A framework or massive welfare effort at the expense of every other player on the list?

But what if he was a sensational player who was available at our pick. Lets say he is a minor Buddy. You would draft him in a heartbeat. We already have the backup in place for guys like LJ.

There's a finite amount of player welfare resource, we're already committed to spending some of it in some concentrated areas, if we were to recruit Manson we'd need to look closely at the cost-benefit. We've already taken Jurrah and we have Sylvia, Wonnaeamirri and others who for a great variety of reasons use up more of these finite these resources than other players. Some may argue that because we have Jurrah we're better placed for Manson and to some extent that is true because we have a good idea of what is involved, on the other hand - we have a good idea of what is involved. If Manson is worth the cost because of his high benefit then go ahead.

old that seems to be reasonable and balanced. The oly other thing I can think of is that over time requirements for various inderviduals will reduce (yes some may increase) allowing for further ventures requiring space in the "welfare cap"

Is he likely to be available for our first pick?

There's a finite amount of player welfare resource, we're already committed to spending some of it in some concentrated areas, if we were to recruit Manson we'd need to look closely at the cost-benefit. We've already taken Jurrah and we have Sylvia, Wonnaeamirri and others who for a great variety of reasons use up more of these finite these resources than other players. Some may argue that because we have Jurrah we're better placed for Manson and to some extent that is true because we have a good idea of what is involved, on the other hand - we have a good idea of what is involved. If Manson is worth the cost because of his high benefit then go ahead.

Old I understand your point and it has merit.

The question (and I don't think you or I can answer it) is where do you draw the line. What is the optimum amount of welfare and is there room for Waylen (assuming his upside is good).

So, accepting your caution but I have to hope the FD/Club know what they're doing, assuming they are even interested

Yes, I just want to balance against the argument "we already have Liam so we're set to accommodate Manson" it doesn't work like that and in fact may work the other way.

IMO he'd need to be even better than Liam to consider.

Yes, I just want to balance against the argument "we already have Liam so we're set to accommodate Manson" it doesn't work like that and in fact may work the other way.

IMO he'd need to be even better than Liam to consider.

You make out as if he would need a personal assistant and butler.

If the kid is good enough and has all the other attributes to play in the AFL then the club should look at him. I don't see what comparing him to Jurrah has to do with anything. If he is good enough, he is good enough. Irrelevant of how good Jurrah is.

Yes, I just want to balance against the argument "we already have Liam so we're set to accommodate Manson" it doesn't work like that and in fact may work the other way.

IMO he'd need to be even better than Liam to consider.

I have very few such worries,

I see Aaron, Wonna, Jamie, Nev and especially Jurrah aiding a Manson type player and acting as there support structure.

He would most likely live with one of these guys, and have someone he can communicate with at a club

Was just reading a bigfooty thread about Waylen. Apparently measurements taken at the combine were 191.4cm, 77.4 kg, and according to Wall-e his test results were " Has relatively poor skin folds (needs weight work obviously), hand span is very good, wing span is elite, standing vert is solid, running verticle is elite, running non-preferrd is average.

Very good speed first 5 meters, good second 5, last 10 is ok. Average repeat sprints, no endurance or agility work."

Never seen him play and have no idea how he plays, but if those measurements are correct he's a long way from being an AFL KPF. Not saying he couldn't get there but you'd think he'd need another 10-15 kg minimum and probably a lot of work on his motor. Sounds like another skinny kid who won't be ready for a few years and may end up another medium sized forward with a leap on him. How many of those do we need?

'The question with him will be the commitment because we couldn't keep him in Perth' - Claremont development officer quoted in Inside Football.

Was just reading a bigfooty thread about Waylen. Apparently measurements taken at the combine were 191.4cm, 77.4 kg, and according to Wall-e his test results were " Has relatively poor skin folds (needs weight work obviously), hand span is very good, wing span is elite, standing vert is solid, running verticle is elite, running non-preferrd is average.

Very good speed first 5 meters, good second 5, last 10 is ok. Average repeat sprints, no endurance or agility work."

Never seen him play and have no idea how he plays, but if those measurements are correct he's a long way from being an AFL KPF. Not saying he couldn't get there but you'd think he'd need another 10-15 kg minimum and probably a lot of work on his motor. Sounds like another skinny kid who won't be ready for a few years and may end up another medium sized forward with a leap on him. How many of those do we need?

