Rookie draft selections

[fugazi]

I think there are a lot of positions up for grabs so it'll be pretty interesting who gets the first nod

If Saad puts in a good pre-season and shows what he had in is his 1st season where do you put Templeton and Billings?

Does Billings start going through the middle?

If Bruce plays forward where does that leave White and Lee?

Half backs - Webster, Wright, Savage, Newnes, Gilbert - who do you pick?

How many rucks can you play - Hickey, Longer or both?

Where is Markworth and Sipposs at?

Does Weller hold his spot with a full list?

Can Ross improve and be a regular inside mid?

It's going to be one of the least predictable pre-seasons we've had for some time

Good summary of the major questions

my pet player who I'm tipping is Bull Murdoch...reckon he is set for a break out year based on his last few games and reported running levels off season.

Would like to see him as a mid-rotation and swapping with Billings/ Templeton in forward line.

Wright needs to find a place on the Wing

Ross is going to need to have a big year IMO to stay in contention for the best 22....not yet in the best 25 for mine

[plugger66]

McCartin will play more than 10 games next year if he's not injured.

What do you base that on? History suggests he probably has no hope of doing that. And he doesn't need to unless he is playing well enough.

Being the bottom side and the fact that he would be the best option at full forward. But don't concern yourself as its only my opinion.

Im not slightly concerned. I thought you may have some information that you were going to tell us. Don't think the bottom side matters much. It didn't mean much for the talls at GWS.

[gringo]

I think there are a lot of positions up for grabs so it'll be pretty interesting who gets the first nod

If Saad puts in a good pre-season and shows what he had in is his 1st season where do you put Templeton and Billings?

Does Billings start going through the middle?

If Bruce plays forward where does that leave White and Lee?

Half backs - Webster, Wright, Savage, Newnes, Gilbert - who do you pick?

How many rucks can you play - Hickey, Longer or both?

Where is Markworth and Sipposs at?

Does Weller hold his spot with a full list?

Can Ross improve and be a regular inside mid?

It's going to be one of the least predictable pre-seasons we've had for some time

Good summary of the major questions

my pet player who I'm tipping is Bull Murdoch...reckon he is set for a break out year based on his last few games and reported running levels off season.

Would like to see him as a mid-rotation and swapping with Billings/ Templeton in forward line.

Wright needs to find a place on the Wing

Ross is going to need to have a big year IMO to stay in contention for the best 22....not yet in the best 25 for mine

IO hope Murdoch makes it but he looks a mile off mid field to me. Ross and Saunders look ahead of him to me. I see Murdoch more as playing on a wing. He seems more like a Siposs type to me.

[Con Gorozidis]

Im not trying to be a smart alec. But what is a siposs type? I think I see murdoch as a chapman type. Bull small fwd. Great kick and can mark.
I cant see bruce doing much fwd. I know he has great effort but we need goals and I see white or lee as much more likely to kick goals.
There will be a permanent spot down back for bruce when fisher and Dempster are gone. Which wont be all that far off.

[HitTheBoundary]

Im not trying to be a smart alec. But what is a siposs type?

A "Siposs type" has Dodgy shoulders, is a bit slow and plays for Sandy.

Lee may also turn out to be a Siposs type.

[plugger66]

Im not trying to be a smart alec. But what is a siposs type?

A "Siposs type" has Dodgy shoulders, is a bit slow and plays for Sandy.

Lee may also turn out to be a Siposs type.

Siposs sounds like a Lee type.

[Con Gorozidis]

I think if fit Lee probably gets a go before White. I'm pretty sure he's a work in progress right now and would need to pull a finger out to start in the seniors. Lee really only as a forward though, possibly ruck /forward as they seem to think he can for some reason. Mc cartin will be lucky to play a few games in his first year. He looks like he will be a solid pick long term but if he plays at all it will be to give him a taste you would imagine. I think there is more chance of Jack Sinclair playing 5+ games than Paddy.

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

[gringo]

I think if fit Lee probably gets a go before White. I'm pretty sure he's a work in progress right now and would need to pull a finger out to start in the seniors. Lee really only as a forward though, possibly ruck /forward as they seem to think he can for some reason. Mc cartin will be lucky to play a few games in his first year. He looks like he will be a solid pick long term but if he plays at all it will be to give him a taste you would imagine. I think there is more chance of Jack Sinclair playing 5+ games than Paddy.

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

I was more pointing out that Paddy playing more than a handful of games is unlikely. If he does it's a very good scenario because it means he is majorly ahead of where I thought height be. Sinclair looks okay though.

[kosifantutti]

I think if fit Lee probably gets a go before White. I'm pretty sure he's a work in progress right now and would need to pull a finger out to start in the seniors. Lee really only as a forward though, possibly ruck /forward as they seem to think he can for some reason. Mc cartin will be lucky to play a few games in his first year. He looks like he will be a solid pick long term but if he plays at all it will be to give him a taste you would imagine. I think there is more chance of Jack Sinclair playing 5+ games than Paddy.

