FOR THE first three weeks of this season, without fail, Jay Kennedy-Harris knocked on Paul Roos' door determined to talk his coach into playing him for a full game.

"As much as I enjoyed being the sub and getting a taste for it all, I wanted to get the full hit-out and feel what it was like to go through the full four quarters of AFL footy," Kennedy-Harris told AFL.com.au.

"I spoke to 'Roosy' and he was willing to give me a go, so I was really thankful.

"That's what Roosy's like, he's really approachable. I felt like I really wanted to play and I felt comfortable going up to him and just putting the question to him."

Standing at 173cm and weighing in at 68kg, the confident youngster is quickly earning a reputation for his pressure skills. Kennedy-Harris admits his "eyes light up" when he spots an unaware target, exemplified by a superb chase down tackle on Blues debutant Patrick Cripps.

"We're very big on pressure on the other team, but it's just a natural way that I play the game," Kennedy-Harris said.

"When the opposition's got the ball, I just go and hunt them because I want the ball for our team. I really enjoy playing that role."

Read more - Roos says yes please after Jay's pleas

The kid is a beauty and will get better once he has had a few pre-seasons under his belt and doesn't weigh less than my ex-girlfriend, which is light i must add before the comedians chime in

that is fantastic that even though he got the right result he knew he'd done the wrong team thing.

roos is all about the players doing the right habits, and it's very exciting to see the players wanting to reinforce them and acknowledge when they've broken the 'rules'.

Love the energy this guy brings to the team.....we have been ,and are pretty light on for guys like JKH who zip around the packs, looking dangerous offensively and defensively.

JKH is a ripper, and it looks like we have nailed another late pick following on the tradition of draft steals like Dean Kent, Matt Jones and Tom McDonald to name a few

Just need to get our 1ast round picks right from now on lol

He's great. But the challenge is his speed and agility, which are both ranked quite low during scouting. Well, "average", at least. For someone his height he needs to work extra hard to keep his spot and contribute so his mentality is really good.

The question is, does he put on 5kg of muscle to strengthen up, but compromise what is already a mid-range burst of speed, or does he stay lean and try to improve his fitness and agility for more snaps-over-the-shoulder?

I think he could do with a bit more muscle. If only he were maybe 3-4cm taller, he would be great along the wing.

He's great. But the challenge is his speed and agility, which are both ranked quite low during scouting. Well, "average", at least. For someone his height he needs to work extra hard to keep his spot and contribute so his mentality is really good.

The question is, does he put on 5kg of muscle to strengthen up, but compromise what is already a mid-range burst of speed, or does he stay lean and try to improve his fitness and agility for more snaps-over-the-shoulder?

I think he could do with a bit more muscle. If only he were maybe 3-4cm taller, he would be great along the wing.

Love to know who tests this, as i would say these are his strengths. Looked to be the fastest guy out there Saturday.

Love to know who tests this, as i would say these are his strengths. Looked to be the fastest guy out there Saturday.

for speed alone chris yarran has him covered by a mile

They are the same useless draft tests that said Trengove was quick over 20 metres

They are pointless tests not taken in the context of a game

JKH is quick where it matters, on the footy field

for speed alone chris yarran has him covered by a mile

perhaps over an extended period of time, but i'd say JKH's first 10 (crucial in footy) is superior.

Geeze louise, we complain that Toumpas and Trenners are so slow, then we draft someone who is quick and we complain that he is too slow!

We could bloody draft Usain Bolt and some peanut would say "he only has mid range pace, needs to work on it if he wants to become elite".

I GIVE UP!

Chris Dawes, JKH - we're going to need to employ a bouncer outside Roosy's office door soon.

Neeld would've given him the option - the desk or the table.

Neeld would've given him the option - the desk or the table.

or from behind or from behind...

Edited April 16, 201411 yr by The Song Formerly Known As

He's great. But the challenge is his speed and agility, which are both ranked quite low during scouting. Well, "average", at least. For someone his height he needs to work extra hard to keep his spot and contribute so his mentality is really good.

