would be ahead of him.

Sheahan is definitely a project player. Give him a couple of years to work on his frame and play in the VFL and assess again at the end of 2013.

Williams is purely there as a back up for our forwardline. But with Howe, Clark, Watts, Jurrah, Petterd etc, he will be most unlikely to get a game unless we have a spate of injuries.

We have a really good balanced team on paper now. 1 or 2 classy midfielders short maybe, but we have a good chance to address this in the next draft with Viney and maybe 1 or 2 others to come aboard. It's up to Neeld to work his magic now...

 

[RandB]

We have a really good balanced team on paper now. 1 or 2 classy midfielders short maybe, but we have a good chance to address this in the next draft with Viney and maybe 1 or 2 others to come aboard. It's up to Neeld to work his magic now...

I think that's what will make it an interesting season in some ways.

There is a temporary shortfall in elite mid talent which means an opportunity to assess our mid stocks. Bail and Grimes as well as a lot of rookies would be eyeing off cementing a spot in the mid rotations before Viney and others come into the equation. Next year is definitely the year to be noticed for these guys and I'll enjoy the competition and seeing who can go up a notch - knowing what we have in store in the next ND.

 

[Bails2008]

It is amazing how many players make it from Rookie drafts. We have often had great success. Some players simply thrive as they go up and compete at a higher level. So many of the games elite players have come from the rookie draft. Like the choices we made. Clear indication of where Neeld thinks we are deficient. In the midfield and Key position. Absolutely correct if that is the caseShehan to me sounds like a great call. What a bonus if he makes it

I can tell you that Williams is an absolute gun at Div 1 EFl level which is the strongest Metro comp in the state and kicked 88 goals. Some people would argue that the VAFA has claims but can't compete with the money that is at the top end of EFL. Would be a stronger comp than what Howe was drafted from so who knows, could be a great roughy. Have an assistant coaching role at Knox this year and they are rapt he got drafted, they don't have to worry about him now.

 

[markm106]

Heard Williams was going very well in the 1on1 and at times out marking Garland leading up to rookie draft

 

[Jordie_tackles]

I don't think they add anything to our midfield group if with Jones, Moloney and Bate as the inside mids.

Sheahan might be the least likely to play AFL football, but if he does he has the scope to be a better player than any of the others we picked up.

Disagree for starters Bate hasnt played a game for MFC in the midfield apart from maybe round 24 last season.

Secondly Magner will tackle more times per game than Jones and Bate combined so thats what i think the minimum he will add, and with Neeld wanting us to be hard to play against a see this being a very big plus for him.

Bate is not a natural Midfielder yet imo so we cant be counting him over any other prospect. Jones as an inside mid i dont rate atm, averages 2.5 clearances per game...not that many

Gysberts averaged about 3.8 last year
Moloney = 7
Mckenzie = over 4 a game

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Jones played a lot off half-back last year; himself and McKenzie are ferocious midfield tacklers.

We don't want too many of the one type of player in our midfield make-up.

 

[Jordie_tackles]

Jones played a lot off half-back last year; himself and McKenzie are ferocious midfield tacklers.

We don't want too many of the one type of player in our midfield make-up.

Agree with this, but i dont think at this stage Jones is great inside player, Neeld may change this as he did wonders with Collingwoods midfield, he was in charge of it over the last 2-3 years i think.

Also i think Magners was rated as the best VFL player by Champion data (read it somewhere) and couch looks ok, it is hard to say what a full preseason and AFL type commitments will do to good VFL players tbh

But on topic a bit more, yeah we can only have so many inside mids, Jones may or may not be this type of player, Neeld may do something else with him? I just wont right of Magner or Couch 1 week in....

i just want competition for the spots to be competitive and for the best 4-5 inside players to turn up each week for the MFC along with the best 4-5 outside players

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

Haha, that would be the dream!

A competitively driven midfield...

Magners could be a good option, but at the moment I'll take the proven AFL players over him.

Couch and Magners will hopefully knock the door down regularly in the VFL, and they'll get their chance hopefully.

 

[master bate]

Couple of corrections.

1. It's Magner not Magners.

2. Jones played most of 2010 (and 2009) on a wing. Despite his strong frame he hasn't been used much as an inside midfielder lately. But if you look at his tackle stats and analyze his game despite his only moderate speed (he is neither fast nor slow) and his inconsistent kicking he does play like more of an outside player.

 

[ThePuppetMaster]

My bad; I'm sure I've interchanged between the two

Jones is an inside mid in my eyes; 2010 there wasn't an inside mid place for him... I thought his game suffered as a result.