This kids has some very luxurious hair.
(From Draft Central)
DRAFT ANALYSIS: “Cahill provides a rare mix of the flashy and more unheralded traits as a hard-working small forward who is developing his craft further afield.”
SMALL forwards are often patchy at best, but Dandenong Stingrays product Ned Cahill is one with many points of difference. Consistency over 12 games for the Stingrays and bursts of brilliance across four for Vic Country helped Cahill push into the top 25 range mid-year, blending shrewd work around goal with a high work rate up the field and his developing midfield game. A high-impact player, Cahill failed to find the goals in just four of his NAB League appearances, scoring in each Vic County outing and booting multiple goals in five other NAB League games. He has the potential to become that high half-forward who provides around 15 disposals and two goals per game, having averaged 18.3 disposals and 1.4 goals in the NAB League to go with 12.3 and 1.5 respectively at the national carnival. Unlike many others in a similar position, you know what you are going to get from Cahill more often than not, with his attitude and combination of growing accumulative ability and goal sense making him a reliable choice. Clubs after a hard-working small with a more refined area of growth need look no further.
STRENGTHS:
Goal sense
Footy IQ
Work rate
Defensive pressure
X-factor
IMPROVEMENTS:
Midfield craft
Four-quarter consistency
Cahill looked like developing into a pure small forward with two promising displays early in the season where he hit the scoreboard from low disposal hauls, before springing to life through Rounds 3 to 7 where he averaged 23.3 disposals and two goals across the four games. Arguably the best game of the lot was his four-goal haul against Western at the end of that run, with Cahill’s goal sense and ability to work further afield at the fore. He is deceptively good in the air, with his footy IQ making each repeat lead a worthy one as a complete forward option. It means Cahill can find the goals in a range of ways, not limited to deep-lying crumbs off the packs and snaps around the corner. Most of Cahill’s best facets come from a good endurance base, with his 21.2 yo-yo score and 6.17 minute 2km time elite for small forwards and making up for a less elite speed rating. Still, Cahill covers the ground so well and is a menace inside 50 going both ways, adding defensive pressure to his attacking work. His average of over 3.5 tackles in both the NAB League and national carnival are great, with his presence around the ball particularly influential.
If Cahill can greater translate that presence to the stoppages, he also has the scope to become a midfield option. His 178cm and 77kg frame is the most obvious factor holding him back from that at the elite level, and Cahill also seems to rack up the ball much easier on the outside or when burning a direct opponent in the forward half. He showed he can accumulate as much as 29 disposals this year with some added midfield minutes, but will more likely become more of a role player up forward. And while Cahill is largely consistent considering his position, that area came a little unstuck during the national carnival – not for a lack of effort though. He had five outlying games of under 15 disposals in the NAB League and only averaged 12.3 for Vic Country, remaining relevant with his pressure acts but not always having the same impact going forward across four quarters. Perhaps that is to be expected for a small, but improving that will help Cahill become even more well-rounded.
DRAFT RANGE: 30-60
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This guy would be the one player drafted last night who is half a chance at playing senior footy next year. Few would have thought Brayden Ham would have got a run in the seniors when he came on board this time last year. Cahill having a good endurance base really helps his chances.
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Yep. He’s already got the build to play too.
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He’s ready to go physically for sure
Papley according to Swans site right now is 178cm 76kgs
Cahill being listed at 178cm 77kgs already
Similar stocky little goal sneak! Like.
Was being rated in top 25 mid year so def can play.
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Yep, Papley comparison is a good one.
If he’s half as talented we have a useful player.
Suits the modern game this guy, reckon we did well
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Sounds a bit more like Monfries than Papley. A smaller lead-up type small with good hands and some potential midfield attributes.
He’s been retired for a couple of years and you’re still talking about Angus’s midfield potential. I admire your perseverance.
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Remember that game against the Crows at Football Park when he had 41 touches or something ? If only he could have replicated that a bit more often!
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Class of 2019: Meet the goalsneak who loves a celebration and the ‘Plugger’ position - AFL.com.au
Nov 5, 2019 4:00PM
4-5 minutes
Ned Cahill celebrates a goal for Vic Country. All pictures: AFL Photos
“GO PLUGGER.”
