Father/Son Watch

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Don’t need to trade up our first rounder anymore. We are ahead of the Croft bid!

[JanLorMill]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Sorry wrong thread

[Axe Man]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Latest HUN power rankings have Croft at 13 and Lual at 36.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Latest HUN power rankings have Croft at 13 and Lual at 36.

Just need Lual to slide a few more at least. Looks like Croft is settling in at this range now. Hopefully he can slide a little, or at least stop rising.

[GVGjr]

Re: Father/Son Watch

CROFT YET TO DECIDE

Highly-rated key forward Jordan Croft is yet to decide whether he will nominate as a father-son for the Western Bulldogs as he continues to climb up club draft boards.

The 200cm Calder Cannons product has produced an eye-catching season to emerge as a first-round prospect in November’s national draft.

One recruiter said this week that Croft comfortably sat “somewhere between pick 10 and 15, just on what he could be".

The 18-year-old, who is the son of 186-game Western Bulldogs defender Matthew Croft, trained at Whitten Oval for a week over pre-season and has been involved with the club’s Academy for the past six years.

However, Croft told this column that he was yet to sit down with his manager Tom Petroro and discuss whether he would officially nominate for the Bulldogs or enter the open draft.

"I'm not sure at the moment," Croft said.

"I've still got to have a discussion with Tom and my dad and family.

"I've still got a bit of footy to go and we'll see if the Cannons can go deep into finals. I haven't had a real good think about it yet."

The Bulldogs currently hold picks 10 and 17 in this year's draft, but already have a stack of key forwards on their list with the likes of Aaron Naughton, Rory Lobb, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Sam Darcy.

Croft's overhead marking and impressive running ability have stood out during his Coates Talent League matches this season, as well as in three games for Vic Metro during the under-18 national championships.

In a match earlier this month he faced off with Murray Bushrangers key defender Connor O’Sullivan – who is considered a top-10 draft prospect – in a battle which was evenly scored by recruiters.

Croft had 17 disposals, seven marks (four contested), 12 score involvements and kicked 3.4, while O’Sullivan finished with 26 disposals, eight marks and six spoils.

"I played him (O’Sullivan) against the Allies and I think he got the upper hand in that one so it was good to get a second chance," Croft said.

"We didn’t quite get the win in that one but individually I think I showed my strengths."

Still lightly-framed, Croft is weighing in at 82kg after tipping the scales at just 80kg during pre-season.

Hitting the gym will be a focus over the off-season as he prepares to play on bigger bodies at AFL or VFL level next year.

"In-season I haven’t been able to get to the gym as much but over pre-season a big focus will definitely be trying to put on a bit more size," Croft said.

"Playing against some bigger bodies next year, I’ll need to put on a bit more weight so I don’t get thrown around too much."

[Grantysghost]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Perfect. Don't.

[Bornadog]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Surely Croft nominates. Maybe he feels there are too many in front of him and will be difficult to crack a game. plenty of opportunities in the backline.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Posturing with FS the last few years, with the loophole that they can nominate a longer than the standard two year rookie contract. Brisbane gave a longer to Ashcroft (4 years I think) and Davey made Essendon sweat and I assume they gave him an extra year too. So I assume this is posturing to get a guaranteed longer contract. Which is fine.

Or he doesn’t want to be turned into a full back , when our full back is out full forward.

More likely the former me thinks.

[Grantysghost]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Surely Croft nominates. Maybe he feels there are too many in front of him and will be difficult to crack a game. plenty of opportunities in the backline.

Maybe we haven't indicated our interest so his manager is keeping him in the picture.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Maybe we haven't indicated our interest so his manager is keeping him in the picture.

Per above. Davey did this last year, exactly, including media running it. Got him a longer contract.

Not only an extra one or two years guaranteed in the system. But as a first rounder, depending on games played, guaranteed extra circa $100,000+ a year.

I’d be doing this too. Security and cash.

[GVGjr]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Surely Croft nominates. Maybe he feels there are too many in front of him and will be difficult to crack a game. plenty of opportunities in the backline.

After spending a couple of weeks at the club in January I think it's a fair assumption that he and his manager might be looking at the likes of Naughton, Ugle-Hagan and Darcy as potentially limiting opportunities for Croft which is giving him some 2nd thoughts.
Given his prior focus on volleyball he might not be as committed to the club as some others sons of.

There is plenty of time for Croft to make his decision so no real rush.

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Would be disappointed if he didn't come. Perfect replacement for Lobb in 2 to 3 years or as a backman.

[azabob]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Would be disappointed if he didn't come. Perfect replacement for Lobb in 2 to 3 years or as a backman.

What about Sam Darcy?

[FrediKanoute]

Re: Father/Son Watch

What about Sam Darcy?

Play him in the backline.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Father/Son Watch

Rookie Me:

Jordan Croft - 13


Note: They have three academy picks before him. So with pick 10, they are suggesting we have effective pick 13. Or 14 if North get Pick 3 compo or Sanders.

So then both our firsts are after the bid. Hence why Ralphy is saying what we all know - that we are trying to package up our firsts to get well into the top 10.

So the consensus range seems to be Pick 11 (Twomey) to Pick 13 (Rookie Me).