Scouting notes: St Kevin's vs Haileybury (APS)

TAIRON AH-MU (HAILEYBURY)

The ruckman’s tap work was dominant and he was capable of following it up to win his own clearance. He took good marks not only when situated at full forward but around the ground too and capped off his performance with a goal. The Vic Country representative has a thumping right boot on him too.

not predicted to go in any top 25 of the draft predictions that have appeared thus far

are we sure tairon is the right guy??

On 19/06/2025 at 13:44, rjay said:

Yeah...and why are we still banging on about our coach and regurgitating the same rubbish on the "Time to go Goody" thread?

I guess that's the problem with a fan forum...you never know what will come up.

On the (fairly accurate) evidence of your first para, rjay, we kinda do?! 😉

Current scouting report notes:

A big and powerful forward who can also rotate through the ruck, Ah-Mu has some impressive traits and has had some eye-catching moments and matches this year. He kicked six goals from 10 disposals and eight marks (five contested) in a trial match for Vic Country’s under-18s in April and went on to have a solid under-18 national championships campaign for the side. Ah-Mu kicked seven goals across Vic Country’s first three games, including two majors from 12 disposals and 10 marks (four contested) in the match against South Australia. Likened to Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe, his overhead marking is a clear strength but he also presents strongly on the lead and is a booming kick. When in the ruck, Ah-Mu competes well and can follow up at ground level to win clearances. In addition to games for the Stingrays and Vic Country, Ah-Mu has also had some monster games for Haileybury College in school football this season. Of Samoan decent, Ah-Mu’s father represented the island nation in both athletics and rubgy.

2025 National Champs 74 ranking points, 10 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.3 contested marks, 7 hitouts, 4.5 score involvements, 1.8 goals, 1.3 tackles (4 games)

Strengths: Overhead marking, strength, versatility and scoreboard impact.

Currently ranked outside the top 40 draftees, but within the top 80.

10 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

Currently ranked outside the top 40 draftees, but within the top 80.

So right in the range of where our third round pick would have fallen if that moron Lamb hadn't (indirectly) thrown in into Essendon's hands as part of the Lindsay deal.

There are always negative consequences to that guy's meddling, even though he clearly thinks he is the smartest guy in the room.

31 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

Current scouting report notes:

A big and powerful forward who can also rotate through the ruck, Ah-Mu has some impressive traits and has had some eye-catching moments and matches this year. He kicked six goals from 10 disposals and eight marks (five contested) in a trial match for Vic Country’s under-18s in April and went on to have a solid under-18 national championships campaign for the side. Ah-Mu kicked seven goals across Vic Country’s first three games, including two majors from 12 disposals and 10 marks (four contested) in the match against South Australia. Likened to Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe, his overhead marking is a clear strength but he also presents strongly on the lead and is a booming kick. When in the ruck, Ah-Mu competes well and can follow up at ground level to win clearances. In addition to games for the Stingrays and Vic Country, Ah-Mu has also had some monster games for Haileybury College in school football this season. Of Samoan decent, Ah-Mu’s father represented the island nation in both athletics and rubgy.

2025 National Champs 74 ranking points, 10 disposals, 4.3 marks, 1.3 contested marks, 7 hitouts, 4.5 score involvements, 1.8 goals, 1.3 tackles (4 games)

Strengths: Overhead marking, strength, versatility and scoreboard impact.

Currently ranked outside the top 40 draftees, but within the top 80.

Ive asked elsewhere and no one has been able to answer me but how is Ah-Mu not available to Melbourne but David Rodan's son is available to Ess as part of the NGA????? Why is Samoa not part of the NGA but Fiji is????

26 minutes ago, poita said:

There are always negative consequences to that guy's meddling, even though he clearly thinks he is the smartest guy in the room.

I’ve always got this vibe as well. He is the exact opposite.

There's a bit to play out before we know what our final hand of picks will be. I'll reserve judgement until then.

We can draft him with a natural pick. We just need to select him before anyone else!

If above is correct that he is ranked in the 40 to 80 range there should be no problem having a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick available.

In that range it makes little difference to matching a bid as an NGA with points.

1 hour ago, poita said:

So right in the range of where our third round pick would have fallen if that moron Lamb hadn't (indirectly) thrown in into Essendon's hands as part of the Lindsay deal.

There are always negative consequences to that guy's meddling, even though he clearly thinks he is the smartest guy in the room.

I suspect that if they are into them they will trade for a suitable pick

1 hour ago, poita said:

So right in the range of where our third round pick would have fallen if that moron Lamb hadn't (indirectly) thrown in into Essendon's hands as part of the Lindsay deal.

