With all due respect to you blokes you really are getting your knickers in a knot about very little.

....................... By all means have a sense of excitement about the PSD and the RD, but lets not pretend that we are likely to draft a player who will significantly impact our club.

Hard to disagree with your logic Phoenix, but another PSD selection with Stef Martin's potential would be handy.

yes and no. alot of the draftees that are picked up in the PSD were overlooked in the national draft solely due to being lazy and having a bad attitude or other problems like alcohol etc..talent wise, alot of them would be considered good quality players.

Also, there's always a quirk or two about the draft. Players that slip through are always a surprise... Gaertner, Sibosado and DeBoer were all in the early fifties or late forties in certain mock drafts.

The speedy decision making on draft day produces a few rushed decisions... Which makes you think that at certain times players slip through that shouldn't have. If we can get excited about Bail, there's no reason not to get excited about a player that comes only a handful of picks after him. And Martin (plus any rookie we've had that's come through) are good examples of why there's no reason to sneer at late picks.

Also, there's always a quirk or two about the draft. Players that slip through are always a surprise... Gaertner, Sibosado and DeBoer were all in the early fifties or late forties in certain mock drafts.

The speedy decision making on draft day produces a few rushed decisions... Which makes you think that at certain times players slip through that shouldn't have. If we can get excited about Bail, there's no reason not to get excited about a player that comes only a handful of picks after him. And Martin (plus any rookie we've had that's come through) are good examples of why there's no reason to sneer at late picks.

Agreed Dappa, it also gives you a chance to assess your list and sit back and look at who you can get on a needs basis.

IMO big men are a great target as rookies. And for those poo-pooing the rookie draft, a Dean Cox or Nathan Foley would be okay. The club needs to take advantage of every opportunity to get a good footballer.

Also, there's always a quirk or two about the draft. Players that slip through are always a surprise... Gaertner, Sibosado and DeBoer were all in the early fifties or late forties in certain mock drafts.

The speedy decision making on draft day produces a few rushed decisions... Which makes you think that at certain times players slip through that shouldn't have. If we can get excited about Bail, there's no reason not to get excited about a player that comes only a handful of picks after him. And Martin (plus any rookie we've had that's come through) are good examples of why there's no reason to sneer at late picks.

I don't think there are many quick decisions made on draft day, more likely none at all. The issue is that there ends up being a lot of uneducated decisions being made.

If clubs had the fortune of owning a crystal ball & knew which exact players would be left, then they could focus their scouting on those players. As it is there are just too many players in the pool to see all of them enough to make an educated decision like with the top 10 or 20.

Fringe players like Rockliff, Sibosado etc. might be potentially great players, but just don't have the standout qualities as the Watts & Naitanuis so not as much time is spent watching them.

Now that we do have some time up our sleeves we can have a decent look... but i think redleg might be on to something & we already have someone in mind, a decision that was made long ago.

Now that we do have some time up our sleeves we can have a decent look... but i think redleg might be on to something & we already have someone in mind, a decision that was made long ago.

I would hope that Redleg is right. I don't see how we can make an assessment based on 2 weeks of training, when the cream of the potential psd/rookies aren't all training with us.

I'd also hope that we've already got into the ear of the player who we intend to pick in the psd, and have him training with us.

FWIW, reported on Bigfooty that Rockliff will be training with us.

Found this on big footy.. anyone seen him play??

Roos hunt Jurrah by Andrew Aloia

December 6th, 2008

YUENDUMU and star Nightcliff recruit Liam Jurrah may well be the bargain basement buy of the AFL rookie draft.

The Northern Territory News understands the 19-year-old (pictured) from the indigenous community 300km north-west of Alice Springs has been hand picked as a key draft target by North Melbourne coach Dean Laidley.

Jurrah's services in the December 16 draft could turn out to be a tug of war with Melbourne also indicating interest in the player.

But the Kangaroos are fixed as firm favourites to nab Jurrah if he can have his draft nomination papers "rushed through" in time.

It is a startling revelation in the ruckman/forward's career after spending nine hugely successful months with Collingwood's Victorian Football League side before returning to Yuendumu to help the Magpies to an historic AFL Central Australian flag earlier this year.

