Discussion 2022: Rookie Discussion
- Thread starter Shannon
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Right with you on that. The coach hasn't even fully committed to starting him in R1.
Mind you, it would (should?) only take JOM or Titchell missing a week with general soreness or whatever and he could swing a 100+ spike score and be traded out a few weeks later. He certainly has the skills, which is more than you can say for just about any mid rookie at a cheaper price.
Mind you, it would (should?) only take JOM or Titchell missing a week with general soreness or whatever and he could swing a 100+ spike score and be traded out a few weeks later. He certainly has the skills, which is more than you can say for just about any mid rookie at a cheaper price.
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We did play 3 talls + Stringer for most of last year but winded up only playing 2. When Jones was injured we only played Francis or Hooker up forward with Wright but not both and I think we looked better up forward in doing so.
Our attack was half decent last year and we didn’t struggle to score too much, our issues were more down back for most of the year (although it improved late). I’m not too keen on us playing Francis up forward as I haven’t seen much of a sign that he’s any good.
Our attack was half decent last year and we didn’t struggle to score too much, our issues were more down back for most of the year (although it improved late). I’m not too keen on us playing Francis up forward as I haven’t seen much of a sign that he’s any good.
Probably highlights just how bad that low end rookie group is that a guy that is pretty comfortably in the 21st+ selection in his team is looking like a really good option 
I thought about adding a ranking for the DPP guys to try and reflect it, would have both ahead of Hayes purely on price, DPP and likelihood of early games, fwiw.
Carlton not as bad on the rookies given Durdin, Kemp and McDonald aren't debutants. Durdin hopefully is fit for round 1 as despite his role he's "cheap" this year and his job security has looked as good as anyone on the list.
Either way I think you have to include on the bench if Ward is picked and a good role can be seen as they should be 4 of the best cash generators.
He played a bit of wing and half back in the first game when Titch and JOM were playing, I think the most likely role I can see for him would be a HF/Wing role pushing as an extra midfielder. Probably basically spelling Shiels and Wingard for about 30% each when they go inside/bench, that's where I can fit him, still is basically 21st selected though which is a concern.
Positive is he can win his own ball, shows good composure and foot skills and solid tackle technique, so should score as long as he's not stuck forward pocket or getting 40% TOG numbers. Almost would say the two North rookies last year are probably his realistic best and worst case scenarios, if he rots forward you get Phillips, if he gets that hybrid midfield role it's Powell. There is the scenario of injuries to a couple of JOM, Worpel, O'Meara or Newcombe that does open a glorious role. There's also the pathway that he proves he's better than a couple of them early on. I do get the feeling Ward could be a slow burner though, possibly with a couple of weeks in the VFL in the middle.
Bombers are such a hard team to read this year, the whole half the midfield missing last year aspect distorts roles for a lot of guys and somehow manages to impact the forward line as well.
Jones is pretty good in his pressure work at ground level, Stringer can be very good in this area and I think Francis and Baldwin have the mobility to also be ok. This is really the key to being able to play taller, a large part of why the Eagles could play Lycett and another tall with Darling and Kennedy is both were always good at ground level pressure. Really it's up to those guys whether it can work.
I do think that it's likely they probably play the 4 talls to start the season at least until Walla is back, as I think that Francis and Baldwin is ahead of a Guelfi/Ham type in that role for potential impact. Interesting dynamic to watch though.
We're massively dependent on Carlton going by this list, which immediately limits the likelihood for their best 22 options - Carlton isn't going to show up with four debutants for example (at least in my expectation), but also gives us clarity before any games kick off.
Maginness is the obvious one that I hope gets picked - the rest look pretty poor on the role/scoring, but Finn could just to a top 5 option just by being selected in a fit Hawthorn team.
Surprised you didn't include Hayes and Dixon in here too. They seem a lot more relevant as rucks than right at the bum end of the forward line.
I would've thrown Xerri in here too - I'll give him that $1k leeway over the JHF price.
Maginness is the obvious one that I hope gets picked - the rest look pretty poor on the role/scoring, but Finn could just to a top 5 option just by being selected in a fit Hawthorn team.
Surprised you didn't include Hayes and Dixon in here too. They seem a lot more relevant as rucks than right at the bum end of the forward line.
I would've thrown Xerri in here too - I'll give him that $1k leeway over the JHF price.
Carlton not as bad on the rookies given Durdin, Kemp and McDonald aren't debutants. Durdin hopefully is fit for round 1 as despite his role he's "cheap" this year and his job security has looked as good as anyone on the list.
Either way I think you have to include on the bench if Ward is picked and a good role can be seen as they should be 4 of the best cash generators.
He played a bit of wing and half back in the first game when Titch and JOM were playing, I think the most likely role I can see for him would be a HF/Wing role pushing as an extra midfielder. Probably basically spelling Shiels and Wingard for about 30% each when they go inside/bench, that's where I can fit him, still is basically 21st selected though which is a concern.
Positive is he can win his own ball, shows good composure and foot skills and solid tackle technique, so should score as long as he's not stuck forward pocket or getting 40% TOG numbers. Almost would say the two North rookies last year are probably his realistic best and worst case scenarios, if he rots forward you get Phillips, if he gets that hybrid midfield role it's Powell. There is the scenario of injuries to a couple of JOM, Worpel, O'Meara or Newcombe that does open a glorious role. There's also the pathway that he proves he's better than a couple of them early on. I do get the feeling Ward could be a slow burner though, possibly with a couple of weeks in the VFL in the middle.
