Oh dear. Another thread shoplifted by the Bate nexus.

Personally I love Bate. I reckon he gives you that big point of difference. He's nothing like a normal footballer. He's quick in straight lines for a big lad, but he doesn't turn. He has safe hands, but doesn't leap. His kicking technique is highly unattractive... but my goodness it's bordering on elite. The long bombs, both from set shots and especially on the run are remarkably reliable. He makes good position, has a good footy brain when the ball is on its way in, and he leads like Brad Miller... but then his awareness sometimes leaves a bit to be desired.

He does a number of things so well that no-one sees him coming... but then against good sides he goes quiet. His biggest concern these days is, ironically, his teammates. Watts, Jurrah, and then a 50/50 of Green/Dunn (swapping as forwards or utilities further up the ground) will be the starting 3/4. After that I think Bate might be next cab off the rank for that spot on the bench, assuming Petterd isn't healthy. The issue is that there's a list as long as my arm for who will be giving him pressure for forward line spots.Bail, Bennell, Cook, Davey, Howe, Jamar, Jetta, Martin, Maric, Sylvia, Tapscott, Wonna... all these guys WILL play in the forward line this year. If Bate strings together a few howlers, unlike recent years, there's going to be a number of names screaming for a go...

Get used to it I guess. Hopefully Batertron can find another string to his bow a la Dunny... He's definitely a very good player... probably would find himself a solid B-Grader in a premiership side... and they're VERY important.

The thing that most stood out for me with Lucas Cook was a lack of panic.

Agree. So far have only seen the Port game, and the two bits that I liked the best were Lucas Cook and the continued development of Jack Watts. Apart from the poise shown by LC there was mobility and the ability to get involved, albeit only in a cameo way at the moment.

Also liked Neville Jetta's game. From the start he has shown he has an interesting box of tricks, but I wondered whether he was quick enough to make a significant impact at his height; as he develops he seems to be showing that his smarts and poise could make him a useful contributor.

Dan Nicholson also showed a bit for a first game with no real pre-season.

I know it's unreliable, but he's listed as 192cm.

I think in Howe's case it is very unreliable. When he stands next to the other 2010 draftees it is obvious. Like LJ he has a great leap and that compensates for the lack of cms.

I reckon Bate, Dunn and Petterd are fighting for 2 spots in the fwd line. Not sure if we can fit all 3 in.

If true that is a good psoition to be in. All good teams have pressure on places in the side.

I have never thought mobility was an issue.

Then you're not one of those calling him gumboots.

The tragedy that we might end of up having to trade some of these more experienced guys who stood through the tough times but don't get a regular gig in the 'super-team' is balanced by the fact that they are definitely handy players, would earn a reasonable draft pick compensation for the club, and would still be able to assemble a good second half of their career.

The Prismall story, hopefully without the injuries.

And hopefully everyone gets to snag a Demons premiership or two before it is time to move on.

I thought Lucas Cook was absolutely fantastic and showed he is a genuine CHF with a high work rate; collecting several balls up the ground and making second and third efforts capped off with strong marking and beautiful kicking and was unlucky not to kick a goal. I haven't noticed anyone else give him a rap and was just wondering about other people's thoughts?

Already he has surpassed Miller.

Bate is someone who is particularly vulnerable to a bad preseason. But fit i think he can be very damaging. After last night it seemed to me that he has addressed the iissue of his turning circle.

Cook looked impressive to me, hard to see exactly what his weaknesses are from just last night, looks to have a lot of bases covered.

Good summation on both Bate and Cook. Also thought Tom McDonald showed something, but the recruit who impressed me the most was Evans.

cook was very vrey impressive! alot better then that other bloke that was gunna be number one couple of years ago.. john butcher? lol anyways cook seemed real mobile and quick to. got good clean hands and his kicking skills is top notch. will form a very dynamic duo with watts and jurrah and howe aswell.

Bate was impressive aswell. as alot have said he did look alot agile and seems to be moving freely. bate has that x factor to snag goals when pressure is on. i rate him very highly and would like to see him get a bit of [censored] about him.

I agree. I was on the Scully/Butcher bandwagon two years ago. Now I'm very glad we didn't pick him up and went Scully/Trengove instead. Butcher may be OK in the end but seems to have an attitude as well. Cook seems a better bet.

Oh dear. Another thread shoplifted by the Bate nexus.

Get used to it I guess. Hopefully Batertron can find another string to his bow a la Dunny... He's definitely a very good player... probably would find himself a solid B-Grader in a premiership side... and they're VERY important.

If Bartram could kick he we would be talking about him in the most glowing terms. He is quick, desperate, super fit, and has great judgement. Just remember how many small forwards he stifled last year. He was fantastic. Its just that horrible disposal that lets him down. Such a shame. Most small forwards would hate playing on him. I still thinks he has a big place in our team.

I thought there was a marked change in Bartrams kicking technique on Friday night. Will be keen to see whether it holds up under pressure.

For someone I thought was purely a long-term tall forward development project, I was extremely impressed with Cook on Friday. He genuinely looks like he'll be ready to hold his own at AFL level within the next 2 years (as opposed to the 3-5 that I was assuming).

Going to be a great year to watch the development of the forward line!

