Pennant St Dee

Hawthorn run harder than any side and are that well drilled they know where to kick the ball because they know exactly which space their player will run to. Good sides back their team mates and actually cheat somewhat peeling off their opponent in the belief their team mate will win the ball, generally they do. Once they have the ball they kick to the team mate who has peeled off and is in space. Have you heard the saying it's easier to play with good players, well its a fact.

Demonland never ceases to amaze me, his strengths outweigh the weaknesses. Amplified today by the poor performance all round. GWS, Hawks, Crows, Blues, Dogs, Freo, Meth Coast, Saints, Tigers & Lions would all take him in a heart beat

Headed to WA vs Vic Country today and saw a poor WA performance overall for the second time this season, they lack depth in their squad and with the new home and away format they just struggle with the rotation of players. Still some good performances by a few of them who put their hands up in a losing side. I was without a programme for the 1st quarter but managed to grab one to identify the players who caught my eye from Vic Country running hard of the rebound and picking up plenty of ball through the middle. I already knew who Lonie was but was also really impressed by number 3 & 4 who were Cunico & Parish, these boys are good players who have good cruise speed hitting the ball at pace and running hard before feeding off to a hard lead with quality disposal. Parish and another mid Dixon were on top early at the clearances and around the ground and had good battles with Hardisty & Blakely of WA but it was Cunico on the outside who gave Vic Counrty the advantage. Up forward the dreadlocked Tom Lamb looks every bit a player, he knows where to lead to, always provides a contest and was good with pressure at ground level. The most impressive player was Lonie, who I thought was very much a Ballantyne player early in the first quarter but come late in the first quarter and through the second quarter he had runs through the middle and whilst he is small he has nice pace, uses the ball well and has a nice but of agro about him. For WA Jared Hardisty continued to find the footy and he is a kid who rides tackles before feeding off by hand and makes good decisions, he loves a contest but I am worried about his pace and size at the next level, not sure whether I see a rookie prospect who will just end up being a good 150/200 game WAFL player. Connor Blakely mark that name down was the best player in the WA side and was the best clearance player on the ground but WA lacked run and spread and once they turned the ball over Vic Country rebounded with great ball movement mainly through Cunico, Maishman, Lukas Webb, Parish and Lonie. A lot of WA attacks were cut off by Hugh Goddard floating across half back after leaving his man, not sure what to make of Goddard, he reads the play very well and you can see he sometimes get caught out when something goes against the norm and he has anticipated where the ball is going but can get caught several yards off his man. He runs laconically and seemed to lack urgency when attacking the ball, but there are plenty of tools to work with, good size, good user of the footy but fitness is going to have to be worked on. As I said above Lamb looks a footballer, likes to contest leads well and to the right area and is a good mover, looking at his frame I was wondering if getting good size may be an issue but the coaching staff showed another dimension in the second half when he was moved through the middle. This was an eye catcher, he is the prototype big size mid and is a smooth mover, a lot of David Mundy in what I saw in the second half, which IMO will push him right up the list. Gach Nyuon Vic Country's ruckman was good, a nice size with a great leap and plenty of athleticism and whilst not a star has some decent tools and if Majak Daw was drafted this kid has the DNA and already showed enough understanding of the game to be rookied. WA'S defence was under an awful lot of pressure for most of the day but really liked Dylan Winton at full back, positions himself well and uses his body well against opponents and reads the play well. He is a young Darren Glass in the making although I think his disposal whilst not great is better than Glass's was at that age and early in his career. Greg Clark who I have seen come through the ranks at Subiaco is still a year away from being drafted but was also good down back in a losing side and also went to the wing in the second half and is a smooth mover who will push high up next year Billy Evans (VC) was impressive in the second half and has a nice bit of zip and hardness rotating through the middle and half forward flank and as happens every week at the footy Howe took an absolute screamer in the 4th quarter. Dan Howe this time instead of Jeremy. I have seen Vic Country and Vic Metro and think Country have the greater spread of even talent across the ground, they are a well balanced side with some nice speed and line breakers. On Todays game Vic Country Tom Lamb - First rounder can play as a forward but the ability to run through the middle is a big feather in his cap and Meth Coast could do worse than look at him as it's a big dearth they have Jack Lonie - small but very very hungry, full of life and enthusiastic and is a cross between Haiden Ballantyne & Boomer Harvey worth a pick in the draft but his size will worry recruiters Jordan Cunico - nice use of the ball busy through the middle runs hard to present and get to space or to receive after giving off the footy has the smarts, average mid size but will get taken because he accumulated today and controlled the midfield from the outside Joe Maishman - didn't get as much of the ball on the outside as Cunico but he used it well by hand or by foot when he got it Hugh Goddard - will go high because he reads the play well, uses the ball well and is a good size, I didn't see him attack any contests with urgency or hit them really hard, played a lot like a laconic Jack Watts without the pace but has greater natural size Darcy Parish - this kid is fantastic inside and was hard at the ball during stoppages and through general play, picked his moments before feeding the ball out to his outsiders, good decision maker and on what I saw today he would be a monty to go in the first two rounds this year but I think he is to young so I will keep an eye on his for 2015 WA Conor Blakely - great clean & quick with his hands and decision making around the stoppages and general play, this kid worked really hard today in a side that was up against it and for me that shows great character which is always something recruiters look for. Was up against it with Parish and Dixon but looks like a warrior will go in the top 30 to 40 plenty of upside Jared Hardisty - have not seen him play a bad game for WA or for Claremont Colts, loves a contest stands strong in the contest and really good with his hands. Physically I worry if he has peaked in his height and his speed is an issue, runs all day because he is a warrior but you'll never die wondering with him Dylan Winton - plenty of sides looking for defenders so a monty to get drafted just a matter of where, a medium tall at this stage but has great positioning sense and uses his body well. Reads the play and anticipates quickly to get to the right area. Size may prevent him going first round but will be a good pick up Cameo's Jarrod Pickett showed glimpses as he always does kicked a lovely goal and was giving a couple of runs through the middle and he looks impressive breaking form a clearance but again I really worry about what he does when he doesn't have it Francis Watson - came in and out of the game a couple of times and what he did was nice and clean but very much outside, beautiful user of the ball and just your typical indigenous player who does little but then excites the crowd with something making you say WTF! Bailey Matera - if I am not mistaken this is Peter's son but plays more like Phil, came in and out of the game and took a really nice mark but nothing to suggest he will be anything exceptional

