Here's your handy tool to decode what the recruiters mean when they use the following expressions after the draft is done and dusted:

"He's a project player" means "He needs to add at least 15 kg and he still may be no good"

"He comes from a great family" means "He has no outstanding qualities of his own" (or, "They have no visible tatts")

"Couldn't believe he would still be there at our pick" means "We're worried that there's something wrong with him that everyone else knows but we've missed"

"Has real X-factor" means "We're taking a risk because he's unfit and has a reputation as a lazy trainer. But that left foot...!"

"Was in the top few at the Combine" means "He's a great athlete...hope he knows how to play the game"

"We went with best available" means "We couldn't find the player we needed to fill the specific gap in our list"

"He's an elite kick" means "He doesn't get the ball a lot"

"Couldn't be happier" means "Could be happier. Maybe next year."

nice work @La Dee-vina Comedia

And the traditional "Great mark for his size" means "can't play midfield and too short to be a forward".

"A great trainer" means "can't actually play".

"Not at all worried about the go-home factor" means "we hope we can get a better pick for him in about two years".

"Basketball background" - not good enough for the NBL but will give footy a shot

"We got who we wanted" means "Player we expect to get at that pick was gone"

"Couldn't believe he would still be there at our pick" - If only had a dollar for everytime I have heard this!

 

 

So many flashbacks to Lucas Cook reading these...

Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean