aramari wrote:
At this point we can say that Hughes has done well. In 2 years time he might look a genius
I've got some time on my hands so I thought I'd do the 800th analysis on our drafting under Hughes. I'll give a mark out of 10 to the recruiter for player quality, potential, and quality of the choice compared to other available players. Haven't looked at trades, PSD or Rookie draft
2004
Russell - 7 Remarkably weak draft. Jordan's slowly putting it together. In the top 12-15 from that draft
Hartlett - 4 Looks like a bust. Injury-ravaged - bad luck for Hughes, coulda been a contender
Blackwell - 2 Error. Maybe a club influenced decision? Too small and slow. Newton, M Morton, Sherman, Slattery immediately after Luke's pick
Bryan - 7 Good pick at 70. A bit slack at Carlton but effectively traded for Clokey, so not bad. Showing his talent at Collingwood
Raso - 3 Never played a game, rarely got close. A punt on underage player with scope always a risk
2005
Murphy - 8.5 Star player as expected with pick 1. May be the best player from that year, can't ask for more
Kennedy - 6.5 Still expect plenty from him at WCE. Pendlebury stands out of those drafted below JK
Bower - 7 Developing well. Ibbo, Addison, McKinley came after but none are significantly better than Bower
Edwards - 2 Disappointment. Not good enough to take opportunities as second marking forward. Plenty of good players taken after him - J Anthony, Hooper Warnock Carlile gamble Lonergan S Buckley Patfull Minson Bartram Stokes
2006
Gibbs 8.5 Super player could be anything. Hint of Kernahan bias in the early selection. Selwood has impressed more but was un-takeable at pick 1 with his injury history
Hampson - 6 Desperately needed ruckman, Hammer has the scope to be that man. Too early to say but brave move. Renouf Tippet Goldstein taken in next 20 picks
Grigg - 8.5 Star in the making. Strong bodied ball winner and carrier - awesome result. urquhart and P Stewart look ok too
Austin - 6.5 I think he'll play a lot of senior footy. nearly there. Some good smalls have impressed in the meantime Alwyn Houli Mackay Riemers Garland
Benjamin - 2 Ran quickly, left quickly. L Thomas, P Gray, josh Hill, Goldsack, Gill. Poor result
Anderson - 6 Fair player for the pick, has every chance to make it. Westhoff stands out as do Edwards and Rodan as recycleds
2007
Kruezer - 8.5 Agonizing choice with Cotchin - Needed Kruezer more and looks a good option
Browne - 6.5 I rate him highly.
Armfield - 6 Good value. Too early to compare these picks
2008
Yarran - 7.5 Brave call with super safe mids in Rich Ziebell Sidebottom when we needed a forward. Great draft pressure on for Chris to succeed. no doubting his talent
Robinson - 9 Revelation at that pick. Over -age so less room for improvement but add 10% to that and you have a star.
O'Keeffe - 7 Like what I've seen - take Scotland's spot in 2 years? Could be a steal
Tiller - ? Not enough info
I'd give Hughes a B+ for his recruiting time at Carlton. I reckon 70% of the players he's drafted in the National Draft will end up with reasonable careers at least - very good strike rate. With some great picks he couldn't blow it, and has picked up solid AFL players in Russell, Bower, Grigg Armfield Browne. Robinson could be his biggest win yet. o'Keeffe Austin and Anderson have AFL ability. For me Yarran and Hampson are the keys to Hughes' legacy (to this point). If they can reach their potential we will be winning flags, because their ceiling is so high, yet the chance of failure is a little higher.
Good assesment i agree with all of that...compare our strike rate from those drafts to those of some other clubs such as Essendon*, Richmond and St Kilda ours is much better...our kids look to have probably the most talent out of any clubs...even the non no. 1's.
Can anyone tell me though...exactly how much imput is put in by Wayne Hughes? How much is done by his assistants?
If we were to lose Hughes but keep the assistants...would there be much difference?