2 hours ago, Slartibartfast said:

I don't understand Dazzle, why do you feel sorry for blokes if you understand they have not been disadvantaged?

The afl made it 42 players and 2 cat B rookies.

No reason it couldn’t be 44 players straight up. 

So whilst under the current rules they aren’t taking away spots from the open pool, in reality they are.

That said, rucks are kind of a special position and there’s so few 206cm people who can move. Being tall will always get you places in footy. 

1 hour ago, poita said:

Welcome Kyah and good luck.

That said, I don't really like category B rookies for this type of player. Yes, it's great that they are part of an AFL club, have access to top level coaching and support, and are able to learn from the best players in the game. 

The problem is when you get to match day, when they should be competing against kids their own age and size to build skills and confidence. Here our only option is to play in the VFL where they are forced to compete against players who are much bigger, stronger and more experienced.

The VFL coach is there to win games of football, so he's going to play his experienced ruck at every opportunity. That means the Kyahs (and Austin Bradtkes) of the world are playing limited minutes off the bench or are playing out of position. It's terrible for their development.

We need a system where you can farm these players out to a local club to play for the first year (or more), and start playing VFL when they are more developed.

Bradtke played Nab League and maybe even VAFA, I’d hope they’d have something similar lined up for this kid. 

Plus our next VFL coach might actually focus on development rather than trying to go undefeated in a league no one cares about. 

16 hours ago, dazzledavey36 said:

I genuinely feel sorry for blokes out there that have been playing footy since day dot, go through the system busting their absolute [censored] [censored] and yet a bloke can get plucked from a basketball court straight onto an AFL list having yet not played footy for a few years.

Doesn't sit right with me.

I agree with you DD. 

I think his height (and potential for even more growth since he’s only 18) is what will see him through regardless of how much work other boys put in. Seems that attribute trumps all. 

43 minutes ago, Pennant St Dee said:

The entire talent pathway is getting like this, so many medium sized talented players not even bothering to follow the second tier pathway anymore, many heading straight to Amateurs and Country footy. I reckon there’s another 10-20 Tom Stewart’s out there, who would thrive in full time environment 

Exactly Pennant. This is my point.

I'm seeing first hand the talent that's that's being lost to country footy from the NAB league because clubs aren't willing invest in natural footballers because they're far more interested in going for the raw athlete types who take years to develop. 

Few years ago I played only a few games for Tiwi Bombers in the NTFL comp where former demon Austin Woneaemirri is heavily involved with.

Had the absolute luxury of playing with a guy by the name of Ross Tungatalum who in my opinion is one of the most talented player I've ever seen not to be on an AFL list. He was a cross between Jeff Farmer/Cyril Rioli.

I spoke to one of the coaches about Ross's story and why he wasn't on a AFL list. I was told that Ross was originally picked up by St Kilda as a rookie and only last 1 year because St Kilda did not put the appropriate support around him nor did they invest time into the culture awareness that was needed for Tungatalumto to thrive in an AFL environment even though Ross himself was incredibly desperate to play AFL.

At the time I played with Tungatalum who was mature age and whole lot more mature, I was told that clubs were interested in him but yet still weren't willing to put the individual support around him it would appear that certain player were getting much more needed support then other first year players. I thought what an absolute cop out excuses from some of these AFL clubs.

I get why clubs are willing to invest more time into the raw athletes where footballing ability is secondary, but give me the Tom Stewart’s and Tim Kelly's of the world.

17 minutes ago, WalkingCivilWar said:

I agree with you DD. 

I think his height (and potential for even more growth since he’s only 18) is what will see him through regardless of how much work other boys put in. Seems that attribute trumps all. 

Is this a first...?

if he came through the normal system/channels then he would be going into the draft and we would be unlikely to pick him up. we have room on our list, i like the fact that his family is one eye blues but he chose Melbourne. We dont have a lot of money invested in him as a rookie but he certainly has time to learn the craft from two of the best both of which are getting older. He knows how to jump for centre bounces, jumping to intercept shots, dunk the ball etc. so he certainly knows the basics of ruckwork but now needs to work on his body positioning and his general marking and kicking.

19 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Is this a first...?

Someone must’ve hacked into my account. 

16 hours ago, Mister Ed said:

The most enticing thing about all of this is the fact that with ANB, AMW, this bloke and Finn Emile-Brennan possibly coming in, we are coming close to breaking an old club record of the most players with hyphenated names in its history.

