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Agree. Early days, but if he keeps that up, he should be taken very high. Especially if he stays injury free and if he also manages to eliminate the odd clanger from his game. In a way, he reminds me a bit of former cricketer, Mark Waugh, in that, he can make the very difficult things seem simple, but frustratingly, he can sometimes make the simple things seem difficult.
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You don't need to look to cricket for that kind of comparison. We once drafted a player who, even at U18 level, could make the impossible look easy. As he tried to establish himself as a senior AFL player he confessed that, along with learning to enjoy training, he had needed to appreciate the value of doing the simple things right most of the time.
He landed up playing 372 games in the red and white, and jagging a couple of Brownlow medals (and a couple of premierships) along the way.Comment
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The other thing to watch with 'flashy' players at under-age levels is actual production. I remember a couple of draft observers had giant red flags over Gary Rohan when we drafted him because for all the highlights and pace, he'd never had more than 15 (from memory) possessions in a game - and that ability to find the ball rarely gets easier at AFL level.
While he had the odd game where he got a bit of the ball, he rarely had high numbers, and his impact diminished as a result.
The good news on King from the bits I've read and seen is he lacks for nothing in that space.Comment
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The Rookie Me scouting notes for the game:
Obviously they have a few kind words for King, and it seems that they don't know who got our first goal, either.Comment
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That's a good read, though it would be nice if King could slow down a bit now he's shown what he can do.The Rookie Me scouting notes for the game:
Obviously they have a few kind words for King, and it seems that they don't know who got our first goal, either.
The notes described JimmyO as a bottom-ager but I believe he's eligible to be drafted this year, with a December birthday. I suspect that, with a late birthday and having missed some under age football through injury, he's the kind of player who will benefit from playing an extra year at U18 level. Sadly his surname means he's unlikely to fly under the radar if he keeps showing these small glimpses of silk and flair.
My attention was grabbed by the picture of a handful of Swans players featured in that article - or more precisely by the photo of McNamara. He looks like he's intent on competing hard with Beavis for the team's "bushiest hair" accolade.Comment
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Yes, I'm pretty sure that O'Loughlin is in his draft year. So far, I don't really see him being taken in the main draft, but I do think he's improved this year, with his game against the Sydney u22 the best I've seen him play. I think he might have grown a few centimetres over the last six months or so, as well. It's hard to tell, but watching him during a goal celebration, he didn't seem that much smaller than King. So, maybe he's now in the medium forward range, rather than small forward?
So, if he keeps improving and growing, then our rookie list could be a realistic option?Comment
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It's far too early to be confident he'll make it through to the rookie draft. Or that he'll be good enough to be drafted at all.
But it's not too early to know that recruiters will pay a bit of attention to him because of his name, so moments of magic won't go unnoticed.Comment
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The top level academy team is playing against the Suns in Brisbane on Sunday afternoon. Seems a strong side, but it should be a good test, as the Suns do have some talent.
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The Suns are ahead 31-23 at half-time. I only started watching early in the second quarter, so I can't say too much. Though we seemed to have the better of that quarter, but didn't quite take our chances. Going by the highlights package, our goal kickers have been McCartney, Chamberlain and Titmuss.Comment
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Suns got out to a 49-29 lead early in the quarter and looked like they were going to run away with it. We're now in front 55-49, after an excellent comeback, where we were harder at the ball and moved it with plenty of skill.Comment
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Very good 86-69 win over a Suns side who seem to have plenty of talent and who were sometimes able to move the ball very sharply. Probably every one of our players did well, so it's hard to single out who were our best.
Our goal kickers were: McCartney 3, Chamberlain 2, and one each to Titmuss, King, Chambers, Harrison, Clifton, Lenarduzzi, McNamara and Andreacchio.
It was something of a return to form for McCartney, who wasn't great in his first couple of games of the season. But today he took some strong marks and a couple of his goals were snaps under pressure. Chamberlain was also good in the forward line and his second goal was a very sharp bit of roving at pace. King did some good things, but it was an almost day for him. Could have got four or five, except for a late hand here or a desperate tackle there.
In the midfield, I thought McNamara led by example. He was tough in close and used the ball well. Much the same with Harrison. But really, everyone who had a go close to the ruck did well. Our two rucks, Clifton and Lenarduzzi, also had strong games. I don't think either are genuine 200cm+ ruck size, but both battle hard and both have ball skills. I thought that the Jenkin twins were instrumental in our comeback. Both work tirelessly to get into space, both shut down opposition space and both look like they see options well.
In the back line, Carmichael was his usual calming self. While Morahan and Beavis both look as if they could grow into kpd prospects. Although it took me a while to recognise Beavis with his new haircut.
I'm now looking forward to this team playing in the Talent League and seeing how they go against some Victorian sides. My current guess is that they'll go very well.Last edited by dejavoodoo44; 7 April 2025, 10:09 PM.Comment
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What’s your view on the Jenkin twins? Both are short, but have time to grow given they are still not of draft age - and we’ve seen a certain recent Academy prospect who was height challenged go ok …Comment
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From just seeing them this season, I'm increasingly liking them. Mainly because I'm starting to think that they both have some serious running power. They both can constantly get into good spaces to receive the ball and both seem to get better as the game goes on. Also, both seem to choose good options and usually hit their targets.
And I find it interesting that I have to refer to them as both, as their game styles are very similar and I don't think either has had a noticeably better impact than the other. If pressed, I might guess that Guy (20) has had a few more possessions than Will (11), but I could easily be wrong. If I saw them up close often enough, I suspect that I could find ways to tell them apart, but just seeing them from a wide camera shot, there doesn't to be anything about their kicking styles, running styles or mannerisms that separate them. So, if they eventually get drafted, I think that there's a good chance that it'd be in roughly the same draft range.
From a long way out, I think there's a reasonable chance that they'll make it. I suspect that their slim stature might have a few draft experts a little bit concerned, but there's still plenty of time for them to add some bulk. And they can stick tackles, so they might already have a bit more strength than first glances would suggest? Perhaps what also might count against them, is that they're very outside. In that, I don't think either of them spend much time near the ruckman's feet. However, they can win contested ball when it comes into their area. So maybe next year they'll spend a bit more time as inside mids?
Anyway, looking forward to see how they'll develop. Hopefully they will do enough in our Talent League games, to earn selection for the Allies, and then we can get a stronger indication of their potential.Comment
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