Callan Ward

[The Coon Dog]

This article may be of interest to some. It's in this weeks issue of my local paper, the Werribee Banner.

It might come out a bit big, but at least you will be able to read it.

[Go_Dogs]

Geez, only in year 11. Thanks for posting that TCD.

[Dogs 24/7]

Geez, only in year 11. Thanks for posting that TCD.

That is one of the real reasons why he probably won't slip to the 2nd round. He should be gone by 15.

[DOG GOD]

Hope we can get him with pick 19.

[LostDoggy]

Hope we can get him with pick 19.

We need smart footballers and he seems to be one of the more naturally smart footballers available and being a local boy it could be a great marketing coup.

[LostDoggy]

is he a defender or is that just a mistake?

[GVGjr]

is he a defender or is that just a mistake?

Plays both forward and back.

[LostDoggy]

Just reading Coon Dogs article...

If Callan is in year 11, does anyone know if he will be doing year 12 or going straight to the club?

[southerncross]

Just reading Coon Dogs article...

If Callan is in year 11, does anyone know if he will be doing year 12 or going straight to the club?

Dangerfield nominated that he wouldn't play next year and as far as I know Ward will play.

[Bulldog Revolution]

It hasn't been since Brad Johnson or Daniel Giansiracusa that we've recruited a local boy like this - brilliant stuff, get on board Spotswood FC

Physically is he capable of playing next year?

[GVGjr]

It hasn't been since Brad Johnson or Daniel Giansiracusa that we've recruited a local boy like this - brilliant stuff, get on board Spotswood FC

Physically is he capable of playing next year?

He probably is but it might not be worth it. I'm a firm believer that it is just so important to get a new player, particularly a bottom age one, through their first season without injury.

He has carried a couple of injuries so he should not be pushed.

[Bulldog Revolution]

He probably is but it might not be worth it. I'm a firm believer that it is just so important to get a new player, particularly a bottom age one, through their first season without injury.

He has carried a couple of injuries so he should not be pushed.

I wasn't suggesting any need to rush him, just more wondering physically where was at?

Is it frequent that bottom age players like him carve up the TAC cup - was he rated in that comp in 2006? Did he play TAC cup in 2006

For him, he's obviously improved enormously over the past year, and he wont have to change his life too much, he'll be training either at the same ground as the Jets (Willi) or with the senior group at the Whitten Oval.

I like the idea of a no fuss, no nonsense backyard Bulldog - we need more of that.

[GVGjr]

I wasn't suggesting any need to rush him, just more wondering physically where was at?

Is it frequent that bottom age players like him carve up the TAC cup - was he rated in that comp in 2006? Did he play TAC cup in 2006

For him, he's obviously improved enormously over the past year, and he wont have to change his life too much, he'll be training either at the same ground as the Jets (Willi) or with the senior group at the Whitten Oval.

I like the idea of a no fuss, no nonsense backyard Bulldog - we need more of that.

I knew you weren't rushing him bit I generally take a view that anything that you get out of a draftee senior footywise in their first season is generally a bonus.

I still think the Pies wrecked Josh Fraser by rucking him so much in his first year. He has never developed into the footballer that he should have been.

Like you, getting the local boy from our own backyard really appeals to me.

[Bulldog Revolution]

I knew you weren't rushing him bit I generally take a view that anything that you get out of a draftee senior footywise in their first season is generally a bonus.

I still think the Pies wrecked Josh Fraser by rucking him so much in his first year. He has never developed into the footballer that he should have been.

Like you, getting the local boy from our own backyard really appeals to me.

Development is a difficult balance of giving kids a taste of senior levels be it VFL or AFL depending on their bodies ability to handle it, and continuing to develop them physically and skillwise. Our 2006 draft was a very interesting case study in it. Perhaps not surprisingly the two players with TAC cup experience (Everitt and Harbrow) were more able to handle the step up to AFL seniors that then rest (Stack, Lynch, Hill, OShea)

I believe from glimpses I have seen that Stack could be a pretty incredible player, but in 2007 we split his time between the VFL seniors and reserves and seem to have taken a long term view to the whole groups development. The same way we seem to have done a really good job easing OShea into things. Of course it remains to be seen how much they will continue to develop, but we've certainly took a long term view of them.

Interesting thoughts on Fraser - Ratten just spoke very well about how they would give Kruezer a taste in season 2008 but they wouldn't leave him in the ruck against Jamie Charman for 4 quarters to get smashed to pieces. Both Ratten and Matty Knights are actually pretty sensible media performers and have slightly surprised me by how good they are, Knights in particular.

[LostDoggy]

He probably is but it might not be worth it. I'm a firm believer that it is just so important to get a new player, particularly a bottom age one, through their first season without injury.

He has carried a couple of injuries so he should not be pushed.

Also is heading into year 12 and will probably want to focus solely on getting results in exams.

Use this year as a developmental year and debut him in 2009.