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

[Nige]

It looks like Freo will pick up Mitch Thorp with pick 37 ahead of Carlton at 39.

[Nige]

The Dees have all but committed to Nathan Freeman apparently.

[specky92]

Jay Kennedy-Harris looks exciting, hopefully provides the small forward/outside mid option we're in desperate need of,  8)

[KoopKicka]

hey Mr.Craig, can i request Ben Cavarra please? :)

[kilbluff1985]

Jay Kennedy-Harris looks exciting, hopefully provides the small forward/outside mid option we're in desperate need of,  8)

not sure if i want him or Merrett more :'(

[specky92]

Jay Kennedy-Harris looks exciting, hopefully provides the small forward/outside mid option we're in desperate need of,  8)

not sure if i want him or Merrett more :'(

:o The Merret's could turn into the Johnson's

[kilbluff1985]

yeah well Merrett is being talked up as the best decision maker in the draft really highly rated i hope we'll take him if available at #26

[Mr.Craig]

Ben Cavarra



Eastern Ranges 20/12/95 174cm/70kg

2013 TAC Ave: 93.2

Profile

Cavarra is one of the many sub 180cm midfielders who have flooded this years draft pool but few have the same pedigree as Ben. He captained Eastern Ranges to a TAC premiership in 2013 and was named the Pennington Medalist as B+F for the second year running (Sam Mitchell and Rory Sloane are the only others who have achieved that). Not only that but he was also awarded the Morrish Medal as best afield in the grand final. While his speed, clearance work and leadership are exceptional there are obviously some teams that are shying away from a player so small because he failed to gain the necessary nominations to earn an invite to the national combine. However he performed well at the state combine and there's a good chance he will be taken in the later rounds or the rookie draft. In the TAC this year Cavarra was named in the best for 12/16 games and put in DT scores of 84, 89, 112, 89, 87, 124, 85, 108, 73, 106, 125, 82, 106, 74, 77, 63 and 101. He played four games at the Under 18 Championships, averaging a healthy 21.5 disposals, 2.7 marks and 1.7 tackles (71.7 DT).

Knightmare (BigFooty): One of the best performed midfielders in this draft and has been dominant for some time now. Cavarra is one of the elite runners in the TAC and he never seems to run out of energy as one of those little energiser bunnies who seems to be at it all game long just running and running. Cavarra wins a combination of inside and outside ball and is an on field general barking out instructions and leading his team through his actions and words which is impressive for a young draft prospect.

Bound For Glory: However, the positives of Cavarra's game far outweigh the disadvantages. He is the engine room for the Ranges, constantly plucking the ball out of packs and getting into the hands of his team's running midfielders and half forwards. He burrows into packs, winning more clearances and contested possessions than most other players. He has great vision and football awareness, and even when his kicks miss the target, he is able to put them to advantage. His second efforts are second-to-none, often backing up two or three times in his sheer desperation to get the ball. Perhaps most importantly, however, he is a fantastic leader on the field, always encouraging and supporting his teammates, and issuing instructions.

SC Paige: To understand how Cavarra plays, you must witness his abilities. He is a prolific ball winner, has beautiful clean hands, and when in possession he just makes things happen. Cavarra knows when he's hot, and when he's out - that being, in close his awareness and vision is elite, being able to dish out a quick handball to a player running by or floating outside of the pack, and on the flipside - Cavarra can sum up traffic quite well, and often loves to put the afterburners on, taking on the game and bullocking forward, putting his team to advantage. Not too dissimilar to the Western Bulldogs' Nathan Hrovat, Cavarra is all class, and is blessed with leadership - underlined with the Ranges' captaincy in 2013.

Fantasy Prospects

It's difficult to see him getting games in 2014 but might be worth a look at some time in the future if he steps up to the elite level.

Media

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/ben-cavarra
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/eastern-ranges-captain-ben-cavarra-wins-second-consecutive-pennington-medal/story-fngnvmqa-1226744371348
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/afl-draft-prospect-ben-cavarra-battles-hard-for-eastern-ranges/story-fn53khk2-1226644627725
http://boundforglorynews.com/ben-cavarra-an-underrated-champion/
http://boundforglorynews.com/2013-draft-profile-ben-cavarra/
http://www.scpaige.com.au/draftees-in-focus-ben-cavarra/

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gaFdiWYHqM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BY13npZLVE

[stew42]

He actually looks pretty good, when do we think he'll get drafted?

[Mr.Craig]

He actually looks pretty good, when do we think he'll get drafted?

Round 4 to rookie. :-\

[kilbluff1985]

Hey Mr C could you please do Michael Sikora?

[Nige]

Been out all day, but here's the next one.

One week to go now; proud to say I called this one (although it wasn't difficult) - Billy Hartung

[Mr.Craig]

Hey Mr C could you please do Michael Sikora?

I see he has links with Essendon but I think I'd prefer to wait and see if he's picked up before going to the effort of putting a profile together. :)

[kilbluff1985]

Hey Mr C could you please do Michael Sikora?

I see he has links with Essendon but I think I'd prefer to wait and see if he's picked up before going to the effort of putting a profile together. :)

no worries mate

[KoopKicka]

Hey MC, I have another request for you when you have time, Josh Scott please. :)

To win both the TAC goalkicking and the Morrish medal is pretty impressive :P