RWO Draft Thread

[OldE]

I can't believe podsi hasn't gone.

[Jeffers1984]

Let's hope Laidlaw will lay the law..

*tumbleweed,coughing.

[robbieando]

Two kids from WA and a Victorian

[ugg]

I'd expect we'll take a few KPs in the rookie draft.

[OldE]

Collingwood passed at 52. Possibly O'Keefe related?

[Jeffers1984]

Matthew Laidlaw
Details:
Club: Carey Grammar/Oakleigh
DOB: 9 February 1987 Hgt: 186cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Midfield/Flanker
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
State Screening Testing 2004
AFL Draft Camp 2005

TAC Stats:
2004: 6 games, 0 goals, average 11.8 PPG
2005: 10 games, 7 goals, average 24.8 PPG

Background:
Matthew combined school footy at Carey Grammar with his Oakleigh Chargers commitments in 2004. Despite only playing six matches in the TAC Cup he received an invite to Victorian Screening. Starting out as a medium sized defender, he has worked up to the midfield this year and is the ideal side for that position at the next level. This year he doubled his average possessions when playing for the Chargers and was named in their best seven out of ten times. His overhead marking cannot be underestimated, he is a terrific mark for his height.

Strengths:
- very strong overhead
- has the pace to play on smaller opponents as well
- makes good decisions with the footy in his hands
- strong over the footy
- is a good reader of the play

Weaknesses:
- only an ordinary beep test pre-season, and at draft camp was again below average in the beep test and was the slowest of the medium mids in the 3km run.
- not as much exposure in the TAC Cup and missed the championships due to focusing on school footy.

Footydraft.com verdict:
Would certainly be in the mix, anywhere from a second round pick onwards. Has some terrific attributes, just a matter of how convinced the clubs are with what they have seen in limited TAC Cup exposure against players that are his competition in the draft.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by ugg
I'd expect we'll take a few KPs in the rookie draft.

You would think so

[Ryan Bomford]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
3 midfielders.. very interesting to say the least.

There's method to this midness.

Kirky and Williams won't be around forever and this will inject a healthy little competition into the likes of Schmidt and Willoughby and Spriggs.

[Charlie]

More midfielders.

Richards, Vogels and Grundy will be feeling very comfortable.

[liz]

Can someone post who the 3 players chosen were. From this thread I have picked Brabrazon and Laidlaw but can't see the other. All options on the AFL site (including the tracker) seem to be completely non-functional. Nor can I get the SEN web-broadcast to work.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Ryan Bomford
There's method to this midness.

Kirky and Williams won't be around forever and this will inject a healthy little competition into the likes of Schmidt and Willoughby and Spriggs.

True that, plus it adds some height to our midfield stocks as well. Nothing wrong with the players we picked, all are going to be handy player but a lack of height down back wasn't address, but I guess onwards to the rookie draft and hopefully a Grundy like selection once again with a Vogel-like thrown in.

[ugg]

Our picks:

Matthew Laidlaw
Kristin Thornton
Ryan Brabazon

[Charlie]

Kristin Thornton.

[robbieando]

From Footy Draft

Kristin Thornton
Details:
Club: Peel Thunder
DOB: 5 March 1988 Hgt:183cm Wgt: 71kg
Position: Midfielder
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
Pel Thunder Colts B&F 2005
WA State Under 18 representative
AFL Draft Camp 2005

Draft Camp:
Beep Test: 14.6 (equal 4th)

Background:
Younger brother of 2005 West Coast rookie Ashley. Kristin came to Melbourne to play in the National under 18 carnival mid year. While he only played two matches and wasn't a stand out player, he did push his name forward with a terrific season in the WAFL Colts and impressive draft camp figures.

Strengths:
- Good skills
- Performed well at draft camp
- Bottom age and could go high next year if not taken this year/value pick

Weaknesses:
- Skinny frame/development time needed

[Jeffers1984]

So do we hold the record for recruiting the only girl in the AFL? Kristin Thornton.