Hear me out on this one. If there was any justice in the world Melbourne would somehow end up with selection three in this year’s draft after trading Luke Jackson who we picked with #3 in 2019. 

I first came across the name of this Wesley College (Glen Waverley campus) student when the Victorian Under 15 schoolboys squad was announced in mid 2019.  

Others in the squad were Will Ashcroft and George Wardlaw, who I knew about from my grandson’s local competition but there were also players like Jhye Clark, Blake Drury, Harry Flynn (unfortunately injured for most of 2022) Cooper Harvey, Matthew Jefferson, Noah Long, Paul Pascu and Jonti Schuback who have all made a mark at NAB League and/or National Championships level and will be discussed at length until the draft at the end of next month.

It didn’t matter who I spoke with, the name “Elijah Tsatas” was foremost in the minds of the good judges at this level of football. I knew how good a footballer Wardlaw was already and had heard about Ashcroft but for Tsatas to be ranked ahead of them, meant that he had to be something very special. 

We didn’t see much of him this year because injury hampered his season but … we saw him last week for Vic Metro and he’s just won the best and fairest at the Oakleigh Chargers off the back of playing only five games so I would say that all of the promise he showed in that pre Covid19 period, is still very much in place.

He’s categorized as a midfielder but he’s not an inside bull like his Oakleigh teammate Wardlaw, might not accumulate as much Ashcroft and isn’t your key position prospect like Cadman but my vote goes with Tsatas. We Demon fans have been spoiled over the years by the sight of skillful players running up and down the wings at the MCG - Dixon, McLean, Adams, Alves, Flower, Tingay and Langdon - and (yes, it’s a big statement) I have a feeling that this kid would not look out of place among that lot! 

And the jumper number 2 is sitting in the cupboard waiting for someone fit to wear it over the next decade or so.

Okay - that’s my early October pipedream. 

Undoubtedly talented. 

But lacks too much compusure and good decision making imo to be considered for us. 

Even Wardlaw looks more composed and he's more inside than Elijah. 

I still want Sheezel. Then Cadman would be next. 

30 minutes ago, JimmyGadson said:

Undoubtedly talented. 

But lacks too much compusure and good decision making imo to be considered for us. 

Even Wardlaw looks more composed and he's more inside than Elijah. 

I still want Sheezel. Then Cadman would be next. 

Wardlaw would find it very hard to break into the Melbourne midfield because he models his play on our own midfield bulls.

Tsatas would be more likely especially with the impending departures of players like Bedford and Hunt. We do have a need for quality outside runners and that’s exactly what Tsatas is. 

As for lack of composure, I’m not sure what we would have expected from the kid in his first game back from injury in elite company when he got 30 touches. Remember, at NAB level, he was BOG for Oakleigh in all four games since he came back.  What more can you ask of a 17 year old?

At least he's a local....

Thanks @Whispering_Jack. Would love to see Tsatas bolting up and down the wing for us.

He probably sits just behind Cadman on my list of players I’d like to see drafted by Melbourne this period (Sheezel around the mark too).

Looks a wing or inside/outside midfielder which I think is a position we need - whether we need it enough to go up and get him or if he falls to us I’m not sure. Good frame that should fill out. Think there’s some questions about his contested game, power and I think how his disposal holds up if his first option gets taken away.

For instance in this first game as the game goes on he has some lovely disposals but when it’s hot early he’s a bit messy.

 

 

Absolutely racks it up and uses it with ease on the wing in this NAB league game, but there’s a few shaky moments mixed in as well.

 

would fit right in with all his turnovers in these highlights thats for sure!! Im sure he has the talent tho

37 minutes ago, Tracca said:

would fit right in with all his turnovers in these highlights thats for sure!! Im sure he has the talent tho

Everything he does seems to be a tad rushed or chaotic, as opposed to Sheezel where he seems to have more time and composure (Pendlebury-esque)

20 minutes ago, MO FINE said:

Wardlaw would find it very hard to break into the Melbourne midfield because he models his play on our own midfield bulls.

Tsatas would be more likely especially with the impending departures of players like Bedford and Hunt. We do have a need for quality outside runners and that’s exactly what Tsatas is. 

As for lack of composure, I’m not sure what we would have expected from the kid in his first game back from injury in elite company when he got 30 touches. Remember, at NAB level, he was BOG for Oakleigh in all four games since he came back.  What more can you ask of a 17 year old?

I'm not basing it on his first game back and obviously I'm no expert but from what I've seen through vision of him playing is that his strengths don't lie in the areas we are lacking most as a side. 

