1 hour ago, binman said:

Agree. having not really seen much of him this year i was surprised how effictive he was, particulalry in the first. 

Great pick up i reckon, particualry given it is essentially a free throw at ths tsumps. Played a lot of junior football so not a footy novice like the import B rookies, comes accross from basketball -  and increasingly those skills are highly transferabl - and not only that has been playing in elite basketball systems since late teens so was pretty fit and fully up to speed on the dedication and discilpine required to be a professional athlete. 

On this point, do the payments to Category B rookies, or whatever it's called, get included in the salary cap? I expect in the overall scheme of things the amount these rookies get paid wouldn't be much, but I'm curious nevertheless. 

Just now, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

On this point, do the payments to Category B rookies, or whatever it's called, get included in the salary cap? I expect in the overall scheme of things the amount these rookies get paid wouldn't be much, but I'm curious nevertheless. 

i think they are out of the cap

I don't know enough about Smith, other than his impressive game yesterday, but I'd love him to develop into an Isaac Smith type wingman.  Isaac Smith has incredible endurance and I have no idea how Joel goes in the endurance stakes, but Smith and Hunt running the lines is an exciting prospect.

I actually want to leave Hunt in his current role, as I suspect he finds it easier playing behind the ball, so would be interested to know if a tall wing role would suit Joel.

4 hours ago, monoccular said:

So Casey watchers.....where do you see him fitting in?

HBF / mid?

Listed at 190cm, 85kgm - is this how he looks and plays?

From what i've seen of him, he seems to mainly shift between half back with short stints on a wing.

Would love to see what he's capable of forward, but suspect he'll either be groomed for the Garland role or as a tall wingman. Or maybe both?

his reading of the play and his attack on the ball - particularly after salem went down - was very exciting to watch.

4 hours ago, ProDee said:

I don't know enough about Smith, other than his impressive game yesterday, but I'd love him to develop into an Isaac Smith type wingman.  Isaac Smith has incredible endurance and I have no idea how Joel goes in the endurance stakes, but Smith and Hunt running the lines is an exciting prospect.

I actually want to leave Hunt in his current role, as I suspect he finds it easier playing behind the ball, so would be interested to know if a tall wing role would suit Joel.

But is he a good set shot at goal under pressure?

1 hour ago, AngryAtCasey said:

From what i've seen of him, he seems to mainly shift between half back with short stints on a wing.

Would love to see what he's capable of forward, but suspect he'll either be groomed for the Garland role or as a tall wingman. Or maybe both?

Thanks Angry

I don't think we're going to have the answers on Joel Smith or Corey Maynard for a while yet. They need at least a full pre season if not more to get themselves into shape for the rigors of the AFL. Smith has shown that he has the basic skills and he's probably still not as advanced as say, Jayden Hunt was at this time last year. That said, Hunt had a very good pre season.

50 minutes ago, Whispering_Jack said:

I don't think we're going to have the answers on Joel Smith or Corey Maynard for a while yet. They need at least a full pre season if not more to get themselves into shape for the rigors of the AFL. Smith has shown that he has the basic skills and he's probably still not as advanced as say, Jayden Hunt was at this time last year. That said, Hunt had a very good pre season.

There was a lot to like about Joel Smith yesterday but...

He kicks like Cameron Bruce used to. Lots of helicopters and leg breaks. No drop punts.

1 minute ago, Wrecker45 said:

There was a lot to like about Joel Smith yesterday but...

He kicks like Cameron Bruce used to. Lots of helicopters and leg breaks. No drop punts.

Kicking would have to be a big focus for him over preseason. I thought his action was fine if a little stiff, but given he's played all of about 10 games this year I didn't think it was too bad. His one kick to Dunn was perfect, others not so great.

 

I'm not sure he's as quick as someone like Hunt and I don't think he'll be a wingman, but his first few steps and agility impressed me plus his leap. And his willingness to tackle was great. 

I could see him becoming a rebounding half back, a lock down defender, a defensive forward or maybe even an inside midfielder with the ability to go 3rd man up in the ruck and to provide some burst to the contest. Half back is the best spot to train him up in and I think next year he could become a consistent VFL player and push to debut and play a few games, then it's a matter of where to from there. 

The big unknown with any mature age recruit and with any athlete from a non footy background is you can't tell how much they will improve. If he improves the same way Hunt did then we'll have a great player on our hands.

I hope we upgrade Joel to the regular rookie list next year.

His potential is huge.  I see him as a rebounding half back.

1 hour ago, spirit of norm smith said:

I hope we upgrade Joel to the regular rookie list next year.

His potential is huge.  I see him as a rebounding half back.

What would be the point of that Norm?

I have high hopes for Joel after watching a lot of Casey this year, if all goes right in the preseason I can see him getting an opportunity early next year .   He has struggled with injury and was load managed early on but I have been extremely impressed by his development.  He has so many AFL qualities to his game, clean hands, quick, strong over the ball and has some real X factor as well.

