The Rookie Situation

[bulldogtragic]

With West gone, I think that frees up a fifth rookie spot?

I must admit i'm not across our rookies this year. Who deserves another go and any kids (i.e. O'Shea) deserve a rookie spot?

I think we should get as many as possible, and I think we will.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Mulligan may get another shot?
Shaw unlikely?
White unlikely?
Hughes left early.

Rookie O'Shea, giving us two free spots.

[GVGjr]

Mulligan may get another shot?
Shaw unlikely?
White unlikely?
Hughes left early.

Rookie O'Shea, giving us two free spots.

Mulligan should be maintained on the list.
I don't mind Henry White and think he improved a fair bit over the season.

Paul O'Shea is an interesting one because early in the season he looked likely to improve but towards the end of the season he was struggling. I think the rookie list is a decent option for him.

What about Lynch to the Rookie list? We know he has the talent but perhaps this would be the spur to get him motivated.

[bulldogtragic]

Mulligan should be maintained on the list.
I don't mind Henry White and think he improved a fair bit over the season.

Paul O'Shea is an interesting one because early in the season he looked likely to improve but towards the end of the season he was struggling. I think the rookie list is a decent option for him.

What about Lynch to the Rookie list? We know he has the talent but perhaps this would be the spur to get him motivated.
I like that GVG. Is it right we can get a fifth as West has vacated a spot resevered for vet's/rook's?

Allowing us to get another kid?

[GVGjr]

I like that GVG. Is it right we can get a fifth as West has vacated a spot resevered for vet's/rook's?

Allowing us to get another kid?

You can have 44 players on your list which includes rookies and veterans so I think we could have a 5th rookie however, I really don't think it is necessary. 4 is more than enough.

[bulldogtragic]

You can have 44 players on your list which includes rookies and veterans so I think we could have a 5th rookie however, I really don't think it is necessary. 4 is more than enough.
Any thoughts on Wayde Mills delisted from Brisbane.

21 years, 196cm and 90kg.

Former QLD u/18 captain.

[GVGjr]

Any thoughts on Wayde Mills delisted from Brisbane.

21 years, 196cm and 90kg.

Former QLD u/18 captain.
He played one game this year in a team that had Merrett (I like him though) and the undersized Patful playing key defensive positions. It's hard to gauge his form because we don't see them up in QLD but it would be a very speculative selection.

I saw Chris Egan twice and thought he still had plenty of talent to offer but he is no KPP which I think you are trying to identify. ;)

I wonder if JON from the Tigers might get the flick? He could still make a good senior player.

[bulldogtragic]

He played one game this year in a team that had Merrett (I like him though) and the undersized Patful playing key defensive positions. It's hard to gauge his form because we don't see them up in QLD but it would be a very speculative selection.

I saw Chris Egan twice and thought he still had plenty of talent to offer but he is no KPP which I think you are trying to identify. ;)

I wonder if JON from the Tigers might get the flick? He could still make a good senior player.
Jon with pick 80 of the ND?

Would you take it?

And would you punt on Egan? Got to say, i was a little bit surprised on the delisting and not trading for a nothing pick.

[GVGjr]

Jon with pick 80 of the ND?

Would you take it?

And would you punt on Egan? Got to say, i was a little bit surprised on the delisting and not trading for a nothing pick.

I'd offer a bit better that pick 80 in the draft for JON. He is tougher than he is credited for and if used correctly, could be a fine defender or winger. Egan is worth a look at but we do have a number of forward flanker types already.

[bulldogtragic]

I'd offer a bit better that pick 80 in the draft for JON. He is tougher than he is credited for and if used correctly, could be a fine defender or winger. Egan is worth a look at but we do have a number of forward flanker types already.
How many recycles or re-treds would you look at, with one eye on the future and GC17 drafts.

[MrMahatma]

How many recycles or re-treds would you look at, with one eye on the future and GC17 drafts.
Depends on the depth of the draft. If it's deep, keep our picks, but if we aren't likely to get anything after pick 20, then trade for some guys not getting a go at their current teams.

[GVGjr]

How many recycles or re-treds would you look at, with one eye on the future and GC17 drafts.
Guys with some experience and potential are worth looking at. It depends on how many players we clear from the side. 2 youngish recycled players would be OK.
We got Hudson and Callan via trades and then added Welsh in the PSD last year so 2 should be OK.

[Cyberdoggie]

Mulligan should be either rookied again or put on a senior spot.
Shaw should be rookied again.
White also rookied.

I don't understand the point of getting these guys as rookies if they aren't likely to play a game in that season. The dogs basically seem to get rookies because they aren't sure about drafted them so they give them a year to try them out.

I think you need to balance this with at least one player that can top up your list. A ready made player perhaps. This year we saw how close we came to not having any spare defenders in 1 or 2 games. There was also several times where we asked ourselves who would come in? none of the players at willy were ready, they were just not experienced or physically able enough for a senior spot yet. We basically had no midfield depth and were forced to choose from Ray, Eagleton, or pick a kid like Ward or Reid.

