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Pure genetics I'm afraid, name a player that should be playing AFL football from EP junior players of recent times. We have had some good kids but most have lacked something to make the elite grade, normally pace or a few cms.

Royal2019, I could go back a fair way to include the likes of Bawden and a few others from the Ballajura area in particular however the likes of Anderson, Brookes, Derickx, M Fraser and Sweet could be playing in the AFL when you look at some of the average players going around and don't forget about Nathan Blee who is far better than the way Port Adelaide treated him. Of last years colts group, Scott Jones was coming back from a broken leg and Shanahan, Hodgson and Moody definitely have the ability. Then if you are talking more real possibilities over the next 1 to 2 years, hopefully you will see Keitel, Hille, Giblett, Hutchins, Glew, Gorter, Andersson, Miller, Howell, Waldram and Pittaway who are all quality kids coming through. Lets hope they have the right support and aren't screwed around by the WCE joke of a one way partnership. This is just my opinion of course. Conditions apply depending on what a club is looking for etc

SC30 wrote: Royal2019, I could go back a fair way to include the likes of Bawden and a few others from the Ballajura area in particular however the likes of Anderson, Brookes, Derickx, M Fraser and Sweet could be playing in the AFL when you look at some of the average players going around and don't forget about Nathan Blee who is far better than the way Port Adelaide treated him. Of last years colts group, Scott Jones was coming back from a broken leg and Shanahan, Hodgson and Moody definitely have the ability. Then if you are talking more real possibilities over the next 1 to 2 years, hopefully you will see Keitel, Hille, Giblett, Hutchins, Glew, Gorter, Andersson, Miller, Howell, Waldram and Pittaway who are all quality kids coming through. Lets hope they have the right support and aren't screwed around by the WCE joke of a one way partnership. This is just my opinion of course. Conditions apply depending on what a club is looking for etc

I appreciate your comments and obvious support SC.

Having had a fair bit to do with the earlier boys and a lot to do with the boys who have come through the 14,15 and the 16's into colts of recent times I would suggest parochialism would say yes to all but honesty says perhaps you are being a bit overly generous.

Anderson should be given a go but should be doesn't equate to being given the opportunity. The 4 players from last year I would suggest would make good AFL players, perhaps one would be an A- whilst the others b+.

Of this years batch I will wait to see who translates their community/PSA skills and abilities into colts level football.

As for the support I think that in the past 5 years EP development has moved forward in leaps and bounds and whilst not there yet we are getting close

I appreciate your reply and you make some good points. Of a few you mentioned bawden elite kick but slow and questions on his hardness. Brookes good hands but far to slow and small for the AFL. Derickx has something to offer but is never exciting enough to catch the eye. Anderson clearly good enough as a late developer big questions on his body. Fraser gun player but at his size you only get drafted if you can kick goals. Sweet is a good WAFL player but is way to slow for the next level. Shanahan and Hodgson could be Rookie listed they are worth a look. Jones Broken leg hurt him but personally I wouldn't draft him. Kietel should be drafted if he continues to develop. Of the younger group Sam Powell Pepper is a potential high draft pick.

Thanks Royal2019 and Grump. Brookes has worked hard on his deficiencies and not everyone has to be hard to play the game. Bawden, like many around his time at the club, got branded by the coaches which finished him and a few others to be honest. True about SPP, very good player. Another side issue for maybe not seeing as much talent coming through until now is I think this year under a new coach we debuted 8 or 9 players which I can't remember happening under the previous win at any cost regime.

Micale was brutal on the young guys I agree if that's what your getting at all stick no carrot. You don't have to be tough as nails that's true but you need to be courageous and fiercely driven to the point of madness. Don't get me wrong these are all good young players but to make an AFL list you need to be very special in some areas.