Can't say I'm complaining...

😉

(And couldn't put my finger through all the 'Likes' I'd have liked to do, so here's a group 👍 to you all for the funnies and footy obs herein)

Edited October 22, 20222 yr by Timothy Reddan-A'Blew

Does anyone know what junior club he played for in Victoria before the family moved over to WA?

Who else read the part about him being disillusioned by the team be barracked for as they were perennial losers and just assumed it was us. Then to find out it was Carlton who he also trialled with and who are now on the up again yet he still preferred to come to us. Happy days. 

5 hours ago, Deecisive said:

if he came through the normal system/channels then he would be going into the draft and we would be unlikely to pick him up. we have room on our list, i like the fact that his family is one eye blues but he chose Melbourne. We dont have a lot of money invested in him as a rookie but he certainly has time to learn the craft from two of the best both of which are getting older. He knows how to jump for centre bounces, jumping to intercept shots, dunk the ball etc. so he certainly knows the basics of ruckwork but now needs to work on his body positioning and his general marking and kicking.

“He knows how to jump for centre bounces, jumping to intercept shots, dunk the ball etc.”

So if he chose Footscray or Geelong he could continue dunking without having to learn the art of handball. 

9 hours ago, Ollie fan said:

I’m excited! Basketball skills are very useful in getting through traffic; his size is great, all we need to know is whether he has the heart - but you never know that until they get on the park….

Ahem, one Luke Jackson was a Basketballer!!

Havent read the thread and cant be assed to.

is it pronounced  Keee- yah or k- eye-ah or some else entirely?

6 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said:

Havent read the thread and cant be assed to.

is it pronounced  Keee- yah or k- eye-ah or some else entirely?

I’ve known three people with this name (all females, interestingly) and all pronounced it as the latter. ⬆️ 

I think it pronounced like dis, mon.

 

 

So he's 200+cm and hasnt made it as a basketballer but we're hopefull, because if his height, he will make it as a ruck in a sport he hasn't played since under 12s?

I don't mind the punt, but he would have to be 1000 to 1 odds that he will make it. 

Good luck kyah. Take the chance that's come your way. 

Good to see the recruiter are on the ball.  Seems to be a free hit with little risk.

Edited October 22, 20222 yr by redandbluemakepurple
senility

After the Bradtke experiment it's hard to get excited.

The funny thing is I thought Bradtke was starting to show green shoots when delisted

10 hours ago, Grouse said:

So he's 200+cm and hasnt made it as a basketballer but we're hopefull, because if his height, he will make it as a ruck in a sport he hasn't played since under 12s?

I don't mind the punt, but he would have to be 1000 to 1 odds that he will make it. 

Good luck kyah. Take the chance that's come your way. 

Better an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right. 

37 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Better an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right. 

Yeah for sure. I hope he makes it. I think he's worth a punt as a cat b because rucks are so hit and miss. But you would have to think it's a long shot given his lack of exposure to the game. 

A slightly optomistic pragmatist? 

Well Grouse you may very well be correct, however I prefer to Back JT, Tim and Kyah to get the best out of this experience. At the very least we get a very talented, agile, high jumping 6’8” basket baller, who Wants to have a crack at AFL footy. According to his grandfather Kyah has already bonded with Mark Chocko Williams who is renowned as a development coach, so we will get the opportunity to watch this kid develop at Casey under the tutelage of our coaching team, Max and Brodie.

Good Luck Kyah, I am really looking forward to seeing you in the Red and Blue and thanks for choosing us. I think that I will have a lay down and another cup of tea.!!!

22 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Bradtke played Nab League and maybe even VAFA, I’d hope they’d have something similar lined up for this kid. 

Plus our next VFL coach might actually focus on development rather than trying to go undefeated in a league no one cares about. 

i lined up on bassirou faye this year so theres definitely options for gaemtime in the vafa for afl listed players

Unfortunately  Bradtke's 3 years were played whilst covid ruined any chance he had.

28 minutes ago, durango said:

Unfortunately  Bradtke's 3 years were played whilst covid ruined any chance he had.

as it did for quite a few others at mfc and other clubs. very tough at a critical development time for many.

Hey has two of the best in the business to learn off. Hope he brings a vacuum to hoover up all the knowledge.