I have only seen Petracca once live and was really impressed but I went to the game with a view of keeping an eye on others and little knowledge of him. But very early on I was "who is that kid" Funny you say about his awareness around contests - that and his tackling ability were the fist things which initially attracted my attention. Attacks the contest hard with a an attitude of if I don't get clean ball no-one else will Had an awareness of players being close by and the need to accelerate early and hit the ball at pace catching others flat footed and naturally creating much needed time and space If there was heavy congestion made the decision of his next move before getting ball in hand so once he had got the ball he already knew what he was doing next He looked like he enjoys hurting opponents (love this in a player) and he maintains his awareness when teammates have the ball and are under pressure to apply a shepherd or solid body pressure on an opponent. When he tackles they stick and he wraps the opponent up so they don't break the tackles - I would think he will maintain this at the next level despite opponents being bigger at AFL level So was it a one off I don't think so, it was done throughout the game and not in spurts so it would suggest it's in his DNA. By all accounts he backed it up in the game against Vic Country last week so he may well be the one who started around mid second round prospect but shoots up the pecking order as the season goes on

On what I saw he lacks Sylvia's natural ability and makes up for it with workrate, which was a big tick for me

Durdin they desperately need a few key position defenders and apparently are trying to turn Cam McCarthy(Pick 13/14 I think from last year) into one

I couldn't attend WA vs SA on Saturday but attended last week WA vs Vic Metro(started a thread on the game) and was very keen to see how good Brayshaw was. As per my write up Petracca caught my eye, played across HF and also had runs through the middle. Looked a big bodied mid and applied good forward pressure, I love seeing players not only apply pressure but have that want to hurt people (legally) when they tackle or apply contact and he did this at every opportunity. I know not many had him in the first round/early second round but on what I saw last week will move up fairly quickly and whilst it's only one game he would fit in to our style which is what the Swans have of a number of players who can play several positions and rotate through the middle

I was just about to reply that he is very much in the Rockliff mould, hard worker, accumulator without breakaway speed and could play TAC level as a forward probably even get by playing a key role due to his ferocious attack on the ball and clubs could make the mistake of overlooking him as an undersized kep position prospect

I was at the game on Saturday and Jared Hardisty and Waterman were the most impressive of their mids, on Saturday's game I would be putting a line through taking Jarred Pickett in the first round, flashy with very low workrate

