USA combine

[captainMyCaptain]

Won't be surprised if a club gives this guy a shot:

AMERICAN decathlete David Grzesiak has shown he has some AFL traits after impressing in the opening two days of the USA AFL combine in Los Angeles.

The 195cm Grzesiak, who competed at Olympic trial level in the track decathlon and also has a background in American football, won the agility run with a time of 8.11 seconds.

Along with Matt Sauey and Cliff Ederine, Grzesiak also jumped 86cm in the standing vertical jump, breaking the record of 85cm.

To emphasise his athleticism, Grzesiak also excelled in the three-kilometre time trial, winning in 10 minutes and 34 seconds, almost a minute ahead of second-placed Taylor Broekhuis.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-04-17/decathlete-stands-out-

 

[Asgardian]

I'd like to see Port give one of these sort of blokes a go.

 

[Wickzki]

 

[Barkly St End]

Grzesiak turns 25 in July, so will be 26 next season, and probably 28 by the time he is close to being
AFL ready.

I think it's too old.

These US combines should be targetting those immediately out of college who have only just missed out on getting drafted to thier preferred sport.

But even then, those sorts of guys will be 22 years old.

In all honesty, there is more mileage to be gained in checking out Pacific U16 teams. Grab them while they're 16 or 17, can already play the game, bring them to Australia on scholarship to finish their final year of schooling (like the Hawks have done with Heatherley and Tatupu), rookie list them for a couple of years, so that by the time they are 19/20, they've actually played two years of 2nd tier senior footy and we'll know what they're about.

Those sorts of blokes, if you can find them, will be light years ahead of these blokes at the US comine aged 22 to 25.

 

[Scotty_222]

look at blicavs tho.. hadnt played in 8 years
would almost be like training a new guy from scratch.
its scary to think your ruckman can out run your onballers

 

[Ruse]

Does it really matter if they only come good at 28? You're getting them for next to nothing and are unbelievable athletes so what if they only play for 2-3 years of afl football. I think the fastest transition to an afl position is fullback, just teach them to follow their opponent and punch the ball and they've basically mastered that position. I really want my club to pick up 1 or 2 of these americans and I was a big supporter of the eric wallace last year.

 

[Scotty_222]

Does it really matter if they only come good at 28? You're getting them for next to nothing and are unbelievable athletes so what if they only play for 2-3 years of afl football. I think the fastest transition to an afl position is fullback, just teach them to follow their opponent and punch the ball and they've basically mastered that position. I really want my club to pick up 1 or 2 of these americans and I was a big supporter of the eric wallace last year.

havnt really heard much of eric wallace since

 

[PenAndPaper]

Does it really matter if they only come good at 28? You're getting them for next to nothing and are unbelievable athletes so what if they only play for 2-3 years of afl football. I think the fastest transition to an afl position is fullback, just teach them to follow their opponent and punch the ball and they've basically mastered that position. I really want my club to pick up 1 or 2 of these americans and I was a big supporter of the eric wallace last year.

Well you'd probably only get 3-4 years at most out of them. Playing fullback is definitely not as easy as you are saying it is, you need to really understand footy to be able to play there not just athletically gifted.

 

[dlanod]

look at blicavs tho.. hadnt played in 8 years
would almost be like training a new guy from scratch.
its scary to think your ruckman can out run your onballers

Blicavs had at least played it before.

 

[Scotty_222]

u14s

 

[fabulousphil]

Does it really matter if they only come good at 28? You're getting them for next to nothing and are unbelievable athletes so what if they only play for 2-3 years of afl football. I think the fastest transition to an afl position is fullback, just teach them to follow their opponent and punch the ball and they've basically mastered that position. I really want my club to pick up 1 or 2 of these americans and I was a big supporter of the eric wallace last year.

What happened, or what is happening with Eric Wallace ?.

 

[The_Answer3]

Amazing athletics, but too old to impact.

Too small to play ruck, would need to be able to learn CHF. Can't be done in 2 years with NO game understanding.

But wow, if you could get him at 18.

 

[Scotty_222]

What happened, or what is happening with Eric Wallace ?.

playing north ballarat twos

 

[GarnerSmash]

What happened, or what is happening with Eric Wallace ?.

Recuperating from knee surgery. Had a wee clean up about a month ago.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Recuperating from knee surgery. Had a wee clean up about a month ago.

Which one was the more serious procedure?

 

[swansfan51]

All these ridiculous comments about "too old". Mike Pyke was brought in at a similar age, what a massive waste of time he's turned out to be.

 

[King Corey]

All these ridiculous comments about "too old". Mike Pyke was brought in at a similar age, what a massive waste of time he's turned out to be.

Agree and symptomatic of a larger obsession with youth in AFL.

A 28yo who can give you 3-4 quality seasons at the right time (in terms of your list) could be invaluable.

In this case a player with genuine athletic ability, mature in body AND mind and by virtue of having to scrap through the life of an international rookie will have shown determination and set a great example to young players. There is no harm having quality people on your list.

I'm not sure of Mike Pyke's age but if he contributes 2-3 seasons from 28-30 while Sydney are genuine contenders (which he already has) then the venture is worth it. You betcha bottom dollar he's made the other rucks have to earn their keep and shown a few kids how to work hard for an AFL career.

 

[Ants]

Anyone who thinks being a tall athlete is sufficient, I give you exhibit A: Mark Bolton.

 

[King Corey]

Anyone who thinks being a tall athlete is sufficient, I give you exhibit A: Mark Bolton.

Noone did but point taken.

 

[BrockBlitz]

I think we are also missing one key thing. Basketball is not as hard on the body(less impacts, lower speeds). So a guy who is 24 when is is B-rookied is much more like a 20 year old in terms of their wear and tear. We are working on the basis that they will be "done" by 31 or 32 which is unlikely with their workload, especially as they will spend 3+ years at reserves/state reserves level.