For me it would be nice to have a player like a Robin Nahas, Cameron Lockwood or Chris Cain from the vfl. Surely that is what the rookie list is for?

[Sockeye Salmon]

Mulligan should be either rookied again or put on a senior spot.
Shaw should be rookied again.
White also rookied.

I don't understand the point of getting these guys as rookies if they aren't likely to play a game in that season. The dogs basically seem to get rookies because they aren't sure about drafted them so they give them a year to try them out.

I think you need to balance this with at least one player that can top up your list. A ready made player perhaps. This year we saw how close we came to not having any spare defenders in 1 or 2 games. There was also several times where we asked ourselves who would come in? none of the players at willy were ready, they were just not experienced or physically able enough for a senior spot yet. We basically had no midfield depth and were forced to choose from Ray, Eagleton, or pick a kid like Ward or Reid.

For me it would be nice to have a player like a Robin Nahas, Cameron Lockwood or Chris Cain from the vfl. Surely that is what the rookie list is for?

There is absolutely no point in putting a 18yo ruckman on your rookie list.

Use the rookie list for 21yos who have missed out but can still play - blokes like Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd.


PS. Please not Nahas. I never thought I'd see a footballer I hated more than Steven Milne, but he's the one. Even his teammates must be tempted to give him one.

[The Doctor]

Use the rookie list for 21yos who have missed out but can still play - blokes like Dale Morris and Matthew Boyd.


It staggers me this is not done more often. There are so many 'mature age' recruits out there who would have better credentials to make it as a league player than some of the speculative types that are taken in the rookie draft and even the national draft.

Aside from Morris and Boyd you can go back further to Brett Montgomery and David King who came into the league as mature age players through the old VFA.

I reckon a player like Rose or Stretton would be worth a punt certainly no more than a player like Henry White.

[Mofra]

For me it would be nice to have a player like a Robin Nahas, Cameron Lockwood or Chris Cain from the vfl. Surely that is what the rookie list is for?
Has he played a bad game for Willy this year? Only watch VFL on ABC but I haven't seen one. Wouldn't mind a tough inside mid type on the rookie list as a back-up to a Cross/Boyd, he seems he could make the step up if need be.

[GVGjr]

Has he played a bad game for Willy this year? Only watch VFL on ABC but I haven't seen one. Wouldn't mind a tough inside mid type on the rookie list as a back-up to a Cross/Boyd, he seems he could make the step up if need be.

Yes he had had a couple. He also spend a few weeks in the 2nds. He's not quick which sort of works against him but he does give 100% each time he plays.

[Cyberdoggie]

Yes he had had a couple. He also spend a few weeks in the 2nds. He's not quick which sort of works against him but he does give 100% each time he plays.

yeah he's not one i would pick up but he's a good player and i thought i'd mention him for all you willy fans.

I guarantee another club will pick up Nahas, and everyone will be thinking why didn't we just like Aaron Davey, Edwards, Boyd, Morris, etc etc.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

yeah he's not one i would pick up but he's a good player and i thought i'd mention him for all you willy fans.

I guarantee another club will pick up Nahas, and everyone will be thinking why didn't we just like Aaron Davey, Edwards, Boyd, Morris, etc etc.

Nahas is an annoying Milne-like type character, as SS alluded to, but I think he'll probably be picked up too CD. He's a clever player and has showed a bit.

[Desipura]

Nahas is an annoying Milne-like type character, as SS alluded to, but I think he'll probably be picked up too CD. He's a clever player and has showed a bit.
I went to the VFL grand final and was hoping to see Nahas "turn it on". Unfortunately he got bumped off the ball far too easily. Having said that he has pace to burn and chases down his opponents. He is only 20 yo and would need to put on at least 10kg before he could handle playing AFL. Would be a worthy rookie player IMHO
Josh Smith impressed me with his reading of the play and attack on the footy, seems like a natural full forward, too bad he is on Norths list.

[bulldogtragic]

I went to the VFL grand final and was hoping to see Nahas "turn it on". Unfortunately he got bumped off the ball far too easily. Having said that he has pace to burn and chases down his opponents. He is only 20 yo and would need to put on at least 10kg before he could handle playing AFL. Would be a worthy rookie player IMHO
Josh Smith impressed me with his reading of the play and attack on the footy, seems like a natural full forward, too bad he is on Norths list.
Josh Smith is an absolute monster. 190cm, but about 106kg. Fairly agile too.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Josh Smith is an absolute monster. 190cm, but about 106kg. Fairly agile too.

According to his player profile he's 195cm!

[bulldogtragic]

According to his player profile he's 195cm!
Even better, i thought the ABC stats said 190.

In any event, he's an absolute tank. Kicked a good running goal too. Likes a likely sort. Would love to see how he handles the next step up.