Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight

[owenbond007]

Price Rise Potential

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-01-22/afl-fantasy

Cant see Sam Dwyer, Mark Hutchings, Daniel Currie, Jed Anderson cracking into sides that a already made. Most the rookies that do well generally thrive in teams that are rebuilding their squads. Interesting read though.

[Mr.Craig]

Yeah, plenty of potential there (especially with Dwyer and Hutchings) but very little chance of opportunities. Collingwood did have something like 7 or 8 debutants last season so you never know but you'd imagine it would take a fair few injuries for that to repeat.

[Mr.Craig]

THE WESTERN Bulldogs will use the NAB Cup to determine whether top draft picks Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae are ready to step up and take on the Brisbane Lions in round one of the home and away season.

Both Stringer and Macrae have been impressive performers on the track, but the club's new development coach, former West Coast forward Ashley Hansen, is urging Bulldogs fans to have patience when assessing their progress.

"We haven't really given those guys a target of how many games we want them to play or anything like that, because we don't want to put added pressure on them," Hansen told AFL.com.au.

"We just want to see continual improvement, and we want to make sure that they're adapting to the AFL lifestyle.

"We're in no rush to make these boys play in round one. We want to make then 10-year players not one-year players."

The Bulldogs selected Stringer and Macrae with selections five and six in last year's NAB AFL Draft.

Although both possess undoubted talent, they are at different stages in their development.

"Jakey Stringer has definitely got the body that's ready to go and he could step in," Hansen explained.

"But there are a lot of areas that he's got to work on before he can get that opportunity.

"Jackson Macrae probably hasn't got the body yet, but he's making massive gains in that area."

A left-footed midfielder, who showed great versatility during his TAC Cup career with the Oakleigh Chargers, Macrae arrived at the Bulldogs weighing 78kg.

But he has worked very hard in the gym over the summer.

"Putting on five or six kilos … has been really positive for me,” the 18-year-old told BulldogsTV.

"Hopefully I can keep pushing that weight up until the start of the season."

Both Stringer, a Bendigo boy who weighs more than 90kgs, and Macrae will be given plenty of game time during the NAB Cup.

"They've both got weaknesses that could be exploited at AFL level, but then again there will be opportunities for them this year," Hansen said.

"If they play well in the NAB Cup, we're not going to hold back their development if they're ready to go.

"But at the same time, we'll be mindful that it's a long-term process with these guys.

"We want to get the best out of them and not throw them in too deep too early."

The Bulldogs begin their NAB Cup campaign when they take on Collingwood and Essendon on the opening night of the competition at Etihad Stadium on February 15.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-01-22/nab-cup-test-for-pups

[tbagrocks]

Interesting great job again MC, wonder where Hrovat sits atm? The one i'm keen on is the traded Stevens

[Mr.Craig]

Interesting great job again MC, wonder where Hrovat sits atm? The one i'm keen on is the traded Stevens

I haven't heard about Stevens but Hrovat seems to be fitting in well.

[Mr.Craig]

Thurlow and Lonergan's 2012 possession stats. Thanks to FisherSaints.

Thurlow- Kick- 17.2 - Handball- 7.4 - Tackle- 2.6 - Goal- n/a - Free For- 2 - Frees Against- 5
Lonergan- Kick- 7.2 - Handball- 6.6 - Tackle- 4.2 - Goal- 1 (in 5 matches) - Free For- 6 - Frees Against- 8

[Mr.Craig]

It's been a quiet week as far as rookie news but here's what I could come up with...

Port

"Prized draftee Ollie Wines is set to make an immediate impact, with the inside midfielder monstering his first pre-season, while mature-age rookie Kane Mitchell has also sizzled. Sam Colquhoun, the youngest player on an AFL list, is also ready for a fast-tracked debut after impressing at senior level in the SANFL last year."

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/afl/travis-boak-named-captain-at-port-adelaide/story-e6frepf6-1226565032477

Melbourne

The team has also being buoyed by the prospect of new recruits Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas being available and ready to play in round one, while its top two placegetters in last year's best and fairest, Nathan Jones and Jack Grimes, came from its midfield.

"I think the midfielders last year learned a lot about what it takes to be a midfielder and work as a group in an AFL game and season," Rawlings said.

The addition of Toumpas, Viney and mature-aged recruits Matt Jones and David Rodan was necessary after the club traded Brent Moloney, Jordan Gysberts and Cale Morton and delisted Matthew Bate at the end of 2012.

