He can be as competitive as he wants, he still goes at the ball one-handed in marking contests and shirked tackles during games I saw him play in 2014.

He has a great body shape...if he can add 10kg of muscle.

Edited September 29, 201411 yr by DemonAndrew

Kids.

He'll have those bad habits drilled out of him when he leaves GWS.

JOR is a highly skilled tallish player with lack of physicality and commitment to a contest. Sound familiar?

No.

Anyone comparing O'Rourke to Morton is wide of the mark.

He might not be big bodied, but he has a sizeable frame to build on, and has a reputation for being very competitive, in spite of some of the comments here.

No he hasn't. That's the knock on him.

No he hasn't. That's the knock on him.

Clearly it depends on who you talk to, or your understanding of the concept.

So he's apparently picked Hawthorn as his destination.

Good for him.

It's beyond me why a pick 2, only 2 years into his career, thinks he can actually just choose his destination. The reigning premiers, no less.

Even more mind-boggling if GWS actually agree to just deal with Hawthorn!

Hope they're not expecting much for him...

This whole 'nominating clubs' thing has gotten beyond a joke.

So he's apparently picked Hawthorn as his destination.

Good for him.

It's beyond me why a pick 2, only 2 years into his career, thinks he can actually just choose his destination. The reigning premiers, no less.

Even more mind-boggling if GWS actually agree to just deal with Hawthorn!

Hope they're not expecting much for him...

Because Taylor Adams set a precedence last year. We'll see this more if clubs don't nip it in the bud.

EDIT. Actually, Josh Caddy set it the year before.

Edited October 7, 201411 yr by AdamFarr

Thank heavens for Free Agency, without it these kids can get trapped at a club for the length of their own contracts!

I'm annoyed by the player/media/public perception that when a player 'nominates' a club that that is the be-all-and-end-all.

Clubs still need to facilitate a trade that rewards their investment.

Would be interested to know what O'Rourke's currency is on the open draft-market... When I've watched him this year he, and Plowman, have really struggled with the pace and intensity of senior football. If GWS were to hold their ground and make a statement, forcing JOR into the draft, where would he go?

I don't think GWS would get a top ten pick, probably closer to 15-20... which is what Hawthorn will offer.

Perhaps those who watched him closer a a junior would disagree.

This time of year the cream comes to the top in many of the threads.. Very little these days of those posts

suggesting unrealistic trades. Enjoying the reading guys.

I was referrng to Earl Hood's comment there

Sorry about the whole wasting of two years and a super high draft pick on me. I just feel like my time would be better served at the reigning premiers.

Because Taylor Adams set a precedence last year. We'll see this more if clubs don't nip it in the bud.

EDIT. Actually, Josh Caddy set it the year before.

Polec

Are you serious Hawthorn??? Ffs it is just silly.

So he's apparently picked Hawthorn as his destination.

Good for him.

It's beyond me why a pick 2, only 2 years into his career, thinks he can actually just choose his destination. The reigning premiers, no less.

Even more mind-boggling if GWS actually agree to just deal with Hawthorn!

Hope they're not expecting much for him...

Yeah we had a pick 1 do the same thing

Clearly it depends on who you talk to, or your understanding of the concept.

I'm sure if you talk to yourself you will eventually convince yourself of the answer you want to hear,,,,

GWS should tell him to get stuffed. If he wants a trade, it should be with a team that will deliver the best deal for GWS, not for Mr O'Rourke.

There was a time when younger players did actually respect that if they were leaving a club they would play ball to assist with them getting value. They wouldn't just say, "that's my club, make it happen" they would at least be open to the idea of their current club shopping them around to get them value.

GWS would be well within their rights to tell him if Hawks don't match what they want then he can go to St Kilda in the draft. It wasn't that long ago that players (particularly moving interstate) accepted they should at least be open to all clubs willing to deal.

I blame the managers of these kids for encouraging them to "decide" where they want to, and to publicly nominate their destination.

Ludicrous.

They are unreasonably forcing the AFL's hand to remove the player's ability to veto a trade.

The AFL should introduce a trading rule where unless you are a Free Agent, you have to nominate at least 3 clubs you'd be prepared to be traded to, and from there the best deal wins.

15 game players nominating just 1 club is ridiculous.

Yep, player managers have a lot to answer for. Unpleasant pricks the lot of them. Only after one thing: money.

The longterm welfare of the game does not factor into their job one iota.

Why do we even need free agency when kids who have two years in the system and have shown nothing can nominate the club he expects to be traded too.

Anyone who hasn't qualified for FA should be at the mercy of the club, who should be able to get maximum return by offering them up for best offer.

This current system is rubbish.

Why do we even need free agency when kids who have two years in the system and have shown nothing can nominate the club he expects to be traded too.

Anyone who hasn't qualified for FA should be at the mercy of the club, who should be able to get maximum return by offering them up for best offer.

This current system is rubbish.

Totally agree T-34 I have mentioned this in past posts that FA is just not needed, at least not for the reasons it was brought in for. The AFLPA pushed on the grounds of restraint of trade etc. and that it would allow fringe players stuck at clubs the freedom to move to another club for better opportunities after 8 years service. Over the last few years we have had players just walking once they are out of contract, now they are walking after 2 years and nominating their clubs of choice. The last player to not get to go where he wanted easily was Luke Ball whom St Kilda dumped into the draft but he still got to the Pies anyway at pick 30. Basically Clubs now don't want players who don't want to be there, e.g. the exodus from Brisbane last year. Where's the restraint of trade issues? Where are the players trapped in clubs? The FA should be reviewed on the basis of what is now happening at trade time.

FA at present is a gift to the top ranked players who can bid up their contract income and years. Not long ago 4 and 5 year contracts were not on. Now its a minimum for a gun FA. All this comes at a cost to your average AFL player, there is only so much money to go around. The AFLPA should be looking after them more than your Buddy Franklins who can look after themselves.

Anyway I could go on but you get my drift.

Gone to Hawks.