WELCOME TO THE MELBOURNE FOOTBALL CLUB - ALEXIS GEORGIOU

[Nasher 33,246]

I get the impression we preferred Tippett, but he was gone by our pick. Based on nothing other than hearsay and gut feeling. Would be interested in hearing from someone like goodoil who seems to have the... goodoil.

[Red and Blue realist 2,026]

I think we have gone for an instant replacement if Chip or Col go down, looking ahead, next year's draft is full of key talls and I would imagine the recruiting team would be thinking we can get a future KPB next year, rather than speculate on a young guy this year.

Having said that I hope if he gets the chance he does really well, go go gadget georgiou!

[jumbo returns 6,619]

I think we have gone for an instant replacement if Chip or Col go down, looking ahead, next year's draft is full of key talls and I would imagine the recruiting team would be thinking we can get a future KPB next year, rather than speculate on a young guy this year.

Having said that I hope if he gets the chance he does really well, go go gadget georgiou!

Yep! Seeya Chip.

[Hannibal 5,814]

If you are looking for depth for 2014 do you pick the undersized 24 year old who has spent a few years at FB in the SANFL and can do a job instantly or do you pick the 20/21 year old who needs work, and a few years, to be considered good 'depth'?

If I was to pick 'depth' players, I would choose 23+ year olds and I would use the RD.

I think we get it that you love every pick.

[spirit of norm smith 13,622]

Georgiou is an average footballer. Honest but ugly type. Shutdown player ... skills are poor especially by AFL standards. Kicking lavks penetration. Poor choice. Cannot believe we missed Matt Sully.

[Cards13 9,117]

If you are looking for depth for 2014 do you pick the undersized 24 year old who has spent a few years at FB in the SANFL and can do a job instantly or do you pick the 20/21 year old who needs work, and a few years, to be considered good 'depth'?

If I was to pick 'depth' players, I would choose 23+ year olds and I would use the RD.

I would have gone a Thorp or a Tuck instead but who knows Georgi may buck the trend and be a 100+ game player.

[beelzebub 22,724]

Georgiou rates high enough to have made the SANFL team of the year. He's about the best shutdown back they have over there. . Might be an inpsired selection. ( or not..lol )

Taylor, Roos, Viney have a template. Gadgetman must fit within it. Im happy to wait and watch .

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Yeah Dees were keen on Tippett, but the jungle drums beat loud that North were going to take him, which happened, and if not them, then Freo in the first round, so they were obviously happy to take Harmes and get another defender later on, which happened to be Georgiou.

I think a few are bypassing the fact that the attributes that Georgiou brings to the table aren't necessarily going to be captured on a highlights tape. His best quality is he nullifies opponents and that's what he's been drafted to do. If we get into a predicament with defensive injuries, he could be handy in that capacity. They obviously think he can compete with AFL level forwards.

[Arrow 1,257]

Yeah Dees were keen on Tippett, but the jungle drums beat loud that North were going to take him, which happened, and if not them, then Freo in the first round, so they were obviously happy to take Harmes and get another defender later on, which happened to be Georgiou.

I think a few are bypassing the fact that the attributes that Georgiou brings to the table aren't necessarily going to be captured on a highlights tape. His best quality is he nullifies opponents and that's what he's been drafted to do. If we get into a predicament with defensive injuries, he could be handy in that capacity. They obviously think he can compete with AFL level forwards.

Think it's pretty well put Goodoil.

Alexis I'm sure would be well aware he was never going to be drafted on skills, but refusing to be beaten. Silvagni for example was pretty poor by hand, and quite frankly on the last line of defence I'd prefer a bloke who beats his man, rather than uses the ball brilliantly. Other teams have proven that midfielders should push back and create an easy option 15-20m away for the defender to find, and by the looks of it he'll be fine to do that.

Not expecting him to do much, but I'm confident he'll do a good job if required.

[Deestroy All 14,262]

Any relation to St Kilda's John Georgiou?

[Whispering_Jack 28,118]

SANFL News

[Redleg 38,554]

Yeah Dees were keen on Tippett, but the jungle drums beat loud that North were going to take him, which happened, and if not them, then Freo in the first round, so they were obviously happy to take Harmes and get another defender later on, which happened to be Georgiou.

I think a few are bypassing the fact that the attributes that Georgiou brings to the table aren't necessarily going to be captured on a highlights tape. His best quality is he nullifies opponents and that's what he's been drafted to do. If we get into a predicament with defensive injuries, he could be handy in that capacity. They obviously think he can compete with AFL level forwards.

Could have got Tippett, but I know you don't want me to go there.

[Whispering_Jack 28,118]

Yeah Dees were keen on Tippett, but the jungle drums beat loud that North were going to take him, which happened, and if not them, then Freo in the first round, so they were obviously happy to take Harmes and get another defender later on, which happened to be Georgiou.

I think a few are bypassing the fact that the attributes that Georgiou brings to the table aren't necessarily going to be captured on a highlights tape. His best quality is he nullifies opponents and that's what he's been drafted to do. If we get into a predicament with defensive injuries, he could be handy in that capacity. They obviously think he can compete with AFL level forwards.