I really have little expectation of him being the KPF, more a tall agile type, similar to Jurrah with freakish capablities.

I dont know why, mainly just because h is so light, and only around 191cm maybe he can grow into a bigger role however.

Non of this seems to be stopping him from kicking bags and bags atm....

I really have little expectation of him being the KPF, more a tall agile type, similar to Jurrah with freakish capablities.

I dont know why, mainly just because h is so light, and only around 191cm maybe he can grow into a bigger role however.

Non of this seems to be stopping him from kicking bags and bags atm....

Probably against midgets.

Doubt well get him somehow, but I just love the X Factor type forward, Im all for it.

He may be a good player, but don't see how he'd fit into our team structurally. All the noise points towards Neeld wanting big bodies, and I don't see us picking a skinny medium forward when we already have Jurrah and Howe filling those positions very well.

Surely our priorities lie elsewhere.

He may be a good player, but don't see how he'd fit into our team structurally. All the noise points towards Neeld wanting big bodies, and I don't see us picking a skinny medium forward when we already have Jurrah and Howe filling those positions very well.

Surely our priorities lie elsewhere.

Yes, but priorities don't have the greatest say at the National Draft.

And if we were to go and get a hard-bodied mid at Pick 36 - would he be best 22? Or near it?

Priorities depend on how you rate the players. I dare say that what Neeld deems to be important to our team is very different to what Bailey deemed to be important.

As such, I would think that we are likely to see more big bodied players selected.

And if we don't think that a player is capable of being a best 22 player then we won't draft them.

If we were going to select a skinny, mid sized forward then Barry would have to think that the sun shone out out of their arse. If that was the case then I think it'd be unlikely they'd be around in the 30s.

If he is "best available" at any of our picks then i can see him being selected, if he isnt he may still be selected if people see alot of "upside" to use two cliche points.

What im saying is obvious but that is how it is imo, not mid or forward ect just who is the best at any point in time

He may be a good player, but don't see how he'd fit into our team structurally. All the noise points towards Neeld wanting big bodies, and I don't see us picking a skinny medium forward when we already have Jurrah and Howe filling those positions very well.

Surely our priorities lie elsewhere.

Em, I'm thinking the same way.

Big bodies and physical styled hard footy.... NO, flashy pan stuff please.

The thing to remember is that this kid hasn't really played at a high level. A couple of games at Claremont doesn't really cut it if we want to see how he goes against decent opposition. All we really know from what we have so far is that he's too good for where he's playing now. He needs to play against some good opponents and produce similar results. Sadly, for that to happen he'll need to be drafted and put int a decent training program, so the whole point becomes a bit meaningless. I think he's more likely to go as a rookie than in the National draft though, simply because nobody has seen him produce against high level opposition regularly.

The Waratahs had tougher opposition this week but Manson still managed his six goals for the game including four in the third term - Tahs' win spoils Lohde's 100th

There was no Fev this week but I like the sound of another player*, Tim Mosquito, who (dare I say it) might soon have the football world buzzing about his exploits.

* (sound of his name only - actually never seen or heard of him before this but somehow the sound of the name alone gives me goosebumps and I'm itching to find out more)

He's a small defender who is quick, skillful, but very light and not really one for AFL style contested football.

If he is "best available" at any of our picks then i can see him being selected, if he isnt he may still be selected if people see alot of "upside" to use two cliche points.

What im saying is obvious but that is how it is imo, not mid or forward ect just who is the best at any point in time

I've been a big fan of "best available" early in the draft because you just want to get good players into your 22 - but by the time you get into the 30s and beyond needs starts to play a part because there's not much point selecting a player who will be 3rd in line for a well filled role when another player may fill a role where we have a deficit.

He's a small defender who is quick, skillful, but very light and not really one for AFL style contested football.

Thanks Bob.

So I take it you think Mosquito isn't up to scratch?

Well, from watching one game on a poor resolution tv, it seems that his style of game suits the NTFL.

Waylen Manson kicked 8 for Waratah v Darwin yesterday to make it 32 in 4 senior games.

However, let's not get too carried away. It was a one sided game against weak opposition and one of his teammates booted 11.

Fun and games next week with Brendan Fevola due to make another cameo appearance.