Rookie list selections

[GVGjr]

Lets keep discussions about our Rookie list selections to this thread

4 picks tomorrow, Pearce a likely selection.

Any other nominations?

[F'scary]

McKernan

[wimberga]

Billy Evans I wouldn't mind

[GVGjr]

Billy Evans I wouldn't mind

I think he would be a good pick but I'd probably rate that as a long shot. He would be a different type of midfielder for us.

[mighty_west]

Now that we've drafted 5 goal kicking mids with good skills plus Cordy I'd like us to go big, maybe an extra ruckman and two KPP's along with Pearce.

[bornadog]

Now that we've drafted 5 goal kicking mids with good skills plus Cordy I'd like us to go big, maybe an extra ruckman and two KPP's along with Pearce.

I agree with this. We know big guys take a long time to develop and what better way to let them mature in the rookie draft.

[mighty_west]

I agree with this. We know big guys take a long time to develop and what better way to let them mature in the rookie draft.

I just like they way the recruitment staff have approached it this year with trading in needs, drafting best available talent with good kicking skills and now hopefully fill the gaps with the rookie draft, rather than reaching with selections in the draft just to fill a need when especially via trade period you know exactly the player you're bringing in.

I wonder if there is a gentlemans agreement with clubs re-drafting their own players via the rookie draft? Wouldn't mind us having a crack at Sam Grimley (Hawks) to fill that ruck position.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Hammelmann if he is available.

I'd like us to take a mature state league mid.

[chef]

What times the draft?

[azabob]

Half past, quarter to.

In all seriousness I think 11am

[soupman]

You can follow it here guys: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-tracker

[soupman]

Tutt to Carlton. All other PSD selections passed.

[bornadog]

Roarke Smith - Calder Cannons in.

[soupman]

Roarke Smith a Dog

[soupman]

Shaun McKernan to Essendon

[Greystache]

Port takes N Krakouer WTF!!

He's walked out on 2 clubs including them, and never been any good!

[bornadog]

McKernan

Gone to Bombers

[Cyberdoggie]

Preuss gone to North. Don't they have plenty of ruckmen?

[Greystache]

St Kilda re-rookie Saad

[Greystache]

Second pick Jordan Kelly from Hawthorn.

http://www.hawthornfc.com.au/player-profile/jordan-kelly

[bornadog]

Second pick Jordan Kelly from Hawthorn

[Cyberdoggie]

Born: June 27, 1993 (age 21), London, United Kingdom

Height: 1.92 m

Weight: 81 kg

Mid sized defender

[Bulldog Revolution]

Dont know much about Smith or Kelly - what do people think?

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

So anyone have any details on Roarke? Profile, position and type of player?

[Cyberdoggie]

Anyone else noticed the draft tracker has stopped at richmonds pick but Cal Twoomey is calling out 5 picks ahead?


Looks like it's fixing itself now

[soupman]

Pearce picked up. You'd imagine one of Goodes or Greenwood is next then

[Greystache]

We've re-rookied Daniel Pearce

[bornadog]

Pearce picked up. You'd imagine one of Goodes or Greenwood is next then

please not Goodes

[Ozza]

Hoping we give Brett Eddy an opportunity!

[Bulldog Revolution]

Looks like we are taking Greenwood to me

[kruder]

please not Goodes

Someone on BF said Goodes is a lock...

[bornadog]

Goodes back

[jeemak]

Goodes coming back is a step in the wrong direction to me.

[soupman]

Kelly played in the VFL grand final.

[bornadog]

Someone on BF said Goodes is a lock...

Yep

Western Bulldogs ‏@westernbulldogs (https://twitter.com/westernbulldogs) 1m1 minute ago (https://twitter.com/westernbulldogs/status/539937597749874688)
ROOKIE DRAFT Pick 57: Brett Goodes. Footscray VFL premiership player & Norm Goss Medallist returns too it list.

[chef]

What a waste.

[Cyberdoggie]

Brett Goodes it is.

[Greystache]

Hoping we give Brett Eddy an opportunity!

Wouldn't think so. Looks like we're determined not to draft anyone tall under any circumstance.

[jeemak]

What a waste.

Can only think it's part of a package to keep him at the club in his welfare role, in light of us losing some senior players.

It can't be solely based on what he brings from a playing perspective, as that horse has bolted.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Wouldn't think so. Looks like we're determined not to draft anyone tall under any circumstance.

