Rookie draft - tall defenders

[Reggi]

Be interesting to see how Sydney goes in tomorrow's rookie draft.

Looking to the future a- and as I understand the draft rules, we can simply Rookie list Will Gayfer and Rogers - which would give us two developing young talls.

Probably worth the risk IMO - intersting to see what they do.

[liz]

Other clubs are likely to think the same way though. What's the chance of Gayfer still being available come pick 14?

[robbieando]

Gayfer might last until then. He has been training with Collingwood so he could still be available come our first pick.

[jimmytootle]

Does anyone know if Rogers is training with the Swans? IIRC, he wasn't a few weeks ago.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by jimmytootle
Does anyone know if Rogers is training with the Swans? IIRC, he wasn't a few weeks ago.

If he wasn't then, he more than likely isn't now.

[Reggi]

As I understand the rookie list rules any player from NSW like Gayfer - Sydney can put straight onto its Rookie list.

If he gets through the pre-season draft - and we want him - he is ours.

We may not though - I have no idea

[SWANSBEST]

Gayfer the younger is looking for an opportunity , and does not seem too hung up on only playing for the Eddies . The article says that the Swans were previously interested in him so maybe they might be still keen come Tuesday .




Younger Gayfer ready, Will-ing
14 December 2003 Sunday Herald Sun
By JON RALPH

WILL Gayfer was five when brother Michael used his tight-checking tactics to stifle resting Essendon captain Tim Watson during Collingwood's 1990 Grand Final victory.

On Tuesday his day of judgment arrives when he finds out if he is put on the rookie list at an AFL club.

Gayfer enjoyed an excellent season for the Murray Bushrangers as a no-frills defender and, at 192cm and 92kg, he has 10cm and 9kg on his brother.

He was overlooked in last month's national draft despite several judges predicting he would be taken as high as the second round.

Now training with Collingwood, he hopes someone throws him a lifeline, so he can try to replicate some of the success his elder brother enjoyed in AFL ranks.

Michael, 38, and Will, 18, bookend the seven brothers, with sister Susan and parents Bill and Rosemarie making up the rest of the family. Brother David tried his hand at Richmond, but hurt his ankle during the preseason. The rest of the boys played football at hometown Corowa.

Collingwood is unsure whether it will be able to fit Gayfer on to its list, but Sydney, Port Adelaide and the Kangaroos reportedly showed some interest before the national draft.

"I haven't really spoken to anyone else, so I'm not too sure what will happen," Gayfer said.

"Collingwood haven't given too much away, so we will wait and see. It's been my dream all my life to make it in the AFL. It doesn't bother me one little bit where I play. I just want to go somewhere and prove myself."http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/foo...E19742,00.html

[Reggi]

I understand from other internet posts that his rating dropped considerably after the draft camp.

Showed up very poorly.

But - tall defenders tend to be manufactured - often from very lacking players. Given that Roos has said he may need to chase one next year it would seem negligent to overlook this guy if there is any chance he could even be handy.

If it were me I would Rookie list Rogers and Gayfer, just on the chance they may develop.

But I have a suspicion that they won't

[Steve]

Gayfer was in the Vic Country squad for the U/18 titles, which would seemingly remove him from those priority rookie calculations.

I'm guessing Rogers may also be off limits due to the fact that he has been registered and played the past 2 seasons in Vic - from memory that is the major qualifying criteria.

I noted at the time that one of the local guys they had training with us from the NSW/ACT side was a tall - from memory he was a no-name but would presumably be a chance.

[Reggi]

Steve Gayfer played for Corowa - Rutherglen - his brother was from NSW so unless they have moved to Rutherglen I would have thought he was a NSW boy?

Could be wrong

[Steve]

Gayfer has definately been 'designated' to Victorian under-age teams - I would only assume that the criteria for those would be the same for our priority rookie zone.

I don't know for sure either, but I'm pretty confident that the above is right.

If he was NSW I would have thought we would certainly have exercised that option, despite the concerns about his mobility.