Djekurra a dog

[Greystache]

Re: Djekurra a dog

I agree with the above, one consolation being DJ was at the Cats whilst they playing in 3 grand finals. Pretty hard to crack it for a regular game during that time as the cats were an awesome side.

The same was said about Callan and Prismal, now at new clubs it becomes obvious that they're just not that good.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

Worry about him when he's actually played a few years i.e end of first contract.

We paid MASSIVE OVERS for spuds like Power, Walsh, Rawlings and McMahon. Add Ray in there as a fail for us.

He's a player with a few pre season under his belt and more experience than any pick 57 will have at this draft. He's in to possibly fill a spot in the pocket/flank, either forward or back (ala Harbs).

Let Durka Durka show his worth before throwing out the "massive over's" just yet

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

His stage name is D J Ekurra

[Desipura]

Re: Djekurra a dog

DJ from what I am hearing has natural ability and has a great attitude. Colin Wisbey (freelance recruiter) who's opinion I rate wrote a detailed report he was drafted.
Im trying to locate it.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

DJ from what I am hearing has natural ability and has a great attitude. Colin Wisbey (freelance recruiter) who's opinion I rate wrote a detailed report he was drafted.
Im trying to locate it.

If that's the case then perhaps he's also been brought in to act as mentor, a slightly older one, to players such as Stack and Hill (should they not get delisted/traded).

Our aboriginal boys seem to have lost their way in the last season (Harbs wanted to go home and Hill/Stack lack application/following through on tasks)

[Raw Toast]

Re: Djekurra a dog

DJ from what I am hearing has natural ability and has a great attitude. Colin Wisbey (freelance recruiter) who's opinion I rate wrote a detailed report he was drafted.
Im trying to locate it.

Here's Wisbey's take on him after he was drafted from the Cats bf board FWIW - he obviously hasn't lived up to it yet, but we live in hope

DJERRKURA, Nathan (25 GEE) [9] 176cm electrifying, fierce, dynamic, quick, clean, take-them-on, relentless ball-carrying dasher. Byron Picket with some Wirrpanda. Breaks the play open. Exciting combination of speed, motor, attack, physicality and natural footballer ability. Despite his height, I think he is likely to be something special. X-factor. Trademarks are (1) Come from nowhere to run opponent down with excellent closing speed and fierce tackle ("silent assassin" ), (2) Take-them-on dash then kick into forward 50 (if not nailed in the process!).

Other main selling points are intensity, balance, contested ball ability, agility, endurance, overhead, consistency, evasion, traffic management, versatility. Gives away an avg 3 frees per game, virtually all through either (over-)ambitiously taking opponents on and getting nailed, or through over-zealous tackles. He's a smart kid and I'm confident he will learn to be more judicious.

Regardless, even though 3 FAs a game is not what a coach would normally like to see, I think it is more than balanced by the pressure he puts opponents under (a la Davey, but with brutality) and the number of times he is actually successful in breaking the play open with his daring. i.e. If you want the benefits of his attack on the man and opening up of the play, you should expect to have to wear occasional slip-ups. Benefit greatly outweighs cost in Djerrkura's case. (I'd rather a kid who dares to dare than one who plays introverted). He is as quick as any '06 draftee. He is as good and as reliable in the air as most of the other good smalls/mediums who are good overhead. Usually a good kick and his disposals often hurt.

Has the dash, daring and hurt factor you want from an outside player, the hardness and in-close ability you want from an inside player, plays tall, is versatile, is footballer and athlete in equal doses, is a great kid who will be very coachable, and doesn't have a "go home" query. Add endurance, physicality and ethic (both ways) to that and IMHO no other kid in this draft can lay better claim to that package of traits. I'm less hung up on height than many people are. Recent premiership teams, Brownlow high voters and AA teams prove there is always a place for a smaller player if he is special enough in certain areas or as a package.

I rated Djerrkura quite a lot earlier than I knew he would go but am very confident he will be very good AFL. Except for (arguably) height, he is made for today's game and could play anywhere down the flanks. Probably best suited to HBF or wing in his early AFL days. Could play BP too but I believe his talents are best utilised where he can afford more risks. In the backline, will be able to supply both Pickett-like pressure as well as plenty of run out of defence and hardball get ability. Down the track I think he could be a good AFL onballer. Has the capacity to potentially be a run-with or even an inside mid. No doubts about his tank or speed or hardness and he is quite clean under pressure (both getting and disposing). And he should be virtually plug 'n play. Bargain.

[Desipura]

Re: Djekurra a dog

thanks Raw Toast, that version is the shortened version isnt it?

[Greystache]

Re: Djekurra a dog

Here's Wisbey's take on him after he was drafted from the Cats bf board FWIW - he obviously hasn't lived up to it yet, but we live in hope

Sounds like Travis Varcoe to me, bit concerning he couldn't get a game in front of Varcoe who I don't rate particularly highly.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

In any sale the right price is what the buyer is prepared to pay. In this case we believe he is worth pick 57. No other issue is relative, nor is any comparison with other deals.

I am happy to run with the decision. We have plenty of time to discuss whether the price was right.

[Mantis]

Re: Djekurra a dog

Sounds like Travis Varcoe to me, bit concerning he couldn't get a game in front of Varcoe who I don't rate particularly highly.

On your own there.

I would take Varcoe in a heartbeat.

[Greystache]

Re: Djekurra a dog

On your own there.

I would take Varcoe in a heartbeat.

Fair enough. He's quick and can tackle, outside of that I don't think he's much chop. You could pick up a rugby league convert with the same skill set IMO.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

Sounds like Travis Varcoe to me, bit concerning he couldn't get a game in front of Varcoe who I don't rate particularly highly.

WOW, really? Why?

He's exactly the type of player we need to help out from wing through to the goal square.

[Ozza]

Re: Djekurra a dog

Sounds like Travis Varcoe to me, bit concerning he couldn't get a game in front of Varcoe who I don't rate particularly highly.

Personally I think Varcoe is a gun. And I think people forget he is still young (only 22 years old) because he seems like he's been around for quite a while (played 18 games as an 18 year old in their 2007 Premiership season).

Djerrkura essentially had to compete with Stokes, Byrnes and Varcoe - who are three pretty high quality, quick, small forwards. I have no idea if he will be good for us or not - but there are some good reasons that he hasn't had the opportunities yet.

Having said that - I thought we'd get him a bit cheaper - but once you get past about 40 in the draft - its pretty much a lottery whether blokes make it as AFL footballers - so 57 or 73its not as big a difference as say 20 to 30.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

Fair enough. He's quick and can tackle, outside of that I don't think he's much chop. You could pick up a rugby league convert with the same skill set IMO.

Wait a minute -- the guy kicked 30+ goals this year running through the middle, including some bombs from outside the 50, so he has 'goalkicking' as another part of his skillset. I guarantee you Karmicheal Hunt will not kick 30 goals next year.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Djekurra a dog

On your own there.

I would take Varcoe in a heartbeat.

Totally agree Mantis. Varcoe is an absolute gun.