Academy games 2023

[MadCanuck]

How does Cleary compare to T Mitchell at this stage of his career?

[Ludwig]

“We” have just spent the last three days bemoaning that we have so few players capable of consistently winning contested ground ball, something that was stark on Thursday night. That’s Cleary’s one wood.

If we draft him, he can expect to spend at least the first year at VFL level, by which time Parker will probably be ready to be retired to the forward line ala Jude. I can easily see a role for him in a future midfield.

I don't think the reason for some of our poor clearance work is due to the players. It's more the system. Our contested work around the ground has usually been okay, but not on a consistent basis. I doubt Cleary will be any better than the ones we've got there now.

If you replace Parker with Warner, that's out projected midfield in 2026. Plus Roberts in reserve and we have a few others playing VFL who might be challenging for midfield spots as well.

Cleary might become a star. No one can say at this time. I don't think midfielders should be a priority for us right now. We have Rampe, Fox, Cunningham and Lloyd all over 30 next year, plus a very questionable list of KPDs. If we do go into the draft with a top 10 pick plus 2 pick sin the 20s, that's where my focus would be. I would be fine with using picks after that on Cleary.

Good contested ball winners are always available as either free agents or trade. Matt Crouch is still playing reserves footy.

[dejavoodoo44]

How does Cleary compare to T Mitchell at this stage of his career?

Interesting question. In one of the few draft rankings that has Cleary in the top twenty, a recent Inner Sanctum article had him at 15, and under the heading of Plays Like, they said James Rowbottom. Which while I can see where they were coming from, I would've went for Tom Mitchell or Lachie Neale. As in, an at the feet of the ruckman ball extractor, who can get their side moving with quick handballs out of traffic. However, I didn't post that opinion, as it may have been construed as me claiming that Cleary is a future Brownlow medallist. Which is more of a wrap than I want to put him.

In comparison to Mitchell, Mitchell is almost certainly the better kick and is probably better at spotting longer range targets. Hopefully, Cleary will be able to improve those skills with AFL experience. On the plus side, Cleary is quicker, without being express. But with both, it's often the ball leaving the contest at pace, rather than them. In yesterday's game, there's plenty of examples of Cleary shovelling the ball to McKercher, Sanders or Rogers, and them breaking into the clear. Also on the plus side, Cleary probably has the stronger defensive side to his game and seems to quite enjoy tackling.

And as an aside, not long ago, I think it was A G who posted an assessment of Lachie Neale, that was written just after he was taken in the 2011 draft. Since the author seemed a touch equivocal, I looked up the phantom drafts from that year. I found a few, a couple of them even went down to around pick 85. None of them even mentioned him. So, in 2011, Lachie Neale was something of a draft bolter at pick 58.

[Blood Fever]

Bothers me that you say Mitchell is a better kick. That's not a big wrap!

[Scottee]

That Championship has been fascinating from a Swans drafting point of view. Fascinating draft coming up.

Quite an amazing set of mids to choose from in the Allies. Sanders and McKercher have silky smooth disposal, Rogers is going to be a gun and I really like the potential of McKercher, very damaging with the ball in hand.However, all 3 of the other mids benefited from Cleary's inside work. Further numerical analysis of the games might indicate the extent to which Cleary's impact benefited the other mids.I might give that a go when I have some time.

The fact that Harley Reid didn't get anywhere near them (only about 15 possessions) throws the cat amongst the pigeons as far as the phantom draft goes.The only reason VC stayed with the Allies was their very strong defence which is probably a very good place to look for some replacements for our aging defenders.


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[dejavoodoo44]

Bothers me that you say Mitchell is a better kick. That's not a big wrap!

I dunno. While I haven't watched him much with Collingwood and my memory might be a touch unreliable, I recall him as being good at hitting targets and one of our more reliable set shots.

[wedge.maverick]

Interesting question. In one of the few draft rankings that has Cleary in the top twenty, a recent Inner Sanctum article had him at 15, and under the heading of Plays Like, they said James Rowbottom. Which while I can see where they were coming from, I would've went for Tom Mitchell or Lachie Neale. As in, an at the feet of the ruckman ball extractor, who can get their side moving with quick handballs out of traffic. However, I didn't post that opinion, as it may have been construed as me claiming that Cleary is a future Brownlow medallist. Which is more of a wrap than I want to put him.