It's got nothing to do with asking more of a 17 year old, it's about which top player is going to compliment our list and give us the best shot at a flag for the next X amount of years whilst we're competing. We are at the stage with our list that we can pick for position and attribute rather than best available in the first round. 

And in my opinion, I don't the Elijah is the player that fits best for us going forward. 

Said this in the other thread, but my preference in no particular order is Cadman, Wardlaw, Sheezel and Jhye Clark.

Tsatas certainly looks a talent but his disposal is a bit poor at times and lacks a bit of composure when the pressure goes up.

Actually think he'd be a perfect fit for Hawthorn.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Said this in the other thread, but my preference in no particular order is Cadman, Wardlaw, Sheezel and Jhye Clark.

Tsatas certainly looks a talent but his disposal is a bit poor at times and lacks a bit of composure when the pressure goes up.

Actually think he'd be a perfect fit for Hawthorn.

I also agree with this, I think he is too much of an outside player to be worthy of a top 5 pick, I've got concerns about his toughness, ability to win contested ball, kicking, and defensive accountability based on the vision I've seen. That being said he would fill a need on a wing opposite Langdon where he wouldn't be required to win much contested ball with our midfield bulls feeding it out to him. 

I still would prefer Wardlaw and Clark as midfielders who aren't just midfield bulls, they can also be effective on the outside. I also really like Phillipou who I think has a higher ceiling with his versatility.

3 hours ago, Tracca said:

would fit right in with all his turnovers in these highlights thats for sure!! Im sure he has the talent tho

I got a 90 seconds in and was thinking exactly the same thing. Not sure how he’s ranked so highly, I’ll keep watching….

But don't we have Howes. To me they have similar traits but Howes may be more athletic. I don't think Taylor would be drafting a wingman using such a high pick.

If we’re desperately seeking an outside mid I think Ollie Holands is a nicer kick and cleaner through the contest 

If we don't pick up a key position forward with our first pick I will cry.

Is this a Jimmy Toumpas/Ollie Wines debate? 😀

I hope he’s not related to Jimmy Toumpas 

I can guarantee that when players get 30 touches in a game, a few of those won’t work out perfectly. Some will be due to extra pressure on the player with the ball and some due to the player receiving. If you’ve watched enough of their games, you would realize that Tsatas’ disposal is up there with the best at this level. That’s why highlight reels are basically useless. 

Fair dinkum, on what you’ve offered up here, most of you wouldn’t have drafted Trac.

10 hours ago, Pink Freud said:

I can guarantee that when players get 30 touches in a game, a few of those won’t work out perfectly. Some will be due to extra pressure on the player with the ball and some due to the player receiving. If you’ve watched enough of their games, you would realize that Tsatas’ disposal is up there with the best at this level. That’s why highlight reels are basically useless. 

Fair dinkum, on what you’ve offered up here, most of you wouldn’t have drafted Trac.

tracs highlights reel were a lot better than this lol

1 hour ago, Tracca said:

tracs highlights reel were a lot better than this lol

You have a short memory.

1 hour ago, Tracca said:

tracs highlights reel were a lot better than this lol

George Wardlaw’s highlights reminded me more of Trac than Tsatas’s. 

Wardlaw = powerful, Tsatas = frantic

Edited October 3, 20222 yr by Demon Disciple

9 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

George Wardlaw’s highlights reminded me more of Trac than Tsatas’s. 

Wardlaw = powerful, Tsatas = frantic

Therein lies the problem. Wardlaw is the same type of player as Trac and a few others getting a regular game at Melbourne. Tsatas is all class and fills a void at the club. That element of speed and skill is just what we need (as do a dozen other clubs).

The highlights are good but it is 1 match he does pull out whenever there is a contest for the hard ball he needs to gain at least 5-10 kg otherwise he will be dog meat at AFL or VFL level.

1 hour ago, Rolling Stone said:

Therein lies the problem. Wardlaw is the same type of player as Trac and a few others getting a regular game at Melbourne. Tsatas is all class and fills a void at the club. That element of speed and skill is just what we need (as do a dozen other clubs).

I get the whole if you have 30 + possessions a few with wayward kicks / turnovers but the two highlight packages in this thread are less than impressive for someone touted as a top 3-5 pick. Have you been following his junior career closely or are you able to post some more highlights that showcase the class people speak off?

I remember looking at highlight packages of Hayden Young 3 years ago, all be it a different position but his disposal by foot was elite.