2018 rookies

[js19]

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-26/get-ready-for-the-rioli-and-ryan-show

Both players coming back from a long way with aerobic fitness, Ryan didn't get drafted last year due to running a 9 beep, has improved that with a 12 (yo-yo) equivalent. Not sure how much more improvement left but for a direct comparison, Daniel Rioli runs a 15. Can they maintain defensive pressure for 100 minutes? Be interesting to watch, based on Ryan's form in the WAFL finals I say no.

Yeah but we don't need them to play 22 games. They are both cheap and so they only really need 2 goods games in the first 6-7 rounds and they make money

Small forward type players tend to get a reasonable crack as well I feel, as long as their pressure is good enough. May not get many touches, but impacts the game. Not great for scoring, but when the good games come you get some $$

I don't feel like I could go both of them. Can see them being like Pickett last year. Worthy of a spot on the bench though

Yeah, Pickett is a prime example. Frustrating for SC mostly, but always waiting for that game they kick 4

[quinny88]

Can just about put a line through Higgins name with comments like this from leppa. Sounds like he will have to do something pretty special in the JLT to get a game round 1.

“Whether he (Higgins) can find his way into a pretty good team regularly, that’s going to be a big challenge for him this year and we don’t expect him to regularly,” Leppitsch said.

“We don’t put that sort of pressure on him and nor should our fans. Hopefully he can get a few games this year and build his career nicely.”

[Bully]

Can just about put a line through Higgins name with comments like this from leppa. Sounds like he will have to do something pretty special in the JLT to get a game round 1.

“Whether he (Higgins) can find his way into a pretty good team regularly, that’s going to be a big challenge for him this year and we don’t expect him to regularly,” Leppitsch said.

“We don’t put that sort of pressure on him and nor should our fans. Hopefully he can get a few games this year and build his career nicely.”

Interesting from Leppa but Higgins finished 3rd in the Tan run, fair effort for a rookie. As a Richmond supporter I rate Higgins a better footballer than Castagna, Daniel Rioli is also coming coming back from injury and has only just started running. If named round 1 he's in my side.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2018-01-26/get-ready-for-the-rioli-and-ryan-show

Both players coming back from a long way with aerobic fitness, Ryan didn't get drafted last year due to running a 9 beep, has improved that with a 12 (yo-yo) equivalent. Not sure how much more improvement left but for a direct comparison, Daniel Rioli runs a 15. Can they maintain defensive pressure for 100 minutes? Be interesting to watch, based on Ryan's form in the WAFL finals I say no.

Yeah but we don't need them to play 22 games. They are both cheap and so they only really need 2 goods games in the first 6-7 rounds and they make money

Small forward type players tend to get a reasonable crack as well I feel, as long as their pressure is good enough. May not get many touches, but impacts the game. Not great for scoring, but when the good games come you get some $$

Ryan has zero defensive pressure in his game, will need a mountain of improvement to get even close to Richmond's mosquito fleet. Can see him being another Pickett tease who ended up making a paltry amount after a dozen shizen games.

[quinny88]

You're right bully but apparently they are training him as a mid not a small forward. They want him to play a Lambert type role as we already have a stack of small forwards. Puts him behind a few in that position

[Bully]

You're right bully but apparently they are training him as a mid not a small forward. They want him to play a Lambert type role as we already have a stack of small forwards. Puts him behind a few in that position

No way can I overlook the best scoring rookie in the history of junior footy. Never seen him play a bad game at any level, 29 tons out of 32 is freakish. Can also hammer the scoreboard, has kicked 7 playing from a forward pocket. Last year Parfitt was my value junior, this year it's Higgo. A lock for me if named.

[quinny88]

You're right bully but apparently they are training him as a mid not a small forward. They want him to play a Lambert type role as we already have a stack of small forwards. Puts him behind a few in that position

No way can I overlook the best scoring rookie in the history of junior footy. Never seen him play a bad game at any level, 29 tons out of 32 is freakish. Can also hammer the scoreboard, has kicked 7 playing from a forward pocket. Last year Parfitt was my value junior, this year it's Higgo. A lock for me if named.