It’s a message from the coaches’ box that all Dandenong Stingray players want to hear. It’s also a message that Ned Cahill received quite often throughout an impressive 2019 campaign.
‘Plugger’ is a position the Stingrays have created for players
that are running hot. Paying homage to St Kilda and Sydney goalkicking great Tony ‘Plugger’ Lockett, it’s a licence to go to the goalsquare and an instruction not to leave.
“It’s always fun when the coach tells you to go ‘Plugger’,” Cahill told AFL.com.au .
“You think to yourself, ‘bl00dy oath, bugger off boys’. It’s a lot of fun.”
Fortunately, Cahill has the smarts and the nous around goal to make ‘Plugger’ the most natural position for him.
Clean and dangerous on ground level, the 178cm forward has kicked goals in bunches this season and enjoyed some of the NAB League’s most dominant individual games from the forward line.
He kicked three goals from 29 disposals against the Oakleigh Chargers in April, bagged four majors from 19 touches against the Western Jets in May and helped his side win its first final against the Murray Bushrangers with three goals from 21 disposals in August.
It’s helped elevate Cahill to become one of the NAB AFL Draft pool’s most attractive and intriguing small forward prospects, alongside his Stingrays teammate and close friend Cody Weightman.
The two are tight, and it’s no surprise. Both are energetic and enthusiastic characters, with their blossoming partnership inside both the Dandenong and Vic Country forward lines clear to see.
“I love a celebration, but I normally plan it with a few other boys … like Cody,” Cahill said.
“We’ve got a little handshake thing that we work on.”
Cahill, a boyhood Sydney fan, has long idolised Swans goalsneak Tom Papley.
Indeed, the manner in which Papley plays is reflected in Cahill’s game. He’s clever inside 50, while he has the ability to burst through the midfield – averaging 18 disposals per match in the NAB League this season.
But it’s not just the way they play their football that is comparable. There are also some similar personality traits.
“He’s a bit crazy on the field as well,” Cahill laughed.
“I wouldn’t say I get stuck in like that, but if I’m going alright and if they’re talking a little bit I don’t mind giving a little bit back. I think I’m just up and about as a person.”
Fortunately, Cahill is able to back up that $punk with his work ethic and output on the field.
His top-10 finish in the 2km time trial at the NAB AFL Draft Combine was reflective of his running ability, with Dandenong Stingrays talent manager Darren Flanigan of the belief that his aerobic capacity makes him an even more dangerous prospect in the forward line.
“He works really hard,” Flanigan told AFL.com.au .
"He’s got a really good 2km time trial, so he works his defender over, plus he’s very good at creating turnovers in the front half and he’s good finisher.
“He’s got a good motor. There’s no reason why, with a little bit more craft around stoppages, he couldn’t spend a bit more time in the midfield. But he’s just so valuable in the front half, especially with his finishing and his pressure.”
Despite his stints through the midfield, it’s forward where Cahill feels most comfortable and forward where he thinks he’ll play his best footy at senior level.
“Last year we had such a strong midfield with the Stingrays, with three or four of them getting drafted, so as a bottom-ager I was never going to be able to get into that midfield group,” Cahill said.
“I had to develop my game somewhere else and that was forward. I really enjoyed that. If I had to pick between the two, I think I’d probably prefer to play forward.”
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Sounds like a great pickup this kid.
Cant wait for him to be an annoying pain in the ■■■■ for opposition teams…and fans.
I nominate DEV as this boys Nat-Rat.
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Sounds like Ballantyne to me…
9th post in and @Irons has blended street fighter with a training report and its only got 4 likes so far. You people should be ashamed of yourselves
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Yeah I think we are going to enjoy watching this guy play.
Kid is a papley clone. Great pick up.
Papley is quicker than he looks IMO. Not at the Charlie Cameron/Fantasia level, but still.
Seems that the knock on Cahill is that he’s not lightning fast for a bloke of his size.
All that said, I’m really happy with this pick up - love that he has a great tank/work rate, along with a high footy IQ and an ability to win his own ball.
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Josh Green but not ranga
Does Anyone remember Terry Cahill?
No 20 I think
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