I live in NSW so I do not know much about our juniors / development

For some time I have read on TC that we have recruited poorly and are not developing our younger players as we should

Last night I saw some real good signs in the young players who have come into our side recently Levi Bell Watson ect

Can people please advise me if our juniors are developing and advise how much depth ou believe is there , some names to watch would be great as well

The only thing ask is please do not make this topic about Ratts

Cheers and well done all on last nights result

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Probably not a lot to be honest, in terms of youngsters.

Watson and Lucas played seniors last year, both have had their struggles this year but have been getting some senior games and Watson has played far better in the firsts that his seconds form might have suggested possible.

Bootsma and McInnes debuted earlier this year. Bootsma is a find but needs time to build up his body. McInnes was another who seemed to be just marking time in the reserves, but on the back of a run of good games and our injury list got a crack in the seniors and has looked a keeper.

Bell Casboult and Dale debuted last night. Early days but Bell looks good, despite some ordinary finishing, is a bit more mature in age and a lot more mature in body than most recruits and it shows. Casboult was a selection of pure necessity, battled well but is not a AFL ruckman and I remain to be convinced he is an AFL quality forward despite glimpses in the 2s. Might be our best show as a KF who can relieve in the ruck as the other options aside from Sam Rowe are either ruckman not forwards (eg Hammer) or forwards not ruckmen (eg Mitchell). Dale is another skinny kid who has a lot to learn but has some X-factor about him, too early to tell with him in my book.

Then there are the guys who are yet to debut. Dylan Buckley makes Bootsma look built, will need another 2 preseasons at least in my view, but can seriously play though he goes missing a lot at the moment. Pat McCarthy is again slender, looks OK at times at CHB but a bit lost elsewhere. A fair way off IMO. Luke Mitchell on the other hand is a beast. Strong 1-on-1 but not a pack marker, can kick goals but easily run off. Some time in the ruck at seconds level but doesn't seem to be suited even as a reliever there. Not sold on him, but it's early days and he has had a horror run with injury. Rohan Kerr showed early promise but seems gone. Nick Heyne is too slow. Mitch Carter, Blake Bray and Matthew Lodge don't seem up to it.

The only other player who hasn't debuted is Sam Rowe, who is mature age and hasn't had any chance to show his wares.

One other player going around in the 2s is Rhys O'keeffe who played 1 game last year and has had a horror run with injury. Has been perservered with because his kicking is a real weapon, if he can stay injury free for the rest of the year may well keep a spot on the rookie list and could be one to watch. If injury hits him again it may be curtains, which I think would be a crying shame.