He has since joined NTFL side Nightcliff and last week showcased his talents with an impressive six goal haul in the Tigers' 111-point mauling of the Tiwi Bombers.

Jurrah's likely exodus may come thanks to the help of Nightcliff's other Alice Springs connection Shaun Cusack.

Cusack, a distinguished player, coach and influential figure at both South Alice Springs and Yuendumu Football Clubs, ranks Jurrah "a real chance" of selection.

"If the paper work goes through, Liam will go," Cusack said.

While Jurrah cut his VFL experience short due to family commitments, there is no questioning his interest in returning to Melbourne where he could possibly link up with resident Alice Springs Kangaroo Matt Campbell.

"Liam wants to go, it's all he has been talking about the past couple of weeks," Cusack said.

"He wants to have another go."

As for Jurrah's potential to succeed, Cusack reckons it is a given.

"He is a 193cm forward who moves like a midfielder," Cusack said. "I don't think we have seen a talent like him for a while."

Jurrah and Cusack are unavailable for NTFL duties with the Tigers today but are confident of returning against Southern Districts next week.

Found this on big footy.. anyone seen him play??

Mentioned here as a smokey.

I believe he didn't end up nominating for the draft.

I don't think there are many quick decisions made on draft day, more likely none at all. The issue is that there ends up being a lot of uneducated decisions being made.

If clubs had the fortune of owning a crystal ball & knew which exact players would be left, then they could focus their scouting on those players. As it is there are just too many players in the pool to see all of them enough to make an educated decision like with the top 10 or 20.

Fringe players like Rockliff, Sibosado etc. might be potentially great players, but just don't have the standout qualities as the Watts & Naitanuis so not as much time is spent watching them.

Now that we do have some time up our sleeves we can have a decent look... but i think redleg might be on to something & we already have someone in mind, a decision that was made long ago.

I can't agree with that - senior full-time recruiter and team working all year on it - there's plenty of tiime to see enough of the 70 or so players drafted in the ND - there's no quick or uneducated decisions being made.

My gut feeling is that we know who we will be drafting ( certainly PSD and 1st Rookie pick ) already. We can watch others at other clubs and not disclose our interest.

I think the Mfc have a fair idea who they will take with the PSD pick by now, they're probably just doing their due diligence as usual and finalising the rookies to be drafted.

Recruiting has improved but it's still not an exact science. People have memories like goldfish around here. Flash was a rookie a few short years ago, he's now the face of our marketing. Steph Martin has me as excited as any of last years pickups, still fools claim if you weren't picked in the national draft, you're no good. Bail has been passed over 6 or 9 times in drafts and yet because he was picked in the ND this year he's ahead of everybody who wasn't . Meesen was a top 10 pick ( I think) a few years ago. As Jack Watts said, right now he's on even footing with everyone else drafted this year, it's what happens after you make a list that matters.

Melbourne: Tristan Francis (Gippsland Power), Daniel Hughes (Melbourne rookie 2007), Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons), Sam O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers), Dylan Ross (Claremont), Shane Tregear (Sandringham), Marcus White (Calder Cannons)

all i know is dylan ross is 192cm tall forward who was in the AIS with cale morton. kicks goals too!

Tristan Francis

Date of birth: 15/8/89

Height: 181cm

Weight: 77kg

Club: Gippsland Power

Francis is a competitive midfielder who can find the ball and kick goals. He has pace, which was highlighted by a 2.91sec 20m sprint time at the Victorian state screening session.

Jordi McKenzie

Date of birth: 21/6/90

Height: 186cm

Weight: 71kg

Club: Geelong Falcons

A medium midfielder with good aerobic capacity, McKenzie is a versatile player who can win his own ball both inside and outside, and can also play defensive roles on a tall.

Sam O'Sullivan

Date of birth: 23/11/90

Height: 186cm

Weight: 81kg

Club: Oakleigh Chargers

Strong midfield type with powerful legs.

Dylan Ross

Date of birth: 26/6/90

Height: 191cm

Weight: 88kg

Club: Claremont

A hard-working tall marking forward who is strong on the lead. Ross reads the play well, and has the ability to go back when required. He was an AIS/AFL Academy graduate in 2007.

