Name your rookie prospect

[DeeSpencer 25,707]

Instead of 1000 threads for a bunch of guys half of which wont get picked if you've got a guy who shouldn't be in our first 3 picks but is a good rookie prospect name them here.

Aidan Riley (Adel)

Delisted today I really like the way this guy plays. He's a clearance and tackling beast who has the explosive clearance game at SANFL level and I think can progress to AFL as a stoppage player who has the athleticism to play as a forward as well. Skills aren't amazing but that's not his game. Only 21, previously a rookie and NSW scholarship player. Unfortunately broke his ankle at the start of only his second game this year (10 in total) so will need a long time to rehab but for a rookie pick I think he's more the worth a chance.

Bernie Vince could give us an understanding about his work rate and personality but to make it from a NSW scholarship player he's likely made of the right stuff.

[spirit of norm smith 16,457]

agree with Riley ... look at Matthew Sully from Cats VFL team. Very good tall defender.

[Dee-licious 1,949]

Allir Allir

Love his attack and run. 196cm key back who has speed. At 90kg I'd like him to put on some more weight but love him on the list.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-10-20/aliir-aliir%C2'>

[MadAsHell 4,212]

Pick 2: Any of
Nathan Gordon (SANFL Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 12/02/1990
Recruited from: North Adelaide
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Gordon is a former Sydney Swan rookie who has hit back this season and has been excellent in the SANFL. Hes dominated through the midfield and up forward at various stages this season. Up forward hes presented as a strong marking target as a land a goalkicking threat. While through the midfield hes winning a combination of his own ball and uncontested ball which is pleasing. Hes a good size and with the improvement he has shown that he can be someone who could play as a rotational midfielder who can also do damage up forward hes a pretty natural fit for a team looking for an immediate player.

Tom Langdon (VIC Def/Mid)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 84kg, DOB: 09/06/1994
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 30-rookie
Profile: Langdon was a big improver last season and was incredibly unlucky to not get drafted last season and has again produced this season with an even more outstanding season where he has shown the versatility to dominate down back, through the midfield and up forward. As a defender Langdon is an effective rebounder who can take intercept marks but then use it superbly by foot generating meaningful rebound as well as some run and carry. As a midfielder Langdon can read the ruck taps well, be a factor in winning the clearances and use it well by hand and foot as well as linkup on the outside. Then up forward Langdon also is a factor finding plenty of the footy, using it well hitting his targets inside 50 while also showing he can finish. So regardless of wherever you play him hell play some play and find plenty of it. The next stage in Langdons development will be winning more of his own footy.

or

George Hampson (WA Def/Mid)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 79kg, DOB: 08/02/1990
Recruited from: Subiaco
Style:
Player comparison:
Range: 40-rookie
Profile: Classy utility who can play anywhere, find you a heap of the footy but then really do damage with those touches. Hes had his injury issues in the past but has overcome them and seems to have a strong mental makeup really overcoming adversity and coming back stronger. Hampson has elite endurance and also has some real agility to him. Hes just got that rare composure with ball in hand where he can do no wrong. He hits his targets easily and does damage and just makes the right decisions every time. Hampson also has some excellent ability overhead for his size.

Pick 20:
Rory Taggert (Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188cm Weight: 87kg DOB: 22/06/1993
From: Melbourne Demons, selection #36 2011 National Draft
Midfielder who ranked third in the vertical leap test at the draft combine before being selected with the Demons first pick in 2011.
Start to his rookie season halted by stress fractures to the back, then after returning to play his first games with Casey Scorpions the fractures returned to the other side of the back. The injuries eventually finished his season before he could play a senior match. He managed just three games for Casey.
Taggert was named as an emergency and on extended benches towards the end of 2013but could not break through for his first senior game and was delisted in the off-season. He was assigned number 43 in his first two years at the club.

or

Jason Pongracic (VIC Mid/Fwd)
Height: 182cm, Weight: 86kg, DOB: 21/04/1994
Recruited from: Frankston Dolphins
Style: Dustin Martin (less athletic)
Player comparison:
Range: 50-
Profile: Strong body and big bodied inside ball winner who has missed some time last year with injury earlier in the year but then made a strong comeback in the second half of the season. Real in and under type who attacks the footy and more often than not comes out with it. Displays great hardness at the footy and just really attacks it. Seems to really enjoying playing for the contested ball. Excellent by both hand and foot and is one of those few strong contested ball winners who can use it really well. Pongracic is a really early bloomer and has been good for a number of years. The question with Pongracic is because was bigger than everyone else in TAC Cup, was he better because of size or because he was better than everyone else? The other query is on pace and he is not one of the quickest midfielders going around. In any case he had a very good year with the Dolphins in the VFL this year and should be able to step up to AFL level more quickly than the next midfielder. Pongracic also showed since coming back from injury last year the ability to play up forward and have an impact.

