The Defence That Craig Built

[Snoopy 41]

As readers of Demonland know I post little and rarely if ever start threads but this will most likely go unnoticed if it's not mentioned here.

In the dark years, prior to Saturday night when we saw the first real evidence of the sunrise, many at our club were vilified for their part in our circumstance with few avoiding the wrath of posters and supporters. That vilification intensified as time went on.

Craig Cameron was one such person. I don't intend to enter into the well worn and now boring debate as to whether he was great or deplorable but what I will recognize here is the defense that he built.

On Saturday night our defense was made up of Frawley - pick 12, Garland - pick 46, Warnock - rookie, Bartram - 60 and Grimes pick 14. Warnock was a mature rookie punt from Sandringham and is 26 but the others are 22 or younger and will form the core of our defense for a good few years yet unless some early picks from the Prendergast years replace them. But I doubt the foundations of that defense, Warnock, Frawley and Garland will be replaced.

Prendergast will get much praise for the eventual rebuild of our Club, and while I'm a huge fan (looking at Bennell, McKenzie and Bail being later picks who look great,) he will have done so with the advantage of picks Cameron never had.

Our defense will be built by Craig and he will have his fingerprints all over our future success with Jamar ®, Morton (P4), Spencer®, Rivers(P26), Wonaeamirri®, Jones (12), Petterd(30),Bate(13) and Martin(PSD) all good chances to be meaningful members of the new era.

Thanks mate.

[Nasher 33,047]

The most amazing thing about Warnock is that after his two years on the rookie list of zero output, he followed it up with another year on the senior list with zero output. It wasn't until his 4th year on the list, even as a "mature" recruit, that he began to have a real impact. It's a great example of the club persevering because they recognised attributes in a player that was invisible to the mug supporter.

It just makes the fire Garland and Frawley received around here based on their initial years on the list look even more ridiculous.

[Swampfox 190]

The most amazing thing about Warnock is that after his two years on the rookie list of zero output, he followed it up with another year on the senior list with zero output. It wasn't until his 4th year on the list, even as a "mature" recruit, that he began to have a real impact. It's a great example of the club persevering because they recognised attributes in a player that was invisible to the mug supporter.

It just makes the fire Garland and Frawley received around here based on their initial years on the list look even more ridiculous.

Agreed

It seems the potential of a player who has the attributes of a KPP has alot more time to develop within teams

We can use the Shane Valenti example of a player who tried really hard but had limited attributes because of his size , skillset or speed

The kid had to have something special as apposed to someone like Juice to stay on our list so to speak

Are we going to see the same with someone like Addam Maric etc

Not everyone makes the grade which shouldnt be detrimental to the player concerned as this isnt an easy game to play at this level

the development of players by the time they reach AFL Draft level is poor IMO

It amazes me how many cannot use their non preferred side to kick or handpass but WOW can they run

Back in the days when players aged around 16 were recruited by clubs they had full control on their developement

Tim Watson for example played seniors at age 15

IMO the best thing Melbourne could do is have a stand alone VFL senoirs team like Collingwood and Geelong

I agree that some supporters are far too harsh on some players trying to make the grade

[Redleg 37,549]

As readers of Demonland know I post little and rarely if ever start threads but this will most likely go unnoticed if it's not mentioned here.

In the dark years, prior to Saturday night when we saw the first real evidence of the sunrise, many at our club were vilified for their part in our circumstance with few avoiding the wrath of posters and supporters. That vilification intensified as time went on.

Craig Cameron was one such person. I don't intend to enter into the well worn and now boring debate as to whether he was great or deplorable but what I will recognize here is the defense that he built.

On Saturday night our defense was made up of Frawley - pick 12, Garland - pick 46, Warnock - rookie, Bartram - 60 and Grimes pick 14. Warnock was a mature rookie punt from Sandringham and is 26 but the others are 22 or younger and will form the core of our defense for a good few years yet unless some early picks from the Prendergast years replace them. But I doubt the foundations of that defense, Warnock, Frawley and Garland will be replaced.

Prendergast will get much praise for the eventual rebuild of our Club, and while I'm a huge fan (looking at Bennell, McKenzie and Bail being later picks who look great,) he will have done so with the advantage of picks Cameron never had.

