Recruiting

[MC]

Terry Wallace commented recently that recruiters should be paid a lot more, and more emphasis should be on good recruiting as opposed to coaching. I'm VERY happy that at Collingwood we have a good mixture of both.
Hopefully the picks in the past couple of years will live up to the quality of players we received from the 2004-2006 drafts.

2004 - Travis Cloke @ 39
        - Harry O @ 20 in rookie draft

2005 - Daisy @ 2
        - Pendles @ 5
        - Toov @ 2 in rookie draft

2006!! -  Ben Reid @ 8
          - Nathan Brown  @ 10
          - Chris Dawes  @ 28
          - Brad Dick  @ 44
          - Tyson Goldsack  @ 63
          - Sharrod Wellingham @ 10 in rookie draft
           - Brent Macaffer @ 26 in rookie draft

** Current Collingwood players only.

Not much to be had from the 2007 draft, but in 2008 we got Sidebottom, Beams, Blair and Leigh Brown.

Handy recruiting - especially from the rookie drafts.

The question is though - Will we be able to do enough to keep the team together for a start, and then once the Premierships have been won, will we be able to bounce back after a minimal time rebuilding? Will the current rookies live up to their predecessors?

Thoughts?

[Cruiseon]

Interesting points although let's never take Terry Wallace seriously as it was pointed out today he's working part in, yep you guessed it recruiting.

The Pies have done very well and that didn't even mention Swan and Maxwell. I notice you mention rebuilding after the 'Premierships' - a nice problem to have. If this era gets 2 flags I'd be more than happy, uts more than most successful periods produce.  Rebuilding after that us really hardly to forecast.

[MC]

Yeah mate, always on the positive! Swan was 2001 i think and was picked up in the late 50s, Maxwell was the year after, picked up as a rookie. Both are also very good picks obviously ;)
Reminds me of Hird who was picked up in the 90s or something ridiculous like that! Happens less often now though with the ground work and research the clubs put in, though some players are just late bloomers.

Yeah Terry Wallace would have to have an ulterior motive, as do most in the media.

Premierships in the plural may be a tad premature as yet, but it seems a very good chance with the team that we've put together. Honestly who could challenge us? Most obvious at the moment are Geelong and Hawthorn, but we've had the wood on Geelong recently, and Hawthorn need to worry about making the top 4 before worrying about another flag! My biggest concern is from our traditional rivals such as Essendon and Carlton etc - who always rise above and beyond their average when they front us. The signs so far this year have been promising though, as we seem to be less inclined to take the foot off of the pedal in the final quarter when it matters most. 

[8-6 Suited]

On your last statement... I disagree with Carlton rising above it. Essendon is the one who can sometimes get the better of us but I feel that Carlton just doesn't have that ability like they once had.

[MC]

I guess we can only judge on recent form, but over the past 10-15 years for example, teams like Richmond, Melbourne, Carlton and Essendon seem to be placed well below us on the ladder, be severe underdogs, and yet still rise to the occasion. It's been a point of frustration for many years!

2011 looking good so far though ;)

[8-6 Suited]

I'd say Melbourne is a weak link. They always get close or get us. Richmond not really, Carlton is a totally different team now so its different as is Essendon and Melbourne and Richmond but Melbourne is the one that it feels like we underestimate.

[Alex7089]

Yeah you guys just got over Melbourne last year...Both times.
I think it is more the other teams hatred of Collingwood and hunger for victory than you guys underestimating them though. With you guys also being the reigning premiers there is another element.

[bunyip]

Don't confuse "hatred" with respect. I don't think players hate Collingwood, but they always have a good team and are a good measuring stick for a teams progress. The thinking seems to be, if you can beat the Pies, your in the game. Especially now.
Looking at this thread, Collingwood selectors should be congratulated for their picks. Almost all of them not only play senior footy, but are terrific players.

[valkorum]

I would like to think Freo's recruiting has been very good of recent years

2002
Sandilands - Pick 33 Rookie Draft

2003
Mundy - Pick 19 (Received pick 19 for Steven Koops)

2004
Duffield - Pick 10 Rookie Draft

2007
Palmer - Pick 7
Mayne - Pick 40

2008
Hill - Pick 3
Ballantyne - Pick 21
Suban - Pick 24
Broughton - Pick 74

2009
Morabito - Pick 4
DeBoer - Pick 19
Fyfe - Pick 20

2010
Barlow - Pick 10 Rookie Draft
Silvagni - Pick 24 Rookie Draft

[ossie85]

It's starting to really become apparent that the rookie draft is EXTREMELY important

[valkorum]

I should point out that the obvious difference at the moment is a piece of silverware - but I do see similarities in how the list is being built at Freo compared to what the Pies have done.  Hopefully just as the pies run is ending we take over ;)

[Cruiseon]

Valk I agree but I still think Freo have to prove their recruiting has provided more than just two A graders. That's probably more of a case of those guys on the fringe stepping up as I still think Sandi & Pav are ahead of the chasing pack in Fyfe, Hill, Broughton etc

[valkorum]

From another post I made earlier today

A Graders
Sandi
Pav
Mundy
McPharlin

Nearly A Graders (or already there - a matter of opinion)
Hill
Barlow
Fyfe
Broughton
Duffield
Ballantyne
Mayne
Morabito (this one is a bit speculative)
Grover (under-rated)

[8-6 Suited]

McPharlin as in Luke McPharlin? A Grader? Can't agree with you on that Valk. He is a B Grade defender at most. Yes he is a good player but not up to the standard of A grade defenders.

[Cruiseon]

McPharlin as in Luke McPharlin? A Grader? Can't agree with you on that Valk. He is a B Grade defender at most. Yes he is a good player but not up to the standard of A grade defenders.

Have to concur with that, i say A graders are likely all Australian's for > 1 year.