Eagles recruiting for season 2023

There appears to be a couple (at least) big CHFs trialling for Melbourne clubs in the SSP (195cm - 198cm types). It's been reported, one of them, Joshua Eyre trialling with St Kilda, has been told he's not wanted after tearing a hamstring recently - reckon there would be a few VFL/SANFL tier 2 clubs (? WWT) who would be interested.
Feb 15th, I think, is SSP draft closure date.

hawke wrote:Interesting to speculate what position Weckert will end up playing in the AFL.. At 191cm, by AFL standards, he is too short for a key CHF, FF..  At 18 years of age, maybe he has a late growth spurt in him.

It will be interesting to see what position Weckert ends up playing.
Let's hope he can add a couple of centimetres.
He has already turned 18 so he should be a mature 18 with a SANFL/AFL body already.
The male side of the Weckert's have had some big fellows so let's hope this continues with Patrick.
Tex Walker wasn't overly tall for a centre half forward and also was a poor high mark but he still managed to eke out a pretty good AFL career.

wimpy wrote:

hawke wrote:Interesting to speculate what position Weckert will end up playing in the AFL.. At 191cm, by AFL standards, he is too short for a key CHF, FF..  At 18 years of age, maybe he has a late growth spurt in him.

It will be interesting to see what position Weckert ends up playing.
Let's hope he can add a couple of centimetres.
He has already turned 18 so he should be a mature 18 with a SANFL/AFL body already.
The male side of the Weckert's have had some big fellows so let's hope this continues with Patrick.
Tex Walker wasn't overly tall for a centre half forward and also was a poor high mark but he still managed to eke out a pretty good AFL career.

Good to see Taylor giving back to football and helping develop the Youth, especially pleased he chose an Eagle. I've always thought Taylor to be a very good judge of character.

Just to wet our appetite

https://youtu.be/0YWMn4AozhM

Wednesday is the AFL SSP last day. I wonder we go after any that miss out. Trent Burgoyne training with Melbourne?

I see Richmond signed train on player Kaelan Bradtke as a rookie. Don’t know if the Eagles had their eyes on him but he would have been ideal. Wonder if there are any others that don’t get picked up that we could entice to our no change rooms Oval

The Barton wrote:I see Richmond signed train on player Kaelan Bradtke as a rookie. Don’t know if the Eagles had their eyes on him but he would have been ideal. Wonder if there are any others that don’t get picked up that we could entice to our no change rooms Oval

I believe the Eagles were hoping to get him.

Would have been handy, a 6'5" goal kicking forward.

Josh Eyre, even bigger ,6'6", goal kicking forward. An SSP try- for -draft, rejected by St Kilda when he ripped a hamstring. No incentive to come to SA when he can settle back into VFL and try midseason draft.
Looks like Jack Firns again at CHF, Ballenden FF (& relief ruck.
or
Ballenden CHF and Dan Menzel FF, Weckert (on reputation only at this stage) FP.
At this late stage, maybe the only recruiting area that's untouched is the Darwin NTFL league - no big key forwards up there good enough for SANFL but a few big mature bodied ruckmen that could be menacing.

Is Clay Cameron going around again?

Yes, Cameron is going around again this year. Round and round Ottoway Oval running laps due to his usual injuries. Can’t see him in our best 22 this year.

hawke wrote:Josh Eyre, even bigger ,6'6", goal kicking forward. An SSP try- for -draft, rejected by St Kilda when he ripped a hamstring. No incentive to come to SA when he can settle back into VFL and try midseason draft.
Looks like Jack Firns again at CHF, Ballenden FF (& relief ruck.
or
Ballenden CHF and Dan Menzel FF, Weckert (on reputation only at this stage) FP.
At this late stage, maybe the only recruiting area that's untouched is the Darwin NTFL league - no big key forwards up there good enough for SANFL but a few big mature bodied ruckmen that could be menacing.

I guess we have no idea how hard our recruiters went at potential established and mature rucks (Brinker-Richie is just a kid) and key position players but you'd have to say it is an extremely poor outcome if come Round 1 we are lining up with Firns at CHF when it was such a glaring weakness last year. I just don't understand the priorities.

The Club did very well getting Collier-Dawkins and Rowe but I think midfielders weren't the gap we needed to fill.

I still think there would be some talls in the local amateur league we should look at to fill a gap this season. Not world beaters by any stage but just some strong bodies who can compete and provide a target to kick to. I can't imagine we are going to bring anyone across the border at this late stage.

goddy11 wrote:Wednesday is the AFL SSP last day. I wonder we go after any that miss out.   Trent Burgoyne training with Melbourne?

Burgoyne confirmed today as missing out on the Melbourne SSP spot.

