Canadian rugby player our new rookie!!!

[reigning premier]

It doesn't prove anything other than my questioning of the decision.

So based on your assumption that this guy will be 26 before he plays for us, I guess we wouldn't consider recruiting anyone 25 or older???

Get me Ricky Barham on the phone and tell him we're not interested in those OLD hacks Brown, Didak, Kerr or Shaw!!!

[Seagoon]

OK, im sold. This guy has AFL player written ALL OVER HIM. His built is perfect. Now, can he do the rest? I dunno, but im gonna hang around to see!!!

[hammo]

So based on your assumption that this guy will be 26 before he plays for us, I guess we wouldn't consider recruiting anyone 25 or older???

Get me Ricky Barham on the phone and tell him we're not interested in those OLD hacks Brown, Didak, Kerr or Shaw!!!

In your attempt to deliver a witty one liner, you've compared a Canadian who has never played a competitive match to four of the elite players in the competition.

[Bas]

Fish (as I have named him) is now residing in Sydney in a very intensive programme until October when he officially joins the Swans at training.

I would be very surprised if he doesn''t get elevated and promoted next year if he is going to make it.

He has played fullback at a professional level and although it's a different code, if he did the same for the Swans then his kicking doesn't have to be pin point accurate.

He wouldn't be here now if the Swans were taking a "punt"

Roos gave it away when he said there are no expectations for him to make it.

[reigning premier]

In your attempt to deliver a witty one liner, you've compared a Canadian who has never played a competitive match to four of the elite players in the competition.

No. I've compared 4 out of contract players (Or potential trades at the end of the year) that the Swans might be interested in, to a rookie of the same age that you said would be to old to make a contribution.

If recruiting any of the aforementioned for millions is worth considering, then surely this guy is too. Or is this all too witty?

[hammo]

No. I've compared 4 out of contract players (Or potential trades at the end of the year) that the Swans might be interested in, to a rookie of the same age that you said would be to old to make a contribution.

If recruiting any of the aforementioned for millions is worth considering, then surely this guy is too. Or is this all too witty?

You don't think there's a difference in recruiting a gun 24 year old who's already played 100 AFL games compared to a Canadian who's never kicked a Sherrin in anger? One is blue chip investment, the other is high risk.

Using LRT as an example, Paul Roos has said his development has been slower than expected because, unlike Victorian kids, he's not been brought up on football. Victorian draftees have played 200 games by the time they're drafted. LRT has had 5 years on the senior list and the debate continues as to whether he cuts it or not.

At least LRT played Australian Rules as a teenager. It's going to be a huge ask for a guy playing his first game as a 25 year old, let alone learning the game in the AFL.

I wish the guy luck, but becoming an AFL footballer won't happen overnight. Hence why this is a long shot.

And in case you missed it before I was unaware until Liz clarified the rule that international rookies weren't counted under our 6+3 quota - which was the basis for my initial reaction. I dare say if they were included then we wouldn't be having this discussion.

[reigning premier]

You don't think there's a difference in recruiting a gun 24 year old who's already played 100 AFL games compared to a Canadian who's never kicked a Sherrin in anger? One is blue chip investment, the other is high risk.

Using LRT as an example, Paul Roos has said his development has been slower than expected because, unlike Victorian kids, he's not been brought up on football. Victorian draftees have played 200 games by the time they're drafted. LRT has had 5 years on the senior list and the debate continues as to whether he cuts it or not.

At least LRT played Australian Rules as a teenager. It's going to be a huge ask for a guy playing his first game as a 25 year old, let alone learning the game in the AFL.

I wish the guy luck, but becoming an AFL footballer won't happen overnight. Hence why this is a long shot.

And in case you missed it before I was unaware until Liz clarified the rule that international rookies weren't counted under our 6+3 quota - which was the basis for my initial reaction. I dare say if they were included then we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Bollocks. If that were the case. How have several AFL players managed to play NFL over the years? How have Gaelic footballers managed to make the transition to AFL?

