AFL NATIONAL DRAFT - Pick 9

[Hannibal 5,814]

Gotta say, just based on the video, Freeman's speed doesn't look that great, certainly not Judd-like which is what i was expecting, given the hype about it. Looked like he had just enough to stay ahead. Skills looked pretty average too.

Ever tried sprinting away from a contest bouncing the footy with someone on your tail while looking ahead for options ? It's far easier to chase.

He's fast.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

How good did Cale Morton look in his 'highlight' vid in 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9k754zabQ

Amazing how much of a spud he ended up becoming.

Should always take highlights vids with a grain of salt, although they are enjoyable to watch leading up to the draft.

[DeeSpencer 26,080]

How good did Cale Morton look in his 'highlight' vid in 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9k754zabQ

Amazing how much of a spud he ended up becoming.

Should always take highlights vids with a grain of salt, although they are enjoyable to watch leading up to the draft.

All his kicks were gathered in space and often kicked to space. His marks were pretty good but he didn't get crunched in any of them. Looking at them now and you see he probably never was scared at under 18s like he was at AFL and his long striding running which gets him out in space is negated by a fit opponent.

You look at what he was and what he is and it's the same player, just he's playing a different game and hasn't adapted.

For an outside midfielder you have to be able to burn guys off with real speed like an Isaac Smith. Or otherwise kick the ball through traffic not just around it. I'm surprised his marking and spoiling isn't better at AFL but remember body positioning is the most important aspect to taking a mark and Morton fails at that. The added height and long arms that made it easy at junior level fail him at AFL.

Their are Morton and Toumpas similarities. So we need to fix Toumpas' physical abilities, make him fitter and faster. But then we need to teach him close checking so that he can spoil, chase and tackle. Hopefully Toumpas has the ability to kick accurately under pressure and I think he does.

[Norm Smith's Curse 2,602]

I really like Freeman. His speed is impressive and he just gets the ball. Fill our needs the most I think.

[Pennant St Dee 13,304]

Salem looks very good by foot but have to say what impressed me most was the way he ran into space to provide options. Seems a player very much in the Swans mould who can rotate through the middle and has a bit of pace about him. I will trust the footy department but he looks a player.

[Pennant St Dee 13,304]

How good did Cale Morton look in his 'highlight' vid in 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9k754zabQ

Amazing how much of a spud he ended up becoming.

Should always take highlights vids with a grain of salt, although they are enjoyable to watch leading up to the draft.

Not really it doesn't show us anything we don't already know, I have no doubt Morton has skill and always did, that is what the highlight package shows him receiving the ball without working hard and then disposing of it with plenty of time and no pressure. He can still do this at WAFL level but is also found wanting there in workrate and toughness.

Not once in his highlight package does it show him putting his body on the line or working hard to run into space. Good recruiters know what to look for but sadly this was in the time of Prendergast who clearly did not look at this as a pre requisite for a spot on our list

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

Not really it doesn't show us anything we don't already know, I have no doubt Morton has skill and always did, that is what the highlight package shows him receiving the ball without working hard and then disposing of it with plenty of time and no pressure. He can still do this at WAFL level but is also found wanting there in workrate and toughness.

Not once in his highlight package does it show him putting his body on the line or working hard to run into space. Good recruiters know what to look for but sadly this was in the time of Prendergast who clearly did not look at this as a pre requisite for a spot on our list

Actually Morton was a Craig Cameron pick. We got Grimes at 14 and Maric 21.

Need to remember we all have hindsight on our side - Morton was hugely rated and universally considered a Top 5 pick at the time (some had him going ahead of Cotchin). I think Scott Clayton would have taken him at 1. What amazes me most is how good his kicking was at under-age level - you can argue he's under no pressure in that vid but turning the ball over under no pressure seemed to be his thing in the AFL (*Flashback to Queens Bday 2012*)

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

In that clip of Freeman, I lost count of the amount of entries into the F50 he provided. Pace and a long kick. He would provide exactly what we need.

Go for it MFC.

[dee-luded 2,959]

All his kicks were gathered in space and often kicked to space. His marks were pretty good but he didn't get crunched in any of them. Looking at them now and you see he probably never was scared at under 18s like he was at AFL and his long striding running which gets him out in space is negated by a fit opponent.

