2015: Rookies

[THCLT]

Thanks THCLT
I'm tossing up between Tarrant or Hogan in the forward line, or pick both and put Lambert in the mids. There are so many question marks with our rookies this year. Heeney and Anderson could be subs or the best rookies for the year? Hogan might get smashed or find his feet and be a monster? Anyone who doesn't have to corrective trade 2 or 3 or maybe even 4 rookies is going to have a great start on everyone else.

Since I've been playing this game (only 2 years at that), I don't recall a start to a season where we have so many unanswered questions? Usually by now, we would have a couple of 'so-called' LOCK in the various lines but I just don't see it this year! As for our starting Rookies, they will most likely be selected from the pool that are named to start in RD1...it's just a matter of whether we select the right ones

DEF: Who will step up to the Elite status, Newnes is the only lock I can see
MID: Ablett match fitness? Can Rocky keep it going? Does that make Pendles/Jelwood lock in our midfield?
RUCK: Has NN done enough? Are Luey/TBC worth the cash saved? Not to mention the new Ruck scoring.
FWD: We're spoilt with options here...BUT which combo

As for our FWD line, I think it really comes down to our structure. If we are depending on 3 playing Rookies then I think Hogan is a must with his JS. If we're running with only 2 on-field Rookies then Hogan is less of a 'must-have'. I think most will be running with M Clark, so the remaining on-field comes down to personal preference. I may be showing my bias, but at the moment Clark and Tarrant are my respective F5 and F6 with either Lamb/Lambert/Lonie on the bench.

Good luck with your decision and hope you continue on your impressive ranking from last year.

 

[The Phoenix]

My limited experience indicates that generally rookies pick themselves merely by virtue of their selection in round 1 and not getting the green vest; all the research is fun to fill in time while waiting for the clock to tick down.

Nonetheless looking back through my paperwork I was mildly amused that pre-season I had written a list of some 35 rookies that looked to have some real potential, now that same list is less than 10 with even fewer that would rate close to certainties (for rookies). Ahh the heady days of GC and GWS when there was actually too many.

I still think many will pop up for brief and hopefully not so brief periods throughout the season but gee there ain't a lot to hang my hat on. Makes for a fun challenge so I hope ASADA doesn't take that away from us... genuinely, I hope it doesn't!

 

[DeliciousJedi]

So few teams with H.Goddard in therer now.

Thank god for Saad/Kamdyn/Goodes. Would like one more "lock" rookie but can make a backline with those three.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

@FootyRhino: Young @Fremantle_FC guns @ConnorBlakely19 & @lachieweller continue their impressive summers. Blakely has 28disp, Weller 24 for Peel late 4th

 

[Ricky Bobby]

@SuperCoachPaige: ROOKIE ALERT | Number two pick Angus Brayshaw had 26 disposals and kicked two goals for Casey today.

 

[jobeywatto]

Unfortunately that might be curtains for Vandenburg now. Was looking good up until his head knock vs. Essendon.

Only got 15 possessions in the VFL yesterday. Brayshaw looks like he's stolen Vandeburg's best 22 spot now.

Back to the drawing board...

 

[OzRulesFootball]

My limited experience indicates that generally rookies pick themselves merely by virtue of their selection in round 1 and not getting the green vest; all the research is fun to fill in time while waiting for the clock to tick down.

It is why after a couple of years of spending off seasons speculating and posting about stuff all through January and early Feb that I realized it can all be a wasted time thinking about it when so little is known of what actually will be the landscape at round one.
Last year was first time I basically only had a proper look the week the season started and it was my best result in terms of picking rookies. So this is second year doing the same. Only last weekend when caught up with last round of NAB Cup did I start to look at some likely rookies but even then I do not have anything really locked into team in my mind. Team selection is the big night for me. Cannot wait to actually know what I am dealing with and be able to see the real options.
Love this week. World Cup Final then the footy starts 4 days later. This is like sporting Christmas time. Some of you guys just open your presents way too early...lol

 

[aj74]

Unfortunately that might be curtains for Vandenburg now. Was looking good up until his head knock vs. Essendon.

Only got 15 possessions in the VFL yesterday. Brayshaw looks like he's stolen Vandeburg's best 22 spot now.

Back to the drawing board...

Hopefully only for a month or so. VBerg would make a pretty handy downgrade option by the looks

 

[AngryAnt]

Since I've been playing this game (only 2 years at that), I don't recall a start to a season where we have so many unanswered questions? Usually by now, we would have a couple of 'so-called' LOCK in the various lines but I just don't see it this year! As for our starting Rookies, they will most likely be selected from the pool that are named to start in RD1...it's just a matter of whether we select the right ones

DEF: Who will step up to the Elite status, Newnes is the only lock I can see
MID: Ablett match fitness? Can Rocky keep it going? Does that make Pendles/Jelwood lock in our midfield?
RUCK: Has NN done enough? Are Luey/TBC worth the cash saved? Not to mention the new Ruck scoring.
FWD: We're spoilt with options here...BUT which combo

As for our FWD line, I think it really comes down to our structure. If we are depending on 3 playing Rookies then I think Hogan is a must with his JS. If we're running with only 2 on-field Rookies then Hogan is less of a 'must-have'. I think most will be running with M Clark, so the remaining on-field comes down to personal preference. I may be showing my bias, but at the moment Clark and Tarrant are my respective F5 and F6 with either Lamb/Lambert/Lonie on the bench.

