While we've had drafts where we've picked up a star in the last few years, for depth of talent, the recruiters' selections last year are showing tremendous quality across the board:


Lucas already shows 'star' potential after only two games.

White, against Burton, had a sensational debut, and looks set for a regular defensive role.

Watching Rohan Kerr in the Bullants last week, he shows outstanding ability.

Casboult's third quarter last week against Bendigo showed he has a truckload of potential and has the vibe of a CHF in a couple of years.

Dare shows great composure.

And the one whose highlight reel from WA made me take notice is Donaldson.


Time will tell, but this crop, for overall depth and quality, might just be a goldmine.

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Geez jack you have gone early there.

Very early JW.

Dare has a lot of work to do, as do Casboult & Donaldson. White & Lucas need to build themselves physically and keep chipping away at their respective games.

And let's not forget Davies, Cachia & Tuohy.

There's definitely a lot to work with, but that seems to be more and more common in the draft, and is a testament to the TAC and similar competitions (despite their flaws) continuing to develop pro-ready kids.

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like the look of lucas, 2nd game and he looks composed thats a good sign and white for a first game showed signs of being courageous, helping out teammates, bit early i agree but im excited, go blues

The thing I like about our late picks, is we seem to have gone for some players with weapons that we need, and back them to develop the rest of their game, rather than vanilla goers like (WADR) Ellard.

Kerr - in the top 5 kicks at the club already
Casboult - Big key forward can take a strong grab
Donaldson - Tall, quick, good leap, good hands, good kick for goal
Cachia- big, strong inside mid who moves well in traffic
Tuohy - Aggressive hard running HB with good kick and a bit of flair
Labi - Exciting mid-size forward can take a mark and kick it long

This approach worked beautifully with Clinton Young who has one great weapon but must have had other question marks over him (I suppose his slight frame was one). Hawthorn built him into a matchwinner by bringing his weaknesses up to a reasonable level and creating a structure where he can cause enormous damage. Result is BOG in 1st half of 08 GF.

Going very early.

Suddenly this week everything we do is awesome, whilst prior to Saturday, it was all bad.

Some encouraging signs, but proclaiming Lucas as a star is waaay premature. Remember Walks first game 6 years ago? And the jury is still out on him (great game on the weekend though).

Lucas will be a star because:

1. In the first half against Essendon* he was lost. Couldn't get the tempo of the game. Looked like what he was, a raw recruit.

2. Second half, he had picked up the pace so quickly I thought he was one of our best in a very ordinary team.

3. He is composed under pressure ie makes the rght decisions.

4. He can hit a traget under pressure.

5. He is a naturally good kick.

6. He does not do the "flashy" or "show pony" things (read Dale Thomas).

7. He has only played 2 games and is 18!

8. He appears to be the all round package. So give hm a couple of years to mature.

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Lucas. Great Pick and don't forget how there was criticism we didn't recruit the guy melbourne tooknext pick

I didn't think Whites game was impressive. Did I miss something coz everyone says it was a good debut. Looks like he will be killed in the next weeks

The rest are all potential with a big P. No one stood out as AFL ready in the VFL. I thought Arrowsmith was miles ahead of all of them. Thouy impressed me most.

Tend to agree. But for Burton's poor finishing early on White could have been made to look a lot worse. He ended up being servicable and looking comfortable at the level without setting the world on fire. I suspect he'd be the one to make way if Bower is available this week.

Lucas played a great game second up. He looks poised with the ball, has a bit of dash and hits his targets fairly consistently. I reckon when it's all weighed up in a few years time there might be a couple of clubs who picked ahead of us wishing they'd taken him.

No one questioned the Lucas pick because Melbourne picked first.

White showed Peter Dean-type desperation to spoil that pass.

Kicks with both feet too.

Might be a good solid and hard third tall like Dean if Bower and Austin can take CHB.

Arrowsmith is a former West Coast player like Aaron Edwards who is a VFL star with the benefit of training at an AFL club previously.
Nothing.

Maybe JW just thought if some of you astute observers can destroy a kids career after 3 or 4 games, he can make them a star after the same amount.

Seems a balanced view to me...

Regards Cazzesman

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