To be honest Im a bit torn over this selection. Maybe its the "waiting" we all did for Watts, Gysberts, Cook etc to fill out, to harden up, to get fit, to stay uninjured etc . Maybe I'm just burnt by those years but it seems like waiting doesn't often amount to much. Gawn is an example of the opposite I suppose but that was quite a few years and Id all but given up on him also.

We picked up three kids we're gonna "wait" on and we have another kid we're already waiting on in King. Weideman is seriously down in fitness and bulk and I expect at least one full year in the VFL and even that's in the hope his injuries don't resurface.

Given Curnow could have immediate impact next year and has a huge tank and talent to burn Im nervous that we let another " be patient and wait" win over "AFL ready"

Im sure Taylor et al know what they're doing and researched the injury he suffered ....but I DO have a nervous feeling. Just saying.

When Cook was interviewed in his first year he went along the lines of taking his time and developing at Casey...didn't happen.

Weideman's first interview he says he's aiming to play senior footy this year, he said one game would be great but he's not setting limits...I like his attitude. Given an injury free run I would expect to see him lining up some time in 2016.

I don't quite get your thinking here. I would feel more like that is was Essendon who have picked Parish who looks very good but so slight and there only midfield in their first 4 picks in the top 30. Oliver has played well against men and shone at junior lever, big bodied and looks likely to play in his first year. Weideman I think was selected on gut feel as a very good footballer who has been injured. but who knows he may get to have a full season for Casey. and as a tall with Dawes and Hogan ahead of him, is that such a bad thing?

We are picking bigger bodies so we don't have to wait for years.

No questions on the Oliver pick. Love that we got him. Its the other three Im worried about. If Weideman DOES get to play a full uninjured season at casey and significantly builds up his motor and size, and is at least sometimes in the best ,then Ill become more relaxed. But I still think we may have missed on Curnow. Hope Im wrong.

That is just amazing. Was it a one sided game? Was his opponent a weed?

Playing against men undersized and as Shifter said he will learn to use his body better id say when he has a couple of afl pre-seasons under his belt.

SAM Weideman flew for marks, crashed packs, kicked goals and set them up for others. This year's draft pool is not full of 196cm key forwards who can grab the ball, kick it straight and have the smarts to go with it, but Weideman announced himself as one of them on Saturday morning.

The 17-year-old, who is the grandson of Collingwood legend Murray Weideman and son of former Magpie Mark, set the tone for the NAB AFL Academy in its gallant nine-point loss to the Northern Blues' VFL team at the MCG.

In the first quarter alone, the Eastern Ranges prospect took five marks and kicked two goals. He finished with 11 touches and seven marks as the Academy rebounded from an 82-thumping at the hands of Werribee last week to provide a strong contest.

Not sure where Sanderson got 12 contested from as he said last night on air.

With more than half of their team Carlton-listed players, the Blues were expected to win. And it was perhaps the maturity and poise of returning Carlton star Andrew Walker (29 disposals) and Dennis Armfield's four goals which proved the difference as the Blues held off the Academy to win 14.15 (99) to 14.6 (90).

While Weideman's performance in attack will have him in recruiters' thoughts as a top-10 pick, at the other end of the ground Jacob Weitering's claims for being the best under-18 player in the country continued.

NAB AFL ACADEMY 3.2 7.3 9.5 14.6 (90)

NORTHERN BLUES 3.2 7.8 9.11 14.15 (99)

GOALS: NAB AFL Academy: Schache 3, Ah Chee 2, Hipwood 2, Weideman 2, Keays, Tucker, Cole, Snadden, Curnow

Northern Blues: Armfield 4, Buckley 2, Johnson 2, Whiley, Totevski, Viojo-Rainbow, Walsh, Fields, Foster

BEST
: NAB AFL Academy: Ah Chee, Weitering, Parish, Weideman, Hopper, Keays, Tucker, Nyuon

Northern Blues: Armfield, Walker, Graham, Whiley, Boekhorst, Buckley, Wilson

It seems like his fitness base is pretty low and will be on a very modified program but does anyone know of his ankle issue are done and is he able to start training immediately?

