The Ricky Mentha Thread - NGA Prospect

[Adam The God 30,120]

1 hour ago, Ugottobekidding said:

Wouldn't say bowy is a negative, just because he is a ranga. 

We all have different bodies aka we all have different opinions.

[DeeSpencer 25,444]

3 hours ago, mo64 said:

Is there any difference between an NGA and a Cat B? Moniz-Wakefield was an NGA, whilst Ralph is saying that Mentha will be a Cat B.

Mentha is in our Next Generation Academy, just as AMW was. 

NGA players can have bids matched at any stage of the draft, but if they go undrafted in the main draft they are also eligible to become Cat B rookies to increase NGA players on a list (Cat B is for international, NGA, other sports).

Andy was a multicultural player from a Darwin zone we had. Ricky would be the first player taken from our Alice NGA zone.

Not sure if AMW gets elevated to a main list or stays cat B. I think our plan is for Mentha and/or an Irish lad to be added as additional cat B rookies in 2025. 

[Ugottobekidding 1,174]

5 hours ago, 58er said:

Another negative comment.

Don’t you believe our President? 

31/08/2024 post date was Roffey and Pickett was ome sic.

[Wilson7 2,648]

On 11/10/2024 at 17:37, dazzledavey36 said:

Can someone post full article of our NGA prospect?

 

Gippsland Power dasher Ricky Mentha took a shine to “Kozzy’’ Pickett when he trained with Melbourne briefly last year.

Now the AFL draft aspirant is on the brink of being handed a chance to unite with Pickett and the Demons and live an AFL dream he formed in Alice Springs.

In what would be a historic move for the Demons, they are considering taking their Next Generation Academy member as a Category B rookie after watching his progress with Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League in the past two years.

Mentha, 18, is from Alice Springs (part of Melbourne’s zone), where he represented the NT in under-age football and basketball.

Melbourne recruiting boss Jason Taylor first saw Mentha playing barefoot in an eight-a-side football game on a ground the size of a soccer pitch.

The Dees have followed him closely given his talent and determination to do everything possible to play at the highest level.

Last year Mentha made the huge step of relocating to Gippsland last year, where he lives with his father and plays with Power and local club Morwell.

The Demons have had the Alice Springs zone as part of their academy zone for some time but have never taken a player from there as an NGA talent.

Melbourne recruited Liam Jurrah as the first Indigenous person from a remote Central Australia community to play AFL and secured Austin Wonaeamirri from the Northern Territory.

It has space on its list for a category B rookie after taking players from basketball and cricket in recent years.

“From the word go, his footy IQ and his skillset were at a really high level,’’ Power talent manager Scott McDougal said of Mentha.

“Physically and preparation and speed of the game were some of the challenges he had to overcome but he got a few games in towards the end of last year and then he had a little injury. He was put away in cotton wool and had a really, really good pre-season and started to come on as a footballer and feel comfortable around the group and enjoy the program.’’

Mentha played 14 games this year, was used in a few positions and averaged 12.3 disposals.

He also had two matches for the Allies at the national Under 18 championships and two for Morwell’s senior team in the Gippsland league.

McDougal said Mentha was a crafty small forward but the Power also played him at halfback.

He gave an outstanding performance in rugged conditions against the Western Jets at Williamstown, having 22 disposals.

“Like another Indigenous player from back in the day, Anthony [McDonald]-Tipungwuti, he made it look like a dry ball … decision-making, clean, balanced,’’ McDougal said.

“He didn’t have the absolute standout, everything-went-right season. He had to deal with some injuries and form that came with getting used to new positions on the ground. But throughout the whole season he showed a lot of AFL-standard moments. You couldn’t fault his workrate and his willingness to learn.’’

Mentha spent time at Melbourne after last season.

Some AFL recruiters are split on his talent – at last week’s AFL combine, he didn’t blow them away with his 20m sprint time and he does need to work on his endurance.

But Melbourne believes he has rare talent and is also impressed by his sheer dedication to move to Victoria and get his football going in the elite Under 18 competition.

Some Indigenous players from the Northern Territory have talent to spend but understandably struggle with the changed lifestyle and professional demands.

Melbourne knows Mentha will leave no stone unturned if he is handed a category B spot.

McDougal said he “hit it off’’ with Pickett and Mentha hoped to emulate the premiership Demon.

“He was blown away by how professional he was … it was a great experience for him,’’ he said.

[samcantstandya 1,042]

11 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

Mentha is in our Next Generation Academy, just as AMW was. 

