Rookie discussions and when to cash

[Mat0369]

Understandable call from the outside looking in, but Castagna's actually really good. Had an amazing rookie season in the VFL last year and did enough in NAB to deserve the elevation. I suspect the Tiges knew Yaz would be having surgery on his foot which would have also played a part in the decision. Personally, I reckon Castagna's just ever so slightly ahead of Broad too despite the latter being a mature ager.

With Conca now LTI'd, Marcon's a chance if and when we need him, but if something happened to Maric, don't be surprised to see Soldo or Chol thrown in the deep end because Hampson can't handle the role, so Marcon getting elevated isn't a sure thing. It's definitely handy to have him available as a mature body ready to go though, but Townsend is definitely ahead and of the senior list.

But if we are looking at the VFL last year Marcon would be ahead of him. Was named the VFL's most promising player, was in the team of the year and played in the GF winning team. The guy has looked a class above like Lambert and Saad but it took him an extra year to get drafted. If it was an issue of depth at a position then it makes sense, especially with the inclusions of Townsend and Moore (although I rate Marcon ahead of at least Moore). The dude is a good player, I am spewing of all the clubs that drafted him it had to be Richmond much like Lambert last season.

And why exactly can't Hammer handle the ruck role? Asking him to play as a forward again I understand, but Chol and Soldo aren't anywhere near Hammer's level. He does have issues with his knee, but as a ruck he is serviceable, he gets a ton of hitouts to advantage, he just does shower all around the ground.

[Bully]

Understandable call from the outside looking in, but Castagna's actually really good. Had an amazing rookie season in the VFL last year and did enough in NAB to deserve the elevation. I suspect the Tiges knew Yaz would be having surgery on his foot which would have also played a part in the decision. Personally, I reckon Castagna's just ever so slightly ahead of Broad too despite the latter being a mature ager.

With Conca now LTI'd, Marcon's a chance if and when we need him, but if something happened to Maric, don't be surprised to see Soldo or Chol thrown in the deep end because Hampson can't handle the role, so Marcon getting elevated isn't a sure thing. It's definitely handy to have him available as a mature body ready to go though, but Townsend is definitely ahead and of the senior list.

But if we are looking at the VFL last year Marcon would be ahead of him. Was named the VFL's most promising player, was in the team of the year and played in the GF winning team. The guy has looked a class above like Lambert and Saad but it took him an extra year to get drafted. If it was an issue of depth at a position then it makes sense, especially with the inclusions of Townsend and Moore (although I rate Marcon ahead of at least Moore). The dude is a good player, I am spewing of all the clubs that drafted him it had to be Richmond much like Lambert last season.

And why exactly can't Hammer handle the ruck role? Asking him to play as a forward again I understand, but Chol and Soldo aren't anywhere near Hammer's level. He does have issues with his knee, but as a ruck he is serviceable, he gets a ton of hitouts to advantage, he just does shower all around the ground.

Well said Matt, agree with most except on the Townsend vs Marcon issue. Yes, he's a better player but Townsend has been recruited with a specific role to play. He will tag and ensure that the opposition taggers aren't cheating in their efforts to quell Cotchin. As for Hampson, geez this bloke cops a pasting from Richmond supporters. Considering we've had complete duds like Graham on our list, I'm glad we've got an outstanding tap ruckman to call on as our back-up. To suggest Soldo can fill the void is just plain ridiculous, Chol is a terrific prospect but he's also an underweight teenager. Time for some Richmond supporters to see the big picture and look at every other list in the country and assess the other 17 back-ups. My biggest gripe with Hammer is his body is like paper mache, aside from that he's toweled up some of the best in the game. 

[Mat0369]

I know that they recruited Townsend for a specific role which is why I didn't list Marcon ahead of him. I would easily have him ahead of Moore though.

On pure football ability it might be a different story however between Townsend and Marcon. They are quite different players in the way they actually play the game. Marcon is actually deceptively quick for an inside mid although he doesn't have the polish to play outside. He reminds me of Curnow in a few ways and people tend to forget how good Ed was that first year under Ratts when he wasn't asked to tag. Townsend is a bull but isn't going to win you a lot of pill, but that's not his role. It's to basically do what Jones did for Juddy. It is also a role possibly outside Marcon's skillset so he won't come in to replace Townsend and fill that role, it will be as a ball winner.

