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View Full Version : Anyone for a Mature Age Draft Pick?



bornadog
08-08-2012, 09:50 PM
Ripe pickings (http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/143912/default.aspx?utm_source=AFL+and+club+newsletters&utm_campaign=070f2cf673-Runner_R20&utm_medium=email)

AFL.COM.AU reporters cast their eyes over the nation to reveal the next Michael Barlow or Ian Callinan, mature-aged players ready to step straight into the big time.

VFL
Leigh Osborne (Frankston):

The 186cm half-back has come from the clouds, or at least East Ringwood in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, to become the most highly rated of the potential VFL draftees. The 22-year-old has a sharp burst of speed and he's a long left-foot kick, making him a classic 80m run-and-carry player.

Khan Haretuku (Frankston):

The 199cm and 101kg key forward first picked up a football at 15, after which St Kilda picked him up as a NSW scholarship player. At Frankston he's taken time to develop, but his strong work ethic has served him well. Now 22, he's a strong-marking player with a thumping kick.

Kyle Martin (Frankston):

Dolphins coach Simon Goosey had to work hard to persuade Martin to leave south-east suburban club Noble Park, but the 21-year-old has made the step up to VFL level with telling effect. At 182cm, he's a tough, in-and-under player who, despite playing in a team that's on the bottom of the ladder, gets tagged more often than not.

Leigh Kitchin (Frankston):

After playing mostly in the reserves at VFL rival the Box Hill Hawks, the 22-year-old has flourished since seeking more opportunities with the Dolphins. At 186cm and 83kg, he's classic midfield size. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for with footy nous.

Dean Towers (North Ballarat):

The 22-year-old has emerged from country club Colac to show all the attributes of an AFL player, and he ranks just behind Osborne as the VFL player most likely to be drafted. Think Hawthorn's Isaac Smith. Not only because he's a wingman who’s shot to prominence at North Ballarat, but because he's lanky (189cm), and he has speed and excellent finishing skills.

Adam Marcon (Northern Blues):

The 20-year-old is a 180cm midfielder and small forward who has no outstanding attributes, but he's a good, solid footballer who knows his way around a footy oval. He's a good kick and a good mark with neat skills. Call him a natural footballer.

Myke Cook (Sandringham):

Now 21, Cook played 14 games in three seasons at Adelaide before flourishing with the Zebras on his return to his native Melbourne. He's a 184cm wingman who's skilled and speedy, and he has a range of tricks. It's likely he'll receive a second chance.

Adam Cockie (Sandringham):

The tough midfielder played seven matches at West Coast as far back as 2009, when he was 19, before coming to Melbourne this year to put himself under the noses of more recruiting scouts. He has good skills on both sides of his body and he tackles hard.

Billy Burstin (Port Melbourne):

It's said that the 21-year-old forward is only now beginning to realise he can play. He's 192cm and 91kg, which is a reasonable size to play as a third forward. In last year's VFL Grand Final, he kicked a goal on his non-preferred right foot from the boundary line to put the Borough in front.
- Paul Daffey

NEAFL - Eastern Conference

Kade Klemke (Queanbeyan):

Having led the Murray Bushrangers to the 2008 premiership in the TAC Cup, Klemke was subsequently rookie-listed to Essendon the following year. But hamstring issues restricted him to six VFL matches and he wasn't able to make his AFL debut. Having just turned 22, the 180cm half-back has spent this season as the Queanbeyan player/coach.

Marcus Crook (Ainslie):

The 24-year-old came close to earning a spot on the Greater Western Sydney team, having played in the NAB Cup for the Giants last year. He then went on to be named best on ground in Ainslie's Eastern Conference grand final win over the Sydney Swans. Ainslie coach Chris Rourke is surprised the midfielder/half-forward is yet to receive an AFL call-up.

Josh Bryce (Queanbeyan):

The 21-year-old headed north to compete in the NEAFL to keep alive his AFL dream. An under-18s best and fairest winner with the Murray Bushrangers, the half-back was recruited to Werribee in 2009. He was a member of the Werribee leadership group in his final two seasons, although a knee injury curtailed his progress in 2010. However, the 183cm defender has been a regular in the Queanbeyan side this year and still hopeful of an AFL berth.
- James Dampney

NEAFL Northern

Ryan Davey (Labrador):

The 26-year-old midfield/half forward ran a close second to Dayne Zorko as Queensland's best afield in last year's state game against WA. Davey, 180cm, is a smart player who highly impresses AFLQ general manager of football and former Sydney Swan, Mark Browning, "He's consistently played well every time he steps up a level. If players get exposed to another level and they play well, like Ryan has, that's what I like."