Marcus White

Follow link:

http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi...sectionID=55586

Shane Tregear

Follow link:

http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi...sectionID=55654

Hope this helps... I've seen Dylan Ross play and he looks the goods. It would take him a year or two to develop but he has a lot of an upside to him. He reads the play well and is very agile. He has an accurate kick from what I've seen so i hope we rookie him.

God help us, Michael Rix was training with us.

Does anyone know the status on that?

Just another dud ruckman to add to the list at the MFC

God help us, Michael Rix was training with us.

Does anyone know the status on that?

Just another dud ruckman to add to the list at the MFC

Where did you hear that?

Any source?

Those of us hoping that we might add a little height and weight to the list through the PSD and Rookie drafts won't get any joy out of those training with us. Only Ross (191.5) is more than 190 cm.

I certainly hope they don't waste a spot on Hughes again. He must be 23 by now. He's not nearly consistent enough for AFL

Where did you hear that?

Any source?

Apparently it was on Saintsational. My mate was telling me, but no there is no 'official' source.

The full list of players permitted to train with AFL clubs:

Adelaide Ricky Henderson (Trentham)

Brisbane Lions Daniel Dzufer (Brisbane Lions) Phillip Smith (Brisbane Lions) Adam Spackman (Brisbane Lions rookie) Joel Tippett (Brisbane Lions)

Carlton Greg Bentley (Port Adelaide) Lachie Hill (Carlton rookie list) Sam Jacobs (Carlton rookie list) Darren Pfeiffer (Carlton) Chris Johnson (Melbourne)

Collingwood Bryce Carrol (Western Jets) Michael Gugliotta (Northern Territory) Toby Thoolen (Collingwood)

Essendon Stuart Crameri (Bendigo Bombers) Hayden Skipworth (Bendigo Bombers)

Fremantle Chris Smith (Fremantle)

Geelong Nil

Hawthorn Nathan Batsanis (Box Hill Hawks) Jeff Garlett (Swan Districts) Kane Goodwin (Perth) Alex Grima (Hawthorn) Haydn Kiel (Brisbane Lions) Ben Kennedy (Sandringham Dragons) Lukas Markovic (Box Hill Hawks) Riley Milne (Murray Bushrangers) Gary Moss (Hawthorn) Cameron Pederson (Box Hill Hawks) Hugh Sandilands (Hawthorn) Ben Smithwick (Box Hill Hawks) Matthew Suckling (Hawthorn) Rhys O'Sullivan (Box Hill Hawks) Clancee Pearce (Swan Districts) Charlie Sharples (Sturt) Thomas Warby (Box Hill Hawks)

Melbourne Tristan Francis (Gippsland Power) Daniel Hughes (Melbourne rookie 2007) Jordie McKenzie (Geelong Falcons) Sam O'Sullivan (Oakleigh Chargers) Dylan Ross (Claremont) Shane Tregear (Sandringham) Marcus White (Calder Cannons)

North Melbourne Alan Obst (North Melbourne)

Port Adelaide Kory Beard (Port Adelaide Magpies) Daniel Caire (West Adelaide) Josh Carr (Fremantle) Tom Holmes (Glenelg) Gavin Hughes (Western Bulldogs) Andrew Lee (Essendon) Charlie McAdam (North Adelaide) Matthew Martin (West Adelaide) Danny Meyer (Richmond) Brayden O’Hara (Central District) Chris Schmidt (Brisbane Lions) Ben Speight (Norwood) Daniel Stewart (North Adelaide) Wade Thompson (North Adelaide)

Richmond Andrew Browne (Murray Bushrangers) David Gourdis (Richmond) Kade Klemke (Murray Bushrangers) Nick Liddle (Coburg) Patrick Nicholls (St Bedes) Matt Suckling (Sandringham Dragons) Justin Van Unen (Oakleigh Chargers) Bryn Weadon (North Ballarat)

St Kilda Steven Gaertner (Dandenong Stingrays) Brad Howard (St Kilda) Sam Iles (Collingwood) Halen Kay (Gippsland Power) Luke Stanton (Northern Knights) Tommy Walsh (County Kerry Ireland)

Sydney Swans Aaron Bruce (Sydney Swans) Peter Faulks (Sydney Swans) Kristin Thornton (Sydney Swans)

West Coast Nil

Western Bulldogs Liam Picken (Williamstown)