Isaac Keeler

[Sainternist]

He took a terrific mark down back for Sandy today, which is now doing the rounds on social media.

I hear he is still pretty raw, but has plenty of talent. Realistically, how far away is he from debuting for St.Kilda? Would be handy to have another ruck in support for Marshall at the moment.

[B.M]

Playing as a Key Defender - not as a forward ruck

F*** knows why

[nostalgicsaint]

Gives him the chance to develop with the play in front of him.

That mark is harder to take as a forward than as a defender.

[Nick DalSanto Claus]

I thought we recruited Keeler to be developed as a future Paddy Ryder type. That made sense, in that Isaac was physically similar to Paddy, was athletic like Paddy, and was exceptional below his knees for such a tall man, just like Paddy.

All good so far. Isaac shows plenty of promise as a tap ruckman as well. He spent most of his junior career as a hybrid forward/ruckman. Just like Paddy.

I can even understand playing him in defense so he can "learn his craft" from another perspective. It's an age-old method used by coaches to round out a young recruit's footballing education.

So how's Isaac doing? I've only seen him play live, twice. On both occasions, he played mainly in defense. I believe you get a much better appreciation from viewing the individual live, rather than just from the narrow view provided by TV. From my viewpoint, Isaac looks a bit lost in defense and is not a natural defender.

My overall assessment? He is a very exciting prospect, with all of the Ryder-like attributes described earlier. He is still very raw and IMHO still a fair way off being AFL-ready. As for playing him in defense, I just hope the coaches are not serious about playing him as a key defender. He doesn't look well suited to a defensive role. He looks about as comfortable as a cow on ice skates.

Please, RTB, Jake B, or whoever is responsible for his development, play him in the role he was recruited for in the first place, and one he appears to be best suited to. A "Ryder-like" key forward/ruckman.

I dream of him becoming the perfect foil for Roma before Roma becomes too old. It would give us a much better shot at a flag than the current setup.

[SaintWiki]

I thought we recruited Keeler to be developed as a future Paddy Ryder type. That made sense, in that Isaac was physically similar to Paddy, was athletic like Paddy, and was exceptional below his knees for such a tall man, just like Paddy.

All good so far. Isaac shows plenty of promise as a tap ruckman as well. He spent most of his junior career as a hybrid forward/ruckman. Just like Paddy.

I can even understand playing him in defense so he can "learn his craft" from another perspective. It's an age-old method used by coaches to round out a young recruit's footballing education.

So how's Isaac doing? I've only seen him play live, twice. On both occasions, he played mainly in defense. I believe you get a much better appreciation from viewing the individual live, rather than just from the narrow view provided by TV. From my viewpoint, Isaac looks a bit lost in defense and is not a natural defender.

My overall assessment? He is a very exciting prospect, with all of the Ryder-like attributes described earlier. He is still very raw and IMHO still a fair way off being AFL-ready. As for playing him in defense, I just hope the coaches are not serious about playing him as a key defender. He doesn't look well suited to a defensive role. He looks about as comfortable as a cow on ice skates.

Please, RTB, Jake B, or whoever is responsible for his development, play him in the role he was recruited for in the first place, and one he appears to be best suited to. A "Ryder-like" key forward/ruckman.

I dream of him becoming the perfect foil for Roma before Roma becomes too old. It would give us a much better shot at a flag than the current setup.

Isn't it possible the coaching staff are playing him down back to give him the experience - I thought I've heard forward's saying they learned a lot that helped their offensive skills when playing down back for a while? ... or am I just an old man with an unreliable memory.

[nostalgicsaint]

I thought we recruited Keeler to be developed as a future Paddy Ryder type. That made sense, in that Isaac was physically similar to Paddy, was athletic like Paddy, and was exceptional below his knees for such a tall man, just like Paddy.

All good so far. Isaac shows plenty of promise as a tap ruckman as well. He spent most of his junior career as a hybrid forward/ruckman. Just like Paddy.

I can even understand playing him in defense so he can "learn his craft" from another perspective. It's an age-old method used by coaches to round out a young recruit's footballing education.

So how's Isaac doing? I've only seen him play live, twice. On both occasions, he played mainly in defense. I believe you get a much better appreciation from viewing the individual live, rather than just from the narrow view provided by TV. From my viewpoint, Isaac looks a bit lost in defense and is not a natural defender.

My overall assessment? He is a very exciting prospect, with all of the Ryder-like attributes described earlier. He is still very raw and IMHO still a fair way off being AFL-ready. As for playing him in defense, I just hope the coaches are not serious about playing him as a key defender. He doesn't look well suited to a defensive role. He looks about as comfortable as a cow on ice skates.

Please, RTB, Jake B, or whoever is responsible for his development, play him in the role he was recruited for in the first place, and one he appears to be best suited to. A "Ryder-like" key forward/ruckman.

I dream of him becoming the perfect foil for Roma before Roma becomes too old. It would give us a much better shot at a flag than the current setup.

Isn't it possible the coaching staff are playing him down back to give him the experience - I thought I've heard forward's saying they learned a lot that helped their offensive skills when playing down back for a while? ... or am I just an old man with an unreliable memory.

[B.M]

Wouldn’t he learn more playing in the actual position we need him for

As a forward/ruck

[older saint]

I like the idea of what Geelong and a few others have done recently of getting 20+ reserves games into player when they need to before pushing them up to Seniors.
Some dont need that long but appears that Keeler is one that does, as does Heath.
Patience will be important so when they get their chance they have the best hope of success

[B.M]

Keeler is exactly what clubs want but there are very few of

A 198 that can play forward - but can also go into the ruck and jump. He is athletic and tall. The two don’t always go together

What other ruckman in the AFL are capable forwards?

