manny100

Left field pick up but after the Initial surprise most posters are coming around to the reasoning behind picking AJ. His playing style will keep him involved in a game. Just as there are inside and outside mids there are also inside and outside KPFs. The insiders stay involved via contest, crashing packs and physicality. JVR is an inside KPF who can also play outside We got Kentfield as an inside KPF but he is still learning the caper.

Obviously targeted by JT. Goody was so happy he visited AJ at home. A crash and bash enforcer with athletic ability and raw but natural country footy skills. Sort of going back to the Dee's 'take no [censored]' of the mid/late 80's. We are obviously looking to toughen up the forward half.

193 cms is fine for a crash and bash back up Ruckman. JVR is back up at 193 cms. JVR crashes packs forward and provides a crash and physical approach to rucking. Back up ruck crashers and bashers are not there for their looks or ability to finess hit outs to mids. If Gawn goes down his back up now is Cambell. If JVR goes down AJ or maybe Kentfield would be considered as a back up. He may not get a game but heaps of listed players in the AFL don't.

Likely a crash and bash back up for JVR. Basically said that was one of his roles in the VFL GF. Crashed and bashed Crossly out of the game. Werribee knew they could win if they could subdue Crossly who is one of the best rucks in the VFL. He lost 13kgs pre season with Weribee. Spent the previous 2 and a half years rehabbing a bad knee. “I moved down from Albury and I’ve had a pretty serious knee injury for the past two and half years. This year I got my body right. I dropped about 13kg." "He (Brayden Crossley) is a dominant ruckman, he is probably the best ruckman in the league, and we knew if we could nullify him to less than 70 hitouts with crash and bash and wear him down we could be able to get them."

From the AFL Website Set'24. " AIDAN JOHNSON “Big Sammy Conway and I were talking about it with (former AFL ruckman) Peter Street. He (Brayden Crossley) is a dominant ruckman, he is probably the best ruckman in the league, and we knew if we could nullify him to less than 70 hitouts with crash and bash and wear him down we could be able to get them. “I moved down from Albury and I’ve had a pretty serious knee injury for the past two and half years. This year I got my body right. I dropped about 13kg. I felt on top of the world and it has all come together. It was hard work and Dom Brew has just been massive with that. We work together as well so we do a lot together. I was in a pretty dark place with all of these injuries, not thinking I was going to get back, but he helped me work through that.”"

Werribee has secured two more premiership players for 2025, with breakout key position pillars Aidan Johnson and Sam Azzi re-signing for the upcoming season. Both players, products of the Ovens and Murray Football League, broke into the team this year after overcoming injury setbacks last season, to play important roles in the premiership-winning campaign. Defender Sam Azzi and forward Aidan Johnson joined Werribee from North Albury and Lavington, respectively. Johnson, recruited midway through 2021, followed in the footsteps of former Lavington teammate and 2023 Werribee draftee Shaun Mannagh, saying, “Shaun Mannagh went off to Werribee, and I soon followed him a year later.” Azzi, recruited ahead of the 2023 season, also had a connection with Werribee through premiership captain Dom Brew, from his North Albury days. Brew, the J.J. Liston Trophy winner, shared his strong bond with the pair, stating, “I’ve got a soft spot for Sammy and Johnno; they’re both from back home.” He continued his praise during his J.J. Liston speech, adding, “To see them take the next step, they’re playing their own way and doing a bloody good job." Johnson entered the 2024 season with only one game to his name, having made his debut under extraordinary circumstances. The key forward was called up as a late inclusion for Michael Sodomaco after completing a running session that morning ahead of the 2021 match against the Northern Bullants. With a strong pre-season, including a standout performance in a practice match against Geelong, Johnson was selected in Werribee’s Round 1 clash. After he missed the traditional jumper presentation before his debut, Dom Brew, ahead of the matchup with the Cats, presented him with his guernsey, acknowledging Johnson’s perseverance: “You’ve had a hard couple of years, and you finally get some reward.” Johnson made the most of his opportunity, kicking his first career goal and gathering 14 disposals. Johnson went on to feature in every game up until sustaining a bicep injury in Round 13 against Sydney. Remarkably, he returned after just one week and hit a rich vein of form, kicking eight goals across the next three matches. His breakout season concluded in a seventh-place finish in the best and fairest count and a premiership medal. Reflecting on his journey, Johnson said, “This year I got my body right. I dropped about 13kg. I felt on top of the world, and it has all come together.” As Brew spoke highly of Johnson throughout the year, Johnson shared his admiration for Brew, saying, “Dom Brew has just been massive. We work together as well, so we do a lot together. I was in a pretty dark place with all of these injuries, not thinking I was going to get back, but he helped me work through that.” Sam Azzi, after joining the club in 2023 came into this season with three Werribee games next to his name, having battled injuries and making five local appearances for the ‘Hoppers’ in his debut campaign. The key defender started the season at local level, but after three consecutive standout performances playing for Yarraville Seddon this year, he broke into the VFL side in Round 14 against Sydney. Azzi quickly impressed, and only two matches later, with injuries to Nathan Cooper and Nick Coughlan was given the task of taking on the opposition’s number one key forward weekly. The defender delivered a career-best performance late in the home-and-away season in Werribee’s Round 19 clash against Southport, where he clocked up 16 spoils, the second-highest tally in a VFL game for the season. As Nathan Cooper returned for the finals series, they formed a key defensive partnership as Werribee went on a premiership-winning finals run. Azzi wrapped up the 2024 VFL campaign with a career-best tally of 10 games, where he averaged 8.4 disposals at a highly efficient 90%, and seven spoils per game—ranking fourth among defenders who played at least 10 games. Reflecting on his re-signing, Azzi expressed he is "very excited and fortunate to be going around again." As he heads into his third year with the club, he added, "I absolutely love the club and the people involved here. I'm looking forward to seeing what we can achieve with another year together."

