Looking at the descriptions of the players being drafted by the AFL clubs these days I wonder if we're not going too overboard in our quest to recruit athletes and thereby overlooking some people who can really play football?

A player is so often assessed in terms of his speed and he has to have a big motor. What about players who have great awareness and an innate ability to play the game?

Someone like Dean Kelly who kicked six goals in the Oakleigh Chargers premiership winning team and looked to have all of the attributes. Or someone like Greg Williams' son who is also a ball magnet. These guys didn't even make a team's rookie list.

Is it possible that someone like Leigh Matthews, Ron Barassi or Darryl Baldock who were all champions in the past but not particualrly overburdened with pace might never have careers at the elite level because of our fascination with athletes?

From what I know of Kelly, his style isn't one that will translate to AFL. How many slow short players play in key positions at AFL level?

To really simplify it, you can't teach a football brain to run 100m in 10.5 seconds. But there is a chance to teach an athlete how fill a role at AFL level.

Also, the athlete v footballer thing is overplayed. You need both to play AFL well. In the modern game it becomes obvious if you don't have the athleticism.

Perhaps the question really should be whether or not we're living in the past.

The game's evolved and changed and the way it's now played requires 21st century style "athleticism". Some players who were champions in past days might struggle if they were transported into another era and the same might apply to today's champions in three or four decades' time. Clubs are recruiting players to suit the game as it is played today.

As for the players who weren't drafted, they still have the opportunity to prove they're capable as Sam Mitchell did when he missed out on initial selection.

I have a feeling we haven't heard the last of Kelly.

If you want to drag out the whole "imagine if [insert past champion player here] played today, how would he go with the pace of the game?" argument, consider the fact that so much more training and emphasis is placed on fitness and pace now that even past champions who were slow or unfit would probably be forced to get themselves up to scratch.

No matter how quick or fit a player is, he will always get shown up by a better footballer.

i suppose in a nutshell....you can be as gifted as hell in football terms, but if you cant catch that other bloke who's streamign away from you ...what does it count for ?? ..... as WJ alludes...the game has moved on...at a bloody quick rate

Kelly i rekon is like Brock, in that he would step up to wateva level he was playing. He has a huge competitive instinct, a massive drive to beat whoeva he is playing no matter what game it is they are playing. That combined with his obvious footy smarts i rekon would of seen him make it in the AFL. Pretty disappointing really that he wasnt even rookied. Any one who watched that Grand Final would know that he could of kicked 10 but was extremely unselfish and went the team option sometimes probly when he really shoulda gone himself. He completely turned the game on its head in the 3rd quarter. Hopefully he can show his full potential in the VFL this year.

Kelly i rekon is like Brock, in that he would step up to wateva level he was playing. He has a huge competitive instinct, a massive drive to beat whoeva he is playing no matter what game it is they are playing. That combined with his obvious footy smarts i rekon would of seen him make it in the AFL. Pretty disappointing really that he wasnt even rookied. Any one who watched that Grand Final would know that he could of kicked 10 but was extremely unselfish and went the team option sometimes probly when he really shoulda gone himself. He completely turned the game on its head in the 3rd quarter. Hopefully he can show his full potential in the VFL this year.

There's no comparison between Kelly & Brock.

I think you'll find that Brock is a lot faster, stronger and more skilled than Kelly. There's no comparison.

There's no comparison between Kelly & Brock.

I think you'll find that Brock is a lot faster, stronger and more skilled than Kelly. There's no comparison.

I was talking about the mental side of the game. In that case there is a huge similarity and therefore a comparison. The competitive instinct to beat your opponent at all costs. They share this trait