Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight

[Justin Bieber]

Nice mark over one of the Aspley boys..  :-X

[meow meow]

Do you reckon the guys who write for the AFL site read fanfooty?

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

Tom Lee

One day later...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/148251/default.aspx

[Mr.Craig]

Do you reckon the guys who write for the AFL site read fanfooty?

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

Tom Lee

One day later...

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/148251/default.aspx

Yeah, I thought of you when I saw that. :D

Hopefully I'll get to him and a couple of others tomorrow.

[Mr.Craig]

Troy Menzel



Birthday - 22/9/94
187cm/77kg
Central District
Price/Position - $138,700 Fwd/Mid

Drafted Round 1 Pick 11 Carlton

Despite only turning 18 in September Menzel has been playing regular footy in the SANFL against bigger bodies, kicking 13 goals in 8 games this season. He was eye catching in the Under 18 Champs too, booting 15 goals in his two games for DT scores of 144 and 111 before missing the rest of the comp with a groin complaint. However it's his knees which are generating the most fear from recruiters and DT coaches having already undergone LARS surgery as a 16 year old and also doing a PCL in a recent game which will require a few months to fully repair. Carlton were thrilled to take him at Pick 11 and we can only hope they have big plans for him in 2013. Here are Menzel's DT scores for his SANFL games this season -

Reserves - 57
Seniors - 61, 70, 70, 54, 49, 70, 67, 32 (Ave: 59.1)

Kevin Sheehan says: "Left-footed medium forward with exceptional goal sense both on the run and with set shots. Kicked 9 goals vs Tasmania and 6 goals vs NT in sensational fashion in first 2 games of the 2012 AFL U18s before a groin injury interrupted his season. He starred for the Australian U18 team on the European tour earlier this year. Brother of Geelong Cats’ Daniel."

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150120/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149069/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/137648/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/140190/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/148153/default.aspx

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2J5mDNpn9o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5Z9u2UNYYs

[Mr.Craig]

Tom Lee



Birthday - 2/1/91
194cm/94kg
Club - Claremont/St Kilda
Price/Position - $108,500 Fwd

Lee spent a brief period on the Adelaide Crows list in 2009 before finding a home with Claremont in the WAFL ( he also trained with Freo late last year ). He's a good sized key position player who can play forward or back but his best work this season has been in the front half. Tom has kicked 60 goals in his last 16 games and also played a starring role in Claremont's Foxtel Cup final vs Werribee, booting 6 majors and being named best on ground. It appears doubts about his ability and application are begining to fade and he'll most likely be taken in the second or third round of this year's draft. Another guy to keep an eye on given his previous experience.

Update 8/10 - Lee has been selected by St.Kilda as part of a deal with GWS. I could see him taking over from the role that Terry Milera was playing (or was trying to play) most of last season.

His WAFL DT scores in 2012 were - 74, 38, 59, 70, 73, 72, 60, 97, 126, 35, 84, 73, 134, 77, 77, 82, 113, 46, 147, 111 and 20 for an average of 79.4.

In the Foxtel Cup he scored 51, 75 and 88.

Media -

http://www.bigpondsport.com/dream-team-builder-tom-lee/tabid/91/newsid/101728/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151265/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149378/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/148251/default.aspx
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/tom-lee-stars-as-claremont-downs-werribee-to-win-foxtel-cup/story-e6frepex-1226441860421

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmJ267p7gxg

[Jukes]

Kane Mitchell
PORT ADELAIDE
Rookie Draft Pick #5



Birthday: December 1st 1989
174cm, 76kg
Club- Claremont
Position: Midfielder

Another one of our guns at Claremont like Tom Lee and one of my favourite players, short midfielder who runs all day, has an average kick but finds the ball a lot, won the Sandover (best in comp) for this season in addition to a premiership medal. Scored 2271 dt this season playing every game for a 103.22 average, impressive seeing as our midfield has lot of other stars such as Luke Blackwell (2011 Sandover Medallist) and Paul Medhurst (Collingwood champ). May not be drafted at all, but after the season he's had I wouldn't be surprised and if he misses the first few will be a great downgrade target for those trying to get in Swanny after he drops in price. Equalled the record for most Sandover Votes at 58 (Sandover uses 5-4-3-2-1 system) with Matt Priddis. Has two premierships to his name, getting 105 DT on Sunday's grannie for 24 possessions, 5 marks and 3 goals, including the sealer in the final quarter.