NGA players can have bids matched at any stage of the draft, but if they go undrafted in the main draft they are also eligible to become Cat B rookies to increase NGA players on a list (Cat B is for international, NGA, other sports).

Andy was a multicultural player from a Darwin zone we had. Ricky would be the first player taken from our Alice NGA zone.

Not sure if AMW gets elevated to a main list or stays cat B. I think our plan is for Mentha and/or an Irish lad to be added as additional cat B rookies in 2025. 

Like Mentha, but love the romance of having another Irish player, we haven't for so long.

[monoccular 17,413]

On 11/10/2024 at 17:41, old dee said:

Oh I feel ill! Bowey is NQR. Good at VFL level end of story.

😮   Bowey certainly wasn't anywhere near his former self recovering from his fractured clavicle - hopefully he will be 100% by start of 2025.   And yes depending on other personnel, he could perhaps be looked on as a HFF/  tagger / mid type, ANB replacement if he has the tank.

[Sydee 4,379]

On 11/10/2024 at 17:41, old dee said:

Oh I feel ill! Bowey is NQR. Good at VFL level end of story.

Clearly forgotten how good he was in 2021 

He will be back once he gets a good run with injury and his confidence returns

He is definitely AFL quality imo 

[old55 23,369]

2 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Clearly forgotten how good he was in 2021 

He will be back once he gets a good run with injury and his confidence returns

He is definitely AFL quality imo 

Old dee confused Bowey for Weid.

[hardtack 10,514]

24 minutes ago, old55 said:

Old dee confused Bowey for Weid.

In all fairness, that’s an easy mistake 😉

[Whispering_Jack 29,769]

From afl.com.au (Kevin Sheehan)

Ricky Mentha
State: Northern Territory
State League Club: Gippsland Power
Community Club: Morwell/Pioneer
Date of Birth: 04/09/2006
Height: 178cm

Small forward who is crafty and agile with natural goal sense and a good burst of speed.

Relocated from Alice Springs to Gippsland with his family last year. Represented Australia as part of the Marsh AFL National Academy this year, as well as playing for the Allies in the National Championships. Averaged 12 disposals in 14 matches for the Gippsland Power in the Coates Talent League and was at his best against the Western Jets in Round 16 with 22 disposals to be among his team's best. Is eligible to join Melbourne as a Next Generation Academy member.

[spirit of norm smith 16,267]

Mentha is likely to get added as a Cat B Rookie after the draft. Probably Dees will try to see what he can develop into.   I do not think he will get any nomination during the draft.  
 

He’s still very raw and needs development and confidence.   I thought from what I saw in the later games, he was disappointing in both finals matches versus Bushrangers and Stingrays.  Didn’t show me any of exciting pace or ability to impact.    

[Sydee 4,379]

16 hours ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Mentha is likely to get added as a Cat B Rookie after the draft. Probably Dees will try to see what he can develop into.   I do not think he will get any nomination during the draft.  
 

He’s still very raw and needs development and confidence.   I thought from what I saw in the later games, he was disappointing in both finals matches versus Bushrangers and Stingrays.  Didn’t show me any of exciting pace or ability to impact.    

Didn’t he get injured early in the Stingrays game after a bright start ? 
 

Or have I got the wrong game 

[dazzledavey36 54,236]

1 hour ago, Sydee said:

Didn’t he get injured early in the Stingrays game after a bright start ? 
 

Or have I got the wrong game 

Yes that is correct. 

Hurt his knee and didn't play for the rest of the game.

[spirit of norm smith 16,267]

4 hours ago, Sydee said:

Didn’t he get injured early in the Stingrays game after a bright start ? 
 

Or have I got the wrong game 

Yes v Stingrsys at the very end of the first quarter he copped a heavy knock in a contest and left the game with a sore knee.  Was playing in deep defence as the Stingrays ran riot early.   Up to that stage, he’d been quiet with a few turnovers and missed tackles.  Disappointing day all around. 
 

His game v Murray was probably the most underwhelming.  Low possessions. Played defence (long sleeves first half, short sleeves second half to recall) and drifted forward occasionally.  Honestly I was looking forward time seeing him but he seemed out of sorts.  With little involvement, impact or effort.  Maybe it was the swirling breeze but he was nowhere near the contests.  The one handed missed tackles were a worry.  
 

I can however see the raw ability.  Good pace over short distance and reasonable skills.  But if you asked me (as an AFL academy player) will he be drafted, I’d say No.   Dees are likely to give him the cat B rookie chance to give him a go.  There is potential and the cat B listing at the Dees can help him further develop.  But imv it’s no certainty.