The Jonathan O'Rourke Thread

[Hannibal 5,814]

We've discussed Toumpas, Wines, etc, but I thought this Calder Cannon player needed further discussion. Channel Nine's TAC footy show ranked him the second best player in the draft behind Whitfield, while most phantom drafts have him in the top 10.

Jonathan O'Rourke is an inside mid that makes good decisions, has pace and is an elite kick. I like the fact that he wins inside contested footy, but that he also has pace and great kicking. It seems to me that if we can get Viney in the second round and add Toumpas and O'Rourke we're well on our way to building potentially an elite midfield. It's the pace of Toumpas and O'Rourke that interests me as well as their contested ball winning ability. And both are great kicks.

I watched the under 18 Vic Metro V WA again last night and paid particular attention to O'Rourke and liked what I saw. He didn't have one jaw dropping moment, but looks smooth and clean. And Viney again showed his quality. He did some really nice things in that game and his accurate kicking, pace and clearance work stood out.

Here's Knightmare's Bio on O'Rourke:

Jonathan O'Rourke (VIC - Mid)

Height: 183cm, Weight: 75kg, DOB: 21/04/1994

Recruited from: Calder Cannons

Style:

Player comparison: Rory Sloane

Range: 5-20

Profile: Missed most of the 2011 season with a hamstring injury but has come back hard in 2012 and shown us just how good he is. O’Rouke is an excellent inside player and big time inside ball winner but also can play some outside and do so well. Attacks the ball hard at every opportunity and goes hard at every contest which is what you want to see. Can really influence games with his inside work and the energy and hardness he provides at the footy but then also do good work with his outside game. Very good all rounder who stands out most is his ball use, particularly by foot which is just so good for. Finds targets consistently by foot, has some hurt factor and finishes beautifully around goal. Decision making ability good and chooses the right target more often than not. Is also a very good athlete and has good pace and a nice leap on him. Very good in congestion and has that great decision making ability choosing the right targets even while pressured which is impressive.

Do any Demonlanders have an opinion on him ?

[Clark_Kent 315]

I think any of the top 10 midfielders in this draft would be welcomed into our lack lustre midfield

[Jordie_tackles 354]

I saw him in the VM vs VC game and thought he was one that caught my eye, just as much as Wines that day and more so than Vlastuin ect for sure, had a good overhead mark and had good decision making ability from what i gathered, I really like him but am not sure about him at pick 4 atm definitely not if we pick Viney at 3.

Unsure how he rates atm really compared to Grundy, Plowman, Stringer, Wines, Mayes ... Wines is probably more of a pure inside player I think where O'Rourke can go outside a bit and play half back and take over head marks maybe more of a versatile player?

Just another one who is in the mix and muddying Vines true value tbh

[Ouch! 2,043]

I don't know enough to comment about him, but if we land Viney in the second round, would we target another inside mid ? although it does sound like he has a bit of pace and can play outside as well (as Jordie mentioned above).

Incidentally for what it's worth I think I heard Terry Wallace say that he was going to talk about Melbourne and their 2012 draft options, as he described the options on the table for Melbourne are going to be pretty interesting. Obviously if it's on the TAC show it might heavily favour talking about new players through the draft rather than trading for mature ones,.... but figured it was worth a mention for those interested...

[Ouch! 2,043]

Just another one who is in the mix and muddying Vines true value tbh

This isn't a bad thing

[Scipio 5,868]

Looked great in the championships but hadn't heard his name pop up before then as a high prospect. Has he been a bit of a bolter?

[ChaserJ 4,007]

Looked great in the championships but hadn't heard his name pop up before then as a high prospect. Has he been a bit of a bolter?

Has been rated highly, but missed last year with injury I believe. Smooth as silk outside midfielder. Think Dal Santo. Played very well in the champs, and might have moved from a top 15 rated player into the top 10 (probably higher).

His Calder coach Ian Kyte was quoted on him: "He's just a very skilful, class act. He looks to have a lot of time when he gets the ball and he uses it really well. I'd like to think we can afford to play him as an outside midfielder trying to teach him to play inside."

[jurrahcane 70]

Has been rated highly, but missed last year with injury I believe. Smooth as silk outside midfielder. Think Dal Santo. Played very well in the champs, and might have moved from a top 15 rated player into the top 10 (probably higher).

His Calder coach Ian Kyte was quoted on him: "He's just a very skilful, class act. He looks to have a lot of time when he gets the ball and he uses it really well. I'd like to think we can afford to play him as an outside midfielder trying to teach him to play inside."

Agree 100%. He looked like he has a touch of class.

[Scipio 5,868]

Has been rated highly, but missed last year with injury I believe. Smooth as silk outside midfielder. Think Dal Santo. Played very well in the champs, and might have moved from a top 15 rated player into the top 10 (probably higher).

His Calder coach Ian Kyte was quoted on him: "He's just a very skilful, class act. He looks to have a lot of time when he gets the ball and he uses it really well. I'd like to think we can afford to play him as an outside midfielder trying to teach him to play inside."

