Matthew Fuller

[Mofra]

Re: Matthew Fuller

I was told by a reliable source this morning that Essendon were aiming to select Apeness and Fuller and missed out on both. Hawthorn were also into Fuller.

This news is a true gift.

You sir, are our Santa Claus.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Matthew Fuller

Found this highlights package

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqmgf5ANvpk

[Bornadog]

Re: Matthew Fuller

link

Sitting with his family at their local pub in Adelaide's east, 23-year-old Matthew Fuller watched on as the Western Bulldogs offered him a long-awaited AFL opportunity.

The left footer was a sure thing according to former Norwood coach Nathan Bassett, and the Bulldogs ensured the Essendon assistant's word remained solid by picking Fuller with pick No.42 at Thursday night's NAB AFL Draft.

Fuller and his family were joined at Mark Ricciuto's suburban hotel by fellow Redleg Orazio Fantasia, with Fantasia picked up by Essendon.

Speaking to AFL.com.au shortly after hearing his name read out, Fuller struggled to describe his overwhelming elation.

"A fair bit of excitement as you can imagine but a bit of relief too, all rolled into one," Fuller said.

"I was [at the pub] with my family and we were with Orazio Fantasia's family, so there was a fair bit of screaming and cheering going on.

"My phone has been going nuts – I had to come home to charge it because she was nearly out of battery."

Fuller said he was thrilled to be selected by the Bulldogs, who were the first AFL club to touch base during this year's SANFL finals campaign.

The club then flew him to Melbourne after his successful Grand Final victory over North Adelaide.

"They were the first to get in touch with me during the finals series and then flew me over after the Grand Final, so to get to a club that has showed so much faith in me is perfect," he said.

"All the coaches have called, a few of the guys too – they've already welcomed me in.

"They gave me an inkling that pick No.42 might be the one but I'm just so excited that it's happened."

With a senior SANFL premiership now under his belt, Fuller said he couldn't wait to test himself on the game's final and largest platform.

"That's really the only stage left for me to test myself both physically and mentally," he said.

"I don't care I'm heading interstate in the slightest, [I] couldn't care less, I'm just so happy to get this chance."

[chef]

Re: Matthew Fuller

Sounds like another cracking kid. Liking this draft so much at this early stage.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Fuller

I don't see a real problem with it, we've still added a lot of kids over the past few years and all we are doing is adding in players who we think can add to us over the next 5-8 years but also provide a more immediate impact to make us more competitive in the shorter term.

I think it's a good strategy - why now improve the list quickly - no reason we can't shoot up the ladder a bit quicker than most suspect and be having a serious crack sooner rather than later.

And before GC and GWS really hit their straps.

I was told by a reliable source this morning that Essendon were aiming to select Apeness and Fuller and missed out on both. Hawthorn were also into Fuller.

All I can add to this is:

With a senior SANFL premiership now under his belt, Fuller said he couldn't wait to test himself on the game's final and largest platform.

"That's really the only stage left for me to test myself both physically and mentally," he said.

"I don't care I'm heading interstate in the slightest, [I] couldn't care less, I'm just so happy to get this chance."

Another great attitude. I've detected a pattern, Captain…

[Missing Dog]

Re: Matthew Fuller

Interesting to watch Dalrymple's draft recap, when he mentioned that Fuller was targetted at pick 42 and his heart was racing a bit in hoping he'd get to us.
He's clearly someone we are keen on - will be interesting to see who his competion for spots is, considering JJ is easily best 22, Picken surprisingly has some of the best stats in the comp when playing as a small defender and Goodes was brought in to play as a rebounder.

I wonder whether we would of drafted him at pick 26 if we had it. Anyone with any inside info know?

[KT31]

Re: Matthew Fuller

Nephew

Thank you MRM.

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Matthew Fuller

So, Essendons assistant coach said he was a certainty to get drafted. Although we were into him first, still, is that enough to put him in the Crameri/Dickson/Campbell category? They must love us.

You can almost picture Dalrymple turning to the Essendon table and giving a two-fingered salute, can't you?

Just reward for holding our ground in the Crameri trade. Any downgrading of this pick and he could well be at Essendon.

Will be even sweeter if he can really make an impact quickly.

[boydogs]

Re: Matthew Fuller

That's a bit how I feel too after watching the brief highlights of him. The thing that really stood out was he struggled to make a decision, particularly quick decisions. More often than not he went short and sideways, otherwise bombed long. Hopefully those who've seen him play can alleviate those fears, but I saw a fair bit of Howard just with better kicking skills.

Where you see slow decision maker, I see careful with the ball. The highlights package in post 47 is more promising.

[boydogs]

Re: Matthew Fuller

The irony is that we're trying to fill the gap from our drafting errors of 4-6 years ago, by bringing in more mature players now.

You'd get them all at 23 if you could, saves the years of development to maybe get them to AFL standard.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Matthew Fuller

Plus we've taken 2 kids, 2 mature and then 5 kids last year. Think its a pretty normal mix really that won't unbalance future years?

[GVGjr]

Re: Matthew Fuller

On looking at Fuller's highlights packages, a couple of things that were particularly encouraging. First he uses his body pretty well in a contested situation despite not being overly tall. Then it is really positive to see that he is perfectly comfortable using his non preferred right foot when that is his best option, with seemingly no drop off in accuracy.

Goodsy was what, 28 when we took him last season. After young Fuller gets a season to adjust to the AFL level [ pace etc.] Goodsy will be 30... ready made replacement ?

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Matthew Fuller

The comparisons between Fuller and Guerra look absolutely spot on. Whether Matt can translate that to AFL level is yet to be determined, but in pure playing style, it's uncanny.

Neither are athletes/overly quick, but use their stocky body well, position themselves well and use the ball exceptionally well.

[Bornadog]

Re: Matthew Fuller

On looking at Fuller's highlights packages, a couple of things that were particularly encouraging. First he uses his body pretty well in a contested situation despite not being overly tall. Then it is really positive to see that he is perfectly comfortable using his non preferred right foot when that is his best option, with seemingly no drop off in accuracy.

Goodsy was what, 28 when we took him last season. After young Fuller gets a season to adjust to the AFL level [ pace etc.] Goodsy will be 30... ready made replacement ?

Will be 30 in February

[GVGjr]

Re: Matthew Fuller

Yeah, sorry. I was too busy to hunt down his precise age when I posted. I did think he might have been older than 28 when drafted, but decided on a conservative guess, not wanting to age him prematurely.