The Next Liam Anthony, Greg Broughton, Ben Howlett will be.......

Thought we could get this fired up over the course of the WAFL season in 2010.

With mature age players starting to get a bit more attention I thought we could put our heads together, watch our individual clubs, and others, and bring forth some names who could be drafted.

I still think there are between 10-20 blokes who could quite easily walk onto and AFL list and be comfortable.

If more players like Anthony, Broughton and Howlett get drafted, not overly quick, tall, agile, but quality ball readers and pure footy players I reckon we'll see a few more on AFL lists.


To get things started I'll put forward the names of two blokes who I think could make it on an AFL list.

Toby Bairstow SF MID HFF

DOB 02/11/1988

Could only be played in the midfield, isnt overly quick, has neat skills and is pretty good by hand. He's a bloodnut so he'd stand out, has a knack of racking up contested ball and normally finding his teammates in space. Likes to drift forward and kick a goal as well.

Clinton Gartlett SD - MID HFF

DOB 16/04/1991

Bunbury product, I've only seen this kid once and I reckon that's all I'll need. Dual sided, has ridiculous agility to go with an AFL ready body, is quick over the first 20 steps and has some courage. Fitness wise he may have a way to go, keeping in mind I saw him play on a warm day in round one. Sometimes you watch a kid and immediately say, he's good enough, where has he been. He's one of those kids.

Both from the SWFL. I think Toby has just missed the boat. As you have said he is not that quick and would need to put in a Sandover type of performance this year to even be considered as being drafted.

Clinton was always a standout from his junior days and always played above his grade but let off-field issues take him a step back or 2. But in saying that he should get drafted this year

I would like to add a special comment on Anthony Tsalikis West Perth Forward . I don't think he will get picked up as he is 27 now and will be 28 next year but he is been in fine form. If the Eagles could waste a pre season pick on Troy Wilson who did some service to the club I am sure a club who is in need of a cheap forward could draft him as a mature age rookie.

Kym Monteath from EF.....22 probably getting on the fringes of being over mature....has pedigree through his old man...Bruce.

Freezin said:

Kym Monteath from EF.....22 probably getting on the fringes of being over mature....has pedigree through his old man...Bruce.

Click to expand...

Freez, what happened to Rhys Monteath? Didn't he go to the VFL to improve his chances on getting drafted. Is he still there?

It kills me that both Monteaths played at the Sharks instead of at their home

Tundrawolf said:

Freez, what happened to Rhys Monteath? Didn't he go to the VFL to improve his chances on getting drafted. Is he still there?

It kills me that both Monteaths played at the Sharks instead of at their home

Click to expand...

Tundra, Rhys Monteath went to try out with Richmonds affiliate side Coburg about 4 years agao, in the hope of getting a AFL gig with Richmond....played a few games for Coburg then went to Port Melbourne...other than that that's all I know.....Kym Monteath was a pretty good junior who won a lot of EF junior F&B in a strong comp.....slow to come through, but he has now and for me is an important player in the EF midfield.....I guess it was all about transferring that self belief....

Wheres Groenenberg these days?....hasn't played any of SF league or reserves games...with Murphy, McCarrey, Wilson, Bossong, Hunt etc on your books I'm quite suprised EF didn't try and win him over like they did with Riccardiello....EF are a few dozen short of tall forwards!

What about Krakeour (sp) being given another chance at AFL level ?.

He should.

Playing some great footy.

The young Roach boy was impressive in his first game. Looked very good and a great size, like to know his stats height, weight and age.

masai said:

What about Krakeour (sp) being given another chance at AFL level ?.

Click to expand...

I doubt he will get a second chance with that jail sentance he had hanging over his head.

Mayneman said:

He should.

Playing some great footy.

The young Roach boy was impressive in his first game. Looked very good and a great size, like to know his stats height, weight and age.

Click to expand...

Time will tell for this player.

Tsalikis maybe? Really good HFF. Sailor, looks a good FP type.

Robinson and Twomey, although time may have passed them.

Nathan Phillips is an interesting one, I think he's developing his game better whilst in the midfield, but was a very good FP. He'll be about 23, I think, so maybe not and 2 years ago I wouldn't have given him a shot.

James Thompson should be given another crack, I reckon.

I'll watch East Freo closely this week.