Bombers are such a hard team to read this year, the whole half the midfield missing last year aspect distorts roles for a lot of guys and somehow manages to impact the forward line as well.
Jones is pretty good in his pressure work at ground level, Stringer can be very good in this area and I think Francis and Baldwin have the mobility to also be ok. This is really the key to being able to play taller, a large part of why the Eagles could play Lycett and another tall with Darling and Kennedy is both were always good at ground level pressure. Really it's up to those guys whether it can work.
I do think that it's likely they probably play the 4 talls to start the season at least until Walla is back, as I think that Francis and Baldwin is ahead of a Guelfi/Ham type in that role for potential impact. Interesting dynamic to watch though.
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Eagles sign three SSP players
The West Coast Eagles have offered rookie contracts to Luke Strnadica, Patrick Naish and Tom Joyce
A devastating run of injuries across the last few weeks has created opportunities for others, with three players today afforded AFL lifelines with the West Coast Eagles.
The club had kept open one rookie list position, but after yesterday placing premiership defender Tom Cole and first round draftee Campbell Chesser on the inactive list after each suffered long-term ankle injuries in the last fortnight, three rookies have been added.
The AFL has today approved the elevation of East Fremantle ruckman Luke Strnadica, wingman Patrick Naish and midfielder Tom Joyce to be seconded as rookie list additions.
Strnadica, formerly on Fremantle’s list, has been at the club for much of the summer, but has been restricted to light duties in recent weeks with a foot injury. He is just starting to move into his work and offers big man support for Nic Naitanui and Bailey Williams.
The club added another former Fremantle player Hugh Dixon last week through the supplemental player selection period and he can also provide cover as a forward/ruck option. He has impressed in two pre-season hitouts for the club.
Along with Strnadica and Dixon inside midfielder Tom Joyce is from East Fremantle, although he has returned to the west after a stint with Brisbane. He looked strong and composed in the clinches in the pre-season series loss to Fremantle on Sunday.
Naish, who played nine games with Richmond including six last season, had been on the radar of Eagles recruiting staff after being de-listed by the Tigers.
He arrived in Perth as soon as he could after the relaxation of border restrictions, landing here last Thursday before playing out an impressive second half against the Dockers.
Injected into the game in the third quarter, he had 14 possessions and kicked a goal.
“We have obviously received an unusually high number of long-term injuries in the last few weeks and we needed to navigate a way through that to offer greater depth in a number of areas,” list and recruiting manager Rohan O’Brien said.
“So we placed Campbell Chesser and Tom Cole on the inactive list because they are likely to be sidelined for the next four to six months. They are both important players in the short and long term and we need to act in their best interests and give them time to recover appropriately.
“That also means we are able to provide opportunities for Luke Strnadica, Tom Joyce and Patrick Naish which is exciting. All three have been most impressive through this period with both their attitude and application and it is great to offer them another chance.”
The West Coast Eagles have offered rookie contracts to Luke Strnadica, Patrick Naish and Tom Joyce
A devastating run of injuries across the last few weeks has created opportunities for others, with three players today afforded AFL lifelines with the West Coast Eagles.
The club had kept open one rookie list position, but after yesterday placing premiership defender Tom Cole and first round draftee Campbell Chesser on the inactive list after each suffered long-term ankle injuries in the last fortnight, three rookies have been added.
The AFL has today approved the elevation of East Fremantle ruckman Luke Strnadica, wingman Patrick Naish and midfielder Tom Joyce to be seconded as rookie list additions.
Strnadica, formerly on Fremantle’s list, has been at the club for much of the summer, but has been restricted to light duties in recent weeks with a foot injury. He is just starting to move into his work and offers big man support for Nic Naitanui and Bailey Williams.
The club added another former Fremantle player Hugh Dixon last week through the supplemental player selection period and he can also provide cover as a forward/ruck option. He has impressed in two pre-season hitouts for the club.
Along with Strnadica and Dixon inside midfielder Tom Joyce is from East Fremantle, although he has returned to the west after a stint with Brisbane. He looked strong and composed in the clinches in the pre-season series loss to Fremantle on Sunday.
Naish, who played nine games with Richmond including six last season, had been on the radar of Eagles recruiting staff after being de-listed by the Tigers.
He arrived in Perth as soon as he could after the relaxation of border restrictions, landing here last Thursday before playing out an impressive second half against the Dockers.
Injected into the game in the third quarter, he had 14 possessions and kicked a goal.
“We have obviously received an unusually high number of long-term injuries in the last few weeks and we needed to navigate a way through that to offer greater depth in a number of areas,” list and recruiting manager Rohan O’Brien said.
“So we placed Campbell Chesser and Tom Cole on the inactive list because they are likely to be sidelined for the next four to six months. They are both important players in the short and long term and we need to act in their best interests and give them time to recover appropriately.
“That also means we are able to provide opportunities for Luke Strnadica, Tom Joyce and Patrick Naish which is exciting. All three have been most impressive through this period with both their attitude and application and it is great to offer them another chance.”
