Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight

[Holz]

fantastic read Mr Craig. If your still doing requests im interested in Tom Clurey

[Mr.Craig]

fantastic read Mr Craig. If your still doing requests im interested in Tom Clurey

No worries. :) Cook, Clurey and Thurlow will be the next players up.

[Mr.Craig]

Tom Clurey



Birthday - 23/3/94
193cm/85kg
Murray Bushrangers
Price/Position - $102,700 Def

Drafted Round 2 Pick 29 Port Adelaide

Clurey is considered one of the best tall defenders in this year's draft pool, with his strong hands and rebounding catching the eye of scouts. He had a good Under 18 Champs but with scores of 64, 53, 28, 59, 33 and terms like "shutdown defender" being thrown around he might not be the best choice for Dream Team coaches. Tom's form in the TAC this season has been alright with the best DT games being 14 kicks, 7 handballs (78Dt) vs Calder Cannons and 6 kicks, 6 handballs, 6 tackles, 1 goal (72DT) vs Geelong on September 1st.

Considering Port have some holes in their backline that need filling, Clurey would be in the box seat to play early games.

Kevin Sheehan says: “A strong bodied tall defender that reads the play very well. Can shut down opposition key forwards whilst also providing good rebound from defence. Displays excellent leadership qualities, very good endurance and strong hands in the marking contest. Played all five games for Vic Country at the NAB AFL Under 18 Championships, averaging 11.8 disposals and 3.8 Rebound 50’s."

Media -

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/pickme/pick-me-key-defender-tom-clurey-could-be-the-next-sam-fisher/story-fnau1fjg-1226516131967
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150813/default.aspx
http://www.mmg.com.au/local-sport/shepparton/clurey-off-to-afl-draft-combine-1.28498
http://www.footballnation.com.au/afl/the-afl-draft/draft-prospect-in-focus-tom-clurey/

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUkf83ujtHc

[Mr.Craig]

Jackson Thurlow



Birthday - 28/3/94
190cm/79kg
Launceston
Price/Position - $116,200 Def

Drafted Round 1 Pick 16 Geelong

Thurlow is a rebounding defender who had a stellar Under 18 Championships which earned him AA selection. He averaged 24 touches while putting in DT scores of 114, 81, 69 and 46. However it was his game against Vic Metro which provides the most promising signs about what this kid is capable of - 31 kicks, 14 handballs and 13 marks for a whopping 164DT which ended up comfortably being the highest score by any player at the carnival.

In recoginition of his excellent performances he was awarded the Davidson Medal which has previously been won by Josh Green, Ryan Harwood, Aaron Joseph and Grant Birchall. I don't have any disposal stats for his games in Tassie but I do know he was named in the best for 6 of his 13 matches and also ran forward to kick 11 goals. He has the physique to play seniors immediately but it may take a clutch of impressive performances at VFL level before he can force his way into the Geelong side.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium defender who reads the play exceptionally well cutting off opposition forward moves and providing a running option on the way out. Averaged 24.6 disposals and 6.6 marks, winning All Australian Under 18 honours in the 2012 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships.”

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-01-15/geelong-smoky-steps-up
http://www.geelongcats.com.au/geelongnews/newsarticle/tabid/3933/newsid/151786/default.aspx
http://www.tasmanianstateleague.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=1&limit=1&limitstart=0&Itemid=59
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/306138/thurlow-woolley-on-show-in-draft/?src=rss
http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2012/09/12/360851_afl.html
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/318494/draft-no-worries-for-thurlow/?src=rss

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGROQCn17JY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at7LmlNXX2k

[Justin Bieber]

Was only just about to ask about Jackson.

Andrew Bostin please?

[Mr.Craig]

Andrew Boston



Birthday - 23/3/94
180cm/75kg
Club - Broadbeach
Price/Position - $89,300 Mid

Drafted - Pick 62 Rookie Draft Gold Coast

Could we get a DT relevant player out of Broadbeach for the second year running? The signs are it might just happen if Boston can translate his form this year onto the big stage. Selected on the Under 18 All Australian interchange, he had a great carnival for Queensland with the exception of his first game, averaging 18 disposals and 68.8 DT points with a high score of 110 vs Tasmania. He's been named in the best for 4/9 NEAFL games this season, kicking 15 goals and also spending some time playing off half back. 

Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder who excelled in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships for QLD, averaging 18.2 disposals at 70% and winning All Australian honours. Clean hands and neat disposal skills are features of his game.”

Ray Windsor says - "A Queensland Scorpions representative in his 17th year, he is now in his second full year of senior NEAFL football and is now an established member of the Broadbeach FC. He is an exciting midfielder, with very good skills on both sides of his body. He has great leadership skills, a great thirst to succeed and he also has the ability to kick a bag of goals, as has been evident in the NEAFL competition so far this year."

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150384/default.aspx
http://www.velocitysports.com.au/default.asp?PageID=2319
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/andrew-boston.946530/
http://www.aflq.com.au/index.php?id=5&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=1403&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=4&cHash=4e60d5485c

[Justin Bieber]

Alex lol. Monty should fix that. Should go late 20's early 30's IMO.

