Heath James at pick 61

[j s]

He's back!!

[Charlie]

At first I thought he was a Bomber, hence my first post. Then I changed it because I wasn't sure - I didn't hear Essendon's selection so I assumed it was Heath.

I've just sat down again... after a bit of a dance around the room.

HEATHY'S BACK!!!!

All we were saying, was give Heath a chance....

[liz]

By reports they had Posiadly and James both training over the last week - gave them a chance to compare them directly and clearly they decided Heath is a better option.

I'm not disappointed. I still think he can become a good AFL player once he has confidence back in his body.

He's up there with Luffy now having been delisted and redrafted twice. In fact, he's now been drafted 3 times by the Swans if you include his rookie drafting.

[The Boot]

Originally posted by liz
and clearly they decided Heath is a better option.

And he's not bad when he's on your table for Trivia Night either. Smart, intelligent and a perfect gentleman. Well .. ahem, he was sitting next to Powell at the time .. <nuff said>

[Northern_Swan]

I had the pleasure of meeting Heath at the community camp up here in 04 & showing him round town.
A true gentleman who would bend over backwards for you.
He actually sought out my brother and parents for a chat @ the practice match a few weeks later. He remembered every conversation & showed a genuine interest in our club & grassroots footy.
i hope he does a luffy and takes this opportunity & spends 05 where he belongs- in first grade

[Troy G]

So very Happy For Heath... he just won't be denied and keeps beating the odds and proving everyone wrong. Surely this puts him into Swans Legend status like Luffy!

I didn't want him to go when we need someone at the back and in my view he hadn't had enough matches and time at the back fully fit to really show us.

But I really thought this time there was no coming back. The club and players must just love him to bits or he has pictures!

[Bas]

Originally posted by Troy G
Surely this puts him into Swans Legend status like Luffy!

What's his nickname?

I would think that they would be changing it to Lazarus. He's had more comebacks!

[swansrule100]

Originally posted by Charlie
At first I thought he was a Bomber, hence my first post. Then I changed it because I wasn't sure - I didn't hear Essendon's selection so I assumed it was Heath.

I've just sat down again... after a bit of a dance around the room.

HEATHY'S BACK!!!!

All we were saying, was give Heath a chance....

why u like heath so much??

not saying i dont or being sarcastic just was curious?

good luck to heath
deserves the chance

[shearer]

why would they waste a draft pick on someone who isnt going to make it and spend the winter in Canberra.

Yet again the Swans recruiting is a disgrace.

Cant believe they wouldnt draft a kid like Ed Clarke, All Australian, wont need to spend 3 years in the gym to get to a decent size..i feel for kids from Sydney who are good footballers, they will always be overlooked.

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by shearer
Cant believe they wouldnt draft a kid like Ed Clarke, All Australian, wont need to spend 3 years in the gym to get to a decent size..i feel for kids from Sydney who are good footballers, they will always be overlooked.

Clarke will be on our rookie list through our concession.

With Heath, i trust the swans panel are doing the right thing here, but i can tell you i wasn't rapped when i heard his name being called out at 61.

[NMWBloods]

Given it was pick #61 I don't think it really matters who we picked.

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Given it was pick #61 I don't think it really matters who we picked.

That is true, however with talls such as Kirkby (who was rated a top 30 pick) still available, i thought taking a risk on him would of been the better option than to go for someone who the coaching panel seem to have lost faith in after rd 12.

Anyways what's done is done so i wish all our new recruits the best of luck.

[liz]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
Given it was pick #61 I don't think it really matters who we picked.

Adam Schneider was taken with pick 60 and Paul Bevan came via the rookie list (as have plenty of other AFL competent players).

There is always a decent chance of getting a solid player even with late picks.

That said, I'm not unhappy with taking James again. Reading between the lines it seems as if he wouldn't have been delisted had it not been for the requirement to use 3 picks in the draft.

The fact that he played little senior football in the second half of last season needs to be viewed in the context of him still regaining confidence in his battered body. If they didn't think he'd ever do this, they wouldn't have redrafted him. Clearly they think he can.

I think supporters can underestimate the time it takes players to mentally recover from serious injury.

[Mark]

Originally posted by liz

I think supporters can underestimate the time it takes players to mentally recover from serious injury.

Very true, and physically, there is fit to play and fully fit.

Sadly, I think we will see this for a while yet with Goodsey

[Ryan Bomford]

At times last year James looked tentative when stretching out, like he was protecting his hamstrings. Now that this is clearly his last chance he may throw caution, and his hamstrings, to the wind.