VFL, SANFL & WAFL recruits for the 08 draft

[Silvagnis]

Commetti made a fair point that the Demons might be better off playing some 21 to 23 year old players with mature bodies instead of skinny teenagers who might not be up to it or ready. Jamison, Porplyzia, Mitchell, Priddis, Aaron Davey, Hudson, Westhoff, Alwyn Davey and Roe have become good players or even guns after they were recruited as mature footballers.

The 21 year old Armfield impressed alot of Carlton fans with 23 touches in his debut game and a willingness to back himself against the toughest team in the AFL. Deluca and Ross Young were misses, but Adrian De luca filled a void at Carlton and worked harder than a better talent such as Angwin. Bannister has made more of his talents than Chris Egan, Meyer or Russell after he was cut by Essendon and was Carlton's best clubman last year.

Are there any other WAFL, VFL and SANFL players the clubs should consider drafting this year?

Did any of the VFL and SANFL players show a bit in the game on Saturday?

 

[swannies]

General, I, for one, was rapt with Army's debut on Saturday, well done.

On to topic, I watched East Freo v South Freo today and I thought this a couple of weeks ago watching him against Swan Districts but Liam Anthony must be considered as a mature agee rookie. 21 this year but works really well and has a bit of dash. Won the best first year country player in the WAFL last year, I think?

Kyal Horsley (21) and Trent Dennis-Lane (20) from Subiaco are both worth looking at with Horsley expected to get drafted according to this week's football budget. Add the 22yo (to be 23 in December) Blake Broadhurst from Subi to the list. Hayden Ballantyne (21?) is worth a look but his height may count against him but he has had a blistering year with no less than 3 goals in a game (up until this weekend) this year.

 

[Gozz]

Treeby from Woodville in the SANFL is an absolute gun midfielder and a hard runner. He probably should be playing AFL at the moment and I can't see why not. He is a ripped unit but still fast, has good skills and decision making. He can kick 60 metres on his left and he absolutely carved up in the state game vs Vic. Perfect for Melbourne if they want a ready made gun midfielder.

And if they want a ready made, tight checking defender look no further than Nicholas Wark from Sturt. He also played in the State game and only missed out on last years State under 18's because he showed up to training hungover so they axed him. He is not a high possession getter but he has shut down former AFL players Damien Cupido and Chris Ladhams this season. He also has a well developed body. Still only 19 so not that mature.

 

[Gozz]

Hayden Ballantyne (21?) is worth a look but his height may count against him but he has had a blistering year with no less than 3 goals in a game (up until this weekend) this year.

Yeah I've seen his guy play and he is good and deserves to be drafted.

 

[-VC-]

Treeby from Woodville in the SANFL is an absolute gun midfielder and a hard runner. He probably should be playing AFL at the moment and I can't see why not. He is a ripped unit but still fast, has good skills and decision making. He can kick 60 metres on his left and he absolutely carved up in the state game vs Vic. Perfect for Melbourne if they want a ready made gun midfielder.

Sloooooooow.

 

[Gozz]

Sloooooooow.

Yeah, slow like Sam Mitchell.

 

[-VC-]

Yeah, slow like Sam Mitchell.

He's a beautiful kick and gutsy too, but he's been playing well in the SANFL for a long time now. He would've been picked by now if there was interest in him you would think. He'd be like 23 or 24 years old so that's working against him.

How's his form been this season? Don't get to catch any SANFL on ABC2 anymore.

 

[Masten2McKinley]

i belive that mature age recruits are a good thing, look at those players you just named the are guns. alot of players in Subi would be able to crack the big time

 

[juddy_Like]

I got blasted for saying Dennis-Lane would go third round this year. Well i seem to rate him.

Also another one i like is Greg Broughton.

We all know about Hayden Ballentyne. If height is the only thing stopping him getting drafted than surely rookie list is worst case scenario.

 

[foj1]

Paul Colbert, James wall, Andrew Horne, Hayden Skipworth and Ben Jolley could all be playing AFL footy. Its just a matter of clubs taking a punt on size or someone who has already been in the system. Gold Coast will have to look at these sorts of players.

 

[Macca19]

You cant compare Leigh Treeby to Sam Mitchell. Treeby plays predominanlty wing, Mitchell is a clearance winning machine and possible Brownlow standard.

I like Treeby and hes definately a gun SANFL player, but to suggest he'd be a gun AFL player straight away is pretty far from the truth.

 

[dirtydog444]

would love to see Elliott from South Adelaide get another go on a list. Had a bad year with injuries as a rookie with the crows. Has played really good consistant league footy this year at 20yrs old in a club that is in turmoil. In best players frequently and nominated as star search nomanee rd 8.

 

[WarwickCapper39]

Paul Colbert, James wall, Andrew Horne, Hayden Skipworth and Ben Jolley could all be playing AFL footy. Its just a matter of clubs taking a punt on size or someone who has already been in the system. Gold Coast will have to look at these sorts of players.

