Welcome Welcome to Freo Murphy Reid - pick 17 of the 2024 Draft

[mightymouse75]

Here's hoping his mum is a lousy cook.

Italian boys are just different

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Just like that worked for Erasmus and Johnson. Half forward is called the graveyard position and one of the hardest places to play for a reason. With the exception of JOM and banfield, all of the players listed above spent a majority of their junior years forward and then spent years perfecting the craft at AFL level. You don’t plug a first year midfielder there.

But he's played there a lot already, it's completely different?

 

[Purpleheart_56]

He's got the best highlights reel since Great Mitch Crowden...

 

[gungho]

But he's played there a lot already, it's completely different?

He played in the forward line about the same as Neil Erasmus and less than Cooper Simpson. In other words, yes, he has played there, but probably most juniors have also. Almost every drafting scout profile has him listed as a midfielder.
The point is, small forward at AFL level is one of the most difficult positions to come in and make an impact at. Only elite talents (that skill sets are specifically suited to there) like a Nick Watson or Isak Rankine come in and do well there.
Playing well in the midfield for Reid in the first few years will be a difficult task. Doing that in the forward line will be mission impossible.

For arguments sake, can you think of 1 player in the entire AFL system who has been drafted as a midfielder and performed well in their first few years in the forward line?

 

[Purpletown]

Just consider how tough this assignment will be for Murphy in the first year to crack the side. This is who he has to get past:

1. 3 stars that are set and forget in young , serong and brayshaw.

2 An ageing superstar who is a competitive beast and still believes he belongs in the middle.

3 A coaches pet who always gets a game regardless of form.

4. 2 high draft picks that are 3 years further in development and are dog hungry to get into the side. One who was just voted best afield in a WAFL grand final.


On top of all that, Jlo doesn’t usually play a tagger and if he does it wouldn’t be him.

If he can make our starting side under these conditions he’s an automatic 200 game AFL player.

It will be tough for Murphy Reid to get a game, however I see that as a great thing for the team on the proviso that the veterans are under pressure to preform or get dropped.
If he becomes a regular best 23 in 2025 then the team will be making real progress.
If decent players get pushed out the team is getting better. Increased competition for a place in the side.

 

[GingerDocker]

Why are we worried about his playing time next year?

He wasn't drafted for 2025, he was drafted because he was best available and has some elite traits that Wallsy really liked.

He'll come in and learn his craft and will be the young gun coming through when the likes of Young, Serong etc are in their mid-late 20s.

 

[Sherriff Incorporated]

Reid has plenty of speed in open play. When you look at the draft write ups and the mention of explosive speed they're talking about how other mids in the draft can burst away from contests so over 10 metres. Reid doesnt do that but what he does have is super combination of speed and endurance in open play while in close he is super good with his hands so he's better off getting someone els free anyway. He's not an explosive athlete over very short distances but I would describe him as elite at maintaining his speed over the course of the game as his work rate is superb. For what its worth Im also quoting how he's been described on the Rookie Me Central Facebook page where the draft experts post a lot. In my opinion his workrate will also mean he will be able to apply terrific pressure in the forward line early on in his career. With his workrate and a few preseasons under his belt he could develop into a wingman with a fantastic ability to link up play but at the start of his career I see him playing as the Walters replacement as the high half forward who links up play but also someone who can win clearance at bouncedowns and throw ins in general play. He cold very well spend his first yar playing WAFL as he needs to add some size but Im wrapt with this choice.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Reid has plenty of speed in open play. When you look at the draft write ups and the mention of explosive speed they're talking about how other mids in the draft can burst away from contests so over 10 metres. Reid doesnt do that but what he does have is super combination of speed and endurance in open play while in close he is super good with his hands so he's better off getting someone els free anyway. He's not an explosive athlete over very short distances but I would describe him as elite at maintaining his speed over the course of the game as his work rate is superb. For what its worth Im also quoting how he's been described on the Rookie Me Central Facebook page where the draft experts post a lot. In my opinion his workrate will also mean he will be able to apply terrific pressure in the forward line early on in his career. With his workrate and a few preseasons under his belt he could develop into a wingman with a fantastic ability to link up play but at the start of his career I see him playing as the Walters replacement as the high half forward who links up play but also someone who can win clearance at bouncedowns and throw ins in general play. He cold very well spend his first yar playing WAFL as he needs to add some size but Im wrapt with this choice.