Yeah I said Tsalikis but at 28 next year don't you think thats beyond? Yes I remember Wilson and the eagles

PHILLIPS could be really looked at as well as Sailor (playing well this season)

pacemaker said:

Yeah I said Tsalikis but at 28 next year don't you think thats beyond? Yes I remember Wilson and the eagles

PHILLIPS could be really looked at as well as Sailor (playing well this season)

Click to expand...

No, you're right, didn't think Tsalikis was that old.

After three rounds;

Phillips is averaging 25 posessions, 7 marks, 3 inside 50's and 3 tackles per game.

Gartlett is averaing 16.5 posessions, 2.5 marks, 4 inside 50's, and 5 tackles per game.

Bairstow is averaging 27 posessions per game, 6 marks, 3 inside 50's and 3 tackles per game.


From my perspective, the standout from those three is Gartlett, smaller numbers but looks like he has a bit more time and does the special things that make you take notice.

Bairstow's posessions dont hurt that much and he may be a touch slow. Phillips is developing his game pretty quickly, a few years ago he wouldnt lay a tackle and didnt know how to handball, he's carrying the footy and looks in good nick fitness wise.

Let's see how these guys perform for the next 5 rounds.

Anyone got any others to add?

Bairstow is like Priddis, he can rake the possys up but he isn't really a damaging player but is essential to creating the play.

Probably worth a rookie pick at an AFL club but I don't think it will be a WA based club. Maybe some Vic based clubs will potentially see him as a Barlow and draft him due to the fact he can get lots of touches.

Phillips I can see him being an Andrew Embley, can play as a midfielder and can be damaging playing forward. Best move of his career for him to get away from the Thunder as they gave him no chances to develop which can happen to a couple of players down that way

Gold Coast is going to open some doors for mature-age players from state leagues. They won't fill their list entirely with kids from the draft, especially with so many mature-agers doing ok at other clubs.

Looking at A Hams over the early rounds he could be a bit of a Broughton when the Eagles give him a go - absolute ball magnet mopping up in defence and then after being subdued yesterday goes forward and kicks 4.2 in a quarter! Just about the most improved player in the WAFL and yet he was just about a gun away!!

This thread is very close to the mark, with one player in particular, already being sounded out by a Vic Club.

Sorry Freezin, wasn't that impressed by Monteath. He was good, didn't make me sit up and take notice.

Andrew Krakeouer, he made me stand up and take notice.

Clint Garlett was good, in patches.

Ryan Davis, when back from injury would have to be observed.

Claremont have a mozza of them to watch.

We've said Thompson before.

Richardson, have to be at least considered, surely?

Kane Mitchell, remember seeing him as a scrawny colts player, now he's beefed up and more importantly, toughened up. Runs all day, hits contests all day.

Jesse Laurie, has to be re-considered, or is there something I don't know?

Jarrod Ninyette, or ninja, as the claremont boys call him. 23 yo from Gosnells, blistering pace and amazing evasion skills. He's like a cat on a hot tin roof! Still very skinny though.

I wasn't going to say anything but Brodie Filo (Peel) impressed me on the weekend. Reminds me of myself when I was playing

Nathan Phillips picked up another 29 possessions, 11 marks, 9 inside 50's and 3 goals from a wing today.

Set up Murphy and Wilson in the forward 50.

Really has improved his game since moving to a wing. Much improved player and is really putting his hand up.

Still think Toby Bairstow would be worth a punt from a depth perspective. Adds alot around the ball.

Looks like Gartlett didnt player, but I will say this.

Andrew Krakour must be some sort of chance, he's racking up big numbers and is a class above the WAFL level, one of the knocks on his game pre-prison, was a lack of hardness and maybe fitness around the footy.

He's developed both massively, so much so that he should be on an AFL list.

West Coast would be well served by him in the f50, even on ball.

Another who I liked the look of when he played the bulldogs was Tom Roach, looked a really classy, natural football. Picked up 30 possies today and I'm positive most would have hit their target.

When you get a chance Swannies can you give us your thoughts on Roach. Looks a very good sort.

Thomas Roach - 25yo from Victoria. Swans have been trying to entice him over for 2-3 years and finally succeeded. He always said he thought the hard, fast WA grounds would suit him. Has played in the last two Northen Bullants VFL premiership teams. Perhaps should have come over to WA after being delisted by Richmond because I feel he could have re-ignited an AFL career.

