dazzledavey36

No rookie list for us today.

To be honest, no I didn't, but that's purely because footy around that time wasn't really an ambition for him. He was honestly just happy country lad who played footy for the social aspect of it all and being around his mates was more important to him then footy. He was fairly talented all the way through the ranks. I think there was opportunities there with the Murray Bushrangers, but again, that wasn't exactly in his sights. It was only until he decided to test himself at Ovens and Murray level where I think it steadily grew from there. When he had the year where he kicked over 50 goals as a 20year then I think that may have sparked the interest. It wasn't until he started to attract attention from VFL clubs where guys like Shaun Mannagh and Dom Brew really did encourage him to then give it a go. Even though he had the year in the VFL, I still put him down to being fairly raw because of the lack of exposure coming through the ranks. I think adjusting to AFL life will certainly take its time with him but he's got an incredible work rate and maturity that will hold him in good stead. You get kids who are straight out of school and probably lack the life skills to adjust, and then you get guys like AJ who have toiled away for years, working on the tools each day and doing the hard yards.

Dom Brew in this clip as well.

What time is the actually rookie draft tomorrow?

Did some damage to his arm/elbow which he played through pain for the back half of the year. My understanding is that he got it cleaned up with end of year surgery.

A bit more history about AJ. He made the step up to the very strong Ovens and Murray League competition as a 20 year and in his first season and kicked 53 goals as a FF/CHF. That same year he won a premiership with Lavington. Before that, he played for Brock Burrum saints (breed them tough there) in the Hume Football League (where I played with and against him) and even as a teenager he dominated senior footy constantly kicking bags of goals each week. Whatever league he's gone too, hes stepped up and performed really well. I will say that this will be an incredible jump from his own perspective between VFL and AFL. The fitness work will come as a huge shock to him and it will take him some time to adjust, purely because he's raw in terms of elite pathway and it usually is with country bush footballers. I do wonder whether we could have just left him to the rookie list but maybe we wind that other clubs were going to snap him up? He's an incredibly hard worker though, and will certainly leave no stone unturned. He's overcome some hurdles with his injuries and to get to this position is credit to his credit. Great teammate mind you..type of guy that enjoys a scrag and always willing to stick up for teammates. Off for the field, he's just a typical country lad who enjoys a good time, but again, will adjust to being an elite professional footballer.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19juzz8RRp/

Played with him for an interleague game then against him where he was at Brock Burrum. Taught him everything....?

Holy [censored]! Literally played with and against Aidan the last couple of years! Albury lad who won a flag at Lavington Panthers alongside Shaun Mannagh. Good friends with Dan Turner and was a premiership player with Werribee this year. Typically brute country footballer.

No

That we don't rate you that highly..

Maybe we just rate players better then him? No biggie.

Pass.

I'm guessing we're going a tall?

Both Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli had similar 20m sprint time to Langford at their draft camp. He'll be fine.

The start of this thread is hilarious.

No

He's a pretty shy and quiet kid but is just a competitive brute once he crosses that white line. Physically I could see him becoming Cripps/Josh Kennedy build.