 The Stingrays had a good year in the TAC Cup, making the preliminary final. I wouldn't say their list has any real stars of the future, but there are a few players who should be considered come draft day.
Dean Cadel
Details:
Club: Cranbourne
DOB: 13 Apr 85 Hgt: 181cm Wgt: 68kg
Position: Onballer/Wing
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee
TAC Stats:
2002: 11 games, 5 goals, 18.0 PPG.
2003: 7 games, 3 goals, 14.1 PPG.
Profile:
Cadel was highly rated at the start of the season, listed as one of the three players to watch by the Stingrays' coach. However, his year was wrecked by injuries and he only played seven games, most late in the year.
Dean is a wingman who is lightly built (although he tries to hide this by wearing long sleeves). He has some genuine talent - is a pretty good kick and has a big leap on him. I remember him kicking a great goal from the boundary against Sandringham – a real pressure set shot from a tight angle – and it never looked like missing.
I did have real queries over his willingness to put his body on the line, but he was much improved in the finals, so perhaps it was lack of touch the first time I saw him. Cadel tended to flash in and out of games I saw him play in. It's just sometimes he has that look of class and poise about him that makes you think he might be a chance. I'd be surprised though.
Hitman says:
Has had big wraps on him throughout his junior career, but may not have progressed enough at the final hurdle. A chance to get drafted, but I’d be very surprised if it was by Hawthorn; we have enough of his type already.
Chris Farmer
Details:
Club: Mt Eliza
DOB: 26 Jul 85 Hgt: 194cm Wgt: 87kg
Position: Ruckman
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 18 games, 0 goals, 5.6 PPG.
2003: 10 games, 0 goals, 5.8 PPG.
Profile:
Another player who was highly rated by the Dandenong coach at the start of the year but had his season ruined by injuries. Farmer missed the first nine weeks of the season so had no chance to play in the carnival.
Farmer was invited to the draft camp, so there is obviously a great deal of interest, but I can't see why myself. For starters, he is only 194cm, too short to ruck at AFL level. And as he stats show he doesn't do anywhere near enough around the ground to hold a key position at this stage. In fact he gathered over 10 possessions only once and failed to kick a goal in two seasons.
What Farmer does have going for him is he has real pace for a big man, he is surprisingly quick at times. Also, his ability to tap to his team's advantage is quite good for a kid his age. The ruckwork in the TAC is rudimentary to say the least, but he was definitely one of the more adept ruckman I saw this year.
What really disappointed me however was his effort in the Preliminary Final - he was towelled by Zac Dawson and although he suffered a knock didn't seem interested at times. Being tall and athletic clubs will be keen and I reckon he will get picked up, but I wouldn't be expecting much return for a few years at least, if at all.
Hitman says:
Too short to be a ruckman at AFL level, but despite his lowly efforts around the ground and in front of goal, his athleticism could see him punted on by a club looking to mould him into a mobile key defender. Would be a very late pick at best, but maybe worth a look at a rookie spot due to lack of talls in this group.
Linden Fredericks
Details:
Club: Noble Park
DOB: 28 May 85 Hgt: 180cm Wgt: 74kg
Position: Back Pocket
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
Back Pocket in TAC Team of the Year
State Screening Camp Invitee
TAC Stats:
2003: 13 games, 1 goal, 14.0 PPG.
Profile:
With his wild hair and helmet Fredericks is very easy to recognise on the field. But he can play a bit too, and has several traits that you love to see.
Linden is basically a back pocket who gives 110% every week. I can't recall one game where he didn't work his guts out, even if he was beaten (which wasn't very often). His form earned him a spot in the Vic Metro team and as back pocket in the Team of the Year. Linden's work rate is exceptional - 75 tackles for the season is just some evidence of this. He has a bit of tow and will attempt to provide drive out of defence as well as negating his opponent.
He has very clean hands, rarely fumbles, even when under the pump and he can keep his feet well. However, there are a few things that make me think he might miss out. He has only taken 18 marks in 13 games; he definitely does his best work when the ball is on the deck. But Linden's major drawback is his disposal - it's questionable at best and a lot of his good work got undone at times.
Fredericks would make every opportunity count if he gets one on an AFL list, but I'd think it would be a rookie list at best.
