The first debutant.

[Demon Head 250]

We have 11 players or a quarter of our playing list who have yet to play a game of AFL football (I'm not counting Nab Cup or pre season practice games).

I decided to make this list of the players in order of their likelihood to make debut first:-

1. James Frawley

2. Simon Buckley

3. Michael Newton

4. Ricky Petterd

5. Shane Neaves

6. Colin Garland

7. Daniel Hughes

8. Isaac Weetra

9. Heath Neville

10. Jace Bode

11. Daniel Hayes

[waynewussell 4,081]

Light entertainment, thanks Demon Head, I think the likely order might golike this

1. Michael Newton

2. Isaac Weetra

3. James Frawley

4. Daniel Hughes

5. Shane Neaves

6. Jace Bode

7. Colin Garland

8. Simon Buckley

9. Heath Neville

10. Ricky Petterd

11. Daniel Hayes

[dazzledavey36 48,619]

Frawley and Petterd are 2 that will be played early by the sounds of it but weetra could surprise!

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Good idea DH. And wuss, Weetra 2nd?!! Do you know something we don't?

1. Newton. Already flagged by ND. All he has to do is kick a few in the NAB and he's as good as selected.

2. Frawley. Same as Newton. Could be number one, but it depends on what gaps need filling.

3. Petterd. Has impressed early. A running defender with courage and poise is exactly the tonic we need from a backline with many small defenders with minor but exploitable faults (Bell's decision making, Ward's kick, Brown's unaccountability).

4. Buckley. Only because he's ben on the list for longer than some of the others and isn't a rookie. Early on ND said he was looking forward to giving him a go. Hasn't been lazy in the off season either.

5. Hughes. A fraction ahead of Neaves as the most likely rookie. Can fulfill a lot of roles. Plenty of talent in many different skill sets, just a bit small.

6. Neaves. Will play eventually, but he's pretty much only a ruckman. Not a CHF/ruckman like 426, who pretty much waited 4 years. Having said that, if PJ does another shoulder (touch wood) it's come on down Shane!

7. Hayes. We're not exactly blessed with mercurial small crumbing forwards after Davey and Byron. If we have another double hamstring blow, you'd think, if there was room, Hayes might get a go after Hughes.

8. Garland. Only if all the other forwards miss for one reason or another. Stranger things have happened. Look at Bartram. If he impresses enough, why not? He's had some senior experience and done some damage.

9. Weetra. Not enormously likely in 2006. Most have said he's a speculative investment. That means 2008.

10. Neville. Is saved from last spot only because he's listed, not rookied. Nothing against him, but he's up against it. SO many small defender/wingmen before him who are relegated at the moment.

11. Bode. Will need a heeeeuge turnaround or he's gaaaaaawn.

[Jaded No More 57,583]

Haven't got time to list everyone, however as far as debuting during an AFL game (most will get a gig in the NAB cup) in 2007, the top 3 are:

1. Buckley- huge improvement from him over the pre-season, and it is a lot easier to slot into an established line-up if you're a winger/flanker, than if you are a KPP. He has speed, good skills and now strength. Basically, he is a low-risk debut.

2. Frawley- as soon as he got drafted we were told he's able to play as a flanker or winger while he develops. Besides, there are a few open spots in the backline, so if he performs well during the NAB cup, anything can happen.

3. Newton- he'd be at number 1 if he wasn't a forward, trying to get a spot in an already crowded forward-line. Someone will need to get injured, or be seriously out of form for Newton to get a gig. No doubt that will happen at least once or twice throughout 2007.

[dazzledavey36 48,619]

good summary Dappa Dan! and Jaded id add ricky petterd to that list.. i think he will make his debut before Newton, but like Dp said if he strings a game or two in the nab cup and kick a few goals then theres no doubt he will play coz he has the amazing talent newton does

[Bring-Back-Powell 13,095]

I'm predicting and hoping the first to debut is Ricky Petterd.

Apparently he was a steal at pick 30, and from all reports looks like something special.

[Guest demon38]

Hughes

[Jaded No More 57,583]

good summary Dappa Dan! and Jaded id add ricky petterd to that list.. i think he will make his debut before Newton, but like Dp said if he strings a game or two in the nab cup and kick a few goals then theres no doubt he will play coz he has the amazing talent newton does

I haven't had a chance to look at Petterd so I can't comment.

If he's as talented as you say he is, than I guess it's possible.

I just feel that the draftees from 04/05 deserve to debut first, given the amount of hard work they've already put it.

Newton will really need to show us something this year. Two years after being drafted, he can't rely on being 'that freakishly talented kid' anymore. I hope that now that Smith is gone, he'll at least be able to cement a spot at Sandy seniors.