Could be an ideal replacement for Salem in due course. Fantastic ball user, quick and outside/inside skills. Not saying Salem is finishing anytime soon but he is spending a bit of time in 'sick bay' with injuries.

Great pick up by the Dees. Go Dee's. Now we have a Langers to go with our Langers.

Extract from post of 'Spirit of Norm Smith' yesterday: "Lindsay is a player whose improvement areas are difficult to identify given he does so many things well, and has no glaring weaknesses. His best trait is arguably his ball use, credit to a raking left-foot kick when is often used to penetrate the attacking 50. He uses the ball well on the run, either wheeling away from stoppages or chaining possessions on the outside. Lindsay makes the right decisions and is largely effective in the short and long-range. Lindsay's kicking is perhaps at its best when lowering his eyes. He is adept at gaining quick metres and compounding them by launching the ball long, but looks so slick when darting short passes inside, down the line, or to leading targets inside 50. Either way, he generates great momentum in attacking phases either as a connective outside runner or clearance winner. My bold above - just what we need.

According to Zero Hanger his strengths are: Strengths Inside-Outside Threat Kicking Speed Output Expert comments; Expert comments "A left-footed medium defender and midfielder who displayed enormous footy nous in reading the cues to win the ball before making good decisions when distributing. A neat kick and aggressive tackler, he also showed good natural speed and agility." - Kevin Sheehan

Fagan all smiles - no wonder.

Make the Lions pay up.

It's really only media speculation linking Tarau to Nth. Not sure where they rank him but Rawlings said they will not over reach. It would be a risk teading to the Tigers pick 6 in case the Dee's snapped him up at 5. If they want him it's likely pick 2. Twomey says Langford is right for AFL for round 1 and he can play forward and has height. North may take Langford. Smillie is taller than Taura and may be able to play half back and half forward as well as mid.

Yep. Depending of the ranking of picks by the Dee's and Tigers we may get an offer by the Tiges for our pick 5. Also we have pick 9 and the Tiges pick 10 and 11. It's also possible we may get an offer for pick 9 for pick 10 or 11 plus pick 20 or more. Depends on the Tiges rankings and our rankings. We need quality over quantity so we would have to get a way to good to refuse offer before dropping lower in the draft que.

Agree. There is a lot at stake and it's not just Kalani. If we can get Kalani to nominate us then we likely will get 1st dibs on his twin brothers. The club would be very aware of this. Hope GC make the 8 next year as they can only nominate 2 players if that happens. They already have 2 likely mid type 1st rounders. They also have a stack of talls.

At 5 best available whether mid or tall. At 9 there are some talls, mids and running HB/mids likely available. So some needs come into play at 9. Considerations might be will/can Rivers, Kolt, pup, McVee turn into very good mids?. Will we move Petty and or Turner back if need be? How likely are we to get a tall EG Kalani White next 2025 draft? We will throw the kitchen sink at Kalani. Get him and we likely get 1st dibs on his twin brothers.

According to the HUN he is now 204cms and will train with us and GC. His grandfather rates him better than Jeff.

Cal would also get aot of info from player managers, ie how keen clubs were on players. Especially for the earlier picks.

Cal will post his draft on Monday 18/11/24.

If Goody sees Petty and/or Disco going back in a year or two we pick Armstrong or Shanahan. Gives us quality forward options and sorts out Back problems when TMc and May pack it in. If we pick up Kalani White in the 2025 draft he will likely take 2 or more preseasons to get a regular game as likely a KPB.

Agree regarding GWS. There is quality at the Saints pick 8 and GWS with a reasonably strong list need a quality player rather than quality.

I think its Langford or Smith at 5 and Traviglia or Allan at 9. The HUN have us with Armstrong at 9. Given the Saints delisted Membry and Hayes I would not be surprised if they take Armstrong with pick 8.

Smith or Langford at 5 - who ever slips. Travaglia or Allan at 9 for speed and power off half back and potential mid.

President Green's email today indicated a priority for the midfield. Jones's employed Assistant mid coach. Thar tells us that pick 5 at least will most likely be a mid.

Certainly a low risk pick ball magnet. Context is that there is usually a bust or 2 in the top 10 and you don't want to be the club that gets one.