Anyone worried about our ruck problems? Not now we have Derickx

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Playing at the highest level in a smaller sport = college level at a more popular one?

[BillyRayCypress]

Israel Folau represented Australia in rugby league.

So the background of both is of little relevance to playing Aussie Rules.

[jono2707]

Patrick Mitchell was playing a massive sport in Basketball. Mike Pyke was playing a very minor sport in Rugby. So not sure it is a great comparison

Rugby is probably not as big as basketball but it is played across the world and I wouldn't call it a very minor sport.

In terms of college hoops - the major teams in the major conferences would be very similar to professional environments. However North Dakota is very much a small fish (currently ranked somewhere between 90-100) in a minor conference. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and let Mitchell learn our game - it will take him time.

In the meantime we still have a real need for at least one more ruckman that can perform in the Ressies and that will be able to step up if and when needed.

[Bloodthirsty]

McGlynn = new ruckman? We can confuse the opposition and derail their strategic planning.

[Bloods05]

Rugby is probably not as big as basketball but it is played across the world and I wouldn't call it a very minor sport.

In terms of college hoops - the major teams in the major conferences would be very similar to professional environments. However North Dakota is very much a small fish (currently ranked somewhere between 90-100) in a minor conference. Let's not get ahead of ourselves and let Mitchell learn our game - it will take him time.

In the meantime we still have a real need for at least one more ruckman that can perform in the Ressies and that will be able to step up if and when needed.

Rugby in Canada is on a par with ice hockey in Australia. It's the personal qualities of the individual that count.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Pyke represented Canada but played his club Rubgy in Scotland and France, a very poor comparison with Ice Hockey in Australia.

[Swansongster]

I think there is absolutely no doubt that the US is riddled with potential Mike Pykes. Some phenomenal athletes in the college system - even outside the major conferences. Many will not make it to the big time because there are only so many NFL/NBA/MLB/NHL franchises.

I am surprised that more clubs aren't taking gambles on international rookies. If you have the physical attributes, the fine motor skills and the right mental attitude you are a contender for AFL. The rest can be taught - even with a late start. I like what I see in this guy and we have proven that our system will work (ala Pyke) to build highly serviceable Swans.

P.Mitchell would clearly appear to possess the first two and you'd have to think the Swans recruiters liked what they saw/heard in relation to the third thus giving it a whirl.

[Melbourne_Blood]

The reality is though Mike Pyke is a freak of nature. His ability to learn the game coming from the top level in another sport ( not counting Gaelic football and the Irish ) is something no other player has done yet. I'm sure plenty have tried, plenty more will try, I'm sure there will evntually be more success stories to. I doubt they will start coming in thick and fast though, and Mitchell has a long, long way to go before his name and senior football are mentioned in the same sentence.

[Bloodthirsty]

Are we just assuming that Mitchell is going to be a ruckman?

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Is Mitchell the same African American basketballer that was being hyped on RWO this time last year, or a different one?

[Primmy]

Is Mitchell the same African American basketballer that was being hyped on RWO this time last year, or a different one?

Different. The godbotherer decided not to come, bit too hard all round I surmise. This bloke is different kettle of fish. They had a US combine, and invited 3 fellas over, they all sat together during that big rain game, and are picking up one of them.

[BillyRayCypress]

This recruit is an anglo-american dude. In other words a white dude who can jump.

[Ludwig]

Viewing the highlight reel, you can see that Mitchell has the attributes that would transfer well to AFL. Something you don't see is his outside shooting, which may have been poor and the reason why he can't make it as a pro basketball player, but would have little relevance for AFL. I would assume that sills such as tackling and kicking would have been assessed during the 2 weeks the Americans were in Sydney and a positive determination was made with Mitchell regarding his ability to learn these skill in due course.

It seems that Mitchell has a tremendous burst of speed that would rival Jetta. I doubt if any ruckman could stay with him around the ground.

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Is Mitchell the same African American basketballer that was being hyped on RWO this time last year, or a different one?

That was Alex Starling, who I believe didn't make due to a persistent knee problem.

[dimelb]

Viewing the highlight reel, you can see that Mitchell has the attributes that would transfer well to AFL. Something you don't see is his outside shooting, which may have been poor and the reason why he can't make it as a pro basketball player, but would have little relevance for AFL. I would assume that sills such as tackling and kicking would have been assessed during the 2 weeks the Americans were in Sydney and a positive determination was made with Mitchell regarding his ability to learn these skill in due course.

It seems that Mitchell has a tremendous burst of speed that would rival Jetta. I doubt if any ruckman could stay with him around the ground.

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That was Alex Starling, who I believe didn't make due to a persistent knee problem.

Sounds a likely starter in the GF sprint.

[Ludwig]

Sounds a likely starter in the GF sprint.

Prefer a starter in the GF ruck.