Player pics are up

[Nico]

Spoke to my associate from Carlton a couple of days ago, John Fisher, who is a scout for Carlton. He is still shaking his head in disbelief that Shaw, Clarke and Grundy were not drafted. He si adamant that this 3 are quality players.

He reckons that Shaw is very solid for his age as a ruckman, and says bodywise he was the standout at the carnival, compared to all the other ruckmen going around and drafted. He said he still finds it hard to believe clubs keep drafting bean poles in the hope they might be men mouintains in a "few" years.

So I had a look at the rookie profiles and just look at the bulk of the following:

Shaw - 199cm x 95kg
Grundy - 192cm x 92kg
Hayes - 190cm x 87kg
Clarke 179 x 92kg

Shaw will put on a few kilos and have a guess what, he is as big as Jolly, and he is only 19. He has probably stacked a couple of kgs on already.
Grundy only has to put on a few kgs and grow a cm and he is a formidable build for key defender, which he was in U18.
Clarke adds a couple of kegs and he is a human tank.
Hayes has good height and if he puts on 5kgs he is solid human being.

Get 2 of these guys playing regular seniors, and who knows where it might take us. Get 4 up and look out. Apparently they can all play.

[liz]

Originally posted by Nico

Get 2 of these guys playing regular seniors, and who knows where it might take us. Get 4 up and look out. Apparently they can all play.

Vogels and Campbell can be added to the equation too - both already strong, mature bodies, especially Campbell who made it a specific objective for 2004. Reports suggest that Campbell was consistently one of the Bendigo Bombers best players last season - forward, back and in the ruck. Yes, it is a step up to the next level but now he gets his chance.

The reality is that not all of them will make it. For a start there will be limited opportunities and limited spots on the senior list next year, even if they all do show promise. For Vogels and Campbell this year is their one and only chance as rookies, given their age.

But there must be a realistic chance that at least a couple will forge medium to long term AFL careers.