Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

[Go_Dogs]

Matt was on 5AA this afternoon on the way home from work and thought some of what he discussed may be interesting reading for some who frequent this forum!

* Stated that the Crows strategy had been to go tall especially in 2008 where he thought the quality was strong.

* Also said a few years ago watching the U/16's it looked as though the tall quality in 2010 would be poor.

* Quite a few taller lads have come into the frame, he mentioned Lycett who he seemed very impressed with, along with Gorringe, McCarthy and a few from Victoria who he said had come from nowhere. (Not sure who he meant as he didn't name any names, but I was surprised he didn't mention Watson, perhaps recruiters don't rate him that highly?)

* Said Day was a beauty and has the potential to become one of the better players of all time, said he probably lacked the toughness of Carey, but has amazing athleticism, his speed and leap are outstanding. Probably hasn't realised his own potential etc, and still hasn't torn a game apart - but doesn't see it as a big knock. Confident he'll go to GC.

* Said he thinks Polec and Heppell will go at 4 and 5 and said that after that it's pretty much an unknown - someone's 6th choice could be someone's 18th etc.

* Quality of mids good and that's what Crows will be looking for.

* Mentioned Griff's manager made it pretty clear that he wasn't interested in leaving Melbourne and is pretty keen to be a one club player, that's the type of guy that he is etc. Go Griff!

* Mentioned Crows sounding out Jacobs from Carlton as potential ruck target, not sure if he'll make move or not.

* Walker from Carlton is keen to move to Adelaide (obviously family/romantic interest I suspect!) but is contracted, so not sure what may happen there.

That's about it that may be of interest.

[Desipura]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

In addition to Rendells comment comes this article that just appeared on the AFL website. We all know Griffen is not going anywhere.


ADELAIDE recruiting manager Matt Rendell has confirmed the club is targeting Carlton pair Andrew Walker and Sam Jacobs ahead of next month's AFL exchange period.
Walker has played 103 games for the Blues since his selection at No.2 in the 2003 NAB AFL Draft.
The 24-year-old has showed glimpses of brilliance throughout his injury-plagued career, including a three-goal cameo in Carlton's elimination-final loss the Sydney Swans earlier this month, but has struggled for consistency and was sent back to the VFL twice this season.
Jacobs was limited to 13 games in 2010 after falling behind ruckmen Matthew Kreuzer, Robert Warnock and Shaun Hampson in the Blues' pecking order.
Although Carlton says Jacobs is a required player, he is out of contract and has expressed an interest in returning to his native South Australia.
Port Adelaide, which is without a proven second ruckman to support veteran Dean Brogan, is also courting the 22-year-old.
Walker met with Adelaide officials on Tuesday and Rendell said the club was keen to entertain further talks with the enigmatic utility.
"We're sniffing around there [at Sam Jacobs] and we've spoken to Andrew Walker. Those are the two [trade targets] in particular," Rendell told Adelaide radio station 5aa.
"We want to follow up with Walker because finding somebody, who wants to come and live in Adelaide and is not born and bred here is like finding a big chunk of gold in your backyard.
"Walker is contracted, so it's going to be difficult. It hasn't been decided by us yet, but if he wants to come [we'll try to trade him in]."
Rendell revealed the Crows had also put in calls to Matthew Pavlich (Fremantle), Ryan Griffen (Western Bulldogs), Shannon Hurn (West Coast) and Beau Waters (West Coast) - all South Australians - but none were willing or able to leave their current clubs.
The Crows and Power have also been monitoring another budding ruckman in Sturt's Jonathan Giles.
Giles spent four years at Port Adelaide but failed to play an AFL game and was delisted at the end of last season.
The 22-year-old has since switched from SANFL powerhouse Central District to become one of the premier ruckmen in that competition.
Rendell said he had little doubt Giles would be snapped up by Gold Coast as one of its 10 players who have previously been listed by an AFL club or have previously nominated for the draft.
"Giles is the best player in the SANFL competition," Rendell said.
"He is far and away the best ruckman outside of the AFL and he would walk into an AFL team as a ruckman.
"We're not having a crack because Gold Coast I think are going to take him … I think Port might have gone too early in getting rid of him."

[Topdog]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

Interesting stuff, cheers for that.

* Mentioned Griff's manager made it pretty clear that he wasn't interested in leaving Melbourne and is pretty keen to be a one club player, that's the type of guy that he is etc. Go Griff!

You hear players say this all the time and it is usually just normal media spin but to hear an opposition recruiting manager say it is great.

[chef]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

Matt was on 5AA this afternoon on the way home from work and thought some of what he discussed may be interesting reading for some who frequent this forum!

* Stated that the Crows strategy had been to go tall especially in 2008 where he thought the quality was strong.

* Also said a few years ago watching the U/16's it looked as though the tall quality in 2010 would be poor.

* Quite a few taller lads have come into the frame, he mentioned Lycett who he seemed very impressed with, along with Gorringe, McCarthy and a few from Victoria who he said had come from nowhere. (Not sure who he meant as he didn't name any names, but I was surprised he didn't mention Watson, perhaps recruiters don't rate him that highly?)

* Said Day was a beauty and has the potential to become one of the better players of all time, said he probably lacked the toughness of Carey, but has amazing athleticism, his speed and leap are outstanding. Probably hasn't realised his own potential etc, and still hasn't torn a game apart - but doesn't see it as a big knock. Confident he'll go to GC.