Quick and elusive winger, listed at 181 and 70kg, right footer. He has pace to burn and specialises in getting out of a phone box, right foot or left foot step, carves a path through the opposition. Kicking is generally pretty good, but can often try to kick a pinpoint pass whilst travelling at Warp Speed 3, rather than settle first. He's courageous, goes back hard into his opponent when the ball is in the air. Sound overhead, but it's not a particular strength or weapon. Decision making is usually good, but again can make poor decisions when travelling at high pace, evading half the opposition team.

Any info I've left out?

EFH, would love you to do one on Ninyette for me, please?

Hmm, thought he was younger than that.

Cheers

Mayneman said:

Hmm, thought he was younger than that.

Cheers

Click to expand...

25 in September Mm.

Clint Garlett probably played his best senior match for Swans today. Stayed in the match all day, has some serious elusive skills and delivers the ball nicely.

As I mentioned in the Matches thread, Perth have a few that impressed me, with Elari being involved in everything and being very quick. However, disposal can let him down but he wouldn't be an orphan at some of the AFL clubs.

Sneeuwjagt looked good, runs all day, looked good with his skills. I've been hearing about this kid for 3 years or so from Demons faithfull but today he put it all together. Been in reserves for a year, maybe 2, so has had to work.

Warner looked good in patches and will only get better. Certainly put on some beef since I saw him last year at U18s/colts.

Following on from my posts previously, Phillips had another 25 possessions today but thought he was pretty average. Went chasing kicks and didnt apply much pressure through the middle, having said that, easily in souths best again.

Little Fasolo impressed me for East's today, didnt get much of it but looked polished when he won the footy forward and has a superb set shot.

Would love to see how he would handle and extended run on the ball.

Kyanga is ****ing fast, would be good ifhe ever taught himself to kick it longer than 30 paces.

I expect Phillips to be rookied this year (is he still young enough for the young rookie list? I assume it is still under the age of 23?)

Kyanga should get rookied in a game which is screaming out for PACY players in a ever so PACEMAKING game.

I also like the look of Chad Jones getting a 3rd AFL chance as a mature age rookie (think he will be 26 this year?)

Brodie Filo may be given a shot as a rookie if he keeps up his form as well

Well it's the half way mark, or close enough and the same names seem to be cropping up.

Phillips had another quality game on the weekend from a wing, racked up 23 possesions, 3 goals and more importantly laid 11 tackles, something he would not have done a year ago.

One of the most improved players in the comp, enough to get drafted?

I think it will be a great milestone for him as a player to represent his state if he makes the cut.

Andrew Krakouer despite his age is literally playing out of his skin. He doesnt stop running, his ball use has been exceptional and his tackling is fierce. The only barrier is his age. And personally, I really dont think that should be an issue.

There will be some who will say he is damaged goods, but **** me, he's my sandover favourite at the moment.

Another Swans boy who has impressed me immensely is young Clint Gartlett, elusive, dual sided and very creative.

The Swannies have a knack of harnessing indigenous talent and from what I've heard around the traps he's being monitored by more than 1 victiorian club.

Just oozes class and is one of those players who can stop quicker on the spot, evade opponents and look as though he's going at 80%.

The base is there, were he to get on an AFL list I think he'd be a fantastic FP/HFF who could rotate on ball. You cant have enough of these types.

My favourite of the year has been Tendai Myzungu, I make no apologies for that, I know Fremantle are keen on him and with good reason.

The South Perth prodigy has smartened up, had a haircut and is now one of the elite runners of the competition. Playing on a wing and across the flanks his pace is noticeable, his ball carrying ability the best in the comp, the only area he lets himself down in finishing in front of goal.

If Ben Howlett can get drafted, if Ben Stratton can get drafted, if Kayler ****ING Thompson can get draft this blokes shoe in.

Ian Richardson has to be some sort of show, consistently hitting the scoreboard, his damaging left boot is all class. Love his inside 50's.

Made it all the way to draft camp last year and still wasnt picked up which was a massive surprise, 6 clubs invited him and none took the punt.

He'll be a big show again.

So far;

Souths: Nathan Phillips

Swans: Clinton Gartlett, Andrew Krakour

Claremont : Kyfer Yu, Ian Richardson, Thompson ( Broken Ankle ) Ryan Brabazon

Perth : Tendai Myzungu

Feel free to add guys, these are my picks thus far, dont think Peel has any mature age players who will get a look in, Filo and Elari are just a tad too small IMO.