I must say I was expecting us to recruit a key defender of the 194cm/196cm variety partly by way of insurance in the case of any drama with James Frawley who becomes a free agent in 2014. I wonder if it means we have a measure of confidence in our ability to come to terms with James over a new contract which is something we couldn't have expected in the tumultuous atmosphere that prevailed in the first half of this season.

On Georgiou, I agree that his selection fulfills a need we've had for some time and, if he's able to carry out that nullifying role, he will be a welcome addition.

Of course, he's a rookie and we can only elevate him in the first half of 2014 if there's a long term injury to a primary list player so I'm not that certain I want to see him playing for the Dees any time soon.

[rpfc 27,692]

I think we get it that you love every pick.

Do 'we'?

I rarely judge picks because I do not watch any junior football, I keep my thoughts on recruitment to; those that have played AFL before, and general musings on why a type of player would be selected above another. If you don't think I have made a good point, say so.

[jabberwocky 2,301]

Trying to understand this selection...I think other than Garland our defenders' ability to shut down dangerous half forwards is questionable.

If we lose defenders we have the flexibility in Dunn and Garland to play tall or small, rebound or lockdown. This guy might be able to do a lockdown job if needed and he should be able to do it better than Terlich, Clisby or Toumpas.

[DeeSpencer 23,683]

Trying to understand this selection...I think other than Garland our defenders' ability to shut down dangerous half forwards is questionable.

If we lose defenders we have the flexibility in Dunn and Garland to play tall or small, rebound or lockdown. This guy might be able to do a job if needed.

I think there is a needs component. Strauss, Terlich, Jetta you wouldn't back in for lock down jobs. Grimes would be wasted in that role. Dunn is surprisingly ok at it but otherwise a potato. Clisby for sure on very small forwards but not on medium sized goal kickers ala Eddie Betts. Leaves you with Garland and he needs to cover talls as well.

As for Georgiou himself I've got no idea how good he is or can be but he's obviously led a very solid defense to 2 premierships. And Alan Toovey and Nick Smith were not skilled or well rounded players when they were drafted but they had determination.

The one thing I'd like to know is how good is Georgiou's pace. To be an elite shut down defender you need close to if not elite pace.

The other thing is no one will be denying this guy has rubbish skills. It's there for all to see and therefore he's probably not a case of just modifying technique but going all the way back to the drawing board. When you look at international recruits and guys from other sports who were taught how to kick a footy from scratch they usually end up pretty decent. So that's what I'd do with Petro Georgiou.

[DeeSpencer 23,683]

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/georgiou-looks-like-mr-bean-but-plays-like-a-top-afl-defender-says-norwood-coach-nathan-bassett/story-fnii057l-1226733238557

"He looks like Mr Bean, he runs like he's running on broken glass and his kick looks awkward," Bassett says.

"But he's such a good defender, he uses the ball well and he makes good decisions.

"The only difference between him and (Power defender) Tom Jonas is Tom is better looking."

"His positioning and the physical contact he puts on the opposition is first-class and he's got elite fitness and good speed and agility.

"In our preseason testing he's always been in the top third of the group.

"He's also an excellent leader, is in our leadership group and has captained our footy club when McGuinness is injured.

"He's a terrific person and he's only 23."

High praise from Bassett.

[spirit of norm smith 13,622]

Could have got Tippett, but I know you don't want me to go there.

ditto

[DemonOX 8,578]

Get the impression he could pick a fight in an empty room.

Classic.

Hope he adds some mongrel to the list along with Viney.

[DemonOX 8,578]

Love all the experts on here would have gone this player or that player.

What would Roos know!!!!!!!!!

[Wilbur 447]

sounds like a competitive beast welcome ad goodluck

[dazzledavey36 49,794]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/demons-draft-norwoods-alex-georgiou-in-rookie-draft-but-hes-too-busy-to-notice/story-fnig5e6k-1226769913836?from=herald+sun_rss

[Hannibal 5,814]

Do 'we'?

I rarely judge picks because I do not watch any junior football, I keep my thoughts on recruitment to; those that have played AFL before, and general musings on why a type of player would be selected above another. If you don't think I have made a good point, say so.

Yes ''we'' do, unless I'm the only one reading this forum.

I often see negative opinions on here regarding draft selections and usually don't agree, but generally accept other views and move on (you'll find that ironic). However, you seem to feel the need to continually comment on most negative views.

Like you, I know nothing about these rookies, so don't bother entering the fray. It makes me wonder why you have so much to contribute on topics in which you're thread bare.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Ben-Hur

[Akum 2,660]

You can see why they picked him ahead of Tippett & Sully et al.

He looks like he could become the negating niggling frustrating (to his opponent) type of defender that we lack.

If he were to do well enough to get in the 22, he would take the negating role and allow the likes of Frawley and Garland and Strauss to use their attacking skills more freely. We have at times been forced to play these three in particular as "lock-down" defenders, because we've had no other options. And in doing so, they have been far less effective as rebounders than they're capable of.

This is a shrewd selection. He may not ever become good enough to lock down the most dangerous forwards, but the thinking behind getting him is good.

[IvanBartul13 2,564]

Could have got Tippett, but I know you don't want me to go there.

Haha, touche!