Seems odd that we haven't rated a single tall at any one of our picks in both the ND & RD.

I haven't seen Kelly but do we really need another 191cm defender?

[Greystache]

9 selections this draft period. 1 over 186cm, and 0 above 191cm. Looks like we're aiming to have the smallest list in the AFL again.

No back up ruckmen, no developing key defender, and no back up tall forwards. Super.

[jeemak]

Seems odd that we haven't rated a single tall at any one of our picks in both the ND & RD.

I haven't seen Kelly but do we really need another 191cm defender?

I would think we do, but that doesn't mean we don't need a 196cm (or taller) defender as well.

[whythelongface]

What role does Roarke Smith play?

[The Underdog]

I like to think that our drafting philosophy is partially about trolling the supporters.

You'd think Beveridhe would know Kelly pretty well, can see he'd have had an influence in that selection. Interesting nobody chose Keitel.

[stefoid]

A quick search of the Hawks board says they were trailing Kelly as a mid last year (in the VFL obviously).

Did he play the GF as a mid?

[soupman]

A quick search of the Hawks board says they were trailing Kelly as a mid last year (in the VFL obviously).

Did he play the GF as a mid?

Was named ruck rover

[kruder]

9 selections this draft period. 1 over 186cm, and 0 above 191cm. Looks like we're aiming to have the smallest list in the AFL again.

No back up ruckmen, no developing key defender, and no back up tall forwards. Super.

Free Agency/Trades is where you target tall players. We have spent so much time in developing talls for nothing in return, Liam Jones is a perfect example. Agree with you on the rookie list though you might as well have a crack..

[Mofra]

Free Agency/Trades is where you target tall players. We have spent so much time in developing talls for nothing in return, Liam Jones is a perfect example. Agree with you on the rookie list though you might as well have a crack..
We haven't traded in a decent key back since Peter Foster (who was traded in as a forward anyway).

Relying on trading for our KPD stocks is dangerous.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I don't mind the look of Roarke Smith. Highlights already up on the website.

Looks pretty raw and a little suspect on his ball handling, but there looks to be quite a bit to work with.

[soupman]

Jordan Kelly "highlights":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgKyWbsreWI&feature=player_embedded

Keep an eye out for the slow mo replays of the contested (by his teammate) mark at the start, and his awesome display of getting run down as he kicks it.

Also keep a look out for the kid in the whitish jumper behind the goals on the 1 minute mark.

[soupman]

Looks a nice kick at least, including on his left when required.

[soupman]

Roarke Smith highlights on our website now. http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2014-12-03/rookie-draft-roarke-smith-highlights

[soupman]

Geez nice raking left foot kick and looks quick.

[G-Mo77]

Can only think it's part of a package to keep him at the club in his welfare role, in light of us losing some senior players.

It can't be solely based on what he brings from a playing perspective, as that horse has bolted.

Couldn't we have done the same thing if he was on Footscray's list? Maybe that was a deal breaker? Anyway I'm not going to bag Goodsey. I'm a big fan, welcome back.

[jeemak]

Couldn't we have done the same thing if he was on Footscray's list? Maybe that was a deal breaker? Anyway I'm not going to bag Goodsey. I'm a big fan, welcome back.

Perhaps, though to keep him we may have needed to offer a realistic chance of getting a senior game this year.

[bornadog]

What role does Roarke Smith play?

In the VFL

[bulldogsman]

I don't get the way we use our rookie list, apart from the Smith selection.

[divvydan]

Some Roarke Smith stats.

182cm defender, WB website lists him as "close-checking"

Played 16 TAC Cup games this year.

Averaged 7 kicks and 5.25 hb this season. Kicking eff was 61.3%, hb eff was 86.9%.

Named in the best for Calder on 7 occasions, with 1 being BOG and the other 6 being 5th/6th best.

[divvydan]

Seems like Jordan Kelly is the replacement for Tom Young on the list.

[mjp]

Just finding al of this a bit bizarre.

[Webby]

Midget fetish..

[LostDoggy]

Don't look over Roarke Smiths Twitter whatever you do.....

MJP - To be frank, is Keitel a dickhead?

[chef]

Can only think it's part of a package to keep him at the club in his welfare role, in light of us losing some senior players.