Pick 38
Ben Mabon (Ruck)
Height: 200cm, Weight: 89kg, DOB: 14/06/1992
Recruited from: North Melbourne
From North Ballarat, Ben Mabon is an athletic, running ruckman. With excellent work ethic and technique at stoppages, Mabon is always improving and frequently impressing at VFL level with the Roosters.

or

Jay Lever (Ruck/Def)
Height: 200cm, Weight: 87kg, DOB: 15/06/1993
Recruited from: St Kilda
A lightly built ruckman or key defender, Lever was drafted with pick 60 in the 2011 AFL National Draft. The mobile tall spent most of the 2012 season battling a groin injury, forcing him to play as a key defender in the Sandringham reserves. With a full pre-season and some added size to his light frame, Lever will be looking to further develop his skills at VFL level and remain injury free.

And Pick 56:
Andrew Ainger (KPF)
Height: 197cm, Weight: 96kg, DOB: 25 years old
Recruited from: Woodville West Torrens Eagles
Key Position forward who had a breakout year in the SANFL this year kicking 50 goals in 21 games.

Khan Haretuku (KPF/KPD)
Height: 198cm, Weight: 98kg, DOB: 19/10/1989
Recruited from: Frankston Dolphins
ONCE on St Kildas rookie list, Haretuku has since made it his own pledge to prove his former club wrong. His former coach Ross Lyon sat him down in his office and told him that he was not good enough for AFL level. It hurt him deeply but soon got back on the track at the Dolphins and has added new strings to his bow under coach Simon Goosey. Not only does he play deep in attack, he has found confidence around centre half forward and further up the ground. Haretuku has the makings of an AFL career and Goosey knows it. He has spruiked his talent to most clubs and knows that one club will get him during the rookie draft.

or

Aaron Cornelius (KPF)
Height: 192cm, Weight: 88kg, DOB: 29/05/1990
Recruited from: Brisbane Lions
Aaron Cornelius was recruited from Tasmania as a promising forward who is strong on the lead and has very clean hands. He reads the play very well and has the tools to be an exciting key forward prospect of the future.

Edited October 30, 2013 by Tall Defence

[Whispering_Jack 30,117]

This one's my roughie because, although he was very impressive early in the season, I didn't hear a great deal about him after he played his quota of three games as 23rd player for the Casey Scorpions.

Ben Kearns (b12 November, 1994) from the Gippsland Power 184cm, 79kg missed out on being drafted last year and came back this year as an over age player with his TAC Cup team but not before that three game cameo with the Scorpions which included a five goal hail against Frankston in the opening round.

Although he didn't dominate possession in those games he certainly showed that he knows where the goals are. He only managed seven games for the Power which included two four goal games and I understand that he did get invited to a state draft combine screening.

I don't know much about him but the goal kicking prowess he displayed early on might have earned him some appreciation from the coach and the Melbourne people associated with the club's affiliate and that makes him a roughie for a rookie spot in my opinion.

[InVINCEable 358]

Tom Langdon

Would also like to pick up Taggert as a rookie

[Roger Mellie 4,025]

The guy from Casey who used to play cricket (his name escapes me)

[La Dee-vina Comedia 16,754]

If his mind is in the right place (and that's a big "if" which includes a willingness to relocate to Melbourne again and stay off the grog), Liam Jurrah

[dazzledavey36 54,937]

The guy from Casey who used to play cricket (his name escapes me)

Jake Best

[rjay 24,928]

Would like to see Taggert.

[dazzledavey36 54,937]

Would like to see Taggert.

Why?

[rjay 24,928]

Why?

I think he can play and with the injury in his first year I would like to see him get another year to prove himself.

[mdemonski2 403]

What about alwyn Davey. Delisted by the bombers and I reckon has a few years left in him...

[Philthy 284]

Dylan Addison would be a handy backup on the Rookie List.