Thanks, also looked like he really knew where to go to get the pill. Quite a few handball receives if I remember correctly

[jurrahcane 70]

Jono O’Rourke

Calder Cannons/Vic Metro

21 April 1994

183cm 74kg

SMART midfielder has had two years through the AIS-AFL Academy and is considered to be among the top on-ballers heading into this year’s draft.

Certainly he will be considered with a high draft pick given he was one of Metro’s best in the 2012 Under 18 Championships. He’s one that is not gun-shy and works into games almost immediately. Highly skilled.

From one draft online site. Recruiters bio.

[demons95 0]

Jono O’Rourke

Calder Cannons/Vic Metro

21 April 1994

183cm 74kg

SMART midfielder has had two years through the AIS-AFL Academy and is considered to be among the top on-ballers heading into this year’s draft.

Certainly he will be considered with a high draft pick given he was one of Metro’s best in the 2012 Under 18 Championships. He’s one that is not gun-shy and works into games almost immediately. Highly skilled.

From one draft online site. Recruiters bio.

sorry to ask what site did you get the info from

[mitch 127]

Seeming as though we have a thread on Toumpas and Wines O'Rourke seems to be the other option at pick four who does not have a thread. If anyone has any footage of him please upload.

[H_T 2,941]

Seeming as though we have a thread on Toumpas and Wines O'Rourke seems to be the other option at pick four who does not have a thread. If anyone has any footage of him please upload.

There was a thread, it was just back a few pages. Thread merged.

[olisik 4,060]

Hope we get this kid. After watching him I rate him higher then Wines. He will add a different dimension to our mid-field. Kid is a ball-magnet and is hard to predict which means he will be good at shaking a tag.

Very classy and can mix it up if he needs to. Him and Viney in the midfield next year would make an immediate impact.

[Hannibal 5,814]

I really can't decide between Wines and O'Rourke, which is why I'll place my faith in our recruiters - assuming Toumpas is in the top 3.

O'Rourke is a good contested ball winner, has good pace and is a very good kick, while Wines is a very good big bodied contested ball winner who can take a mark and makes good decisions. O'Rourke has more class, but Wines has that bog body that stands up in finals. But O'Rourke will develop his body and is also proficient 'inside'.

Todd has watched Wines play since he was a kid and will be familiar with O'Rourke. And Jack has as good a grasp on both as anyone.

I'll be happy whoever they choose. i just pray they don't trade this pick.

[olisik 4,060]

I really can't decide between Wines and O'Rourke, which is why I'll place my faith in our recruiters - assuming Toumpas is in the top 3.

O'Rourke is a good contested ball winner, has good pace and is a very good kick, while Wines is a very good big bodied contested ball winner who can take a mark and makes good decisions. O'Rourke has more class, but Wines has that bog body that stands up in finals. But O'Rourke will develop his body and is also proficient 'inside'.

Todd has watched Wines play since he was a kid and will be familiar with O'Rourke. And Jack has as good a grasp on both as anyone.

I'll be happy whoever they choose. i just pray they don't trade this pick.

I wouldn't write off Mcrae either. Pendlebury type player who has been dominating the midfield in u18s.

Checkout his highlight reel. Def worth adding to the list of potentials. I think he could add a different dimension to our midfield.

Watch he is #21: [media=]

Edited October 9, 2012 by olisik

[Hannibal 5,814]

I wouldn't write off Mcrae either. Pendlebury type player who has been dominating the midfield in u18s.

Checkout his highlight reel. Def worth adding to the list of potentials. I think he could add a different dimension to our midfield

I haven't.

In fact I started the Macrae thread too.

But I don't think he's worth pick 4.

[H_T 2,941]

I really can't decide between Wines and O'Rourke, which is why I'll place my faith in our recruiters - assuming Toumpas is in the top 3.

O'Rourke is a good contested ball winner, has good pace and is a very good kick, while Wines is a very good big bodied contested ball winner who can take a mark and makes good decisions. O'Rourke has more class, but Wines has that bog body that stands up in finals. But O'Rourke will develop his body and is also proficient 'inside'.

Todd has watched Wines play since he was a kid and will be familiar with O'Rourke. And Jack has as good a grasp on both as anyone.

I'll be happy whoever they choose. i just pray they don't trade this pick.

I also think now pick 4 must be off limits and be used in the draft. We need another quality mid that gives us a chance of getting "a gun" or in your vocab, a star. I don't think we will get "it" with Wellingham or Caddy for that matter.

[olisik 4,060]

Wellingham for pick 20 could still be feasible.

[Jordie_tackles 354]

I haven't.

In fact I started the Macrae thread too.

But I don't think he's worth pick 4.

I like the sound of Macrae more than Wines personally

[Hannibal 5,814]

I like the sound of Macrae more than Wines personally

I like Macrae too, but big bodied ball winning contested mids impact games and win finals.

Have a look at some of the B&F winners this year: Kennedy, Mitchell, Thompson, Watson, Cotchin, Jones, Boyd, ... Now tell me, are they more your Wines type, or your speedy outside Macrae type ?

[Gippsland Dee 367]

Wellingham for pick 20 could still be feasible.

i don't think it would've in the end as collingwood has traded him to WCE for pick 17 and he didn't want to play for melb anyway. But pick 20 is probably what he is worth.