Gone and got ourselves a Kiwi!

[dpositive 1,649]

WhMD apparently

your correct thanks

put off by lol at dandeman comment

could be my favourite post

[bing181 8,908]

I am impressed with his potential from watching the DeeTV interview with him (link below)

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/video/2013-02-12/maia-westrupp-interview

If he keeps improving based on what he has absorbed in a short time, then I feel that we may have unearthed a good colt!

I was pretty impressed as well, seems a natural. Will be interesting to follow his development - though as everyone points out, he's yet to even play a game of footy!

[CatFishPig 438]

Probably been said, but isn't big Max a kiwi? Or born there?

Edited February 13, 2013 by CatFishPig

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Probably been said, but isn't big Max a kiwi? Or born there?

His feet were born there

[Rocknroll 1,002]

Bigger jump than Nik Nat http://www.afl.com.au/video/2013-02-15/eyecatchers-ais-afl-academy-new-zealand-tour

Sounds like a good pick up

[ashdemons22 235]

Went to training today and I witnessed this tiny skinny guy running around. When he got close I realised it was the new international rookie we signed Maia Westrup.

I don't want to sound to critical but he looks like a 12 year old out there, he makes Cale Morton look big, can any one else back this up?.

I also watched him cop a spray from Dawes for not following threw in his running drill, When I say spray I mean firm talk telling him how to do it properly.

He has long long way to go from what I can see, I am not sure exactly what recruiters saw in him.

[farmerwiz 60]

hmmm thought we would be a bit better than to judge an international rookie after a week or two

Settle down, big Jim, Kennelly etc all looked stupendous when they got here

should be a good tackler

Come back in two years and then judge him, until then a training report would be nice

[nutbean 8,838]

Went to training today and I witnessed this tiny skinny guy running around. When he got close I realised it was the new international rookie we signed Maia Westrup.

I don't want to sound to critical but he looks like a 12 year old out there, he makes Cale Morton look big, can any one else back this up?.

I also watched him cop a spray from Dawes for not following threw in his running drill, When I say spray I mean firm talk telling him how to do it properly.

He has long long way to go from what I can see, I am not sure exactly what recruiters saw in him.

I like that Dawes let him know that he wasnt doing it properly - we need lots more of players being accountable and leaders ( whether in the LG or not) making sure the expected levels are reached and maintained by all.

[Satyriconhome 10,339]

Went to training today and I witnessed this tiny skinny guy running around. When he got close I realised it was the new international rookie we signed Maia Westrup.

I don't want to sound to critical but he looks like a 12 year old out there, he makes Cale Morton look big, can any one else back this up?.

I also watched him cop a spray from Dawes for not following threw in his running drill, When I say spray I mean firm talk telling him how to do it properly.

He has long long way to go from what I can see, I am not sure exactly what recruiters saw in him.

He is/was a volleyball player, but has the athletic/physical attributes to maybe be a footy player, tested really well at a camp AFLNZ ran...... if he doesn't we don't lose, we are not obligated to take him........so relax.....you will only get some of the other usual suspects restless with a dodgy MFC decision again.

[olisik 4,060]

maybe his super quick and can play an Eddie Betts type of player which we desperately need.

[ashdemons22 235]

He is/was a volleyball player, but has the athletic/physical attributes to maybe be a footy player, tested really well at a camp AFLNZ ran...... if he doesn't we don't lose, we are not obligated to take him........so relax.....you will only get some of the other usual suspects restless with a dodgy MFC decision again

I am definitely relaxed. Go down and have a look at the kid you will see what I am talking about, I dont want to be harsh on him, but from what I seen from him today he is lacking in so many areas, Weight (the skinnest guy I have seen at AFL level) , Endurance, skills. It is why I asked the question what where his postives

[farmerwiz 60]

do you reckon jimmy and kennelly had many positives when they first came out here

all had horrible endurance, skills, skinny etc

I think its a poor post when you judge someone after 3 minutes....

give them a go and then judge them

[Satyriconhome 10,339]

I am definitely relaxed. Go down and have a look at the kid you will see what I am talking about, I dont want to be harsh on him, but from what I seen from him today he is lacking in so many areas, Weight (the skinnest guy I have seen at AFL level) , Endurance, skills. It is why I asked the question what where his postives

The testing...beep test, vertical leap etc, as I said he can be an International Rookie for two years, outside the list so no issue there, then if he has developed, and a big IF, then we get first go at him, we could rookie him or draft him........I like we are thinking outside the square again.......think he has only played a couple of games......the other thing is at training he is training alongside some seriously big guys (finally).....so he is bound to look small.....you need to get up real close.......Dom Barry has grown in size in four months, stood right next to him at the beginning and a couple of weeks ago, can see the change......the kid is probably here so they can set him up with training.diet/nutrition/weight gain etc.....

[rpfc 28,048]

If this come to anything I will be monumentally surprised.

He will spend most of his time in NZ and I am just glad we are looking around for talent like all the other clubs.

And olisik - lol!

lol-isik!

[iv'a worn smith 1,979]

do you reckon jimmy and kennelly had many positives when they first came out here

all had horrible endurance, skills, skinny etc

I think its a poor post when you judge someone after 3 minutes....

give them a go and then judge them

If nothing else, the one thing Jimmy did have at the beginning was "endurance". In fact he was renowned for it back then and that is the prime reason we got him

[The Lobster Effect 877]

He is/was a volleyball player, but has the athletic/physical attributes to maybe be a footy player, tested really well at a camp AFLNZ ran...... if he doesn't we don't lose, we are not obligated to take him........so relax.....you will only get some of the other usual suspects restless with a dodgy MFC decision again

Check out this youtube clip of his vertical leap... warning - crap background music!

[The Lobster Effect 877]

Found an article that mentioned another Hawks international rookie, they actually have 3 on their books at the moment.

Although that includes 1 at 186cm and 99kg and another at 197cm and 105kg... meanwhile our rookie is a 75kg one!

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10864993

[13thFlagIsComing 542]

Can understand why Dawes was on his back...he doesn't want to give up the number sux.

[Carlos Danger 380]

Jason Taylor saw something and that's good enough for me.

This is one of several drafting avenues the club hasn't used before and I'm very happy they're finally doing it.

It's worth the risk.

[Chook 14,997]

Jason Taylor saw something and that's good enough for me.

This is one of several drafting avenues the club hasn't used before and I'm very happy they're finally doing it.

It's worth the risk.

What risk?

[bing181 8,908]

... (the skinnest guy I have seen at AFL level)

He's not AFL level.

Yet.

[demoniac 1,295]

Ashen Faced.

Can't believe he has not mastered the game in the few months that he has been playing the game.

I mean I know he is athletic and has good ball skills but seriously if he has not mastered the game by now what hope is there for him!

[DEE fence 4,923]

It will take a generation for us to get over recruiting skinny kids

[DeeSpencer 24,715]

One of the funniest things about this is how many people from islander background do you see struggle to put on size or muscle. This kid has so much to work on and we worry about his size! What a joke

[old dee 23,488]

One of the funniest things about this is how many people from islander background do you see struggle to put on size or muscle. This kid has so much to work on and we worry about his size! What a joke

Cook!