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

[Nige]

2013 Offseason News ‏@theafloffseason 11m

Cal Twomey says he'd be "surprised" if Mitch Thorp found himself a new AFL home in tomorrow's rookie draft.



Cal's usually spot on...

Tough luck for Mitch.  :-\

[KoopKicka]

2013 Offseason News ‏@theafloffseason 11m

Cal Twomey says he'd be "surprised" if Mitch Thorp found himself a new AFL home in tomorrow's rookie draft.



Cal's usually spot on...

Tough luck for Mitch.  :-\

struggling to work out what he has done wrong, 80 goals, even for the TSL, is incredibly good, he is ready made and won everything you can imagine in the TSL. ???

[Nige]

Yeah, apparently all clubs have gone cold on him, really can't work out why though.  ???

[Mr.Craig]

Malcolm Karpany



Woodville-West Torrens 1/6/95 176cm/72kg

Drafted: Round 2, Pick 31 West Coast

2013 SANFL U/18 Ave: 93
2013 SANFL Reserves Ave: 57.5
2013 SANFL Seniors Ave: 23

Profile

Karpany is a small forward/midfielder who is best known for his medal winning performance in the Macca's Cup Grand Final. He had some injury concerns throughout 2013 which limited the amount of games he played at state level but was able to play a couple of senior games for the Eagles in April. In the Under 18's Malcolm had DT scores of 96, 82, 68, 98 and 120, his brilliant kick to handball ratio diminished somewhat in his reserves outings but he still managed respectable scores of 59 and 56. However he struggled to make the transition to the league side, finishing at the bottom of the stats sheet for both games with scores of just 33 and 13. At the Under 18 Championships Karpany averaged 13.2 disposals, 3 marks, 2 tackles and a goal a game (57.5 DT).

Shane Grimm: Malcolm went to boarding school in Adelaide and started the year fantastically well despite some issues getting around and meeting all his commitments. Played the first two games in the Under 18s and then played the next couple in the senior side and got injured and that set him back a bit for the state team because he came back into that underdone and probably didn't have the impact that he would have liked. Since he came back he's had some groin issues and missed about seven weeks before returning to the Under 18s finals series and won the Alan Stewart Medal as the best player on the ground in the grand final. He's just a natural footballer with great lateral movement, the best I've seen, and he rarely gets caught. Can run as fast sideways as he can forward and he's quite a good mark for a player of his size. He's also started developing a midfield inside game to complement his outside qualities. Enormous upside.

Knightmare (BigFooty): Karpany has some real x-factor to him through the midfield and up forward as that really damaging offensive player as that classy/evasive/composed type. Has some real pace and agility to him as someone who can break the lines, easily evade any tackle attempts with fakes and sidesteps to create space but then also is a damaging user of the footy with his footskills excellent. He's not only a finisher around goals but can also be a real playmaker with his vision and ability to execute by foot excellent. Despite being a smaller type he's also excellent in the air making his relative lack of height less relevant.

Chris25 (BigFooty): He has a had a great season at every level - solid performer at the U18 Championships, has made his SANFL league debut and was BOG in the U18s Grand Final. He moves around opponents probably better than anyone in the draft, just has really quick feet and is almost impossible to get a hand on at times. His kicking is also a joy to watch, and he gets reasonable power for a little bloke. My question is whether he becomes a midfielder or not. His midfield game progressed as the season went on, and he slowly started winning more of his own ball and positioned himself better on the outside too. But at the moment, he is still primarily a half forward - although having said that, a pretty dangerous one.

AFL.com: Karpany won the Alan Stewart Medal as best player in Woodville-West Torrens' SANFL under-18 Grand Final triumph last month; the performance entrenching him in many minds as a top-30 pick. He finished with 29 disposals, nine marks, seven inside-50 entries and two goals in a standout display. A classy midfielder who can also push forward, he has a penetrating left foot and elite recovery, plus agility which allows him to side-step through traffic. Good mark for his size and has clean hands.

Fantasy Prospects

His highlights reel certainly shows a player with great skills but for fantasy I don't see a huge amount of potential unless he can develop more of a midfield game, and that won't happen in 2014. It's probably not out of the realm of possibility that he could play a few games but his scoring is likely to be around the low 50's.

Media

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/video/2013-11-21/karpany-selected-at-pick-31
http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/video/2013-11-25/karpany-press-conference-251113
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/malcolm-karpany
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-11-07/sa-mid-moves-up-pecking-order
http://www.sen.com.au/display-article-2013/Path-to-the-Draft-Malcolm-Karpany/62534

[Mr.Craig]

Dylan Main



South Fremantle 2/9/95 189cm/77kg

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 49 West Coast

2013 WAFL Colts Ave: 67.2
2013 WAFL Reserves Ave: 62.4

Profile

Very little was written about Main pre-draft and I'm somewhat surprised West Coast overlooked Jonathon Marsh in favour of him. Dylan is listed as a medium forward but he only kicked 15 goals in his 35 game WAFL Colts/Reserves career so he may be moulded into a midfielder as his career progresses. He averaged 18.3 disposals at Colts level in 2013 for DT scores of 73, 119, 53, 49, 43, 48, 81, 42, 66 and 98. Impressively his output didn't drop off too much while stepping up to the reserves and his scores were 47, 59, 71, 36 and 99. Main didn't set the world alight at the Champs but was solid enough, averaging 12.8 possessions, 5.2 marks, 2.2 tackles (56.4 DT).