The Hammer hate happened at Carlton as well. The thing is we tried to persist playing him forward but I still never understood it. He would flash one week and struggle the next. If he could fix his marking  he would actually be a pretty good AFL ruck. I wished we had him back at Carlton the last couple years considering the dreck we started in place of Kreuz. Wood/Warnock still makes me shudder. To think we had Kreuz/Sauce/Hammer at one point. His body always let him down when he would get a good run at it. It's the PCL in one knee. It's the one he injured against Collingwood in 2012, I don't think it's still 100%

[Hagebear]

Is Dean Terlich a chance to play round 1?? Can any D's supporters shed any light on him.

[Toga]

Agree with Bully & Mat on the Marcon debate - Townsend has been recruited for a specific need, and will play this year. Marcon is a different kind of player and would be more likely to come into the team should we see any injuries to any of the other first-tier midfielders. Could well be in line to replace an injured Conca or Grigg.

As far as the Richmond rucks go, Hampson is a very good back-up to Maric and someone I'm glad the club recruited. But I think what Nige might've meant was that if, should Maric be out, we have no one behind Hampson to play back up to him - so in that case the club might look to upgrade a Soldo or Chol (despite being very underdone prospects).

[Big Mac]

Is Dean Terlich a chance to play round 1?? Can any D's supporters shed any light on him.

Would be surprised if he played at all this year

[Nige]

I mean this mainly in regards to Marcon:

If it was an issue of depth at a position then it makes sense, especially with the inclusions of Townsend and Moore (although I rate Marcon ahead of at least Moore).

And this in regards to Hampson:

As far as the Richmond rucks go, Hampson is a very good back-up to Maric and someone I'm glad the club recruited. But I think what Nige might've meant was that if, should Maric be out, we have no one behind Hampson to play back up to him - so in that case the club might look to upgrade a Soldo or Chol (despite being very underdone prospects).

[Bully]

Agree with Bully & Mat on the Marcon debate - Townsend has been recruited for a specific need, and will play this year. Marcon is a different kind of player and would be more likely to come into the team should we see any injuries to any of the other first-tier midfielders. Could well be in line to replace an injured Conca or Grigg.

As far as the Richmond rucks go, Hampson is a very good back-up to Maric and someone I'm glad the club recruited. But I think what Nige might've meant was that if, should Maric be out, we have no one behind Hampson to play back up to him - so in that case the club might look to upgrade a Soldo or Chol (despite being very underdone prospects).

Fair enough but I think in that scenario Vickery & Griffiths play in tandem, probably with a 50/50 split, not ideal as both are second ruckmen but I can't see Soldo playing given he's not even VFL standard, and Chol who wouldn't last a full game at AFL level.The trick with Chol is to give him some game time as a forward and then play him as a ruck when he's put on 10kg, he's still pencil thin at this stage.

[Toga]

Absolutely agree Bully - if god forbid anything were to happen to Maric and Hampson then it would be Griffiths and Vickery doing the bulk of the work in the middle. Soldo & Chol definitely aren't up to scratch yet.

[RaisyDaisy]

Do we think George Hewett could get a run?

Looked very good during the NAB, and is a rare 123k mid

[eaglesman]

Do we think George Hewett could get a run?

Looked very good during the NAB, and is a rare 123k mid

Hope so ... I really don't see Gresham getting picked ... Hopefully I wrong

[SydneyRox]

Do we think George Hewett could get a run?

Looked very good during the NAB, and is a rare 123k mid

Historically the Swans dont mind putting a newbie or two into the round 1 team.

Not sure he will be too fantasy relevant in anything but AF, as I would see him getting squeezed out of the team before he can be worth the trade

[LF]

Do we think George Hewett could get a run?

Looked very good during the NAB, and is a rare 123k mid

Historically the Swans dont mind putting a newbie or two into the round 1 team.

Not sure he will be too fantasy relevant in anything but AF, as I would see him getting squeezed out of the team before he can be worth the trade

NAB 3 12 disposals at 91%DE,5 of those contested,5 tackles TG 67%
NAB 1 15 disposals at 66% DE,12 of those contested,5 tackles TG 63%
Not to mention his absolutely ripper year in the 2's last season

Very much worth a bench spot in SC if he can string some games together

[jfitty]

Do we think George Hewett could get a run?

Looked very good during the NAB, and is a rare 123k mid

Quite a few guys on BigFooty have him in their round 1 sides (that's how desperate I am to find rookies).

He's in my side for now, but just have to wait and see

[RaisyDaisy]

Do we think George Hewett could get a run?

Looked very good during the NAB, and is a rare 123k mid

Quite a few guys on BigFooty have him in their round 1 sides (that's how desperate I am to find rookies).

He's in my side for now, but just have to wait and see

Yeah I've replaced Petracca with him for now