2019 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[bloodspirit]

Missed the occasional training here or there. And like I said he enjoyed a house party. Sydney Stack was exactly the same but I’d say there was way way more issues with Sydney’s professionalism than Elijah’s.

Put him in the right environment and imo you’ll see massive upside to his game.

Excellent news.

They Sydney Stack comparison is interesting. I wonder if the success of Stack has contributed to other clubs being more willing to invest in players with off field question marks. I suppose for all Stack's success so far there have been other cases where clubs have been burned, hence their caution. It's just hard to predict how it will pan out. Stack and Taylor seem to have quite quite different personalities though with Stack being much more extroverted from what I have seen of Elijah so far. I remember one of the Richmond players commenting on how, upon arriving at the club, Stack, when invited to speak about his aspirations, did not just say "work hard and win the respect of my teammates" but "I want to be the best player in the AFL" (or similar). Then there was the viral clip of Stack dancing to 'Old Town Road' (I loved it!). Whereas Taylor has come across as quite shy in the limited bits of him we have seen so far.

[Aprilbr]

I just read the Papley interview online on the AFL website. It would seem that he is very committed to the Swans for the coming season but very uncommital beyond that. Seems to have some serious family issues to deal with back home.

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[Markwebbos]

It’s here 'I was struggling a little bit': Swan on failed trade request

He describes his goal, not moving to the midfield but rather as "I wouldn't mind being regarded as one of the best small forwards in the League”

[Boddo]

Excellent news.

They Sydney Stack comparison is interesting. I wonder if the success of Stack has contributed to other clubs being more willing to invest in players with off field question marks. I suppose for all Stack's success so far there have been other cases where clubs have been burned, hence their caution. It's just hard to predict how it will pan out. Stack and Taylor seem to have quite quite different personalities though with Stack being much more extroverted from what I have seen of Elijah so far. I remember one of the Richmond players commenting on how, upon arriving at the club, Stack, when invited to speak about his aspirations, did not just say "work hard and win the respect of my teammates" but "I want to be the best player in the AFL" (or similar). Then there was the viral clip of Stack dancing to 'Old Town Road' (I loved it!). Whereas Taylor has come across as quite shy in the limited bits of him we have seen so far.

There is a fair few indigenous players that hang in the same circle of friends in WA. It’s why I made the comparison to Sydney as they have similar off field issues but not the same personality.

Also don’t be fooled by the shyness of some players. Get to talk to them and they are very very confident in their abilities.

There are several who could be looked at this year to be drafted in this group of friends.

[bloodspirit]

Chris Doerre had this to say about Brady Rowles back in August: AFL Draft Wrap Linebreaker Brady Rowles likened to damaging Crow

One of this draft's most impressive line-breakers, Brady Rowles wowed onlookers with his explosive run with ball in hand. While this will be his final game for Bendigo, losing in the wildcard round against Northern, it was the burst of speed and line breaking capabilities of Rowles that will stick with onlookers. When he received on the move, he would receive at speed, and if there was space in front of him, as he has done throughout the year, he'll break games open with his run and carry.
With recruiters these past two seasons placing a heavy emphasis on speed and explosiveness, Rowles is well placed to garner mid-draft attention as one of this crop's fastest.

Far from a finished product, Rowles is only a moderate production player, securing 15 disposals. He would benefit from developing his contested ball winning capabilities, developing a more consistent kick and improving his decision-making.
There is a sense to the play of Rowles that he could develop a similar niche to Paul Seedsman. Rowles likely will never develop a complete game, but if he can provide considerable metres gained and break the lines with regularity, he can carve out a consistent spot at AFL level.

I have highlighted that interesting opinion at the end. Was a tad discouraging even though Doerre is clearly a fan of Rowles. Might explain why he slid to the rookie draft. How important is it for a player to have a complete game? While versatility is clearly a huge asset, the game these days also seems to be all about playing your role, so perhaps not too much?

[SeanM]

It’s here 'I was struggling a little bit': Swan on failed trade request

He describes his goal, not moving to the midfield but rather as "I wouldn't mind being regarded as one of the best small forwards in the League”

It is good to hear that he has settled back into the team. It was probably always going to be awkward at the start. Hopefully the club will give him time off in Melbourne if he needs it.

I am happy we rejected his request during the transfer period. But I am expecting us to trade him back to a Victorian club in 12 months time. Which I don't mind because at least it gives us time to prepare to replace him. Braedon Campbell looks like someone who can develop into that role. He looked good in that U17 game and in the reserves late in the season. And it gives 12 more months for other players like Ronke, Foot, Wicks and Taylor to develop.

[SeanM]

I have highlighted that interesting opinion at the end. Was a tad discouraging even though Doerre is clearly a fan of Rowles. Might explain why he slid to the rookie draft. How important is it for a player to have a complete game? While versatility is clearly a huge asset, the game these days also seems to be all about playing your role, so perhaps not too much?