This guy has cost us absolutely nothing and as far as I can see, there's nothing but upside. Minimal cost. No impact to our list. And a guy that's huge and runs like he's being chased by hungry lions. Genius.

As for the blue chip investment, they're still the other side of 25 with just as many potential playing years left in them.

[hammo]

Bollocks. If that were the case. How have several AFL players managed to play NFL over the years? How have Gaelic footballers managed to make the transition to AFL?

AFL players have only ever punted in the NFL - a single skill. Very different from learning to play an entirely new code of football.

Gaelic footballers are brought here as 18 year olds to learn the game and have a head start because the two codes are quite similar.

Yes someone like Kerr has the same number of playing years left but he already knows the game and is an elite player. Unless Pyke is an absolute freak, by the time he masters the game he will be reaching retirement age.

[reigning premier]

AFL players have only ever punted in the NFL - a single skill. Very different from learning to play an entirely new code of football.

Gaelic footballers are brought here as 18 year olds to learn the game and have a head start because the two codes are quite similar.

Yes someone like Kerr has the same number of playing years left but he already knows the game and is an elite player. Unless Pyke is an absolute freak, by the time he masters the game he will be reaching retirement age.

Oval ball. Running. Tackling. Kicking. Sound familiar?

Even leaving the likes of Kerr out of the equation. By your logic, we should never have traded for Mattner, B2, Jolly, Williams or Maxfield.

[BigD]

I couldn't quite believe it when I read it this morning. I'm going take a wait & see attitude on him, but full marks to him & the Swans for taking the risk.

[hammo]

Oval ball. Running. Tackling. Kicking. Sound familiar?

Even leaving the likes of Kerr out of the equation. By your logic, we should never have traded for Mattner, B2, Jolly, Williams or Maxfield.

That's not my logic at all.

[reigning premier]

See my response above. The fact he is currently 24 with at least a couple of years development needed, hardly makes sense to me. Who was the last 26 year old who debuted in the AFL?

Why do you say it is predictable Roos bashing, apart from taking the opportunity for cheap shot?

That's not my logic at all.

Could of fooled me.

[hammo]

Could of fooled me.

You obviously didn't understand my earlier post.

You don't think there's a difference in recruiting a gun 24 year old who's already played 100 AFL games compared to a Canadian who's never kicked a Sherrin in anger?

If LRT is still learning the game after 7 years in the system then maybe Pyke will have it mastered by the time he's 36. And of course the OH'ailpins have made such a good fist of their transition from hurling to AFL that there is no reason to think why Pyke won't be tearing up Dean Cox this time next year

You have no appreciation of the difficulty or the elite nature of AFL football (much like you don't understand the use of correct grammar).

[reigning premier]

You obviously didn't understand my earlier post.


If LRT is still learning the game after 7 years in the system then maybe Pyke will have it mastered by the time he's 36. And of course the OH'ailpins have made such a good fist of their transition from hurling to AFL that there is no reason to think why Pyke won't be tearing up Dean Cox this time next year

You have no appreciation of the difficulty or the elite nature of AFL football (much like you don't understand the use of correct grammar).

Perhaps Pyke has a much more natural gift for AFL than those you have mentioned?

Care to enlighten us with your vast knowledge and personal experience of playing AFL at the elite level as to how you might be in a position to judge this guy's ability or lack thereof??? Perhaps if we were to get him to write an essay, you could correct it for us and give us some real insight on his ability? Perhaps the selection commitee could add a spelling test as a prerequisite to being drafted? Then we could probably place some value in your opinion.

[royboy42]

You obviously didn't understand my earlier post.


If LRT is still learning the game after 7 years in the system then maybe Pyke will have it mastered by the time he's 36. And of course the OH'ailpins have made such a good fist of their transition from hurling to AFL that there is no reason to think why Pyke won't be tearing up Dean Cox this time next year

You have no appreciation of the difficulty or the elite nature of AFL football (much like you don't understand the use of correct grammar).

Missed a few commas mate, oh, and a full stop. Oh , and spelt the Carlton guy's name wrongly...Be careful about bagging ppl's grammar!