Our defense will be built by Craig and he will have his fingerprints all over our future success with Jamar ®, Morton (P4), Spencer®, Rivers(P26), Wonaeamirri®, Jones (12), Petterd(30),Bate(13) and Martin(PSD) all good chances to be meaningful members of the new era.

Thanks mate.

Good post.

[Lil_red_fire_engine 10,147]

As readers of Demonland know I post little and rarely if ever start threads but this will most likely go unnoticed if it's not mentioned here.

In the dark years, prior to Saturday night when we saw the first real evidence of the sunrise, many at our club were vilified for their part in our circumstance with few avoiding the wrath of posters and supporters. That vilification intensified as time went on.

Craig Cameron was one such person. I don't intend to enter into the well worn and now boring debate as to whether he was great or deplorable but what I will recognize here is the defense that he built.

On Saturday night our defense was made up of Frawley - pick 12, Garland - pick 46, Warnock - rookie, Bartram - 60 and Grimes pick 14. Warnock was a mature rookie punt from Sandringham and is 26 but the others are 22 or younger and will form the core of our defense for a good few years yet unless some early picks from the Prendergast years replace them. But I doubt the foundations of that defense, Warnock, Frawley and Garland will be replaced.

Prendergast will get much praise for the eventual rebuild of our Club, and while I'm a huge fan (looking at Bennell, McKenzie and Bail being later picks who look great,) he will have done so with the advantage of picks Cameron never had.

Our defense will be built by Craig and he will have his fingerprints all over our future success with Jamar ®, Morton (P4), Spencer®, Rivers(P26), Wonaeamirri®, Jones (12), Petterd(30),Bate(13) and Martin(PSD) all good chances to be meaningful members of the new era.

Thanks mate.

Good post Craig....I mean Peanuts

[Dappa Dan 2,188]

Bravo Peanuts. This is something I've believed for a while now. CC was everyone's lovechild 3 years ago. The the minute he left he was the scapegoat. He's a very, very good recruiter, and it's no wonder he was headunted.

[Steamin Demon 370]

I don't think Warnock got a real go from Danner's it wasn't until Bailey played Warnock, Garland togther consistently that we really started to see something.

[dee-luded 2,958]

As readers of Demonland know I post little and rarely if ever start threads but this will most likely go unnoticed if it's not mentioned here.

In the dark years, prior to Saturday night when we saw the first real evidence of the sunrise, many at our club were vilified for their part in our circumstance with few avoiding the wrath of posters and supporters. That vilification intensified as time went on.

Craig Cameron was one such person. I don't intend to enter into the well worn and now boring debate as to whether he was great or deplorable but what I will recognize here is the defense that he built.

On Saturday night our defense was made up of Frawley - pick 12, Garland - pick 46, Warnock - rookie, Bartram - 60 and Grimes pick 14. Warnock was a mature rookie punt from Sandringham and is 26 but the others are 22 or younger and will form the core of our defense for a good few years yet unless some early picks from the Prendergast years replace them. But I doubt the foundations of that defense, Warnock, Frawley and Garland will be replaced.

Prendergast will get much praise for the eventual rebuild of our Club, and while I'm a huge fan (looking at Bennell, McKenzie and Bail being later picks who look great,) he will have done so with the advantage of picks Cameron never had.

Our defense will be built by Craig and he will have his fingerprints all over our future success with Jamar ®, Morton (P4), Spencer®, Rivers(P26), Wonaeamirri®, Jones (12), Petterd(30),Bate(13) and Martin(PSD) all good chances to be meaningful members of the new era.

Thanks mate.

Absolutely right 'Peanuts', CC did quite a lot of good work. He selected numerous good kids, & we will never know which players could have been A grade with a topline football dept with the necessary funds to teach them & bring their football on.

Our club has been poor developing our kids as have other struggling clubs.

[Go the Biff 3,127]

I don't think Warnock got a real go from Danner's it wasn't until Bailey played Warnock, Garland togther consistently that we really started to see something.

I don't think Warnock deserved an opportunity under Daniher. He was largely tripe at Sandy & showed nothing, nothing to suggest he would be an AFL level player let alone a KPP. I admit I was keen to see him cut three years ago. Very happy to be proved wrong & hope he continues to prove me wrong for a good few years.

