DeeSpencer

I wonder what kind of athletic testing they’ve got on him. Xavier might be doing their own these days, because that would probably be my biggest worry. If you can’t run you can’t play, no matter how good you are. Either way I’m excited that we took a chance on a high upside smokie. Obviously I’m not expecting the same instant returns but you see Essendon getting someone like Nic Martin and Jai Newcombe at the Hawks and it shows there’s good players out there coming from different pathways.

A couple of glimpses in here of him training at his new home

Given it’s unlikely they’ll be physically ready to hold down heavy ruck minutes it’s going to be a real struggle to get both Kyah and Verrall in the same VFL side. Especially with a first and second year key forward up forward. Plus a first year key defender and a medium tall who’s come from school footy. We haven’t messed around with too many project players in the Goodwin era, and especially since the cut down on footy cap, which hasn’t jumped back to pre covid levels. That’s allowed us to keep big numbers on the training track and train to a high standard with a lot of competitive drills. I’m happy we’re seemingly keen to use Casey as a development side and that we’ve got some quality talls on the list. But 2 baby project rucks at the same time seems hard work, not to mention we haven’t replaced Daw as the 3rd string ready to go ruck either.

Might’ve fallen through the cracks at the Bushrangers/Chargers and missed by both? Or focussed on studies or other sports? The NAB league teams do a good job with limited budgets but they can’t find or attract everyone. Guys fall through the cracks.

3 grabs, a tunnel ball and a chronic illness per marking contest

In fairness, Stevo’s never met anyone from Xavier who isn’t the next Brownlow winner. One of the most blatant campaigns for discount school fees I’ve ever seen

Poor man’s Jack Fitzpatrick. With development resources tied up in Jefferson, Adams and Big Kyah I’m a little surprised we went for a rookie teen ruck after years of not making it a priority.

I think the desire for trades this year made the top 10 present itself. Teams had to call each other and player managers and probably Cal to really work out who was going where to evaluate trades. Still, it’s impressive work from Cal to have the order figured out. I hope teams get a little more aggressive with trades and are willing to do so without the order completely revealed in future years so there’s some more drama

May is practically Victorian and joined us. Same goes for Dunstan and Grundy Spargo and Turner come from an area that feeds to Melbourne far more than Sydney, they were probably born in the Wodonga hospital. Ben Brown and AMW have no teams to go too! SA players don’t go home from Victoria all that often if things are going well. North really botched it with JHF and the crows have spent huge money getting some big recruits, but otherwise they aren’t flooding back. We’ve been a victim of circumstance with Hogan and Jacko. It’s worth evaluating and possibly avoiding Perth city kids with tight knit families. The Northern clubs have to do that with Victorian players. But it’s a risk/reward evaluation and circumstances shouldn’t conspire against us as often as they have with Hoges and Jacko.

The way he runs and elevates for intercept marks does have some similarities to Lever, but I think it’s clear we want him to be an understudy to May.

They took Hugh Davies at pick 33, who probably has more exposed form and is a bit more of a rebounder and running defender. I reckon Adams clunks his marks with more authority and has that nice left foot boot. Will be interesting to see how they develop.

The club posted a picture of a shirtless and clearly bulkier Kossie with the caption Kossie Thick-ett.

The thick post was particularly thick, we really don't have to descend in to such silly social media stuff. But I'm not entirely sold the 2 are related.

https://www.countryman.com.au/sport/afl-draft/afl-draft-2022-peel-thunder-defender-jed-adams-reveals-draft-rollercoaster-before-melbourne-swoop-c-9006792 Wants to play like Steven May. Born in Kalgoorlie and from Mandurah. Might not be in such a rush to get back to Perth.

Would be nice if teams could stop picking players so we can have some talent for a rookie pick

https://central.rookieme.com/afl/player/jed-adams/

I’ve got it at 3. Turner, McVee, D Smith and 3 spare. Assume we only use 1-2 in the rookie draft, keeping spots for mid season or SSP

Going on 40 this year. Maybe back up is a better word for it. There’s room for 4 talls and/or Disco covering all 3 of the main guys in the short term (or Petty forward)

That Dylan Stephens wing role looked wide open in the prelim and grand final (less so against us)

Topped up in the trade period and now have replacements on deck for Ben Brown and May. After getting Lever and McDonald replacements in Turner and JVR last year. Plus a big hand next year to hammer midfield and quality flankers. Get some pace and special skills in the rookie draft please

Hotton would be a point of difference as a true midfielder. Inability of our smalls to go on ball hurt us

Not convinced he’s an afl player

It might pay off next year. And the returns could be higher than waiting 4 years for a young ruck

I wouldn’t trade up for him but Hudson O’Keefe is very underrated if he was available at 38. Great combination of athleticism and physicality. Similar to Draper at Essendon

Very hard to weigh up the supply to JVR given Casey had a lot of entries but also a lot of targets. 36 goals in 18 games was a great results. Jefferson isn’t as physically ready but should play more as a full forward and with less mature competition for targets. Either way, set the bar at about 1.5 goals a game and hope he clears it.