In comparison to Mitchell, Mitchell is almost certainly the better kick and is probably better at spotting longer range targets. Hopefully, Cleary will be able to improve those skills with AFL experience. On the plus side, Cleary is quicker, without being express. But with both, it's often the ball leaving the contest at pace, rather than them. In yesterday's game, there's plenty of examples of Cleary shovelling the ball to McKercher, Sanders or Rogers, and them breaking into the clear. Also on the plus side, Cleary probably has the stronger defensive side to his game and seems to quite enjoy tackling.

And as an aside, not long ago, I think it was A G who posted an assessment of Lachie Neale, that was written just after he was taken in the 2011 draft. Since the author seemed a touch equivocal, I looked up the phantom drafts from that year. I found a few, a couple of them even went down to around pick 85. None of them even mentioned him. So, in 2011, Lachie Neale was something of a draft bolter at pick 58.

I'm reading all that and you just described Brett Kirk!!!!!!

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm reading all that and you just described Brett Kirk!!!!!!

I can see why that description would remind you of Kirky, but I think I can reassure readers that Cleary is a more fluent kick.

And on players of that era, I was watching the u16 academy side play at Southport the other day, when a guy in Giants gear wandered past. My initial reaction, was that it was an ex-Giants player who had joined their coaching ranks. It took me about ten seconds to work out that it was actually Tadhg.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I'm keen to get a view on Cabor from others who have watched more of him than me. I've really only watched a couple of games, and while he did some of the basics of defending yesterday, I thought his disposal was subpar, and there were times when he looked like he had that Ryan Clarke-style, half second decision making freeze, and got himself into trouble or was rushed with his disposal as a consequence.

Maybe I'm being a bit unfair, and as I said, my sample size is small. So all contrary views on his level appreciated.

[dejavoodoo44]

The Rookie Me scouting notes from yesterday's game. Cleary gets a nice write up and it mentions that O'Sullivan was awarded the Allies MVP.

Scouting Notes: 2023 AFL U18s - Vic Country vs. Allies - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

[dejavoodoo44]

I'm keen to get a view on Cabor from others who have watched more of him than me. I've really only watched a couple of games, and while he did some of the basics of defending yesterday, I thought his disposal was subpar, and there were times when he looked like he had that Ryan Clarke-style, half second decision making freeze, and got himself into trouble or was rushed with his disposal as a consequence.

Maybe I'm being a bit unfair, and as I said, my sample size is small. So all contrary views on his level appreciated.

Watching the academy games, it appeared that he was down the midfield pecking order a bit, in that he had the more defensive role, which Rowbottom often fills at AFL level. Then for the Allies, he spent only a small amount of time as a midfielder, largely being used as a defender. While I thought he did well in that new role, it's hard to see him making the main draft. Perhaps he could get rookie listed, if one of our recruiters starts repeating the phrase, 'the next Nick Smith'. If not, he would be an upgrade to our VFL list.

[giant]

In comparison to Mitchell, Mitchell is almost certainly the better kick and is probably better at spotting longer range targets.

Eekemoji.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Watching the academy games, it appeared that he was down the midfield pecking order a bit, in that he had the more defensive role, which Rowbottom often fills at AFL level. Then for the Allies, he spent only a small amount of time as a midfielder, largely being used as a defender. While I thought he did well in that new role, it's hard to see him making the main draft. Perhaps he could get rookie listed, if one of our recruiters starts repeating the phrase, 'the next Nick Smith'. If not, he would be an upgrade to our VFL list.

Thanks. Glad my instincts weren’t totally out, but also hadn’t realised he was playing a bit out of position - which might explain the decision making in part. Some blokes are well suited behind the ball (a la Florent or Blakey, or has Nick Smith did so well) and others struggle with it ( I think McInerney plays his worst footy when pushed back, as opposed to centre and forward).

[dejavoodoo44]

Rookie Me has done profiles of the whole Allies squad.

PROFILED | The 2023 title-winning Allies squad - Aussie Rules Rookie Me Central

[i'm-uninformed2]

Two Swans Academy products in the under-16s to keep an eye on

Two Swans named in U16 All-Australian team