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2013-01-29/demons-look-to-middle-men-for-improvement

St Kilda

“If you look at Tom Lee and Tom Hickey, obviously they are players who are going to address some deficiencies in our list going forward,” he said.

“We see Tom Hickey as being a 10-year ruckman at this club to support Ben McEvoy and we see Tom Lee as being really exciting 194-195cm key forward who provides a really strong succession plan for us. We have to have an eye for the future at the same time we don’t want to use excuses and be a side that hides behind development either. We want to be competitive.”

http://www.saints.com.au/news/2013-01-21/preseason-update

Gold Coast

FORMER Suns ruckman Josh Fraser has called on Gold Coast fans to be patient and warned them to expect the good and the bad from prized recruit Jaeger O'Meara in his first AFL season.

O'Meara, 18, became the first player to be drafted a year before he was old enough to play AFL when the Suns secured the talented midfielder at the end of 2011.

The unique scenario has meant the expectations on O'Meara have continued to build, with the West Australian product expected to take the competition by storm when he makes his AFL debut this year.

But Fraser, a former No.1 draft pick, who was so advanced he played 21 games in his first AFL season with Collingwood at 18, called on the AFL community to give the teenager a chance to find his feet.

"I can guarantee you he will have bad games," Fraser said. "He will have bad moments when he looks out of place at times. But to balance that out there will be other times where he will take people's breath away with his ability to clear the footy and get forward.

"From reserves footy to senior footy is a big step for anyone and it's going to take time."

When Fraser went Collingwood as the top pick in 1999, the game was very different from today's.

The hype around young players in the modern era is far greater and Fraser admits it's hard to control.

"Often we expect them (early picks) to burst on the scene straightaway and dominate," Fraser said. "Unfortunately you can't control a lot of that expectation because it comes from external sources and often the media get a bit carried away and the fans can as well.

"Anyone who saw him play in that reserve-grade level will see the talent he has and personally I'm really excited about him playing league footy because in time he is going to be an elite midfielder. But you have to take a step back and understand he is still very much a kid."

That's why Fraser called on the club's supporters to remain positive regardless of how O'Meara performs in his first AFL season.

"If you can just sit back in the first year and pick out all the positives and look at all the good stuff he brings to the table then you will find you have a pretty good player on your hands," Fraser said.

Although he has no doubt O'Meara's early form will be patchy, Fraser believes the teenager is mature enough to handle both the accolades and scrutiny certain to come his way in 2013.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2013/01/26/446120_gold-coast-afl.html

Here is the current betting for the NAB Rising Star -

Jeaeger O'Meara(GC)  6.00
Jack Viney(Melb)         10.00
Brad Couch(Adel)        12.00
Lachie Whitfield(GWS) 14.00
Jimmy Toumpas(Melb) 14.00
Will Hoskin-Elliott(GWS) 16.00
Jonathon Patton(GWS) 16.00
Oliver Wines(Port)   16.00
Jake Stringer(WB)   21.00
Lachlan Plowman(GWS) 21.00
Jesse Lonergan(GC)   21.00
Tom Mitchell(Syd)   21.00
Jonathon O'Rourke(GWS)   21.00
Dom Tyson(GWS)   21.00
Jackson Macrae(WB)   23.00
Troy Menzel(Carl)   23.00
Joe Daniher(Ess)   26.00
Billy Longer(Bris)   26.00
Nathan Hrovat(WB)   26.00
James Stewart(GWS)   31.00

[Ricochet]

Here is the current betting for the NAB Rising Star -

Jeaeger O'Meara(GC)  6.00
Jack Viney(Melb)         10.00
Brad Couch(Adel)        12.00
Lachie Whitfield(GWS) 14.00
Jimmy Toumpas(Melb) 14.00
Will Hoskin-Elliott(GWS) 16.00
Jonathon Patton(GWS) 16.00
Oliver Wines(Port)   16.00
Jake Stringer(WB)   21.00
Lachlan Plowman(GWS) 21.00
Jesse Lonergan(GC)   21.00
Tom Mitchell(Syd)   21.00
Jonathon O'Rourke(GWS)   21.00
Dom Tyson(GWS)   21.00
Jackson Macrae(WB)   23.00
Troy Menzel(Carl)   23.00
Joe Daniher(Ess)   26.00
Billy Longer(Bris)   26.00
Nathan Hrovat(WB)   26.00
James Stewart(GWS)   31.00

Hadn't even looked at this. Some great odds there

[Mr.Craig]

Essendon coach James Hird believes Father/Son draft selection Joe Daniher may one day become the club’s number one ruckman.