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Is that something specific about Sinclair? Because most rookies we have picked up in the last few years have played senior footy.

[Con Gorozidis]

I think if fit Lee probably gets a go before White. I'm pretty sure he's a work in progress right now and would need to pull a finger out to start in the seniors. Lee really only as a forward though, possibly ruck /forward as they seem to think he can for some reason. Mc cartin will be lucky to play a few games in his first year. He looks like he will be a solid pick long term but if he plays at all it will be to give him a taste you would imagine. I think there is more chance of Jack Sinclair playing 5+ games than Paddy.

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Is that something specific about Sinclair? Because most rookies we have picked up in the last few years have played senior footy.

Combination of his attributes and the Rookie draft in general being mainly miss for youngsters.

10 - Curren, Andreolli, Ferguson
11 - Dunny (mature), Minch, Shenton (mature)
12 - Did not participate
13 - Eli (was predicted top 30 in some phantom drafts), Mav (mature & already played AFL), Holmes (USA)

Or lets look at Rookie draft top 2 picks of recent times

10 - PIck 1 Clifton, PIck 2 Cooyou
11 - Frost, Horsley
12 - Pass, Osborne
13 - Schulz, Harmes

Dont get me wrong - I am pro using the Rookie draft on youngsters - but realistically you are looking at a 1 in 4 or so chance of getting a good player that way. Thats just the odds. Might be more like 1 in 6 or 7 in reality.

A guy with the physical attributes of Jack SInclair- nothing against him - but there are thousands of guys like that out there playing footy. Most wont have the special talent to play AFL. Even a guy like Tommy Curren who has a VFL B & F to his name. I dont believe he will last at AFL level. All the best to the kid and I wish him well. But odds are against him playing more than 5 games. Chances are he wont play more than 2.
Eveyone will say 'but what about Sam Mitchell'. Sam Mitchell is a freak of a player. If I was going to pick a jet figher pilot to fight for the country id pick Sam Mitchell, Dave Warner and Michael Clarke. Sam Mitchell has seriously advanced spatial awareness skills. Not many small slow guys (Mitchell is a freak with his quickness of thought) last in the AFL. Ill be interested to see if he even lasts at VFL level. Hey maybe he will be the next Sam Mitchell. But odds are against it. Heck I hope Im wrong.

LIttle fella like Lonie on the other hand looks like he has a real bag of tricks that gives him a real shot at making it.

End of Rant

[kosifantutti]

I agree with most of what you say but it doesn't back up your statement that:

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Unlikely he'll be a star, yes.
But given the state of our list, and our history over the last few years, I'd say he's an excellent chance of playing at least one game.

[plugger66]

I agree with most of what you say but it doesn't back up your statement that:

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Unlikely he'll be a star, yes.
But given the state of our list, and our history over the last few years, I'd say he's an excellent chance of playing at least one game.

Especially when only 2 of the last nine taken by us haven't played a game and Holmes is still on the list so he is a chance. I think the comment is a bit over the top.

[bergholt]

Con, Mitchell was pick 36 in the ND, not a rookie. Plenty of good rookies through the years though: Boyd, Sandilands, Rutten, Sewell, Firrito, Carrazzo, Gibson, Pearce, Lumumba, Crowley, etc etc etc.

[stinger]

Con, Mitchell was pick 36 in the ND, not a rookie. Plenty of good rookies through the years though: Boyd, Sandilands, Rutten, Sewell, Firrito, Carrazzo, Gibson, Pearce, Lumumba, Crowley, etc etc etc.

milne

[stinger]

I agree with most of what you say but it doesn't back up your statement that:

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Unlikely he'll be a star, yes.
But given the state of our list, and our history over the last few years, I'd say he's an excellent chance of playing at least one game.

ayers wanted him to pay out last year in the seniors at port...the kid must have something....

[magnifisaint]

I agree with most of what you say but it doesn't back up your statement that:

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Unlikely he'll be a star, yes.
But given the state of our list, and our history over the last few years, I'd say he's an excellent chance of playing at least one game.

I really can't understand these sort of comments. How many have seen him play?
How many understand how much improvement he has left. It's like saying he has no capacity to play AFL. He clearly has more than anyone on here.
He might be a star - who knows?

[stinger]

I agree with most of what you say but it doesn't back up your statement that:

Dont want to be negative but Id say the chances of Jack Sinclair playing one game for the Saints ever is very slim.

Unlikely he'll be a star, yes.
But given the state of our list, and our history over the last few years, I'd say he's an excellent chance of playing at least one game.

I really can't understand these sort of comments. How many have seen him play?
How many understand how much improvement he has left. It's like saying he has no capacity to play AFL. He clearly has more than anyone on here.
He might be a star - who knows?

exactly......and i can hope that he is...