I don't think we should bother going after him regardless as we are flush with players who play his position. Burgoyne's performances with the Power Reserves haven't set the world on fire and to be honest, he hasn't really shown much desire previously to play for his junior club.

If he comes back to Adelaide I'd expect he will once more line up with Power Reserves.

Having missed out on tall key forwards (and backs) for this 2023 season, without pro-active planning, this problem may continue into 2024.
If we look at our key, tall, classy forwards/backs, we have only 2 (Luke Thompson, Ballenden). Dan Menzel, a fantastic 188cm forward uses his expert guile to play the "tall" full forward role to perfection one-on-one. Now, you'd reckon that Luke Thompson, at 34 years of age and expecting another infant (congrats Luke!) might be in his last season, Conor Ballenden with the Qld go-home lure plus his AFL diminishing dream may not sign on again and Dan Menzel being another year older may consider he's achieved everything he wants and retires.

Their replacements within the club?
Weckert - most certainly will be drafted & unavailable in 2024
Tyler Welsh- a very talented 190cm youngster but not the very tall target required.
Lukac and Cook have potential (that word again) but done nothing yet.

We can sit back and hope that Henry Smith (Brisbane AFL list) is delisted and returns home for 2024, hope that Lukac and Cook make huge progress during this year OR have 6-7 tall targets to chase by August with the hope of landing two for 2024.

Acknowledging that we have some excellent 'Talls" coming through from last year's U16s who may set us up for 2025.

But for now, in Jack Firns we trust. And we know the 100% effort we'll get from Jack.

The Barton wrote:Yes, Cameron is going around again this year. Round and round Ottoway Oval running laps due to his usual injuries. Can’t see him in our best 22 this year.

That's a pity. There is no expectation of him due to his run of injuries, but by some miracle he has some luck, he is a handy in. At least he's still giving it a go.

The players did their 2km time trial at the Uni. loop Saturday morning. There were quite a few PBs. As usual Pudney won the trial closely followed by Max Beatie, then Zack Buck and Luke Beecken.
Just watching training I have been extremely impressed by Mitch Hardie, Will Pearce, Luke Beecken and Zac Buck. With more depth for our flank positions competition for places has been/will be intense.

Any updates on our veteran players. Injuries etc. Jimmy T, Menzel, Thommo....

goddy11 wrote:Any updates on our veteran players. Injuries etc. Jimmy T, Menzel, Thommo....

Thomo's wife is expecting their second child so he's been quite active in the off season
All are training to my knowledge with Jimmy possibly easing into the competitive stuff.
T Menzel looking very fit, hopeful of a mid season return which would be a nice bonus - we look a better side with him up forward

Does anyone know if this will impact Riley playing for us.

Adelaide has finalised its 2023 AFLW coaching structure with two-time premiership player Marijana Rajcic and former Crow Riley Knight appointed assistant coaches.

https://www.afc.com.au/news/1274039/aflw-season-eight-coaching-structure-finalised

goddy11 wrote:Does anyone know if this will impact Riley playing for us.

Adelaide has finalised its 2023 AFLW coaching structure with two-time premiership player Marijana Rajcic and former Crow Riley Knight appointed assistant coaches.

https://www.afc.com.au/news/1274039/aflw-season-eight-coaching-structure-finalised

I would guess that he has left us

I don't think Riley has left us. He has busted his guts this pre-season and is currently rehabbing from an achililes op. Seems to be fully invested and his leadership outstanding. I'm sure his coaching duties with the Crows can be worked around his WWT commitments.

wimpy wrote:I don't think Riley has left us. He has busted his guts this pre-season and is currently rehabbing from an achililes op. Seems to be fully invested and his leadership outstanding. I'm sure his coaching duties with the Crows can be worked around his WWT commitments.

Yes, my thoughts too Wimpy.
The AFLW Season is getting longer every year but is still much shoter than the mens and I think the season starts around August this year. I wouldn't think AFLW Assistant roles would be full time (yet) but the way the AFL is throwing money at it anything is possible.
Riley is still in his prime and I'd be very surprised if he gave up playing footy to be an assistant at this stage.

How is Daniel Sladojevic looking. Just read his profile. Quite a good U18 goal kicking record.

goddy11 wrote:How is  Daniel Sladojevic looking. Just read his profile. Quite a good U18 goal kicking record.

Training well, had a little scare a few weeks ago when he got a knee knock but now fully recovered, played in the internal trial at Thebby Oval last Friday night.

I don't suppose any knows if our trial game will be on the digital platform.

Any news coming out of the club for the trial. I might be forced to go out and have a look.

goddy11 wrote:I don't suppose any knows if our trial game will be on the digital platform.

Any news coming out of the club for the trial. I might be forced to go out and have a look.

No clue on the pass
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