 As there are not many likely draftees from these two states I thought I would combine the two. A lot of the NSW boys are covered in the article on Murray, and Tassie were so bloody awful at the carnival it was hard to see anyone worth picking up.
I don't know who has been invited to their screening camps apart from Tim Peterson, a 195cm, 91kg player from Tasmania who only played late in the season.
Kyle Archibald
Details:
Club: Ungarie Magpies, NSW
DOB: 23 Feb 86 Hgt: 190cm Wgt: 86kg
Position: Full Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
New South Wales 2003
Profile:
Kyle is a tall forward who is very agile and athletic. He is pretty young and can go around again next year if not drafted, but with his size he must be looked at.
Archibald is instantly recognisable with his blue helmet, and spends most of his time at full forward. However, he is quite prepared to wander up the ground to get possessions. This was best evident against Queensland at the carnival, where he worked hard all over the ground against Furfaro.
He is a good grab, but I'm still not too sure on his kicking. Some of his set shots in a Challenge Cup match were horrible. He is a good kick for goal in open play though. Not too sure about his actual pace or agility.
As you have to be 18 to be rookie listed he might get to go around next year instead.
Nick Potter
Details:
Club: Pennant Hills, NSW
DOB: 12 Jun 85 Hgt: 180cm Wgt: 78kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
New South Wales 2003
All-Australian 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 18 games, 8 goals, 18.3 PPG.
2003: N/A
Profile:
Potter is your typical hard working centreman. He is not particularly quick, but he covers a lot of ground, has an excellent footy brain and his disposal is spot on. He is also very consistent, I can't recall him playing a bad game.
Nick is very good at getting front and square at contests and reading the ball. He nearly always seems to end up with it, and will dish off a quick handball then scurry off to the next contested situation.
He is calm in traffic, prepared to use his left foot, and has excellent vision by hand. His workrate is good, lays a lot of tackles. Is also a real leader on the field, at the huddles he was the biggest talker for NSW.
Potter gathered 65 possessions for the carnival (3rd in Division 2), 20 or more in each game. He was a worthy selection in the All Australian team.
Nick is a solid, compact player with no frills. I'm not sure about his pace or scope to improve though. Possible rookie list (particularly for the Swans).
Rowan Andrews
Details:
Club: Clarence, Tas
DOB: 11 May 85 Hgt: 198cm Wgt: 82kg
Position: Ruckman
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Tasmania 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 9 games, 1 goal, 7.9 PPG.
2003: N/A
Profile:
Given the lack of ruckman in the crop of 2003, interest in Rowan Andrews is no doubt high. I'm not totally sold myself, he had a very disappointing carnival after showing real promise in the lead-up games. However, anyone who saw his form in the Challenge Cup would agree he has some real potential.
Rowan's main strength is his marking - can take some great grabs, contested as well. I wouldn't say his ruckwork is anything to write home about, but it usually isn't at this level. He was persevered with in the ruck for most of the carnival, but I think he could have done with some time up forward as well.
In a Challenge Cup match against Northern Territory he almost turned the game when moved forward in the final term, kicking a couple of goals and sparking a Mariners revival.
However, there are some things that worry me. His decision-making can be poor, and his kicking can let him down too. He seems to prefer to dispose by hand when possible. He works hard though and is reported to have an excellent attitude.
Like I said I have my doubts, but any ruckman will be a punt this year so you might as punt on him. Late pick.
Alexander Gilmour
Details:
Club: Wynyard, Tas
DOB: 29 Jun 86 Hgt: 180cm Wgt: 66kg
Position: Half Back Flank
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Tasmania 2003
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 13 games, 1 goal, 11.2 PPG.
2003: N/A
Profile:
Now here is a player that does look a likely type. Gilmour is only eligible to be drafted by 1 day, but I doubt he will get the chance to play underage footy again.
Gilmour played most of last season when Tassie were in the TAC Cup, half the year he was just 15 years old. Given he is a matchstick now I'm amazed he didn't get killed! This year he played really well in the lead-up games before getting injured just before the carnival and not getting a chance to play. Not only did this rob Tasmania of another good player, it also robbed them of leadership.
Gilmour was picked late in the year for the Tasmania Devils in the VFL and did quite well. He was very good against Box Hill of all teams off half-back. For a 17-year-old weighing just 66kg his courage is outstanding. He is not afraid to put his body on the line.
I suspect he will end up playing on a wing or half-back flank at AFL level, will need 2-3 years to baulk up. He has a very good footy brain and uses the footy well. He also excelled at draft camp, with top 10 results in agility, sprint and vertical leap. Given his youth and size, there is a lot of scope for improvement you would suspect, and I reckon he is worth a pick in the middle of the draft, rather than waiting until next year and possibly having to pay a lot more.
Billy Morrison
Details:
Club: North Hobart, Tas
DOB: 6 Jan 86 Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Tall Forward
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy
National Draft Camp Invitee 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 12 games, 18 goals, 9.0 PPG.
2003: N/A
Profile:
I can't really comment too much on this bloke - I haven't seen him play! Billy did his shoulder in Ireland during the International Rules series and missed the entire year.
However, everyone I speak to absolutely raves about this bloke. They all swear he was heading for a very high position in the draft until the injury.
Basically he is a KPP, mostly at full forward, although he can play back. To give you some idea of his talent, Morrison kicked 9 goals on his senior debut for North Hobart….at 14! He played in the TAC for the Mariners last year, kicking a couple of bags including 5 against Oakleigh.
Morrison was fit enough to participate at the draft camp, where he rated in the top 10 for the shuttle run, the only person over 190cm to do so. Saying where he will go is nigh on impossible - I wouldn't be at all surprised if he went top 20 given the lack of talls, but it's a bit hard for me to say.
Brett Robinson
Details:
Club: Burnie Dockers, Tas
DOB: 14 Dec 85 Hgt: 180cm Wgt: 68kg
Position: Onballer
Natural foot: Right
Honours:
Tasmania 2003
MVP of Tasmania 2003
TAC Stats:
2002: 19 games, 23 goals, 26.1 PPG.
2003: N/A
Profile:
Without Morrison and Gilmour, Tasmania was a disorganised rabble at the carnival, getting pummelled in all three games. Only one player performed well enough to get any attention - Brett Robinson. With 72 possessions (the most of any player in Division 2) he was the obvious choice for the MVP of the Mariners.
Robinson represented Tassie last year and impressed me with his hardness at the footy for a light kid. He is still pretty light on at 68kg, but his work ethic was excellent. He is prepared to use either foot, will provide drive out of defence and will run all day.
Robinson was forced to do a bit of everything, even taking the kickouts in the final game. He is pretty good at the stoppages and likes to kick a goal. He also made a few appearances in the state side at VFL level, and did quite well. He should be in the mix, but once again there are a lot of similar types to him every year. Possible rookie list.
Other Draftee Profiles can be viewed by clicking on the links below:
Dandenong Stingrays
Murray Bushrangers
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