You look at what he was and what he is and it's the same player, just he's playing a different game and hasn't adapted.

For an outside midfielder you have to be able to burn guys off with real speed like an Isaac Smith. Or otherwise kick the ball through traffic not just around it. I'm surprised his marking and spoiling isn't better at AFL but remember body positioning is the most important aspect to taking a mark and Morton fails at that. The added height and long arms that made it easy at junior level fail him at AFL.

Their are Morton and Toumpas similarities. So we need to fix Toumpas' physical abilities, make him fitter and faster. But then we need to teach him close checking so that he can spoil, chase and tackle. Hopefully Toumpas has the ability to kick accurately under pressure and I think he does.

I'd like to see Toumpa spend some time off half back @ Casey early this year, learning to be responsible for an opponent, & to time his run thru traffic delivering the ball with skill under pressure. the time is right to teach him the harder aspects now.

[dee-luded 2,959]

Salem looks very good by foot but have to say what impressed me most was the way he ran into space to provide options. Seems a player very much in the Swans mould who can rotate through the middle and has a bit of pace about him. I will trust the footy department but he looks a player.

he looks able to think & adjust ideas on the run. thinking the ball forward.

he runs to this footy intelligence. we may need to replace Blease if we can't teach him to run smarter by this year?

[dee-luded 2,959]

Actually Morton was a Craig Cameron pick. We got Grimes at 14 and Maric 21.

Need to remember we all have hindsight on our side - Morton was hugely rated and universally considered a Top 5 pick at the time (some had him going ahead of Cotchin). I think Scott Clayton would have taken him at 1. What amazes me most is how good his kicking was at under-age level - you can argue he's under no pressure in that vid but turning the ball over under no pressure seemed to be his thing in the AFL (*Flashback to Queens Bday 2012*)

there were equally as many doubters out in the internet ether questioning his hardness. some saying don't go near him.

alas the game was changed by Roos, back to contested footy, around that time, & the rest is history. the beginning of the end of athletes over footballers.

[ignition. 1,466]

Freeman is definitely my choice if he lands at pick 9. I can just see Viney in and under packs dishing it out to Freeman to break away and send a long bomb inside 50 to Hogan.

Many have compared him to Judd and Dangerfield although when I watch him he reminds me of a Daniel Rich (can't complain either way).

Although will he get to pick 9 is the question, I have to ask what made Collingwood so desperate to get pick 6, who do they want that they think won't be there at 11 and is that Freeman? I would absolutely hate to see Freeman running around on the G looking like a filthy convict.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

The 20m sprint times for a comparison as 17/18 yr olds:

Freeman - 2.81 secs

Dangerfield - 2.93 secs

Watts - 2.82 secs

So Freeman has Watts covered by 0.01secs over 20m - Like the sound of these two together in the midfield.

[The Song Formerly Known As 6,479]

The 20m sprint times for a comparison as 17/18 yr olds:

Freeman - 2.81 secs

Dangerfield - 2.93 secs

Watts - 2.82 secs

So Freeman has Watts covered by 0.01secs over 20m - Like the sound of these two together in the midfield.

farrrrrrrrrrrrkkkk. i wish Watts would use his bloody pace on the footy field!

[FarNorthernD 5,861]

The 20m sprint times for a comparison as 17/18 yr olds:

Freeman - 2.81 secs

Dangerfield - 2.93 secs

Watts - 2.82 secs

So Freeman has Watts covered by 0.01secs over 20m - Like the sound of these two together in the midfield.

I like Watts more than most here but I reckon that 2.82 is a fairy tale. Perhaps there was only 19m between the gates that day, a howling tailwind or the course was on a downhill section of Arthur's seat. Has anyone actually seen Jack look that fast on the field? I've never seen that sort of brutal acceleration or withering closing speed from him.

Given our development of players of late perhaps we have knocked it out of him but until proven otherwise I will put his 2.82 into the same basket as Elvis sightings and alien abductions

[Bombay Airconditioning 6,408]

Ever tried sprinting away from a contest bouncing the footy with someone on your tail while looking ahead for options ? It's far easier to chase.