Horne must be looked at... quick, elusive, fit, good skills. Also Fort Caruso... I've watched a few Coburg games this year, and Fort continues to impress. Always question marks over his size, put has once again proved he's got what it takes.

 

[LemmingMaster]

. Add the 22yo (to be 23 in December) Blake Broadhurst from Subi to the list. Hayden Ballantyne (21?) is worth a look but his height may count against him but he has had a blistering year with no less than 3 goals in a game (up until this weekend) this year.

I agree with these two players, Ballantyne may be small, but I think he has at least as much talent as Milne, but I think is a better mark overhead.

Broadhurst may struggle a little in the AFL, but could be worth a shot if you need a 3rd forward.

I'm glad last year Harry Taylor was picked up, he has shown that a mature aged recruit still has value. I was actually hoping he would slip down the draft into Carlton's hands, as we needed a good defender.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Important to note the rookie rule has been changed so you can rookie a mature age player so long as they haven't played an AFL game. Different to previous years where anyone who had been on a list was ineligible.

 

[Clyde's mullet]

Important to note the rookie rule has been changed so you can rookie a mature age player so long as they haven't played an AFL game. Different to previous years where anyone who had been on a list was ineligible.

That should be known as the "Podsiadly" rule.

 

[macca69]

That should be known as the "Podsiadly" rule.

I think the Brad Smith rule would be more appropriate...

 

[Thunderstruck]

Treeby could definitely hold his own at AFL level. He might not be the quickest player going around but has a very powerful body and is a terrific kick. Not SLOW by any means, has a quick enough brain to make up for any lack of speed. He'd easily be better than a stack of AFL listed players atm. And I also can't for my life understand why Paul Thomas got delisted. Stiff as, terrific player, hard, tough and skilled, brilliant offensive and defensive qualities and a leader on the field.

Yer, Wark goes alright, very good shutdown player and improving at a very very rapid pace. He'd be worth a look at.

Nahas from the VFL side really impressed me. Very slight in frame tho but the things he can do...very impressive. They all said the same thing about Matty Stokes for years...and I was raving and moaning wtf isn't he in the AFL. Too small was the arguement and too old. My arse. The 20-23YO bracket in the lower divisions offers some very very good players. Clubs need to look at this area a LOT more.

 

[Gozz]

James Allan is another SANFL gun for North Adelaide who should probably be drafted. Elite midfielder, won the Magarey Medal, runs until he chucks up and would be perfect quick fix for Melbourne's midfield. Plus he is only 22 or 23 so he would be a great pickup. I'd love him here at Carlton but obviously wont happen.

And also Carlton need to bring back Brett Backwell from Glenelg - he is a gun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[samthemanlonergan]

What are everyones thoughts on Nat Caruso and Alister Neville?

 

[jgb99]

A.Cockie (Subi Colts B&F last year, playing 1sts for Subi this yr and in the state squad) and I.Richardson (Claremont - 3rd in goals in the league) are some other names from the WAFL that may feature in this years NAB/PS/Rookie drafts.

 

[WarwickCapper39]

What are everyones thoughts on Nat Caruso and Alister Neville?

I think Nat Caruso is one to be looked at.. skills aren't great, but gets a lot of the ball (and a lot of his own mind you!). Could be a package deal with little brother Fort!

 

[ImperialPurple]

General, I, for one, was rapt with Army's debut on Saturday, well done.

On to topic, I watched East Freo v South Freo today and I thought this a couple of weeks ago watching him against Swan Districts but Liam Anthony must be considered as a mature agee rookie. 21 this year but works really well and has a bit of dash. Won the best first year country player in the WAFL last year, I think?

Kyal Horsley (21) and Trent Dennis-Lane (20) from Subiaco are both worth looking at with Horsley expected to get drafted according to this week's football budget. Add the 22yo (to be 23 in December) Blake Broadhurst from Subi to the list. Hayden Ballantyne (21?) is worth a look but his height may count against him but he has had a blistering year with no less than 3 goals in a game (up until this weekend) this year.

Kyal Horsley and Blake Broadhurst both trained with Freo prior to the draft last year, along with Bradd Dalziell who ended up getitng drafted by Brisbane (4th round IIRC).

I would have liked to get Horsley instead of Mark Johnson rolleyes. [I've warmed to Big Kep now. ]

 

[rotto]

I am not sure why AFL clubs dont recruit mature players in the four /five/sixth round picks instead a young player who is a long shot.

I love for the AFL to increase the list to 50, so that more mature players are given chance instead of staying that if you dont get drafted at 18 their is little or no hope of being picked.

 

[darion]

Paul Colbert, James wall, Andrew Horne, Hayden Skipworth and Ben Jolley could all be playing AFL footy. Its just a matter of clubs taking a punt on size or someone who has already been in the system. Gold Coast will have to look at these sorts of players.

Alex Silvagni from Casey Scorpions 20 year old,192cm and 92kg. Having a good season in backline keeping AFL listed forwards and rookies to an average of one goal a game.Must have a chance.