16 Comments
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Frank Basile's avatar

Thanks Mick. Terrific stuff.

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Jane maree darmon's avatar

Thanks for this :) Much appreciated.

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Michelle Jordan's avatar

HNY Mick. I always appreciate your updates.

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Ed's avatar

Great update Mick. Much appreciated. Does the presence of Ky Burgoyne mean anything or was he just in town? Does he live here?

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Mick Cowan's avatar

I have no knowledge, but the family is in Adelaide with Shaun working at Port.

He’d be a father/son for both clubs, so the Hawks are doing their due diligence.

Personal observation - Ky being 17/18 & having spent 10+ years in Melbourne, he’d have the mates he grew up with here, so it may be a “school holiday” catch up as well.

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Ed's avatar

Yes, with Shaum comfortably ensconced at Port I assumed that he would try and nominate as a Port father-son like Cooper Hodge "might" nominate with the Lions as an academy kids (no guarantees ..). Hopefully Cooper nominates as a father-son at another club ;)

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Andrew Town's avatar

Thanks for the update Mick. Nice work

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Daniel Prins's avatar

Brilliant stuff as always Mick!

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GDK's avatar

DGB ‘slowest of the slow’ not a good sign in make or break year

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Mick Cowan's avatar

Just remember that that is a distinct difference running between the cones or around the lines to running to the ball. There are a few others who good readers of the play, but running isn’t their thing either.

Being a key position player, having the running endurance isn’t as vital as it is for a midfielder or small defender.

It was said years ago that the only medals handed out in March/April were at Stawell.

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GDK's avatar

fair enough point and for sure is true at times but I still reckon loping around last with a ruckman not a good sign for a high draft pick in a big year to impress - genuinely hope I am wrong

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Mick Cowan's avatar

I think it’s worth remembering that clubs make the picks, not the players. The line I’ve adopted is - It’s not where they’re picked, it’s how they play.

If a player doesn’t develop is this on the recruiting team not doing their due diligence; or the coaching staff not being able to tap into the player’s strengths?

(This is a major debate for some NFL teams where they draft 22-24 year olds. It was part of the Moneyball story in the MBL.)

There’s not another professional sport I can think of where it is expected an 18 year old to come in & dominate. (Yes there are exception Judd & Daicos, but both play midfield. & largely in unaccountable roles.) These days, for example, Australian Test team a prodigy is a 21 year old. Cummins debuted at 17; broke down and didn’t play again until 26-27.

IMO - as discussed in earlier pieces, I think the 2020 & 2021 drafts will be amongst the most compromised drafts due to Covid arrangements. Remember the debate was whether Logan McDonald or DGB would go 4 or 5, yet Gulden went in 30s. (We actually took Campbell from the Swans before DGB rather than Gulden.)

2020 draft top 10 - JUH, Thilthorpe, Phillips, McDonald, Campbell, DGB, Hollands (now traded), Cox, Perkins, Reid.

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GDK's avatar

Yep, all true about the draft. But it doesn't change the fact that a guy who has struggled to make the team and is probably not currently in our best 22 is loping around the track last with a lanky (very raw) ruckman. I am not asking him to dominate I am asking him to really push himself and it doesn't auger well for someone who has struggled to run out games to be doing poorly in pre-season, that's all I am saying.

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Mick Cowan's avatar

I get your view & respect it.

I do get frustrated with supporters & their expectation. Being older, I’ve seen players spend 3-4 years in the twos before being even given a chance. Breust is probably the most recent example - rookie, playing BH 2s you did wonder if he’d make it.

From what I’ve seen, in the running DGB isn’t cutting corners - your genes are what your parents give you.

DGB 194/84kg

Serong 193/84

Hustwaite 196/84

Day 191/83

Serong is the strongest runner of these four.

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Paddo's avatar

My 2c - the draft was what it was. Looks like we didn’t get value for our pick that’s all. Not the first or last time. But we’ve got him so the question becomes not is he a #6 pick but can he and how does he contribute in a meaningful way to our success. I’m with GDK - being the worst runner is not a great look not because in itself it’s the worst thing but the guy has not shown a single attribute yet - actual or potential - that demonstrates he is going to be AFL class. That’s my issue. Why is he taking up a spot?

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Mick Cowan's avatar

Being in contract for 2024 meant he was less likely to be delisted, particularly with Kosi taking the Tigers’ offer.

It is obviously a make or break year.

(BTW I’d take DGB’s goal kicking over Kosi’s.)

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