What’s the link between Smartt and Reid?
Bendigo Pioneers
They once played on the same team so everyone has assumed they must be best mates.
10 Likes
Smartt is not an AFL footballer. Jye Menzie 2.0.
7 Likes
I think you have it arse about. An elite ruckman isn’t the one getting all the clearances themselves and picking up 30 possessions a game IMO. An elite ruckman is the one that taps to advantage and allows the smaller, faster, better ball users to do what they are paid to do. While the blokes you mention in the first group with Grundy are great for supercoach, I reckon they are bad for overall team function. The reason Cameron, English et al are better IMO is that they bring their midfields into the game and that second group have the great midfields of the comp.
2 Likes
As if Gawn playing well doesnt help the demons win. They won a premiership off the back of Gawns brilliance.
Xerri nearly single handedly won them the game against us just a couple weeks ago. Did you not watch the game?
Xerri and Gawn are both pretty much leading the coaches votes this year, meaning they are currently being recognised as the best players in the comp by the coaches. You could argue North and Melb arent winning many games…well I would argue they would be even worse without those two.
5 Likes
Aka Ned Cahill 3.0
4 Likes
The guys I mention are the ones that are perceived as elite based on their stats and therefore their contracts and earning potential.
I agree, I think they are a double edged sword.
Even a dominant tap ruckman can be easily negated if you assume you will lose most taps and play defensively, the occasional one you win will be more damaging as the team that is used to having tapped down their throat won’t be in a position to defend.
1 Like
You’re making my point.
And the money it costs to keep those guys happy is gonna reduce the talent of those around them.
You point out Gawn, he also had an midfield with Petracca, Oliver, Viney and Brayshaw.
Dean Cox also the best ruck of his day and he only had Cousins, Kerr and Judd.
Outside of these two the list of premiership ruckman is full of good ruckman but not exactly era defining ones.
Keating, lade, Barnes, Ottens, McEvoy/Hale, Robert friggen Campbell, Jolly, Jordan roughed, Mumford, lycett, Early Nank, Stanley, and whoever tucked for the lions last year
You literally said players like Gawn dont impact the success of failure of their team, while im arguing they absolutely do. Gawn is prob melbournes most important player.
Its not a prerequisite for winning a premiership i agree, and there are obv examples of teams winning despite having an average ruckman, but geez it helps if you have an elite one.
1 Like
Some good prospects to be sure among this list, but the write up makes them all sound like world beaters. No doubt written this way to garner more interest in the MSD.
The only question l have is: How many Tiger listed prospects will we steal this year?
2 Likes
Thers I think 4 Tiger VFL players who could be picked up.
54 Tom McCarthy
12-Jul-2000 (24 years old), 2nd year in program, half back/inside mid, 189cm
Local club - Dingley (Southern FL)
Tom impressed in his first year, playing 15 games. A composed and balanced player, he has great footy smarts, clean ball handling, and deceptive speed. His leadership will be key this year.
57 Mutaz El Nour
14-Aug-2001 (23 years old), 3rd year in program, hybrid defender, 192cm
Local club - Deer Park (Essendon District FL)
One of our vice-captains, Mutaz is a defensive general. He reads the game superbly, is highly competitive, and sets up play from the back. Injuries have held him back, but he remains a key player. He is also involved at the Bachar Houli Foundation as a Victorian Programs Coordinator.
68 Sam Toner
23-10-2005, (19 years old), 1st year in program, forward, 184cm
Local club - Narre Warren
A natural goal kicker who burst onto the scene after dominating local footy, Toner made an immediate impact in the Coates Talent League. His speed, energy, and vertical leap make him a dangerous forward option.
Is Kai Daniels - Dyson Daniels brother?
(23 years old), 1st year in program, key position, 193cm
77 Massimo Raso
21-Apr-2006 (18 years old), 1st year in program, half forward, 171cm
Local club - Deer Park (WRFL)
Mass has had a strong couple of years at the Western Jets as an inside mid/half forward. He is very smart and very clean at ground level. He’s also got speed and agility and is balanced with ball in hand.
Local club - Golden Square (Bendigo league)
An exciting key position prospect, we’re excited to have Kai join us for 2025. Returning to football last year in the Bendigo league, Daniels immediately impressed with his athleticism.
1 Like
Tiges have a pick before us, they will be nervous about us sweeping in and dong another Durham, so l expect they will choose one before we can.
1 Like
Not at this stage, they don’t have a list spot open
1 Like
I thought l read on here somewhere they did. The Tiges nervousness just got uprated to full blown anxiety.
Might be gone by the time we pick but nothing’s certain when it comes to the MSD
Mid season draft fancy Michael Sellwood did his best work in this game through the middle two quarters where he was extremely influential as the WAFL built a big lead over their SANFL rivals. Sellwood has taken more marks than anyone in the WAFL this year and watching him play you can see why as his best attributes show up in that stat. He positions himself assertively and comes off his man to impact third up in the air, taking intercept marks or disrupting with spoils, and he works extremely hard in transition to find space and offer himself as an outlet for his teammates.
2 Likes
Eagles considering with pick 1.
1 Like
I’m liking the idea of El Nour, but is he only a short KP option or can he take medium forwards? Sounds like a Kelly replacement if he can shut down mediums, but with better disposal.
Yep, but I think the latest is that they’re firming on Tom McCarthy.
2 Likes
He looks like what we wish Jaxon Prior was.
3 Likes