* Said he thinks Polec and Heppell will go at 4 and 5 and said that after that it's pretty much an unknown - someone's 6th choice could be someone's 18th etc.

* Quality of mids good and that's what Crows will be looking for.

* Mentioned Griff's manager made it pretty clear that he wasn't interested in leaving Melbourne and is pretty keen to be a one club player, that's the type of guy that he is etc. Go Griff!

* Mentioned Crows sounding out Jacobs from Carlton as potential ruck target, not sure if he'll make move or not.

* Walker from Carlton is keen to move to Adelaide (obviously family/romantic interest I suspect!) but is contracted, so not sure what may happen there.
That's about it that may be of interest.

Walks spent Monday in Adelaide with the Crows and wants to play for them badly. Yet to be seen if Carlton will let go though, they would need to get a good deal. All his family and his girlfriend's family are in Echuca so it's purely a footballing decision.

[Throughandthrough]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

Slightly different version of same topic

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/rendell-rates-sanfl-stars/story-e6freckc-1225924691528

ADELAIDE Crows recruiting manager Matt Rendell has predicted an SANFL raid at this year's AFL drafts, sprouting the prospects of several local stars.

In a revealing interview with radio station 5AA, Rendell said:

- Sturt ruckman Jon Giles was the best player in the SANFL and would walk into any AFL side;

- Tristan Gum (Sturt), Luke Jarrad, Adam Grocke (Eagles), Simon Phillips, Nick Lower, Nick Duigan, David Trotter (Norwood) Todd Grima (Glenelg) were all worth a look; and,

- Youngsters Sam Day (Sturt) and Jared Polec (Eagles) would be top five draft picks.

``It's a great comp, it's a tough comp. If you play well in it I reckon that you can play AFL footy,'' Rendell said.

``There's a lot of blokes you could take as mature age rookies and actually there's a lot of blokes you could take at the back end of the draft.''


Rendell's view spells danger for many SANFL clubs, but will excite players dreaming of an opportunity to test themselves in the national competition.

He was particularly high in his praise of Giles, suggesting the Power would rue it's decision to cut him last season with the Gold Coast set to pounce on the Double Blues giant.

``Giles is the best player in the comp... He is far and away the best ruckman outside the AFL. He would walk into a team as a ruckman,'' Rendell said.

``We're not (going to draft him) because Gold Coast I think are going to take him. Because they can take 10 pre-listed blokes who have nominated for the draft (that have) previously been on a list of a club and he's been on Port's list.

``The impression I'm getting is the Gold Coast might be grabbing him. I think they might have gone too early Port, he's been fantastic Giles.''

After picking up Matt Jaensch (Sturt) and Matt Wright (North) based on their performances in the SANFL last year, Rendell said the Crows were considering a host of other local players.

``Gum's definitely one, I've said that before, he can play AFL.

``You've got to be in the right place at the right time and (get an) opportunity, the coach has got to like you.

``I reckon Luke Jarrad can play. There's a lot out there... Phillips from Norwood - he's had a go before. We nearly grabbed Trotter as a rookie a couple of years ago, he's finally got some continuity in his footy.

``Lower I reckon's worth another chance if you're looking for a tough onballer. Duigan impresses me, the way he's gone about his business this year. He's a bit hot and cold but I've seen him hot a few times.

``(Todd Grima) is another one. Grocke was fantastic the other day. I reckon I've seen him play 10 times and play 10 shockers but Alan Stewart keeps pumping him up to me and he was scintillating for the Eagles.''

Rendell was also quizzed on the AFL prospects of Tigers key forward Ruory Kirkby but wasn't as confident while he didn't respond to questioning over Glenelg midfielder Ty Allen.

``The Kirkby's have had a chance before. They need to be right place, right time for a Kirkby. You need to be short on defence or forwards,'' he said.

Rendell also discussed the possibilities for the Crows' first draft pick (No. 14), suggesting under-18 All-Australians Day and Polec were out of reach and would be heading to the Gold Coast (picks 1, 2, 3 and 5) or West Coast (pick 4).

``The three (the Gold Coast are) taking... obviously (David) Swallow's already gone. Day and (Harley) Bennell are going to be the other two.

``I think Polec will be four or five from the Eagles and maybe (Dyson) Heppell will be the other one - if he's not four he'll be five, Polec, Heppell, I don't care.

``I reckon after that number six could be number 18. There's some great talls in there with (Norwood's Dan) Gorringe, (Port's Scott) Lycett, (Glenelg's) Seb Tape... and (Pat) McCarthy as well from Glenelg. So there's four great talls there.''

[comrade]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

I reckon Andrew Walker at Adelaide could be a gun.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

I reckon Andrew Walker at Adelaide could be a gun.

Agreed. His want to join them (and their very challenging regime) demonstrates he's got the desire/work ethic to make it work too. Could be a great selection for them.

[GVGjr]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

I reckon Andrew Walker at Adelaide could be a gun.

They got a bit out of Kris Massie and I think they could out of Walker.

[Mofra]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

Walker is contracted for one more year so Carlton are in the box seat when it comes to trading him.

[Desipura]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

It was reported that the Dogs, pies and Dons were very keen on Knights. They baulked at his request of 500k a year to relocate to the state that he originates from

[Raw Toast]

Re: Adelaide's Recruiting Manager on Radio

Apparently Rendell and Scotty Clayton are still very close, so I'd take Rendell's comments about GC's likely intentions as very well-informed speculation.