James Sellar set for key defensive role

[Range Rover 1,935]

''I think I play my best footy at AFL level down back. I have spoken to Mark Neeld and that is sort of the reason they have drafted me here, to play down back and fit alongside Jared Rivers, Colin Garland, James Frawley and work really well with these guys, '' Sellar said.

http://www.theage.co...1130-1o6vr.html

Edited December 1, 2011 by Range Rover

[Nasher 33,187]

Thanks for the link.

Not much news there really - we'd already established that he's here to play in the back half. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can produce. In a way I feel like we can't lose with this choice - he either proves to be useful and we scored a bargain, or he busts but costed us little.

[deeflog 679]

he has certainly received some media interest since he was drafted

[H_T 2,941]

Former first round draft pick. Will be interesting to see his progress in the back half. If he hits his straps and becomes a permanent fixture down back it's a steal for us at pick 54 and in a way maybe a loss for the Crows (being their first pick in 2006 and having delisted him), but if he doesn't, I don't think it will be that great a loss being a speculative pick. Nasher's right IMO, we can't really lose out with the choice.

[old55 21,772]

''I think I play my best footy at AFL level down back. I have spoken to Mark Neeld and that is sort of the reason they have drafted me here, to play down back and fit alongside Jared Rivers, Colin Garland, James Frawley and work really well with these guys, '' Sellar said.

http://www.theage.co...1130-1o6vr.html

I like the idea. If Sellar can shut down the opposition key forward it frees Frawley to play a more attacking role and use his strengths in this area. Last year I thought Tom McDonald looked very promising for this role and had him pencilled in, but I've read he's training with the forwards. Neeld would have been part of the Collingwood theory that saw Rivers exploitable in this role (poor against Collingwood - Dawes/Cloke, good against Hawthorn - Roughead) but he can be a better player as 3rd tall, .. I really liked how Viney used Garland as a running, attacking defender at the end of last year.

Frawley, Sellar, Rivers, Garland has a balanced and flexible look about it. Add two of Tapscott/Strauss, Bartram/Bennell and we're looking good in the back half. Frees Grimes to the midfield.

[Deeoldfart 7,830]

he has certainly received some media interest since he was drafted

Maybe that's because no one's interested in GWS and there's nothing much else going on. But it certainly doesn't hurt with us getting a bit of media coverage at this time of year.

[Bingo 241]

I'd love it if Sellar found his feet as a backman...considering Adelaide are crying out for a ready made plug and play CHB/FB after losing Bock and Davis.

Adelaide were playing the younger player in Davis ahead of Sellar and this may have contributed to Sellar's oftern talked about lack of confidance?

The change of scenery may do him a world of good.

At least we're going to have some big boys out on the ground, and i hope our younger players grow in confidance with the extra protection that they can provide.

[Deeoldfart 7,830]

Former first round draft pick. Will be interesting to see his progress in the back half. If he hits his straps and becomes a permanent fixture down back it's a steal for us at pick 54 and in a way maybe a loss for the Crows (being their first pick in 2006 and having delisted him), but if he doesn't, I don't think it will be that great a loss being a speculative pick. Nasher's right IMO, we can't really lose out with the choice.

I absolutely agree, but if he doesn't come up trumps he'll still be in for a good deal of bashing around here, as will Barry P for selecting him.

[Juicebox 628]

"You where obviously prepared to go just about anywhere to get another start, but how thrilling is it to come to a club like Melbourne?"

Now that's some fine journalism B)

[jayceebee31 692]

Former first round draft pick. Will be interesting to see his progress in the back half. If he hits his straps and becomes a permanent fixture down back it's a steal for us at pick 54 and in a way maybe a loss for the Crows (being their first pick in 2006 and having delisted him), but if he doesn't, I don't think it will be that great a loss being a speculative pick. Nasher's right IMO, we can't really lose out with the choice.

Your post I think is very accurate. Mininmal risk if fails, great upside if can relish his opportunities but would really like to see another tall as a rookie (maybe-2)

[H_T 2,941]

I absolutely agree, but if he doesn't come up trumps he'll still be in for a good deal of bashing around here, as will Barry P for selecting him.

Most likely and it wouldn't surprise. You can be the best & fairest and runner up and still cop a spray from time to time. No one is exempt and every player seems to have a flaw here.

[Chook 14,624]

No one is exempt and every player seems to have a flaw here.

But every player DOES have a flaw . . .

[beelzebub 22,543]

I think our backline just went up a notch !! Hes had a rollercoaster career to date but think hell grab the second chance with both reins and we migh tbe pleasantly surprised. How have we been sceaming out for a seasoned mid 20's bloke with some years ( if not games ) under his belt.

Puts a bit of spice down back.. the competition for places cant hurt either.

All good stuff

[H_T 2,941]

But every player DOES have a flaw . . .

Yes. Gary Ablett Jnr doesn't have hair.

