Mr.Craig's Rookie Spotlight 2014 (Index On Page 1)

[Mr.Craig]

Nathan Gordon



North Adelaide 12/2/90 186cm/86kg

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 50 Richmond

2013 SANFL Ave: 76

Profile

Gordon spent two years on the Swans' rookie list before being upgraded in 2012. The forward/midfielder played two senior games (scores of 23 and 48) and was named an emergency on 9 occasions before being delisted a week after Sydney's grand final success. Following the same path as Dan Currie, Gordon went to the SANFL in a bid to resurrect his career. His early season form was excellent, often nearing the top of the stats sheet and in June he kicked 11 goals in two games. However his form dipped considerably after that point with five games under 60 DT. His scores for the season were 121, 110, 107, 103, 59, 65, 77, 136, 107, 77, 48, 37, 73, 26, 75, 53, 61, 71, 64 and 51. At best Gordon would be looking at being picked up in the pre season or rookie drafts, there are a few sides who might benefit from his services but I could understand if they were slightly weary given his inconsistency.

Knightmare (BigFooty): Gordon is a former Sydney Swan rookie who has hit back this season and has been excellent in the SANFL. He's dominated through the midfield and up forward at various stages this season. Up forward he's presented as a strong marking target as a land a goalkicking threat. While through the midfield he's winning a combination of his own ball and uncontested ball which is pleasing. He's a good size and with the improvement he has shown that he can be someone who could play as a rotational midfielder who can also do damage up forward he's a pretty natural fit for a team looking for an immediate player.

Fantasy Prospects

He's the sort of guy you would only look at once he's on the bubble and there's a lot of water to go under the bridge before that eventuates.

Media

http://www.sanfl.com.au/news/sanfl_news/2153/
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/nathan-gordon
http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/2013-07-03/nippas-eyecatching-sanfl-form
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/nathan-gordon-is-hoping-his-time-in-the-sanfl-this-year-will-help-him-have-another-crack-at-the-afl/story-fnii03j6-1226726055190

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEWeDYmsKyI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrPFxGNok0M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scUQgpuvgfs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fu8BMehnX8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWowZxuP--0

[kilbluff1985]

if Merrett is still there at pick 26 will be surprised if Essendon don't take him is what we need

[Nige]

Just two weeks left, and this is Darcy Hourigan.

[Nige]

Carlton, Western Bulldogs, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Fremantle have emerged as potential suitors for former Hawk Mitch Thorp as his bid to revive his AFL career gathers momentum.

[Nige]

Nathan Freeman has been heavily linked to Collingwood at pick 6 according to the latest draft whispers.

Billy Hartung has also been linked to St Kilda.

[Nige]

Finally, it's Tom Boyd!

[Mr.Craig]

Jarman Impey



Murray Bushrangers 9/7/95 177cm/78kg

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 21 Port Adelaide

2013 TAC Ave: 78.2

Profile

Impey is a small forward who has shown over the course of the year that he can also be used in defensive positions or even short stints in the midfield. He is very much the "enigmatic" player, someone who can really break the game apart while on other occasions having little impact. Jarman's DT scores in the TAC for 2013 highlight his inconsistency - 50, 139, 75, 79, 67, 65, 92, 62, 73, 108 and 50. He played all five games in the Under 18 Championships, averaging 16 disposals, 3.8 marks and 3.4 tackles (68.6 DT). He is similar in stature to Matthew Stokes and while there are still plenty of things to work on, he has the potential to be a quality AFL player in the same ilk.

SC Paige: Impey is a very unique prospect in this year's upcoming draft, and although he has natural pace, acceleration and agility - Impey is more than just your run-of-the-mill small forward. In a contested situation, Impey displays rare ability to possess time in traffic; he is cool, calm and finishes from the tightest of angles, and once that ball hits the ground, he sharks it with a clean one-handed pickup, and dances around opponents to create exciting and memorable goals; quite simply - Impey has a lot of Andrew Krakouer about him. Perhaps the biggest feather in Impey's cap in 2013 was his ability to swing into defence, showing off his elite ball use from the backline, which caused many to draw comparisons with a Chris Yarran type.

Bound For Glory: Despite being small in stature, Impey possesses an AFL ready body. He has great core strength and is rarely pushed off the ball. Impey may put on more weight when he goes through a full AFL preseason but he doesn't need to put on much more as he has filled out relatively early compared to his peers. Impey is one of those players who does not need a lot of the ball to impact the game, however he also lacks the mental toughness to find his own ball when things are going against him. His better games have been during victories, which is understandable for a small forward when there is limited supply, however it is concerning to see his influence on the game drop off considerably when the team is doing badly.

Mad Monday: Coming into the 2013 season there was no doubt that this kid has a lot of potential that could be transferred at the next level, and so far he has not disappointed as well as noticing an improvement in his gut-running and applied pressure on his opponents. Jarman has a body that AFL-ready, and combined with that 'midas touch' of his he could very easily be drafted somewhere in the second round if he keeps his consistency through the remainder of the TAC Cup season. Has been rotating off half-back, through the midfield and also utilised his elite goal sense and opportunistic fashion up forward which shows he worked very hard over the pre-season to make himself a better player.