[stinger]

Lots of pressure now for a FWD Pocket slot spot, with our Saad selection. Too many options?

3 are rookies and one will essentially be a coach and will retire next year.

Lonie might not play much footy for awhile.

Hopefully Templeton can play higher up the ground.

judging by comments from kiwi land schneids really is another assistant coach...as are most of the senior players...

[Dr Spaceman]

I really can't understand these sort of comments. How many have seen him play?
How many understand how much improvement he has left. It's like saying he has no capacity to play AFL. He clearly has more than anyone on here.
He might be a star - who knows?

Exactly.

When people talk this way they are simply saying that statistiaclly the kid has no hope. Because he's small and because he's a Rookie etc. However that fails to take into account the individual.

Virtually none of us have seen him play so none of us have any idea as to whether he, or any of the other Draftees, will make it.

History may suggest he's a long shot but at the end of the day Jack Sinclair's chances of becoming an AFL player simply come down to his own particular desire, ability and luck.

[dragit]

Luke Dahlhaus says hi.

[St Ick]

It's like BM has left and passed the baton to you Con.

The only thing not going Sinclairs way is that he wasn't a big name.

He grew up with LMac and Billings - often touted as being the better sportsman of the three growing up. Concentrated on cricket until last year when he had a real crack at footy - he is very nice off both feet, is a fantastic character and can potentially provide that run and spread which we are craving - not lightning but smart like Billings. Yes he is speculative, but is about as good a pick as you'd get in a rookie with so much potential upside in a professional environment it's scary.

Prior to the rookie draft I asked for someone who has some elite qualities, but is skinny, or is newish to the game. Well, that's Jack my friend.

I'd much prefer someone like Sinclair getting picked over a one sided butcher in the rookie draft.

[Con Gorozidis]

It's like BM has left and passed the baton to you Con.

The only thing not going Sinclairs way is that he wasn't a big name.

He grew up with LMac and Billings - often touted as being the better sportsman of the three growing up. Concentrated on cricket until last year when he had a real crack at footy - he is very nice off both feet, is a fantastic character and can potentially provide that run and spread which we are craving - not lightning but smart like Billings. Yes he is speculative, but is about as good a pick as you'd get in a rookie with so much potential upside in a professional environment it's scary.

Prior to the rookie draft I asked for someone who has some elite qualities, but is skinny, or is newish to the game. Well, that's Jack my friend.

I'd much prefer someone like Sinclair getting picked over a one sided butcher in the rookie draft.

Who is LMac? What do you mean by 'fantastic character' exactly? What do you mean by 'big name' exactly? He was a known known. He played TAC cup and VFL and was overlooked by 18 clubs in 5 rounds of the National draft. He couldnt have been more local or in a more visible area. Melb eastern suburbs. Hardly a smoky or hard work by our recruiters. What do you mean by 'grew up' with? Are we drafting players childhood mates now? Is this the AFL or Ammos?

Amazing that only people who live fairly close to the club seem to have 'great characters' and come from great families isnt it. Everyone who doesnt live with 100km must be a d**khead I guess.

'as good a pick as you'd get in a rookie'

really?
So he will be the best rookie pick in AFL history? You dont think you might be exaggerating just a pinch?

Unlike BM I dont criticise the club 100%. I give plenty of praise when something good occurs. But gee whizz just cos I dont think all 40 players on our list are going to win a Brownlow , 2 flags and a Norm Smith each hardly makes me a harsh critic. The reality is in 3 years 15-20 of them will be gone. Half of those 15-20 are going to be under 23.

I hope hes good. But lets keep our strides well and truly fastened. Some ridiculous fantasies take place at this time of year.

The reality is if there was an AFL under 23 side picked tomorrow we wouldnt have a single player in the squad. So im not being hyper critical BM style but im not going to sit here and listen to every single thing the club leaks out - some of which we know to be nonsense.

[Con Gorozidis]

I

He grew up with LMac and Billings -

If you mean 'DMac' and you are telling me we just drafted two of Jack Billings childhood mates - I will microwave my membership if this information is actually correct.

[Saintberra]

I

He grew up with LMac and Billings -

If you mean 'DMac' and you are telling me we just drafted two of Jack Billings childhood mates - I will microwave my membership if this information is actually correct.

Well looks like we will have one more member this year. He's talking about Luke McDonald (North Melb.)

[Con Gorozidis]

I

He grew up with LMac and Billings -

If you mean 'DMac' and you are telling me we just drafted two of Jack Billings childhood mates - I will microwave my membership if this information is actually correct.

Well looks like we will have one more member this year. He's talking about Luke McDonald (North Melb.)

Thank christ
Sorry I dont know who 'LMAC' is.

p.s Im not really sorry I dont know who 'LMAC' is.