Rookie List

[Bas]

Originally posted by Ert
Very impressed by our rookie selections

I can't believe Grundy slipped through to #42!

Reading some of the BigFooty posts, it seems that he is a bit slow however many posters picked him in their 5 top rookies.

Time will tell.

[DST]

Looks very promising, don't think we have had such a well balanced rookie list for sometime.

If we can get one KP defender out of Vogels & Campbell in 2006 then I will be extremely happy.

Both Grundy & Clarke have alot to prove to the football world, so hopefully they can bloom in the next couple of years.

As for Earl Shaw, he is a real project player. A couple of years on the rookie and possibily even re-drafted back onto the rookie list for a second time before we will know if he is good enough.

We now have a very good blend across both the senior and rookie list players. If they live up to their potential and our core group remain injury free and together we can challenge strongly in the next couple of years.

DST

[Bleed Red Blood]

Better than the National draft...

[DST]

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
Better than the National draft...

Looking at what we did today BRB, it would seem that we had a definate plan this year going into both drafts.

Alot of people were saying that outside the top 8 picks that it was very even all the way back. So we went for best available at our first pick and then went more mature to cover gaps immediately with Spriggs (midfield) and redrafting James (defender). We also took the punt that both Shaw & Clarke would not be taken and thus allowed us to simply rookie list them.

It would seem we were confident that with alot of KP players all around the same mark that we could use our rookie picks (rather national draft) to take a mix of mature and developing KP players. I would think the Swans would be wrapt that Grundy was still around at #42.

Overall, despite not landing a quality midfielder as wanted we have added to the side immediately and ended up with a new batch of youngsters.

DST

[Charlie]

Lots of competition expected for the one nominated rookie spot next year. I'd say it will be used, and it will probably come down to Potter, Clarke, Vogels, Campbell and perhaps Grundy.

[Bas]

From the Footydraft.com list and a few other places:

Ed Clarke (North Shore Bombers)
Details:
Club: North Shore/NSW
DOB: 11 June 1986 Hgt: 178cm Wgt: 91kg
Position: Ruck Rover
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
New South Wales 2003, 2004
MVP on New South Wales 2004
All Australian 2004
State Screening Camp 2004

Strengths: Clarke is a powerful centreman who is 91kg of muscle. He is one of the best performed players in underage football this year, having dominated in the under 18 carnival, gathering 10 Morrish Medal votes in 4 games, then winning the MVP in Allies v Victoria game.

He is a freak at the stoppages, just constantly wins the ball out of the centre and pumps it forward. He is also extremely dangerous in front of goal, kicking 6 in the final carnival match. Is a long kick and has clean hands. Also a good leader and strong in the hips. Tackles very hard.

Weaknesses: Clarke's body strength compared to the other kids at this level gives him a massive advantage. Probably has little scope for improvement and lacks pace. Can get the blinkers in front of goal.

Footydraft.com comment: What to do? What to do? This guy is a man playing in a kids comp, but boy can he play. His body shape is all wrong and for every Sam Mitchell there is a David Kellett or Daniel Elstone who hasn't made it. Definitely worth a rookie list at the VERY least, but I think clubs will be too wary to draft him.

North Shore?s young star and Leigh Matthews clone, Ed Clarke was solid all day with some strong pack busting runs through the middle of the ground. He showed today at North Sydney Oval why he is one of the most promising young players in NSW and was best on ground.

(From the Allies v Victoria game Sept 2004) - The most valuable player of the match was awarded to The Allies onballer Ed Clarke who finished with 32 disposals and two goals.

"It's a huge honour. I probably have to (stop and) think about the type of players I've been playing with and it's just a lucky day for me," Clarke said after the match.

It capped off a magnificent season for Clarke, which included a premiership with North Shore in the Sydney Football League last weekend, All-Australian selection in the championships - where he booted six goals and gained 26 touches in the final match against Tasmania. Sheehan said it was a great reward for Clarke.

"He has undeniable spirit. He's positive all of the time, he wants to win and he wants to contribute to the team, so all of those personality factors are terrific too. And he showed that running ability. He kept working and working and he's a boy from the heart of Sydney," Sheehan said.

Earl Shaw
Details:
Club: Campbelltown/NSW
DOB: 17 December 1986 Hgt: 198cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Ruck
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
New South Wales 2003, 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

Strengths: Shaw is a developing ruckman who has come on this year and shows real promise. He is very good at getting first hands on the ball in the ruck contest and palming it to advantage. Earl has a good leap, moves well and is very enthusiastic about his football, throws himself around and really works hard defensively.

Shaw's teamwork with centreman Ed Clarke was one of the highlights of the carnival, with his expert tapwork leading to quite a few goals. I think he definitely has the potential to be an AFL ruckman.

Weaknesses: The main worry with Shaw is his kicking. Although improved, it's still a terrible style and he looks to handball at every opportunity. He would need some serious remedial work on his action. Getting better at marking around the ground, but still doesn't do enough.

Footydraft.com comment: Plenty of sides will be looking to restock on ruckman, so Shaw will be seriously considered. Everything about his game is good apart from his kicking, but that could be the difference between whether he makes it or not.

[ugg]

Very happy we got Shaw and Clarke, sounds like we got a steal with Grundy, and surprised no one took Bartlett. Good luck to Thewlis and his career with the Roos.

[robbieando]

Very happy that we got Shaw and Clarke, but I'm over the moon we ended up with Grundy who was highly rated before the national draft. Good to see we have stocked up on K/P players, so I think we have a good balance on our list overall now.

BTW Stefan Garrubba what a name that is

[Charlie]

Originally posted by Bas


Earl Shaw

DOB: 17 December 1986

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Charlie

Charlie, welcome to old age.

You get use to it

[j s]

Originally posted by robbieando
Charlie, welcome to old age.

You get use to it

Just wait till the policemen start looking young!!

[lwjoyner]

rookie draft

we have details of all but Vogels and Hayes, can anyboby help.
Also are Taylor and Potter still on list

[pillowtalk]

Re: rookie draft

Originally posted by lwjoyner
we have details of all but Vogels and Hayes, can anyboby help.
Also are Taylor and Potter still on list

Potter definately is. Not sure about Taylor

[Thunder Shaker]

Originally posted by Charlie

Just wait until the oldest player in the AFL is younger than you are.

[wedge.maverick]

Re: rookie draft

Originally posted by lwjoyner
we have details of all but Vogels and Hayes, can anyboby help.
Also are Taylor and Potter still on list

Firstly Potter was the only rookie that kept his spot from last year.
Vogels is a tall running defender who has the height to play as a KPP and agility to play on a flank or a wing.He is 21 now and wasn't far away from getting drafted at the end of 2001 after playing for the Geelong Falcons. He has spent the past few years in Country Vic and should have a body ready to go.
Andrew Hayes spent the whole of last year in the Sydney reserves side in the ACT league.He is a tall marking forward and is a cousin of Lenny.
Also it is interesting that Grundy and Garrubba were graduates of the 2003 Academy squad so obviously they were highly rated.