Tom Fields (Labrador):

The son of former Essendon and South Melbourne midfielder Neville, 20-year-old Fields is a 192cm raking left-footed defender. Is quick and was an outside runner, but has been asked to take on a more key post this season and risen to the challenge. Plays like St Kilda's Sam Gilbert and will attend the NAB AFL Draft Combine.

Scott Clouston (Redlands):

Has already had a taste AFL with two games for the Brisbane Lions in 2008. The 194cm key forward is now bigger and stronger and at 25 is consistently excelling in the NEAFL. Clouston is quick, good on the lead, has good hands and is a thumping kick.
- Michael Whiting

Tasmanian State Football League

Josh Woolley (Launceston):

The 192cm half-back played in the Under-18 National Championships with Tasmania in 2010, but only now, at 20, is he coming in to his own. He's a smooth mover and an excellent left-foot kick who played in Launceston's 2011 premiership team. This year he represented the state against the VFL.

Brady Jones (Clarence):

The 23-year-old is arguably the story of the draft prospects given that he played in his state's Sheffield Shield team as a wicketkeeper, only to decide to give footy a go when Tasmanian cricket authorities failed to renew his contract. He's a midfielder who's 181cm and 80kg. He's a tough, inside player with a penetrating right-foot kick who's thriving after not playing footy for several years because of his cricket commitments.

Jaye Bowden (Glenorchy):

At 23, Bowden has played more than 100 state-league games with Glenorchy, where's he's the captain, but through sheer weight of performances over a long period of time he's considered a chance to be picked up at the top level. At 188cm and 82kg, he's a wiry midfielder who can go forward and kick goals. Widely regarded as the best player in the Tasmanian competition, he's having a particularly strong season in 2012.
- Paul Daffey

SANFL

Mitch Clisby (North Adelaide):

Clisby possesses great pace and sublime skills and has certainly taken his game to another level in 2012. At 182cm, he has the height to make it at the next level but would need to bulk up a little to match it with bigger bodies. He uses the ball well as a link player at North and at just 22, he has his best football in front of him. He's been in North's best in seven of his 16 games in 2012.

Nathan Batsanis (Norwood):

Batsanis has already spent time on the Power's rookie list and, after training with Carlton last summer, was told to head to Norwood. He's been a standout in a Redlegs side that has only dropped one game, featuring in the best in five of his 15 games. The 180cm, 79kg midfielder has booted 11 goals this year and is heading towards a SANFL premiership after winning the VFL flag with Port Melbourne last year.

Nick Liddle (South Adelaide):

Liddle won the Panthers' best and fairest in 2010, having won VFL club Coburg's in 2009, and has taken out the last two Players' Player awards at South Adelaide. He was runner-up in the Magarey Medal last season and will be around the mark this year having been consistently prolific. The 178cm 24-year-old is on the small side, but he knows how to find the ball and disposes of it well. His side has struggled, but Liddle continues to trouble opposition sides.

Chris Schmidt (West Adelaide):

Schmidt has spent time with the Brisbane Lions and Adelaide in the past, but is still only 23. After he was delisted by the Crows at the end of last season, the 189cm midfielder (82kg) has shown he's not a spent force, featuring in the best players 10 times so far this year. His maturity as a player was recognised when he was made vice-captain of the Bloods this season.

Andrew Bradley (Glenelg):

From the same country region as Melbourne captain Jack Trengove and Fremantle's Alex Forster, 21-year-old Bradley is the perfect example of a hard-nosed, country footballer. What he lacks in size (178cm, 80kg) he easily makes up for in his attack on the ball and has been a clearance king at Glenelg this year. He's been in the best players on nine occasions this season, great consistency from someone who has only played 36 senior SANFL games.
- Harry Thring

WAFL
Tom Lee (Claremont):

The 194cm key forward has enjoyed an outstanding WAFL season and is considered a near certainty to earn a second AFL chance. Lee spent 2009 on Adelaide's senior list but was cut after one season without playing a game. The 21-year-old has grown since, trained with Fremantle last pre-season and has kicked 39 goals in 15 games for the Tigers this year. The Mosman Park product was best afield in the recent Foxtel Cup Grand Final, booting six goals at Patersons Stadium.

Ben Saunders (South Fremantle):

The 20-year-old medium forward is currently leading the WAFL with 59 goals, booting a bag of six at the weekend. Originally from Mount Barker in south-west WA, the 187cm goalkicker moved from Claremont to the Bulldogs this year in search of opportunities. He had played just three senior WAFL games before this season and has improved his defensive pressure.