Rohan O'Brien: Dylan is from South Fremantle. He plays wing or half-back. He played colts for a lot of the year and then moved in to the (WAFL) reserves for some of it. He's a good runner, he's got good skills and he can play a few different roles. He could quite well move in to the midfield at some stage.

Fantasy Prospects

I'd imagine he'll be sent off to the WAFL seniors for the year and he doesn't have the numbers to sustain decent scores anyway at this point in his career.

Media

http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2013-11-22/pick-49-dylan-main
http://www.westcoasteagles.com.au/news/2013-11-25/put-me-anywhere-main
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/dylan-main
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/welcome-to-west-coast-pick-49-dylan-main.1041851/
http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/afl/west-coast-draftees-tom-barrass-and-dylan-main-pinching-themselves-on-first-day-at-club/story-fniv6fhh-1226766362993

[Vinny]

I will be disappointed if Mitch Thorp doesn't get picked. :( Poor guy.

[Ricochet]

WAFL reserves is a pretty weak comp so no surprises his output stayed similar when stepping up from Colts

[Mr.Craig]

WAFL reserves is a pretty weak comp so no surprises his output stayed similar when stepping up from Colts

Do you know if many under 18 players get regular games in the reserves? It was my impression it happened a bit more in the SANFL than the WAFL?

[Ricochet]

Last two-three years Clubs have started blooding 16-18 year olds through the ressies. Its becoming more and more popular.
Even those that are too young to get drafted

[Mr.Craig]

I wish they would get more serious about it in the VFL. I guess something can be said for the continuity of staying in the same TAC side all year but I'm not sure why the Vic Development League isn't used more to transition kids to the AFL. The whole "23rd man" thing in the VFL just feels a bit half hearted.

[Ricochet]

Yeh mate, it is certainly starting to work well in the WAFL

[Mr.Craig]

Nicholas Holman



Murray Bushrangers 29/5/95 187cm/79kg

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 51 Carlton

2013 TAC Ave: 88.3
2013 VFL Ave: 35

Profile

Holman is a handy inside midfielder who has been praised for his contested work, speed and toughness. He regularly collected over 20 possessions in the TAC during 2013 but his disposal efficiency can be extremely poor at times, Nick's DT scores for the season were 69, 65, 76, 78, 107, 101, 93, 89, 62, 95, 116 and 109. He got one opportunity at VFL level for the Bushrangers and scored 35 DT. At the Champs Holman averaged 17.4 touches, 2.6 marks, 4.6 tackles and led Vic Country for contested possessions (66.6 DT per game). Physically he is ready to go but Nick still has some work to do on his consistency and skills before making an AFL debut.

Bound For Glory: Holman is a medium midfielder who has shown he can play at either end as well, trawling off the half back and half forward flanks with some success. Primarily he will play that inside role and try and win clearances or get it out as quickly as possible to a teammate on the outside. One thing worth noting about Holman is he can also play that outside game where he can use his deceptive pace to run-and-carry. While he's no line breaker, he isn't your traditional plodding inside midfielder who has little to no pace. One of the biggest advantages about Holman is his ferocious tackling which impresses fans with his fanatical nature and his ability to hold on and just not let go.

SC Paige: Holman is tough, very physical and craves a contest, where his strong body and ability to extract the ball out come to the fore. Playing mostly as an inside footballer, Holman also displayed his credentials off half back, proving handy in a one-on-one contest against those similar in size, and was able to clear the ball when given the opportunity to do so. The hallmark of Holman's game however, is his tackling. He is ferocious, hard to side step around, and so strong through his hips and legs and upper body, that he makes his tackle stick. When Holman is playing on-ball, his clearance work was a talking point. He gets boot to ball with ease, or dishes out a strong handball to release an outside player.

Mad Monday: Has been an "around-about" prospect throughout the Champs, but the kid from Kyabram showed why he was selected in the Vic Country squad at Etihad Stadium - his inside game! Of his 19 disposals against Vic Metro, 11 were contested and he also laid 5 huge tackles throughout the game. His grinding style of football is exactly what a team like Sydney, Port Adelaide and Fremantle live on and could be a true draft prospect for any of these clubs! Has a kick-to-handball ratio well below 1:1, but can add certain depth to a team that would want greater firepower and grit in the guts....Way to go Nick!

Fantasy Prospects

If I'm looking for someone named Nick who was drafted by Carlton in the third round I'd be going with Nick Graham rather than Holman. I can't see him making an impact in 2014 but he might be fantasy relevant when he does happen to debut.

