James Barrat

[diddley]

SNAPSHOT: “A competitive key position player comfortable at either end of the ground, who possesses the mongrel required to make it at the next level sooner rather than later – despite being undersized.” – Adrian Dixon
James Barrat is among the Bendigo Pioneers’ exciting talent pool this year, projecting as a hybrid forward who can also can be utilised down back. The winner of the 2024 Bendigo Pioneers best and fairest overcame a few setbacks from the preseason and the previous season to produce a number of consistent performances for the Pioneers, demonstrating his draftable attributes, especially after a switch to defence.
A product of the Leitchville-Gunbower Football Club, Barrat first represented their senior side in the Heathcote District Football League in 2021 at just 14-years-old, managing eight goals from six games. He also contributed 36 goals from 12 games in the Under 18 competition.
Season 2022 would see him continue to be recognised as a player to watch, named in the Bendigo Pioneers Under 16s squad for games against the GWV Rebels and Geelong Falcons. His performances later saw him represent Vic Country at the National Championships where he was solid up forward. Strong form would continue with Leitchville-Gunbower’s Under 18s, kicking 35 goals from 11 games, along with another five senior games.
After a 2023 season that was wiped out by a navicular injury, Barrat’s main aim for 2024 was to get back to full fitness. He did that, and went on to dominate at both ends of the ground. Barrat managed 22 goals from 13 CTL games having switched to a key defensive post in the second half of the season.
Barrat would also perform strongly at the Under 18 National Championships and also represented Essendon at VFL level late in the season against Sandringham. Barrat was named at full back in the Rookie Me Central Team of the Year for his efforts not only in said position, but also throughout the course of the year.
Barrat has been likened to Saint-turned-Hawk Josh Battle, another player who competes above his height in defence and who can also play as a forward. Another Hawk who Barrat has drawn comparisons to as a forward is Jack Gunston. However, the players Barrat compares himself to are Geelong’s Ollie Henry and new Hawk Tom Barrass.

[diddley]

Barrat has been likened to Saint-turned-Hawk Josh Battle
Ha ha

[Otiman]

The pick tells me we aren't banking on Sharman, and that Caminiti is going back.

Barrat will be a forward, no doubt. Membrey replacement.

[The G Train Legacy]

The pick tells me we aren't banking on Sharman, and that Caminiti is going back.

Barrat will be a forward, no doubt. Membrey replacement.

If we were looking for a forward, wouldn't we have drafted Whitlock?

[Otiman]

The pick tells me we aren't banking on Sharman, and that Caminiti is going back.

Barrat will be a forward, no doubt. Membrey replacement.

If we were looking for a forward, wouldn't we have drafted Whitlock?

One key forward with the yips is enough, but yes listening to the draft gurus that was the option.

[Brunswicksainter]

The pick tells me we aren't banking on Sharman, and that Caminiti is going back.

Barrat will be a forward, no doubt. Membrey replacement.

If we were looking for a forward, wouldn't we have drafted Whitlock?

Yeah spot on

[chook23]

Strange pick

Barrat really came on in the second half of the season as a defender. He's slightly undersized to play as a genuine key defender, which is preventing him from garnering top 30 consideration despite impressive performances as a lockdown back and tagging midfielder. He went head to head with Harvey Langford against the Stingrays and held his own on-ball to show his versatility. Barrat is strong, aggressive, and physical.

[B.M]

Comparison

Joel Hamling

That’s a sledge

[Dave McNamara]

Not at all unhappy to land this bloke.

Love the combative hate to lose a contest attitude.

Can play forward, back, and in the middle.

And like The Viking, I'm not worried about his size. Both will end up very big solid boys.


Oh, and ~0.20. Check out where he kicked that from. The open goal square didn't matter either. Would have cleared anyone on the line. Also, no obvious indication of a Democrats-controlled huricane blowing to that end either.

[Otiman]

Not at all unhappy to land this bloke.

