Like the look of this guy, he reminds me a great deal of Isaac Heeney the way he kicks and his sidestep - personally think he has great potential and hope he is still there at our picks

“A speedster who can break the lines with his run, Grlj can impact off halfback or through the midfield.”

I was a YES at … “A speedster who can break the lines with his run”

I hope he falls to our pick, but doubt it. His VFL game with the Tigers was excellent. They’ll likely pick him either at their 3 or 4 pick !!

The first thing we need is to secure our ball movement and that means half backers. Salem does not cut it anymore and I think is bound for VFL time if he cannot reinvent himself or S.K cannot find another role for him.

Grij has great potential and has speed to link up with others like Lindsay and Windsor who are positioned further up the ground. We should move heaven and earth to move up the pick order to get him. I think he needs to be our number 1 option. Unfortunately for us i think Richmond are in need of him as well and will likely take him with Pick 4. If not, they may entertain a pick swap for their pick 4.

Trouble is 7,8 is way overs for Pick 4 points wise and we dont have any Future 2nd's to hand over 7 with. Grij wont get past Essendon either.

On 01/11/2025 at 09:32, adonski said:

Shifters AFL Write up

Sam Grlj
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Canterbury
Date of Birth: 26/07/2007
Height: 182cm

A medium defender or midfielder, Grlj possesses dazzling speed and a neat step through traffic, which allow him to break the lines and set up the play. A model of consistency with the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League, he averaged 20.3 disposals at 72% efficiency, five tackles and 3.9 clearances playing predominantly in the midfield. Held a leadership role with Victoria Metro, with his acceleration again a feature during the National Championships, where he averaged 17 disposals across the four matches. Grlj grasped the opportunity to play two VFL games for Richmond late in the year, including having 18 disposals on debut against the Gold Coast Suns. His strong form at all levels contributed to him earning Coates Talent League Team of the Year honours. Was most impressive at the national Draft Combine, where he showcased his speed and endurance with a time of 2.93 seconds for the 20m sprint and finished second overall for the 2km time trial with an elite 5:59.

somewhere between butters and holmes and rozee with his movement possilbly a bit of the chad, does anyone have a closer comparison

On 05/11/2025 at 06:52, spirit of norm smith said:

Shifters AFL Write up

Sam Grlj
State: Victoria Metro
State League Club: Oakleigh Chargers
Community Club: Canterbury
Date of Birth: 26/07/2007
Height: 182cm

A medium defender or midfielder, Grlj possesses dazzling speed and a neat step through traffic, which allow him to break the lines and set up the play. A model of consistency with the Oakleigh Chargers in the Coates Talent League, he averaged 20.3 disposals at 72% efficiency, five tackles and 3.9 clearances playing predominantly in the midfield. Held a leadership role with Victoria Metro, with his acceleration again a feature during the National Championships, where he averaged 17 disposals across the four matches. Grlj grasped the opportunity to play two VFL games for Richmond late in the year, including having 18 disposals on debut against the Gold Coast Suns. His strong form at all levels contributed to him earning Coates Talent League Team of the Year honours. Was most impressive at the national Draft Combine, where he showcased his speed and endurance with a time of 2.93 seconds for the 20m sprint and finished second overall for the 2km time trial with an elite 5:59.

Quick, great step, can run and carry to gain metres, decent disposal - if we don't take this guy if he is available at our first pick I will be astonished.

Seems the perfect fit for the speculated Steven King gamestyle

We’re really going to take a player ranked in the 20s/30s over this guy aren’t we…

10 minutes ago, demoncat said:

We’re really going to take a player ranked in the 20s/30s over this guy aren’t we…

He may not still be available at our first pick - we don't seem to be linked to him either which I'm hoping is a smokescreen

It's got to be a smokescreen. Everything about his game screams fast ball movement which is what King is looking for.

Reckon some clubs may see shades of Butters while others see shades of Paddy Dow

Just watched some of his highlights.

He has a great side step, and is happy to take the game on.

Looks quick, disposal looked ok too.

Got caught at times, but who doesn’t.

Averaged around 17-20 disposals over all levels.

Worth considering.

max holmes is who i see with a floor of blakey if his midfield game doesnt progress, even has enough about him to be a zac bailey

Edited Sunday at 21:113 days by Turner

41 minutes ago, Turner said:

max holmes is who i see with a floor of blakey if his midfield game doesnt progress, even has enough about him to be a zac bailey

If that description is accurate he'd be #1 in a "weak draft" and a #1 candidate in any draft.

My 1diot eye sees a midfield version of Jack Higgins.