Attended the game today and from start to finish Vic Metro were clear and away the better side, really good inside with clean hands and always had a loose man outside who once with ball in hand broke away easily and the delivery inside 50 was very good. Vic Metro could have won by 100+ had they kicked straighter. I went today keen to see Angus Brayshaw through the middle and whilst he was good and really looks to have a good tank and work ethic but there were others who stood out namely Christian Patrecca found plenty of the ball and his tackling was ferocious and he looks a good size and would step into AFL without any issues in size, Touk Miller looked good and was constantly putting pressure on WA defenders who had no answer to his tackling and his ball use was good and he was very good in congestion. Cavka I know nothing about but along with Petracca was one of the standouts, he caught my eye with his workrate and his willingness to run hard after feeding off the ball to provide an option. Number 6 for Vic Metro Ahern was very good with his run through the middle and showed a strong ability to break the lines. WRIGHT is some size and a very good kick for a young guy that big, whilst he didn't star he showed enough to suggest he will go high in the draft. A few glimpses of being good below his knees which will rate highly as a KPT and his positional sense and awareness of when to go to a contest and when to hang out the back is something someone so young usually needs to be taught. WA were really bad mostly across the field and bombed the ball into their forward 50 on numerous occasions despite Vic Metro's 2 big defenders Langford and Vickers-Ellis dominating their defensive 50, these two boys were very impressive. Mark young Waterman down as a monty to go to Meth Coast, his decision making is excellent and he uses the ball extremely well and he just knows how to read the play and finds space easily. The knock on Waterman is his pace lets be honest he has none otherwise he would be top 5 but still going to be a very good player and I don't see why they wouldn't take him. Clem Smith was undisciplined and gave away two silly 50m but was hard at every contest and laid some good solid body hits, one of which left one of Vic Metro's boys a little shaken up for a few minutes. Smith's ball use is good and he will stand out at the next level with players who know where to run and lead. Jared Hardisty from Claremont was very busy throughout and showed some very clean hands and accumulated plenty of the footy. Not sure at around 5ft 9 that he will go in the first 3 rounds but worth a late pick or rookie as his workrate and ability to find the ball were impressive. Jarred Pickett showed about 2 minutes of highlights and bursts of pace but my god he doesn't work hard and does not put in the effort to get pressure/body or a tackle on an opponent or get to a contest that is not to far away from him. I would imagine he will talked of highly by many because you would be able to put together a nice highlight reel for him but for me really needs to work harder. So for me if I was picking on today Petracca - big bodied mid excellent disposal hard at the ball and makes tackles count Wright - the glimpses were enough and I can see the ability to just impose himself Braywhaw - very good 1st quarter went out for a bit in the middle but finished strongly and has a fantastic tank Cavka - worked hard didn't just admire some good work went again to get another kick or provide an option Waterman - just a quality footballer and if he had pace would be an absolute star Ahern - line breaking pace and shows a lot of ability to cause problems breaking from clearances Smith - is developing into a Byron Pickett clone and loves to hit hard Langford - controlled the defensive 50 and plenty of sides need tall defenders Miller - really good decision maker and applies some good pressure inside 50 Hardisty - accumulated plenty of the footy showed the required workrate their will be doubters on his size

No worries I'll be there with my two boys aged 6 & 8 who will be dressed in Pies & Dees gear. Sitting in the main stand

Cheers for that Chaser, I'm looking forward to WA vs Vic Metro in 2 weeks and getting a live view of Brayshaw. One of the WA boys I rated (Cody Grace) wont be appearing having done an ACL in training.

Is he old enough to be drafted this year or are you talking 2015 draft

Not bad RW you spent 1 hour posting while you were in the spare room on your own, just out of interest how many neighbours banged your misses in that 60 minutes

My opinion on Lycett is he lacks agility, I have seriously seen Milk turn quicker, which is why I rate Sinclair higher and I also rate Sinclair as a better ruckman but that is my opinion.

Stuey watch the 2002 Qualifying Final Melbourne vs Adelaide, watch how bad Darren Jolly was and listen to the commentators basically lambasting him, he was a premiership ruckman 3 years later Who was Maric at Adelaide I saw Cox when he was at East Perth and his first couple of years at Meth Coast nothing special, Sinclair is very athletic can play forward and would come a lot cheaper than a Pick in the Top 3, which could be used to deepen our midfeld with players who have 2/3 preseasons under their belt. I do not know how you can base your thoughts on Sinclair as he has played little at AFL level due to those Meth Coast have at their disposal. Jono Griffen is a very good ruckman and will want game time and wont want to be second fiddle which all depends on how Sandilands body holds up Zac Clarke is just hitting the right age bracket and his form is suffering somewhat at the moment due to an interupted pre-season, he is another athletic ruckman who can play a variety of roles Darcy Cameron was overlooked somewhat surprisingly last year but has been very impressive playing seniors at WAFL level so far this year, sharing ruck duties with Mark Seaby at Claremont , looks to have a fair bit of hunger after a reality check at the draft. Takes marks around the ground, provides pressure at stoppages and in the forward line is a good tackler. If WRIGHT is the one big reward but big risk given what you would get in return for the pick and you would also want to be guaranteed the Lions or if anyone else finishes below us doesn't take him or trade the pick

Same was said of FRASER & KRUEZAR, no thankyou trade the pick for two quality mids & target ruckman not getting regular game in their sides the same way other clubs have managed to get hold of Jolly, Mumford, Hale & Jacobs. Cox & Sandilands came via the Rookie draft and I do not want to take another chance on WRIGHT

Freddie's time has passed fits very much into very good WAFL player not quite good enough AFL level. Just for you Loyal Royal below is a snapshot of the highlights reel for "The Sold Outs" in last weeks Perth Derby Go Cardies!

Still maintain keep 1 pick in the Top 2 or 3 whatever we get and do another Tyson Salem type deal with the other picks GWS Trelaor, Shiel Port Wines - the one area they are not great is in defence do they want Durdin, but don't see them giving up Ollie Suns Prestia, Swallow Crows Sloane, Talia Swans Hanneberry, Parker Lions Rockliff, Redden

Adelaide - Depending on where they finish they may be open to trading one of Sloane or Dangerfield, Sloane yes and Danger only if they believe he may walk at the end of 2015, Brisbane - They need a replacement for Brown, I doubt Rockliff would be put on the table or Luenberger and given they may finish close to us a trad eis unlikely Carlton - This is the club who will be big time looking for KPP, but who do they have/or are likely to give who would improve our list. Collingwood - IMO it would depend on how their young players come on namely Keefe, Witts and what Jesse White shows, I would consider Sidebottom and an exchange of first round picks Essendon - Can't see them chasing any KPP'S Freo - as you suggest their eye and money will be on HOGAN, they wont offer Fyfe, Mundy may return home but I don't see it unless it to a flag contender Geelong - I think they will back their philosophy of drafting well and producing from within GC17 - They have a gun midfield and lack the forwards of GWS, Prestia and Swallow recently just signed highly unlikely but they are the two I would be asking about GWS - Dylan Shiel and their activated mid first round pick?, they may get offered a Kruezer/Yarran or someone else in exchange for Patton and may wish to get another KPP in Hawthorn - agree with you can't see them chasing a young KPP North Melbourne - agree with you I would want Ziebell and their firts round pick for pick 1 Port Adelaide - can't see it but if you don't ask you don't get, Schulz it not getting any younger, How about Ollie Wines - I know it wont happen Richmond - don't see it happening St Kilda - as you say they will be down with us so not likely to get hold of Jack Steven for Pick 1 or 2 Sydney - agree with you West Coast - they would still love a small forward and some pace through the middle and could give something with their first pick if they finish high enough for a crack at the Indigenous Jarrod's from South Freo Pickett/Garlett Western Bulldogs - I expect them to finish fairly low and wouldn't they love two picks in the top 5, put it on the plate and ask what are you prepared to give

Johnson dominates at WAFL level and I am often asked why the Dees let him go andmy reply is Johnson is to slow at AFL level, has a big turning circle and gets bullied by bigger more mobile ruckman at the next level. One of the people I have said this to on numerous occassions attended the East Perth vs Peel game on the weekend as his son plays for East Perth. On Monday he said to me now I see what you mean about Johnson, Clarke showed the difference in a WAFL & AFL standard ruckman. I am sure there are plenty of boys in Victoria who carve it up at VFL level but can't make the step. On Clutterbuck he is one of many who are very good mids but just don't have the x-factor for the next level

Josh DELUCA is a kid I will be keen to see in WAFL and how he progresses. Caught my eye a little bit last year as a younger colts player and found plenty of the ball in the midfield. Subiaco will have an improved team in the WAFL and if DELUCA gets regular game time in the seniors will be interesting to see how he goes.

If Clem Smith does not sort himself out and get his attitude right he will slip down the pecking order in a similar fashion to Dayle Garlett. The kid has immense talent and potential but thinks it's just going to happen for him.

Tom Mitchell - plays alongside O'Keefe, Jack, Hanneberry, Kennedy, McVeigh, Bolton & Mcglynn O'Meara - Ablett,Bennell & Prestia Crouch - Thompson, Dangerfield, Mckay, Sloane, Vince & Van Berlo Wines - Ebert, Boak, Hartlett, Wingard & Cornes I don't think I need to say anything else

and the fact you didn't give Dunn votes yesterday says a lot about your footy knowledge