RalphiusMaximus

Within the first year if he shows he can do it right.

One of the photo sets from Six6six shows Petracca dummying right then stepping left to go around him. Oliver looked like he thought it was the best thing ever. I get the impression that the smile is pretty much a permanent fixture for him when he's playing. Looking at those photos shows that he has a lot of muscle to build to catch up with Petracca.

I don't know if it's been posted before, but there was a nice little article on the lad before he was drafted in The Age. Talks about his OP, struggles with fitness at the start of the season and the amazing work his parents did to help him out.

This bit kind of worries me. Comparing him to a totally ordinary and uninspiring player isn't a great look.

I just think we should be really careful with those injuries. It's not such a big deal if he misses games in his first year making sure he's fit, but if they develop later into a problem it's going to be much worse.

I really don't think the Weed will or should play seniors next year. They need to take their time and make absolutely sure that his ankle problems are behind him before anything else. Then they can build his fitness base over the course of a few years and by the time we're really challenging we'll have a fit and firing forward pair.

You did see those big crunching tackles right?

I have to admit, when I hear the name I keep thinking of the guy from the Crows. Different spelling of course.

Does anyone have a link to his combine scores? I'd love to get an idea of exactly how he scores on speed and endurance. He was third for agility which is amazing for such a big guy, but you can see it in his highlights.

I thought that too, but he looks like he's really slimmed down in the second half of the year judging by the latest shots of him. I think it speaks very well of him that he's done that on his own before being drafted. He's coming into the club ready to train. In the SEN coverage, they said he hurt himself during the agility trial (which he killed) and had to sit out the beep test, but refused to sit out the 3km time trial because he'd put so much work into improving his running and wanted the chance to show what he could do. I'm still worried about our side's overall poor disposal, but this kid does look like he may be a player.

Sounds pretty happy to have joined us given the quick interview he just gave on SEN. Oliver now on for a chat. Likes Roos, likes the look of the list...

VERY welcome to the club Sam. Here's hoping you enjoy the next decade teaming up with the Hulk.

Well, we have the Raging Bull. Best of luck to you in playing next year Clayton.

I still have him up there in our options. I worry less about the draft tests than some I think. I'm more interested in getting footballers than athletes.

The numbers indicate one of three things to my mind: 1 - He's not over his issues yet 2 - He hasn't kept himself in shape while not playing 3 - He's faking it to lower his value and get to the Pies. Quite frankly any of the above could well be the case, and none of them make him more attractive as a draftee. However, all but #3 we could deal with.

In all honesty, while I do have my preferences I'm not terribly concerned by who we take at three and seven. I maintain that this group of players are all very even and we'll get two quality kids whichever way the draft goes. As long as we don't waste a top ten pick on that big KPD, I'm happy.

This too is a fair point. I sometimes forget how big a step up there is between the age groups for teen sports. It's one I failed to make, so you'd think I could relate.

The photo of him standing next to his dad makes him look good. Has a nice build and good height. He played u16's so should have the basic skills he needs.

Nope. The pick was fine if a little high. The result was bad. There's a massive difference.

I don't dispute that we took him early. My issue is with people ranking him with epic failures such as Cook. Molan could play. His career was ended by terrible luck rather than a lack of ability or application like Cook. I just think it's monumentally unfair to list him as one of the club's great recruiting blunders. You might as well call the Ox an unfulfilled talent because his knees preventing him from matching the career of Carey.

I really wish people would stop rubbishing poor Luke Molan. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the decision to take him. His career was destroyed by terrible luck and perhaps a lack of self-preservation. He never lacked for talent, application or aggression. Nobody could have predicted the succession of impact injuries he suffered. On Weideman, I'd be thrilled to land either he or Curnow at 7. I think either one of them would be a great get for the club. A big, reasonably athletic forward with some mongrel and aggro is just what we need.

Most of it's been covered, but here are the points: - Not counted as part of the list for the purpose of player numbers (ie he's not one of the 44 listed players). - His wages are not counted in our salary cap. - We have him for an initial contract of 2 years. If we like him we can then add him to our Rookie list for a further two years. - The same rules apply for upgrading him as for any other Rookie. To qualify as a Category B Rookie a player can not have been a part of any Aussie Rules List for three years (pretty sure that's the limit) and I think they have to be playing another sport at the elite level. Playing Basketball for Australia obviously qualifies him. Blicavs at Geelong was trying out for the Olympic track and field team as a steeplechaser when he signed with them. There was a bit of talk earlier this year that Alex Keath wanted to get back into AFL. This is the route he would be taking as well, and I think he'd have his pick of pretty much every club in Victoria if he decides to do it. So basically we get to sign him outside the drafting system, pay him whatever we like and he doesn't cost us anything in terms of salary cap or list composition for two years while we train him up and see if he can really play.

Pretty sure we'll find out.

Well, after all the large scale debate on here about value and what we should pay he's here. Welcome to the club Jake. I really hope you do work well with Goodwin and take your game up a notch or two after stalling at the Bombers. I can safely say that every Melbourne supporter will be thrilled if you kick on and become more than a handy depth player.

Especially if we can get a decent pick for Howe as well. Late first or early second round would be pretty right I'd say.