Sydney's Youngsters

[Charlie]

Originally posted by franky_mojojo
was wondering who u think has the biggest upside out of Willoughby, Moore, Schmidt and Malceski and I know nothing about these players.

I'm not an authority on them - perhaps someone who sees the ressies every week will be able to differentiate between them... but I liked the look of Mal. Will play 200 games for Sydney.

[punter257]

i've been disappointed with mcveigh personally, i thought he would really step up this season. i guess its because he was about pick 6 (?) and he played quite a few games last season.

i suppose he's still young and hopefully a good preseason (lots of weights) will bring the best out of him.

agree about malceski, looks like a beauty
and i didnt realise that buchanan was only 22, thought he was about 25
and young moore will be a good player in the future

[Jeffers1984]

Good young depth in our midfielders, and all were highly rated when we recruited them (Willoughby and Schmidt especially).

Where we lack depth is in our KPP stocks but i expect us to draft tall this draft with some good 190+ KPP types and don't discount drafting a mature age draftee again ala Vogels.

[liz]

Originally posted by franky_mojojo
was wondering who u think has the biggest upside out of Willoughby, Moore, Schmidt and Malceski and I know nothing about these players.

Willougby is slight but fast. In the pre-season comp he was used to take kick-outs, so someone at the club obviously thinks highly of his kicking skills. From what I've seen, he looks skillful enough and has a few tricks. Should be able to carry the ball through the midfield.

Schmidt is much more solidly built, not overly quick but doesn't look too slow either. His disposal is reliable, his decision making looks very sound and, at least at reserves level, he knows how to kick goals. He also looks a good mark for his size.

Moore and Malceski everyone has seen something of. At reserves level they have produced regularly what they've done occasionally at senior level. Malceski, in particular, is a ball magnet, can find the ball in space and in contests, marks well above his head and kicks creatively. At the pace at which reserves level footy is played, he looks exceedingly fit. Obviously senior football is played at a different speed but definitely looks like he'll be able to play midfield eventually at a senior level.

McVeigh is an interesting one. My hope is that he just needs to "do an Ablett" - ie suddenly realise that he can cut it at senior level. Pre-season he looked confident and some of his work through traffic was very impressive. He then looked tentative and unsure at senior level as the season progressed. He has the speed, he has the skills, he just needs for it all to click.

Matt Davis is maybe the youngster that excites me the most. If he can get over his groin injury quickly and have a decent pre-season, he definitely looks capable of playing senior football next year.

[Charlie]

So Liz, you would expect Willo jnr, Schmidt, Davis to debut next year - what about Erickson, Shaw and Grundy?

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by liz
Matt Davis is maybe the youngster that excites me the most. If he can get over his groin injury quickly and have a decent pre-season, he definitely looks capable of playing senior football next year.

Matty Davis is the one that will allow Tadhg to finally play in the midfield. Very quick is he.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
Matty Davis is the one that will allow Tadhg to finally play in the midfield. Very quick is he.

I've heard Garubba his very quick as well.

[liz]

Originally posted by ScottH
I've heard Garubba his very quick as well.

Garubba is very quick - but he's short and quick. Davis is tall and quick, and a very similar build to Kennelly. I don't know whether he quite has the burst of acceleration that Kennelly has but he moves oh so elegantly. He's a good overhead mark, though his disposal and/or decision making still needs some work.

[Nico]

From what I know Heath Grundy has been impressive in the 2's and Earl Shaw a budding ruckman has genuine talent. Bound to be promoted given Ball's retirement. Schmidt I have heard has developed during the year.

The great ROK of this site watches the 2's a fair bit and has some interesting thoughts.

Where are you ROK?

[liz]

Originally posted by Charlie
So Liz, you would expect Willo jnr, Schmidt, Davis to debut next year - what about Erickson, Shaw and Grundy?

I expect Willo jnr and Schmidt to debut. I hope that Davis will.

The other three are dependent on injuries I suspect.

Shaw is already very accomplished at stoppages but around the ground is still very raw. Erikson still needs to put on a lot of weight and the rest of his game has some way to go too. However, his rate of improvement has been so rapid that he might make it next year. I'm not entirely convinced that he'll ever make it but hope he does. If Doyle is injured in week one and Roos needs another ruckman to come into the team, I'd expect Shaw to get the call over Erikson based on where they currently are at (subject to list status).

It's hard to tell with Grundy. He's played more up forward than in defence this year, but I suspect that he's more likely to find a longer term role in the senior team as a defender. He'll be up against the likes of Davis and Dempster for chances - not to mention Powell, if the club persists with him. But he could certainly be brought in to play a similar role to the one Vogels has played this year, as a relief forward. He'll definitely be reliant on injuries next year if he gets a chance. I'd be surprised if he isn't retained on the list but I suspect it will be as a rookie.

[Nico]

From having seen Grundy in the Wiz Cup live I reckon he has real talent and reads the play well. Opinion please ROK.

He was touted as a very high draft pick but for whatever reason we got him the rookie draft. Development over summer can be rapid so don't be surprised if he is the one that jumps out of relative obscurity next season.

Remember a bloke called Crouch who I believe captained SA U18 team. We drafted him but he was unsighted for at least a season in the 2's and was injured. Jumped out of nowhere and hasn't missed since.