[Axis of Bob 10,203]

Warnock wasn't really pushing for selection early on, but there were definitely signs that he could be an AFL player with development. It's lucky that he made an impact in that last year of his contract, though, because the end was nigh!

What he had, which others didn't, was legspeed. Key defenders with legspeed are very rare and that was enough to keep him on the list. He was still a dependable defensive stopper at VFL level and, given our historic weakness for tall defenders he was given plenty of time.

Edited April 26, 2010 by Axis of Bob

[Real Demon 232]

Good call.........like all recruiters, Craig Cameron has had hits and misses, but overall I think he did a great job with the MFC, and left our list in a better place than what found it. We can't ask for much more than that!

[Adzman 2,085]

I am going to cop it here, but our kids struggled to push though because Nathan 'Chopper' Carroll did his job down back for a few seasons there. It was when he started to wane that the dees toyed with anything they had (including Buckets Holland down back). This opened the door for Warnock.

Warnock was a gamble that paid off, and he has pinned it down ever since. Garland and Chip copped it big time early on in their career. I was never one to ride chip, but Garland was a guy that I could not figure out. I never bagged him, but I wasn't going to back my house on him being the player he is (or is going to be) today.

Just look at them now..........great perseverance from our list management team!

[Jumping Jack Clennett 1,610]

"I don't think Warnock got a real go from Danner's it wasn't until Bailey played Warnock, Garland togther consistently that we really started to see something."

That's exactly what I reckon, "Steamin'". I remember his first 2 games. The unlucky loss to Adelaide in Carrara, then the upset win in Sydney. His stats weren't good in either match, but I thought he looked promising. He wasn't picked again very much by Danners.

Edited April 26, 2010 by JUMPING JACK CLENNETT

[Nasher 33,047]

I am going to cop it here, but our kids struggled to push though because Nathan 'Chopper' Carroll did his job down back for a few seasons there. It was when he started to wane that the dees toyed with anything they had (including Buckets Holland down back). This opened the door for Warnock.

Why would you cop it for that? It's absolutely spot on I reckon. Hannabal's question at the time was "where's he going to play and who's he better than?" The answer is of course full back, and he's better than Nathan Carroll, but it was impossible to forecast that at the time. Carroll was playing good footy and Warnock was coasting in the VFL.

[old55 21,231]

My understanding is Daniher was a big fan of Warnock and was instrumental in getting him onto our list from Sandringham.

[e25 5]

It's interesting to say that Craig Cameron is actually responsible for our emerging backline talent; it's not something I disagree with.

I think it's lesson on building a list - get the talls first because they take longer, then supplement them with hundreds of skilled mids.

Just so happens that our rebuilding has spanned 2 recruitment gurus.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Enforcer25

[Rhino Richards 1,467]

My understanding is Daniher was a big fan of Warnock and was instrumental in getting him onto our list from Sandringham.

Same here. I thought Daniher gave him significant opportunity to develop of a young defender via the rookie list.

[hoopla 418]

I am going to cop it here, but our kids struggled to push though because Nathan 'Chopper' Carroll did his job down back for a few seasons there. It was when he started to wane that the dees toyed with anything they had (including Buckets Holland down back). This opened the door for Warnock.

Warnock was a gamble that paid off, and he has pinned it down ever since. Garland and Chip copped it big time early on in their career. I was never one to ride chip, but Garland was a guy that I could not figure out. I never bagged him, but I wasn't going to back my house on him being the player he is (or is going to be) today.

Just look at them now..........great perseverance from our list management team!

The big difference now is that we have a full-time development coach ( Kelly O'Donnell) and a professional approach to developing our young talent. We are also beginning to get on top of player conditioning and injury prevention. We are even starting to get some decent facilities.

Craig Cameron did a good job as a recruiter - and Danners did a good job as senior coach. We just fell off the pace in between them. We had some terrific individuals there - like Chris Fagan - but they had no support resources

[dee-luded 2,958]

The big difference now is that we have a full-time development coach ( Kelly O'Donnell) and a professional approach to developing our young talent. We are also beginning to get on top of player conditioning and injury prevention. We are even starting to get some decent facilities.

Craig Cameron did a good job as a recruiter - and Danners did a good job as senior coach. We just fell off the pace in between them. We had some terrific individuals there - like Chris Fagan - but they had no support resources

Yep, Kelly & others.