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Thread: 2019 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

  1. #6133
    Quote Originally Posted by bloodspirit View Post
    Very encouraging. Thanks for sharing. Enjoying socialising and having a few drinks not any basis for writing a player off or even down in my book.

    I can't help but think it must go further than that and relate to his discipline with training or something too. But does your relative say categorically that is not the case and he is super professional about that stuff?
    Missed the occasional training here or there. And like I said he enjoyed a house party. Sydney Stack was exactly the same but I’d say there was way way more issues with Sydney’s professionalism than Elijah’s.

    Put him in the right environment and imo you’ll see massive upside to his game.

  2. #6134
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boddo View Post
    On Elijah. I’ve noticed the constant reports before being drafted of “off field issues”, “maybe not prepared for AFL, “has the talent but not commitment”.

    I have a very close relative who has spoken to him and spent time with him n his friends several times. His only issues is he like to party n have a few drinks. Pretty much like most young adults his age.

    Expect this “commitment, preparation, off field issues” to disappear in the right environment preparing to become a full time professional sportsman.
    I think some footy journo's these days still fall into the trap of somewhat casually racially stereotyping our indigenous players, especially when 'party boy' rumours float around.

    In the 70's and 80's, a lot of journo's talked about indigenous players "going walkabout" during games or in their careers generally, ie: lacking commitment. It was actually quite offensive and showed a lot of ignorance on their part as there wasn't the same league and public awareness back then that there is now, of the challenges the Indigenous lads face being away from country and family, so a lot of them back in the day were inconsistent and didn't last long, because they were battling homesickness and isolation.

    It's different these days because there is a lot more understanding and a lot more is done to support not just all players but especially the Indigenous boys with the challenges they face being away from home in a new and pressurised environment. Plus a lot get to the league via scholarships at city schools and are used to a city sporting life by the time they are drafted.

    I have seen Elijah speak and his attitude seems fine to me. Sure he's a bit laid back, maybe a little shy perhaps but like you, I expect him to thrive at the Swans and I have every confidence in him lighting it up onfield. As for the 'party boy' rumours, hey he's simply just a normal kid doing normal kid things. Nothing to see here....

  3. #6135
    Quote Originally Posted by stevoswan View Post
    I think some footy journo's these days still fall into the trap of somewhat casually racially stereotyping our indigenous players, especially when 'party boy' rumours float around.

    In the 70's and 80's, a lot of journo's talked about indigenous players "going walkabout" during games or in their careers generally, ie: lacking commitment. It was actually quite offensive and showed a lot of ignorance on their part as there wasn't the same league and public awareness back then that there is now, of the challenges the Indigenous lads face being away from country and family, so a lot of them back in the day were inconsistent and didn't last long, because they were battling homesickness and isolation.

    It's different these days because there is a lot more understanding and a lot more is done to support not just all players but especially the Indigenous boys with the challenges they face being away from home in a new and pressurised environment. Plus a lot get to the league via scholarships at city schools and are used to a city sporting life by the time they are drafted.

    I have seen Elijah speak and his attitude seems fine to me. Sure he's a bit laid back, maybe a little shy perhaps but like you, I expect him to thrive at the Swans and I have every confidence in him lighting it up onfield. As for the 'party boy' rumours, hey he's simply just a normal kid doing normal kid things. Nothing to see here....
    A lot actually grew up in the city now. Whether that be Perth, Mandurah or Bunbury.

    The biggest misconception is “making the big league” to earn the big bucks. Indigenous culture has you share your wealth around, whether that be a sport life or professional academic career. Perfect example is the great indigenous artist Albert Namatjira who died basically broke.

    Albert Namatjira - Wikipedia

    You play for the love of the sport and fun. It’s never about you earning big money for you.

    You watch the boomerangs n you’ll see a talent laden side that looks like just about every player would get drafted but the majority don’t n imo it’s because being famous n earning the big bucks is not the number one priority in their life. It’s the love of sport. Fun n enjoyment. Which sadly is getting lost from the money driven AFL landscape.

  4. #6136
    Quote Originally Posted by Boddo View Post
    Missed the occasional training here or there. And like I said he enjoyed a house party. Sydney Stack was exactly the same but I’d say there was way way more issues with Sydney’s professionalism than Elijah’s.

    Put him in the right environment and imo you’ll see massive upside to his game.
    Excellent news.

    They Sydney Stack comparison is interesting. I wonder if the success of Stack has contributed to other clubs being more willing to invest in players with off field question marks. I suppose for all Stack's success so far there have been other cases where clubs have been burned, hence their caution. It's just hard to predict how it will pan out. Stack and Taylor seem to have quite quite different personalities though with Stack being much more extroverted from what I have seen of Elijah so far. I remember one of the Richmond players commenting on how, upon arriving at the club, Stack, when invited to speak about his aspirations, did not just say "work hard and win the respect of my teammates" but "I want to be the best player in the AFL" (or similar). Then there was the viral clip of Stack dancing to 'Old Town Road' (I loved it!). Whereas Taylor has come across as quite shy in the limited bits of him we have seen so far.

  5. #6137
    I just read the Papley interview online on the AFL website. It would seem that he is very committed to the Swans for the coming season but very uncommital beyond that. Seems to have some serious family issues to deal with back home.

