2006 AFL Rookie Draft Thread

[SimonH]

1. Sydney being allowed to draft Matt Davis as a local rookie, when he has no connection whatever to the state apart from being drafted here by an AFL team, is an absolute freaking disgrace. What on earth are the qualifying criteria? Is the fact that you once holidayed in Sydney enough?

2. Debate raged long and hard about which local rookie(s) Sydney would take. Jacob Wooden? Evan Duryea? Matt Suckling? Ed Wilson? James Bennett? Well, actually, none of them. Not one local player who hasn't already been on an AFL list was selected by Sydney. One did get taken, though: just not by Sydney. Hawthorn thought highly enough of Suckling to take him with their 2nd pick at #22. We could've had him for nothing. Instead, we passed. Nothing to do with veterans (the spot was there) or salary caps (rookie salaries don't count).

Let's face it, we're not talking about whether these kids have shown Judd-like qualities-- 10% is at the good end of a local rookie's statistical probability of making it as an AFL player. 'Give one of 'em a go, give 'em access to the best training and support, and see what happens' is the name of the game. But no, for the sake of saving $40,000 or so, we've completely abandoned the 2006 local crop. I'm sorry, but it's hard to read that decision as anything but Sydney sticking two fingers up at the 18-yo boys who've busted a gut in local comps, for the Rams and occasionally for the Swans Reserves, this year. Nice work in developing the market, guys.

[Industrial Fan]

Is it true they didnt pick Suckling because he is a mummy's boy?

[SimonH]

Originally posted by Marry me Goodes
Is it true they didnt pick Suckling because he is a mummy's boy?

If this tale is right, I'll have to withdraw what I said so far as it applies to Suckling. So the story goes, he took the extraordinary step of rejecting a guaranteed Sydney spot for the wild blue yonder of the open market.

[caj23]

not sure that davis was taken as a nsw rookie, think they just took him late as i doubt any other club would have been interested. dont think he has shown enough to warrant re-drafting but happy to be proven wrong.

good to see big earl back

agree it would have been good to take a punt on 1-2 nsw youngsters

o'dwyer and smith look like pretty good selections. o'dwyer had a very good tac grand final and the only criticism of smith is that he doesnt have an x-factor (ie he's solid at everything).

no idea about brennan as i havent really watched him but the word is that he has a great pair of hands but shocking disposal. sounds like dunks!!

[ScottH]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
He goes alright - I think. Maybe I just saw him have a good game once... Maybe I am confusing him with someone else... But when I saw he had been delisted from the Hawks these were my thoughts. Hopefully he will help form the nucleus of a glorious three-peat.

Same.

Played 19 games with the hawks, over 3 years. Only 3 in 2006.

Avg 10+ Disposals a game.

[Doctor]

A tip from Spida perhaps?

[liz]

Originally posted by ScottH
Same.

Played 19 games with the hawks, over 3 years. Only 3 in 2006.

Avg 10+ Disposals a game.

I think he's had his share of injury issues, which could explain why he's played so little senior football, despite being at the Hawthorn creche.

[Donners]

Brennan on SEN now. Crashed his car this morning, so this news would certainly be a welcome improvement!

[SimonH]

For those who care about these things (I don't much, although it does show the... ahem... unscientific nature of picking winners among 17 and 18-year-olds) Sydney now has another top 10 draft pick on its list!

And also a guy who can serenade the lads with Kum-ba-yah around the campfire.

[hammo]

Obviously the club has decided that the NSW class of 06 simply isn't good enough.

In saying that, won't we be putting a few - including Bird - on the apprenticeship scheme?

[Margie]

Originally posted by Doctor
A tip from Spida perhaps?

Good point. I seem to recall him playing a couple of good games. Let's hope he's another smokey like Craig Bolton.

[SimonH]

Originally posted by hammo
Obviously the club has decided that the NSW class of 06 simply isn't good enough.

Obviously they have. But when heaps of guys who aren't 'good enough' right now (including, based on Barham's comments, Jesse White) are on AFL senior and rookie lists, the decision is effectively that none of our locals have the potential to develop into AFL footballers. That's a huge call, and based on the large number (albeit small proportion) of smokies or unfashionable players who've defied predictions and forged top-level careers, I don't think it's a call you can confidently make. Plus it sends a message of despair to the existing 16/17 yos coming through the system.

Originally posted by hammo
In saying that, won't we be putting a few - including Bird - on the apprenticeship scheme?

Maximum 2 scholarships per year (to a max of 6 on the go at one time). We have already signed the fabulously named Ryan Bottin-Noonan this year. So one more (Bird, if he'll take us) before 31 December, and then 2 more in '07.

Hadn't heard anything about Matthew O'Dwyer, so checked his stats for TAC Cup with the Calder Cannons (played with Faulks). As you'd kind of expect, handy w/o being outstanding. 29 goals from 16 games indicates he's useful around the goals.

And won't Luke Brennan add some much-needed experience down in Canberra, with the departure of team elder statesman David Spriggs?

[humphrey bear]

Originally posted by Lucky Knickers
Luke Brennan???

Outstanding mark, terrible kick, slow and no football smarts.

To small for KPP and not fast enough for a flanker.

Played 2 games for Hawthorn last year. Was terrible in one but was very good in the other where he played a tagging rrole on Joel Bowden (Bowdens worst game of the year)when Hawthorn beat Richmond in Tasmania.

If he can somehow get his kicking right could be a handy 4th or 5th forward.

Wouldnt expect much.

[humphrey bear]

Originally posted by Margie
Good point. I seem to recall him playing a couple of good games. Let's hope he's another smokey like Craig Bolton.

There is a huge difference between Bolton and Brennan.

Bolton wasnt deemed good enough to make a side that had just one a premiership. Brennan was delisted by a club that has had no success for a decade.

[Industrial Fan]

Thanks for dampening our expectations!

By the way, mods: is there any way to add a "Bookmark this thread/post just in case you need to rub it in someones face later on" option???