 Thinking about him and Hunt on the same half back line would be a sight to see with them both up and going.

 

 

This weekend was the first I've seen of him, but he certainly looked like a good prospect.  His first quarter in particular, I think he had 10 disposals.  Moved really well and laid some really nice tackles.  It's a good sign for a basketballer to take to the physical side of the game so readily I think.  Some of his disposals were a bit ordinary, but others were fine.  I don't see any point in upgrading him next year, but he certainly looks like he'll be a player in the future.  No rush for now. 

Joel is mfc's 'nominated rookie' for the rest of the season.  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-06/smith-named-nominated-rookie

"It means that Smith, although a rookie, is eligible for selection in the AFL for the rest of the season."

I'm guessing he will be in the team sooner rather than later. 

Edit:  that story looks a bit weird as Joel Smith signed a 2 year deal a few months ago http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-05/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-enough-to-earn-dee-joel-smith-new-deal

...I wonder if it means Tim Smith...

Edit 2:  It is Joel, see 'Nascent's post below.

Edited July 6, 20178 yr by Lucifer's Hero

30 minutes ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

Joel is mfc's 'nominated rookie' for the rest of the season.  http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2017-07-06/smith-named-nominated-rookie

"It means that Smith, although a rookie, is eligible for selection in the AFL for the rest of the season."

I'm guessing he will be in the team sooner rather than later. 

Edit:  that story looks a bit weird as Joel Smith signed a 2 year deal a few months ago http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-04-05/fifteen-minutes-of-fame-enough-to-earn-dee-joel-smith-new-deal

...I wonder if it means Tim Smith...

Nah it's definitely Joel. He won't be on the official primary list until the end of the year/draft period. From memory he was elevated for king who has since come of the LTI list but we can promote a rookie mid season.

This kid could be ready to explode.  

Weid and T Mac will be his personal stepladders.

There is something to work with here.. i like him up forward as he has an incredible leap and is surprisingly accuratekick for goal. Reminds of the way Jurrah would just glide across packs with his leap.

The only issue is Smith, Weideman and McDonald need to work out a system together. To many times yesterday they just all jumped for the same ball and crashed into each others backs.

Smith is someone that couple prove to be difficult to match up on. Speed on the lead with a huge leap to also go with.

 

it's always rated him. even in defence I'd have him well ahead of oscar mcdonld and hore but in the forward line his straight kicking has been a great surprise.

2 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

There is something to work with here.. i like him up forward as he has an incredible leap and is surprisingly accuratekick for goal. Reminds of the way Jurrah would just glide across packs with his leap.

The only issue is Smith, Weideman and McDonald need to work out a system together. Too many times yesterday they just all jumped for the same ball and crashed into each others backs.

Smith is someone that couple prove to be difficult to match up on. Speed on the lead with a huge leap to also go with.

 

Yes, I noticed they got in each others way a lot. One example had Weid set for a simple overhead mark, only to have Smith leap from behind to attempt the impossible. I know Weid and Smirh are still young, but surely these guys get taught leading patterns to keep clear of each other???

2 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Yes, I noticed they got in each others way a lot. One example had Weid set for a simple overhead mark, only to have Smith leap from behind to attempt the impossible. I know Weid and Smirh are still young, but surely these guys get taught leading patterns to keep clear of each other???

I noticed this last week with Smith as well, a couple of times he jumped with TMac and completely spoiled him.  

I’m not sold on him, I think he’s a bit of a one trick pony. But time will tell though, hope I’m wrong. 

Edited March 10, 20196 yr by Ethan Tremblay

22 minutes ago, Ethan Tremblay said:

I noticed this last week with Smith as well, a couple of times he jumped with TMac and completely spoiled him.  

I’m not sold on him, I think he’s a bit of a one trick pony. But will tell though, hope I’m wrong. 

That second quarter I thought he showed a lot and stood out for mine, the goal he kicked on the run, his leading, his willingness to put his body on the line and also his tackling shows me he has plenty of tricks, he needs to do it more often though and he did go up when he should of stayed down on few occasions, but he is still learning and has heaps of room for improvement, my tip for the most improved player this year

 

5 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

There is something to work with here

 

I think that's they key part, dazzle.  There is something to work with.  Do we have him play some VFL early in the season to hone his craft a bit, especially in terms of getting in the way of others, or do they unleash him Round 1 and back in a bit of his x-factor to make the difference?  I'm not sure yet, but I think he's shown some promising signs thus far.

He looks much better forward than back. He definitely takes after his Dad in that sense.

Shaun was always hampered by defensive mindsets but when he went forward, he gave us an unpredictable edge.

Joel seems to be more reluctant up back but seems released from a burden when sent forward.

Handy to have a player like Smith who can play forward and back. Given our depth down back, Smith should be played as a permanent forward.

Still a few kinks to be ironed out in his game which have already been mentioned, but you can work with him and he can make an impact for us forward.

He might end up being a poster boy for category b rookies. He has certainly proven that there is some real value in the category b rookie list.