4 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

where is riak positioned in this year's draft?

if he gets nominated inside 40 we won't even have the 'rights' to him anymore, will we?

As irrelevant as they are to Riak, big brothers misdemeanours may raise seeds of doubt in some clubs minds. It's possible he could drop a little lower than otherwise expected. After the top 10 or so it becomes a bit of a lottery and any perceived risk can be a factor, even if subconsciously. 

5 hours ago, whatwhat say what said:

i can't believe how poor his kicking is for a player picked #5 in his draft year - turnover city!

the skinniness and lack of physicality will be built up, you'd think, but his skills are woeful

I'm of the same opinion that if you're going to spend a top 5 pick on someone, they should at least be a reasonable kick.

5 hours ago, beelzebub said:

Confounds me why anyone ( here ) would be interested. 

Let him ( sadly ) be some other club's trainwreck.

Not all cut out for the big time.

Lets find those that are. 

I think the sad thing about him is that he was a part of our program and we definitely would've picked him up had it not been for the rule change after Jamarra Ugle-Hagen. I also don't think he was worth the pick that GC gave up for him, he was a bolter that was boosted in profile because of his connection to us.

Staying in our system may well have helped to avoid the situations he's found himself in. GC has a proven track record of failing to keep players on the straight and narrow (doesn't help the culture up that way for young people does centre around gambling, partying, drugs, and alcohol).

The club suspension is in fact an omission to the Gold Coast Ressies vs Port Melbourne today (which might have happened anyway). Just a game today.

I haven't watched any GCS games this year, how has he been tracking? Mentions he has been playing defence. Is he someone we can lure back into Victoria after May retires, or after Max retires in 2-4 years? given he was our NGA academy player we lost. 

AFL Rising Star Round 20: Mac Andrew

4 hours ago, John Demonic said:

I haven't watched any GCS games this year, how has he been tracking? Mentions he has been playing defence. Is he someone we can lure back into Victoria after May retires, or after Max retires in 2-4 years? given he was our NGA academy player we lost. 

AFL Rising Star Round 20: Mac Andrew

John, have you seen the reports about his indiscretions?

5 hours ago, John Demonic said:

I haven't watched any GCS games this year, how has he been tracking? Mentions he has been playing defence. Is he someone we can lure back into Victoria after May retires, or after Max retires in 2-4 years? given he was our NGA academy player we lost. 

AFL Rising Star Round 20: Mac Andrew

Done some good things, pretty athletic, good reach for spoils, bit inconsistent and needs more kgs. Should become a good player but question mark still over whether he's worthy of a top 5 pick.

Doubt he'll come to the Dees, he extended his contract earlier in the year. I'm more interested in his brother if he's any good (but not so good that he's top 40)

Kid is coming on well. Not quite used to the hustle and bustle of AFL footy yet but has outstanding attributes. Should be an elite intercept defender.

Anyone heard whether we're thinking of drafting his brother ?

On 7/29/2022 at 9:16 AM, COOLX said:

Some demon people think JVR needs more weight and muscle and therefore cannot play seniors this year. That type of thinking is rubbish, look at Mac Andrew !!!!!!

 

On 7/29/2022 at 9:18 AM, Ham said:

Just because he is being played, doesn't mean he should be.

Clubs DO get it wrong, some players work through it and others don't. 

 

4 minutes ago, dee-tox said:

Kid is coming on well. Not quite used to the hustle and bustle of AFL footy yet but has outstanding attributes. Should be an elite intercept defender.

Anyone heard whether we're thinking of drafting his brother ?

Are we thinking Alir Alir type here?

13 minutes ago, monoccular said:

 

 

Are we thinking Alir Alir type here?

Riak is only 192cm apparently and has had some injuries this year. Hasn't been anywhere near the same hype as Mac. He's a member of our next generation academy.

n

3 minutes ago, dee-tox said:

Riak is only 192cm apparently and has had some injuries this year. Hasn't been anywhere near the same hype as Mac. He's a member of our next generation academy.

Sorry dee-tox.   I was thinking along the lines of comparing Alir Alir with Mac Andrew's build.

4 minutes ago, monoccular said:

n

 

Sorry dee-tox.   I was thinking along the lines of comparing Alir Alir with Mac Andrew's build.

