What are everyones thoughts on Sam Menegola from Subiaco as a mature midfield recruit?

23y/o 188cm 90kgs

Athletic Midfielder who can win his own ball and kicks goals, was a forward as a junior so can swing into the attacking 50 and is good overhead (as he did numerous times this year with taggers)

Has been on Hawthorns and Freo's list, but both times hampered by injury as he was at the start of this season. However, played the last 14 games of this season and averaged 28 possessions kicked 21.18 + 4.5 tackles, was clearly the best player in the WAFL. Ended up second in the Sandover medal on 41 votes (from 12 regular season games) winner got 45. While at Freo was regarded as their best endurance runner.

His injuries have been a wrist at Hawthorn, knee at Freo and ankle at the start of this year. While no injury is great it is not as though have has had recurrent hamstring or shoulder issues.

If he can stay healthy I think he would be a walk up start into our midfield and would be exactly what we need as a big bodied hard running goal kicking mid. The fact he couldn't break into Freo's or Hawthorns midfield shouldn't be held against him.

Junior highlights here -

Thoughts?

He was very good in the games I saw him this season and was exceptional in last weeks WAFL grand final. He is not however a walk up start to our team and would be just a depth player. One of many players who are in between levels eg VFL/SANFL/WAFL & AFL

Maybe walk up start is a bit much, but i think he's got great upside and would seriously improve our midfield mix and would decrease the drop off in our depth

injuries ?? hmmmm nature theerof as to prognosis ?

The idea of going left filed always appeals to me. Ive always thought there are many very decent footballers but for the grace of god, and circumstance just dont end up in big time footy; and its not because they arent any good...just those sliding door thingies !!

We have already spoke to him and interested. Big bodied midfielder who will run all day. Use to win Fremantles time trials.

Sounds more like a soccer player.

Tim Gossage said that he's better than half of the midfielders in the AFL on SEN last week.

Would be formidable in combo with Petracca, Brayshaw and Vanders.

Would be formidable in combo with Petracca, Brayshaw and Vanders.

With Jones and Tyson for depth!

We have already spoke to him and interested. Big bodied midfielder who will run all day. Use to win Fremantles time trials.

just asking...nature of source? ?

The rookie list is there for a reason. Picking up a potential late bloomer with a rookie pick is low risk high reward.

Wouldn't be at all disappointed if he was given another chance on our rookie list.

Tim Gossage said that he's better than half of the midfielders in the AFL on SEN last week.

Yeah, and that's why he's playing waffle footy.

The rookie list is there for a reason. Picking up a potential late bloomer with a rookie pick is low risk high reward.

Wouldn't be at all disappointed if he was given another chance on our rookie list.

Vanders...

Yeah, and that's why he's playing waffle footy.

Late bloomers, etc. etc.

He was on an AFL list.

Late bloomers, etc. etc.

He was on an AFL list.

Still sounds like serious hyperbole from Gossage though. Gossage is the typical hanger-on that the AFL is full of - peripheral commentators who have to say big things to remain minutely relevant.

Still sounds like serious hyperbole from Gossage though. Gossage is the typical hanger-on that the AFL is full of - peripheral commentators who have to say big things to remain minutely relevant.

I agree, although:

TOP 10 SANDOVER MEDAL VOTE WINNERS

Aidan Tropiano (Perth) – 45 votes

Ashton Hams (South Fremantle) – 44

Sam Menegola (Subiaco) – 41

Menegola, meanwhile, joined Subiaco in 2015 after being left of Peel Thunder's list and despite not appearing until Round 11, he immediately showed his quality and ability to dominate games as a ball-winning, hard running and goal kicking midfielder.

Not bad at all.....

Still sounds like serious hyperbole from Gossage though. Gossage is the typical hanger-on that the AFL is full of - peripheral commentators who have to say big things to remain minutely relevant.

Correct.

Maybe walk up start is a bit much, but i think he's got great upside and would seriously improve our midfield mix and would decrease the drop off in our depth

Wrecka what attributes does he have that would allow him to transfer his form at WAFL level to AFL. For example Vanders had pace and clean hands whereas someone like Adam Fisher, although prolific at VFL level didn't have the pace to succeed at AFL level.

That's what Taylor will be looking for - AFL attributes. Does Menegola have them?

He finished BEHIND Hams?

I'm suddenly alot less interested.

He only played like 10 games.

Tim Gossage said that he's better than half of the midfielders in the AFL on SEN last week.

Gossage would know all about Wafl-ing ...and dribbling !!!

Sounds like a likely type and could be worth a go on the rookie list. Might be a few clubs hovering though and if he ends up on an AFL list, I'd bet it would be at Freo or WC.

I agree, although:

TOP 10 SANDOVER MEDAL VOTE WINNERS

Aidan Tropiano (Perth) – 45 votes

Ashton Hams (South Fremantle) – 44

Sam Menegola (Subiaco) – 41

Menegola, meanwhile, joined Subiaco in 2015 after being left off Peel Thunder's list and despite not appearing until Round 11, he immediately showed his quality and ability to dominate games as a ball-winning, hard running and goal kicking midfielder.

Not bad at all.....

This is the bit that intrigues me...

His endurance is well known. But I think the way he uses this to repeatedly get to the next contest is one of his best assets.

For example going the other way, Dan Nicho and Ro Bail were known to be great endurance runners....but I wouldn't suggest that they willed themselves into the next contest time and time again

Menegola does this and then has the footy smarts and body to impact the contest. Given our style of play he would be one to seriously look at. Plus has the ability to hit the scoreboard.

Love Vanders and think he has been a great pick up but the WAFL is certainly level above the NEAFL and at 23 Menegola should only continue to improve

Interesting thread. If there is a position where we should be interested in a bit of mature depth then I think super fit outside running mid is probably the one.

I'd take a punt with a rookie pick if he's available. We took a chance on vandenBerg and it worked out pretty well for us. He was playing in a much weaker competition than the WAFL.