mo64

So was Salem's reflex kick to Jones. Both were a thing of beauty.

I did say that he will become a very good AFL player, just wasn't convinced that he had elite talent as a junior. His football smarts in the contest are fantastic and bordering on elite. I thought he overplayed the situation in the highlights package, but is making quick decisions at AFL level which is amazing. To answer your question, yeah I'm convinced.

No it's not. If that was the case, you would have seen mass exodus out of clubs like Geelong and Hawthorn, where players stayed for success rather than chasing their max contract (Ablett and Franklin excluded). It's only conjecture because Hogan hasn't committed. There's nothing stopping Hogan/Manager committing to the club, and sorting out the financial arrangements at season's end. That will stop the conjecture.

That's beyond absurd. You really think that any sporting club would willingly screw a star player who shows good faith? Hogan will always have the negotiating power, even if he verbally commits. And anyone who believes the Roos line of " the club also thought it best to postpone talks until end of season " are either gullible or stupid. The club would be doing cartwheels if Hogan re-signed this week or even mid year.

Spot on. The argument that his management is waiting till the salary cap increase goes through is bogus. Based on that logic, no player will extend their contracts early, yet just this week, Sidebottom and Talia have extended their contracts long term. The fact that the club admitted that they sat down with Hogan and his management to outline our onfield ambitions is concerning. If a player was content, why the need to give them a reassurance? My concern is that Hogan may love living in Melbourne, and clubs other than Freo may come into play.

And ProDee's post wasn't peronal? I note that you and ProDee seem to have a mutual admiration of each others reviews. Oh, and ProDee. Your initial bagging of Oliver was written at 9.15am, yet you blamed it on the reds. We all enjoy a red with our breakfast.

So you have a privileged position on this site of being the only person entitled to their opinion. Mind you, you've covered every base, lol.

Just rewatched some of the early footage, and my assessment stands. I'll try and find some footage that changes my assessment.

My assessment is based on the same footage as you're making your assessment. In congestion he used his physical superiority to fend off players. I question whether he'll get away with it at AFL level. I thought that Parish had far superior football smarts based on the limited footage available. I'm sure Oliver will become a very good AFL player. I just don't believe the hype that was written about him on here after the draft.

We'll agree to disagree. You've summed it up well. But 1st year players with "elite skills" generally find a spot, even in the top teams. I question whether Oliver has elite talent. That's not to say that he won't be a very good AFL player.

Are you serious or just taking the pizz? There was nothing in his highlights reel that screamed "elite skills". That's why I'm asking the track watchers whether they've seen signs of elite talent. Adding muscle doesn't change natural talent. If he's elite like Selwood, Wines and many more, he'd be pushing for selection in round 1, but not necessarily as a primary mid.

During preseason training, you always look at the draftees and hope to get a "yeah, I get what the hype was about" moment or two. I haven't been down there this preseason. Have any of the track watchers seen Oliver do something during the match sims that make you go "yeah, he'll be good"?

As Billy said, the win/loss column at the end of the season is all that matters. The preseason hype of our draftees, based on brief highlights packages, is over the top.

Without an engine, Weideman would definitely start at FF, and Hogan CHF. I doubt that he plays more than 5 games next year, given his injury history. Saints eased McCartin in this year, and I think we'll do the same.

I'd be happy if he kicked 25 goals, and 20 of them were from joe the goose handballs. Newton kicked 11 goals in 11 games from limited opportunities. Might be a better option in the forward line than Watts.

100% agree. We gave up next years 1st rounder in supposedly a strong draft, plus this year's 2nd round pick to upgrade our early picks. Unlike the Tyson/Salem trade which made perfect sense, the end result this year has left me unenthused. Oliver looks like he'll be a good AFL player, but doesn't have the skillset of Brayshaw and Petracca based on his junior career, so doesn't look like he has "elite" potential. I hope I'm wrong. Lot of question marks over Weideman, with his injury history and poor beep test results. The players that we traded for aren't game changers. I hope to be proven wrong with Oliver and Weideman, and they become A graders, but I have my reservations.

Spot on. That's the point I was making about DD's comments as well. Let's just concern ourselves with who we draft before sticking the boots into other draftees.

I'm just about to vomit after reading some of these comments. Parish can clearly play, and the only thing I'm concerned about is whether Oliver and Weideman make it as AFL footballers.

That's the worst analysis/conclusion reaching I've ever read. Brayshaw and Petracca were unanimous top 3 picks. I doubt that Roos' philosophy swayed Taylor one iota.

So am I. For mine, he's a combination of Stretch and ANB. He knows how to find the ball like ANB, but has more tricks to his game. Would definitely take him with a late pick, but somehow doubt that the club will, due to our quota of midgets.

A comparable player to Parish is Heppell. He was recruited as a lightly framed ball magnet, and has become an adept clearance player, because as you say, he's on the move at stoppages.

IMO, that's part of contested football. Players like Mitchell and Simon Black had that innate ability to dispose of the ball in contested situations. That takes talent. Based on limited highlights, Oliver seems to try to take on the tackler, whereas Parish looks to dispose of the ball instinctively. Give me Parish any day.

Hogan had elite endurance before he was drafted. He missed 12 months with a back injury, which would severely impact his fitness levels, and yet he maintained his elite endurance. Clubs clearly have an issue with Weideman's endurance levels long term.

Yep. The beep test is just as important for a key forward as it is for a mid. Without repetitive efforts and defensive accountability, he'll struggle at AFL level.

I must be missing something when I see Mathieson's highlights. His disposal is haphazard, and that's being kind. All I see is a Liam Picken clone.