Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight

[13Brummy]

Matt Wallis

Birthday - 16/1/94
194cm/89kg
Club - Norwood
Fanplanner Price - $96,200

This kid must be camera shy because I couldn't find a picture of him for the life of me (apart from a poor quality one on his Facebook). Anyway, he's a defender with Norwood in the SANFL and was a 2012 S.A state rep. When playing in the Under 18 comp he was obviously used a forward, kicking 5,2 and 6 goals in his most recent matches. He is tipped to be selected in the secord or third round of the draft. That's all I could find out about him I'm afraid.

Cheers mate! A cheer for you sir  :)

[Mr.Craig]

TAC Dream Team scores have been added for Lachie Whitfield, Jake Stringer and Joe Daniher.

[Mr.Craig]

Ben Kennedy



Birthday - 3/3/94
174cm/76kg
Glenelg
Price/Position - $102,700 Fwd/Mid

Drafted Round 1 Pick 19 Collingwood

Kennedy is a dual Under 18 All Australian and ball magnet who is just as accomplished kicking for goal as he is delivering to other forwards or winning contested possessions. At this year's carnival he had 37 disposals and 4 goals vs Tasmania, 31 disposals, 2 goals vs N.T, 16 disposals vs Vic Metro, 22 disposals and 1 goal vs W.A and 26 disposals plus 2 goals vs Vic Country. Impressive numbers indeed, however he did struggle to transfer them through to the seniors but this isn't a huge concern given that the majority of draftees will have only experienced Under 18's competition to this point. Ben's listed as midfield only in the Fanplanner but I think there's a good chance he'll be DPP which would further add to his appeal. Here are Kennedy's DT scores for his games with Glenelg in 2012...

Under 18's - 88, 94 (Ave: 91)
Reserves - 9, 67, 47, 101 (Ave: 56)
Seniors - 57, 52, 43, 31 (Ave: 45.7)

Update - Sadly, Ben has Buckley's chance of forcing his way into the Collingwood midfield next season but he is a slight chance of snagging some kind of forward role.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Left-footed small forward/midfielder with explosive pace and rare agility. Prolific ball winner who excels at stoppages and is extremely dangerous around goals with set shots or snaps. In 2011 won All-Australian NAB AFL Under 18 Championship honours as a bottom-aged player and debuted at senior level. Backed it up this year with All-Australian honours, averaging 26.2 disposals.”

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150132/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/118544/default.aspx
http://www.footytragic.com/blog/planning-for-2013/planning-for-2013-ben-kennedy/
http://www.fiveaa.com.au/audio_young-gun-ben-kennedy-chats-to-cornesy-and-rowey_104100

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvAfF0DYOBI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKFjGLWnbfg

[tbagrocks]

He's the guy I'm hoping slips to the Crows, he should be a forward next year

[Matty411]

Cheers Craiglord - you're a legend. Dean Towers should definitely be looked at - 2013's Gibson perhaps?

[Mr.Craig]

Dean Towers



Birthday - 4/5/90
189cm/83kg
North Ballarat Roosters
Price/Position - $107,200 Mid

Drafted Round 1 Pick 22 Sydney

Towers was awarded the Fothergill-Round medal in the VFL this year as the best under-23 player. In doing so he joined the likes of past winners Robin Nahas, Ahmed Saad, Michael Hibberd and Michael Barlow. He's had a consistent season which saw him selected in the VFL Team Of The Year and has earned an invite to the upcoming Draft Combine. He's a medium sized midfielder with a good turn of speed and strong hands but doesn't get a heap of the ball - his best games this year have been 11 kicks, 11 handballs, 1 goal (80DT) vs Casey, 9 kicks, 8 handballs, 1 goal (77Dt) vs Box Hill and 14 kicks, 7 handballs, 1 goal (83DT) vs the Northern Blues.

He would need a similar level of scoring to be considered a viable DT pick given the amount of midfield young guns available next year and being drafted by Sydney hasn't helped his DT chances either.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder who was a member of the VFL State squad this year . Is a player who can break the lines with his speed and agility in traffic and is strong overhead . Mature aged player having a consistent year in VFL.”

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149639/default.aspx
http://www.colacherald.com.au/2012/09/league-awards-young-rooster/
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/north-ballarat-gun-dean-towers-the-hottest-afl-prospect-from-the-vfl/story-fnelctok-1226465539392

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuxG1J6ppP4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf6TMSDGWdc

[Mr.Craig]

Tanner Smith



Birthday - 9/3/94
195cm/88kg
North Ballarat Rebels
Price/Position - $102,700 Def

Drafted Round 2 Pick 36 Fremantle

Tanner is a tall defender who spoils well and is capable of going forward to kick goals. He was asked to do some major jobs during the Under 18 Champs on big forwards like Grundy and Shaw and as such his DT scoring suffered, averaging a meager 31 points per game. His stats for this year's TAC Cup are slightly more promising with scores of 84, 76, 100, 61, 50, 69, 92, 59, 87, 75, 63 and 48 (Ave: 72). He only won 5 frees for the entire season which suggests he needs to improve his attack on the ball if he's to step up to AFL level. Smith's DT relevance will very much hinge on how he is used if he's given senior opportunities at Freo.

Kevin Sheehan says: "Tall defender who has good closing speed and reads the game extremely well coming into the opposition forward line. Makes good decisions on when to mark or spoil and provides good run from defence. Has shown ability to go forward and have an impact. Stood tall for Vic Country in AFL U18s this year matching up well on the oppositions best forward."