Edited Sunday at 22:093 days by The Taciturn Demon

On 08/11/2025 at 19:55, adonski said:

Reckon some clubs may see shades of Butters while others see shades of Paddy Dow

On 08/11/2025 at 19:55, adonski said:

Reckon some clubs may see shades of Butters while others see shades of Paddy Dow

Agree. Butters or Rozee… or Hartung or Blease. I think Grlj offers us pace and run and I’d be happy if he’s available and JT picks him.

28 minutes ago, old55 said:

If that description is accurate he'd be #1 in a "weak draft" and a #1 candidate in any draft.

There's a lot of real estate to sell between Max Holmes and Dylan Stephens.

I do not see the Butters comparison as he does not move through traffic particularly well, he is very fast but he runs himself into trouble running in straight lines, where I see Butters as being a lot more evasive.

I wonder if he would do well re-purposed as a speedy half forward in his first few years.

17 minutes ago, MrFreeze said:

I do not see the Butters comparison as he does not move through traffic particularly well, he is very fast but he runs himself into trouble running in straight lines, where I see Butters as being a lot more evasive.

I wonder if he would do well re-purposed as a speedy half forward in his first few years.

Is he coachable is going to be the biggest question with this kid. Needs to pick and choose when to run and take the game on and not do it with reckless abandon like he does sometimes in his highlights. Definitely has the line breaking and link up speed the modern game requires though.

6 hours ago, MrFreeze said:

I do not see the Butters comparison as he does not move through traffic particularly well, he is very fast but he runs himself into trouble running in straight lines, where I see Butters as being a lot more evasive.

I wonder if he would do well re-purposed as a speedy half forward in his first few years.

Really ? One of his strengths looks like his ability to step opponents effectively and keep moving forward. Personally love that he can do that - players that run around in circles or sideways are very low on my list of must haves

6 hours ago, shakeandbake said:

Is he coachable is going to be the biggest question with this kid. Needs to pick and choose when to run and take the game on and not do it with reckless abandon like he does sometimes in his highlights. Definitely has the line breaking and link up speed the modern game requires though.

Why would he be less coachable than any other prospect?

Our new coach is on record as saying he wants to encourage our list to play with flair and more freedom - this guy seems like a good fit to me.

Given the talent available at our current picks, I'm not seeing anyone who has more upside. Apart from someone wanting him to accumulate more possessions (not as easy when not a permanent midfielder) I don't see any real concerns.

For full disclosure I am not a relative, next-door neighbor, his girlfriend's father or the checkout person at his local supermarket - I'm just a long suffering supporter that is keen to watch a more exciting brand of football

1 minute ago, Sydee said:

Why would he be less coachable than any other prospect?

Our new coach is on record as saying he wants to encourage our list to play with flair and more freedom - this guy seems like a good fit to me.

Given the talent available at our current picks, I'm not seeing anyone who has more upside. Apart from someone wanting him to accumulate more possessions (not as easy when not a permanent midfielder) I don't see any real concerns.

For full disclosure I am not a relative, next-door neighbor, his girlfriend's father or the checkout person at his local supermarket - I'm just a long suffering supporter that is keen to watch a more exciting brand of football

All good. Comment is purely based on footage of his back half play. Some blokes will listen and take on feedback more than others. Which is important if he's playing a high risk run and gun game behind the ball. You'll get punished the other way if you cough it up

5 minutes ago, shakeandbake said:

All good. Comment is purely based on footage of his back half play. Some blokes will listen and take on feedback more than others. Which is important if he's playing a high risk run and gun game behind the ball. You'll get punished the other way if you cough it up

In the heat of the game coaches feedback and advice tends to be forgotten in my experience and instinct takes over. Accept your point on turnovers being costly (that is critical in the modern game). Our list changes have helped to eliminate some turnovers IMHO and if the list management team and coach think any potential recruit is a major risk in that area, I think it's fair to assume they will not be picked.

18 minutes ago, Sydee said:

Why would he be less coachable than any other prospect?

Our new coach is on record as saying he wants to encourage our list to play with flair and more freedom - this guy seems like a good fit to me.

Given the talent available at our current picks, I'm not seeing anyone who has more upside. Apart from someone wanting him to accumulate more possessions (not as easy when not a permanent midfielder) I don't see any real concerns.

For full disclosure I am not a relative, next-door neighbor, his girlfriend's father or the checkout person at his local supermarket - I'm just a long suffering supporter that is keen to watch a more exciting brand of football

This is why I’m so big on Grij

None of the players who are likely to be available at our picks looks like a “sure thing”

So with that in mind, I’d be picking for players who have traits we need and significant upside

Grij isn’t the finished product but you can so clearly see the type of player he could become

Always easy to get seduced by highlights but he seems to always be in the right place to get the next possession which makes it look like he has time and space to spare