Talia makes Rising Star a family affair

[always right]

He's an interesting player.

He looks awkward at times, looks slow and his disposal isn't great but he finds a way to be effective. His footy IQ/ability to read the play is very good for such a young player and is the reason he keeps finding so much of the ball. He's a really good defender one on one already, much like his brother, and although he lacks pace he's making a habit of effecting spoils at the right time.

What has surprised me most is his ball handling skills. As I said earlier he looks awkward at times, but he's very clean with his hands, and scoops the ball off the deck better than most big men.

Looks like developing into a great player of the future, especially if we can surround him with good runners/ball users.

Funny how we form different opinions. I never picked him as being slow......in fact his mobility is one of his strengths. I know mobility is different from pace but I certainly don't consider him to be much different to his predecessor Ryan Hargrave.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Funny how we form different opinions. I never picked him as being slow......in fact his mobility is one of his strengths. I know mobility is different from pace but I certainly don't consider him to be much different to his predecessor Ryan Hargrave.

He's a great athlete in the endurance sense. Where most KPP's blow up after one or two efforts (see Jones), Talia can make repeat efforts and then do it all again ten seconds later. As you said he's really mobile, he's just not particularly quick, so it would be interesting to see how he would handle the quicker opponents.

[w3design]

Congratulations Micca, well deserved.
Stick with Moz as a mentor, you could not have better.

I seem to remember a very favourable report on Micca's weights/gym work over the pre-season. The same again in the next off season should also pay handsome dividends, as no doubt will continuing the extra work on kicking skills.
Our back 6 looks a lot better with this lad down there.

[Greystache]

Funny how we form different opinions. I never picked him as being slow......in fact his mobility is one of his strengths. I know mobility is different from pace but I certainly don't consider him to be much different to his predecessor Ryan Hargrave.

He ran 3.01 seconds over 20m at the draft camp, so about mid range and probably above average for a key position player. He's not a speedster, but his pace isn't a concern for me.

His 14.2 in the beep test was really his only standout physical attribute, but for a player as strong as he is that is elite and it's already showing through in his game at AFL level.

[Nuggety Back Pocket]

He ran 3.01 seconds over 20m at the draft camp, so about mid range and probably above average for a key position player. He's not a speedster, but his pace isn't a concern for me.

His 14.2 in the beep test was really his only standout physical attribute, but for a player as strong as he is that is elite and it's already showing through in his game at AFL level.

Talia's improvement has been one of the few highlights in recent weeks and has helped stiffen our defence. A shame to lose JJ as he along with Talia are two of the younger brigade in which to build our backline around. Young is another younger defender, who should have a long career. With Roughead and Morris we are in pretty good shape down back.

[LostDoggy]

I know he is young, but am I the only one who thinks Talia looks very nervous when he has the ball or when the ball is near him? I'm quite surprised to see he has an disposal efficiency of 78%, as most the time I see him kick it or handball it results in the other team getting it.

Could be cos he is hitting his targets, but it was the wrong option

[Remi Moses]

Would of thought this was a perfect example of keeping your first and second round picks and not trading!
We dodged a bullet here, and thankfully Melbourne were silly enough to want a first rounder for Bate.

[Greystache]

Talia's improvement has been one of the few highlights in recent weeks and has helped stiffen our defence. A shame to lose JJ as he along with Talia are two of the younger brigade in which to build our backline around. Young is another younger defender, who should have a long career. With Roughead and Morris we are in pretty good shape down back.

I agree although I would like see us add another 2 rebounders with pace and kicking skills and a genuine small lock down defender. We should be able to find at least one or two of these in the state leagues you'd think. Someone like Hibberd from Essendon would be ideal.

[westdog54]

I know he is young, but am I the only one who thinks Talia looks very nervous when he has the ball or when the ball is near him? I'm quite surprised to see he has an disposal efficiency of 78%, as most the time I see him kick it or handball it results in the other team getting it.

Could be cos he is hitting his targets, but it was the wrong option

If I was his age and playing in our backline I'd be bloody nervous as well. I think he's handled himself superbly despite his inexperience.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

I agree although I would like see us add another 2 rebounders with pace and kicking skills and a genuine small lock down defender. We should be able to find at least one or two of these in the state leagues you'd think. Someone like Hibberd from Essendon would be ideal.

Yep - that'd be ideal. Hibberd has been an inspired selection, he's a gun.

[LostDoggy]

Fantastic Effort Micka, I am Biased tho

[Mofra]

Remember thinking hoping and preying they don't pick up Bate.
Most on here felt the same as well.
No to fringe players!

Glad we didn't get Bate, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out fringe players. Koby Stevens has been excellent for us this year, and we've seen some value in Tom Young & Nick Lower.

[Remi Moses]

Glad we didn't get Bate, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out fringe players. Koby Stevens has been excellent for us this year, and we've seen some value in Tom Young & Nick Lower.

The obtaining a player for a to higher price that worries me.
3rd rounder upwards for a 23rd player