Knightmare (BigFooty): In traffic Impey really stands out because he has more time and space than anyone else and can really step through traffic easily and then breakaway. Impey when given time and space also has some real ability to break the lines. He's also got the typical crumbing skills and the smarts to know where the ball is going, rove at the bottom of the contest and position himself in the right spots every time. What most stands out with Impey is what he does with ball in hand. Impy is also an excellent user of the footy with his footskills particularly damaging. He has the ability to hit the scoreboard and can do so easily when within range.

Fantasy Prospects

He has the body and ability to potentially get games early in the season but I would be very cautious of his vest risk and likelihood of putting in low scores. Unless he really tears pre season apart it's a pass from me.

Media

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-16/five-days-to-the-draft-meet-jarman-impey
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/jarman-impey
http://www.scpaige.com.au/draftees-in-focus-jarman-impey/
http://boundforglorynews.com/tac-cup-player-focus-jarman-impey/
http://madmondayshow.com/2013/07/20/player-profile-jarman-impey/

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhBZT9o-6EA

[Nige]

Can't remember whether I requested it or not, but can you please do one on Ben Brown, Craig?  :)

Edit: Oh and also Daniel McStay?

[Mr.Craig]

Settle down, one at a time. Brown is on the way. ;)

[Nige]

Settle down, one at a time. Brown is on the way. ;)

Haha, all good. Plenty of time, no hurry whatsoever.

Just thought I'd chuck both names in the one post before I forgot.  :-[

[Mr.Craig]

Ben Brown



Werribee 20/11/92 199cm/99kg

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 47 North Melbourne

2013 VFL Ave: 68.4

Profile

Originally from Tasmania, Brown moved to Victoria in 2013 to further his football career and despite a bumpy start it has culminated in a draft combine appearance and the strong chance of being picked up by an AFL team. The 20 year old is an energetic forward/ruck and a dead eye dick around goal, having booted 29.11 for the year. His scores in the VFL for the season were 17, 20, 110, 80, 69, 124, 38, 60, 37, 92, 107, 29, 35, 103, 102, 87, 46, 76. That is one of the craziest rollercoasters you're ever likely to see and it suggests there's still some work to do on his game. Ben is one of those awkward type players who isn't big enough to be a number one ruck at elite level and doesn't quite have the runs on the board yet to be considered a genuine KPF. However he does possess some obvious natural talent and could well develop in the next few years into a dangerous marking forward at AFL level.

AFL.com: The nephew of former Collingwood and Fitzroy player James Manson, Brown is a ruckman/tall forward in his first year of VFL football at Werribee. He is a former Tasmanian under-18 and senior representative with terrific aerobic capacity and contested marking ability. Also competes ferociously at ground level.

Knightmare (BigFooty): Brown in my view has been one of the big improvers this year and he's really starting to deliver on his talent with the strong footy he has played this season. Brown is a tall key forward who is a natural who absolutely clunks those contested marks but also has some ability below the knees for his size. As a set shot goalkicker Brown is an absolute dead eye and has one of the best set shot routines I've seen with the way he lines the ball up with the goals before going back and nailing it. He's also shown that he's a much improved ruckman now that he's put some more size onto his frame and isn't getting pushed around as much anymore. He's not a dominant tap ruckman but more someone who follows up well from the ruck contest and could present as a no.2 ruck option who plays the majority of his minutes up forward.

SC Paige: After a stellar season for Werribee in the VFL - Ben Brown, a big ruckman come key forward in his first year of VFL football at Werribee has quickly shot himself into draft contention after a consistent season. Brown was a former Tasmanian under-18 and senior representative only a few years ago, but went undrafted after areas of his game required work. Brown has a terrific aerobic capacity and contested-marking ability who also competes ferociously at ground level. A bit like Jack Gunston, Brown is just as reliable as they come from a set shot with a clean routine and the ability to sink goals from all over the park.

Fantasy Prospects

It's hard to see Brown establishing himself to the point where he'd be a legitimate cash cow but any potential option for R4 is always welcome.

Media

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/ben-brown
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-06/browns-hairraising-ride
http://werribee.starcommunity.com.au/star/2013-08-06/browns-big-chance/
http://www.theadvocate.com.au/story/1831325/impressive-draft-improves-browns-afl-chances/
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/werribee-star-footballer-ben-brown-a-strong-chance-to-enter-afl-ranks/story-fngnvog3-1226752664576

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6eRFWoLzIs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P17MyvlkTOA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQtUTpemU9Y

[Nige]

I'm a really big fan of the guy. His season for Werribee really impressed me. I'd love for him to get picked up by some team.

And yeah, I agree with the R4 comment.  ;D

[tbagrocks]

Loving it MC what a champ! ;D

Can I have little Charlie Cameron please?

[Mr.Craig]

I think I'm done for today. Maybe tomorrow.

[Nige]

One to watch - Mitch Harvey.