[Rob Mac...... 611]

I'm SO hoping he takes the opportunity & makes it work as a key defender. We'll really benefit.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

Impressed me the most today. Got the height build and fitness skills are good enough to work with but from what I picked up this guy knows it's his last chance and is taking it with both hands. I'm predicting he will play a major role next year and will be a good get

[Carlos Danger 380]

An interesting prospect and giving up pick 54 for his services means there's no pretty much no risk.

Really can't wait to see how it all plays out next year with Jamar, Martin, Clark and Sellar. Different horses for different courses comes to mind, it fits in well with Neeld's "hardest team to play against" line.

[rpfc 27,662]

An interesting prospect and giving up pick 54 for his services means there's no pretty much no risk.

Really can't wait to see how it all plays out next year with Jamar, Martin, Clark and Sellar. Different horses for different courses comes to mind, it fits in well with Neeld's "hardest team to play against" line.

I would say that you have named the 1st ruck, the 2nd ruck, the No.1 forward, and the No.2 (possibly No.1 if you give that a liberal definition) back.

They all play different roles.

[Carlos Danger 380]

I would say that you have named the 1st ruck, the 2nd ruck, the No.1 forward, and the No.2 (possibly No.1 if you give that a liberal definition) back.

They all play different roles.

And I would say versatility. Having 4 talls that can more than adequately play multiple positions at AFL level makes the list a whole lot more interesting.

I get the feeling like it wont be a case of "1st ruck, 2nd ruck- week in, week out" structure, it will be a lot more flexible to accomodate for said opposition.

An example is Naitanui matches up well with most rucks in the competition except for Jamar, Mark absolutely dominates him. More than likely there are rucks that Sellar and Clark are better suited for than Martin and Jamar.

Different horses for different courses.

[Rob Mac...... 611]

Yea, I agree with you blokes 100%.

I'm curious. When Daz's Dee's just wrote "Impressed me the most today," did he, or any of you see Sellar train? Does anyone know the word about his training so far?

[rpfc 27,662]

And I would say versatility. Having 4 talls that can more than adequately play multiple positions at AFL level makes the list a whole lot more interesting.

I get the feeling like it wont be a case of "1st ruck, 2nd ruck- week in, week out" structure, it will be a lot more flexible to accomodate for said opposition.

An example is Naitanui matches up well with most rucks in the competition except for Jamar, Mark absolutely dominates him. More than likely there are rucks that Sellar and Clark are better suited for than Martin and Jamar.

Different horses for different courses.

I get where you are coming from but Martin has been a revelation in the ruck, Clark has been head hunted to be THE tall forward, and Sellar is ressurecting his career in the backline.

I just don't see the flexibility with Clark after Neeld explicitly called him our "power forward" and with Sellar being a prospective backman - and backmen rarely switch into the ruck.

Martin may be flexible but only as he was in 2011 - 2nd ruck who plays in the pocket while Jamar is rucking.

[Great_little_footy_team 8]

Wow, alot of positivity here for what was a very speculative pick. You're all saying there's minimal risk involved as its only pick 50 odd that we used but following that logic, there was minimal risk involved in any decision we made at that pick.

Sellar is just like any other kid we could have picked up. Not better, no worse until they start playing and proving themselves. Alot of positivity on zero evidence, here

[rpfc 27,662]

Alot of positivity on zero evidence, here

Welcome to pre-season.

[Daz's Dee's 113]

He "impressed me the most" yesterday because I like many was surprised we would recruit a player in the ND that a team outside the 8 obviously thought wasn't good enough to be on there list of 40+ players.

After watching him and a few of the other new recruits he impressed me the most with his commitment at every single contest (playing the key back roll) his fitness and size. also thought his skills were pretty good. Just got the feeling he would be a great replacement for matty warnock who couldn't crack the side because he was seem as one

dimensional. Where as seller looks quicker and better skilled. Things may change but if his attitude and commitment are the same throughout the year as I saw yesterday he has a good chance of playing some senior Footy putting alot of presure on rivers and j Mac to hold a spot

[DirtyDees DDC 171]

He "impressed me the most" yesterday because I like many was surprised we would recruit a player in the ND that a team outside the 8 obviously thought wasn't good enough to be on there list of 40+ players.

After watching him and a few of the other new recruits he impressed me the most with his commitment at every single contest (playing the key back roll) his fitness and size. also thought his skills were pretty good. Just got the feeling he would be a great replacement for matty warnock who couldn't crack the side because he was seem as one

dimensional. Where as seller looks quicker and better skilled. Things may change but if his attitude and commitment are the same throughout the year as I saw yesterday he has a good chance of playing some senior Footy putting alot of pressure on rivers and j Mac to hold a spot

I thought his kicking was OK too and he seemed comfortable in the short passing drills. He often gets teamed up with Clark so he should be used to handling big KPFs.

He is also one of the 22 remaining senior list players who aren't in rehab!! That makes him almost a certain starter for round one.