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Now that the club has announced who is in the VFL squad, I thought I'd start the VFL thread for the season.
I also thought that I'd write a few brief thoughts on each player in the squad.
Holding jumper 49, but listed as number 50 is Ben Edwards, who did really well for our VFL side last season, after coming over from Claremont in WA. He's a tough inside mid, who wins plenty of the ball. Sometimes his disposals are a bit wayward, but if he could improve that, he could earn a promotion to the rookie list.
51 is Jake Lloyd's brother, Matty. He played a few handy games last year and kicked some useful goals, through being able to bob up in the right place at the right time.
Nic Shipley is number 52. He's been one of our better players in the VFL over the past couple of seasons, and I'm including AFL listed players in that assessment. Plays both inside and outside, but is possibly more suited to outside. Gets plenty of the ball and uses it pretty well. Originally on the Giants list, he could possibly get back to AFL level, if he has an extended injury free run.
Number 53, Angus Hanrahan is a recruit from VFL side, Port Melbourne. Past profiles suggest that he's a skilful outside mid and forward flanker.
54, Pierce Roseby, is a midfielder, who was considered to be a reasonable chance to be drafted from our academy a few years back. When that didn't happen, he went and played VFL for Frankston, before being added to our VFL list last season. I don't think he played a game, so I'm guessing that he was injured. Probably a vote of confidence, that he's back on the list.
55 is Byron Laws. I don't think he was part of our academy, but he played some useful VFL games last year, after starting the season with Manly Wolves. Seems a tough utility, who plays both forward and back.
Number 56, Tom Hitchens, played for our academy last season. He's listed as a medium forward, but I vaguely recall him playing pretty well in the midfield.
57 is another former academy player, Jordan Endemann. He's played some pretty good games at VFL level over the past couple of seasons. He tackles hard, is elusive in traffic, but he might need a few high possession games to get some more regular VFL football.
58 is John Longmire's son Tom. Probably needs a late growth spurt to continue his career, as he hasn't quite got the zip of a medium forward or the size of a key position player.
Wearing 59 is another academy graduate, Lachlan Cabor. He must have been close to earning a rookie spot in 2023. He has previously played well at VFL level and it's easy to see him continuing to do so this season; either as a small defender or inside mid.
Number 60 is Koby Grass, who was recruited from Victoria last year. Did some classy things as an outside mid, before injury finished his season after four games.
Back to our academy graduates with number 61, Max Geddes. With his longish hair, slim build and speed off the half back flank, he reminds me a bit of former AFL listed player, Riley Stoddart. I don't really see him making an AFL list, but he consistently earns VFL games through his whole hearted efforts.
Wearing 62 is Harrison Podmore-Taylor. Another academy player who was possibly close to being rookie listed a couple of years ago. He's an athletic 201cm ruckman, but with both Ladhams and Green likely to play plenty of VFL, I'd like to see him given the chance to improve as a key position player.
I don't know much about 63, Oscar Davis, but we recruited him from Eastlake, after he spent time playing in the VFL and for our academy.
64 is small forward James Tidemann. He played some decent games in the VFL last year, after graduating from the academy.
65 is the recent academy player, Cameron Este. His profile says that he's an 189cm forward, but I think he played more often at the other end.
Another academy player from last season is 66, Declan Fitzpatrick. At 169cm, he possibly falls into the category of "too small for the AFL". However, he has plenty of energy, lays some strong tackles and can win contested possessions. Hopefully he'll get the chance to prove himself.
And finally, 67 is Cooper McLennan. Also from our academy he's a forward flanker and outside mid, with a fair bit of pace and skill.
I also thought that I'd write a few brief thoughts on each player in the squad.
Holding jumper 49, but listed as number 50 is Ben Edwards, who did really well for our VFL side last season, after coming over from Claremont in WA. He's a tough inside mid, who wins plenty of the ball. Sometimes his disposals are a bit wayward, but if he could improve that, he could earn a promotion to the rookie list.
51 is Jake Lloyd's brother, Matty. He played a few handy games last year and kicked some useful goals, through being able to bob up in the right place at the right time.
Nic Shipley is number 52. He's been one of our better players in the VFL over the past couple of seasons, and I'm including AFL listed players in that assessment. Plays both inside and outside, but is possibly more suited to outside. Gets plenty of the ball and uses it pretty well. Originally on the Giants list, he could possibly get back to AFL level, if he has an extended injury free run.
Number 53, Angus Hanrahan is a recruit from VFL side, Port Melbourne. Past profiles suggest that he's a skilful outside mid and forward flanker.
54, Pierce Roseby, is a midfielder, who was considered to be a reasonable chance to be drafted from our academy a few years back. When that didn't happen, he went and played VFL for Frankston, before being added to our VFL list last season. I don't think he played a game, so I'm guessing that he was injured. Probably a vote of confidence, that he's back on the list.
55 is Byron Laws. I don't think he was part of our academy, but he played some useful VFL games last year, after starting the season with Manly Wolves. Seems a tough utility, who plays both forward and back.
Number 56, Tom Hitchens, played for our academy last season. He's listed as a medium forward, but I vaguely recall him playing pretty well in the midfield.
57 is another former academy player, Jordan Endemann. He's played some pretty good games at VFL level over the past couple of seasons. He tackles hard, is elusive in traffic, but he might need a few high possession games to get some more regular VFL football.
58 is John Longmire's son Tom. Probably needs a late growth spurt to continue his career, as he hasn't quite got the zip of a medium forward or the size of a key position player.
Wearing 59 is another academy graduate, Lachlan Cabor. He must have been close to earning a rookie spot in 2023. He has previously played well at VFL level and it's easy to see him continuing to do so this season; either as a small defender or inside mid.
Number 60 is Koby Grass, who was recruited from Victoria last year. Did some classy things as an outside mid, before injury finished his season after four games.
Back to our academy graduates with number 61, Max Geddes. With his longish hair, slim build and speed off the half back flank, he reminds me a bit of former AFL listed player, Riley Stoddart. I don't really see him making an AFL list, but he consistently earns VFL games through his whole hearted efforts.
Wearing 62 is Harrison Podmore-Taylor. Another academy player who was possibly close to being rookie listed a couple of years ago. He's an athletic 201cm ruckman, but with both Ladhams and Green likely to play plenty of VFL, I'd like to see him given the chance to improve as a key position player.
I don't know much about 63, Oscar Davis, but we recruited him from Eastlake, after he spent time playing in the VFL and for our academy.
64 is small forward James Tidemann. He played some decent games in the VFL last year, after graduating from the academy.
65 is the recent academy player, Cameron Este. His profile says that he's an 189cm forward, but I think he played more often at the other end.
Another academy player from last season is 66, Declan Fitzpatrick. At 169cm, he possibly falls into the category of "too small for the AFL". However, he has plenty of energy, lays some strong tackles and can win contested possessions. Hopefully he'll get the chance to prove himself.
And finally, 67 is Cooper McLennan. Also from our academy he's a forward flanker and outside mid, with a fair bit of pace and skill.
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