The question is, does he put on 5kg of muscle to strengthen up, but compromise what is already a mid-range burst of speed, or does he stay lean and try to improve his fitness and agility for more snaps-over-the-shoulder?

I think he could do with a bit more muscle. If only he were maybe 3-4cm taller, he would be great along the wing.

Hahaha where did you get that from??

I do recall reading an AFL website or HeraldSun (HS I think) draft profile on him and they graded his attributes the same.

I laughed then and I laugh now.

Ignoring the obviously poor source, you shouldn't believe everything you read.

it's interesting from what i have seen JKH doesn't have an issue with pace, he isn't lewis jetta quick but he's quick enough to play the role, doesn't mind the tackling which is important and has really great footy smarts which is what i think will make him a really good player for us.

Hahaha where did you get that from??

I do recall reading an AFL website or HeraldSun (HS I think) draft profile on him and they graded his attributes the same.

I laughed then and I laugh now.

Ignoring the obviously poor source, you shouldn't believe everything you read.

There was a breakdown of JKH's athletic abilities in the preseason game against the Tigers and he was ranked around average for most categories.

My take is that he isn't super quick but uses his pace reasonably well.

Nothing wrong with his agility. His speed is fine too. He lost points for hurrying his disposals, but got them back and then some for his G&D.

He's a keeper.

Hahaha where did you get that from??

I do recall reading an AFL website or HeraldSun (HS I think) draft profile on him and they graded his attributes the same.

I laughed then and I laugh now.

Ignoring the obviously poor source, you shouldn't believe everything you read.

I get the feeling that sometimes it's more instincts of when to turn the burners on and when not. Watts as well was highly rated over 20m for his speed but it's fair to say we rarely see it, that said we are now seeing his agility tests coming true.

I think JKH's instincts are what set him apart, he backs himself and has confidence in his decisions. The goal that combined him, Dawes, and Bail was all about that for all of them, they acted on their first instinct; Jay picked up the ball knowing he was going to get tackled so got himself into a position to give the handball off, Dawes acknowledged he was going to get tackled immediately so tapped it to Bail who backed himself to nail the goal.

It was the sort of play that happens when players believe in themselves and each other.

JKH is mid-range pace - you can see it in his draft highlights reel - but you can also see him finding space almost at will. His big advantage is the speed of his decision making. He's taken three steps while an average player would still be making up their mind. As with Dawes - a good brain is hard to find.

Kid has a great attitude, hope he has a long career with us

He's got something special about him for sure. Natural instincts.

Seems like a good kid. That article is wrong by the way, the goal against Carlton wasn't his first. He also kicked one against West Coast.

Jesus, I must be slow if this bloke isn't quick.

That said, for me the main criteria of a competent small forward are;

* Pressure the opposition when we don't have the ball

* Know how to read the play, thus knowing how to position yourself around a contest

* Know where the goals are, thus knowing how to kick a goal

I don't want him winning the Grand Final sprint at half time. I want him playing in the Grand Final and doing the above. To date, he's proven more than capable of doing the latter should the former happen during his career.

JKH is mid-range pace - you can see it in his draft highlights reel - but you can also see him finding space almost at will. His big advantage is the speed of his decision making. He's taken three steps while an average player would still be making up their mind. As with Dawes - a good brain is hard to find.

I agree 100%.

I spoke to him at training this morning, it is like speaking to a 10 year veteran, leadership group material in the future

I got an explanation on why he did the round the corner kick for the goal on Saturday

Why he deserved the spray from Chris Dawes

And how the 'new' forward line is working on getting a better understanding between thenm

I think he's got what I'll call "soft hands". The silky skill of having the ball balanced quickly which allows the player to then move before other players know he's gone. Andrew McLeod had it (and lots more besides) as does Cyril Rioli and Chris Yarran.