George Hampson (Subiaco):

A skilful 188cm half-forward, Hampson battled to get on the park as a teenager, undergoing two knee reconstructions before he was 20. Now 22, he is enjoying a consistent WAFL season and attracting AFL interest. Has kicked 20 goals in 15 games and averaged 17 disposals, earning an invite to the WA State Combine in October.

Max Duffy (East Fremantle):

A mercurial 188cm forward who was part of the 2010 AIS-AFL Academy, Duffy fell off the radar in 2011. Quick and boasting X-factor, he has resurfaced this year as a draft prospect, playing 15 games with East Fremantle and kicking 33.32.

Callum Sinclair (Subiaco)

A mobile 201cm key forward who can pinch-hit in the ruck, Sinclair moved to Subiaco from VFL club Port Melbourne this season and made an immediate impact, averaging seven marks and three goals in his first month. The 22-year-old has had knee problems and was considered a strong draft chance in 2010.
- Nathan Schmook

LostDoggy
09-08-2012, 10:00 AM
I struggle to be convinced of any recommendation by somebody named Nathan Schmook :eek:

azabob
09-08-2012, 10:18 AM
Tom Lee - that name is a blast from the past. He has talent and now appears to be using it. Some players there that would suit us (well based on the description)!!

Mofra
09-08-2012, 11:26 AM
I am a little cagey on state level tall forwards after the Redpath experiment, but after the Dickson win I wouldn't be adverse to picking up someone with one of our third round picks (or later).

bulldogsman
09-08-2012, 11:56 AM
Dean Towers sounds alright, anyone seen him play?

DragzLS1
09-08-2012, 01:17 PM
Dickson is a great pick up and I would be all up for another mature age rookie :)

Throughandthrough
09-08-2012, 02:09 PM
Andrew Bradley is an interesting one. The above description is how i read him as well. Is a future leader at Glenelg for sure. Chris Schmidt has had an excellent season at West, same with Batsanis at Norwood.


Andrew Bradley (Glenelg): From the same country region as Melbourne captain Jack Trengove and Fremantle's Alex Forster, 21-year-old Bradley is the perfect example of a hard-nosed, country footballer. What he lacks in size (178cm, 80kg) he easily makes up for in his attack on the ball and has been a clearance king at Glenelg this year. He's been in the best players on nine occasions this season, great consistency from someone who has only played 36 senior SANFL games.


http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6184/6069443530_8eac5a908a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34664426@N04/6069443530/)
Andrew Bradley Glenelg Tigers WWT Eagles August 2011 SANFL 453 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/34664426@N04/6069443530/) by FlashGordon Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/34664426@N04/), on Flickr

Remi Moses
09-08-2012, 02:31 PM
Schmidt is the player Brissie picked up with the pick for Motor mouth whatshisname.
Martin at Frankston has big wraps, and Lee at Claremont is starring ( word is he might be a second round pick!)

mighty_west
09-08-2012, 02:39 PM
Liked the look of Billy Burstin the few times I'd seen him play, didn't realize he was that tall.

Mofra
09-08-2012, 03:22 PM
Liked the look of Billy Burstin the few times I'd seen him play, didn't realize he was that tall.
Ja, seems to play like more of a mid sized player.
Didn't B-Mac say he wanted another mid sized forward on the list in an interview not long ago?

Greystache
09-08-2012, 05:50 PM
With the age profile of our list I'd really like us to go for a mature recruit with a late pick. They won't always come off, but when they do (like Dickson and Picken) it helps start to balance a badly unbalanced list.

Maddog37
09-08-2012, 05:57 PM
Any interest in Boak from us?

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot
09-08-2012, 06:29 PM
Any interest in Boak from us?

I'd say we are no chance. If we are - as the media suggests- in the market for securing Jack Martin in the mini draft then we will not have the picks necessary to also compete for the services of Boak.
Notwithstanding this, when in the history of our club, have we ever been able to secure an A grade player (who is not on the wrong side of 30) via trade? I certainly can't ever recall us getting anyone, and given our current situation it's even less likely to occur now.

Remi Moses
09-08-2012, 07:10 PM
No Bowden's thanks!
Is Woolley a relative of Roger Woolley?

G-Mo77
10-08-2012, 12:57 AM
No Bowden's thanks!

:D

I thought the exact same thing.