No worries. Mac is still too slight to play anywhere else I think. 

n

3 minutes ago, dee-tox said:

Riak is only 192cm apparently and has had some injuries this year. Hasn't been anywhere near the same hype as Mac. He's a member of our next generation academy.

Sorry dee-tox.   I was thinking along the lines of comparing Alir Alir with Mac Andrew's build.  Nothing to do with Rick.  Apologies for any confusion.

Was interviewed by Dwayne Russell yesterday arvo. Speaks well the young fella with a lot of confidence, was initially hopeful we would pick him up through our academy program, but as it’s well known he played some really good footy towards the end of the year and went to the Suns early. He was happy to get drafted anywhere, he seems content at the Suns until the end of 2025 at least.

So they change the NGA rule after Jamara gets picked.  We lose access to Mac Andrew.  He will be a very good player once he has more protein shakes and gym work.  What other rule can they now change ? 

I've watched a few GC games this year. He's developing nicely. Was all at sea first couple of games but reads the play much better now. can mark the ball. The Dees connection is there so we should keep him on the radar.

playing at chb suits him - he plays a close-checking game on the mid-sized forward, as he's still as skinny as a rake

reads the ball in flight well, and marks cleanly at the top of his reach

his kicking leaves a lot to be desired; like, say, tomlinson, he's best suited kicking it 40-50m down the line as he can't hit a 25m pass on the 45 to save his life

9 hours ago, dee-tox said:

Kid is coming on well. Not quite used to the hustle and bustle of AFL footy yet but has outstanding attributes. Should be an elite intercept defender.

Anyone heard whether we're thinking of drafting his brother ?

I agree, I think he’ll be one of the best in 3-5 years time.

But if we got Mac we wouldn’t have JVR. 

55 minutes ago, DeeSpencer said:

I agree, I think he’ll be one of the best in 3-5 years time.

But if we got Mac we wouldn’t have JVR. 

It's not a bad silver lining is it?  I'm thrilled with JVR and looking forward to his development and improving further.

I have watched the last couple Suns games and Mac is a very very exciting talent as well.  He just coasts across the ground quicker than most and has a great leap marking at the highest point.

I was suss on him being a top 5 pick but from what I have seen, I think he's going to prove his worth in time.

1 hour ago, DeeSpencer said:

I agree, I think he’ll be one of the best in 3-5 years time.

But if we got Mac we wouldn’t have JVR. 

Would have missed Howes as well (who I have some high hopes for).
Would have been a huge investment to match Pick 5 for a 'project player'.

 

9 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Was interviewed by Dwayne Russell yesterday arvo. Speaks well the young fella with a lot of confidence, was initially hopeful we would pick him up through our academy program, but as it’s well known he played some really good footy towards the end of the year and went to the Suns early. He was happy to get drafted anywhere, he seems content at the Suns until the end of 2025 at least.

Not so sure, if he was wanting to come to us, why did he sign on to 2025. 

19 minutes ago, samcantstandya said:

Not so sure, if he was wanting to come to us, why did he sign on to 2025. 

Never stated he wanted to come to us, he was hopeful of getting drafted and at the time he thought the best chance of getting picked up was by us because he was part of the Melbourne Academy. 

On 8/2/2023 at 12:24 PM, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Would have missed Howes as well (who I have some high hopes for).
Would have been a huge investment to match Pick 5 for a 'project player'.

 

And that was the gist of it all - he was always a ‘project player’ and Pick 5 was always too high a price to pay for him. He should get better with further development and the Suns should only improve going forward with a new coach and three top 10 picks via their own NGA Academy which is subject to different rules that apply to most other clubs.

Yeepp... going to be a star this kid and have called this from day 1 since his junior days.

He's always had the athletic power and speed but his general footy nous is starting to come together.

The one that got away unfortunately due to AFL being so reactive off the Jamarra selection.

13 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Yeepp... going to be a star this kid and have called this from day 1 since his junior days.

He's always had the athletic power and speed but his general footy nous is starting to come together.

The one that got away unfortunately due to AFL being so reactive off the Jamarra selection.

Yep reactive, totally agree.

Have to admit though, I thought the Suns reached a lot taking him at pick 5. Astute in hindsight though.