Craig Bird

[hammo]

Article in today's Age:

http://www.realfooty.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2006/11/21/1163871408204.html

Apparently Geelong, Essendon and Sydney have spoken to him so he is definitely on the radar for other clubs.

Also, Port is his favourite team

[Jeffers1984]

I don't reckon we'll get him as we already have Moore and Schmidt but he could be a Lenny Hayes story to us (although Craig is a Port supporter while poor Lenny was a die hard Swans fan).

[AnnieH]

I hope the kid gets a gig.
Sounds like he just wants to play footy .... anywhere!!!

[Roo]

For those of you who know a bit about Sydney Footy, his dad Steve Bird was a pretty handy player himself, he played in a few premierships for Campbelltown in the 80's and 90's as well as coaching Campbelltown and Balmain to premierships, before moving up the coast a few years ago.

[dread and might]

you can't teach pace

[Ajn]

apparently a chance to be picked up under apprentice scheme...not sure on the requirements. Too young to be a rookie too.

[BeeEmmAre]

He was overlooked in the draft.
Bad luck Craig, but it keeps him alive for us at a later date.

[SimonH]

Originally posted by BeeEmmAre
He was overlooked in the draft.
Bad luck Craig, but it keeps him alive for us at a later date.

Not so fast. Might not be eligible for the rookie draft, but like all ND nominees, he's eligible for the pre-season draft. And history would suggest he's some chance of getting picked up at it. Last year, 4 out of the 10 selections in the PSD were players who'd never been on a senior list before. When a club has a PSD pick but their favourite mature player is unavailable, tough nuts who are ready-to-play are very popular: all 4 'first timer' PSD picks from 2005 played senior footy in 2006. Bird would seem to fit the bill.

We could get in on the action, too: we just need to notify the AFL that we're moving one of MOL or Leo to the veterans list and we'll have a PSD selection.

Very very bizarrely, this article says that Bird is eligible for the NSW scholarship scheme if not drafted. How the AFL intends to create an orderly queue for the stampede of clubs who will want to offer him a scholarship if he isn't taken at the PSD, is anyone's guess.

[giant]

Originally posted by SimonH
all 4 'first timer' PSD picks from 2005 played senior footy in 2006. Bird would seem to fit the bill.

Who were these Simon?

[SimonH]

Originally posted by giant
Who were these Simon?

List here. The lucky 4 were Sam Iles (Collingwood), Matthew White (Richmond), Matt Thomas (Port) and Jason Porplyzia (Adelaide).

Of the 4, only Porplyzia was vaguely 'mature age' at 21. He had been on Adelaide's rookie list a couple of years previously without making a dent.

[stellation]

Originally posted by SimonH

Very very bizarrely, this article says that Bird is eligible for the NSW scholarship scheme if not drafted.

Whilst it does show he is still a chance to go somewhere via the scholarship scheme, that article was kind of sad to read.

[hammo]

Originally posted by stellation
Whilst it does show he is still a chance to go somewhere via the scholarship scheme, that article was kind of sad to read.

If he gets rookie listed by a club then he can prove his wares in a bigger league.

[BeeEmmAre]

Originally posted by SimonH
Not so fast. Might not be eligible for the rookie draft, but like all ND nominees, he's eligible for the pre-season draft. And history would suggest he's some chance of getting picked up at it.

Wouldn't that be a later date, Simon?

[caj23]

Originally posted by BeeEmmAre
Wouldn't that be a later date, Simon?

ah no - the psd is held on the same day prior to the rookie draft