Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight

[Mr.Craig]

Jesse Lonergan



Birthday - 14/11/94
183cm/86kg
Launceston
Price/Position - $129,700 Mid

Drafted Round 1 Pick 13 Gold Coast

Jesse, an attacking midfielder, looks set to join his mate Jackson Thurlow in gaining a place on an AFL list next year. He's been playing senior footy since the age of 15 and has represented Tasmania at the last two Under 18 Championships. Unfortunately I don't have his disposal stats for this season down in Tassie but I can tell you he was named in the best for 4/11 games and from the three games he played at the 2012 Under 18 Champs he produced respectable scores of 76, 71 and 89. Lonergan performed well at the AFL Draft Combine, matching Trent Croad's vertical leap record ( which Dean Towers went on to break ).

Kevin Sheehan says: “Tough medium midfielder who attacks the ball aggressively and is clean with his ball handling and distribution. Has explosive power and is very competitive, always showing great intensity around the contest and strong second efforts. Nephew of Essendon midfielder Sam Lonergan. Overcame injury to play the final three matches in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships, averaging 16.3 disposals and laying 5.3 tackles per game. Another AIS-AFL Academy graduate. ”

AFL.Com -  Lonergan, the nephew of Essendon's Sam, is an impressive inside midfielder who is quick as well. He missed the first two games of the championships through injury, but kicked four goals and laid 16 tackles in three games. He's plays regular senior footy with Launceston and was part of their premiership side last year.

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-15/bluey-hints-at-lonergan-debut
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151650/default.aspx

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151091/default.aspx

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/143444/default.aspx

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4wuMsyBdrM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be4PV1df4ac

[Mr.Craig]

Kristian Jaksch



Birthday - 7/10/94
194cm/85kg
Oakleigh Chargers
Price/Position - $134,200 Def/Fwd

Drafted Round 1 Pick 12 Greater Western Sydney

Jaksch is a decent sized kid who has shown the ability to play back or forward and this will be highly regarded in a draft which lacks KPP depth. He missed out on All Australian selection at the Under 18 Champs but had a good carnival with DT scores of 89, 124, 75, 53 and 40. His form in the TAC Cup this year was also solid, being named in the best for 6 of 12 games, kicking 16 goals and scoring 72, 58, 71, 60, 73, 97, 60, 49, 69, 89, 86 and 80 (Ave: 72). Given that GWS recruited two other defenders in the draft his JS isn't as great as I would've hoped and if he's used as a tall forward he has Patton and Cameron to contend with but he'll hopefully rotate through the side for 10-16 games in 2013.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Tall forward/defender who is extremely strong overhead, averaging 5.6 marks and 13 disposals for Vic Metro in NAB AFL Under 18 Championships. Kicked six goals against Tasmania in an outstanding performance and uses the ball well by foot when in defence. Makes good decisions with the ball, shows excellent vision and is a strong spoiler.”

Callum Twomey says - "There are few key position players in this year's NAB AFL Draft, but Jaksch is one. He has shown he can play as a forward or defender, and is usually a good kick for goal when he gets his chance. Jaksch backs himself off the field, too. At the AFL's education session, the presenter asked for a response from a Vic Metro player regarding a couple of issues. Both times Jaksch was the Metro player to speak up not only in front of his teammates, but three other teams who were in the room."

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150886/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/150632/default.aspx
http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=138241

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFLIf5R2ddo

[Mr.Craig]

Lachie Hunter



Birthday - 13/12/94
181cm/78kg
Western Jets
Price/Position - $102,700 Mid

Drafted Round 3 Pick 49 Western Bulldogs (F/S)

Hunter has flown under the radar a bit when it comes to draft talk but he displays plenty of qualities that would appeal to prospective DT coaches. He's a mid-sized midfielder who also gets forward to kick plenty of goals ( 15 in 8 TAC games this season ). His performances at the Under 18 carnival were reasonable with scores of 98, 66, 65 and 33. I'm not sure why he played so few TAC games but I presume there was an injury which kept him sidelined but when Lachie did make it on to the field he was impressive, racking up 26 disposals a game and putting in DT scores of 110, 81, 169 :o, 107, 102, 67, 166 :o and 102 (Ave: 113).

The only concern with his DT potential is that he'll be fighting for a spot with similar type players Clay Smith, Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore, along with new recruits Jackson Macrae and Nathan Hrovat. Certainly one to watch in the NAB.

Kevin Sheehan says: “Medium midfielder with rare game sense, great agility and smartness around goals. Averaged 15.5 disposals in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships and has a damaging left foot. Eligible father/son to Western Bulldogs where his father Mark played.”

Media -

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=147956
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/afl/localfooty/lachlan-hunter-another-son-of-a-gun/story-fn53klc6-1226463797072

YouTube -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAKWbPpvHY0&list=PLjhhzjPsZdhb6fZvrnRUYm9UM8uVBHlQ_&index=3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkZHkJ0VbcQ

[Ricochet]

very nice work Mr Craig! took me forever to read through them but still a great read

[Mr.Craig]

Concerning words from Joe Daniher today -

"I'd love to say 'Yeah, I'll be there in round one', but realistically I have no doubt in my mind that I won't be there. I've got a long way to go and it's not about the next six months for me, it's about a lot more than that," he said.

"As much as I'd love to play a lot of senior footy next season, the reality is I probably won't play senior footy for a while. I'm comfortable with that. I'm looking forward to the next two or three years and patience isn't an issue for me.

"As long as the club is winning and having success it doesn't matter for me if I'm in the twos or water boy or assistant coach or timekeeper."

:(

[Ricochet]

Concerning words from Joe Daniher today -

"I'd love to say 'Yeah, I'll be there in round one', but realistically I have no doubt in my mind that I won't be there. I've got a long way to go and it's not about the next six months for me, it's about a lot more than that," he said.

"As much as I'd love to play a lot of senior footy next season, the reality is I probably won't play senior footy for a while. I'm comfortable with that. I'm looking forward to the next two or three years and patience isn't an issue for me.

"As long as the club is winning and having success it doesn't matter for me if I'm in the twos or water boy or assistant coach or timekeeper."

:(

I wouldn't take much from that Mr Craig,
If Essendon think he's ready, they will play him

[monstrum]

Probly just preparing for the weapons job on his young hammies!!

[Ricochet]

Probly just preparing for the weapons job on his young hammies!!

didn't the weapon get the sack?

[monstrum]

I dont no?

[Mr.Craig]

Day 3 Combine Highlights -

Jake Stringer, Jesse Lonergan and Andrew Boston all scored 30/30 in the new goalkicking test.

Nick Vlastuin did well in the clean hands test scoring 26/30.

Matthew Haynes starred in the repeat sprints.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxIQOAg2DXc&feature=channel&list=UL

[Mr.Craig]

Daniher, Viney and Hunter have been nominated as father/son picks -

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149229/default.aspx

Day 4 Combine Highlights -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h-olY09IgQ

[Mr.Craig]

I've added TAC Dream Team scores to Lachie Plowman's profile and a new media article about Tanner Smith.

[Football Factory]

Probly just preparing for the weapons job on his young hammies!!

didn't the weapon get the sack?

I dont no?

According to the club he hasnt been sacked. The weapon will play a different role for the dons next year. ?

[Football Factory]

Another article on Colquhoun today .. Looks good and racks up the possies. Hopefully he goes to a club were he will play games straight away

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/149297/default.aspx

[Mr.Craig]

Thanks for your PM and the heads up on Sam FF. :)