There are always negative consequences to that guy's meddling, even though he clearly thinks he is the smartest guy in the room.

Pretty confident the FD can come up with a late second early third round pick if they need to, probably more than one with what we have to trade/offload. You don't get to move up in a draft as strong as last years without paying overs and Lindsay will likely be worth every cent.

7 minutes ago, Salems Lot said:

I suspect that if they are into them they will trade for a suitable pick

I'm hoping we pick him with out 50s pick then Sinnema with our next etc depends on where White falls

2 hours ago, BangBnagBang said:

Ive asked elsewhere and no one has been able to answer me but how is Ah-Mu not available to Melbourne but David Rodan's son is available to Ess as part of the NGA????? Why is Samoa not part of the NGA but Fiji is????

I don't know the exact specifics of either player, but Ralph has previously stated TAM does not meet the draft eligibility requirements and never has. Unsure specifically what that eligibility, but it must be either (or a combination of) not meeting the following:

Cultural Background:

• Player born in non-English speaking country OR

• At least 1 parent born in Asia, Africa or Oceania OR

• Both parents born in another non-English speaking country (not Asia, Africa or Oceania)

37 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

I don't know the exact specifics of either player, but Ralph has previously stated TAM does not meet the draft eligibility requirements and never has. Unsure specifically what that eligibility, but it must be either (or a combination of) not meeting the following:

Cultural Background:

• Player born in non-English speaking country OR

• At least 1 parent born in Asia, Africa or Oceania OR

• Both parents born in another non-English speaking country (not Asia, Africa or Oceania)

Then why is he in MFC's development academy? Very possibly I am missing something but what is it?

30 minutes ago, redandbluemakepurple said:

Then why is he in MFC's development academy? Very possibly I am missing something but what is it?

Oceania wasn't part of the deal. Has been written in but not for this draft. So we have access to his little brother but not him

49 minutes ago, Sideshow Bob said:

Oceania wasn't part of the deal. Has been written in but not for this draft. So we have access to his little brother but not him

how does his brother compare, contrast?

i think it'll all be irrelevant 2026 and beyond - i fear first round picks won't be eligible as nga / father-son selections

14 minutes ago, whatwhat say what said:

how does his brother compare, contrast?

i think it'll all be irrelevant 2026 and beyond - i fear first round picks won't be eligible as nga / father-son selections

Haven't seen much of him, played in the u16s champs this year and 1 game for Dandy u18s as a 16yr old so clearly has some talent. Draft year is 2027.

Just in time for us to get Mac Andrewed out of a prospect.

Rodans kid is the same age as junior ah mu- we may get the benefit so the dont diddle essundone

On 26/08/2025 at 14:22, BLWNBA said:

I don't know the exact specifics of either player, but Ralph has previously stated TAM does not meet the draft eligibility requirements and never has. Unsure specifically what that eligibility, but it must be either (or a combination of) not meeting the following:

Cultural Background:

• Player born in non-English speaking country OR

• At least 1 parent born in Asia, Africa or Oceania OR

• Both parents born in another non-English speaking country (not Asia, Africa or Oceania)

So how did that player with the Swedish mother and Australian father who has lived here his whole life qualify?

Tairons’ father was born in Samoa and that is Oceania.

I don’t think Oceania is included in NGA but may be next year, which could give us access to his brother.

Edited August 28Aug 28 by Redleg

Unbelievable. We got absolutely ROBBED with Mac Andrew.

Then we have the perfect youngster to add as a key forward. But somehow the current rules don’t include his heritage

In yesterday’s Finals match for Stingrays

4 goals. 12 marks. 22 disposals. Showcase of his strength and agility and goalkicking.

3 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Unbelievable. We got absolutely ROBBED with Mac Andrew.

Then we have the perfect youngster to add as a key forward. But somehow the current rules don’t include his heritage

In yesterday’s Finals match for Stingrays

4 goals. 12 marks. 22 disposals. Showcase of his strength and agility and goalkicking.

Haven't seen him feature in a top 30 yet. If we want him, we should be able to draft him outright.

6 minutes ago, Davos said:

Haven't seen him feature in a top 30 yet. If we want him, we should be able to draft him outright.

Wasn’t even in the top 40 the other day. Can definitely pick him up if we are desperate to snag him

2 minutes ago, Davos said:

Haven't seen him feature in a top 30 yet. If we want him, we should be able to draft him outright.

True. Would be a very good addition.

Another whinge on a player that the rules were never it place but yet we can still select him in the draft because draft experts so far dont even rate him top 30.

If we rate him and he's there at our first pick then I'll trust Jason Taylor on whatever he decides.

Is TAM the type who does well in the junior leagues because of his size but could struggle at AFL level against men?