Think they might go for something way out of left field with their thinking , wait until pre-season is done and dusted to see how they all go before rushing into selecting one, now that would be different.

nicho #1

magner#2

couch#3

williams/sheehan#4

evans#5

sheehan/williams#6

hoping we don't have the same injury list as last year but just in case

At the very least it highlights an interesting point in that every player on our rookie list has the potential to step up and play senior footy if necessary, except perhaps Lawrence. This is pretty different to our management of the rookie list in most years I can remember.

Think they might go for something way out of left field with their thinking , wait until pre-season is done and dusted to see how they all go before rushing into selecting one, now that would be different.

It wouldn't be different at all, unless you think the Club selects on the basis of what the postors think.

So post away supporters, have fun. Ignore the fun police & run with it.

Based on the fact it took Howe and Jurrah half a year to find their feet at VFL level and break in you can almost rule out Williams now. Same goes for Sheahan. It's almost unheard of for a rookie KPP 18 year old to start in round 1.

Nicholson and Evans have the advantage of AFL experience, that said Magner and Couch were just as good in the VFL as those 2 last year if not better. Nicholson and Couch have the advantage of winning the preseason voting out of those 4 if you had a poll today on who's impressed the most.

Lawrence is the definite X factor. Small forward with pace to put on pressure. He has the advantage of a relative weakness in his position out of the guys on our senior list. But he's still working into his preseason and has mainly been with the rehab guys. If he has a clear run in from here he has a chance of playing NAB cup footy, and all in all its the NAB cup form that will dictate who gets promoted I believe. I'd give all 7 of these guys at least one game but preferably 2 or more and let them battle it out.

Based on the fact it took Howe and Jurrah half a year to find their feet at VFL level and break in you can almost rule out Williams now. Same goes for Sheahan. It's almost unheard of for a rookie KPP 18 year old to start in round 1.

Nicholson and Evans have the advantage of AFL experience, that said Magner and Couch were just as good in the VFL as those 2 last year if not better. Nicholson and Couch have the advantage of winning the preseason voting out of those 4 if you had a poll today on who's impressed the most.

Lawrence is the definite X factor. Small forward with pace to put on pressure. He has the advantage of a relative weakness in his position out of the guys on our senior list. But he's still working into his preseason and has mainly been with the rehab guys. If he has a clear run in from here he has a chance of playing NAB cup footy, and all in all its the NAB cup form that will dictate who gets promoted I believe. I'd give all 7 of these guys at least one game but preferably 2 or more and let them battle it out.

Read somewhere that Magner was the highest rated player in the VFL last season (by Champion data - who recorded stats on him and a few other big name players prior to the combine)

Saints were rumoured to be seriously keen, he was training with them, all 4 of Couch, Evans, Nicholson and Magner will be fighting hard for a spot or two

edit- also we held a spot for a while last year, in case we need someone specific such as a Lawrence to play small forward ect

So we may only see one upgrade prior to round 1 or only when any rookie is "ready" to get named,

Looking at the two questions asked, my pick for the first Rookie upgraded is Magner. He is everything that Neeld is looking to instil in the side, a hard, mature bodied player who is an animal at clearances. I have him ahead of Crouch at this point.

The second question, who will be elevated if Nicholson is the first, in my opinion is Williams. Once again, he is a little older than the other choice in Sheahan, and has a very strong frame to throw around. Neeld has shown a preference for tall utility style players and he could provide a serious presence in the forward line.

That's a terrible post Jnr. There is nowhere in that post that is comparing him to the stars of the comp, all he (and I said in my post for that matter) is that he has proven himself to be able to play at that level. A majority of players prove themselves in the AFL, only a few become stars.

Why would you post something like that???

Thanks - I was a bit flabbergasted at the response too. A proven AFL player ain't necessarily a Brownlow winner, nor indeed even a regular best 22 pick: merely proven that he can hold his own when he gets a run. Nicholson, IMMHO, has shown that.

Some others on our list of higher repute again IMO are not.

Although I think the first two elevated will be Nicholson and Magner, I wouldn't rule out Lawrence precisely because we need a small crumbing forward. That being said, I agree with the master in that performances in the NAB cup and lead up to the season will play a major role in this decision.

At the very least it highlights an interesting point in that every player on our rookie list has the potential to step up and play senior footy if necessary, except perhaps Lawrence. This is pretty different to our management of the rookie list in most years I can remember.

I think you could add Sheehan and Williams to that list. I can't see how you would expect either of those 2 to be able to play seniors come Round 1 (I think if either boys can hold their spot in Casey 1's that would be a fair achivement for 2012).

Nicholson will get the first nod, and after that the fight is on between Evans (can anyone comment on how Pickles has been training?), Couch and Magner. NAB Cup form will be pretty important for these guys.

I have a feeling Neeld will make a statement by elevating the ready to go tough nut 'Mitsubishi' Magner.

Does this mean, we'll see the back of the Range Rover avatar, and replaced with the Magna(er) ?

Leigh Williams has already been told to make his aim the Casey 1's this year

If it's from the same article or post I read, he was told not just to aim for Casey, but to go for a spot in the seniors. Original wording was admittedly fairly ambiguous.

I'd say Magner.

Anyone know when the rookie elevation for Gawn will be announced?

there would be no point doing it until after the nab cup at the earliest and even then only when they are ready to select him

If it's from the same article or post I read, he was told not just to aim for Casey, but to go for a spot in the seniors. Original wording was admittedly fairly ambiguous.

That's definitely what I heard.

That's definitely what I heard.

Surely all the rookies would be givent the same message?

Surely all the rookies would be givent the same message?

There is no limit on players dreams

Not a lot of love for Evans in this thread...guy picked up near 30 touches in his first game against St Kilda when they started to come good. I believe he had a hip injury or something at the end of last year.

fyi- I have plenty of love for nicho too.

Evans can find the ball but I'd like to see him use it better before getting too excited.

Gotta start somewhere, at least he can get it.

Does this mean, we'll see the back of the Range Rover avatar, and replaced with the Magna(er) ?

The Magna gets the job done HT but it just doesn't excite like the Range Rover does.

A new avatar for Rpfc perhaps?