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James Podsiadly of Geelong celebrates a goal during the AFL Round 06 match between the Geelong Cats and the Richmond Tigers at Skilled Stadium, Geelong. Slattery Images
Hindsight is, of course, always a virtue when it comes to trading players, choosing draft picks or taking a punt on older players. But that won’t stop us critiquing the hits and misses of 2010 so far. The big hit with unparalleled success has been the mature aged recruits.
The introduction of the mature age rookie system has allowed clubs to take a risk on older players without investing huge amounts of money or forgoing a valued spot on the senior list.
Most importantly, it has also given many players a second chance at living their AFL dream.
The fairytale script couldn’t have been written any better for the new cult hero at Geelong.
James Podsiadly has made a stunning debut to AFL football, and in my mind, the 28 year old is without a doubt the story of the year so far. Now, I know he’s been a big talking point already, but I can’t get enough of the J-Pod.
He’s kicked five bags of five goals in just nine games of footy, and in many peoples’ minds, has already surpassed Cameron Mooney as the Cats primary target up forward.
Sitting in ninth spot on the goalkicking table, he’s only sixteen goals behind leader Jack Riewoldt, not bad considering he’s played three games less than the Tigers’ full-forward.
And then there is Michael Barlow.
Last season whilst playing for Werribee in the VFL, at 22 years age, you could excuse him for thinking his chances of an AFL career had all but diminished.
That’s how it looked.
Now, though, he’s absolutely starring for Fremantle and is a huge chance to finish top three in the Docker’s best and fairest, and perhaps even the Brownlow medal, as well.
Matthew Knights would be kicking himself.
Barlow was training with Essendon and many key officials had expressed their desire to at least rookie him, only for Knights to decide against it.
Instead, the Bombers picked up the worst recruit of the year in Mark Williams.
He’s managed just four games for the Bombers and totally failed to live up to expectation. Admittedly, he has had some injury setbacks, but all and all, he’s renowned for not working hard enough and his juicy three-year contract must be questioned.
I should also mention – the Bombers did offload Andrew Lovett at the right time and possibly Adam McPhee, as well.
But ultimately, Williams has been a bad move to date.
On the trade front the next is Brock McLean at Carlton.
Now, he may still prove me wrong, but at the moment, McLean is hardly justifying his recruitment.
His main purpose was to provide a chop-out for Judd, work hard in and under and in contested situations to try and ease the pressure on the Blues skipper.
Unfortunately for Carlton, he’s been in and out of the side more than the stoppages, and despite four changes to the team this week, he still can’t break in.
The surprise packet for me has been Shaun Burgoyne at Hawthorn.
Since his debut for the Hawks, they haven’t lost a game: he’s averaging 18 disposals and is providing the polish they needed.
He is yet to kick a goal, although the Hawks would be more than happy with his output, I’m sure if he can add a little bit more attack to his game, he may finish the year as the recruit of the season.
Can I just also give a special mention to Shane Mumford and Mark Seaby at Sydney.
Both have been nothing short of brilliant this year, and if Seaby hadn’t injured himself, they would have easily been one of the most potent combinations in the league.
This whole topic brings up another interesting point about how much importance clubs put on a players age.
Why should it be so important?
The experience they bring to even a redeveloping side is invaluable, and many clubs are starting to realise this more and more.
The form of a player like 33-year-old Melbourne captain James McDonald speaks volumes for how age is not necessarily a barrier.
Not to mention, the oldest player in the league, Essendon fullback Dustin Fletcher. The 35-year-old is probably winning the Bombers best and fairest and is surely in contention for All-Australian selection.
They both should play on next season and possibly beyond.
The talent pool is going to be further stretched with the introduction of two new teams, so lets hope players of such ilk don’t leave the game too early.
Opinion is shifting and it’s to the benefit of the AFL competition.
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