Love the combative hate to lose a contest attitude.

Can play forward, back, and in the middle.

The highlights reel looks more like an outside mid than a key defender.

[Scollop]

Is his uncle in the media?

If yes... another strategic move by the marketing department.

We've got 2 blonde bombshells, a new logo and we'll get favourable postive coverage on the club by Damien

Plus...his surname is pretty close to Bassat

[B.M]

He looks 24

A bit short for a key position player but looks a strong body

Is an aggressive competitor which will help!

Won Bendigo B&F and was in the u18 team of the year at Full Back

But can play forward too

[remboy]

Played for Richmond’s reserves against Sandringham and lined up on Keeler and Allison so he must be pretty agile.
I’m impressed he played on Langford as well. It will be interesting to see where we put him. Probably back which would imply we preferred him to Cole.

[SinCitySainter]

He is a kid there is absolutely no excuse to look like a 70s porn star.
The moustache has to go, he looks like Ned Flanders.

[Saints58]

The pick tells me we aren't banking on Sharman, and that Caminiti is going back.

Barrat will be a forward, no doubt. Membrey replacement.

If we were looking for a forward, wouldn't we have drafted Whitlock?

Really good question he is a quality player and he got picked up after our pick so what is going on whitlock can also ruck 2 for 1 roles!!!!!

[Brunswicksainter]

I still cannot get my head around this pick. The recruiters must have seen something the rest of the AFL media and community hasn’t. Very bold selection that could come back to haunt them given Whitlock who players an identical role, had better u17 and 18 seasons and is bigger was the next selection.

[cwrcyn]

Versatile, strong, fast, and aggressive. Will turn 18 tomorrow.. a lot to like from what I've seen.

Once he's had a couple of preseasons and time in the gym he will be a powerhouse who won't be shifted off the ball

Remember. James Sicily is only 188cm and controls his opponents one on one through superior strength

Not everyone was enamored with Whitlock

[avid]

I hope we all get to love him. But at the moment I'm sceptical.
Apart from that massive goal his highlights reel didn't impress me that much. Many easy possessions, and many strong possessions spoilt by poor kicks. He doesn't look all that big or all that fast.
I just can't see why we didn't pick Whitlock.
Now I'm forever going to have them paired in my mind, reality v what couldabeen.
I'll be very very happy when he proves me wrong.

[St Dave]

I hope we all get to love him. But at the moment I'm sceptical.
Apart from that massive goal his highlights reel didn't impress me that much. Many easy possessions, and many strong possessions spoilt by poor kicks. He doesn't look all that big or all that fast.
I just can't see why we didn't pick Whitlock.
Now I'm forever going to have them paired in my mind, reality v what couldabeen.
I'll be very very happy when he proves me wrong.

Maybe age tipped tipped us over on him? I don't know the ages of everyone this draft, but Pou was the youngest in his draft year and born in December and as cwrcyn notes Barrat is still only 17 if just for another day. Whitlock is half a year older.

Gives him a bit more time to develop and grow in the system?

[Brunswicksainter]

I hope we all get to love him. But at the moment I'm sceptical.
Apart from that massive goal his highlights reel didn't impress me that much. Many easy possessions, and many strong possessions spoilt by poor kicks. He doesn't look all that big or all that fast.
I just can't see why we didn't pick Whitlock.
Now I'm forever going to have them paired in my mind, reality v what couldabeen.
I'll be very very happy when he proves me wrong.

Maybe age tipped tipped us over on him? I don't know the ages of everyone this draft, but Pou was the youngest in his draft year and born in December and as cwrcyn notes Barrat is still only 17 if just for another day. Whitlock is half a year older.

Gives him a bit more time to develop and grow in the system?

He’s an elite long distance runner and endurance athlete as well for his size which fits the profile of virtually all our recent draftees. Even Dodsen has crazy 2km combine times which I found quite funny. Ross wasn’t lying when he said he wanted a team that could run.