Recruiting from the State Leagues

**GVGjr** · 14-06-2009, 12:43 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

There is a swag of AFL standard players scattered around the various state competitions. The real reason why a lot of these guys are overlooked is due to their age and the pressure of AFL's lists to move players on.

Matthew Little has been impressive for Williamstown but it wasn't that long ago he was cleared off the Hawks list.
Marcus Marigliani from Frankston has always played well when I have seen him. Reid just couldn't stop him when Willy played against Frankston a few weeks back.
Fabian Deluca could offer a team a back-up support ruckman albeit for a limited period

Paul Thomas who was listed with the Bombers for a season apparently still is a ball magnet over at the SANFL.

When you consider the likes of the impact that Bradd Dalziell made there must be a number of players good enough if the opportunities present.

**Mofra** · 16-06-2009, 04:03 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Ruckman would have to be looked at, Ben Hudson an example of someone who starts their career late after solid form in a state league. Cam Lockwood has impressed when I've seen him but I'm not sure he'll get the chance.

**comrade** · 16-06-2009, 04:09 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Originally posted by Mofra

Cam Lockwood has impressed when I've seen him but I'm not sure he'll get the chance.

He has improved phenomenally - last year he was a fringe player who was up and down every few weeks. His disposal was suspect under pressure and he just seemed a touch slow at senior level, not necessarily his leg speed but the way he re-acted to the play.

This year he has been rock solid. His disposal is good, he attacks well off half back and rarely gets beaten one on one.

Good on him on working on his weaknesses. I can't see him getting drafted, but he will be a very good player at VFL level for years to come.

**The Coon Dog** · 16-06-2009, 05:16 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Withe the concessions available to CG17, I wonder if more clubs will look for 'hidden gems' within the various state leagues.

**comrade** · 16-06-2009, 05:27 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Originally posted by The Coon Dog

Withe the concessions available to CG17, I wonder if more clubs will look for 'hidden gems' within the various state leagues.

Realistically, they're going to have to.

A club like Sydney, who have stated time and again they can't afford to bottom out, would be silly not to look at someone like Patty Rose.

**mjp** · 16-06-2009, 10:37 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Peel - Ben Howlett
Swans - Lewis Jetta

They are the stand-outs in the u21 crew at the moment. I also like Connor Davidson from East Fremantle, and Adam McKinlay (Swans) has a horrible body shape but a terrific set of hands. Chris Vidot at Perth reminds me of Dale Morris in many ways...

**Cyberdoggie** · 17-06-2009, 12:58 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

I think AFL clubs look at State league players very differently.
They seem to look at them as if they were recruiting juniors.
ie tall, athletic, has skills, can run this well, endurance is in top 5%.
Instead of looking at them as footballers.

This hopefully will change with the draft concessions. I think already recruiters are looking at kids from W.A very differently. In recent years you will hear "has been playing seniors in the WAFL" tagged to several top draft choices. This term is really starting to be noticed as a form guide for recruiting players.

In my opinion, if a player is absolutely dominating at state level, then there shouldn't be any reason why that player can't have a role at the AFL. You only have to look at Robin Nahas, Liam Picken, Aaron Davey, Aaron Edwards.

As long as a player as the right attitude to succeed then you can over look some of their faults.

**Go_Dogs** · 17-06-2009, 01:19 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Yeah, I tend to think that State recruits will go up quite a bit.

If I were in recruiting, I'd be looking (as mjp pointed out) at guys who are young 21> and looking at guys who played representative footy at U/18 level, missed out on the draft/rookie list spots, and are now playing good senior footy in SANFL or WAFL.

One guy who played for SA last year Alex Stopp has managed to break into the Norwood side and done pretty well over the last few weeks after being a draft possibility last year and playing league reserves all of 2008.

These are the sorts of guys I'd be looking at.

On the flip side, there are the late bloomers who wouldn't have been picked in a representative side that are now playing some very good roles and could possibly be looked at. At a guess more work and larger net would be required to catch such players.

**Throughandthrough** · 17-06-2009, 09:41 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Generally the "not quite' AFL listed players that end up in the SANFL have a minor weakness of some sort.

Most of the SANFL players have a lower standard of disposal then the good AFL players, generally nearly every SANFL player is just a little bit crap.

Luckily, most SANFL clubs have realised the folly of recruiting washed up AFL players (delisted at age 28) and now target the didn't quite make its (ex rookie list players are very popular)

These 19-20 year olds are still hungry as (initially, anyway) and while their chances of being re-drafted is about 1 in a 100, a fair swathe of them enjoy the SANFL for what it's worth, enjoy the life, club and their footy and stay for many years.

I have a friend who works @ the Crows, and i've asked him a few times "why wouldn't the Crows draft player XXX" With player XXXX typically being a 22 - 24 yo star SANFL player who may have been AFL listed a few years before.

Apparently if a body has been heavy trained for a few years, then drops back to part time for a few years (VFL/SANFL) and then tries the full work load again, it is allmost a given that the body will break down with numerous and regular soft tissue injuries.

(Exibit A, Nick Gill)

**comrade** · 04-07-2009, 02:17 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Watching the Port Melb-Sandringham game on ABC TV today, Port's Sam Dwyer has really stood out.

27 touches to half time and 2 goals, he moves really well and his decision making on an average day is a step above everyone else on the park.

He's 22 and only 177cm but might be worth keeping on eye on him.

Gotch is commentating so he's getting a good look.

**BulldogBelle** · 11-07-2009, 03:20 PM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Can anyone give an update on how Matt McGuire is going in the VFL this year

He is a bit of a forgoten player, and providing he hasnt lost it due to his broken leg, he could be a good pick up

I realise that Tom Williams is our developing CHB....but Tom just doesnt inpire me with his constant run of injuries and poor form

**LostDoggy** · 12-07-2009, 09:31 AM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Originally posted by Dog House

Can anyone give an update on how Matt McGuire is going in the VFL this year

He is a bit of a forgoten player, and providing he hasnt lost it due to his broken leg, he could be a good pick up

I realise that Tom Williams is our developing CHB....but Tom just doesnt inpire me with his constant run of injuries and poor form

Like Matt Maguire has had a better run with injury.

**The Coon Dog** · 12-07-2009, 09:38 AM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Craig Hutchison reported in the paper today that Williamstown were very happy with the way thinkgs have worked with the Bulldogs & Liam Picken & will be doing the same again this year, tipping in $20K if we rookie a Willy player.

**LostDoggy** · 12-07-2009, 10:04 AM

Re: Recruiting from the State Leagues

Originally posted by The Coon Dog

Craig Hutchison reported in the paper today that Williamstown were very happy with the way thinkgs have worked with the Bulldogs & Liam Picken & will be doing the same again this year, tipping in $20K if we rookie a Willy player.

Does Williamstown get anything for it themselves?

Recruiting from the State Leagues

Recruiting from the State Leagues

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment