BAMF

Any news on rookie, James Harmes?

Media beat up. I'm amazed people still bring this up.

Eh? I didn't say he wasn't best 22. I'm simply saying he will have to work hard to stay there. There are a lot of players competing for midfield spots now. Jack needs to build a tank. Unfortunately he is recovering from injury and again won't have a full preseason behind him.

Anyone who has been injured recently sounds like they are struggiling. (for the obvious reason) I fear for Watts. His positon in the best 22 is shaky as it is. It would have been great for him to have an uninterupted preseason. He really, really needs to develop endurance so he can impact more contests. He looked exhausted at times this year. I also worry for Garland. A usual fave of mine. He struggled to get back to his best in 2014 and is still recovering. He might soon find that others will go past him.

I will admit that I did not think he had a snowballs chance in hell in making it when we drafted him. At the end on 2013 my opinion fliped 180. (like many others on here) He looked like he was ready for a big 2014. 2014 came and we were crying out for a key forward early on. Fitzy was given some games and disapointed. But I really don't think this was ideal for him. He shouldn't be played as that number 1 or 2 key forward. He needs to be the 3rd tall / 2nd ruck. To his credit, he returned to good form towards the end of the year. I remember Roos giving praise in a post game press conf. In my eyes, he is already competing with Pedersen for that 2nd ruck spot in the best 22. There were a few who wanted to trade him this year. I really wanted to keep him.

You seem to have taken my post very personally. It was not intended that way and I understand after re-reading that it may have been interpreted that way. I'm sorry I should have worded it a bit better. I can see your point. However I fail to see why you are jumping down people's throats in an off season discussion. If others want to talk about previous years then why stop them?

You're saying that we shouldnt bother including 2011 and 2012 in the analaysis because the turnover has been too significant. Yet, you (and Rfpc) are comparing 2013 and 2014. Whats the difference? Between 2013-14 there was a massive turnover of both coaches and players. By your argument we shouldnt even be discussing this topic.

I thought you only looked at the pictures? How do you know what we are talking about?

I know we talk about Paul Roos holding kids back, but as we saw last year, this is not an absolute certainty. Also, I dont want to see youngsters gifted games over the older players. If you are in the best 22 on selection day, then you get a game. Regardless of age.

I agree. I'm with everyone on here. We nailed the draft. Nailed it. No skinny kids. All ready to go. But that doesnt mean they will dominate straight away. Nailing the draft will pay off big time in 2 - 3 years time. Demonlanders and falling into the old 'high draft pick messiah' rubbish. I dont think we have improved our starting 22 midfield enough to rise up the ladder too far. I am optomistic that this year will be the year that we show something though. Hopefully get out of the bottom 4 and show that we are heading in the right direction. We really need to so we can lure a couple of ready made A-graders at the end of 2015.

FYI - I've seen a few people on here mention that we are on the Paleo diet. This is incorrect. There are small but differences to the diet our boys are on. Our boys can eat Dairy for instance.

It took me about two minutes to work out who you were talking about. Cant remember the last time I have heard him refered to as James. 2 rookie. Think you are missing Jetta being upgraded.

I was on the edge of my seat waiting for pick 40. He made it through and we didn't call his name! I was a bit disappointed. So happy we got him at 53!

Brisbane - Pick 65: J Watts.

Reece Mckenzie over looked too. Edit - Opps. Richmond just got him with pick 70ish We have pick 2 in Rookie draft right? Guess some clubs have preseason picks before us though.

This coverage is so annoying. I just want to hear the players names being called out. YESSSSS!!!! MCDONALD!!!

Meet Alex Neal Bullen. Video included. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-11/meet-alex-nealbullen Highlights video

Really took our time with pick 40. Wonder if we were tossing up McDonald?

jeez this coverage is terrible.

different mckenzie

I just saw it and my first thought was that he was lying. He does seem quite dopey though. Might just be hard to read.

Heres the original highlight video posted earlier in this thread https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEPigCM3ctc&feature=player_embedded

As if we would leave a decision like that to the last minute.

The Emma Quayle Phantom Draft Brayshaw and Petracca.

Actually. He is. Have a look at his phantom drafts over the last few years. He doesn't always get the order exactly right, but is never far off. The guy watches a truck load of junior footy and bases his phantoms on what he sees. He never gets to interview the players like a club would. He doesnt get any inside info from anyone. He does an amazing job with the limited info he has. He also loves chatting and sharing his opinion with others online very early on through the year. God knows why anyone would want to watch that much junior football in their spare time.