It can't be solely based on what he brings from a playing perspective, as that horse has bolted.

You would hope thats not the case, what a waste of a precious squad spot and a real amateur decision in my opinion if thats the case.

[chef]

Don't look over Roarke Smiths Twitter whatever you do.....

MJP - To be frank, is Keitel a dickhead?

Got a link?

[jeemak]

You would hope thats not the case, what a waste of a precious squad spot and a real amateur decision in my opinion if thats the case.

Yeah maybe, or it could be a case of the club getting a benefit by having a senior ready player to fill in if things get dire injury wise and we lose some mature senior players to injury.

[stefoid]

We haven't traded in a decent key back since Peter Foster (who was traded in as a forward anyway).

Relying on trading for our KPD stocks is dangerous.

Theres "trading' and theres EFFING TRADING. Maybe instead of "trading" for a key defender next year we plan to EFFING TRADE for one?

[josie]

We are putting faith in Talia, Roberts, Roughy, Morris and possibly Redpath down back. Fair enough.

Guessing Goodes is backup for inside midfield if we have injuries plus his off field leadership & link b/w VFL & AFL side is seen by club crucial, not the half back line (guessing here).

We have tried both in draft & with Smith selection to address gap of smart ball users, link & outside players with some speed.

Coach knows Kelly and perhaps Kelly is another tall midfield option and at least he has reputation for being a close checking backman if he does play backline (something Roughy needs to do better IMO).

Success of talls in rookie possibly even weaker than in draft and Club just did not rate talls left at our picks plus they take 3 years to know if good so approach might be to trade them (hoping we have a nice surprise e.g. Carslile in 2015) in or wait for a low draft pick where better chance of success with a tall backman.

Pearce - not sure about however I recall he was OK in the few 2012 games he played. Club knows more than we do. Hoping that mark & goal in last qtr VFL grand final is something he can bring to the table more often.

Fuller possibly a list clogger however must be kept on list for another year and who knows - he might come good, with posts saying he is training well at least promising. Also he has a bit of size about him.

[F'scary]

Roarke does provide us with a player who has a pig tail.

[Go_Dogs]

Yeah, right.

Some interesting selections. I'm not quite sure what to make of it all, but am happy for Pearce.

[SlimPickens]

We are putting faith in Talia, Roberts, Roughy, Morris and possibly Redpath down back. Fair enough.

As well as Hamling and Cordy. That gives us 4 tall defenders under the age of 21, for mine that is plenty. The rookie draft is always speculative but Dalrymple has certainly picked well in the past, so hoping it can be the case here as well.

[Remi Moses]

Roarke does provide us with a player who has a pig tail.

Very impressive highlights reel ( know they all are)

[bornadog]

As well as Hamling and Cordy. That gives us 4 tall defenders under the age of 21, for mine that is plenty. The rookie draft is always speculative but Dalrymple has certainly picked well in the past, so hoping it can be the case here as well.

Agreed, 4 under 21 is all we need.

We had a turnover of ten players losing Jones, Williams and Tom Young with some height. We brought in Boyd, Hamling, Cordy, Redpath all talls.

I think we have done very well with the whole list. Goodes is the only odd one out.

[chef]

Yeah maybe, or it could be a case of the club getting a benefit by having a senior ready player to fill in if things get dire injury wise and we lose some mature senior players to injury.

Just seems a wasted pick to me as all he'd add to the team is age as he aint an that good of a player.

[mjp]

MJP - To be frank, is Keitel a dickhead?

Tyler is a good kid. Nice family.

I am baffled by this...not sure what else he could have done really? Didn't have a great champs as a forward (one very good game there vs SA at Medibank) but played well as a key back. Super athletic (national level javelin thrower), good mark...I was surprised he wasn't drafted, amazed he wasn't rookied.

What can you do?? (rhetorical question).

[LostDoggy]

Tyler is a good kid. Nice family.

I am baffled by this...not sure what else he could have done really? Didn't have a great champs as a forward (one very good game there vs SA at Medibank) but played well as a key back. Super athletic (national level javelin thrower), good mark...I was surprised he wasn't drafted, amazed he wasn't rookied.

What can you do?? (rhetorical question).

Great that it wasn't just me based on his football ability. He didn't star in the Champs that i saw, but i thought he showed enough versatility and athleticism to be more than worth a shot. That's why i thought he may have failed the 'NDH' policy...

