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91
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by Lods -
It always amazes me that definitive judgements are made on 19 year olds.

I suspect that there are many discarded by the system that had they been held onto would have developed into more than handy players...but that's the system that exists.

"Oh, but they never showed anything once they were let go"
Of course they don't!
They're cut loose from a high performance system.
There livelihood is greatly reduced and they have to juggle work and football.
Dreams are shattered and self doubt takes over.
Their motivation may still be there, but the development becomes so much harder.

The skinny 19 year old and the 12 kg heavier 22 year old are completely different athletes.
It will always be a case of 'what might have been' for many.
93
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by madbluboy -
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/42038414/afl-draft-power-rankings-november-2024-extended-top-50-prospects-bolters-sliders

This was a super strong draft that batted deep and this was a pretty comprehensive list.

1. Jagga Smith (October rank: 1)
Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro
MID, 181cm
National Champs: 4 games, 29.3 disposals, 6.8 clearances, 4.8 marks
Talent League: 12 games, 33.8 disposals, 7.9 clearances, 0.6 goals

Jagga is the 'can't miss' prospect, an inside midfielder with insatiable appetite for the contest. He's brilliantly creative, intelligently snaking into pockets of space and releasing outside runners before hitting the turbo to stay involved in transition. Smith accumulates a mountain of the ball and demands opposition attention with his ability to break open the game with class and precision. He well and truly ended any concerns around his size with brilliant VFL exploits, and now ends his top-age season where he began it for ESPN - at No. 1.

Best traits similar to: Zak Butters

35. Ben Camporeale - Carlton father-son
Glenelg/South Australia
MID, 186cm
2024 Champs: 4 games, 26.8 disposals, 4.5 clearances, 3.8 tackles
SANFL U18s: 6 games, 31.7 disposals, 6.7 clearances, 4.0 tackles

More has been spoken about the Camporeale twins than just about any draft prospect this season. Ben has been a dominant inside midfielder over the past two seasons, wrenching the ball out of the clinches and moving it forward at all costs. The knocks on Camporeale are his foot skills and athletic profile. They're valid criticisms, but if Ben can become an elite contested possession winner it won't matter as much. Twin brother Lucas is a wingman that will also make his way to Carlton.

Best traits similar to: Tim Taranto

36. Harry O'Farrell
Calder Cannons/Vic Metro
DEF/FWD, 196cm
2024 Champs: 2 games, 4.0 disposals, 1.5 marks
Talent League: 5 games, 9.0 disposals, 3.0 marks, 0.4 goals

O'Farrell is an excellent key defensive prospect, long and rangy with swingman capabilities. He missed chunks of the season through injuries and hasn't shown an awful lot with the ball in his hand, but should remain in high demand as a lockdown key defender.

Best traits similar to: Jack Buckley

Lucas didn't make the ESPN top 50.
95
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by kruddler -
Pre-draft Lucas was rated as a rookie pick IIRC.

I don't think we got them at a bargain, i think we got them about right....maybe even a touch early.

Take away their last name.....and is the hype justified? Is their output above average?
Nothing against the kids, but once you are at the club, you don't get done any favours.

They are around the 30-35 mark in terms of talent on our list......which is about where you'd expect based on where they were drafted.
97
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by Thryleon -
Quote from: Adelaideblue – on
Understand the point you are making DJC & LP re how other recruiters rated Ben & Lucas for them to fall to picks 43 & 45, although I wonder if the fact that we held F/S rights wasn't a factor.

Not sure why they should be better suited back here at Port EB. Guess you are saying they are the type of player Port needs in their mix with Boaky gone. However, hopefully if given a reasonable chance we will find they are a "need' here!

Sometimes I wonder why as supporters we have to be so negative on young players who have hardly been looked at.  These guys, their family members must sometimes read this negativity. If so you we shouldn't be surprised if they do decide to go back from where they have come.  Why poke the bear with a stick? 
As has been said "Carlton supporters devour their own", if true not very smart. As supporters we are part of the fabric of a football club and need to play our part for the club to have success.

Well I guess I got that off my ...back !!
cheers AB

Is that you Adrian? 

If so, welcome.  No one is negative about the boys.  Lucas pushed himself to the edge against hawthorn and ben hasn't even had a chance yet.  Pressure is off them this year.  Next year they'll need to be establishing their credentials, they just have to show they can compete at the level this year for mine.

They may not be the next superstars of the comp, but if they can complement the likes of jagga they'll be fine.
99
Blah-Blah Bar / Re: General Discussions
Last post by Thryleon -
Quote from: LP – on
The likes of Coles and Woolworths want to blame the war and local farmers for rising costs, but the big corporations have long shipped product in from Sth America and SE Asia in competition to our farmers and burned local supply chains.

That is the impact of fuel costs they do not want the public to identify, so they blame farmers and fertilizer, none of it impacts the foreign supply to the same degree. Local supply chains that aren't affected, at least not yet, still aren't being awarded contracts.

You're being setup / primed to be gouged, this is billionaire group think.
thats macroeconomics for you.  We are to blame for making the choice to go the cheaper product.

The stores stock what they stock. They'll make money whatever we buy.  The stock costs what it costs.  No one in the companies overseas worries about how many days without a near miss, or all the other regulations that go with it so they keep their Labour cheap.

Ultimately the free market decides.  We have by choosing not to buy Aussie grown, Aussie made.  Reap what you sow.
100
Robert Heatley Stand / Re: AFL Rd 3 2026 Pre Game Prognostications Carlton vs Melbourne
Last post by Adelaideblue -
Understand the point you are making DJC & LP re how other recruiters rated Ben & Lucas for them to fall to picks 43 & 45, although I wonder if the fact that we held F/S rights wasn't a factor.

Not sure why they should be better suited back here at Port EB. Guess you are saying they are the type of player Port needs in their mix with Boaky gone. However, hopefully if given a reasonable chance we will find they are a "need' here!

Sometimes I wonder why as supporters we have to be so negative on young players who have hardly been looked at.  These guys, their family members must sometimes read this negativity. If so you we shouldn't be surprised if they do decide to go back from where they have come.  Why poke the bear with a stick? 
As has been said "Carlton supporters devour their own", if true not very smart. As supporters we are part of the fabric of a football club and need to play our part for the club to have success.

Well I guess I got that off my ...back !!
cheers AB