He is a rookie pick so always going to be more of a speculative raw prospect. I have only seen his highlights.

DraftCentral says his main strengths are his line breaking run and carry and his main weaknesses is his contested work and endurance. In the combine he was 9th in the 20m sprint just ahead of Dylan Stephens. Also 2nd in the standing vertical jump and 1st in the running vertical jump (8cm more than Miles Bergman). So he is fast and has a massive leap.

I can see Stephens playing on the wing for his first few seasons and then moving inside. Then maybe Rowles can replace him as an outside midfielder who can run and carry.

[Melbourne_Blood]

Just on the 20m sprint test at combine , I think at times it can me a little misleading in that Sometimes it can overstate or understate a players pace. I wonder if including a 10mtr sprint and 40 mtr sprint as well would give better indications. Some guys explode away in a few steps but taper off from there, and some guys only really start hitting top speed after 20 or more and then they are off like the wind. Just a thought, but something I’ve often wondered about when looking at those sprint results and seeing guys in action on the field .


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[troyjones2525]

Just looking at Elijah Taylors Instagram story tonight he has a countdown clock on when he is returning to Perth. I am no doubt reading more into this than it should be as anyone of these kids that have been drafted would no doubt be feeling a little homesick after being sent to another state with basically 3 or 4 days notice but with all the talk leading up to the draft about young Taylor I really hope he settles in next year!

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[Mr Magoo]

Just on the 20m sprint test at combine , I think at times it can me a little misleading in that Sometimes it can overstate or understate a players pace. I wonder if including a 10mtr sprint and 40 mtr sprint as well would give better indications. Some guys explode away in a few steps but taper off from there, and some guys only really start hitting top speed after 20 or more and then they are off like the wind. Just a thought, but something I’ve often wondered about when looking at those sprint results and seeing guys in action on the field .


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Its a little like the 2km time trial - I think it used to be 3 and Im sure I saw one club has done 3kms at the start of preseason this year. Some guys can still run all day but not necessarily be fast over the 2kms. I assume they chose the 2km as its the sort of pace running required at afl level and its predominately trained for by doing multiple 400m runs which is pretty characteristic of the type of running you would do in a game.

In respect of the 20m sprint , one thing I notice is that a good 100 metre sprinter will invariably be good over 20m plus but maybe not so much over 10m due to the factors you speak of . So it levels out a bit more the agility sprinters (who are good over the first ten as you say ) with the longer sprinters.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Dalrymple has been quoted how much they value and review lateral speed / specifically exit speed from contests

[dejavoodoo44]

Dalrymple has been quoted how much they value and review lateral speed / specifically exit speed from contests

Having watched a fair bit of the Lions last season, that was something that impressed me with their game. Richmond also. Since it was an area that I thought we could improve on, I'm glad that we're working on it.

[wolftone57]

A lot actually grew up in the city now. Whether that be Perth, Mandurah or Bunbury.

The biggest misconception is “making the big league” to earn the big bucks. Indigenous culture has you share your wealth around, whether that be a sport life or professional academic career. Perfect example is the great indigenous artist Albert Namatjira who died basically broke.

Albert Namatjira - Wikipedia

You play for the love of the sport and fun. It’s never about you earning big money for you.

You watch the boomerangs n you’ll see a talent laden side that looks like just about every player would get drafted but the majority don’t n imo it’s because being famous n earning the big bucks is not the number one priority in their life. It’s the love of sport. Fun n enjoyment. Which sadly is getting lost from the money driven AFL landscape.

I so agree with this. So called professionalism has been detrimental to the game. Players are no longer enjoying the game the way we used to. They know that success or the lack of it may mean the end of their careers.

I shudder every time Bruce or that old Full Forward start talking about Aboriginal magic. It makes me very uncomfortable. Why? Because it is racial profiling. I prefer to take players on their merits. Yes I sometimes compare players to others who have come before them but not on a racial basis. Sometimes there will be an Indigenous player who reminds me of another Indigenous player. Bell reminds me of a young Mickey I.

But Sydney Stack reminds me of a bloke called Jimmy Rawson who played for Glenelg in the '70's. He was white not Indigenous. For me who players remind me of is

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[wolftone57]

I just read the Papley interview online on the AFL website. It would seem that he is very committed to the Swans for the coming season but very uncommital beyond that. Seems to have some serious family issues to deal with back home.

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His girlfriend is a nurse in Melbourne. This is the major driving factor. Reportedly, she will not consider moving to Sydney

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[Melbourne_Blood]

His girlfriend is a nurse in Melbourne. This is the major driving factor. Reportedly, she will not consider moving to Sydney

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He should consider not dating her anymore. Anyway he’s with us for the year and under contract so if he pulls this stunt again , we’ll be paid handsomely for him , or we’ll revisit the following year!


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