Very exciting times.....bring on the pies! We will push them hard this year...how will teams be able to shut us down if we stay fit and have a mid field that can get on top?

From what I saw, Cook can play a role this year. More likely on a HFF but he looked very good.

I thought there was a marked change in Bartrams kicking technique on Friday night. Will be keen to see whether it holds up under pressure.

Yes,"Big Red", I noticed a new kicking technique by Clint. It was very effective and accurate. It was a little bit risky, in that it took a long time to get the ball from hand to foot, but it worked well.

I think he must have put in hours of practice over summer. It's very tough to alter one's natural kicking style.

That's all well and good, but Bartram's bigger problem has always been identifying and selecting the best option.

Until that is sorted, I still worry when the ball is in his hands.

Bate - still got work to do before round 1. Just doesn't have the agility to put on the forward pressure so needs to take advantage of every opportunity with the ball. That doesn't just mean kicking long bombs but also linking up effectively by hand. He's looking very trim but has serious competition in Jurrah/Dunn/Petterd/Green as marking mid size forwards. You couldn't play all 5 of them in the same side. Howe is another in the same category.

Cook - very promising start. Moves nicely, uses it well and showed a decent set of hands. I wonder if he can show a bit in the VFL this year whether he is worth getting into the side very early (end of this year and 2012) to play along side Watts as true tall forwards. I don't think you can win a flag just with Jurrah/Watts/and a resting ruck. I think you need a permanent marking forward with a big body and for that reason I'd think of fast-tracking Cook if he shows enough.

The other 2 young guys to impress were Dan Nicholson and Michael Evans. Both made enough of a first impression to make me think they are a good chance at getting off the rookie list at some stage. Evans looks a clean player, similar to a mini Trengove. Athletically he might be a trick short, but he looks a naturally classy type. Nicholson reminded me of a first year Bartram with his speed and hardness. His kicking looks acceptable as well. With Bruce gone there is a spot to take in the backline and being a bit older than most recruits he could be a chance to grab it.

Evans did look ok but it is hard to get a gauge in the NAB Cup. even though the ball moved around quite sharp. Cook was ok but needs more games and full pre-seasons. needs to be stronger to take on the big boys.

bate looks pretty keen to impress this year and is up and running. bartram is a required player for down back and set tasks.

Evans did look ok but it is hard to get a gauge in the NAB Cup. even though the ball moved around quite sharp. Cook was ok but needs more games and full pre-seasons. needs to be stronger to take on the big boys.

bate looks pretty keen to impress this year and is up and running. bartram is a required player for down back and set tasks.

That contested mark Lucas took in the Port game tells me he's not far off.

I think he'll be in for round 1.

That contested mark Lucas took in the Port game tells me he's not far off.

I think he'll be in for round 1.

Contested mark was fantastic but will be back in the pecking order to start with...

Needs to kick a handful of goals over the next couple of weeks to even be considered.

That's all well and good, but Bartram's bigger problem has always been identifying and selecting the best option.

Until that is sorted, I still worry when the ball is in his hands.

Bartram in my opinion is one of the smarter footballers on our list, reads the play well and knows how to move the ball but his foot skills let him down too often.

he is also the best tackler along with Nev Jetta

Bartram in my opinion is one of the smarter footballers on our list, reads the play well and knows how to move the ball but his foot skills let him down too often.

he is also the best tackler along with Nev Jetta

Jol MacDonald and Grimes can tackle

Bartram in my opinion is one of the smarter footballers on our list, reads the play well and knows how to move the ball but his foot skills let him down too often.

he is also the best tackler along with Nev Jetta

Surely you are joking??

He is one of the least smart footballers we have on the list.

He consistently runs himself into trouble, not just when kicking.

Reading the play and taking the game on are not his forte.

There is nothing fatally wrong with his kicking action; it is where he chooses to place his kicks.

It's why he plays in a BP or as a tagger and isn't relied upon to drive the footy out of defense.

He has all the physical capabilities, but it's just not going on upstairs.

He needs a simple task, like sticking to an opponent like glue.

That contested mark Lucas took in the Port game tells me he's not far off.

I think he'll be in for round 1.

(Incredulous tone) No he won't!

Surely you are joking??

He is one of the least smart footballers we have on the list.

He consistently runs himself into trouble, not just when kicking.

Reading the play and taking the game on are not his forte.

There is nothing fatally wrong with his kicking action; it is where he chooses to place his kicks.

It's why he plays in a BP or as a tagger and isn't relied upon to drive the footy out of defense.

He has all the physical capabilities, but it's just not going on upstairs.

He needs a simple task, like sticking to an opponent like glue.

yes I agree

Contested mark was fantastic but will be back in the pecking order to start with...

Needs to kick a handful of goals over the next couple of weeks to even be considered.

Yes No 16 did surprise me in the Port game.

Even though the write ups about Cook are very positive.

All-Australian honours at last year’s NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. Finished in the top 10 at the AFL Draft Combine in the 3km time trial and kicking assessment test.

The training reports haven't been anything special and his reported lack of pace led me to have limited expectations.

His performance so far in the one game do show he has genuine footy nous and his lack of body size didn't impact on his willingness to use his body in contested situations.

I have a feeling we could end up with a real good player like Frawley, just at the other end of the ground.