TOPIC:

Liam Brandis (ex-SF) has just landed on the list. 20 / 182cm / 77kg medium forward, he has only played colts and ressies so far, but seems to know where the goals are. 

www.wafl.com.au/player/liam-brandis

He was on the list Doddy showed last night along with another kid Zac Fleiner from WP

I assume these are guys who will be competing for a spot in the senior squad, as opposed to players we have targeted? Otherwise, it would seem strange that we are apparently cutting local players as a consequence of the points reduction, while bringing in reserves players from other clubs. Nothing in these guys' stats suggest they will be in our top 30 players - we would need an even worse than usual injury toll for them to be considered. 

I wouldn't be quick to judge players from other clubs so quickly - I thought the same when Doddy (EF) brought in Tassone (ex-Peel), Lennon Marlin (ex Perth and WCE) and Blakiston (ex-SF) - all appeared depth players who would struggle to play League. All I would consider regulars now and Marlin is a Premiership player.

Not all will hit but if a few do - then it's a big win. I'm sure every team has one or 2 that have gone on to become good League players after finding better opportunities elsewhere.

KCEF wrote:

I wouldn't be quick to judge players from other clubs so quickly - I thought the same when Doddy (EF) brought in Tassone (ex-Peel), Lennon Marlin (ex Perth and WCE) and Blakiston (ex-SF) - all appeared depth players who would struggle to play League. All I would consider regulars now and Marlin is a Premiership player.

Not all will hit but if a few do - then it's a big win. I'm sure every team has one or 2 that have gone on to become good League players after finding better opportunities elsewhere.

Brad said he has targeted young players from other clubs that were once in state U/18 squads. In other words were once considered in the best 30 players in their age group. A speculative gamble you might say that perhaps is the logic he applied at EF to good effect. 

So if that means they get added to our list at the expense of a local player who hasn't reached the same levels then so be it. We need to improve the quality of talent at our club and early indications are Brad is the man who can do it. 

DD in the case of Fleiner he’s 21 and was a state u/19 rep in the day. He has played some good games in the Ressies and has been named in the best players a few times.Up to end of 2023 he found it hard to crack a game with the league side having experienced flankers like Munns,Johnson,Moulton and Guadagin and a few others.In 2024 he only played 7 games so not too sure if he was injured but with 3 of those guys mentioned being out for significant periods with injuries and still not cracking a game (maybe being injured himself being the reason) it looks like he wants a recharge and a new start. Not proven yet but there seems potential there and good luck to him.And if Paton can stay on the park he could be good for you.

I hope these guys can prove me wrong, but coming in averaging 8 and 9 disposals respectively in the reserves,, they will have to improve quickly and dramatically to be more than depth players. Average height, average weight - I guess I just have to assume Dodd sees something in them beyond the stats sheet. 

Ted Nugent wrote:

I hope these guys can prove me wrong, but coming in averaging 8 and 9 disposals respectively in the reserves,, they will have to improve quickly and dramatically to be more than depth players. Average height, average weight - I guess I just have to assume Dodd sees something in them beyond the stats sheet. 

The upside of these types who have clearly shown potential is that they cost no points????? 

Fleiner is ok, hard at it, reasonably quick and wears a helmet. Couldn't crack a League game with us, good luck to him.

Whinnen wrote:

Fleiner is ok, hard at it, reasonably quick and wears a helmet. Couldn't crack a League game with us, good luck to him.

Fleiner... age 21 180/70 Reserves stats very modest. No league games.