Hitman says:
An ex-teammate of mine at Noble Park, Linden has come a long way from the cocky little kid he was in the early 90s. So far, in fact, that he was a standout for Vic Metro in a few games, using his dash out of defence to catch many an eye. I disagree with Dom and predict that he will be drafted, because rebounding defenders are very important in today’s game – even if there are doubts over disposal. Creates too much drive to be ignored.
Phillip Georgios
Details:
Club: Pearcedale
DOB: 11 Aug 85 Hgt: 182cm Wgt: 71kg
Position: Wing
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
State Screening Camp Invitee
TAC Stats:
2002: 8 games, 7 goals, 13.5 PPG.
2003: 16 games, 12 goals, 23.5 PPG.
Profile:
Georgios is a free wheeling wingman that gathered plenty of possessions during the year, most notably in the final carnival match against Western Australia, where he gathered nearly 30. However, his opponent that day was Farren Ray, who also gathered over 30 in what was basically a shootout. Georgios was good, but I thought Ray was more damaging, and that's where I worry about Phillip.
His ball handing is excellent – some of his gathers at pace are really impressive. He has a compact kicking style, but despite this gets pretty good distance on his kicks (can kick competently on his left as well). Pace is reasonable, but his decision making at times can be average, such as turning into trouble and not protecting himself and getting crunched.
Can get forward to kick a goal, and good ones too. He is very much a downhill skier, what his opponent does is irrelevant it seems, Georgios just concentrates on collecting the footy. I wouldn't say he is a very damaging player; there were games where I barely noticed him and apparently he had close to 30 touches. This, and his lack of accountability are my main concerns. However, his ability to find the footy might mean a rookie listing or a late pick.
Hitman says:
Players of Georgios’ kind are so common that despite having obvious talent, many slip through the net. Phil is one that probably will. Skilful but not influential, Georgios simply doesn’t do enough damage for a downhill skier. It is for this reason that I think he’ll be looked over completely.
Luke Herrington
Details:
Club: Crib Point
DOB: 4 Jan 86 Hgt: 177cm Wgt: 74kg
Position: Full Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
All Australian 2003
MVP for Victoria Metro 2003
2nd in Larke Medal (Best Player in Division 1)
Full Forward in TAC Team of the Year
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2003: 15 games, 51 goals, 10.5 PPG.
Profile:
Every year there is a joker in the pack - a player who can't be neatly defined and put in a category like people like to do with the draftees these days. Last year that joker was Stephen Dinnell, who was totally overlooked. This year's joker is Luke Herrington, and where he will be drafted will cause a lot of debate right up until November 22.
Herrington is a 5'10 leading full forward who can't play anywhere else. Doesn't sound promising does it? He is a one-trick pony, but gee, it's a bloody good trick.
The first time I saw him play was round one against Eastern when he kicked 3.2, nearly all on the lead. I thought nothing of it, but every time I saw him play he just got more and more impressive. Herrington is also easy to remember thanks to his dreadlocks and mates from Crib Point, who rock up to his games in singlets and with an esky, even in Ballarat when it's seven degrees.
Herrington has some serious talent. His pace off the mark is exceptional - the number of times he would leave an opponent five yards behind on a lead was incredible. Next, his hands are so sticky you would swear he had superglue on them. You could count on one hand the number of two-grab marks Herrington took this year. He’s very much a one-grab player.
The other thing about him is his ability to read the play. It's uncanny and cat-like. Every miskick, floater or dodgy torp - invariably Herrington would end up on the end of it. His reaction time to play up the field is first rate. Of course, it's no good marking it if you can't convert, but there are no problems there. Herrington kicked 51.22 for the year and is a beautiful set shot.
He will bring teammates into the game, holding the ball up until a he can dish off to a running teammate facing goal. I was lucky enough to see three of his best games – five goals against SA, eight against Ballarat and 9.2 (including seven in a half) against WA – and you had to be sold.
However, there has to be queries. Firstly, he can have bad days. Brent Hartigan from Calder killed him both times I saw them play on each other. Also David Mundy from Murray gave him a bath in the Vic Metro vs. Vic Country game. Herrington took the slow conventional full backs to the cleaners but struggled more against a quicker opponent. However, even on these off days (bar one) he still managed to kick at least two goals, the sign of a good player.