Good luck with your decision and hope you continue on your impressive ranking from last year.

Is Robbie Tarrant a capable enough scorer to have starting on ground? Could be a good bench option to accumulate value slowly but can't see him being a great scorer though. Would be what the third tall behind Thompson/Tippett or Grima i'm guessing.

 

[jobeywatto]

Is Robbie Tarrant a capable enough scorer to have starting on ground? Could be a good bench option to accumulate value slowly but can't see him being a great scorer though. Would be what the third tall behind Thompson/Tippett or Grima i'm guessing.

Looking at the North boards, it's 50/50 whether he even plays Round 1 at all. Some want Tippett along side Thompson, some want Tarrant along side Thompson.

Don't think Tarrant will be a great scorer anyway - never has been.

 

[Bob Loblaw]

Would anyone consider Jack Lonie over Jed Anderson if Vanderburg doesn't look like playing.

Jack Lonie St Kilda Fwd $117,300 71% 3 69 68 106 33

Averaged 69 from 71% TOG including a 33 against a Stk team that got smashed by the Hawks. Although his 106 was against essendon. I reckon 55-60 no sub.

Jed Anderson Hawthorn Mid $141,400 82% 3 79 106 70 60

Jeds 106 playing in Hawks VFL team inflates his score a fair bit. I reckon and average 65 if not sub.

How's Lonies JS & sub risk compared to Jed?
Fair or not fair?

 

[_Slip_]

Would anyone consider Jack Lonie over Jed Anderson if Vanderburg doesn't look like playing.

Jack Lonie St Kilda Fwd $117,300 71% 3 69 68 106 33

Averaged 69 from 71% TOG including a 33 against a Stk team that got smashed by the Hawks. Although his 106 was against essendon. I reckon 55-60 no sub.

Jed Anderson Hawthorn Mid $141,400 82% 3 79 106 70 60

Jeds 106 playing in Hawks VFL team inflates his score a fair bit. I reckon and average 60-65 if not sub.

How's Lonies JS & sub risk compared to Jed?
Fair or not fair?

I like Lonie but with Hawks looking to groom our future midfield post Hodge,Mitchell and Burgoyne Jedi will get a good go and Lonie is not in Jedi's class. Lonie will rely on limited supply whilst Jedi will rotate mid wing and half fwd.

 

[Junior Wölf]

Are people worrying about rookie midfielders right now? I have Cripps, Anderson, Heeney, CEY, Vandeberg, Miller and Krakour . . .

 

[OzRulesFootball]

Are people worrying about rookie midfielders right now? I have Cripps, Anderson, Heeney, CEY, Vandeberg, Miller and Krakour . . .

Would not be surprised if Anderson, Heeney and Krakouer either do not play or just starting sub.

 

[_Slip_]

Are people worrying about rookie midfielders right now? I have Cripps, Anderson, Heeney, CEY, Vandeberg, Miller and Krakour . . .

I'm not worried it is what it is. Unfortunately it will make a lot of teams look similar on the bottom half come the start of the season.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

Article from todays Herald Sun. Not sure if this is the best place for it, but probably close enough

Jetta set for running role
Adam Curley
30 March 2015 9:42 AM


Co-captain Jarrad McVeigh has predicted a new role for Lewis Jetta looks set to start the 2015 season as a running defender.

Jetta will take on the new role after veteran Nick Malceski’s moved to Gold Coast during last year’s trade period.

"Jetts has done a lot of the work in the pre-season in the defensive area, just trying to work on that side of his game,” McVeigh said.

“We know he’s got a very good attacking game, but just knowing where to set up and stuff like that is where he’s learning. He’s a guy we really want down there."

McVeigh knows just how valuable the electrifying West Australian will be to the Swans.

“He’s got unbelievable speed and great skills, and as we saw on the weekend against GWS, he loves to run and take the game on, so if he can firstly beat his man, and then get on the end of it, the forwards will be very happy.”

There has been plenty of hype already surrounding Sydney Swans recruit Isaac Heeney and it's all for a very good reason, according to McVeigh.

Knee tendinitis threatened to delay the debut of the 18-year-old but after careful management - and an impressive NAB Challenge campaign - he is a good chance to be rolled out for round one.

Heeney was thrust into the spotlight at the 2014 NAB AFL Draft when the Swans claimed him with pick No.18.

Many suggested he was a top-five pick but the Swans were able to snap him up with their late first-round selection because he came out of the club's development academy.

Heeney is now the face of the 'academy debate' (in which Victorian clubs are calling for a pure draft) but this certainly has not affected his preparation for 2015.

McVeigh says Heeney is getting on with business and already gained the respect of his teammates.