G-Mo77
11-08-2012, 12:17 AM
While watching the local footy show that's aired on Southern Cross refreshed my memory. There is a guy who plays in the BFL for Golden Square named Grant Weeks kicking huge amounts of goals for a while now. Kicked 21 goals on the weekend and has 130 for the year. Big step to AFL or even VFL, still.....

Hotdog60
11-08-2012, 08:33 AM
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2010/07/06/MBWEEKS1_STORY_-_LONG_VERTICAL_FF776107_267790.JPG
Magic moment: Golden Square forward Grant Weeks out marks his opponent Lachlan Maltby during the match where he kicked his 100th goal for the season. Picture: Deborah Parker

GOLDEN Square’s Grant Weeks kicked a career-high 21 goals as the Bulldogs thrashed Kyneton by 162 points in the Bendigo Football Netball League’s round 15 clash on Saturday at MyJet Oval.

Weeks had another day out against the Tigers, as his previous best in the BFNL was 18 in last season’s home game against the yellow and black.

Having kicked 130 goals at an average of 8.67 per match, Weeks is well on track to surpass the league record of 163 goals, kicked by Eaglehawk’s Frank Crapper in 1933.

Golden Square’s star, who has won the Ron Best medal as the competition’s leading goalkicker the past two seasons, also set a record that will take some beating as 21 is the most kicked in a senior game on the Bulldogs’ turf in Wade Street.

After kicking 124 goals for Colbinabbin in the 2009 season where he was runner-up to North Bendigo’s Aaron James, 130, for the league award, Weeks has gone on to boot 417 goals for the blue and gold.

It was a remarkable individual and team performance by the Bulldogs as their run toward a fourth consecutive premiership is gaining pace at a rapid rate.

Bulldogs’ coach Mark Lloyd, who has a slight hamstring injury, watched the “Weeks Show” unfold from the sidelines.

A hat-trick by Weeks in the early minutes of the contest was a sign of things to come.

Kyneton hit back with goals by Robert Townsend and Rhys Ellis to trail 18-12 before the Bulldogs took control.

Although the quarter-time score was 43-16 in Square’s favour, the inside 50m tally was 10-9 as the Tigers worked hard through midfield and across half-back.

Weeks had kicked six goals, with Jason Griffin the other goalscorer.

In the second, Ellis was on the end of an Ethan Foreman pass and goaled, while Weeks (three) and Levi Moss were on target for Square.

The second half was to become one-way traffic as Square added 18.10 and kept the Tigers to just four points.

Christian Carter marked his 200th senior game for the club by booting three goals, while Griffin and Callum Sharp joined in the spree.

The fourth quarter was to be Weeks’ best as he kicked eight goals in a row.

As Bulldogs’ fans lapped up the show the focus was on how many goals Weeks would kick and if so, the last, of which keen supporter Jim Aughey held the ticket.

For Aughey it was not to be as Nathan Manuel soccered the team’s 29th and final goal.

Although outgunned by a formidable opponent, Michael O’Brien, ruckman Kris Davis, key defender Harrison Huntley and onballer Ben Saliba never stopped trying for the Tigers who went into the match without full-forward and co-coach Nathan Thompson, the classy Shane Page, and full-back Jayden Dole.

At match end, Lloyd praised a superb team effort in every quarter.

“To play at that level is what we’ve been striving for,” Lloyd said of the run to September that includes matches at Kangaroo Flat, at home against the ladder-leading Gisborne, and Maryborough in the 18th round.

Lloyd said he was amazed by Weeks’ brilliance, not just in the air, but at ground level.

“He didn’t lose too many contests today.”

The first-year coach praised the work of all the forwards to create space for Weeks to lead to and the pinpoint passes from a midfield and onball brigade led by the likes of Aydin Pratt, Jack Geary and Simon Rosa.

Lloyd said restricting Kyneton to just three goals was a superb effort.

“Our back six is settled and teaming well, and the midfielders and onballers put on a lot of pressure which made it hard for Kyneton to hit targets inside 50.”

LINK (http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/story/170504/weeks-has-day-out-for-golden-square/)

What age is he and could he be worth a rookie spot?

Hotdog60
11-08-2012, 08:46 AM
Some stats but I don't know how accurate they are.

Previous Seasons

Competition Season M Gls GlsAv HS

2012 Seniors 2012 15 130 8.67 21

2011 Seniors 2011 18 130 7.22 18

2010 Seniors 2010 20 157 7.85 14

G-Mo77
11-08-2012, 09:01 AM
He's 22 I think Hotdog. We took Redpath straight out of Kyneton and rookied him, although he did have some VFL experience. I wouldn't object finding a rookie spot for Weeks to be honest.

