Jump to content


Recommended Posts

Posted

THE SMOKEY (NUMBER 69) by Whispering Jack

I did my best, it wasn't much and though I hoped the AFL would do something to help out (by penalising GWS a draft pick or two for its role in the Lachie Whitfield affair - predictably a forlorn hope), in the end I had to write something about Melbourne's second pick in next week's AFL draft at number 69.

It would be fair to say that the history of the selection is not particularly encouraging. The passing parade of players picked at 69 reads like this -

2006 - Ben Warren (Kangaroos)

2007 - Kepler Bradley (Essendon)

2008 - Bart McCulloch (Brisbane Lions)

2009 - Taylor Duryea (Hawthorn)

2010 - Cameron Delaney (North Melbourne)

2011 - Mitchell Golby (Brisbane Lions rookie upgrade)

2012 - Mark Hutchings (West Coast)

2013 - Pass (Sydney Swans)

2014 - Logan Austin (Port Adelaide)

2015 - Wylie Buzza (Geelong)

Looking back over the past decade gives the impression of a boulevard of broken promise; a number of hopefuls including one upgraded rookie who never quite made it and in 2013, the Swans provided the selection with its ultimate humiliation by turning up their noses and giving it a pass. 

There always has to be an exception to the rule and typically, the beneficiary of the exception was Hawthorn in 2009 when it selected Taylor Duryea who has gone on to play in two AFL premiership teams (2014 & 15). And just to show that the Hawks have the Midas touch when it comes to recruiting, they used the next pick at 70 in that draft on another dual premiership player in Matt Suckling who was picked up by the Bulldogs as a free agent last year and was unlucky to miss out on a third flag early last month.

So there is a glimmer of hope that the number 69 will produce a miracle and perhaps even a repeat of history - not just the Duryea selection but also that of Melbourne's Jayden Hunt who was snapped up in the 2013 draft at number 57. Hunt had not played TAC Cup but rather, was spotted playing for his school, Brighton Grammar in an APS game. 

There's a similar story brewing about another APS footballer, athletic St Kevins College student 18 year old Oliver Hanrahan (183cm 74kg) who had a superb season at schoolboy level. The lightly built Hanrahan is a lively half forward who can push into the midfield and hits the scoreboard. Like Hunt, young Ollie didn't play TAC Cup but he would have been noticed by scouts who came along to look at other prospects in schoolboy games. Highly rated draft prospect Tim Taranto from the Sandringham Dragons (where a number of Hunt's schoolmates played) also attends St Kevins.

Hanrahan was superb in the APS v AGSV representative match and his performance left a few clubs including Melbourne wanting a further look at him - Hawks eye forward with late pick

He was good enough to gain selection in the AFL Young Guns game in September and just as Jayden Hunt did in the same match three years ago, he put in a strong game and the rest is now history.

AFL Draft Central's Matt Balmer had Ollie going at 70 in his recent Phantom Draft so it's not outside the bounds of possibility that he might end up with the Demons.

Inside Football's 2016 AFL Draft edition produced this pen picture 

Oliver Hanrahan 27/8/1998 Ht: 183cm Wt: 74kg St Kevins

"Ollie played school footy this year mostly across half forward but went through midfield towards the end of the year. He has great athletic ability and ability to keep feet. He is a good kick, smart-decision maker, quick over ten metres and deceptively strong overhead. He needs to improve his tank to go the next level but he concentrated on his cricket over summer and at school so he was a bit behind at the start of pre-season." - St Kevins College Coach Paul O'Brien.

He's my smokey for 2016.

* if you thought the opening words of this piece sound familiar they come from songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, a favourite of mine, who passed away last week and a great inspiration. 

  • Like 3

Posted

I noticed that my print edition of the Herald Sun article "Hawks eye forward with late pick" mentioned above didn't include the paragraphs about Ollie Hanrahan so here is what it said about him:-

"St Kevin’s Oliver Hanrahan is also shaping as a smoky selection, despite only playing school football.

Fremantle, Geelong and Melbourne are all expected to consider the half-forward late in the draft, while Western Bulldogs and St Kilda first showed interest mid-season.

One scout on Friday said Hanrahan was “excellent around goals and a Taylor Duryea-type long term”.

While his omission from the TAC Cup is a concern for some, St Kevin’s director of sport Luke Travers believes it could be a positive.

“I think his advantage will be that because he hasn’t come through the system, he’ll be easier to coach and to mould,” Travers said.

“Most clubs get to the end and pass on picks. Why pass? He might be the diamond you find in all the coal you dig out.”

Hanrahan’s stocks swelled with an impressive game at Geelong Grammar and kicked four goals in an APS representative match."

Posted (edited)

Smoky may be Alex Mastromanno. Saw him in the VAFA rep under 19s v Vic country team. He moves well and has the inbuilt footy smarts as a midsize forward. 

I think he is more likely to be chosen as a late rookie so smoky option for national draft.

Edited by spirit of norm smith
*

Posted
On 11/19/2016 at 2:42 PM, Whispering_Jack said:

I noticed that my print edition of the Herald Sun article "Hawks eye forward with late pick" mentioned above didn't include the paragraphs about Ollie Hanrahan so here is what it said about him:-

"St Kevin’s Oliver Hanrahan is also shaping as a smoky selection, despite only playing school football.

Fremantle, Geelong and Melbourne are all expected to consider the half-forward late in the draft, while Western Bulldogs and St Kilda first showed interest mid-season.

One scout on Friday said Hanrahan was “excellent around goals and a Taylor Duryea-type long term”.

While his omission from the TAC Cup is a concern for some, St Kevin’s director of sport Luke Travers believes it could be a positive.

“I think his advantage will be that because he hasn’t come through the system, he’ll be easier to coach and to mould,” Travers said.

“Most clubs get to the end and pass on picks. Why pass? He might be the diamond you find in all the coal you dig out.”

Hanrahan’s stocks swelled with an impressive game at Geelong Grammar and kicked four goals in an APS representative match."

The standard of footy at the old school has certainly improved since my days patrolling the back pocket in the seconds in the 80s.  

Worth considering a la Hunt. Consensus on his draft night was that he was at best a rookie pick though later revealed we thought Pies might pounce late in draft. 

Posted
42 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Ben Jarman at pick 68... anyone? thoughts? it would get the media interested and be a story.

From all accounts, the kid has the talent. Just needs to stretch 3cms and 7 kgs.

His dad has stretched a lot more than that.

  • Like 1

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Demonland Forums  

  • Match Previews, Reports & Articles  

    2024 Player Reviews: #7 Jack Viney

    The tough on baller won his second Keith 'Bluey' Truscott Trophy in a narrow battle with skipper Max Gawn and Alex Neal-Bullen and battled on manfully in the face of a number of injury niggles. Date of Birth: 13 April 1994 Height: 178cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 219 Goals MFC 2024: 10 Career Total: 66 Brownlow Medal Votes: 8

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 3

    TRAINING: Wednesday 13th November 2024

    A couple of Demonland Trackwatchers braved the rain and headed down to Gosch's paddock to bring you their observations from the second day of Preseason training for the 1st to 4th Year players. DITCHA'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS I attended some of the training today. Richo spoke to me and said not to believe what is in the media, as we will good this year. Jefferson and Kentfield looked big and strong.  Petty was doing all the training. Adams looked like he was in rehab.  KE

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports

    2024 Player Reviews: #15 Ed Langdon

    The Demon running machine came back with a vengeance after a leaner than usual year in 2023.  Date of Birth: 1 February 1996 Height: 182cm Games MFC 2024: 22 Career Total: 179 Goals MFC 2024: 9 Career Total: 76 Brownlow Medal Votes: 5 Melbourne Football Club: 5th Best & Fairest: 352 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 6

    2024 Player Reviews: #24 Trent Rivers

    The premiership defender had his best year yet as he was given the opportunity to move into the midfield and made a good fist of it. Date of Birth: 30 July 2001 Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 100 Goals MFC 2024: 2 Career Total:  9 Brownlow Medal Votes: 7 Melbourne Football Club: 6th Best & Fairest: 350 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    TRAINING: Monday 11th November 2024

    Veteran Demonland Trackwatchers Kev Martin, Slartibartfast & Demon Wheels were on hand at Gosch's Paddock to kick off the official first training session for the 1st to 4th year players with a few elder statesmen in attendance as well. KEV MARTIN'S PRESEASON TRAINING OBSERVATIONS Beautiful morning. Joy all round, they look like they want to be there.  21 in the squad. Looks like the leadership group is TMac, Viney Chandler and Petty. They look like they have sli

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Training Reports 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #1 Steven May

    The years are rolling by but May continued to be rock solid in a key defensive position despite some injury concerns. He showed great resilience in coming back from a nasty rib injury and is expected to continue in that role for another couple of seasons. Date of Birth: 10 January 1992 Height: 193cm Games MFC 2024: 19 Career Total: 235 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 24 Melbourne Football Club: 9th Best & Fairest: 316 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 2

    2024 Player Reviews: #4 Judd McVee

    It was another strong season from McVee who spent most of his time mainly at half back but he also looked at home on a few occasions when he was moved into the midfield. There could be more of that in 2025. Date of Birth: 7 August 2003 Height: 185cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 48 Goals MFC 2024: 1 Career Total: 1 Brownlow Medal Votes: 1 Melbourne Football Club: 7th Best & Fairest: 347 votes

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 5

    2024 Player Reviews: #31 Bayley Fritsch

    Once again the club’s top goal scorer but he had a few uncharacteristic flat spots during the season and the club will be looking for much better from him in 2025. Date of Birth: 6 December 1996 Height: 188cm Games MFC 2024: 23 Career Total: 149 Goals MFC 2024: 41 Career Total: 252 Brownlow Medal Votes: 4

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 9

    2024 Player Reviews: #18 Jake Melksham

    After sustaining a torn ACL in the final match of the 2023 season Jake added a bit to the attack late in the 2024 season upon his return. He has re-signed on to the Demons for 1 more season in 2025. Date of Birth: 12 August 1991 Height: 186cm Games MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 229 Goals MFC 2024: 8 Career Total: 188

    Demonland
    Demonland |
    Melbourne Demons 7
  • Tell a friend

    Love Demonland? Tell a friend!
×
×
  • Create New...