Yeah of course a lock if named but I'm saying it's sounding increasingly likely that he isn't going to be haha.
Comments from both Caracella and Leppa on 2 occasions now emphasising the point that it would be hard to break into the side.
Hopefully pulls out some big games in the JLT to make him too hard to ignore

[Southstorm]

Kobe Mutch is looking much bigger than what he was last year, extra girth should help him press his chances of starting in Essendon's midfield. Biggest issue for him though will be job security, as they have a lot of midfielders on the cusp of best 22 but aren't quite there yet.

Josh Begley too is looking good and is shaping up as a great player, but he's competing with Laverde and now Stringer for a spot in our side. Could be a good pick up later in the year.

Watch for Jordan Ridley later in the season as a downgrade option.

[js19]

Kobe Mutch is looking much bigger than what he was last year, extra girth should help him press his chances of starting in Essendon's midfield. Biggest issue for him though will be job security, as they have a lot of midfielders on the cusp of best 22 but aren't quite there yet.

Josh Begley too is looking good and is shaping up as a great player, but he's competing with Laverde and now Stringer for a spot in our side. Could be a good pick up later in the year.

Watch for Jordan Ridley later in the season as a downgrade option.

Reports Stringer could go into the midfield, as he's trimmed down a bit as well. Thoughts? Could leave a rookie spot open forward

[Mantis]

I would like to see Mutch get some opportunity but wouldn't be confident in him being a regular playing rookie unless there are some injuries to our 22. Laverde and Langford are also going to be getting some midfield time throughout the AFL X.

Heppell, Merrett, Zaharakis, Parish then others like McGrath, Stringer, Devon Smith

Essendon's forward line Daniher, Hooker, Stewart, Tippa, Orazaio also with Stringer, Smith, Laverde, Langford. Be interested to see how Essendon use some of the younger players such as Mutch but yeah don't know if would start him in SC with any confidence.

[RaisyDaisy]

One of Port's assistant coaches said Dom Barry has been excellent so far and is a chance to line up RD1

Could be a good bench option

Jelwood also said Tim Kelly is a strong chance for RD1 too

[Huttabito]

One of Port's assistant coaches said Dom Barry has been excellent so far and is a chance to line up RD1

Could be a good bench option

Jelwood also said Tim Kelly is a strong chance for RD1 too

Mid and forward rookies are looking like the 2 more solid lines - might just need to role with a 4 premo defence this year.

[shaker]

One of Port's assistant coaches said Dom Barry has been excellent so far and is a chance to line up RD1

Could be a good bench option

Jelwood also said Tim Kelly is a strong chance for RD1 too

Mid and forward rookies are looking like the 2 more solid lines - might just need to role with a 4 premo defence this year.

Got them both sitting on the bench but what coaches and players say is usually not what happens

[Ringo]

One of Port's assistant coaches said Dom Barry has been excellent so far and is a chance to line up RD1

Could be a good bench option

Jelwood also said Tim Kelly is a strong chance for RD1 too

Mid and forward rookies are looking like the 2 more solid lines - might just need to role with a 4 premo defence this year.

Got them both sitting on the bench but what coaches and players say is usually not what happens

Don't we know it,  ;)

[Bully]

One of Port's assistant coaches said Dom Barry has been excellent so far and is a chance to line up RD1

Could be a good bench option

Jelwood also said Tim Kelly is a strong chance for RD1 too

Kelly is the reason I'm not fussed about overlooking LDU/Brodie, just need another big body to fill M8. Still crossing the fingers & toes for Wigg to get over the foot injury.

[ubeaut]

Surely LDU is a strong chance to be among the "must have" rookies given Norths list giving him a fair crack in the middle. Think I'd rather start him and it's an easy sideways or downgrade ( and cash) if that's not the case.