Hotdog60
11-08-2012, 09:04 AM
If he could find the ball at a higher level I think he brings something we lack.

Someone who can kick a bag of goals.

Sockeye Salmon
11-08-2012, 09:13 AM
From memory he's only about 186cm.

Let's put it in some kind of perspective - "where he was runner-up to North Bendigo’s Aaron James, 130, for the league award"

Perhaps we should concentrate on the guy who won the goal kicking, that Aaron James bloke :rolleyes:

Greystache
11-08-2012, 09:44 AM
23 years old
189cm
98kg's

G-Mo77
11-08-2012, 09:45 AM
From memory he's only about 186cm.

Let's put it in some kind of perspective - "where he was runner-up to North Bendigo’s Aaron James, 130, for the league award"

Perhaps we should concentrate on the guy who won the goal kicking, that Aaron James bloke :rolleyes:

Closer to 190 I think Sockeye so not overly tall for AFL.

2009 was his first year of open age football I think and that was in HDFL, which is a step below the BFL maybe 2. Aaron James dominated that league, as he should. BFL is a pretty good standard.

Bendigo should be trying to sign Weeks for their VFL team, don't think that will happen though.

stefoid
11-08-2012, 10:33 AM
Plus he looks like WIll Ferrel

stefoid
11-08-2012, 10:35 AM
If Lee is going so well, then target him, why not? WE have low draft picks so if nobody is prepared to pull the trigger with a second rounder, we can get him with one of our early thirds maybe.

GVGjr
11-08-2012, 11:19 AM
If Lee is going so well, then target him, why not? WE have low draft picks so if nobody is prepared to pull the trigger with a second rounder, we can get him with one of our early thirds maybe.
Tom Lee? Where would you see him playing?

Mofra
11-08-2012, 02:35 PM
Tom Lee? Where would you see him playing?
He's killing it as a FF in the WAFL by all accounts

GVGjr
11-08-2012, 02:58 PM
He's killing it as a FF in the WAFL by all accounts

But I doubt he is anywhere near as good as Jones and Williams. If we continue to play 2 and 3 ruckman where could we slot him in?

Mofra
11-08-2012, 03:14 PM
But I doubt he is anywhere near as good as Jones and Williams. If we continue to play 2 and 3 ruckman where could we slot him in?
If he helps us kick more than 2 goals in the second half of a game of football I'd certainly make room in any case.

Some BF "experts" rate him a second rounder, but despite that I think we should consider all options. Harry Taylor was a mature aged first round pick wasn't he, picked up when Egan's foot became chronic?

azabob
11-08-2012, 03:30 PM
Harry Taylor was a mature aged first round pick wasn't he, picked up when Egan's foot became chronic?

Yes he was. I recall reading an article on him and basically due to his size he was play wing and not really impacting the game but then his body developed so he started playing as a key back.

Plenty of success stories about mature age recruits, its all about finding a hole in your list and finding the right mature age fit for it.

GVGjr
11-08-2012, 03:43 PM
If he helps us kick more than 2 goals in the second half of a game of football I'd certainly make room in any case.

Some BF "experts" rate him a second rounder, but despite that I think we should consider all options. Harry Taylor was a mature aged first round pick wasn't he, picked up when Egan's foot became chronic?

I wondered why stefoid thought if he was passed over in the 2nd round we should nab him in the 3rd. Now I know why.

He's a good footballer but the comparison to Harry Taylor just doesn't ring true to me. I saw a bit of him last season in WA state games on the ABC. He's athletic and a good size but I'm wondering about his footy smarts as a forward. I think he might have more chance as a defender than a forward in our set-up.
From what I have seen Max Duffy is a smart footballer with a bit of dash.

Mofra
13-08-2012, 12:12 PM
He's athletic and a good size but I'm wondering about his footy smarts as a forward. I think he might have more chance as a defender than a forward in our set-up.
Most forwards would struggle in our set up - I think I'd rather avoid than get another tall defender, we actually look ok for tall defenders and think other priorities are more important this time round.

bornadog
13-08-2012, 04:19 PM
Most forwards would struggle in our set up - I think I'd rather avoid than get another tall defender, we actually look ok for tall defenders and think other priorities are more important this time round.

We really need some pacy midfielders with football smarts.

Mofra
13-08-2012, 04:22 PM
^ Yep, although I think we will look to youngsters as first priority for these types

bornadog
13-08-2012, 04:27 PM
^ Yep, although I think we will look to youngsters as first priority for these types

Yes you are right. I wouldn't mind another Dickson type, but I don't believe we need another tall.