Media

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/video/2013-11-21/cfc-tv-nick-holman-highlights
http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/2013-11-21/holman-a-blueboy
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/nick-holman
http://boundforglorynews.com/2013-draft-profile-nick-holman/
http://www.scpaige.com.au/draftees-in-focus-nick-holman/

[Mr.Craig]

Matt Fuller



Norwood 1/6/90 180cm/84kg

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 42 Western Bulldogs

2013 SANFL Seniors Ave: 66.5

Profile

A switch from the wing to half back in 2013 has resulted in Fuller transforming himself from a middle of the road SANFL player to now being on the Western Bulldogs list. He is a booming left foot kick and excellent user of the footy who was entrusted at times with the kick in's for Norwood but also made his way forward to roost some goals from outside 50. His disposal numbers never reached any great heights for the season, often gather around 14-17 touches and his DT numbers reflect his modest output - 56, 41, 65, 40, 55, 63, 36, 77, 70, 70, 44, 114, 50, 59, 85, 106, 78 and 89. Those last four games were he averaged 89.5 suggest that there is some potential for him to put in decent scores if he's given a fantasy friendly role.

AFL.com: An exceptional kick on both sides of his body, the natural left-footer was one of Norwood's most important in securing back-to-back SANFL premierships. Fuller reads the play well and has strong hands and was so often the driving force behind the side's attack this season. The 23-year-old drifted forward to boot seven goals including a 60m bomb in the grand final.

Knightmare (BigFooty): Fuller is an exceptional kick on both sides with that left foot particularly penetrating with that 65m he can roost it. He's a versatile player who can play forward or back or he's someone you really want the ball in the hands of. Down back he's a precision kick with excellent vision and ability to find the targets up the field. Up forward he's someone who can find the targets inside 50 but then also load up long and kick the 60 meter plus goal. He's not a super high level accumulator and it's really just the kick that sets him apart but with the damage he does he's someone who could be an effective role player for a team looking for a bit more hurt factor.

Fantasy Prospects

As his scores suggest, Fuller isn't going to be a mature age backline success story in the same way that Goodes and Terlich were. Having said that, he's in the top half a dozen draftees as far as potential JS for the position so he needs to be kept under consideration.

Media

http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2013-11-26/dogs-fuller-down-back
http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2013-11-27/fullers-draft-surprise
http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/video/2013-11-26/fullers-first-day
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/matthew-fuller
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-29/fuller-kept-under-wraps

YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqmgf5ANvpk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yMF57pbME
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWaAjSqpQ6M

[Mr.Craig]

Orazio Fantasia



Norwood 14/9/95 176cm/65kg

Drafted: Round 3, Pick 55 Essendon

2013 SANFL Reserves Ave: 77.1
2013 SANFL Seniors Ave: 48.2

Profile

Fantasia was one of a few young South Australian's that didn't receive much attention from draft gurus but ended up being taken in the third round by Essendon. He is a lightly built, dynamic forward who played most of his footy at reserves level in 2013. He was named in the best for 7/11 games and kicked 14 goals with DT scores of 56, 66, 75, 56, 82, 89, 37, 79, 131, 78 and 100. Orazio got a few opportunities in the senior team with one standout game and then, having not played football in a month, he was called up for the grand final but didn't have much impact. His scores were 28, 36, 103 and 26. Fantasia was a handy player in the Under 18 Championships, averaging 15.5 disposals, 1.5 marks and 2.7 tackles (66 DT per game). Essendon were in need of another smart crumber and Orazio fit the bill.

Chris25 (BigFooty): There are quite a few small forwards on offer in this draft, and not only that but there are a good handful from just South Australia alone. The toughest thing for these players this season wasn't to play well, it was to stand out from the crowd. And Orazio Fantasia did just that in the U18 Championships this year, despite not being on everyone's radar coming into the season. He didn't play in the first round match, but kicked 7 goals in the remaining four games and was arguably the best small forward in the tournament - although the All Australian selectors decided to go with midfielders in the forward pockets. Fantasia has also made his senior SANFL debut this year, spending the rest of his time in the Reserves. He isn't ever going to win much more than 15 disposals, but he is a real livewire up forward and always seems to have a hand in scoring plays. Unselfish player with good speed, he is a genuine crumbing forward with real x-factor. And while he might not be quite as annoying, he reminds me a little of Hayden Ballantyne.

Knightmare (BigFooty): Fantasia is one of the better natural crumbers in this draft as someone who is really natural whenever the ball hits the deck reacting quicker than the next guy and picking it up cleanly. He can finish around goal as well as play the role as playmaker and hit up targets inside 50 with his vision and precision use by foot. Fantasia has above average pace and a nice sidestep that allows him to get around guys.

Fantasy Prospects

Highly unlikely we'll see him in 2014 but worth keeping an eye on in the VFL to see how he develops.

Media

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2013-11-21/pick-55
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/orazio-fantasia
http://bigpondvideo.com/AFL/591489/draft-prospect-orazio-fantasia/
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/or-fantasias-fantasy-season-to-get-better/story-fnii057l-1226764205274

[kilbluff1985]

i think we might see him sooner then expected only cause i have no faith in Licka or Chappy playing a full season