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AFL Insider - March 2008

The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Essendon

6 - Kepler Bradley

13- Brent Stanton

28 - Jay Nash

44 - Ricky Dyson


From The Age: Who your team picked
The club says "Kepler Bradley’s a tall player who is quite flexible in the positions he can play. He just played in the premiership with West Perth, so has been playing against men. The other boys are very good midfielders and that’s what we have needed, and we got a half-back flanker in young Nash from South Australia, who’s quite a good player. They’re all state players. Probably the best 10 midfielders went early and we’ve probably got the best group."
Kevin Sheedy, Essendon coach.


Not a lot wrong with what Essendon did in this draft. Stanton, Nash and Dyson are all part of the team now. Pick 6 Kepler Bradley isn't around, and is now a Docker.

One of the problems that Essendon did have with Bradley was that he was "quite flexible in the positions he can play", they never decided exactly where his ideal position on the field was. He looked like Fletcher, in height and weight, but didn't play like him. There wasn't a spot for Bradley up forward with Lloyd and Lucas, and even Courtney Johns too. So maybe the Bombers drafted four midfielders in this draft, as Bradley had a few solid games playing on the wing.

Essendon probably got the order right with their next picks. Stanton is one of their most skilled midfielders, Nash is also a dependable player while Dyson brings speed but also some inconsistency at the moment. All three should be important players for Essendon over the next decade, and that indicates that the Bombers had a very successful AFL draft in 2003.


The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Collingwood
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March 31st 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Collingwood

17 - William Morrison

32 - Brayden Shaw

35 - Brent Hall

48 - Heath Shaw

60 - Julian Rowe


From The Age: Who your team picked
The club says "We’re ecstatic. We got two blokes, one at (pick) 17 and one at 35 that we had in the top 12. Billy Morrison’s a 193-centimetre centre half-forward/centre half-back who is only a 17-year-old boy who didn’t play footy this year because of a shoulder reconstruction. But he could be considered an earlier developer, with a great work ethic and uses his body in contests. Brent Hall is 198 centimetres and hopefully will develop into a key position player and can play in the ruck, but is a project player. Julian Rowe is a winger with nice pace and is a decent kick either foot. Brayden Shaw was a late starter into footy . . . but has a good footy head and heaps of leadership potential. Heath Shaw is good overhead for his size."


They were "ecstatic" to get Morrison and Hall, maybe they don't feel that way now. But at least they went tall with their early picks, as they knew they had some smaller players already from this draft with the father/son picks.

Brayden Shaw seemed to held in higher regard by Collingwood than Heath Shaw was at the time. Collingwood said that Brayden had "heaps of leadership potential" but in a year or two there is a chance that Heath captains the Magpies.

All they really got out of this draft was Heath Shaw, but that is a very good player to have.

The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Carlton
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March 29th 2008 @ 03:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Carlton

2 - Andrew Walker

57 - Ricky Mott

63 - Glen Bowyer

69 - Jordan Bannister

72 - Adrian Deluca

75 - Stephen Kenna

78 - pass

80 - pass


From The Age: Who your team picked
The club says "In any year, we would be delighted to get a player of Walker’s ability and from there we recruited for need, particularly ruckmen in Mott and Deluca. Our later picks were from within the system but they are all still young."
Shane O’Sullivan, recruiting manager.


Walker doesn't really play like a top 2 pick, a lot about him is still only potential. Of course right now there is his shoulder injury, which will keep him out for a few months. Walker is an athlete and can play in several positions and should be an important player for Carlton over the next decade.

The Blues said they were recruiting for need when they went with Mott and Deluca. They certainly needed ruckmen, but those two certainly were not AFL ruckmen. Deluca played like he was as tall as Kenna was, and Mott was worse.

Jordan Bannister is still around, which probably points out to how bad their drafting and trading has been in recent years. He tries, but so would a lot of players, but he is just an unskilled utility who sometimes stops an opponent. Not the worst pick at number 69, but even he might be surprised that he is still on the list.

Kenna and Bowyer were probably never AFL level players, but the same could be said for a lot of their list at that time.

