Jaded No More

Also a miracle that the server didn't crash, as was happening at the time of the Judd saga, where the boards were constantly flooded.

I have no issues with taking him in the PSD, none whatsoever. But it does seem very very strange that so many clubs passed on him given that he is clearly a very good player. I don't think that you'd pass on a player in the 5th or 6th round just because they 'go missing' sometimes, or they haven't got the right endurance or even if the desire is questionable, because chances are anyone you get with those late picks is going to have problems and downsides, otherwise they'd be top 20 picks. So for all 16 clubs to choose not to draft him, not even late in the draft, to me seems very suspicious. Maybe I'm wrong and the recruiters just forgot about him, but given he was rated top 25 by some it doesn't seem likely that he just slipped under the radar, in the way that say Martin or Aussie did. Just curious to know why he is where he is given that his football ability is fairly impressive.

Too early? :D

Runs like Davey, takes speccies like Robbo and lays hip and shoulders like Whelan! :D

He can kick AND handball AND outrun his opponent... he is officially our new God! :D I love that he and Watts already have a good working relationship and understanding on the field, I think it will be a big advantage for them both and it's always great when you come into a new environment and you can share that experience with a mate. Don't underestimate how important that will be to their development and fast-tracking.

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but we only have one true proven quality midfielder, who can get the ball and use it, and that's McLean. Putting Morton in there was generous and possibly premature. The rest of our midfield has serious, and I do mean serious deficiencies, primarily when it comes to disposal. Jones and Bruce have awful disposal, Junior is on his last leg, Morton is not necessarily an extractor or even a pure midfielder, but more a wingman, same goes for Green. Moloney can barely get on the park, Grimes is a complete unknown but hopefully will become a great player. So go on, who else, apart from McLean, has shown us that they are good enough to become a part of a premiership winning midfield? Lets hope that the boys we picked up today will finally provide us with some much needed class and above all else the ability to dispose of the ball... and not to the opposition

One gun key position player and a bevy of midfielders who can deliver the ball to him, is better than one gun key position player and two other ordinary tall forwards with no midfield. Outside of McLean and Morton we have no quality in the midfield, and given that McLean can't physically carry the workload, and Morton is a beanpole who we may even have earmarked into a forward role in the future, that's really not great. How many times last year were your tearing your hair out because our players couldn't deliver, by foot or hand, and we stuffed up any forward momentum we had? Our lack of skills, and at times pace, continuously killed us. Without a great engine room, your forward line is irrelevant and you can't win games, let alone a premiership. Besides, Watts, Bate, Miller, Newton, Dunn, maybe even Garland and Martin are plenty of forward options for one club to work with. Long gone are the days of a giant forward-line. All you need is one really good quality tall and quicker, smaller forwards to work around him (which many of the players drafted today could do, along with Davey, Aussie, Maric, Sylvia and the list goes on).

"Watts Up Buddy?" (Franklin loses the plot as he watches Watts steal his limelight )

Exactly. Which means he has big personal issues, because bloody hell he looks like Buddy. For a club not to take a punt with a 6th round pick on someone who can clearly move and play, is a real worry. So yes, look at him, but talent is not the one factor and if he has issues where he'll go missing after a week of training, or he has issues with substance abuse, or he has a court case hanging over his head, etc etc... than what's the point? Cousins is a proven quantity and didn't get a second chance, although he can clearly play and will help any club looking to win a flag in the next couple of seasons (you know you're in trouble when Leigh Brown gets a second chance and you don't! :D). That's how scared AFL clubs are to touch anyone with any personal issues.

Captain Jack... But only after McLean wins us a premiership and two Brownlows and decides to hand the title over to his three-time Coleman medal winning teammate

I'm assuming this is meant to be a joke... if so, you missed out on the humorous part Our recruiters know a hell of alot more than any of us. Lets just have some faith before we dismiss a player that I'm sure you've never seen play.

"A skilful, high possession winning midfield forward who is strong overhead for his size. Was a WA U18 representative in 2008. From Carey Park JFC." Cousin of Essendon's Jetta. HEIGHT 179.6 WEIGHT 76.6

You can have the best ruckman in the league, but if your midfield can't get the ball or kick, then what's the point? How many premierships did Jeff White bring us? You can have great success with ruckman you pick late in the draft or as a rookie. Wasting an early pick on a beanpole who might take 5 years to develop, if at all, seems silly.

"Originates from Bunbury and is a player who Swan Districts officials rate very highly. He is a quick and agile small who displays clean hands and uses the ball well. Attended the WA NAB AFL state screening, where he tested very impressively in the speed and agility tests, recording 2.99sec for 20m and 8.34sec in the agility" HEIGHT 178.5 WEIGHT 68.2 (very skinny!) I'm seeing a pattern emerge... pace, foot skills... the two things we lack the most.

It's a very good thing we didn't take yet another player with an injury cloud hanging over them. Sylvia, Moloney, Rivers etc... not even headaches for you? Being fit and healthy is the most important aspect of being an AFL player.

Excellent! Blease= PACE. Thank god.

As I said in another thread, some of the Lions' biggest sponsors are against them drafting Cousins. Seems they're taking their sponsors' advice.

Make it happen, oh please make it happen!

To be honest I expected us to say nothing, and tell the members that a decision has been made but we are not willing to disclose the name of the player we're taking before Saturday. Had the club said that, I actually would be more comfortable that we'll take Watts. The fact that we mentioned both Watts and Naitanui, but didn't actually commit to anything, makes me nervous. Maybe it's just a silly gut feeling, and I do hope I'm wrong, but I have this strong sense that we're going to take Naitanui.

Oh gees, there's a surprise! I actually think that the lack of desire to commit to a name, might mean that we're taking Naitanui, because our decision to draft him will impact a whole lot of clubs and draft choices. Quick, someone get him drunk and make him talk...

I know for a fact that both St.Kilda and Brisbane were pressure by their sponsors not to draft Cousins. The Lions could still go ahead and take him, but one of their main sponsors will not be happy if this happens. There are way too many factors in play here, and as good as Cousins is/was, he is seen as too much trouble by most clubs.

Of course I'll be disappointed if we pass up on Watts, but I can't compare my knowledge of these kids to that of our recruiting team. I'd have to trust their decision because they would have spent practically the last year looking and researching their picks. Their balls are on the line here as well. And even if we end up making the wrong decision (and who knows, we may get Watts, and end up missing out on the biggest freak the game has ever seen), I'll still support this club and buy memberships and go to games because I'm a sucker for punishment and a sucker for this club (and you are too!). Besides, this is hardly the first or last draft we're likely to screw up.

I just hope that if we do choose to take Naitanui, that we know for a fact that he won't be asking for a trade home in 3 years time, because I have no doubt that if we pick him, it will be because we absolutely think that he's best available and will develop into a great talent. Our recruiters watch more junior footy than any of us, they talk to the players and their ex-coaches and their doctors, so at the end of the day we need to trust that whoever they pick at number one, is who they believe is the standout, and that things like marketability have absolutely no influence on their decision. I want a star player, not a marketing machine. A star player will bring us success, and there is no better way to market our club than to be successful. If the club thinks Naitanui is the man to bring us that success, than I'll welcome their choice with an open mind and a lot of hope. (and we better take Watts! )

We obviously don't think he'll be available at 17, plus we want to target midfielders given we're taking Watts at pick 1?