Irish influx to continue with more hopefuls set for AFL, AFLW trials

"Melbourne, where Irish trailblazers Sean Wight and Jim Stynes played, has also shown some interest in 173cm Mogan."

Potentially our first Irish player since Jimmy's brother?

We really dropped the ball on Ireland. Amazing after what Jimmy and Sean brought to the game. It was like winning the lottery with those two. I loved watching the reserves with those two coming through. Still remember a break out game where I reckon Sean took a dozen marks in the last quarter. No reserve stats available in those days to say if i was right or wrong.

Mogan, also 19, stands just 173cm, but was another strong performer in the 20m sprint (2.95sec) and agility (7.83sec) and Yo-Yo testing (20.6).

2 hours ago, IWAP said:

"Melbourne, where Irish trailblazers Sean Wight and Jim Stynes played, has also shown some interest in 173cm Mogan."

Potentially our first Irish player since Jimmy's brother?

 

Great to see that reporters still know how to do their research. FMD.

Sean was a Scotsman.

I'm not a big fan of drafting all these tiny players. 

11 hours ago, Demon Disciple said:

Great to see that reporters still know how to do their research. FMD.

Sean was a Scotsman.

Yes, but he was recruited whilst playing for Kerry in the Gaelic Athletic Assoc in Ireland

3 minutes ago, Moonshadow said:

Yes, but he was recruited whilst playing for Kerry in the Gaelic Athletic Assoc in Ireland

Yes, it is confusing and why his nationality gets mis-reported. But the family consider themselves Scottish. Source: Sean and Sean's mother Peggy.

Loved Sean Wight.

17 hours ago, RalphiusMaximus said:

I'm not a big fan of drafting all these tiny players. 

I don't mind signing up a number of small forwards but the Irish have been most successful at half back and it's hard to play there at 173cm.

7 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I don't mind signing up a number of small forwards but the Irish have been most successful at half back and it's hard to play there at 173cm.

Caleb Daniel goes alright

4 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Caleb Daniel goes alright

Racked up a lot of touches and had some excellent games but the Dogs might've played as well or better without him late in the year. Plus he's off the charts with footy IQ. Liam Baker's been doing a good job for the Tigers down back, it's not impossible but you need to be really strong in the air for that size as well as bringing a lot with the ball. Given most of these Irish guys fail I'd rather take a chance on a guy with more upside.

Just now, DeeSpencer said:

Racked up a lot of touches and had some excellent games but the Dogs might've played as well or better without him late in the year. Plus he's off the charts with footy IQ. Liam Baker's been doing a good job for the Tigers down back, it's not impossible but you need to be really strong in the air for that size as well as bringing a lot with the ball. Given most of these Irish guys fail I'd rather take a chance on a guy with more upside.

Going to come through as a Cat B rookie, meaning he'd be a free hit. We've tried with Maynard, J.Smith, Walker and Bradkte over the last few years, and none have worked out to well so far, but JSmith certainly looked the goods and Bradtke has a lot of time to develop. I don't see why we don't try with a guy who costs us nothing except development time and energy, guys drafted from the under-ages can bust just the same but they cost cap space and a draft pick to get them.

59 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

Going to come through as a Cat B rookie, meaning he'd be a free hit. We've tried with Maynard, J.Smith, Walker and Bradkte over the last few years, and none have worked out to well so far, but JSmith certainly looked the goods and Bradtke has a lot of time to develop. I don't see why we don't try with a guy who costs us nothing except development time and energy, guys drafted from the under-ages can bust just the same but they cost cap space and a draft pick to get them.

But why a 173cm midget when we already have a few on our list?

34 minutes ago, The Great Pretender said:

But why a 173cm midget when we already have a few on our list?

I'd be asking if he can play rather than getting fixated on his height, no point getting an unco baby giraffe just for the sake of getting taller players

16 hours ago, The Great Pretender said:

But why a 173cm midget when we already have a few on our list?

The club are putting on an end of season showing of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and we are short, pardon the pun, a couple of dwarfs.

Edited September 20, 20196 yr by Redleg

About time we had another bash at an Irishman but I would like Ronan Devereux just for his charismatic name.

Lithuanian-born and lightning quick: Irish prospect stars at European Combine

Nineteen year old Deividas Uosis is a Lithuanian-born footballer who could be the next successful Irish AFL export. His parents emigrated to Ireland when he was four and the youngster has played a number of sports including Gaelic football. Uosis was under the eye of scouts from Adelaide, Brisbane, Essendon, Geelong and Melbourne at the weekend AFL Europe Combine where he impressed with his athleticism and skill.

When we recruited the two Irish ladies for our AFLW side, someone at the club said that it was our first step to getting back into the Irish pathway. Hopefully we'll see a Cat B rookie soon

I have been more than somewhat disappointed that the club hasn’t pursued this avenue in recent times after we were initially the front runner in terms of recruiting players from the Gaelic game and had so much early success with Sean Wight and Jimmy Stynes. 

I’m pleased therefore to read that we had someone in Dublin for the Combine. I think it’s definitely worth a crack and we have two Cat B vacancies so why not?

Yes it's been a long time since we have had an Irish lad at our club.

Rick O'Shea would provide some rebound.

On 9/18/2019 at 11:48 PM, RalphiusMaximus said:

I'm not a big fan of drafting all these tiny players. 

So, your a 'small' fan then, RM ?

 

4 hours ago, deebug said:

Yes it's been a long time since we have had an Irish lad at our club.

Need some speed, some Celtic spirit.

Edited December 8, 20195 yr by MyFavouriteMartian

On 9/18/2019 at 11:48 PM, RalphiusMaximus said:

I'm not a big fan of drafting all these tiny players. 

Also looking at young Patrick Fitzpocket

On 9/19/2019 at 5:25 PM, DeeSpencer said:

Racked up a lot of touches and had some excellent games but the Dogs might've played as well or better without him late in the year.

Yeah no way you watch any of the bulldogs games and say they'd play better without him, not even close to the truth, he was great for them.

8 hours ago, imElated said:

Yeah no way you watch any of the bulldogs games and say they'd play better without him, not even close to the truth, he was great for them.

The Dogs were 7-10 with Daniel and 5-1 without him. Most likely just a co-incidence but worth digging in to just how much you have to change defensive systems and the impact of losing one on one contests with a 168cm defender. 

The point is no Irish player will ever win and use the ball like Daniel so I'd be far more interested in a guy with good size for a half back flanker. 

Mark O'Connor for the Cats has become a really good player because he's 191cm and a great athlete. His strong defensive ability means the cats can be patient as he builds his skills.