The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Brisbane


For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info
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March 28th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Brisbane

18 - Llane Spaanderman

23 - Matthew Moody

33 - Jed Adcock

49 - Tom Logan

61 - Michael Rischitelli

68 - pass


From The Age: Who your team picked
The club says "We’ve got a good mix. One of things that does play against you when you continually have late picks is you miss the elite talent, but overall, we’re quite pleased. We took one tall in particular, Llane, and the others look like they’ll be able to play multiple roles."
Kinnear Beatson, recruiting manager


This draft occurred at the end of Brisbane's domination of the AFL, and they actually got a few pieces that are helping them become a contender again. Jed Adcock and Michael Rischitelli were very good picks who should have gone a lot earlier in the draft. That is balanced by the shocking Spaanderman selection, their early pick was just wasted by the Lions. Except for having a very unique name, Llane Spaanderman never provided Brisbane with anything positive.

Logan is now depth for another AFL team and very possibly Moody will become that during the next AFL trading period.

The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Adelaide
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March 27th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


The Good and Bad of the 2003 AFL Draft - Adelaide

It's gold, Jerry! Gold! A collection of expert analysis and quotes from all the teams as they celebrated selecting future stars in the 2003 AFL draft.

The teams that are going to be successful in 2008 would have gotten a useful start in their 5-year plan if they selected wisely in the 2003 AFL draft. Each team will get a look, starting with Adelaide, for how well they chose.

A lot of the people who made the quotes are no longer at their clubs, so when Neale Daniher talks about Colin Sylvia as someone who can be a "strong leader" and Richmond say that Frawley wanted some players who could play right away so they picked Shane Morrison and Simon Fletcher, you can tell that those plans didn't quite work.


Adelaide

14 - Fergus Watts

31 - Joshua Krueger

58 - Ben Hudson

67 - pass


From The Age: Who your team picked
The club says "We set out to get some talls and we’ve done that. Fergus is a tall marking forward who’s got some real courage, so that’s good, and he can pinch-hit in the ruck. Josh Krueger is a 21-year-old jumper, so he can play key position and ruck. Ben Hudson’s only played three years of footy but he’s 200 centimetres, so he’ll handle himself."
James Fantasia, recruiting manager.


"Fergie" and "Freddie" were their big choices, and a reason why the Crows never got to a Grand Final in the past few years. At least the Saints helped out the Crows a few years later by sending a high draft pick for Watts.

The Crows have nothing to show from this draft, but Ben Hudson did provide some solid work in the ruck until his recent move to the Bulldogs.

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March 26th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Player Of The Week

It has to be Brad Johnson who was the best player in round 1. Turning the game with some contested marks and skilful goals, there were times when the Bulldogs looked in a lot of trouble before Johnson came to the rescue.

An accidental elbow to the head didn't even stop him as he dominated the second half. Within a minute or two of taking a shot to his cranium, he was back on the ground and had kicked a goal.

When the ball wasn't getting forward, Johnson would go up the ground for some of his 22 possessions. His 9 marks were often taken at crucial parts of the game, and his 5 goals were the difference between winning his 300th game and losing.


Brad Johnson’s profile at the Bulldogs site
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March 25th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Geelong Will Win in 2008

For AFL news, round 1 teams and fantasy footy information and analysis as well as the 2008 Fantasy Draft Kit, go to www.allfooty.info


Bartel, G Ablett, Ling, Selwood, Corey, Enright, Kelly, Chapman and Wojcinski are a very good group of onballers.

Hawkins is bigger, and probably better, than Nathan Ablett so the Cats' forward line will be just as effective.

Egan didn't play in the 2007 AFL Grand Final, but should be there in the 2008 AFL Grand Final.

Lonergan is back on the senior list, adding height at both ends of the ground.

They have found out how to win, and just need to repeat that in 2008.

They lost some of their talls in trade week, but brought in younger and better talls with the draft.

The Cats do have a unique home ground advantage.

If injuries hit their AFL premiership players, they can replace them with their VFL premiership players.

Simon Hogan may not be hulking up, but what are teams going to do when Hogan runs wild on them.

They have a 100% record for winning premierships in the post-Kent Kingsley era.

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March 20th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Port Adelaide Will Win in 2008

They have one of the best ruck combos, with plenty of height and strength, and Lade can go forward and kick some goals too.