Luke also tends to 'cheat' a bit, and if he doesn't make the initial contest will duck back towards goal in the hope his teammates will win the footy. This can hurt at times, such as in the Preliminary final when Hartigan just waltzed down and kicked a goal on him. He also needs space to work in - he is a leading not crumbing forward, more in the Mark Williams or Paul Medhurst mould.
As you can tell by the lengthy profile, I have more notes on this bloke than any other I saw all year. Yet I still don't know what to think. I reckon he will be taken, around the middle of the draft, but have no idea if he will make it at AFL level. An exciting prospect.
Hitman says:
Dom said it perfectly: “He is a one-trick pony, but gee, it's a bloody good trick.” Surely has to be picked up, even if the club that does doesn’t plan to use him as their prime target. The major question is whether he can convert his TAC Cup dominance into AFL standard forward play. His hauls for Vic Metro couldn’t do him any harm, and I’d be stoked to see Harrington at Glenferrie with our 51st pick.
Marc Holt
Details:
Club: Cranbourne
DOB: 24 Jul 85 Hgt: 187cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Centre Half Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Victorian Metro 2003
2nd in TAC Coaches Award 2003
Centre Half Forward in TAC Team of the Year
TAC Stats:
2002: 8 games, 5 goals, 6.6 PPG.
2003: 20 games, 32 goals, 15.0 PPG.
Profile:
Holt is a bullocking centre half forward who dominated at TAC level this year thanks to his huge body size.
Reminds me very much of Jarrod Molloy the way he plays, just crash and bash anyone in the way. Holt is a very strong mark overhead, and plays much taller than his 6'1. I did see him used once in defence but I couldn't see him playing anywhere but CHF.
His work rate is good and he will present hard all day. Kicking is alright, although he can be dodgy from a set shot at times. 140 marks for the year (seven a game) gives you some idea just how good he was.
However, I'd be surprised if he was picked up. I think Holt is one of those players who benefits from having a mans body in an underage comp. He is too small to play a key position at AFL level, and couldn’t play midfield. The fact he wasn't even invited to screening camp seems to confirm he has little chance. Could possibly be a good VFL player, though.
Hitman says:
One of the poor kids caught in no mans land: too short for a key position and not mobile enough for a flank or midfield. Could be used as a full forward, but no one drafts pure full forwards these days, and he isn’t quick enough off the mark. Will more than likely miss the boat.
Sam Rouette
Details:
Club: Bonbeach
DOB: 16 Jul 85 Hgt: 181cm Wgt: 75kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Left
Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2003: 19 games, 5 goals, 19.3 PPG.
Profile:
Rouette is an onballer who had a good season without being outstanding. He tends to swap between time in the centre square and the half-back flank. Rouette is a left footer, and for some reason tends to favour kicking across his body a lot. His hands in close are good, and he does pretty well at the stoppages.
Is a fairly good mark for his size. However, the problem with Sam is there are 20 players just like him in this draft, and there will be 20 more next year as well. No disrespect, he is a good player, but there is probably nothing special that will make a club sit up and take notice. Possible rookie list.
Hitman says:
Run-of-the-mill midfielder who brings nothing no one else doesn’t to the table. Nothing special, and could get a rookie spot, but nothing really suggests he’ll get drafted.
Kane Taylor
Details:
Club: Langwarrin
DOB: 10 Apr 85 Hgt: 190cm Wgt: 70kg
Position: Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
State Screening Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 3 games, 2 goals, 6.3 PPG.
2003: 20 games, 11 goals, 14.9 PPG.
Profile:
Taylor was a bit of a surprise nomination for state screening camp, after a solid but not spectacular year playing as a utility for Dandenong. His best attribute is probably his size - 190cm yet can play on a flank. Is still very skinny and would take a few years before even beginning to reach his full potential.
Was selected in the initial Vic Metro squad but was cut after the trial match against Vic Country. I've seen him play a few times and he hasn't really done anything outstanding. He has a good leap from memory, can take some quality marks, but his reading of the flight is a bit iffy. Once again, TAC stats are just solid, best of 26 possessions against Geelong. Kicked 11.17 so you would have to query his set shot kicking.
Once again, like most of his Dandenong teammates, I can't see any better than a possible rookie listing, but that would be doubtful.
Hitman says:
I didn’t notice Taylor much when I saw him play, and judging by his stats and attributes, I’d be surprised to see him make an AFL list.
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