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Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool" -
Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
How about 5 weeks ago? I suggest we can cross him off our shopping list.
A happy team keeps Thorp striving
Catherine Murphy
5:44 PM Tue 19 August, 2008
HAWKS’ Mitch Thorp is one of eight young players to renew his contract at Waverley in what is an exciting time for the finals-bound club.
The 19-year-old has played just one AFL game, in round 15 last year, and like several other young recruits he’s working hard to earn a place in the seniors at Box Hill as the platform to an AFL career.
Picked as the Hawks’ number one selection in the 2006 draft, and sixth over all, Thorp says the commitment of established players such as Jarryd Roughead is an inspiration to the young Hawks.
“To have that bunch of guys stick together you know that everyone is on the one page and everyone wants to do the same,” Thorp says.
“No one is trying to go off and earn a bit more money, they all want to stay at the club. I love knowing that guys at the club want to stay and win a flag. It gives you confidence to come to training and play. It’s great that someone like Jarryd Roughead, who might be able to get some more money somewhere else, didn’t even think about it. It’s exciting times for Hawthorn definitely.”
While it’s only natural for Thorp to yearn after that spot in the senior side, he insists that he and his Box Hill team mates are more than happy to put in the hard yards at VFL level while they wait for their opportunity.
“We just love being part of a team that’s going well and being part of a successful environment. We just love turning up to training. Our time will come as long as we work hard.
"I just try to control what I can control and if I get into the side, I get into the side. I’m just putting my best foot forward. I just want to make it. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do since I can remember. So I’m doing the best I can.
"If playing at Box Hill is what I’ve got to do, then it’s what I’ve got to do. Once I get into the ones, I’ll just try to stay there.”
Thorp’s time at Waverley hasn’t been without its hiccups. He underwent a hip operation at the end of last season and three weeks ago he added himself to the list of Hawks who no longer possess appendix; Brad Sewell, Luke Hodge and Josh Kennedy have all had theirs removed as well.
“I’m a very competitive person. I find it hard to sit and watch an AFL game because I just want to play so much … I’ve had a few niggling injuries so my body needs to be right as well. I do get impatient though and sometimes maybe that’s why I get injured because I just want to train and to play. I’ve just got to hold myself back.”
While there’s always been debate about which end of the field Thorp should carry out his key position duties, he’s pretty sure where he’d prefer to be based.
“I played a lot in the forwards and the backs growing up. But I’ve certainly played my best games of footy up forward. I don’t mind playing defence -- I enjoy it too – [but] I’m hoping in my AFL career that I can be a centre half forward".Comment
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Float Along - Fill Your LungsComment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
On the live-chat of the Hun today, Aker said we need to focus on a ruckman. Interesting that was his priority not a forward KPP.
If that is more the reality from the clubs perspective, should we look as Simon Taylor and get in his ear about missing the grand final? Are their others out there.
Skipper is the only back-up and is not to AFL standard as a ruk.
Interesting.Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
Is there anyone else who rates Mitch Clark as highly as I do? Now with Brown contracted for another 4 years, Bradshaw with another 2 years minimum left, Charman the clear #1 ruckman and still only in his mid 20's, and Leuenburger the clear choice as #2 ruckman, where exactly is Clark going to play next season and the season after? I'd like us to make a big play for him. He has excellent hands, can pinch-hit in the ruck (is 199cms) and is only going to get much better. Kicking is his only query as far as I can see. What do some of the learned judges think?"Look at me mate. Look at me. I'm flyin'"Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
I am with you Sedat. I rate him very highly, many has him equal or better than Thorpe.
I just didn't seem him as 'gettable'. If he is, we should offer a decent offer to snag him. As you add Jared Brennan to your list of forwards.
Would have to be a very, very sweet offer. What would you offer Sedat?Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
I have no idea of his contractual status but I'm just trying to think logically. Where on earth is he going to play next season? Even their key defensive posts are well covered by Merrett and Patful - Clark isn't a defender anyway. I forgot to even factor in Brennan, although he is more of a floating forward.
If we are hell-bent on Cordy with pick 14, I don't think we have any carrots to dangle at Brisbane that they would find tasty enough (or that we would be willing to dangle in their direction). All I know is that he will have to be playing our of his skin to be getting regular game time in 2009. If you look at Brisbane's KP depth and midfield strength, they really under-achieved this season."Look at me mate. Look at me. I'm flyin'"Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
Logic then dictates, if we want him and we have midfielders, we need to offer something to get him.
I would have thought only someone like Gia would get that across the line. We need Boyd and Cross to get the hard ball. We wont give up Coons, Griff, Ward or Higgo.
Could they like a Ray and Reid (QLD) double act?Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
What is the timing on Father /Son nomination, is it before Trade week? i.e are we able to trade pick 14 for a KP and utilise our "next available" draft pick for CordyComment
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Rocket Science: the epitaph for the Beveridge era - whenever it ends - reading 'Here lies a team that could beat anyone on its day, but seldom did when it mattered most'. 15/7/2023Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
No we cannot trade that pick and use another. Others clubs can make a pitch for him and if they are prepared to pay a first round pick then we have to use pick 14. If a club offers a 2nd round pick then we will have to use our natural 2nd round selection. The only exceptions to this are the Hawks and Cats who will have their natural draft picks after ours.Western Bulldogs Football Club "Where it's cool to drool"Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
Another question, Westy would have been on our veterans list and therefore half his salary not under the salary cap. In his absence, who do we place on the veterans list and does that give us sufficient room to land a big fish?Comment
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Re: Official 2008 Draft/Trade Thread
Would love to get Clark but Brisbane would consider him to be a huge part of there future. This means we would need to pay way above the odds to get him and thats where it becomes less appealing. Perhaps we do actually need to pay something ridiculous to get one of these guys even if it is grossly unfair? Im not sure what the answer is but I am fairly sure Brisbane would want more than guys like Guido as was suggested We would have to part with one of our blue chip young midfielders and maybe even sweeten the deal with a pick depending on which player we use.
Clubs dont just trade quality young players for no reason so you need to draw them in. Brisbane need a CHB to play on mobile leading types. Murphy, Hansen etc gave them all sorts of trouble this season. We are not really in a position to give them any of our defenders so only real quality young runners are going to tempt them.Comment
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