While one Cornes is good, two are better than one.

One Burgoyne is good too, and the Power have a couple.

Two Motlops and two Westhoffs are a positive too.

Salopek, Pearce, Boak, Rodan and Cassisi could be a starting group of midfielders at other clubs, but for the Power they aren't the primary players in the middle.

Tredrea isn't as old or as injured as some people think, and after a good preseason he is ready for a big year.

That club does have a tradition of winning a lot.

Ebert is one of the biggest little forwards in the AFL.

Pettigrew, Carlile and Chaplin are more than ready to take over from Wakelin in the back half.

Port Adelaide have been drafting well in recent years, so Lobbe could be the third tall forward that they are looking for.

For AFL news and fantasy footy information, including the updated Fantasy Draft Kit, go to www.allfooty.info
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March 19th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why North Melbourne Will Win in 2008

McIntosh has now established himself as one of the top ruckmen in the AFL.

Nathan Thompson and Leigh Harding were important players in 2006, so their return in 2008 should improve the team.

Hansen used 2007 to learn about the AFL, and will now play like a top 3 draft pick should.

Drew Petrie combines great height, strong marking and good reading of the play to be a wall at half back.

They nearly got into the 2007 AFL Grand Final despite all the rumours and disruptions from the proposed relocation, and in 2008 they can concentrate solely on football issues.

Levi Greenwood looked like a future star when he debuted in the SANFL last year, and he is ready to help the Kangaroos in 2008.

Jesse W Smith doesn't need the W in his name, but when he plays it often means North Melbourne get a W, as in a Win.

Simpson and Harvey are still at the top of their game.

Andrew Swallow and Daniel Harris are ready to play a bigger role.

Corey Jones can be a difference maker for the Kangaroos, able to exploit mismatches by taking tall defenders into the midfield or becoming a marking target in the goal-square if an onballer is assigned to him.


For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info
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March 18th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Collingwood Will Win in 2008

Thomas and Pendlebury are the choice of a new, post-Buckley, generation.

With Lockyer and Heath Shaw, the Magpies can instantly go from defending to attacking as they carry the ball and then kick accurately and long to the forwards.

Martin Clarke was amazing last season, so with a year of experience now he should be able to improve more in 2008.

With Rocca and Cloke they have two big targets to kick to, and the right mix of complimentary players around them as well.

A couple of drafts ago the Magpies went tall, and can expect contributions from Goldsack, Brown, Reid and Dawes in season 2008.

The 'Woods needed to find another ruckman, and Wood is a good choice.

With Sheedy and Pagan out of the AFL, Collingwood's coach is one of the most successful active coaches.

Collingwood still haven't seen a lot of Rusling, 2008 could be his breakout season.

Josh Fraser is among the top 5 ruckmen in the AFL.

If Chris Bryan didn't have his kick smothered they may have been in the 2007 Grand Final, so Collingwood only have to improve a little bit to get to the next level.
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March 17th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


AFL Dream Team Fantasy Game Open To the People

The Aurion V6 AFL Dream Team fantasy football game is now open. A few new features of the game should keep fantasy coaches entertained. A knockout competition should also provide plenty of action, it is a case of to be the man you have to beat the man, and at the end of it there can be only one.

ALL NEW FOR 2008, Dream Team Eliminator is the new 'League of Champions' knockout competition! From Round 6, your Dream Team will be matched up with another Team and play-off, based on your previous round ranking. WIN your match and proceed to the next Round - LOSE and it's the end of the road, with your team being eliminated.

For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info

Plenty of projected stats, comprehensive and updated rankings and other research materials for fantasy footy games in the AFL Fantasy Draft Kit and Cheat Sheets.
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March 14th 2008 @ 01:47

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Fantasy Football
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why West Coast Will Win in 2008

Dean Cox is the best of the best in the ruck.

Hunter can change a game as he goes from the hunter to the hunted, moving forward to kick some game-winning goals.

Glass is closer to the bulletproof kind, not the brittle stuff.

It could be a little bit quieter there now, so they will be able to concentrate on the football side of things.

They missed the input of Nicoski and Butler last season, so they will improve the Eagles when they return.

