Phrases such as ‘jumping out of their skin’ and ‘like a cat on a hot tin roof‘ spring to mind when talking about how a young player looks in the week leading up to their first run.
Their eagerness is without compromise. Try as hard as they might to suppress it, their excitement would still find a way to express itself.
The reason I bring this up is because the round 17 western derby saw us unveil another debutant and he just happened to kick a crucial fourth-quarter goal that gave us the lead.
Jay van Berlo became our 11th debutant for the year – equalling an AFL record – and he was joined by eight other first-year players in the derby-winning side.
One of those, Tim Ruffles, also kicked what turned out to be a game-winning goal. It seems young players have never been more prevalent – or important – at Fremantle.
Even more astonishing is the different paths these first-year players have taken to their AFL debut. There were four players playing key roles in the derby win who at the beginning of the year were drafted onto our rookie list – Greg Broughton, van Berlo, Clancee Pearce and Matt De Boer – another AFL record.
Now that says two things: one, that we have had an enormous amount of injuries; and two, the club is one of vast opportunities to those who want to take them.
Carpe diem!
It has led me to suggest that regardless of how well an AFL list is managed, all clubs at least go through some sort of transitional and development phase.
And whilst in that phase, the formula is simple – minimise the short-term damage, both on and off the field, by being as competitive as possible.
And go to the draft. Go to the draft and select talented players who are also good quality citizens.
It is a method that has long been associated with success in the AFL, but only recently strictly adhered to.
Hawthorn, Carlton and Adelaide are the recent examples of teams reverting to youth in multiple drafts and reaping the benefits.
But if we look towards the top of the current ladder, we can further see the importance of drafting youth. The Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Geelong – as the list below illustrates – have been able to select quality long-term players in particular drafts.
And as the below shows the draft is not an exact science.
It shows that a combination of early picks and later bargain basement buys through astute junior identification is needed.
Never discount a lower pick. It could produce your club's next star – or match-winner.
Here is hoping Fremantle’s drafting of 14 young and enthusiastic players in 2008 reaps similar benefits in the not too distant future!
Hawthorn – ’01 Luke Hodge (1), Rick Ladson (16), Campbell Brown (32), Sam Mitchell (36), ’04 Jarryd Roughead (2), Lance Franklin (5), Jordan Lewis (7), Tom Murphy (21), Simon Taylor (53). ’05 Xavier Ellis (3), Grant Birchall (14), ’06 Brent Renouf (24). ’07 Cyril Rioli (12), Stuart Dew (45).
Carlton – ’02 Kade Simpson (45), Brad Fisher (72). ’03 Andrew Walker (2), ’05 Mark Murphy (1), Josh Kennedy (4 – eventually traded for Chris Judd), Paul Bower (20), ‘06 Bryce Gibbs, Shaun Hampson (17), Shaun Grigg (19), Mark Austin (35),(1), ‘07 Matthew Kreuzer (1), Steven Browne (36), Dennis Armfield (46).
Adelaide – ’04 Chris Knights (28), Nathan van Berlo (32), Ivan Maric (40). ’05 Richard Douglas (16), Bernie Vince (24). ’06 Jason Porplyzia (Pre-season 9), James Sellar (14), Kurt Tippett (32), David McKay (48), ’07 Patrick Dangerfield (10), Andy Otten (27), Myke Cook (38), Taylor Walker (72).
Western Bulldogs – ’99 Robert Murphy (13), Daniel Giansiracusa (32), Mitchell Hahn (37), Lindsay Gilbee (43), Ryan Hargrave (66).’01 Brian Harris (71), ’02 Will Minson (20), Cameron Wight (49). ’03 Adam Cooney (1), ’04 Ryan Griffen (3), Tom Williams (6), ’05 Shaun Higgins (11)
St.Kilda – ’00 Nick Riewoldt (1), Justin Koschitzke (2). ‘01 Luke Ball (2), Xavier Clarke (6), Nick Dal Santo (13), Matt Maguire (21), Leigh Montagna (37),. ’02 Brendon Goddard (1). ’03 Farren Ray (4 - WB trade), Raph Clarke (8), Sam Fisher (55), ’05 Sam Gilbert (33).
Geelong – ‘99 Joel Corey (8), Paul Chapman (31), Cameron Ling (38), Corey Enright (48). ’00 Josh Hunt (44). ’01 James Kelly (17), Steve Johnson (24), Gary Ablett Jr (40). ’02 Andrew Mackie (7), Tom Lonergan (23). ’05 Travis Varcoe (15), Ryan Gamble (47), Mathew Stokes (61). ’06 Joel Selwood (7), Tom Hawkins (41)
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
