I thought that when he wasn’t initially drafted from school, in a bid to be drafted he played in the VFL with Western Bulldogs affiliate Williamstown and trialled with the Dogs before returning to Sydney AFL. Won a B&F with I don’t know who and then we rookie drafted him?
GS ur right but same same in the journey amd initiation to reach snr afl etc.
"After school he spent three seasons in the Victorian Football League (VFL) with Williamstown. He was twice invited to train with the Western Bulldogs in the preseason but returned to Sydney shortly after playing in the 2011 VFL grand final. In 2012 he played for UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs in the Sydney AFL and won the Phelan medal as the best player in the league for the season"
He's just such a good player with a skill set that is suited anywhere on the park (except as a ruckman although I bet he would give that a good crack if asked). But I have often thought he would make a great midfielder, elite 2 way runner, big body, clean disposal, could play both inside and out. Maybe I'm onto something here..............
I would also put Gould in this category of being a Key Position player as that is where we hope he'll end up becoming playing in defence. Myself like most, was excited by his potential when we drafted him influenced by his man boy physique & SANFL highlights reel. I was guilty of expecting too much too soon and quizzed why he hasn't been given a opportunity at senior level when so many of our other young draftees have.
Been reading here from our VFL observers & the club that Gould still has a few things to work on before being considered for senior selection. I noticed a comment from the club how last year the 2nd tier scratch matches which consisted of only 12-14 players per side, stifled players development which I think may've impacted Gould greatly. (Which is why I'm also so amazed at Warner's development this year compared to last).
So upon reflection & Liz's post above, i've now conceded Gould will take time to develop like fine wine & eventually become the long term quality KPD we'd anticipated. Only have to look at Rampe's comparatively late development as inspiration. I also still hold up hope for Melican as someone had also posted above, as key position players generally do take longer to develop.
Edit: Apologies just realised similar Gould discussion in the VFL thread.
Last edited by KSAS; 21st April 2021 at 10:24 AM.
I am not convinced re Gould.
Laidler rated Gould behind this list of defenders in the game:- O'Riordan, Brand, Ling, O'Connor, Carruthers, McCartin, and Gulden. He was also behind Taylor, Clarke, Bell, Rowbottom, Bartholomaeus, Gray, Sinclair, Morrison, Amartey, Cordell, Thorne and McLean. That makes him the eighth best defender and twentieth overall according to Laidler with only Brewer and Sheather ranked behind him in the game. To me that indicates that Gould has a long way to go before he is in the picture for AFL selection.
SANFL form is way behind AFL level and possibly behind even NEAFL form. Remember Knoll was a top ruckman and Jordan Foote is a super star. Thilthorpe not showing much at SANFL level this year either.
Lloyd will attract decent offers (more than we can pay), so wouldn't surprise me if he left on massive coin and to move back to Victoria. I'm sure Carlton or Essendon are stupid enough to pay overs.
No way Heeney will go.
Lloyd is a pre-agent at the end of this season. He will be a RFA after the 2022 season, at which time he will turn 29. I don't think there's much risk of him leaving this year, but if a good deal comes along next year, including the AFL compo for us, we might let him go. The same can be said for Hewett this year.
These are 2 players that have been highly valued and ones that I've backed from the start. I'm not being negative about either, but feel that our personnel and game plan have evolved in a way where they are less valuable going forward and it might be more beneficial to take the draft picks and keep building with youth, even though we don't really need to become a more youthful team.
We may also find the salary cap relief beneficial if we want to go after a targeted player, as we may be at the stage of team development where this could be in play. We will also have a rather large group of young players wanting pay raises that we will want to retain.
Just a bit of speculation and things can change, and likely will change, by the time the trading season begins.
Just an interesting note: Rampe (174) and Lloyd (159) have racked up the most games played from the players taken in the 2012 rookie draft
Last edited by Ludwig; 21st April 2021 at 02:53 PM. Reason: Stat added
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