2009's Surprise: L Picken?

[ralphsclimbing]

We had 2 serious needs in the off season.
1...a target up forward
2...a shutdown midfielder to allow Boyd to shine
we got the midfielder in Picken and he is also a really hard nut. His demeanor on the field doesn't change whether he is in pain or dishing it out.
I also have him in my supercoach team and all the experts say sell him while his value is high.....no way. I think he will playout the year very strongly.

NOW>>>>>WHERE IS THE BIG FORWARD...

[LostDoggy]

Whilst true, the Rookie list is becoming a major factor in the AFL system. We had 4 of 22 players last night find their way onto our list via this method which is a fair portion for a team that is 3rd on the ladder. Considering these kids are usually passed over by each club 4-5 times each year after nominating for the draft it's a surprisingly good result.

Hi Mofra. I was thinking about the Dogs too, but I think we're an exception to the rule in the system, as we've had to think outside the square a bit to get good recruits mainly due to our financial situation previously (not using 100% of the cap) and because Rocket is a lateral thinker. I don't think this is as common a phenomenon at other clubs (is it?)

[LostDoggy]

We had 2 serious needs in the off season.
1...a target up forward
2...a shutdown midfielder to allow Boyd to shine
we got the midfielder in Picken and he is also a really hard nut. His demeanor on the field doesn't change whether he is in pain or dishing it out.
I also have him in my supercoach team and all the experts say sell him while his value is high.....no way. I think he will playout the year very strongly.

NOW>>>>>WHERE IS THE BIG FORWARD...

Check out Willy seniors and reserves. A handful of very good big Dogs forwards (and backmen) developing nicely. We'll see them in the tri-colours soon enough.

[mjp]

So what was your arguement again?

I guess the way around this is to take your state level players with your later picks such that you can access the best kids with your early one's.

Not a bad plan.

I do think that due to the nature of the Rookie list (able to be elevated in the event of injury) that this is the spot for the 20yo state league player. Ready to go if needed. I actually dont see much point in having skinny kids on the rookie list - what is the value? To me, Picken (and Morris in the past) were great examples of the sort of player who should be targeted - fairly well developed (but still learning), couple of years of senior footy (league or reserves, doesn't matter) with leg-speed.

That way, if there is an injury, we have someone to come in.

[ralphsclimbing]

Check out Willy seniors and reserves. A handful of very good big Dogs forwards (and backmen) developing nicely. We'll see them in the tri-colours soon enough.

I really like our draft strategy the last 2 years particularly last years....picking up the best available big guy. Cordy we may see a couple of times this year but he is Skiiiiiiiny and any playing time this year will be brief.
Roughy should be a nice strong body.
We need development out of 2007 draft stocks. maybe no one will like me saying it but Jarrad Grant has been dissapointing. I know he had pretty much a year out with OP and that would have slowed his development but he needs to STEP UP TO THE PLATE NOW !!!!!

[Mantis]

We need development out of 2007 draft stocks. maybe no one will like me saying it but Jarrad Grant has been dissapointing. I know he had pretty much a year out with OP and that would have slowed his development but he needs to STEP UP TO THE PLATE NOW !!!!!

I think you really need to show a little more patience.

Grant will hopefully play 3 or 4 more AFL games this year and with another full pre-season under his belt we would look at him playing 15+ games next year and show further improvement. We won't really see the best from Grant for another 2 or 3 years at which point his fitness will have improved and he would have added some meat to his skinny body.

[Twodogs]

I think you really need to show a little more patience.

Grant will hopefully play 3 or 4 more AFL games this year and with another full pre-season under his belt we would look at him playing 15+ games next year and show further improvement. We won't really see the best from Grant for another 2 or 3 years at which point his fitness will have improved and he would have added some meat to his skinny body.

^^^^^^
Agreed. Dont forget he was drafted as a 17yo as well. That makes him a year younger than most of his peers.


I'm genuinely excited about Grant-he's got a lot of tools.

[Mofra]

Agreed. Dont forget he was drafted as a 17yo as well. That makes him a year younger than most of his peers.


