The 2007 NAB AFL under 18 championships kicked off in
afl.com.au was fortunate to spend the day with an AFL club's recruiting group and record an account of the process through their eyes.
In the second of our three-part series on recruiting, this AFL club's recruiting group gives an honest assessment of several players involved in the matches. The players commented on were nominated by "Recruiter 1" and "Recruiter 2".
To read the rest of our 2007 NAB AFL under 18 championships coverage, click here.
Jay Bowden
Recruiter 1: Bowden was looked at closely by clubs last year. He played well across half-forward booting five goals.
Recruiter 2: He booted five goals and I liked the way he set the game up. He's got a little bit of class.
Aaron Cornelius
Recruiter 1: Aaron Cornelius kicked five goals for
Recruiter 2: Cornelius has got a bit of excitement about him. He plays from behind a bit too much and plays with some arrogance, but he's got natural talent.
Tom Bellchambers
Recruiter 1: Bellchambers was quite impressive in the ruck – particularly the use of his body and his centre tap work. He dominated the centre ruck contests. He hadn't been that impressive earlier in the season – despite the level that many thought he would play at entering this year – but today he was very, very good.
Recruiter 2: Bellchambers was excellent in the ruck. He dominated around the ground with his tap work. He took a few marks, but I still worry about his ability to run.
Tom Collier
Recruiter 1: When he was moved onto the ball, he made a big impact in the second quarter. This got
Recruiter 2: Collier was really good for three quarters, but probably dropped off a bit in the last term. He plays a rugby-style of game, he's not a great decision-maker, but he is developing a strong body.
Aaron Joseph
Recruiter 1: Joseph was another player who worked really hard, particularly around the stoppages. He was the main player in close for them.
Recruiter 2: I thought Joseph was the best player for
QUEENSLAND
Sam Reid
Recruiter 1: Coming into the championships, Sam Reid was considered a very good player and probably
Recruiter 2: Reid is
Matthew Davis
Recruiter 1: Mathew Davis was very impressive. He played half-forward/wing and played particularly well across the whole match.
Recruiter 2:
Darin Stewart
Recruiter 1: Darin Stewart did his job at full-forward, although there are obvious concerns about his kicking. It certainly wasn't evident today, but he has an awkward technique. The fact he kicked five goals was quite impressive.
Recruiter 2: Stewart was good, although he's got an awkward kicking action, but his contested marking was impressive today.
Brendan Whitecross
Recruiter 1: Whitecross has ability and he's definitely got talent, but his execution today wasn't as good as it normally is – more so his decision-making than his actual kicking.
Shane Rogerson
Recruiter 1: Rogerson is predominantly a backman, but he struggled up forward early, before he went down back. It was good to see him play in another position, regardless of whether they won or lost.
Recruiter 2: Rogerson was very disappointing. He was very good in the trial games and even when he went down back he lacked a bit of pace.
David Hill
Recruiter 1: David Hill is another ruckman who has got quite good athletic qualities, but Bellchambers' body strength really made it hard for him in the ruck. Bellchambers won the contest today.
Mitch Enright
Recruiter 1: Mitch Enright played well on the wing, although he didn't enter the championships with much of a reputation. He won plenty of footy, but didn't hurt the opposition with his disposal. Still, at least he put his name forward, as he can find the footy – he's just got to do more with it.
Joseph Daye
Recruiter 1: Daye is an athlete. He's left-sided but has no right-side at all, so that does limit his ability going forward.
Recruiter 2: I thought he was a bit disappointing today. He can certainly kick the ball with his left foot and is very athletic, but I don't think he works hard enough or reads the play well at all.