I watched Vic metro v WA and Vic Country v SA at the U/18 carnival yesterday and the good news is that when we eventually get a pick at around 21 -22 there will still be some great kids available. Plenty of bigs as well. The 2 young Ruckmen playing for SA are absolute guns.
I recorded both games to HDD yesterday, as I do every year.
They will just stay there, unwatched, until draft day.
I'll then sit down with a couple of cold beers and drool over who we have picked.
Driver of the Dan Hannebery bandwagon....all aboard. 4th April 09
Gee, RWO is going early on the draft this year.Originally Posted by aardvark
Neither will be still around at 21-22 though aardvark. Plenty of strong bodied mids and running half backs though. Possibly not our greatest need.
Last edited by wedge.maverick; 1st July 2010 at 09:22 PM.
Why would we need another young ruckman??
Agreed. I say that with some sadness because I saw Dan Gorringe play SANFL league footy at age 16, and he started winning taps from the first bounce. Ruckmen can slide, so I wouldn't rule out him (or another good ruckman) being available at our first pick. But we absolutely do not need a ruckman in the ND. Not only do we have 4 competing for a game now, but none of those 4 are due to retire for a minimum of 5 years. A raw project one in the RD if we have to cut loose Jake Orreal (if his body isn't up to it), but that's about it.
Our experience with Heath Grundy and Jesse White (regardless of the latter's recent form struggles) will only have reinforced the Swans' strong prejudice that you either trade for big men, or get them in the trash picks and develop them yourself. Lewis Johnston was a very specific exception to the rule, not a reversal of it.
It's not our greatest need, but really, what is? Once we rule out ruck/KPPs and small forwards (we already have as actual or potential small forward 'specialists' TDL, Jetta, Vespa, Moore, plus McGlynn has proved so handy up front he virtually has a mortgage on a forward 6 spot in the starting lineup), there ain't many other spots on the field left in the modern game. Specialist back pockets, or specialist wingmen (I remember them fondly: always your fastest and most 'outside' players-- although the word 'outside' was unheard of at the time), have gone the way of the dodo.
I think we will just seek to add to our embarrassment of 'midfield' riches with our first pick (remembering that the best mid-sized U/18s automatically gravitate to the midfield)... and then once the player is at the club, the coaches will start throwing 'em around everywhere trying to find their best spot.
I didn't say we needed one i just commented that they looked very good prospects. IMO a couple of likely looking KPP types would fit well and there seem to be plenty to pick from this year.
we need more kpp for depth and development if nothing else. We also still need more pace and skill in the midfield and forwards line. Keeping in mind our first pick of 2011 draft will hopefully Tom Mitchell who is a fast skillful inside mid
A lot different than last year folks. Assuming we finish 7th/8th, our first pick will be 20/21, next picks 37/38, 54/55 so not the excitement of the 2009 ND.
What do we need with our first three picks? A KP forward is first priority as Goodes and Bradshaw are only here for another 2-3 years max and only got White and Johnston on the horizon. After that out around picks 40 and 60 you just take the best available with skills and pace.
GC may want to trade some early draft pics. It will be interesting to see who we have that they would be interested in. Does anyone know who we have out of contract at the end of the year? It would be good to pick up an earlier pick somehow. How about Henry, Cheese and Bevo for pick 1....lol
With the sheer numbers of hihly talented kids who will be really hitting their straps within three years, I reckon GC and GWS after that will be looking to draft from other clubs quality players who have maybe three to four good years in them. Those players will then retire/delist in time to make wayfor the talent knocking down the door. Be very interesting to see who they do target and don't forget they need to find a mature aged leadership group within those picks as well.
If players are out of contract, we get nothing for them if they go to GC unless they have a surname of Ablett. So unfortunately no elite players and then you don't get those picks for a few years anyway.
Obviously GC and GWS will not use all picks on the draft. However, who do we have for them to want to trade with us?
We have White and LJ as key forward and TDL as support. Reid will be key defence. So unless we offer someone like Jack, Hanners, Smith, Rohan or Jetta, I'd say we won't be trading with them.
Swans made all the big changes last year so I think next year it will be minimum change.
Last edited by Bas; 3rd July 2010 at 09:46 PM.
In memory of my little Staffy - Dicey, 17.06.2005 to 1.12.2011- I'll miss you mate.
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks