What You Talkin Bout, Willits.
There was a time when Ryan Willits was a prospect who was ranked very highly by clubs as they planned for the 2004 AFL draft. The Power drafted him but couldn't find a spot that was right for him, as they had Lade and Brogan in the ruck and several tall forwards that they preferred ahead of Willits. Port Adelaide have now delisted Willits and once again he might be in an AFL draft.
Back in 2004, John Meesen, Adam Pattison, Cameron Wood and Ryan Willits all went between picks 8 and 19. None of them have been able to cement a regular starting spot with the teams that drafted them, and both Woods and Meesen were recently traded. Pattison played a lot for Richmond in 2007 but some of the reason for that was Simmonds was injured.
Like Pattison and Meesen, people are not sure if Willits is a forward or a ruckman. Willits averaged a goal per game in the SANFL and if he is in the AFL next season the forward line might be the best spot for him.
Close to 200cm and 100kg, Willits qualifies as a big body and more than a few AFL teams need someone like that in the forward line. The Bulldogs are always small, the Blues traded away one centre half forward and retired another, the Swans need some more height, the Saints have a spot on their list for another big forward and the Dockers don't have a forward/ruckman with Longmuir retiring.
While Willits didn't do a lot during his time with Port Adelaide, he might reach his potential with a new club. What might be right for you, may not be right for some, might be how another club looks at Willits and his time at Port Adelaide.
From the Port Adelaide site: One change to list
From The Advertiser: Slow journey sinks Willits
Back in 2004, John Meesen, Adam Pattison, Cameron Wood and Ryan Willits all went between picks 8 and 19. None of them have been able to cement a regular starting spot with the teams that drafted them, and both Woods and Meesen were recently traded. Pattison played a lot for Richmond in 2007 but some of the reason for that was Simmonds was injured.
Like Pattison and Meesen, people are not sure if Willits is a forward or a ruckman. Willits averaged a goal per game in the SANFL and if he is in the AFL next season the forward line might be the best spot for him.
Close to 200cm and 100kg, Willits qualifies as a big body and more than a few AFL teams need someone like that in the forward line. The Bulldogs are always small, the Blues traded away one centre half forward and retired another, the Swans need some more height, the Saints have a spot on their list for another big forward and the Dockers don't have a forward/ruckman with Longmuir retiring.
While Willits didn't do a lot during his time with Port Adelaide, he might reach his potential with a new club. What might be right for you, may not be right for some, might be how another club looks at Willits and his time at Port Adelaide.
From the Port Adelaide site: One change to list
From The Advertiser: Slow journey sinks Willits