Surely a 19 y.o offering?

[hujsh]

We brought in Boyd,



Yes


Hamling, Cordy,



Doubtful if either even qualify as key position players from what I've read, before we even consider their chances of making it.


Redpath


Has to be considered a long shot.

[mighty_west]

Doubtful if either even qualify as key position players from what I've read, before we even consider their chances of making it.



Hasn't Cordy played on key forwards in the under 18's though? Plus many wouldn't label Dale Morris as a pure key position player yet has locked down many big forwards.

[GVGjr]

My views on the 2 new players:

Smith - Very much a work in progress. Good runner, good kick but will need plenty of time
Kelly - I'd seen him a couple of times and he used to catch the eye a bit. Not a very physical player but a good runner and kick

Overall, we have continued on the same course as the National Draft and with our inexperienced list opportunities will no doubt present for the younger players. Exciting times

[chef]

Hasn't Cordy played on key forwards in the under 18's though? Plus many wouldn't label Dale Morris as a pure key position player yet has locked down many big forwards.

McCartin said he was his toughest opponent.

[mighty_west]

McCartin said he was his toughest opponent.

Cheers Chef, I remember reading that somewhere plus he's long dangly arms could be a handful for key forwards down the track, he's also not all skin and bones like his older brother and could end up being a decent size.

[kruder]

Free Agency is a different ball game...

[Doggy]

Rourke is my mate Paul's son.
Paul was known as Bullet in his playing days at Tulla, so you can bet his sons quick.
Spoke to him today, you will not find a prouder dad anywhere, he was a blubbering mess.
He's now a doggies supporter after following North all his life

[kruder]

McCartin said he was his toughest opponent.

Cordy will be our best defender since Lake and Morris I'm really bullish on him.

[Webby]

Hasn't Cordy played on key forwards in the under 18's though? Plus many wouldn't label Dale Morris as a pure key position player yet has locked down many big forwards.

So long as a defender can play tall, he can exploit the bigger forward at ground level contests and in rebounding. Morris used to do this well - particularly when alongside Lake and Hargrave. However now that he's ageing and asked to play on the gorillas, he understandably struggles.

Now, with Roberts and Talia bound to mature, z Cordy on his way, and Redpath perhaps that missing gorilla defender, perhaps we're actually flush for tall defenders?

PS, Matty Scarlett was only ever 192cm tall and he was a great. Difference is he had a bloody good pack around him and they defended as a long time unit. We are just beginning to get a group together.... Geez I'd have liked Foster serving an apprenticeship down back for Footscray, though!

[Bulldog4life]

McCartin said he was his toughest opponent.

Yes I read that too Chef. Good recommendation.

[F'scary]

I agree with comments that we have our crop of tall defender contenders for now. Roberts, Talia, Redpath and Hamlet are plenty big enough. They have to be given a go and if they are not up to it, the search continues in the 2015 ND, etc. We've now got a couple of young ones who are 2nd tall back or possibly, in the case of Z, a KPB who must be given time to develop. There is also Roughead - let's not forget him.

The critical decisions about tall backs were made before the ND when we chose to promote Redpath, FA Hamlet and retain Roberts on the list.

[G-Mo77]

I'm pretty excited about Rourke am I alone? The general vibe seems like people are a bit underwhelmed.

[boydogs]

I'm pretty excited about Rourke am I alone? The general vibe seems like people are a bit underwhelmed.

Happy with our first two picks but Pearce & Goodes are a bit uninspiring

[GVGjr]

I'm pretty excited about Rourke am I alone? The general vibe seems like people are a bit underwhelmed.

Solid selection, I'm not that excited but I'm not sure I would have been by many of the rookie list selections.

[Maddog37]

I like that he looks physical in his playing style and seems to have a very natural pump fake on his left leg.

[G-Mo77]

Solid selection, I'm not that excited but I'm not sure I would have been by many of the rookie list selections.

Oh I should reword that. I'm not excited overall for the picks today but I'm excited with the Roarke (I'll constanly mis-spell that) Smith selection. I'm very happy for Goodes and to a lesser extent Pearce but they're not players I would have brought back.

[Mofra]

I'm pretty excited about Rourke am I alone? The general vibe seems like people are a bit underwhelmed.
He gives me a "boom or bust" vibe, seems the type that will either carve up opponents regularly or not at all.
People will either be amazed he lasted until the rookie draft, or he wont debut. Can't imagine a 80 game vanilla career from him.

