I have my doubts on Darling.

Firstly because of his size.

Secondly, how does a player who prides himself on physicality recover mentally from a fractured skull?

Thirdly. What role do we want him to play? Dunn, Bate, Petterd and Jurrah are all similar height.

Fouthly, When there are questions about character, they tend not to be one-off incidents.

I'd be happy to draft Smedts and hope we pick up a 6'6'' potential forward later in the draft.

David neitz was no giant but could crash a pack as a key forward the players u mentioned are not kpp players this guy may well be regardless of his lack of 3-5cm! As for the injury I'm sure all 17 clubs will have him completely checked out

If his character is in doubt the club won't touch him especially at pick 12 there is way to much talent around

Why does all this talk make me think Mitch Thorp???

Snap.

He's not 193cm!

Which raises the question why the AFL doesn't release the full results of its draft combine? They usually only release the top 10 results in each category and leave the rest to guesswork or inside information.

They might not wish to divulge some of the poorer results from testing but why not the information about players' heights and weights?

The issues for recruiting managers are Darling’s height and weight, and his potential for development. Given his bullish build, it’s likely that he’s stopped growing.

At 190 centimetres, he’s too short to play as a key forward, but he could make a strong contribution in a role in which he’s the third forward and a crunching midfielder.

At 94 kilograms, he’s solid enough to make an impact in his first season but Western Australia’s fourth match at the recent NAB AFL Under-18 Championships against NSW illustrates the conundrum for those trying to rate Darling’s draft prospects.

Of course, he was the dominant presence. He took marks and attacked the ball with trademark zeal. Perhaps the most impressive part of his game was that he gathered more possessions than most midfielders while playing as a key forward.

But his kicking for goal was poor. Darling had no problem booting the ball 60 metres, but he did have a problem with his radar. His return was 1.4. Scouts were left to scratch their heads about not only his development prospects, but his wonky kicking.

Recruiter's Darling or draft drifter?

David neitz was no giant but could crash a pack as a key forward the players u mentioned are not kpp players this guy may well be regardless of his lack of 3-5cm! As for the injury I'm sure all 17 clubs will have him completely checked out

If his character is in doubt the club won't touch him especially at pick 12 there is way to much talent around

Daz I must have been watching a different player.

Neitz was well over 6 feet ( In the old language )and weight 100Kg+

If used correctly That size will get most backmen looking over their shoulder.

If this kid likes to throw his weight around, has a bit of a swagger and the talent to warrant it I'm all for selecting him. If a 17 year old footballer doesn't misbehave it's only because no one noticed.

Not sure about your last comment

However what the MFC needs is is a forward who throws his weight around and has a high opinon of himself.

We have enough wall flowers lets get a Dermie, Buddy or Brown.

Those guys win flags not meek little numbers who worry to much about getting reported.

Article in the Herald sun today about Eagles not trading for Krakour. At the end of the article it says that Eagles are ready to pick up Darling with pick 4! Might just be guessing from the reporter.

This article in the Hun today has West Coast taking Darling

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/worsfold-says-krakouer-not-in-eagles-best-22/story-e6frf9jf-1225946566646

West Coast is set to pounce on West Perth youngster Jack Darling with the fourth pick in the draft if the burly forward is overlooked by the Gold Coast, which has the first three selections.

The article is mainly about Krakouer and the above paragraph is the only mention of Darling or the draft. No indication of why they think that.

Probably just a staff writer with NFI going off articles from 12 months ago.

Great minds...

The article is mainly about Krakouer and the above paragraph is the only mention of Darling or the draft. No indication of why they think that.

Probably just a staff writer with NFI going off articles from 12 months ago.

The journalist obviously has little idea of what's going on. He talks about Darling at 4 IF GC overlook him. Well it's common knowledge that they're going to select Swallow, Bennell and Day @ 1,2,3.

The journalist obviously has little idea of what's going on. He talks about Darling at 4 IF GC overlook him. Well it's common knowledge that they're going to select Swallow, Bennell and Day @ 1,2,3.

O well- if he goes to WC- well we will just have to pick up another.Plenty going around. I think he was made for us- however not much improvement in him- plenty in a bloke like Lynch.

O well- if he goes to WC- well we will just have to pick up another.Plenty going around. I think he was made for us- however not much improvement in him- plenty in a bloke like Lynch.

I seriously doubt they will take Darling @ 4. Best available. Worsfold states here, that they'll take best available. At pick 4 Darling isn't it and won't be it. He will probably be there at pick 12. Agree with you John, he is exactly what we are looking for, 195 or not 195 it doesn't matter, he plays tall and applies fantastic forward pressure, plus when he makes a contest he will at least bring the ball to ground plus go after it on the deck (he will play 2 roles in our forward line - a tall and a crumber). Plus he's hungry, desperate for the contest, something our forward line is missing and craving. He has the frame to become really solid, if he isn't already and that will more than make up for his "lack of height".