"His three games have been really impressive so it’s good to have guys pushing for positions," McVeigh said.

"We’ll see how [the round one team] pans out but the Swans supporters will definitely see him play this year. We’re excited for him.”

As a midfielder/forward Heeney looked comfortable in the Swans’ No.5 jumper, recently vacated by 2012 Norm Smith medallist Ryan O’Keefe.

He picked up 49 disposals and kicked three goals across the pre-season matches.

"He’s got a ready-made body for AFL and he knows our systems after coming through the academy. They learn what’s required to play at this level so he’s come off a really good base and done everything we’ve asked of him,” McVeigh said.

 

[The Phoenix]

Today according to AFL.com news "Roos also said Jeremy Howe, Bernie Vince, rookie Aaron vandenBerg and No.3 draft pick Angus Brayshaw were all in the selection mix for Saturday."

To be honest I'm sort of hoping AV remains a downgrade target but I guess if he's going to play it's better round 1 than say round 3. But we'll see.

 

[Ricky Bobby]

From MelbourneFC.com.au website

Brayshaw's round one push
Callum Twomey March 28, 2015 6:27 PM


MELBOURNE will consider blooding Angus Brayshaw in round one after the midfielder continued his push for a senior debut with another strong performance in the VFL.

A contingent of Demons officials, including senior assistant coach Simon Goodwin, development coach Brendan McCartney and football manager Josh Mahoney, watched on as Brayshaw gathered 26 disposals for the Casey Scorpions in their practice match loss to Williamstown.

The 19-year-old also booted the Scorpions' first goal in the opening term after smothering an opponent's kick and then running it into goal, before snapping his second major out of a clearance in the third term.

Brayshaw didn't feature in the club's NAB Challenge series after a couple of heavy head knocks during match practice, but with three VFL games under his belt, the Demons will consider him for their line-up to take on Gold Coast next Saturday at the MCG.

"We were happy Angus continued his form that he's had the last couple of weeks with Casey. He again played another strong game through the midfield and also kicked some goals in a good contribution," Mahoney said.

"The positive signs at the moment is there will be some interesting decisions at match committee this week with a number of guys who have been in good form and Angus will certainly be one of those guys in the squad and in the discussions."

Mahoney said the club was confident its No.3 pick at last year's NAB AFL Draft had enough match conditioning to contend for a round-one spot against the Suns.

"It was important that he played this weekend so that he made sure that he was [not] going to be not selected due to [a lack of] match practice," Mahoney said.

"He's now played three full games and it will be a decision for match committee to make based on our team balance and whether he plays round one or not."

Classy midfielder Bernie Vince will also be in contention after getting out on the field for the first time this pre-season.

An ongoing hamstring concern has kept him sidelined but he was cool in possession and collected 12 disposals as well as six tackles for the Scorpions. Vince regularly worked in tandem with Brayshaw in the midfield and around the stoppages.

Mahoney said the 29-year-old, who finished third in last year's best and fairest count in his first season after crossing from Adelaide, had gotten through the contest without any hiccups.

"Bernie was able to play about 70 per cent of today's game, which again was important and he's had a really interrupted pre-season so we thought it was important for him to play a VFL game," he said.

"He got through it well today so he'll be another one considered for this week."

Jeremy Howe, whose pre-season was also interrupted by a hamstring complaint, did not play but participated in a long training session on Friday in preparation for next week.

The leaping forward's ability to complete the bulk of pre-season before the setback leaves him in a better position than Vince to be picked next week.

"In the end the decision we made with Jeremy was for him to get through a really hard training session yesterday which he did and he pulled up really well," Mahoney said.

"We have another training session on Monday where he'll work hard again and all things going well he will again be considered for this week.

"Prior to his injury in January he did every session leading up to that, so he's got a fair bit of work behind him."

Second-year player Jay Kennedy-Harris was the standout of the other Melbourne-listed players in the contest at Casey Fields, kicking two lively goals from 17 disposals and providing plenty of run through the wing.

Viv Michie had 21 disposals and four marks, rookie Aaron vandenBerg gathered 15 disposals and Dean Kent had 17 disposals in a solid display.

Exclusive to melbournefc.com.au

 

[Goodie's Guns]

Kennedy-Harris doing well, with Kent also being solid will effect Vandenbergs chances of a round 1 debut unfortunately.

 

[Philzsay]

In the last couple of years due to the split rounds we have often had debates about if a rookie is playing first week do you just take him just in case there are few rookies the next week.

This year for mine there are two players I'm 50/50 on from the first Carlton/Richmond game. They are K. McIntosh and K Lambert.

Now the Carlton Richmond game starts at 7:20pm on Thursday. All of the other teams will be released at 6:25pm that night meaning there is less than an hour to make last minute changes, and who knows how VisualSports servers will hold up for that hour, but I would like to have my team in place before then just in case it does have a brain freeze.

If both are named and not sub, there will be a case to be made to include both. Especially for McIntosh considering how few potential backline rookies there are. I reckon if he is named I will put in him.