[angrydee 842]

A bloke who was a good U18, dropped off for a year or so, but has had a good year in the SANFL- josh Waldhuter 15/3/93, 185/84 from the Bulldogs

[ThreeOneSix 954]

I think we should chase this bloke as a rookie.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-crickets-lost-generation-has-been-sacrificed-by-self-serving-states/story-fni2fnmo-1226749977316

[rjay 24,928]

I think we should chase this bloke as a rookie.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/australian-crickets-lost-generation-has-been-sacrificed-by-self-serving-states/story-fni2fnmo-1226749977316

Now that's an interesting idea...maybe worth a chat at least.

[jazza 1,323]

The guy from Casey who used to play cricket (his name escapes me)

ronny?

[Goat 98]

Ben Cavarra would have to be a good rookie prospect I would think

[Maldonboy38 6,403]

Taggert who was recently delisted, or Addison from the Bulldogs. Both have been in the system, have AFL ready bodies, and there is no orientation or development phase required.

[demonoid 317]

Ben Cavarra would have to be a good rookie prospect I would think

I tip he will be gone by 50 in the national draft

[rjay 24,928]

Steven Edwards - Claremont

18, 178cm 69kg

Small Defender

-----------------------------------

Steven Edwards (Claremont) is an extraordinarily difficult player to assess. With ball in hand, he is a fantastic. He has an unlimited repertoire of faints and tricks, is quick hand to foot and super clean below his knees - and at pace. Athletically - he has outstanding nimbleness and agility and good straight line speed. He can literally dance and cut his way through traffic without hesitation. Perhaps his best asset, though, is his pure delivery by foot. He is terrific spotting up short targets and can spear 40m passes to standing targets with laser precision. It is a delight to see Edwards gather in traffic, fake to use with one side, only to then evade trouble and dab a neat pass to a team-mate. Edwards gets good penetration off both sides for a player of his size and is an effective point kick-in option.

The problem starts when one begins to identify the deficiencies in Edwards' game. His lack of body strength and size and a general unwillingness to engage in collisions means he is below average in contested marking situations and a poor spoiler. I also have concerns with regards his running work-rate which hurts his possession count, his availability to team-mates in transition and his ability to work back and help in team defence post-turnover. At best, he is an OK tackler but the best aspect to Edwards defensively is his conscientiousness with regards to his immediate opponent. He is not a lock-down defender, but he is average to OK in this regard.

I have no insight into his character, training standards and the like but the lazy layers to his game are at best problematic and at worst deeply troubling.

Overall, Steven Edwards has the potential to be a terrific rebounding defender or wingman if he can add muscle to his small frame and if he can drastically improve his work ethic. Perhaps he has versatility to small forward roles as well. On talent alone, with the ball in his fingertips, he is top 10 quality but, as mentioned, he needs a work-rate transplant, more muscle and a new enthusiasm for the physical and contested aspects of the game. I wouldn't criticise a team taking a chance on Edwards in any stage of the draft but anywhere from the 4th round I would consider him a steal. As a rookie pick, he would be nigh on a mandatory risk worth taking. The team that takes him will likely need to be patient, but the potential rewards far outweigh the risks. It would be a tragedy if Edwards' skills never get showcased on the AFL stage because of character/workrate. But, crucially, these are the issues that would seem to cloud his future.

------------------------------------------------

Speed: Good

Agility: Excellent

Strength: Poor

Kicking Skills: Excellent

Ballhandling: Good

Ruckwork: N/A

Game Sense/ Decision Making: Good

Defensive Skills: Average

Physicality: Poor

Work Rate: Poor

Barry will take him at Carlton, sounds like a real Prender special.

[spirit of norm smith 16,457]

likely rookies ...

Matthew Sully - 195cms Full back, Geelong Cats VFL team, 21yo, good for backline depth.

Tom Barrass - WA 192cms 3rd defender type like Josh Gibson. Woth the punt.

Jason Pongrecic- 20 yo, Frankston VFL strong built inside mid. Plays fwd and notable goalkicker

[Hulett Packard III 166]

Barry will take him at Carlton, sounds like a real Prender special.

Yep, sounds like a poor man's Kelvin Lawrence.

BTW Carlton are smart enough to keep Prendergast away from recruiting. Whoever employed him at Melbourne didn't have that quality.

[samcantstandya 1,048]

If his mind is in the right place (and that's a big "if" which includes a willingness to relocate to Melbourne again and stay off the grog), Liam Jurrah

I'd be rapt if we rookied Liam, Rory and got Garlett in ND at pick 57.