[dazzledavey36 48,619]

i swear thats you danny hughes

[occo 2]

1. Isaac Weetra

2. James Frawley

3. Simon Buckley

4. Colin Garland

5. Ricky Petterd

6. Daniel Hughes

7. Shane Neaves

8. Heath Neville

9. Daniel Hayes

10. Jace Bode

11. Michael Newton

[Yze_Magic 3]

I am going to go with Petterd or Weetra

They are both capable of playing as a crumbing forward, and i think we will need one as Davey will spend more time up the ground

As for guys like Buckley, Hughes and Newton, they wont play unless we get a rash of injuries. They havet too many top liners they are competing for spots with

[H.B.K 0]

Petterd, Frawley, Newton or Buckley. I'm not entirely sure who to pick so i'll go with Frawley simply because I'd rather him than Holland (if that's who he is replacing)

I'm hoping that Garland and Neville get a game too because they are Tassie boys!!!

[Pickett_Power33 0]

thought id bring this up lol well Garland and Petterd are the ones drawn out of the hat first

[Gorgoroth 12,305]

frawley would have been except for the injury

[brey9186 102]

how far away is frawley, you would think will be striaght into the team once he is fit

[occo 2]

We have 11 players or a quarter of our playing list who have yet to play a game of AFL football (I'm not counting Nab Cup or pre season practice games).

I decided to make this list of the players in order of their likelihood to make debut first:-

1. James Frawley

2. Simon Buckley

3. Michael Newton

4. Ricky Petterd

5. Shane Neaves

6. Colin Garland

7. Daniel Hughes

8. Isaac Weetra

9. Heath Neville

10. Jace Bode

11. Daniel Hayes

pointless excersise as ND will prob only debut 1 more for the season

[deanox 8,503]

1. Isaac Weetra

2. James Frawley

3. Simon Buckley

4. Colin Garland

5. Ricky Petterd

6. Daniel Hughes

7. Shane Neaves

8. Heath Neville

9. Daniel Hayes

10. Jace Bode

11. Michael Newton

pointless excersise as ND will prob only debut 1 more for the season

occo, it couldnt be that pointless, especially considering that you took part when this thread first came up

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

pointless excersise as ND will prob only debut 1 more for the season

Why will ND prob only debut 1 more player for the season?

Newton deserves a shot after his game today. Buckley is very close. Frawley would play if not injured.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,603]

Unfortunately, Rhino, ND is too conservative in his approach to play youngsters, unless there's absolutely NO other option. We've suffered as a result.

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Unfortunately, Rhino, ND is too conservative in his approach to play youngsters, unless there's absolutely NO other option. We've suffered as a result.

Funny I could have sworn he had played a number of second year players who are struggling at the moment and had Frawley been fit he would have been in round 1. I guess playing Bartram round 1 last year does not help either.

How have we suffered Jack?

[Still Waiting 94]

To the "smart people" who didn't like the idea of at least giving the "kids" a go, I give to you Petterd.Maybe we have another kid that will have a go at doing a job for us.Garland will be better for his run. If we try 'em we will see what potential they have and we can then give them occasional games to acclimatise them to the speed of AFL footy.I dont think the MFC would dare drop Petterd for next weeks game, but lets not expect him to play blinders every week. What he did bring to the team was enthusiasm and intent.Some of our more experienced players need these attributes in bucket loads at the moment.

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,603]

Are those 3 Collingwood debutants so far superior to our recruits, that they can fit into a side that's winning a few games, and has few injuries? No, Malthouse is more prepared to take a punt.. Funny, for a while there I thought I found something I agreed with you about, but you were being sarcastic. You had to go back to round 1, 2006 to find a selection which showed a bit of gumption!

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

Are those 3 Collingwood debutants so far superior to our recruits, that they can fit into a side that's winning a few games, and has few injuries? No, Malthouse is more prepared to take a punt.. Funny, for a while there I thought I found something I agreed with you about, but you were being sarcastic. You had to go back to round 1, 2006 to find a selection which showed a bit of gumption!

Jack,

A few facts about the Collingwood recruits....

Lets look at Dick, Cox and Toovey. Two are rookie elevations who have had a season playing with men and two preseasons under their belt. Cox is 21 and Toovey 20. Both are older than Bate, Dunn and Jones.

In addition, Collingwood were only lacking Buckley from their best team and these players came into a relatively settled side. BTW, what choice does Malthouse have? He traded his second best forward signalling that they were in development mode.

Not just Bartram.....He also blooded Dunn, Jones and Bate as 18 yos not 20/21 yos and backed them all the way. He has continued to do so this year. Frawley platyed every pre season game until injured. Petterd was injured in the pre season after a promising start and highly regarded. I believe without injury he would have been in the mix earlier. He has just got his game going when selected.

In addition, he has had to work McLean, Sylvia and Bell through OP will giving them numerous opportunities with limited experience. You might wish to assess the number of player with less than 60 games in the MFC side throughout 2006. There was a fair bit of gumption there.

Based on their games to day, Newton and Buckley will get a run shortly without a doubt.

[occo 2]

occo, it couldnt be that pointless, especially considering that you took part when this thread first came up

that was before i watched the likes of Fergs, Wheatley and TJ having shocking gmaes and no debutes till round 5. Lots of people know ND is questionable about playing new kids