Article on Heath James

[chammond]

I think you've hit the nail on the head, Des.

Presumably that's also why we didn't take up our full quota of rookies either.

[desredandwhite]

six of one and half a dozen of the other, I'd say ;-)

guess we'll wait and see.

[liz]

I agree its unlikely that any of Bevan, Meiklejohn or Crawford would get a senior guernsey this season, but I suspect all three are better prospects than Hill or Jajoura who were the NSW rookie contingent last season (along with Bennett, which was a bit of a cheat really). I get the impression that those two were pretty much goodwill gestures but Bevan was apparently very impressive for NSW/ACT Rams in 2001 (he edged out Schneider for the B&F award) before his 2002 season was badly affected by injury. Crawford was thought a chance by many to be drafted and was U18 AA this season, while Meiklejohn being a ruckman may be a factor if the team gets desparate. He sounds like he's already a decent size (94kg per draft camp stats) and then there is that cliche of "big men taking longer to develop". That may suggest he won't play seniors this year, but also indicates the club will give him time. There have been many cases of ruckmen, in particular, successfully making the transition from rookie list to decent AFL ruckman- eg Beau McDonald, Jamie Charman, Darren Jolly, Mark Porter, Ben Marsh (tho that one might be questionable!), Dean Cox etc etc etc

[silent lurker]

I may sound pedantic, but McDonald and Charman weren't promoted from rookie lists. Trent Knobel came from the Brisbane rookie list though.

There are young ruckman who've been promoted from rookie lists who could make the transition to good AFL ruckmen.

eg. Aaron Sandilands(Fremantle)
Paul Chambers(Geelong)
Robert Campbell(Hawthorn)

[TheMase]

Originally posted by desredandwhite
Here's a thought... maybe the spare spot is so the club can save some $$$$ ;-)

We DID have something of a loss (or was it less than expected profit?) last year, so that could have influenced it as well.

That is a possibility I guess.

But perhaps its a bit of both.

The 38th player on the list may not have been worth a Heath James or a Mecklejohn.
So rather than take it up with someone who is not going to have a bit impact anyway (and save money), they left it open in case Heath comes along, or we have ruckman trouble.

[chammond]

I've got no doubt that Meiklejohn, Bevan and Crawford are all good value as rookies, and are probably as good as many of the players taken in the National Draft.

And the fact that Meiklejohn is on the rookie list won't, of itself, prevent him from getting a game this season as a ruckman - I've got no doubt that Mott expects to get a run in the Dockers seniors this year.

But "big men taking longer to develop" is a cliche because it is usually true, and I find the idea that the Swans fall-back position for the ruck is an 18yo rookie with little or no senior experience a bit fanciful.

But we are talking about the Swans - so I suppose it's possible?

And now I'm thinking . . . who would I prefer as our no. 4 ruckman . . . . Mott or Meiklejohn??

[jude_boltons_babe]

im really happy about heath getting redrafted

im so happy that heath is going to be playing this year ive hear that ryan crawford isa great player can anyone tell me about Josh Thewlis

[Jeffers1984]

Hey Guys! Glad to see RWO back and running

Neways i just checked the player list on sydneyswans.com.au (yeah i know not a very reliable source) but i clicked on the senior player list and it listed Ryan Crawford on the senior list not the Rookie list with McGlone, Bevan etc.

Check it out

http://sydneyswans.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=seniorlist

[jude_boltons_babe]

thats pretty good

i hope they get more of the guys pictures soon i wonder how they will go in the seniors

[liz]

Originally posted by silent lurker
I may sound pedantic, but McDonald and Charman weren't promoted from rookie lists. Trent Knobel came from the Brisbane rookie list though.

There are young ruckman who've been promoted from rookie lists who could make the transition to good AFL ruckmen.

eg. Aaron Sandilands(Fremantle)
Paul Chambers(Geelong)
Robert Campbell(Hawthorn)

Happy to be corrected - but I was pretty sure McDonald was. Admit I was guessing a bit on Charman and probably got him confused with Knobel.

[gloveski]

leaving one spot open on the senior list could be a masterstroke......initially it will save money,aswell as giving the rookies all a slight glimmer of hope of being promoted if their form warrants it.


Just my two cents worth

[Ajn]

The swans rarely blood new players in the first year anyway, so I wouldn't be holding my breath for their debut. Pre season will probably be the only chance to see most of them, last years recruits will be more prominant (such as LRT).

[desredandwhite]

Who WAS the last player to debut in their first year for us? On the assumption they are not traded players of course.

IIRC it was Saddo! Played in the first game of 1998 (?) and has only been dropped for a couple of games since, in that year (I think).

Since then... Ablett, Buchanan, O'Keefe, Fixter, Kennelly.. all much closer to 2nd year than first.

Though there was Mott, albeit through necessity.. And he wasn't 18 either was he?

[robbieando]

Look if we lose 2 ruckman, Menklejohn will get a game because after Doyle, Ball and Goodes who can really play ruck?????

[chammond]

Who WAS the last player to debut in their first year for us?

Fosdike? Bolton? James? - all drafted '98 and played '99
ditto Simon Feast!!
Steve Doyle drafted '99 and played 2000.

Probably only Fosdike comes close to Saddington's record.

From memory, didn't O'Loughlin go straight into the seniors after being drafted?