Player Watch Rookie Pick #13 (2023) - Xavier Walsh

[RossFC]

Ross did he belt anyone today? Harder than a Zak Butters belting?

Did this and got away with it.
View attachment 2024-06-29 22-58-49.mp4

 

[1954]

Walsh has definitely got something worth working on but he probably shouldn't play AFL before 2026, and if/when he does he may need to back off a bit on the physical stuff or the scumps could be handing out 50 metre penalties like confetti at a wedding.

That aside, he (along with Lorenz) is one of the few feel good stories from last season's drafting and trading, with the traded for players being described by Matthew Lloyd as B graders and even that could be too generous a rating for Ratugolea.

 

[PJ Power]

Walsh has definitely got something worth working on but he probably shouldn't play AFL before 2026, and if/when he does he may need to back off a bit on the physical stuff or the scumps could be handing out 50 metre penalties like confetti at a wedding.

That aside, he (along with Lorenz) is one of the few feel good stories from last season's drafting and trading, with the traded for players being described by Matthew Lloyd as B graders and even that could be too generous a rating for Ratugolea.

If we somehow manage to get Lorenz, Walsh and Evans as good AFL players from the 2023 trade/draft period and 2024 mid year period, I would be very pleasantly surprised and relieved.

The recent form of all of Sweet, Soldo, Ratugolea, Aliir, BZT, Kyle Marshall and McCallum suggest we have to go back to the drawing board for filling our ruck and KPD stocks.

Of course that could change with new coaching, development and footy management.

 

[1954]

If we somehow manage to get Lorenz, Walsh and Evans as good AFL players from the 2023 trade/draft period and 2024 mid year period, I would be very pleasantly surprised and relieved.

The recent form of all of Sweet, Soldo, Ratugolea, Aliir, BZT, Kyle Marshall and McCallum suggest we have to go back to the drawing board for filling our ruck and KPD stocks.

Of course that could change with new coaching, development and footy management.

Good points re Lorenz, L. Evans and Walsh, but I'm prepared to cut Aliir some slack atm as his poor form has coincided with the arrival of Ratugolea, and I still have distinct memories of him remonstrating with the bloke in that trial game against the tingles at Alberton when he was continually left to do too much because of Esava's extremely poor positioning which hasn't improved in the real stuff either, and I'm expecting a better performance from the back 6 today without him in it.

Of the others, Soldo has ability but is obviously extremely injury prone, Sweet tries hard but was absolutely rag dolled against brisvegas so today's game could be defining for him, K. Marshall has the size to probably buy himself another season on the list, and McCallum is looking like a complete spud who could end up kicking the dew off the grass in some low ranking Tassie comp.

 

[Bevoman]

Big call, hope you're right coz we need a decent defender. Did like his game though - a lot.

Has the goods to be a tough forward

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Bassett said of Ollie Lord a couple of years back something like big blokes with aggression are really valuable,

Walsh is another one of those and on early viewing looks to have more talent than Lord, his hands are especially clean in marking contests.

I wouldn't mind seeing him forward in our reserves with the lack of height we have in the attacking zone. He would be like a fox in a henhouse.

 

[PJ Power]

Bassett said of Ollie Lord a couple of years back something like big blokes with aggression are really valuable,

Walsh is another one of those and on early viewing looks to have more talent than Lord, his hands are especially clean in marking contests.

I wouldn't mind seeing him forward in our reserves with the lack of height we have in the attacking zone. He would be like a fox in a henhouse.

I’ve often envied at how other sides have drafted and then developed these athletic, aggressive, high ceiling KPPs with lowish picks. Lord and Walsh have a long way to go, but have the sort of qualities that the likes of Noah Balta has. Scully is the other one although he is struggling to develop as quickly as expected because of the trash around him.

We must get those three and Visentini in the hands of better coaching and development.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I’ve often envied at how other sides have drafted and then developed these athletic, aggressive, high ceiling KPPs with lowish picks. Lord and Walsh have a long way to go, but have the sort of qualities that the likes of Noah Balta has. Scully is the other one although he is struggling to develop as quickly as expected because of the trash around him.

We must get those three and Visentini in the hands of better coaching and development.

Scully would definitely benefit from having Walsh nearby.

Dave Granger's teammates said he made them walk a foot taller. Walsh isn't Granger's level of fearsome, but he is plenty physical.

 

[Peninsula Boy]

If we somehow manage to get Lorenz, Walsh and Evans as good AFL players from the 2023 trade/draft period and 2024 mid year period, I would be very pleasantly surprised and relieved.

The recent form of all of Sweet, Soldo, Ratugolea, Aliir, BZT, Kyle Marshall and McCallum suggest we have to go back to the drawing board for filling our ruck and KPD stocks.

Of course that could change with new coaching, development and footy management.

And how about Tommy Alpha.

 

[PJ Power]

And how about Tommy Alpha.

So hard to judge him and Scully by the way the SANFL team is playing because the ball doesn’t get there often or cleanly enough, and when it does they are isolated against multiple opponents.