He's fast.

Lewis Jetta being the exception, 2012 GF left Rioli behind.

[Spin-it-to-Goodwin-it 579]

I like Watts more than most here but I reckon that 2.82 is a fairy tale. Perhaps there was only 19m between the gates that day, a howling tailwind or the course was on a downhill section of Arthur's seat. Has anyone actually seen Jack look that fast on the field? I've never seen that sort of brutal acceleration or withering closing speed from him.

Given our development of players of late perhaps we have knocked it out of him but until proven otherwise I will put his 2.82 into the same basket as Elvis sightings and alien abductions

Enter Paul Roos.

I'd say with Watts his speed gets lost in being too fatigued. Now that they are going to set him for the midfield and stop trying to turn him into a gorilla, you'll see his zip come back.

That's also the good thing about Freeman, having ranked high in endurance tests as well as the sprint. It's probably why he always looks so fast in those highlights - he's got a freaky genetic blend of both fast & slow twitch.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Zac Jones at 16. Either he's shot up in the rankings or as Denis Cometti would say, ambitious.

Doesn't matter, if we miss him and he's good , he'll be coming to us in two years with his brother who might just be captain.

[Akum 2,660]

I like Watts more than most here but I reckon that 2.82 is a fairy tale. Perhaps there was only 19m between the gates that day, a howling tailwind or the course was on a downhill section of Arthur's seat. Has anyone actually seen Jack look that fast on the field? I've never seen that sort of brutal acceleration or withering closing speed from him.

Given our development of players of late perhaps we have knocked it out of him but until proven otherwise I will put his 2.82 into the same basket as Elvis sightings and alien abductions

Jack's problem is that he gets a 2m break on his opponent on a lead, and the pass from a teammate misses him by a good 10m. So the next time he's more tentative about leading so hard.

[dazzledavey36 55,318]

Doesn't matter, if we miss him and he's good , he'll be coming to us in two years with his brother who might just be captain.

Based on what? I never saw any Selwood brothers leave a club to be with their brother?

If Zack gets picked up by a top 4 club and does well while then i doubt he would want to come join us.

Mitch Brown wanted to come home last year and he had his heart set for St Kilda. Ended up signing a 3 year deal..

[Jesse Christ 2,884]

Doesn't matter, if we miss him and he's good , he'll be coming to us in two years with his brother who might just be captain.

Dylan Grimes says hi from Tigerland..

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Jack's problem is that he gets a 2m break on his opponent on a lead, and the pass from a teammate misses him by a good 10m. So the next time he's more tentative about leading so hard.

I am sick of talking about the bloke but there would not be a footballer who has had more excuses made for him than this bloke.

He is tentative because he is tentative, not because someone made him tentative.

[Dockett 32 1,239]

Based on what? I never saw any Selwood brothers leave a club to be with their brother?

If Zack gets picked up by a top 4 club and does well while then i doubt he would want to come join us.

Mitch Brown wanted to come home last year and he had his heart set for St Kilda. Ended up signing a 3 year deal..

Money if he's any good.

[Bay Riffin 1,479]

I am sick of talking about the bloke but there would not be a footballer who has had more excuses made for him than this bloke.

He is tentative because he is tentative, not because someone made him tentative.

agreed. I'm hoping some midfield work might take the pressure off where he can accumluate some valuable posessions around the ground. Seems more at ease linking up play.

Geez you would like to see him full of confidence to see what he can actually do.

[Bang Bang Bang 5,839]

I like Watts more than most here but I reckon that 2.82 is a fairy tale. Perhaps there was only 19m between the gates that day, a howling tailwind or the course was on a downhill section of Arthur's seat. Has anyone actually seen Jack look that fast on the field? I've never seen that sort of brutal acceleration or withering closing speed from him.

Given our development of players of late perhaps we have knocked it out of him but until proven otherwise I will put his 2.82 into the same basket as Elvis sightings and alien abductions

I agree with this. I'd say the repeat sprints they do (which, from memory he didn't do too well in) are a better indicator of "footy field" speed. As anyone would know it's hard to run fast when you're fatigued.