That is suprising, because one of the issues reported was defensive work rate.

Maybe the only issue is his mindset, and it could be corrected fairly easily.


FYI - this reminds me of Tommy Sheridan looking for the handball from Stephen Hill. Was never going to happen.

 

[gungho]

He's got the best highlights reel since Great Mitch Crowden...

Haha. Spot on. I remember watching Mitch Crowden's highlights and was absolutely stunned that he fell to pick 59.

 

[Big Animal]

He played in the forward line about the same as Neil Erasmus and less than Cooper Simpson. In other words, yes, he has played there, but probably most juniors have also. Almost every drafting scout profile has him listed as a midfielder.
The point is, small forward at AFL level is one of the most difficult positions to come in and make an impact at. Only elite talents (that skill sets are specifically suited to there) like a Nick Watson or Isak Rankine come in and do well there.
Playing well in the midfield for Reid in the first few years will be a difficult task. Doing that in the forward line will be mission impossible.

For arguments sake, can you think of 1 player in the entire AFL system who has been drafted as a midfielder and performed well in their first few years in the forward line?

G Ablett Jr started in the forward pocket.

 

[Perfect Purple]

Played for the same team that Andy did and he turned out alright!

Welcome to Freo Murf. You are going to love it here.

 

[mike91]

Murphy will play some games next year, because the kid is all class, I mean this kid is classy af!

I think provided he can put on size and build his tank, that he takes Fyfes role in Round One 2026.

I think this kid is going to be damn good and be a key contributor to our score involvements. You want the ball in his hands forward of center and he just makes others around him better.

I'm annoyed we didn't get a small forward and was definitely keen on Berry, but when you watch Reid's highlights you can see why his nickname is 'the chef'.

 

[Paracleet]

I'm thinking more Zach Merrett than Pendlebury.

 

[Tonga Bob]

From the start of this month:

‘Gone Hollywood on me!’: Inside top draft prospect’s close bond with Hawthorn star

‘Gone Hollywood on me!’: Inside top prospect’s bond with Hawk... and ‘surreal’ crew that made him

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[gungho]

G Ablett Jr started in the forward pocket.

Yeah well that was over 10 years ago. Also, he might arguably be the best AFL player of all time.

 

[Paracleet]

Yeah well that was over 10 years ago. Also, he might arguably be the best AFL player of all time.

10?! I reckon Jnr's last season before going FT mid was 2006. That's basically 20 years ago.

 

[lint]

He played in the forward line about the same as Neil Erasmus and less than Cooper Simpson. In other words, yes, he has played there, but probably most juniors have also. Almost every drafting scout profile has him listed as a midfielder.
The point is, small forward at AFL level is one of the most difficult positions to come in and make an impact at. Only elite talents (that skill sets are specifically suited to there) like a Nick Watson or Isak Rankine come in and do well there.
Playing well in the midfield for Reid in the first few years will be a difficult task. Doing that in the forward line will be mission impossible.

For arguments sake, can you think of 1 player in the entire AFL system who has been drafted as a midfielder and performed well in their first few years in the forward line?

Andrew McLoud started in the forward pocket. Gerard Healey did the same. Isaac Heeney has spent most his career in the forward line before his historically succesful midfield switch. Jason Akermanis and Kevin Bartlett were midfielders first who became outstanding forward line crumbers. As stated above, Gary Ablett Junior was amazing in both roles. Darren Jarmen. It's a very long list.

The skills required aren't mutually exclusive. I would argue if you have composure, can read the play, be front and centre, have some goal nous/mercurial qualities, good skills, and can also develop a decent tank, there's no reason you can't excel as both a midfielder and forward.

 

[gungho]

Andrew McLoud started in the forward pocket. Gerard Healey did the same. Isaac Heeney has spent most his career in the forward line before his historically succesful midfield switch. Jason Akermanis and Kevin Bartlett were midfielders first who became outstanding forward line crumbers. As stated above, Gary Ablett Junior was amazing in both roles. Darren Jarmen. It's a very long list.