I'm genuinely excited about Grant-he's got a lot of tools.

Combined with losing half a season and being naturally skinny, he will take time. His hands are far too sticky to think he won't make it as a senior player, especially given his leg speed for his size.

I'm more excited about Cordy though. I now understand the hype on the kid. Will take time too but he moves like a quick rover.

[Twodogs]

Combined with losing half a season and being naturally skinny, he will take time. His hands are far too sticky to think he won't make it as a senior player, especially given his leg speed for his size.

I'm more excited about Cordy though. I now understand the hype on the kid. Will take time too but he moves like a quick rover.

Personally I'm just as excited about Roughead. The kid's a natural tap ruckman-always gets the ball to a midfielder. When he bulks up a bit he'll take the comp by storm! Cordy's abilty to pick the ball up from below his knees is outstanding, he will be a ripper!


I'm looking forward to Roughie palming the ball to Cooney/Griffen/Boyd/Ward/etc and the midfielders planting the ball onto the chest of Cordy/Grant/Murphy/etc and another goooaaallllll!!!

[Go_Dogs]

Not a bad plan.

I do think that due to the nature of the Rookie list (able to be elevated in the event of injury) that this is the spot for the 20yo state league player. Ready to go if needed. I actually dont see much point in having skinny kids on the rookie list - what is the value? To me, Picken (and Morris in the past) were great examples of the sort of player who should be targeted - fairly well developed (but still learning), couple of years of senior footy (league or reserves, doesn't matter) with leg-speed.

That way, if there is an injury, we have someone to come in.

I tend to agree - but at the same time do we want to put speculative, skinny kids on the senior list, where their chances of success are no different, but we have to pay them more $$? Having some like Henry White on the rookie list is ok imo, as long as it's offset with a few ready made type players who can fill a role if we suffer LTI's.

[The Coon Dog]

Though this may be of interest.

Reward for club rookies

By Jon Ralph October 27, 2008

AFL rookies will have greater opportunity to shine next year, with clubs able to automatically elevate a rookie halfway through the season.

As part of the compensation for clubs giving away valuable draft picks to the Gold Coast, all 16 clubs will be allowed two extra rookies in the 2009-10 seasons.

In the past, clubs have had to put a senior-listed player on the long-term injury list for eight weeks to elevate a rookie.

That has seen the unfortunate situation where a well-performed rookie has had to return to the rookie list, and VFL footy, despite showing strong form in the AFL.

Starting next season, if a player has impressed enough a club can decide to elevate him irrespective of the club's injury list.

Clubs without two listed veterans can already nominate a rookie to play during the year, with Carlton rookie Michael Jamieson competing in 16 games last season.

The new ruling will give some clubs as many as two extra players on their list in the second half of the year.

It is another win for rookie-listed players, with some of the stars of the competition coming from the rookie list over the past decade.

Players such as Dean Cox, Brett Kirk, Brad Sewell, Dean Brogan, Tarkyn Lockyer, Ben Rutten and Nathan Foley have all been promoted rookies.

AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the rule would help clubs maximise the extra rookies on their lists.

"There will be an opportunity to upgrade a rookie at the halfway mark of the season without having to put someone on the injured list," Anderson said.

"I was just talking to Mick Malthouse at the (International Rules) jumper presentation and of the players here in Perth, 10 have made their way off rookie lists.

"There are a lot of great players among them and it goes to show it is a vital pathway for players that missed out on being drafted."

The Gold Coast club will get access to 16 uncontracted players plus selections 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 in the 2011 national draft.

Existing clubs will be compensated with a future draft pick for losing an uncontracted star, with a complicated formula to determine the number of the draft selection.

[bulldogtragic]

^^^^^

Isn't that a great bonus.

Little compensation though for what GC17 will get.

[chef]

So is it only one rookie TCD?

[The Coon Dog]

So is it only one rookie TCD?

I see it that way as we have Johnno on the Veteran's List.

[Dry Rot]

How good has he been tonight?

Sorted Delidio out and then showed what he learnt as a VFL forward.