WAFL scores for 2012 - 113, 76, 57, 122, 128, 102, 112, 132, 131, 57, 114, 90, 139, 84, 96, 85, 113, 133, 70, 127, 73, 107.

Also has great hair \/

[Mr.Craig]

By all means Jukes, go for it. :) Those certainly are some long and luscious locks!

Here's some Mitchell related media -

http://www.watoday.com.au/sport/wa-football/afl-dream-kane-still-hopes-to-prove-hes-able-20120920-2686e.html
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/video/watch/34137c57-b6a9-3e2a-8231-9ed18685d1fb/kane-mitchell-wins-sandover-medal/thewest_sport/
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/sandover-medal-winner-kane-mitchell-caps-perfect-week-with-premiership/story-e6frg243-1226479841294

[Jukes]

Want me to do any write-ups on WAFL players?

[Bill Manspeaker]

he's got some guns that bloke

[bomberboy0618]

Matt McDonough



Birthday - 26/1/94
180cm/85kg
Club - Woodville West Torrens
Fanplanner Price - $96,200

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 6 games in the under 18's for the Eagles this season, being named in the best 4 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's one of the better rookie forward picks going around.

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

:'( stop giving everyone so much help!
This kid is a freak. Locked pretty much in my team.

[Mr.Craig]

Nick Graham



Birthday - 12/6/94
182cm/76kg
Gippsland Power
Price/Position - $102,700 Mid

Drafted Round 3 Pick 54 Carlton

Now here's a kid who isn't on many people's draft radars but seems to have the qualities of a future AFL regular. Graham is a medium sized midfielder who loves to tackle and is capable of going forward to kick a goal or two. He had a reasonable Under 18 carnival averaging 18 disposals for DT scores of 118, 61, 65 and 65. However it's his TAC performances this season which are most impressive, averaging 25 touches, 6 tackles and 1 goal a game with his DT scores being 84, 142, 84, 143, 116, 98, 101, 82, 93, 139, 118, 133, 119, 83 and 132 (Ave: 111.1).

Nick played a starring role in Gippsland's dramatic 1 point grand final loss to Oakleigh last weekend and was recently awarded the Morrish medal as the best player in the TAC competition joining past winners Dyson Heppell, Jarryd Blair, Matthew Kreuzer and Lenny Hayes. Many people were surprised to see him slip to the third round of the draft, if he gets an opportunity next year I would advise you to jump aboard.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder who is a terrific competitor with great lateral movement and evasive ability. Strong overhead and very good by foot, he has been a prolific ball winner for Gippsland Power this year averaging 25 disposals .Can also play role up forward presenting as a target and applying good defensive pressure .”

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150980/default.aspx
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2012/09/11/536801_sport-news.html
http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/317332/surprise-package-for-football-star/
http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-3020-111700-0-0&sID=56113&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=20568425

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTt7vk1QfR8&list=UUbA1MgpsAtdbu0PXihIYATw&index=15&feature=plcp

[Mr.Craig]

Want me to do any write-ups on WAFL players?

Sure, if you think any of them might be DT relevant next year go for it.

:'( stop giving everyone so much help!
This kid is a freak. Locked pretty much in my team.

LOL, yeah I knew this thread might be unpopular with some people who want to keep their smokies hidden. I wouldn't worry about it, I think Matt will still be pretty unique. ;)

[bomberboy0618]

If he's not I know who tokill blame  :P
Can you do one on Tim Broomhead? Get on board the train :)

[Mr.Craig]

If he's not I know who tokill blame  :P
Can you do one on Tim Broomhead? Get on board the train :)

I've got one other guy I wanted to do first and then I'll get to Tim. :)

[bomberboy0618]

Legend  :)