[meow meow]

Fill everyone in on this guy:

[Mr.Craig]

What is going on with those tats! Kids these days ::) I'll get on it.

Good news came through today about Menzel. He's done his PCL rather than ACL and is expected to only be out for 8-12 weeks. Still a big cloud over him but I'll do a write up tomorrow.

[Mr.Craig]

Tim Membrey



Birthday - 26/5/94
188cm/87kg
Gippsland Power
Price/Position - $102,700 Fwd

Drafted Round 3 Pick 46 Sydney

Membrey captained the Power this year and is a strong marking forward who loves kicking goals ( he slotted 8 last weekend ). There are some question marks about his ability to move up the field but his tackle count this year suggests he's capable of applying pressure in the forward 50. I'm not sure why he missed the first three games of the Under 18 Champs but in the two games he did play he kicked one goal for 33DT vs Vic Metro and 4 goals (77DT) vs S.A.

Tim's TAC form has been pretty impressive, booting 41 goals from 12 matches this season with DT scores of 98, 117, 79, 55, 118, 59, 84, 78, 45, 77 and 130 (Ave: 85.4). He doesn't have the height or positional flexibility of some other key forwards/ruck draftees and it will be hard for him to break into a very strong Sydney side unless they suffer some LTI's.

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149999/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149122/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/147969/default.aspx

[meow meow]

Here's a few more that people might like to know about:

Tom Lee
Jackson Macrae
Nick Vlastuin
Jed Anderson
Anthony Tipungwuti
Shane Nelson

That should keep you busy for a while.

[Mr.Craig]

I've already done Vlastuin. ;) Macrae and Anderson are on my radar, I'll get to them soon.

Don't know much about the other boys.

[monstrum]

Nice work mrcraig alot of work gone into this!

[Mr.Craig]

Jackson Macrae



Birthday - 3/8/94
188cm/75kg
Oakleigh Chargers
Price/Position - $161,200 Mid

Drafted Round 1 Pick 6 Western Bulldogs

Macrae is capable of playing defence, midfield or even going forward to kick goals as demonstrated by his 6 majors against Tasmania in the Under 18 Championships. Despite missing out on All Australian selection Jackson had a great carnival with consistent DT scores of 86, 128, 61, 84 and 86. His form in the TAC has been equally impressive, kicking 14 goals and being named in the best on 6 occasions. His DT scores this season are 106, 93, 76, 96, 115, 60, 80, 61, 134, 105 and 120 (Ave: 95.1). Given that the Bulldogs now have a plethora of young midfield talent, it is very hard to say what Macrae's future holds in 2013. However, if he does get a good run I'd advise you to jump aboard.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Versatile medium midfielder who can also go back or forward. Big improver this year and is a long left foot kick. Shows great courage in the air and at ground level in his attack on ball. Kicked six goals against Tasmania in an outstanding performance and averaged 19.4 disposals at 78.4 percent efficiency in the Under-18 Championships this year. Averaged 23 disposals in seven TAC Cup games to date this year.”

Callum Twomey says - "Enjoyed a really good championships without some of the fanfare of others, but that suits Macrae. He's understated and gets the job done, but does have a fierce competitive streak inside. Against Tasmania he booted six goals, and admitted he would have liked one more to beat the return of fellow forward and Carey Grammar student, Jaksch, who also booted six goals that day"

Media -

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/videoaudio/tabid/8663/default.aspx?contentid=506780
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150501/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150405/default.aspx
http://www.footballnation.com.au/latest-news/draft-prospect-in-focus-jackson-macrae/
http://www.monashweekly.com.au/story/337537/chargers-hit-their-straps/?cs=1607

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAYOhXVLN3s

[Mr.Craig]

Jed Anderson



Birthday - 16/1/94
178cm/75kg
Club - NT Thunder/Hawthorn
Price/Position - $108,500 Mid

Anderson has already had an interesting career. He's played representative footy in NT since Under 12's, was a part of GWS back in 2010 before returning home, received All Australian selection in Under 15's and last year in the Under 18's while also being named NT's MVP this season. Jed's DT scores at the 2012 carnival were up and down but show some promise - 68, 96, 124, 57 and 67. Having already gained captaincy and premiership experience he appears well prepared to take the next step up to AFL level.

It'll certainly be a challenge for Jed to break into the Hawthorn side in 2013. He might get 3 or 4 games over the course of the season but at this stage he doesn't seem like a realistic DT prospect.

Kevin Sheehan says: "“Left footed small midfielder/defender who is exceptional overhead for his size and a relentless tackler. Was an All-Australian at NAB AFL Under-18 level in 2011 and this year won NT’s Most Valuable Player for his performances in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.2 possessions and six tackles per match.”

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/139350/default.aspx
http://www.neafl.com.au/index.php?id=16&tx_ttnews%5Byear%5D=2012&tx_ttnews%5Bmonth%5D=03&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=729&cHash=9e15610cd6b60807d70359f423148061

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ7VIswXnDo