He is being wasted down back as a key defender- a position he is not strong enough for.

I honestly believe he is the most important (not best) youngster on the list
Because of the attributes he has and the position he can play.

How many 6’6” forwards with the ability to ruck are there in the AFL?!
Pretty much none

[ace]

Playing as a Key Defender - not as a forward ruck

F*** knows why

Van Es is not available due to injury.

[B.M]

He has trained down back since day 1 of pre season

It is a purposeful plan for Keeler - regardless of Van Es (whom I reckon has a line through him)

They like his athleticism and ball use as a defender- problem is - he is not a running back like NWM where you can get away with not being great 1 on 1
He is a KPD and before you worry about any offence - you need to be able to defend 1 on 1

[cwrcyn]

What's noticeable about him is his light frame. He played on Sam Weideman and Weideman looked like Tom Hawkins compared to Keeler. Although the same height, Keeler could make no physical impact with his one on one contests. He simply couldn't move Weideman off the ball and Weideman is not known for his herculean strength.

He's at least 10kg too light to play key position. To me,he's a tall flanker, either forward or back, who could pinch hit in the ruck a few times per game

[skeptic]

What's noticeable about him is his light frame. He played on Sam Weideman and Weideman looked like Tom Hawkins compared to Keeler. Although the same height, Keeler could make no physical impact with his one on one contests. He simply couldn't move Weideman off the ball and Weideman is not known for his herculean strength.

He's at least 10kg too light to play key position. To me,he's a tall flanker, either forward or back, who could pinch hit in the ruck a few times per game

This is where I land as well

[Otiman]

To me it's not his body that's holding him back. It's his ability to read the game. You prioritise that development and he will make it to AFL level much sooner. Playing him in defense does this better than anywhere else.

It's a bit like with Moose, there's no point getting him learning the game if he's got no tank - so you prioritise the tank.

[Scollop]

Rooy played as a defender in his first year

Fraser Gherig played as a defender for most of his time at West Coast if I recall correctly

Alistair Lynch was an All Australian full back with Fitzroy before he became a gun Full Forward

[Zed]

I’m not as bullish as others are on Keeler.
He is a smooth mover for certain, and will have one of the best highlights reel of any player on our list - however just doesn’t get enough of the ball and goes missing for large parts of the game.
I hate to say it but he looks like a flashier Spencer White to me.

[Nick DalSanto Claus]

How many games did Max King play in defense? Another example was Barry Hall. A disaster in defense. A premiership captain (with help from the tribunal) as a KPF.

Isaac is a natural forward/ruck. It also happens to be a role we desperately need to fill. Play him there.

[B.M]

Fraser Gehrig played a few seasons in defence before they realised it was stupid and moved him forward where he became a star

He was a forward/wing at WCE

Reiwoldt kicked 21 goals in his first full year - yes played 5 or 6 games at CHB early but ended up in his natural position at chf

Alastair Lynch was drafted as a defender and moved forward after a few years


Other players who dabbled with going back but were champion forwards
David Neitz, Chris Grant, Garry Lyon, John Longmire
All of whom were greater and more damaging forward

Not comparing Issac to any of those champions of course


We just have a unique player on the list - and we are not utilising his ability - it’s a mistake

[chook23]

Fraser Gehrig played a few seasons in defence before they realised it was stupid and moved him forward where he became a star

He was a forward/wing at WCE

Reiwoldt kicked 21 goals in his first full year - yes played 5 or 6 games at CHB early but ended up in his natural position at chf

Alastair Lynch was drafted as a defender and moved forward after a few years


Other players who dabbled with going back but were champion forwards
David Neitz, Chris Grant, Garry Lyon, John Longmire
All of whom were greater and more damaging forward

Not comparing Issac to any of those champions of course


We just have a unique player on the list - and we are not utilising his ability - it’s a mistake

You are talking about players who dabbled going back but ended up forward..

It could be that they are doing this with Keeler to teach him a few things

You say we are not utilising and it's a mistake

Maybe we are just doing what is part of the development
that was used on players you mentioned

[Otiman]

Keeler won't be a KPD or defensive backman long term.

Unless he absolutely shines and shows that's his best position.

IMO by the end of the season he has the Sharman/Caminiti/Hayes/Owens position locked down.

[B.M]

He’s not a 20ppg player - he’s a 198 hybrid forward/ruck

Guess what Paddy Ryder averaged per game?
Under 9 disposals
0.6 goals
Under 3 marks per game
25 HO

None of those numbers are great

He did have impact though.

[saynta]

Fraser Gehrig played a few seasons in defence before they realised it was stupid and moved him forward where he became a star

He was a forward/wing at WCE

Reiwoldt kicked 21 goals in his first full year - yes played 5 or 6 games at CHB early but ended up in his natural position at chf

Alastair Lynch was drafted as a defender and moved forward after a few years


Other players who dabbled with going back but were champion forwards
David Neitz, Chris Grant, Garry Lyon, John Longmire
All of whom were greater and more damaging forward

Not comparing Issac to any of those champions of course


We just have a unique player on the list - and we are not utilising his ability - it’s a mistake

From memory Kossi won the rising star playing CHB in his first year.

[The Fireman]

Keeler won't be a KPD or defensive backman long term.

Unless he absolutely shines and shows that's his best position.

IMO by the end of the season he has the Sharman/Caminiti/Hayes/Owens position locked down.

A certain poster on here said he’s 2 to 3 years away so I guess he’ll be up soon

[Otiman]

2-3 years away from peak, but I think he can play AFL this year.

[Big Max]

Thought Collard was too small and immature to be selected, but we picked him anyway.

So lets get on a roll, and give Keeler a crack as well. He just might be a unicorn.