The skills required aren't mutually exclusive. I would argue if you have composure, can read the play, be front and centre, have some goal nous/mercurial qualities, good skills, and can also develop a decent tank, there's no reason you can't excel as a midfielder and forward.

Now let's narrow that list down to players drafted as a midfielder and doing well in the forward line in the last 10 years?
Not such a long list anymore is it. Heeney is actually the perfect example of my point. He was drafted as a midfielder and has pretty much always under delivered when playing forward. Was moved into the midfield this year and won his first All Australian.

 

[apuchar]

He was seen as a forward/wing in his under 17's year. So he has a better base as a forward.

#9 Murphy Reid (Sandringham Dragons)
Forward/Wing | 181cm | 30/07/2006

Work rate has become a standout feature of Reid’s game this year and his Futures game was no different. He ran hard to be an option around the ground, getting into the defensive 50 as a relief kick option, even when playing as a forward. With composure and ball use as two more strengths, Reid was impactful with nearly every touch, and the few he didn’t use overly well he always followed up with pressure on an opponent or a genuine fight to win it in a contest himself, not letting the few mistakes stop him from continuing to try and create with difficult disposal options. Reid was another creative user in the forward half of the ground, often looking to move the ball into the corridor heading inside 50 to give his teammates the best chance to convert. He didn’t manage to nab himself a goal, with a two difficult shots on opposite boundary sides only resulting in one minor score.

 

[fnerd]

Murphy will play some games next year, because the kid is all class, I mean this kid is classy af!

I think provided he can put on size and build his tank, that he takes Fyfes role in Round One 2026.

I think this kid is going to be damn good and be a key contributor to our score involvements. You want the ball in his hands forward of center and he just makes others around him better.

I'm annoyed we didn't get a small forward and was definitely keen on Berry, but when you watch Reid's highlights you can see why his nickname is 'the chef'.

100%

Seriously check out the handball to himself(at 1:42) whilst tight roping the boundary and dodging two opp players.

80% of players wouldn’t even think to do that in the first place let alone pull it off

Murphy Reid Draft Highlights | Pick 17

See all the highlights from our 2024 AFL Draft pick, Murphy Reid!

www.fremantlefc.com.au

 

[greatgatsby]

Except for kids who've always been tall, virtually every kid plays midfield in their junior careers. That's because they're the best footballers in their teams. As they develop professionally they can find other positions. It's not like the NFL where they come out of college at 22/23 fully cooked specialists.

 

[greatgatsby]

From the start of this month:

‘Gone Hollywood on me!’: Inside top draft prospect’s close bond with Hawthorn star

‘Gone Hollywood on me!’: Inside top prospect’s bond with Hawk... and ‘surreal’ crew that made him

www.foxsports.com.au

There's nothing to not like about that.

 

[greatgatsby]

100%

Seriously check out the handball to himself(at 1:42) whilst tight roping the boundary and dodging two opp players.

80% of players wouldn’t even think to do that in the first place let alone pull it off

Murphy Reid Draft Highlights | Pick 17

See all the highlights from our 2024 AFL Draft pick, Murphy Reid!

www.fremantlefc.com.au

The kid has a touch of arrogance that's Akermanis-like.

 

[Tonga Bob]

100%

Seriously check out the handball to himself(at 1:42) whilst tight roping the boundary and dodging two opp players.

80% of players wouldn’t even think to do that in the first place let alone pull it off

Murphy Reid Draft Highlights | Pick 17

See all the highlights from our 2024 AFL Draft pick, Murphy Reid!

www.fremantlefc.com.au

Amissesqe

Stunning Amiss assist brings Jackson into action

Fremantle’s Jye Amiss handballs the footy to himself and delivers a beautiful pass to Luke Jackson in the goalsquare

www.afl.com.au

 

[Perfect Purple]

Is it just me or does Murphy Reid bear a striking physical resemblance to Heath Chapman? They have similar facial features.

Just watching the Dockers v Tigers game where Heath kicked that flukey goal from the boundary. Just love Heath’s reaction to the goal. He was as shocked as we were!