It seems like his fitness base is pretty low and will be on a very modified program but does anyone know of his ankle issue are done and is he able to start training immediately?

he tested last week at full pace with some others that were injured and couldn't compete at the combine.

Obviously he went ok .

Id suspect we would start at scratch with him assess the injury and have him on a modified program building core strength like they did with hogan.who knows how long it will take but they will be cautious.

Looks to have a good set shot technique and a pretty good non preferred foot too

Weideman's got good composure when kicking off both feet too. Combined with very good groundball ability (crucial for key position players now IMO), I think he'll be a very good foil for Hogan.

The ability of medium and key forwards to compete at ground level is one of the key elements to Hawthorn's forward line structure. They were the number one team for groundball gets in the forward line. For all of their kicking efficiency, the ability of multiple forwards to beat their defender in multiple ways is what makes the Hawks forward line lethal.

I think Hardwick was selected for Hawthorn with this in mind. He'll create match up headaches if he becomes a best 22 player. Could become a Breust type medium forward for them.

Jason Taylor talked about Weideman's forward craft, which is where Jesse has been phenomenal for a first year player. No more one trick ponies who are just lead and mark or just wrestle in the goal square types. Key forwards must be able to work opponents over in multiple ways. I think this is the message Beveridge is sending to Boyd now. Develop more tricks, otherwise you wont get a game. If Weideman has strong footy IQ and understanding of forward craft, he should be a beauty.

With more than half of their team Carlton-listed players, the Blues were expected to win. And it was perhaps the maturity and poise of returning Carlton star Andrew Walker (29 disposals) and Dennis Armfield's four goals which proved the difference as the Blues held off the Academy to win 14.15 (99) to 14.6 (90).

A team full of Carlton senior players struggled to beat a team of TAC cup kids... LMAO

When was this game played?

Looks a nice kick on what I have seen, and the fact he takes contested marks is another plus, especially with him and Hogan in years to come being two headaches for defences.

Speaks with the right attitude and seems like he has his head screwed on well. Hoping he has the desire to succeed and we are there with the forward structure being set up for a long period.

Welcome aboard the Dee train Sam

Looks a nice kick on what I have seen, and the fact he takes contested marks is another plus, especially with him and Hogan in years to come being two headaches for defences.

Speaks with the right attitude and seems like he has his head screwed on well. Hoping he has the desire to succeed and we are there with the forward structure being set up for a long period.

Welcome aboard the Dee train Sam

Theyll be a nightmare to match up on.. .....happy days !!

No questions on the Oliver pick. Love that we got him. Its the other three Im worried about. If Weideman DOES get to play a full uninjured season at casey and significantly builds up his motor and size, and is at least sometimes in the best ,then Ill become more relaxed. But I still think we may have missed on Curnow. Hope Im wrong.

He needs a year at Casey to significantly build his size? Ok, as it currently stands...

Hogan: 195cm 97kg

Weideman: 196cm 94kg

Watts: 196cm 88kg

And I agree he needs to work on his motor but on that note it'd be interesting to find out what 2015 Dawes can do in a beep test. Anyone know?

He needs a year at Casey to significantly build his size? Ok, as it currently stands...

Hogan: 195cm 97kg

Weideman: 196cm 94kg

Watts: 196cm 88kg

And I agree he needs to work on his motor but on that note it'd be interesting to find out what 2015 Dawes can do in a beep test. Anyone know?

Intersting stats. Reassuring. Weideman just looks so skinny in the photos! While that well may be revealing re Dawes and a beep test Im hoping Weid is twice the player Dawes is regardless.

He needs a year at Casey to significantly build his size? Ok, as it currently stands...

Hogan: 195cm 97kg

Weideman: 196cm 94kg

Watts: 196cm 88kg

And I agree he needs to work on his motor but on that note it'd be interesting to find out what 2015 Dawes can do in a beep test. Anyone know?

so much is between the ears isn't it !!

He needs a year at Casey to significantly build his size? Ok, as it currently stands...

Hogan: 195cm 97kg

Weideman: 196cm 94kg

Watts: 196cm 88kg

And I agree he needs to work on his motor but on that note it'd be interesting to find out what 2015 Dawes can do in a beep test. Anyone know?