I like Tommy A more than Charleson so far, who hasn’t looked like it even allowing for injury. Tommy A at the least should be a better option than McEntee and Evans in the now, and DBJ in the long term. I’d like to see how he goes around Rioli and SPP in the same 50m arc.

Even so, we need to recruit a higher end small forward who can really terrorise defences. Pickett would have been ideal.

 

[RossFC]

Moved to the forward line this week and kicked 2 goals.
View attachment Walsh 1.mp4
View attachment Walsh 2.mp4

 

[Marmozet]

Signed

Young utility Walsh pens contract extension

Xavier Walsh has penned a contract extension, keeping the versatile at youngster at Alberton until at least the end of 2026.

www.portadelaidefc.com.au

 

[davesnothere]

Now play him against the Suns.

Make it interesting.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

There's a lot to like

The East Perth left-footer is grateful for the chance to remain at Alberton for another two years.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Port Adelaide so far,” Walsh said.

“I’m learning all the time and feel like I’m getting better as a footballer. The coaches have been so good to learn from and the playing group have helped make the transition smooth for me.

“I am really excited to keep developing and growing and will hopefully get my chance at AFL level in the future.”

 

[Alyx]

cc,ract ex.ension

 

[Coobk001]

Fascinating extension.

Would love to hear more on their thoughts around Walsh. At least this extension probably backs up what us supporters are seeing, because the surprise move of Walsh forward has probably confused from the outside as to what their internal thoughts on him and his development are.

 

[Macca19]

I like it a lot

 

[Ford Fairlane]

cc,ract ex.ension

That weird missing arm is a bit distracting

 

[Phar Ted]

Great to see. It's hard to believe that he's still only 18 with pretty much an AFL ready build for a big fella and plenty of aggression to boot.

Really looking forward to see what he can bring to the AFL team hopefully next year.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Fascinating extension.

Would love to hear more on their thoughts around Walsh. At least this extension probably backs up what us supporters are seeing, because the surprise move of Walsh forward has probably confused from the outside as to what their internal thoughts on him and his development are.

The move forward didn't surprise me. Against Norwood and Centrals we were crying out for another tall forward marking option. Walsh has also played forward as a junior and was the obvious answer, I'm only surprised it took them so long to try it. We have enough height down back with Clurey, Marshall, McCallum and even Williams whose reading of the play lets him play as a marking defender.

I can see davesnothere is keen, but I don't know I would play him yet in the AFL after his first sanfl game as a forward. He did a job but it was only a 6 touch 2 goal game in the sanfl in a game we dominated.

 

[PowerLil]

I like Xavier. He's a tough defender. Reminds me a bit of Marty Leslie. Didn't go to Prospect and only saw the last few minutes via the app. How did he go forward for those who watched?

 

[davesnothere]

The move forward didn't surprise me. Against Norwood and Centrals we were crying out for another tall forward marking option. Walsh has also played forward as a junior and was the obvious answer, I'm only surprised it took them so long to try it. We have enough height down back with Clurey, Marshall, McCallum and even Williams whose reading of the play lets him play as a marking defender.

I can see davesnothere is keen, but I don't know I would play him yet in the AFL after his first sanfl game as a forward. He did a job but it was only a 6 touch 2 goal game in the sanfl in a game we dominated.

Played forward previous to coming here.

He's physical and has great hands.

I'm not suggesting he's the complete package yet by any means but you could sneak him in as the 3rd tall nobodys going to notice.

He can drop back if needed.

Dixon is cooked until he proves otherwise in the sanfl. Dixons problem isn't a little bit of weight, it's our game plan and he can not do that anymore.

It's one game while Mitch has the week off.

We get rolled as the market is suggesting we gave a pretty good kid a run and we get something out of it.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Played forward previous to coming here.

He's physical and has great hands.

I'm not suggesting he's the complete package yet by any means but you could sneak him in as the 3rd tall nobodys going to notice.

He can drop back if needed.

Dixon is cooked until he proves otherwise in the sanfl. Dixons problem isn't a little bit of weight, it's our game plan and he can not do that anymore.

It's one game while Mitch has the week off.

We get rolled as the market is suggesting we gave a pretty good kid a run and we get something out of it.

I'm a big fan, just don't think he's ready yet. I would like to see him play a few more sanfl games forward.

And you know under Hinkley's game plan, he'll be running repeat 150m sprints every quarter. I would hate to see him blow up.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

 

[Ford Fairlane]

I like Xavier. He's a tough defender. Reminds me a bit of Marty Leslie. Didn't go to Prospect and only saw the last few minutes via the app. How did he go forward for those who watched?

Seeing as no one's replied ... I didn't see all of the game and didn't notice him much, but I missed all the good stuff in the third quarter. He had 6 touches and kicked 2 goals. Xavier provides a physical presence and occupies a tall defender so they can't all swarm to one player or drop off and take uncontested marks like they did the previous 2 weeks. He also allows our smaller forwards to crumb and find some space to work in.