Daniher currently stands at 201cms tall and is renowned for his great agility and marking ability.

“He might develop into a dominant ruckman and that is his number one position,” Hird said.

“At the moment I think he is a very good forward, takes a lot of marks and just a competitor.”

“He is going to end up being a forward/ruckman I think what you need in this day and age is you need that secondary ruckman coming from your forward line and I think that is the role that Joe will play early in on in his career.”

Different to the Hird’s original thoughts when the 18-year-old was drafted he now expects Daniher to be playing regular senior football in 2013.

“He is only a boy so we don’t want to ruin him but he is making us think about playing him a lot more than we were,” Hird said.

“It is very hard with a guy that age and a very tall player as they often take a lot longer to get ready for football.

“You can’t see why he wouldn’t play a lot of football obviously his body has to stand up and we don’t want to put him under too much pressure with his body.”

Daniher’s demeanor towards his football has impressed Hird since he began regular training with the group in November.

“The way he moves on the track and the way he dominates marking contests and gets to contest is quite remarkable for a boy his age.”

“You rarely see a kid of that age wanting to compete so hard against more experienced players."

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2013-01-30/danihers-ruck-project

[The_Captain]

Here is the current betting for the NAB Rising Star -

Jeaeger O'Meara(GC)  6.00
Jack Viney(Melb)         10.00
Brad Couch(Adel)        12.00
Lachie Whitfield(GWS) 14.00
Jimmy Toumpas(Melb) 14.00
Will Hoskin-Elliott(GWS) 16.00
Jonathon Patton(GWS) 16.00
Oliver Wines(Port)   16.00
Jake Stringer(WB)   21.00
Lachlan Plowman(GWS) 21.00
Jesse Lonergan(GC)   21.00
Tom Mitchell(Syd)   21.00
Jonathon O'Rourke(GWS)   21.00
Dom Tyson(GWS)   21.00
Jackson Macrae(WB)   23.00
Troy Menzel(Carl)   23.00
Joe Daniher(Ess)   26.00
Billy Longer(Bris)   26.00
Nathan Hrovat(WB)   26.00
James Stewart(GWS)   31.00

Hadn't even looked at this. Some great odds there

MIght throw 10 on viney and 10 on wines  ::)

[tbagrocks]

Some nice odds on talented Bulldogs there but my money is on Jimmy Toumpas

[T Dog]

Patton for me at those odds.

[Ricochet]

Some nice odds on talented Bulldogs there but my money is on Jimmy Toumpas

Thats what i was thinking

[Mr.Craig]

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-09/afl-club-injury-update

The Blues aren’t without their niggles, with big guns Chris Judd (hamstring) and Jarrad Waite (calf), along with prized draftee Troy Menzel (hip) sidelined for up to two weeks each.

The Western Bulldogs are likely to have just one player unavailable for Friday night's clashes against Collingwood and Essendon. Draftee Nathan Hrovat picked up a minor quad injury at training recently and the club is set to err on the side of caution this week with the 18 year old. Despite a full complement of senior players to choose from, the Dogs are set to unleash a host of youngsters throughout the pre-season competition.  2012 recruits Jake Stringer, Jack Macrae, Josh Prudden and father-son selection Lachie Hunter have all been earmarked to feature prominently in Brendan McCartney's plans.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-09/tiger-stars-to-return

Nick Vlastuin and Matthew McDonough, who joined the Tigers through last year's national draft, were two youngsters who showed good signs against the All Stars.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-04/injury-hiccup-for-big-eagle

Young ruckman Scott Lycett has been one of West Coast's big improvers this pre-season, while rookie big man Callum Sinclair is expected to receive opportunities during the NAB Cup.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-06/speedy-lions

IN their search for a player to cover the post Jonathan Brown era, the Brisbane Lions have unearthed two running machines in rookies Marco Paparone and Michael Close. Despite coming to the club with big running reputations, no-one could have expected the results churned out by the pair of tall forwards.

In the Lions’ most recent 2km time trial, Paparone finished first and Close third, split only by second-year rookie Richie Newell, who was an elite schoolboy distance runner.

[tbagrocks]

Craig again fantastic stuff, might be expensive but Jackson Macrae has been rarely spoken about, the Dogs wouldn't take him before Wines for nothing :o