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

[KoopKicka]

Miller, Battersby, Thorp, Cavarra, Scott, Cain all not drafted wowee :o What are these guys smoking?

[Mr.Craig]

Miller, Battersby, Thorp, Cavarra, Scott, Cain all not drafted wowee :o What are these guys smoking?

It's funny about Battersby. I kind of had a feeling in the back of my mind he would be the Sam Colquhoun of the draft. Still surprised it actually happened. Miller is also a surprise but the rest were always going to be more PSD and rookie options.

[Mr.Craig]

23 players got picked up that I hadn't done profiles for yet so a bit of work to do in the coming weeks.

Looking back now I think Templeton not going is the biggest shock of all.

[nrich102]

23 players got picked up that I hadn't done profiles for yet so a bit of work to do in the coming weeks.

Looking back now I think Templeton not going is the biggest shock of all.

Should get picked up as a rookie, right? Wouldn't mind him at the lions.

[Tominator]

great thread mate. Can't believe I only just saw this.

Very VERY happy with Matt Crouch!!

[JBs-Hawks]

Craigy whos this guy we got with our first pick?

[Mr.Craig]

Craigy whos this guy we got with our first pick?

Check out the Hawks board. ;)

[JBs-Hawks]

Read tbags draft thread and he had him down as will hurting and was like who the flower is that.

happy with hartung though, gonna have to give hallahan some games though

[Nige]

Miller, Battersby, Thorp, Cavarra, Scott, Cain all not drafted wowee :o What are these guys smoking?

Surely most, if not all, of these guys as well as Eli Templeton will get picked up in the Rookie or PSD.

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Aliir Aliir got picked up, hope he does well.

[Nige]

Oh yeah, James Tsitas also overlooked. Bit stiff.

[timmyparso]

Miller, Battersby, Thorp, Cavarra, Scott, Cain all not drafted wowee :o What are these guys smoking?

Surely most, if not all, of these guys as well as Eli Templeton will get picked up in the Rookie or PSD.

Are any of these guys given permission to train with other clubs?

[Nige]

Miller, Battersby, Thorp, Cavarra, Scott, Cain all not drafted wowee :o What are these guys smoking?

Surely most, if not all, of these guys as well as Eli Templeton will get picked up in the Rookie or PSD.

Are any of these guys given permission to train with other clubs?

Well, the 27th is when the next two drafts are... So it's not like they're waiting long.

[Mr.Craig]

Darcy Gardiner



Geelong Falcons 22/9/95 192cm/85kg

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 22 Brisbane

2013 TAC Ave: 60.4

Profile

The Under 18 All Australian from Geelong is a key position defender who is usually assigned lockdown roles but can occasionally be used up forward. As such Gardiner rarely gets a heap of the ball but does take a decent amount of marks (5.6 per game in 2013). His DT scores in the TAC for 2013 were 51, 69, 84, 63, 35, 67, 57, 62, 74, 55 and 48. At the Championships he was utilised to good effect against the big forwards but also showed some pace and the ability to rebound. He averaged 7 disposals, 2 marks and 2 tackles from his three games. Darcy wasn't able to do any physical testing at the Combine due to injury but it was somewhat surprising to see him slip down to the second round of the draft.

SC Paige: A seriously hard working defender, Gardiner doesn't mind being drawn to the goal square on a one-on-one contest and will do the "1 percenters" and spoil and kill the ball even if in the slightest of doubt; he is a true full back. However, the biggest drawcard of Gardiner's abilities is that he plays the new-age swing role with ease, and can be rotated forward where he can impact the scoreboard - just as Essendon's Jake Carlisle, Geelong's Harry Taylor and Collingwood's Ben Reid do on a regular basis. Gardiner also again displays similar capabilities to the before mentioned trio, in that he has an above average kick when given time and space, a kick that is penetrating and often finds targets.

Bound For Glory: His versatility is another factor which makes him such a tasty proposition for any club. Much like Essendon's Jake Carlisle, Gardiner can drift forward during a game and become an important target. Gardiner's goal kicking is reasonable without being fantastic, but it's certainly nothing to be concerned about. He'd be in the average bracket for goal kicking and disposal in general but he usually makes good decisions. In terms of one-on-one contests, while Gardiner may give up some height and strength to forwards, he is quite impressive in terms of spoiling and his closing speed helps him in this regard. His speed also helps him defensively with his ability to run down forwards or peel off his man to cover for a teammate.

Mad Monday: He is easily the most consistent and most talented key defender in the 2013 crop and possesses all the necessary attributes that could make him a very serviceable "shut-down" tall at any AFL club. He shut down all his assigned opponents throughout the U18 Championships (such as Darcy Hourigan, Max Hayes and Max King) and also had the ability to gain possession in the defensive half and set up a counter-attack for VIC Country.

Fantasy Prospects

Unlikely to ever be fantasy relevant.

Media

http://www.lions.com.au/news/2013-11-21/pick-22
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-06/15-days-to-the-draft-meet-darcy-gardiner
http://video.news.com.au/v/142037/Pick-Me-Darcy-Gardiner
http://www.sen.com.au/display-article-2013/Path-to-the-Draft-Darcy-Gardiner/62541
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/sport/afl/lions-grant-falcons-wish/story-fnjuhrxq-1226765601889
http://boundforglorynews.com/2013-draft-profile-darcy-gardiner/
http://madmondayshow.com/2013/07/06/player-profile-darcy-gardiner/

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gPNCr4LaIE

[Kellogscrunchynut]

Only possible way I can think of him being fantasy relevant is if he gets blooded in the side late season ala Sam Shaw.