Jack Darling come on down (we could do much worse). Lynch will be gone, he has huge upside, but with that comes greater risk. At least with Darling we know what we will be getting. He can bring his mate Jamie Cripps over too, he would fit nicely on a HBF (but i doubt he will be there come our 2nd pick).

Edited November 2, 201014 yr by Demon Disciple

Darling over Gaff or Day? Not likely.

Darling over Gaff or Day? Not likely.

Day will be gone at #3.

#1 - Swallow

#2 - Bennell

#3 - Day

West Coast may be looking to select Darling at #4 for the following reasons:

• Darling addresses a need as a KPF
  They have delisted Notte and have moved Brown to CHB/FB (possibly a future replacement for Glass down the track) aside from those two the remaining KPF's are: Lynch, Kennedy, Hansen and Wilson. Lynch and Hansen will be gone after 2011 and Wilson is no certainty to make it at AFL level.
  
• West Coast have stocked up on midfielders from the past 2 drafts
  Over the past two seasons WCE have stocked up on a good set/mix of onballers from the draft, these include:
  Luke Shuey (will be a fantastic player)
  Brad Sheppard (will eventually play on ball)
  Koby Stevens (will replace Priddis)
  Scott Selwood (nothing really to write home about, but will be groomed to play as a tagger)
  Tom Swift (has upside)
  Chris Masten (poor year, but was a highly rated junior - so has something to work with)
  Brad Ebert (improving and averaging 20+ disposals per game)
  While a Gaff/Polec would add much more class here - the core of this group (+Daniel Kerr) is enough to work with as it is. West Coast also have selections #26 and #28 which they could use to secure a handy midfielder who may be overlooked in the first round. The selection of Gaff/Polec may just re-shuffle and alienate/stun the development some of the midfield crop they current have developing (please note that this is not my view, rather a reason as to why they would consider Darling over Gaff/Polec).
  
• Darling is a home grown talent
  Lets be honest people, we've all read the articles about Darling outside of football and despite interviewing well (with Carlton, at least) we've all had the thought cross our minds that off the field he may be a lively character. We also know that once players leave Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane etc to come to Melbourne they are reluctant to return. West Coast may view this selection as being the best of both worlds (as with Natanui last year) as Darling both fills a need and is a minimal risk selection (whereby he would be in it at WCE for the long run - with no flight risk).
  

Edited November 2, 201014 yr by Mr Untouchable

That group of mids is definitely NOT enough to work with.

They are still desperately lacking class and speed in the midfield.

West Coast have also stated that state of origin doesn't come into the equation on a 1st round pick.

Edited November 2, 201014 yr by E25

Luke Shuey (will be a fantastic player)

Brad Sheppard (will eventually play on ball)

Koby Stevens (will replace Priddis)

Scott Selwood (nothing really to write home about, but will be groomed to play as a tagger)

Tom Swift (has upside)

Chris Masten (poor year, but was a highly rated junior - so has something to work with)

Brad Ebert (improving and averaging 20+ disposals per game)

So "The Dr" returns

Just link to it: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=773539

West Coast very into 'Hello Darling':

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/worsfold-says-krakouer-not-in-eagles-best-22/story-e6frf9jf-1225946566646

So "The Dr" returns

Just link to it: http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=773539

Hrmmm.

edit: Good get old55. It's a match.

Thanks !

The "predictor" in the "Hun" today lists him at pick 20.

If that is accurate he is ranked a long way from 12!

The "predictor" in the "Hun" today lists him at pick 20.

If that is accurate he is ranked a long way from 12!

Gysberts wasn't in any phantom drafts within the top 20 before the national draft. Those who weren't in the know rated him pick 20-30.

That means bugger all at the end of the day, and the people in the know make their rankings of players very meticulously and seriously.

Gysberts wasn't in any phantom drafts within the top 20 before the national draft. Those who weren't in the know rated him pick 20-30.

That means bugger all at the end of the day, and the people in the know make their rankings of players very meticulously and seriously.

good post

The "predictor" in the "Hun" today lists him at pick 20.

If that is accurate he is ranked a long way from 12!

We've read West Coast taking him at 4. And that seems a long way from 12. I think it's better we wait until the real thing.

We've read West Coast taking him at 4. And that seems a long way from 12. I think it's better we wait until the real thing.

Herald Sun saying he may have head injuries and needs to be checked. Could be clubs further down the draft list spreading stories.

Honestly, that has been a concern for me and seems to be the only reason he should drop out of the top 15.

edit: (really the top 10, but I live in hope...)

Edited November 7, 201014 yr by E25