Bill Brownless - 192cm, 122kg -> Ready to play round one with that logic.

Bill Brownless - 192cm, 122kg -> Ready to play round one with that logic.

I would take Billy over Dawes...

I would take Billy over Dawes...

even now

A team full of Carlton senior players struggled to beat a team of TAC cup kids... LMAO

When was this game played?

played April 2015 -a team half full of Carlton listed players but yeah men against 17 year olds .

He needs a year at Casey to significantly build his size? Ok, as it currently stands...

Hogan: 195cm 97kg

Weideman: 196cm 94kg

Watts: 196cm 88kg

And I agree he needs to work on his motor but on that note it'd be interesting to find out what 2015 Dawes can do in a beep test. Anyone know?

A calf injury?

Dawes is fit. Beep test would hurt him though with all the acceleration/deceleration. 2 or 3km time trial is a better guide for an AFL tall in their prime.

In the repeat 300m's a select group were running the other day Dawes was leading whilst Hogan was spotting him 10m. It's not a race, they are more just trying to run consistent times, but Dawes when healthy does have a high motor. He can repeat lead and get back and apply forward pressure. It's the when healthy that's key.

Linking the name Weideman with Melbourne is a bit like linking the name Barassi with Collingwood. Polar opposites.

Lets hope the Dees checked his blood type, did a genetic screen and used hypnosis or the Rorschach test to ensure that all traces of disordered black and white thinking can be removed.

I have a splendid vision of a wet Grand Final against Collingwood when the Pies go in as raging favourites only to be softened up and beaten into submission by a team of Melbourne enforcers led by The Weed and Hulk Hogan. The sadistic pleasure would be something special.

Go with most of that Ern but the Rorschach test !! I've only ever seen the beast with two backs in that.

To my way of thinking I reckon Weideman going to D's could have been a prearranged strategy in that this bloke has in one stroke alleviated a ton of pressure

from himself, his family and the football public.

The pressure on this bloke to perform would have been, behind the scenes, extraordinary, and I extend to everyone connected with this decision

in football's extended family that he's probably now got a good chance of being a quite successful player in the AFL and with Melbourne.

To my way of thinking I reckon Weideman going to D's could have been a prearranged strategy in that this bloke has in one stroke alleviated a ton of pressure

from himself, his family and the football public.

The pressure on this bloke to perform would have been, behind the scenes, extraordinary, and I extend to everyone connected with this decision

in football's extended family that he's probably now got a good chance of being a quite successful player in the AFL and with Melbourne.

What? A pre arranged strategy by who?

You think the Dees wanted him, or he wanted to play for us, so that he had less pressure than playing with the pies?

omg.....

I reckon we might have chosen him because we think he might make a great KPF at some time in the future.

A team full of Carlton senior players struggled to beat a team of TAC cup kids... LMAO

When was this game played?

And now it seems half those TAC kids play for Carlton.

He needs a year at Casey to significantly build his size? Ok, as it currently stands...

Hogan: 195cm 97kg

Weideman: 196cm 94kg

Watts: 196cm 88kg

And I agree he needs to work on his motor but on that note it'd be interesting to find out what 2015 Dawes can do in a beep test. Anyone know?

And didn't Watts start his career at 75-80kg?

To my way of thinking I reckon Weideman going to D's could have been a prearranged strategy in that this bloke has in one stroke alleviated a ton of pressure

from himself, his family and the football public.

The pressure on this bloke to perform would have been, behind the scenes, extraordinary, and I extend to everyone connected with this decision

in football's extended family that he's probably now got a good chance of being a quite successful player in the AFL and with Melbourne.

Darcy Moore is doing well at Collingwood, so is Joe Daniher at Essendon. Every young key forward with or without a famous surname has a lot of pressure on them to perform. Some do, some don't. Who knows if the pressure is a factor.

Certainly developing alongside a gun key forward is a good advantage and Weideman will have that, but I doubt it's an AFL conspiracy. They are busy enough.

Dawes is a suitable bridge to Weideman.

He will make him earn his games and allow him time to build his fitness, frame, confidence, and game.