I guess that is the sort of player you look at with a rookie spot.

[Remi Moses]

There's also looking at a few Bio's kids showing rapid improvement type selections.
Get the feeling Simon likes selecting upward curve players

[GVGjr]

Tyler is a good kid. Nice family.

I am baffled by this...not sure what else he could have done really? Didn't have a great champs as a forward (one very good game there vs SA at Medibank) but played well as a key back. Super athletic (national level javelin thrower), good mark...I was surprised he wasn't drafted, amazed he wasn't rookied.

What can you do?? (rhetorical question).

MJP his combine results didn't show up as overly athletic and for a team like ours that placed a premium on the endurance of players his beep test wouldn't have impressed. Still to even get an invite you have to have a certain number of clubs interested to start with.
It's very strange that none of them at least rookied him.

[LostDoggy]

There's also looking at a few Bio's kids showing rapid improvement type selections.
Get the feeling Simon likes selecting upward curve players

100% found a formula with Macrae and Bonts and is now running with. Time will tell!

[GVGjr]

I'm pretty excited about Rourke am I alone? The general vibe seems like people are a bit underwhelmed.

Just checked his Vic pre-season combine times and he had a 14 - 6 beep test which is right in the range for the players we selected in the National Draft. He tested well for agility. Even his sprint times just about mirrored Lukas Webbs.

[Hotdog60]

I have no issues with the players Rookied. Out of players that are taken in the rookie draft how many take the next step, we picked 3 players that may make the most of their chances and the last one is there for guidance.
We lost a lot of experience lately and despite Goodes being one of those player that is very good at one level and not so good for the next he does tick a lot of boxes.
Reports are he the model club man and he will have a role to play with the young kids at VFL level. It wasn't that long ago there was a lot of posts about our lack ok senior experience at the club (the 25 - 28 yo bracket) and at the end of this year we lost a few more.
Pearce has had a lot of bad luck with injuries and the club is giving him one last chance, I have no problems with that if he has a clean season and stars in the VFL who knows what may happen. If he doesn't make it didn't cost anything but a little faith.
I see the main list as where you need to get it right the rookie draft is a bit of a look see and a roll of the dice.

[azabob]

Do Goodes and Pearce get one year deals or two year deals?

[G-Mo77]

Do Goodes and Pearce get one year deals or two year deals?

I'd assume it's year to year.

[soupman]

Do Goodes and Pearce get one year deals or two year deals?

All rookies only have one year deals

[bornadog]

Out of players that are taken in the rookie draft how many take the next step,

We have a fantastic record with rookie players, just this year Jong and Redpath have been promoted. In the past we have had Dahl, Boyd, Harbrow, Morris to name a few.

[mighty_west]

Roarke reminds me of a left footed version of Will Hoskin-Elliott for some reason, just the way he moves around, also quote like the Bloke from Hawthorn and seems as though he moves from defense to forward and doesn't mind a goal.

As mentioned Goodes and Pearce selections are a tad uninspired although I can understand the reasons for Goodes given the experience gone.

[Scorlibo]

Will Hoskin-Elliott

Isaac Smith for mine.

[GVGjr]

All rookies only have one year deals

Is that the same for interstate rookies? I thought teams had to give them a 2 year deal if the player has moved interstate. Could have changed though

[Hotdog60]

We have a fantastic record with rookie players, just this year Jong and Redpath have been promoted. In the past we have had Dahl, Boyd, Harbrow, Morris to name a few.

Agree we have done well and it's a testament to the drive of those players to forge a career for themselves.
But I'd be interested in the odds out of all the rookies that get picked up by all the clubs how many take the next step.
On the other hand what's the odds of the players that get on the main list and don't make it. :)

[Twodogs]

Is that the same for interstate rookies? I thought teams had to give them a 2 year deal if the player has moved interstate. Could have changed though


That used to be the case but it may have been changed when the changed all the rookie list rules a little while ago.

[josie]

Interesting bit of internal spying regarding main & rookie draft , if it is true on Big Footy (yes I know it's not as reputable as WOOF !!). Indicates we really did obtain most of the young men we wanted:

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/some-crumbs-as-to-how-our-recruiters-rated-2014-draftees.1083269/