TOPIC:

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Aidan Anderson Swan Districts
Connor Blakely Swan Districts
Jack Cripps East Fremantle
Josh Deluca Subiaco
Billy Frampton South Fremantle
Jarrod Garlett South Fremantle
Tyler Keitel East Perth
Mitch McGovern Claremont
Jermaine Miller-Lewis South Fremantle
Jarrod Pickett South Fremantle
Clem Smith Perth
Francis Watson Claremont

It is an interesting concept the AFL draft camp. One would think that you would have a pretty good idea about how the likes of A Anderson and C Blakely play if you were to watch the Swans' league games when they were available.

Beep tests, vertical jump heights etc etc etc - but can they play footy? Do they show the ability to read the play? Of o IMPORT obviously.

Dont they do behind the scenes psychometric testing at the draft camp too?........whilst seeing someones ability on the footy field is the key importance here, character and temperament are just as important these days 42.........and seem to go hand in hand with playing ability these days. I guess the draft camp is a way clubs can scrutinize not only a players physical ability, but also how they cope under the spotlight,media exposure, under pressure and in unfamiliar territory of new surroundings which I guessis what draft camp does..........saying that though some kids seem to come from no where due to a high score in a particular skill/s.

Spotlight, media exposure, marketing ability, vertical leap... Oh now I see why nic Natanui is such a superstar. Jeez it used to be about how good you were at playing the game.

Freezin wrote: Dont they do behind the scenes psychometric testing at the draft camp too?........whilst seeing someones ability on the footy field is the key importance here, character and temperament are just as important these days 42.........and seem to go hand in hand with playing ability these days. I guess the draft camp is a way clubs can scrutinize not only a players physical ability, but also how they cope under the spotlight,media exposure, under pressure and in unfamiliar territory of new surroundings which I guessis what draft camp does..........saying that though some kids seem to come from no where due to a high score in a particular skill/s.

Freezin just a little cynical insofaras they play in an 18s comp which is long enough to allow one to translate and read War and Peace, and then you have the draft camp. Here's a thought: have the draft camp in WA for a few years.

The combine is an assessment of a whole range of physical and psychological things but there is always the underlying the players ability to play. It has evolved over the past few years with even FIGJAM having input with a kicking exercise where the players have to kick to 6 points in succession in a time limit, both feet I think.

There have always been the stories abt coaches not wanting players from various backgrounds but how true they are is always questionable, worst was a coach did not want any player from a broken home, might have been a bit useful in the 80's but in 2014 very irrelevant!

The way the game is played now atheletism is the biggest issue and then skills.

State Combine also. Very surprised not to see Max Walters name on the list. Subi's best colts player I reckon.

STATE COMBINE

Brendon Abbott (Claremont)

Sam Bevan (Claremont)

Darcy Cameron (Claremont)

Jared Hardisty (Claremont)

Ryan Lim (Claremont)

Matthew Palfrey (Claremont)

Alec Waterman (Claremont)

Bradley Walsh (Peel Thunder)

Dylan Winton (Peel Thunder)

Matthew Ah Siu (South Fremantle)

Cameron Loersch (South Fremantle)

Haiden Schloithe (South Fremantle)

Adam Creeper (Subiaco)

Shane Yarran (Subiaco)

Blaine Boekhorst (Swan Districts)

Rick Cary (Swan Districts)

Alex Howard (Swan Districts)

Dylan Nelson (Swan Districts)