Yep I think that’s fair. According to people who know him better than I do, prior to U18s (so last year and this year) Berry played almost entirely through the midfield.
I noticed waylon davey motlop kicked 4 the other day in the Sandringham v oakleigh game i think it was. If he can get his fitness up to an adequate level he could be a rookie selection, as he is super skillful. Likes to throw his weight around too unlike the other daveys.
@noobermensch have you done any Jayden Nguyen videos yet?
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I did one last year, but he’s been a bit disappointing this campaign for me.
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Kako’s weekend game. Tough conditions for a flair player like him but he was pretty clean with the wet/slippery ball.
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Yeah i saw that one last year thanks. Dammit, i haven’t watched much this year, but was hoping he’d have a good draft year as he’s been pretty consistent all throughout his junior years.
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A few caveats to this one. IF we want to release Nic Martin to play a more attacking role, and IF we’re not sure about the other existing half back option on the list, then I really like Harry Oliver. Tough and driven kid with a great balance to his game.
Do you think Nguyen’s skillset would be better suited to a Small defensive position or a rebounding, he seems to have a bit going for him on both fronts without having set the world on fire in either
@THE_DON1 has likely seen more of him over a long period than I have, but I feel like the attacking and rebounding side of his game is more prominent. You see him running off his man quite assertively and getting involved through the middle of the ground and high up on the wings, even half forward line.
Weird, I looked him up on rookieme to check my memory of his stats and performances. According to them, he’s averaging 30 disposals per game in the Talent League… which definitely isnt right.
I double checked on the Talent League app, and that seems to more closely match my memory. Averaging slightly fewer disposals than last season at 19 per game. Stats aren’t everything of course, but I was hoping to see him break out with more maturity and seniority and be more influential in games, which hasn’t happened yet.
Still plenty of season left.
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Maybe he just doesn’t wanna be in the same position as Kako and forced to move elsewhere
Fun game today with WA knocking off the more fancied SA. A couple of boys performed well that will be somewhere around our picks. Bo Allan I have late teens to early 20s at this stage, and Luke Urquhart a tad bit later than that.
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Not sure how we were more fancied. Many people in the know over here have said this is one of the worst lot SA has ever assembled and very negative about them.
Can’t say I agree with that. The people you speak to must be incredibly negative.
You have what looks to be the best ruck at the champs in Alex Dodson. You have an excellent midfield group with Sid Draper, Ben Camporeale, Phoenix Hargrave and next years probable number 1 pick Dyson Sharp who’s already proved he can more than match it at this level. You have quality on the wings. And you’re kicking to a potent forward line with fancied talls and smalls.
The area that might be a little under stocked is in defense but otherwise its a potent champs squad to my mind.
This is the same age group that SA won the U16 champs.
This is miles better than last years SA champs squad. Now that one really was a bit of a stinker.
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This top 40 stuff for non-academy clubs is complete bs. Been watching Watson from Hawks who was an elite junior…I know it’s tougher in the afl being 5 ft tall but his finishing has been rubbish
Not really sure how the two parts of your comment fit together. What does Nick Watson’s struggles in front of goal have to do with bidding on NGA kids in the top 40?
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Any Key forward/Ruck players at the pointy end of the draft this year
I was thinking the same thing, best S.A team we’ve seen in a while.
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Depends on how pointy. I guess if its too pointy they won’t be available to us anyway unless we really mess up.
By key forward/ruck do you mean someone specifically that can play both roles? We have Jack Whitlock. He’s 200+cm, has mostly played key forward but does relief ruck at times. Still very skinny. Has slid a little on my board, I had him mid teens, but he hasn’t been kicking goals as consistently as I’d like and there are so many others this year that are pushing their case.
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Key talls in general, my favourite is Jonty Faull. He’s a fierce competitor, takes a good grab and scraps hard when the ball hits the ground. Has had trouble staying fit this year but played one Talent League game and kicked 5 goals. If he can get over the niggles and play out the season I expect him to end up somewhere in the top 10.
Jobe Shanahan is one that others fancy more than myself. Some have him in the top 10. He’s athletic and moves really well, but hasn’t been nearly consistent enough to justify a high pick to my mind.
There’s Matt Whitlock. Brother of Jack. Has largely out performed Jack over the year and has played forward and back. Not quite as tall.
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An athletic forward in that 198cm plus that can relief ruck would be perfect to develop alongside caddy would be my pick for this draft