2013-2014 Draft Selections

[CQ SAINT]

We identified Marshall, Wilkie and Sinclair who all had the traits to push themselves. But we did develop Sinclair and Marshall, even though Richo held them back and put them out of position.

Wilke and Marshall were mature aged recruits. Marshall was 21 and had played at North Ballarat in the VFL for two seasons. Wilke was 23 when drafted and overlooked in four National Drafts and was playing in the SANFL.
We, in fact, played Marshall out of position until 2019 when he played predominantly in the ruck.
Sinclair was a fringe player for many years. He's a gun now, but Champion Data rated his skills as elite many years before he was a regular senior player and it wasn't until we moved him to half back that he was able to really use his weapons of decision making and foot skills.
It took Ratten half of the 2020 season to start focussing on what he could do rather than what he couldn't.

Marshall was a multiple draft reject, so was Wilkie, don't blame the talent, blame the eye.

[Life Long Saint]

We identified Marshall, Wilkie and Sinclair who all had the traits to push themselves. But we did develop Sinclair and Marshall, even though Richo held them back and put them out of position.

Wilke and Marshall were mature aged recruits. Marshall was 21 and had played at North Ballarat in the VFL for two seasons. Wilke was 23 when drafted and overlooked in four National Drafts and was playing in the SANFL.
We, in fact, played Marshall out of position until 2019 when he played predominantly in the ruck.
Sinclair was a fringe player for many years. He's a gun now, but Champion Data rated his skills as elite many years before he was a regular senior player and it wasn't until we moved him to half back that he was able to really use his weapons of decision making and foot skills.
It took Ratten half of the 2020 season to start focussing on what he could do rather than what he couldn't.

Marshall was a multiple draft reject, so was Wilkie, don't blame the talent, blame the eye.

My point is that they weren't developed under our system.

[CQ SAINT]

We identified Marshall, Wilkie and Sinclair who all had the traits to push themselves. But we did develop Sinclair and Marshall, even though Richo held them back and put them out of position.

Wilke and Marshall were mature aged recruits. Marshall was 21 and had played at North Ballarat in the VFL for two seasons. Wilke was 23 when drafted and overlooked in four National Drafts and was playing in the SANFL.
We, in fact, played Marshall out of position until 2019 when he played predominantly in the ruck.
Sinclair was a fringe player for many years. He's a gun now, but Champion Data rated his skills as elite many years before he was a regular senior player and it wasn't until we moved him to half back that he was able to really use his weapons of decision making and foot skills.
It took Ratten half of the 2020 season to start focussing on what he could do rather than what he couldn't.

Marshall was a multiple draft reject, so was Wilkie, don't blame the talent, blame the eye.

My point is that they weren't developed under our system.

They missed multiple drafts. They prove that the merit based draft is based on the dudes making the selections, not the player.

Players Marshall's size and weight, look like long burners. How long have we had Heath?
Wilkie was a 191 cm ruck/key forward/key back during his development and then lead a team from last to the grandfinal in 12 months.

Thats why we drafted him.

[CQ SAINT]

We look at these players and our recruiting team follow them.

It would be fairly handy if we could lure them to Sandringham, with VFL finals and AFL player development in mind.

[CQ SAINT]

There are initiatives where they can spend a week at the club and go on camps with the most talented players from the area.

The can play over age in the development squad and the Zebras.

There are ways and means of bringing the talent to us.

[CQ SAINT]

We've been pinching from the twork of the SANFL clubs, struggling to survive and investing in fringe draftees and experienced AFL players.

Why can't Sandy do it

This is where Leathlean and Ashcroft will be brilliant. They have connections.