The Eagles had another amazing draft, watching other teams grab possible busts while they picked up future superstars.

Mark Seaby could be the starting ruckman at many other clubs, so having him on the bench behind Dean Cox means the Eagles have a quality ruckman on the ground at all times.

Half the Selwoods in the AFL have won a premiership, so adding another should bring good luck, not that they need another good luck charm because as long as Hansen is out there they don't lose.

Matt Priddis may not look like a superstar midfielder, but the stats say he is.

Embley helped them win one premiership, but was hurt during 2007, so as he is healthy again he can take them to the top once more.
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March 14th 2008 @ 01:45

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Totally Positive Outlook, Why Hawthorn Will Win in 2008

They are a young team with plenty of room to keep improving.

There are some defenders as tall as Franklin, some as fast as Franklin, but there are no defenders who can match Lance Franklin for both height and speed.

The Hawks needed to find a veteran, someone who can kick the ball a long way and someone who has experience winning a Grand Final, Dew on the ground is something that should help Hawthorn.

Mark Williams was hurt last year which took away a different type of player from their forward line, he is back and can provide a small player that can take marks on the lead and kick accurately for goal.

The Hawks have a lot more depth than most other AFL teams, as players like Thorp, Mr Kennedy Version 3.0, Murphy and Tuck would be certain starters for many AFL teams.

The Hawks have had many early draft picks in recent years, and these players have gone through their development stage and are about to become big stars, and some are already big stars.

Tasmania gives them an advantage, during preseason they trained in the coolest state while other clubs were in Darwin and Brisbane, and when the Hawks play there during the regular season they will again have a home state advantage.

Cyril Rioli did some amazing things in the Under 18 championships last year, and it seems that he will be able to do that at AFL level too.

With the rest of the Mortons now in Victoria too, the Hawks may not have to worry about Jarryd Morton returning to Western Australia and he can provide them with a medium forward option to replace what Dixon used to do.

Moss gives them some insurance in case Mitchell misses a game, and maybe Moss can sing Telephone Booth which is a catchy tune.

For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info
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March 13th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Sydney Will Win in 2008

Hall is like the Six Million Dollar Man, they had the technology so they rebuilt him over the offseason.

Craig Bird was worth a top 10 draft pick, and should have a big debut season.

They have two of the best ruckmen in the AFL.

It is only a few years ago when they won it all, and they still have most of the players from their premiership side.

The bar of expectation will be set high for Ed Barlow.

Goodes is good, very good.

Mattner should be a regular contributor for his new team.

Defenders C Bolton and L Barry have the athleticism to get the spoil, collect the loose ball and run away from the slower forwards they are opposed to.

Kennelly's 2007 was interrupted by injuries, and he will be a better player in 2008.

The ball has to be won in the tough contests in the middle of the ground, Captain Kirk is an enterprising player in that part of the game.
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March 12th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Adelaide Will Win In 2008

Hentschel returns, adding needed goals and big marks to their forward setup.

Ian Perrie isn't there, he may have been Adelaide's version of Kent Kingsley but with a worse attitude.

It could be The Year Of The Porpoise, with Porplyzia starring in the middle and up forward.

Moran is better than Meesen, and could provide a lot of run in the ruck position.

Tippett and Sellar had a year of development last season and are ready to play now.

They still have McLeod, and he is still at his best.

Burton is healthier than he has been in recent years.

The days of Knights seem to have arrived for Adelaide.

The Symes trade looks like it will be a success for the Crows.

Luke Jericho could be Coach Craig's Death Blossom device, he is keeping him until the very last moment when he will be unleashed and save the day.

For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info
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March 11th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


There Is No Script For The AFL In 2008

While the football can’t be scripted, here are some real movie titles that could apply to the players and teams in 2008. A few examples from the titles below, Collingwood will need to find more money to extend the contracts of their stars, Melbourne will still rely on their underrated superstar, Brisbane can bounce back and be a contender again while the Tigers may have to decide who is the real number two option beside Richardson.


