With the trade period out of the way, the next five weeks will see more discussion on the prospects in the forthcoming draft. The Herald Sun has kicked off with Gary Buckenara's top 30 -

Recruiter Gary Buckenara names his top 30 draft prospects for 2017 AFL draft

The top selections are well out of Melbourne's reach but here's the player who Bucky thinks will fall at the club's first selection # 29:-

29. JACK PETRUCCELLE

Half back/half forward, 184cm, 73kg, Northern Knights/Vic Metro

Buckenara says: Petruccelle is one of the most exciting prospects in this draft because of his potential. A former basketballer who took up footy in his mid-teens, he is a bit raw at the moment in terms of his footy knowledge but has some special traits clubs will love. He runs 20 metres over 2.82 seconds and that speed, plus his athleticism is certain to see him be the star of the draft combine. Petruccelle loves to take the game on from half back and half forward when he plays there — he tries to make things happen and can do that because he’s powerful and has great breakaway speed. He needs to find more of the football, tidy up his kicking and get more involved in games consistently because there are times he struggles to get into the action, which was the case during the championships. But when he kicked five goals for the Knights earlier this year, that showed exactly what he’s capable of with development in an AFL system. There is big upside.

Plays like: Nakia Cockatoo

Clubs suited: All clubs

Apart from anything else, after recent player movements, the club is crying out for another player named "Jack" - an outside speedster who can kick goals would be handy too!

Describing a bloke who weighs 73kgs as "powerful" is an interesting juxtaposition.

I couldn't open the link , but where does Bucky rate Brayshaw and Fritsch?

9 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

I couldn't open the link , but where does Bucky rate Brayshaw and Fritsch?

Andrew Brayshaw at 20 and Fritsch nowhere to be seen.

Interesting 

I so desperately want this player - who I've never seen and know practically nothing about - that even this existence of this thread is making me anxious, as if the NMFC recruiters might hear of this bloke on Demonland and swoop in before us.

14 minutes ago, DeeZee said:

Interesting 

Had a another look and there is no players listed from outside TAC Cup/Under 18s Carnival. Fairly lazy not looking at State league players.

Edited October 19, 20178 yr by Clintosaurus

Yes exactly, when they talk about this years draft being shallow they don't take into account The state leagues 

Ball comes out to Petruccelle who twists and turns before handing it off to Petracca who then snaps over his left shoulder for a sausage roll ... yep flows nicely, lets lock him in with pick 29

apart from speed seems to have pretty average skills.. there's gotta be other options out there. i'd be disappointed if they go for him.

 

Online videos of his highlights illustrate very poor kicking, which is a worry

We're in real need of another new Jack following the great 'Jack purge' between 2015 and 2017.

Grimes, Fitzpatrick, Trengove and now Watts

We desperately lack depth in this area.

Edited October 20, 20178 yr by Demon Jack

2 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Online videos of his highlights illustrate very poor kicking, which is a worry

Could fit in quite well ?

26 minutes ago, Demon Jack said:

We're in real need of another new Jack following the great 'Jack purge' between 2015 and 2017.

Grimes, Fitzpatrick, Trengove and now Watts

We desperately lack depth in this area.

The real issue here is the club only wants one of every J. One each of Jack, Jake, Jay and Jayden as well as...& Jordan and Jesse, Josh and Jeff. We need a John!

11 hours ago, Whispering_Jack said:

With the trade period out of the way, the next five weeks will see more discussion on the prospects in the forthcoming draft. The Herald Sun has kicked off with Gary Buckenara's top 30 -

Recruiter Gary Buckenara names his top 30 draft prospects for 2017 AFL draft

The top selections are well out of Melbourne's reach but here's the player who Bucky thinks will fall at the club's first selection # 29:-

29. JACK PETRUCCELLE

Half back/half forward, 184cm, 73kg, Northern Knights/Vic Metro

Buckenara says: Petruccelle is one of the most exciting prospects in this draft because of his potential. A former basketballer who took up footy in his mid-teens, he is a bit raw at the moment in terms of his footy knowledge but has some special traits clubs will love. He runs 20 metres over 2.82 seconds and that speed, plus his athleticism is certain to see him be the star of the draft combine. Petruccelle loves to take the game on from half back and half forward when he plays there — he tries to make things happen and can do that because he’s powerful and has great breakaway speed. He needs to find more of the football, tidy up his kicking and get more involved in games consistently because there are times he struggles to get into the action, which was the case during the championships. But when he kicked five goals for the Knights earlier this year, that showed exactly what he’s capable of with development in an AFL system. There is big upside.

Plays like: Nakia Cockatoo

Clubs suited: All clubs

Apart from anything else, after recent player movements, the club is crying out for another player named "Jack" - an outside speedster who can kick goals would be handy too!

The list is saturated enough already, enough already, I repeat, with blokes who can't kick to a target, unless, like Tyson, it's to an opposition,  player with pinpoint bloody accuracy.

Edited October 20, 20178 yr by dieter

is his family in the pasta business?

I think I've had some al Olio.

11 hours ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

Describing a bloke who weighs 73kgs as "powerful" is an interesting juxtaposition.

Mick Jagger disproves the theory.

 

Just now, Biffen said:

Mick Jagger disproves the theory.

 

Jagger gets some assistance from things the AFL frowns upon, but would be willing to sweep under the carpet.

Petruccelle floats in and out. A spasmodic player.  He is fast. Sure. BUT turns over the footy too much and misses simple options. We don’t need that. Not a smart footballer. Pass!! 

Prefer Matthew Ling, Lachie O’Brien or Dylan Moore if they are still available at 29. 

2 hours ago, Demon Jack said:

We're in real need of another new Jack following the great 'Jack purge' between 2015 and 2017.

Grimes, Fitzpatrick, Trengove and now Watts

We desperately lack depth in this area.

Personally, i am still dealing with the W purge from the early 2000s.

Woewodin, White, Ward, Wheatley, Walsh, Whelan, Wizard

Started feeling better when we got Watts and Wonamerri, but now i'm distraught again.

59 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

Jagger gets some assistance from things the AFL frowns upon, but would be willing to sweep under the carpet.

Last time I checked the rules cocaine and viagra were approved in the right company.

Matt Ling, if still there at our pick

Edited October 20, 20178 yr by Moonshadow

Have seen Jack at TAC cup level a few times this year in the flesh and he certainly provided some amazing moments.

Some of the best from any individual I saw this year at Tac cup level. His high quality attributes that would stand-up at AFL level are his speed, jump, agility and hands. 

I agree with others in that he doesn't really address our kicking issues, although I don't believe his kicking is as bad as some suggest. I would say it's similar to Hunt's. Both need to learn to use their eyes and decision making but I think for Jack, that will come when he is on a list given his lack of exposure to these elite teams. In fact, I see a few similarities between he and Jayden in that sense.

He played one Vic metro game I'm pretty sure and it's the one that's been posted on this thread. Hardly a highlights package given he was fairly quiet that day.

At 29 I wouldn't entertain it, but for one of our picks in the 30's I would. 

I really liked what I saw this year. Would be an excellent small pressure forward who would possess great goal sense, contested pack marking and isn't afraid to throw his body around for someone weighing so little.

Edited October 20, 20178 yr by stevethemanjordan

8 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

Matt Ling, if still there at our pick

Landing Ling at 29 would be a dream. 

I love him.

18 minutes ago, stevethemanjordan said:

Landing Ling at 29 would be a dream. 

I love him.

Why's that?