I know we need midfielders, but if Jack Darling is available at Pick 24, the Saints would be crazy not to pick him up. Touted as a top 2 pick in 2009, his value has plummeted due a series of off-field incidents, not growing and only an okay carnival. And now he is a real chance at lasting to Pick 24.
I've read this board over the past two years and i've constantly heard that we need a new Aaron Hamill. Well, Jack Darling is the closest anyone will get to him in a while. Standing at 190cm, he is an agressive competitor who can apply enormous defensive pressure. Questions about his height and him being able to become a KPF have been raised, but I think that because he is so good at ground level (able to play in the midfield for spurts) and that he can apply defensive pressure, means he could play as an effective 3rd tall. He is able to be that other link up player we need and lead up to the wings to provide another option. (Think Robert Murphy).
And the best thing? He is ready made, at 87kg, he is already a big unit and would be able to slot into the forward line next to Roo and Kosi next year.
Now I know a lot of you are thinking, there must be something wrong with him if he had slid so far in the recruiters eyes. Well his off-field incidents has raised a few eyebrows. He was expelled? (maybe just suspended) from his school after a drunken sex romp. But this is hardly a surprising act for a 17 year old. He was also injured due to getting into a fight outside a nightclub, although it was reported it was completly unprovoked. Also, some believe the fact that he was such a big unit in 2009, he just dominated due to his size, but I think if he plays as a 3rd tall this may not be such a problem.
Other prospects?
- Well Dion Prestia is another I'd love to get. Very similar to Rodan in that he is a little on the short side (175cm), but is extremly powerful and very good in traffic. Can play inside/outside.
- Kieran Harper is another good prospect. A medium tall with a great leap (first at the combine?) and has x-factor. Could also very possibly move into the midfield later in his career.
- For later picks, Myles Sewell is defiently an option I'd love the Saints to look at. Brother of Brad Sewell, and VFL superstar, he may not end up as good as Barlow, but defiently will be handy in helping out Hayes in the middle. Also has played very well in the VFL grand finals.
- Blayne Wilson, is another player I really rate that has slipped down the pecking order. Made the AA squad in 2009, he a great kick and could end up as a great mid-sized defender. Probably not a position we are in desperate need for though.
- We are a little short in our ruck departments and I think former Port Adelaide player Jonathon Giles could be a good option as a back up to Gardiner and McEvoy. Has dominated the SANFL since being delisted and fits in the age gap in rucks we are missing.