Adelaide
Back To School
starring: Patrick Dangerfield


Brisbane
The Lion Roars Again
starring: Jonathan Brown


Carlton
Outlaw Blues
starring: Brendan Fevola


Collingwood
The Price of Pies
starring: Dale Thomas and Scott Pendlebury


Essendon
Restless Knights
starring: Matthew Knights


Fremantle
Purple Rain
starring: Matthew Pavlich


Geelong
Cat's Bad Hair Day
starring: The Camerons


Hawthorn
The Buddy System
starring: Lance Franklin


Kangaroos
The Battling Kangaroo
starring: Some guy with a blue and white scarf.


Melbourne
They Still Call Me Bruce
starring: Cameron Bruce


Port Adelaide
Absolute Power
starring: David Rodan


Richmond
Black Dragon vs. the Yellow Tiger
starring: Brett Deledio and Nathan G Brown


St Kilda
Broke Body Saints
starring: Hudghton, M Gardiner, Maguire, Goddard, Ball, Reiwoldt, Koschitzke, R Clarke, X Clarke.....


Sydney
Follow That Bird
starring: Craig Bird


West Coast
The Forgotten Eagles
starring: Sam Butler and Mark Nicoski


Western Bulldogs
Rocket To Nowhere
starring: Rodney Eade


For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info


Maybe Craig Bird will be big, but not this big.



Diving that you don't see unless it is from Rodney Dangerfield, not even soccer players can dive like this.

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March 7th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why St Kilda Will Win in 2008

Other teams don't have a player like Riewoldt to kick the ball to.

Harvey keeps going and going and going.

Acquiring three premiership players for a second round draft pick has to help.

Goddard is back from injury.

Maybe two Gardiners are better than one.

Armitage did very little in 2007, and is already doing a lot at the moment.

The Saints needed a year to get accustomed to their new coach, who actually plays a tall ruckman which is a pleasant change.

Koschitzke and injuries are no longer used in the same sentence.

With Gehrig retiring they needed to find a full forward to replace him, luckily for them they redrafted Gehrig who had unretired.

Gram, Gilbert and Gwilt are ready to do more in 2008.
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March 6th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Brisbane Will Win in 2008

Brown, and that's enough.

Leuenberger might be the most exciting ruck prospect there has ever been.

Johnstone can get 20 kicks in a game.

Mr Drummond can get 20 kicks very often too.

The Henderson Kid can mark a football.

Bradshaw will return from injury, once again adding Robin to Brown's Batman.

Their coach has a tradition of being successful.

Sherman can bounce back after a 2007 that was below expectations.

Rhan Hooper ran a lot when he played in 2007, he will be better this time after having a preseason.

Jonathan Brown, he is the best player around so he gets mentioned again.
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March 5th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Fremantle Will Win in 2008

They have Pavlich, one of the best in the AFL.

The Dockers are going to get first use of the ball as their ruckman is just a bit taller than anyone else's.

Luke McPharlin might be the best full back in the league.

Peter Bell is going around for one more year, and he is still at the top of his game.

Rhys Palmer was who they wanted, who they needed, and they got him in the draft.

Michael Johnson is ready to be an All-Australian player.

Jeff Farmer will play more than he did last season.

Brett Peake has yet to peak.

Tarrant used last season to adjust to his new club, and will perform better this season.

They have their Bombers, Solomon and Mark Johnson, who know how to play finals football.



For AFL news and fantasy footy information, go to www.allfooty.info
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March 4th 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


Totally Positive Outlook, Why Essendon Will Win in 2008

Both Lucas and Lloyd, probably in that order now, can win a game off their own foot.

David Myers is ready to play AFL, and brings the skills that Essendon need.

Mal Michael is still a big, strong guy and Dustin Fletcher is still an extremely long player and together they can stop all types of forwards.

Hille and Laycock are an impressive and versatile ruck duo that can get hitouts, kick goals and take big marks.

Brent Stanton is now an elite midfielder.

Bolton won't cost them any games in 2008.

McPhee could go forward and be just like Riewoldt.

2008 is the scheduled breakout season for Dempsey, Monfries, Slattery, Reimers and Hislop.

Alwyn Davey was only in his first season of AFL in 2007, so this time he will be even faster.

Ryder and Gumbleton bring plenty of size and athleticism.
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March 3rd 2008 @ 01:45

Posted By: Sports Insider - Category: AFL Talk
   


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