When is the Pre season and Rookie Draft? After todays' draft neither WA team is participating in the Pre season draft. How many rookie positions are available on the Dockers list for next season?

4. 2 of the 6 spots taken up by Macca and Parker as Vets.

Dean Kelly would be a target I reckon. Probably a ruckman as well.

If Matt Burgan is right, then midget-speedster Nathan Batsanis could be a target.

In terms of a ruckman, did Nugent get picked up?

You can just about be certain that some very good AFL players will come out of the Rookie system in this years rookie draft. Sheeds himself said that in today's Herald-Sun.

The clubs know this, hence many of them clearing up room on their rookie lists, i dont think we will see a re-drafting of a rookie listed player. In freo's case i personally think this has to be the way to go.

This draft was exceptional, there are a lot of good players who were not drafted. Whilst i'm in agreeance in the move to go into "all out attack mode" and grab Tarrant and Solly by trading picks, i think using the rookie draft as a back-up is the way to go. And lets face it nobody's had more success with the rookie draft than Freo.

A good analysis Sharky. Young blokes, preferably WA boys such as Dodd, Sandilands etc from previous rookie drafts show that this is the way forward. I think that both the eGirls and Syddeney both had 4 players each in the Grand Final that had come from previous rookie drafts.

I agree with other posters that the selection of Dean Kelly would be excellent considering a 6 goal TAC Cup GF performance, but would also like young Shark Harry Taylor selected;
http://216.246.15.127/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=110

For those who have not seen Harry Taylor play, he is a mobile key back/ruckman with a big leap and classical kicking style. Best comparison would be like a left footed JLo with his loping running style or even from yesteryear, Paul Harding?

Anyhow, very impressed the way Taylor battled away in big losses the Sharks suffered mid season against Souths and again against Claremont where he matched Daniel Bandy. We have all marvelled at the improvement of Johnson this season and I think Taylor too will improve significantly considering he only just turned 20. Rumble appears likely to be selected considering we did not redraft Warren and concerns over the durability of Haddrill?

Further, we already have a young/project ruckman in Warnock so would like to see us draft a mature ruckman such as Swan Districts’ Tallan Ames for cover in case of injury. Ames I think tried out for Hawthorn last year, and would be good to see him given opportunity on an AFL list.

My rookie draft would be something like;
Dean Kelly
Harry Taylor
Darren Rumble
Tallan Ames (mature age rookie)

Benet Copping may get another run as a late maturer like Crowley. He played some tight games at CHB for ERoyals this year and showed a bit. Woul be happy with your picks though DP.

Is the mature age rookie in addition to the normal rookie list or does it drop you down to 5 (or 3 in our case with 2 veterans)?

The word around the place is that Copping's been told that he'll be rookied.

Rumble is the other obvious choice. Which is 2 KPPs, one developing, one ready to rumble (boom-tish).

So the other two spots are up for grabs.

Ames might be a good backup. Michael Griffiths is another ruck option.

If we do go for a mature aged rookie, it simple takes up one of the normal rookie spots.

So my guess
Kelly
Rumble
Griffiths/Ames
Copping

Ames would be a good pick up. Unfortunately, he had a serious knee injury early in the year. Not sure how long before he will be back. He is a very talented and versatile player.

I know that some of the people at Moss st, have mooted Macarey as a mature-aged rookie, but his one year on the eagles rookie-list ages ago means he's not eligible.

I personally have my doubts about him being up to AFL standard, however it would of been interesting to see if he had been eligible what CC and the coaching staff would of done. He clearly has some ability, with Rocket Eade and the doggies thinking MacDougal is worth another go at AFL... then you'd think Macca would be testing his angry streak, because he is the exact same age, a bigger build and had a better WAFL season.

Plus went to Wesley too.

[Edited by Dockerland on 27-Nov-06 08:48]

Kelly, copping and rumble are on the list of players that are allowed to train with Freo, looks like Warren is out, dont know bout many of the other rookies though, so im guessing those 3 would be picked up

Does this mean we'll lose / have lost Toby Stribling and those other guys who have been hanging around for a couple of years?

It's a tough business.

Definately Kelly, would also seriously look at Batsanis and if German is giving Rumble the seal of approval,he could be a likely prospect with questions marks hanging over Hadrill. Of the local talent down at souths ,I would look at Clint Jones and would give Josh Head another go , the kid has grown from being a boy when we had him to a man with real physical presence playing for SF.

[Edited by Redgum on 30-Nov-06 19:01]

We need some more talls. Could Freo be daring and go with Robbie Tarrant??? The big - little brother.

Also is McCauley from EP colts a chance? There are some other high possession and promising key position players in the WAFL sides that have not been picked up.