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150805/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149197/default.aspx
http://www.mailtimes.com.au/story/160618/wimmera-pair-shines-at-afl-under-18-national-champs/
http://www.footballnation.com.au/afl/the-afl-draft/draft-prospect-in-focus-tanner-smith/

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZsW1hhXLdk

[Jukes]

Only won 5 frees all season? Guess the eagles won't be after him then.

[Mr.Craig]

Mason Shaw



Birthday - 15/1/94
198cm/92kg
South Fremantle
Price/Position - $102,700 Fwd

Drafted Round 2 Pick 30 Port Adelaide

Shaw is an imposing key forward who has booted 35 goals from his 9 games for South Fremantle this year with a respectable average of 77.4 DT points. He made headlines earler in the season when he had his jaw broken by Eagles player Mitch Brown during a practice match. Has represented W.A at the Under 18 Championships for the last two years. While still finding the goals he only managed scores 33, 65, 62, 24 and 41 at this year's carnival and was overlooked for All Australian selection. I've seen his name popping up in a number of people's Dream Teams ( including the first draft of my side ) but I'm starting to think there will be better options out there, with Mayes and Stringer coming to mind.

2012 DT Scores - 113, 63, 84, 76, 72, 68. 111, 52, 62, 74 (Ave: 77.5).

Now that Shaw's been selected by Port his DT stocks have risen. Don't expect to make much money out of him but at least he should play a bit in 2013.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward who is very strong overhead and has smarts around goals. Kicked seven goals in the WAFL in the NAB AFL Under-18 Grand Final in 2011. A reliable kick for goal from set shots as well as clever with his snap shots. Has excellent endurance for a tall with a beep score of 14 plus showing his potential to play across half forward. Kicked four goals for WA against Vic Country this year. AIS-AFL Academy graduate.”

Media -

http://www.footballnation.com.au/afl/the-afl-draft/draft-prospect-in-focus-mason-shaw/
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/13197559/eagle-under-fire-as-wafl-probes-broken-jaw-incident/
http://www.wafl.com.au/players/view/3931

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSFDXBGlkFw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhbYkjIOOnY

[Mr.Craig]

Taylor Garner



Birthday - 8/1/94
186cm/77kg
Dandenong Stingrays
Price/Position - $120,700 Fwd

Drafted Round 1 Pick 15 North Melbourne

Despite suffering a dislocated shoulder during this year's Under 18 Championships Garner still managed to win All Australian selection. He's a medium forward who has impressed recruiters with his marking ability, attack at the contest and skills around goal. Taylor played 8 TAC matches in 2012, averaging 14 disposals a game and kicking 14.4 with DT scores of 58, 59, 44, 97, 58, 109, 61 and 79 (Ave: 70.6). I'm a bit unsure of what to make about his prospects at North Melbourne, he's one to keep an eye on during the NAB.

Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward who was a real surprise packet in the NAB AFL U18 Champs with his mobility and overhead marking features. Showed good footy nous as a forward averaging 3.5 tackles and 14.8 disposals. 2012 All Australian."

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149971/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/146891/default.aspx
http://www.footballnation.com.au/latest-news/draft-prospect-in-focus-taylor-garner/

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWr3hiQR3qY

[Jukes]

So Craig, for those of us going 4 premos plus Lecca and Gray/Varcoe which leaves 3 rookie spots left, who would you reccomend we take? Mayes, Stringer and...

[Mr.Craig]

So Craig, for those of us going 4 premos plus Lecca and Gray/Varcoe which leaves 3 rookie spots left, who would you reccomend we take? Mayes, Stringer and...

I've been struggling with the same dilemma. First it was Shaw, then Jason Pongracic who I think is flying under the radar a bit but as of today I've changed my pick to Matt McDonough. I'll do a profile on him in the next couple of days so you can see what you think of him.

[KoopKicka]

Hey Craig, could you do one on Myke Cook please! :)

[Mr.Craig]

Hey Craig, could you do one on Myke Cook please! :)

I'll do him after I'm finished with McDonough. :)

[Mr.Craig]

Matt McDonough



Birthday - 26/1/94
180cm/85kg
Woodville West Torrens
Price/Position - $102,700 Fwd

Drafted Round 2 Pick 42 Richmond

Recruiters do a lot of diligent work trying to find the right rookies but sometimes a single game can be enough to show what a player is capable of. McDonough's game in the Under 18 Champs versus eventual winners Vic Metro was one such occasion. He kicked 6.2 ( 5 in the first half ) from 18 possessions and recorded the equal highest DT score of 117, matching that of ball magnet Nathan Hrovat. His scores in the other games also showed promise with 101 vs Tas (32 touches), 61 vs N.T, 115 vs W.A (6 goals) and 64 vs Vic Metro (3 goals).

Matt played 9 games in the under 18's for the Eagles this season, being named in the best 6 times and also played 9 games for the reserves side where he kicked 13 goals. I have some concerns about his endurance given his weight but as it stands I think he could be one of the better rookie forward picks if Richmond give him an opportunity. His DT scores for 2012 are as follows -

Under 18's - 100, 154, 110, 115, 122, 69, 124, 107, 122 (Ave: 113.6)
Reserves - 37, 67, 40, 24, 44, 68, 71, 57, 43 (Ave: 50.1)

Kevin Sheehan says: "Medium forward whose marking on the lead and pin point goal kicking being features of his play for SA in the U18’s this year. Averaged 18.4 disposals and 3.4 goals per game earning a spot in the All Australian U18 team in 2012."

Media -

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/matt-to-find-his-wings/story-fn525un5-1226269792844