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  6. #6138
    It’s here 'I was struggling a little bit': Swan on failed trade request

    He describes his goal, not moving to the midfield but rather as "I wouldn't mind being regarded as one of the best small forwards in the League”

  7. #6139
    Quote Originally Posted by bloodspirit View Post
    Excellent news.

    They Sydney Stack comparison is interesting. I wonder if the success of Stack has contributed to other clubs being more willing to invest in players with off field question marks. I suppose for all Stack's success so far there have been other cases where clubs have been burned, hence their caution. It's just hard to predict how it will pan out. Stack and Taylor seem to have quite quite different personalities though with Stack being much more extroverted from what I have seen of Elijah so far. I remember one of the Richmond players commenting on how, upon arriving at the club, Stack, when invited to speak about his aspirations, did not just say "work hard and win the respect of my teammates" but "I want to be the best player in the AFL" (or similar). Then there was the viral clip of Stack dancing to 'Old Town Road' (I loved it!). Whereas Taylor has come across as quite shy in the limited bits of him we have seen so far.
    There is a fair few indigenous players that hang in the same circle of friends in WA. It’s why I made the comparison to Sydney as they have similar off field issues but not the same personality.

    Also don’t be fooled by the shyness of some players. Get to talk to them and they are very very confident in their abilities.

    There are several who could be looked at this year to be drafted in this group of friends.

  8. #6140
    Chris Doerre had this to say about Brady Rowles back in August: AFL Draft Wrap Linebreaker Brady Rowles likened to damaging Crow

    One of this draft's most impressive line-breakers, Brady Rowles wowed onlookers with his explosive run with ball in hand. While this will be his final game for Bendigo, losing in the wildcard round against Northern, it was the burst of speed and line breaking capabilities of Rowles that will stick with onlookers. When he received on the move, he would receive at speed, and if there was space in front of him, as he has done throughout the year, he'll break games open with his run and carry.
    With recruiters these past two seasons placing a heavy emphasis on speed and explosiveness, Rowles is well placed to garner mid-draft attention as one of this crop's fastest.

    Far from a finished product, Rowles is only a moderate production player, securing 15 disposals. He would benefit from developing his contested ball winning capabilities, developing a more consistent kick and improving his decision-making.
    There is a sense to the play of Rowles that he could develop a similar niche to Paul Seedsman. Rowles likely will never develop a complete game, but if he can provide considerable metres gained and break the lines with regularity, he can carve out a consistent spot at AFL level.


    I have highlighted that interesting opinion at the end. Was a tad discouraging even though Doerre is clearly a fan of Rowles. Might explain why he slid to the rookie draft. How important is it for a player to have a complete game? While versatility is clearly a huge asset, the game these days also seems to be all about playing your role, so perhaps not too much?

  9. #6141
    Quote Originally Posted by Markwebbos View Post
    It’s here 'I was struggling a little bit': Swan on failed trade request

    He describes his goal, not moving to the midfield but rather as "I wouldn't mind being regarded as one of the best small forwards in the League”
    It is good to hear that he has settled back into the team. It was probably always going to be awkward at the start. Hopefully the club will give him time off in Melbourne if he needs it.

    I am happy we rejected his request during the transfer period. But I am expecting us to trade him back to a Victorian club in 12 months time. Which I don't mind because at least it gives us time to prepare to replace him. Braedon Campbell looks like someone who can develop into that role. He looked good in that U17 game and in the reserves late in the season. And it gives 12 more months for other players like Ronke, Foot, Wicks and Taylor to develop.

  10. #6142
    Quote Originally Posted by bloodspirit View Post

    I have highlighted that interesting opinion at the end. Was a tad discouraging even though Doerre is clearly a fan of Rowles. Might explain why he slid to the rookie draft. How important is it for a player to have a complete game? While versatility is clearly a huge asset, the game these days also seems to be all about playing your role, so perhaps not too much?
    He is a rookie pick so always going to be more of a speculative raw prospect. I have only seen his highlights.

    DraftCentral says his main strengths are his line breaking run and carry and his main weaknesses is his contested work and endurance. In the combine he was 9th in the 20m sprint just ahead of Dylan Stephens. Also 2nd in the standing vertical jump and 1st in the running vertical jump (8cm more than Miles Bergman). So he is fast and has a massive leap.

    I can see Stephens playing on the wing for his first few seasons and then moving inside. Then maybe Rowles can replace him as an outside midfielder who can run and carry.

  11. #6143
    Just on the 20m sprint test at combine , I think at times it can me a little misleading in that Sometimes it can overstate or understate a players pace. I wonder if including a 10mtr sprint and 40 mtr sprint as well would give better indications. Some guys explode away in a few steps but taper off from there, and some guys only really start hitting top speed after 20 or more and then they are off like the wind. Just a thought, but something I’ve often wondered about when looking at those sprint results and seeing guys in action on the field .


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  12. #6144
    Just looking at Elijah Taylors Instagram story tonight he has a countdown clock on when he is returning to Perth. I am no doubt reading more into this than it should be as anyone of these kids that have been drafted would no doubt be feeling a little homesick after being sent to another state with basically 3 or 4 days notice but with all the talk leading up to the draft about young Taylor I really hope he settles in next year!

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