The past couple of weeks and on everyones lips was Cousins, Cousins, Cousins and Cousins. First we wondered would he get permission from the AFL? Then it was would he get picked up in the National Draft? and then yesterday we wondered if the AFL would allow Richmond to an extra pick in the Pre Season Draft. They said NO but Richmond picked Cousins up anyway in the Pre Season Draft at pick 6.

Personally I think Richmond has done the right thing by Cousins and the club. They have a very young list and he will add so much to the midfield which will now boast the likes of Cousins, Deledio, Coughlin, Johnson, Richardson, Foley, Cotchin, Hislop, Tambling and Tuck.

This is a very bold move but for Richmond to take the next step and actually get passed the ninth spot they need something like this. I will be watching Richmond with interest and would not be surprised if they reach top six in 2009.

The other Pre Season picks were:

1. Liam Jurrah to Melbourne.
   Talented forward which means Melbourne will now have a few to choose from
2. Josh Carr to Port Adelaide.
   Played in the 04 Grand Final and comes home after a stint at Fremantle
3. Hayden Skipworth to Essendon.
   Had two stints at Adelaide with 44 games, will add experience to the young team
4. Chris Johnson to Carlton.
   Only played 10 games this year for Melbourne.
5. Tom Rockliff to Brisbane.
   imo he got Nick Davis place and will provide an extra avenue for goals for the Lions.
6. Ben Cousins to Richmond.
   This could either be the pick of the decade or a dud like Carey to Adelaide and Lockett’s return

The 2008 Rookie Draft

The rookie draft has fast become an opportunity to unravel a super star with players like Cox, Kennelly etc all rookie listed players at once. A lot of clubs have top players who were at one stage a rookie listed player, they may need a little longer to develop but they are an important asset for any club. However due to the financial situation many clubs have passed on having the max number of rookies this year.

If you know something about one of the players that I have nothing underneath, please leave it in the comments and I will update.

Adelaide Crows Rookie picks

Ricky Henderson - A basketball convert
Christopher Schmidt – Was on the Lions list in 2008
Brian Donnelly – Irish rookie

Brisbane Lions Rookie picks

Daniel Murray
Adam Spackman
Daniel Dzufer – Was on the Lions list in 2008.
Joel Tippett – Has been on the Lions rookie list before

Carlton Blues Rookie picks

Jeff Gartlett –
Luke Stanton – Athletic tall with good aerobic capacity who reads the play well to win possession
Greg Bentley
Darren Pfeiffer – Has played a few games for Carlton last year.
Lachie Hill – Was on the Blues list in 2008
Sam Jacobs – Was on the Blues list in 2008

Collingwood Magpies Rookie picks

Tristan Francis
Jarryd Blair
Johnny Bennell – A livewire forward with good skills and goalkicking ability
Tobias Thoolen – Given an other chance to develop and impress by Collingwood.
Lachlan Keefe
Scott Reed – NSW rookie

Essendon Bombers Rookie picks

Bryce Carroll
Thomas German
Christian Bock – Younger brother of Adelaide Nathan Bock and a quite talented but skinny ruckman.
Kade Klemke – Medium defender who reads the play well and is an excellent decision-maker.
Michael Quinn – Irish rookie

Fremantle Dockers Rookie picks

Casey Sibosado – Key position player
Matthew DeBoer – Medium midfielder who is strong overhead and a prolific ball-winner. Runs hard for his team and is courageous in his attack on the ball.
Hamish Shepheard - Can play at either end of the ground.
Clancee Pearce – Attacking medium defender who reads the play well. Uses the ball well and can kick with depth
Jay van Berlo – Younger brother of Adelaide Van Berlo, had a good season for WA’s West Perth
Greg Broughton – Quality mid-sized defender capable of playing on a tall or small but also averages more than 20 possessions a game and can play all over the field.

Geelong Cats Rookie picks

Adam Varcoe – Lightly-built and quick player who tackles well, in a similar vein to brother Travis at Geelong.
Bryn Weadon – High possession winning midfielder who has good disposal by foot. Possesses a great speed-endurance combination.
Tom Allwright – I am sure he will turn out ‘All (w)right’. Allwright is noted for his sure hands and positive attitude.
Ranga Ediriwickrama – NSW rookie

Hawthorn Hawks Rookie picks

Riley Milne – Rebounding tall defender who reads the game well.
Haydn Kiel – Was on the Lions list in 2008.
Luke Breust
Carl Peterson – Was on the Tigers list in 2008
Garry Moss – Has been on the Hawks list and has another chance
Matthew Suckling
William Sierakowski – NSW rookie

North Melbourne Kangaroos Rookie picks

Marcus White
Luke Delaney
Benjamin Speight
Alan Obst – Another player who has been given another chance at his old club
Conor Meredith - Irish Rookie

Melbourne Demons Rookie picks

Jordie McKenzie – Inside midfielder with elite endurance, clean hands, good decision maker inside.
Rhys Healey – Midfielder with elite endurance and pace, good ball winner and goal kicking midfielder. Wins the ball on the inside and out.
Danny Hughes – Given another chance to impress and develop by Melbourne.

Port Adelaide Power Rookie picks

Wade Thompson – A small forward with extreme speed. He has a really good attack on the footy and is able to break a game open
Danny Meyer – Was a top 20 pick for Richmond and has been given another chance.
Daniel Stewart – He’s a developing key position and ruckman. He has very good endurance, nice hands and a balanced left foot kick.
Matthew Martin – Powerfully built key position prospect that has shown ability to play key forward and key back in West Adelaide’s senior side.
Jesse Laurie – Powerfully built and tough. He played key position back for WA state U18s and showed strong ability to read play and intercept balls

Richmond Tigers Rookie picks

Robin Nahas – Small midfielder who is a proven goalkicker and displays a fierce competitiveness. He is very quick with excellent evasive skills.
David Gourdis – Was on the Tigers list in 2008
Andrew Browne – A competitive ruckman who can also go forward, highlighted by his five-goal performance in round nine of the TAC Cup
Alroy Gilligan- Versatile and athletic player with terrific passion for the game and excellent agility.

St Kilda Saints Rookie picks

Zac Dawson – Most remembered for the goals scored against him playing for Hawthorn, hopefully he will turn his career around.
Tom Simpkin – Strong-marking and durable type with good mobility
Brad Howard – Another player given another chance by their old club.
Steven Gaertner – Gaertner finished the season off very well playing at centre half-back for the Stingrays. He was very capable when going forward and occasionally into the ruck.
Ross Tungatulum
Samuel McGarry
Blake McGrath – NSW Rookie

Sydney Swans Rookie picks

Kristin Thornton – Was on the Swans list in 2008.
Taylor Gilchrist – Athletic, agile midfielder who can run the lines. Pace is a feature along with his kicking ability.
Kyle Coney - Irish rookie
Mike Pyke – International Rookie

West Coast Eagles Rookie picks

Liam Bedford – Was on the Geelong Rookie list for two seasons.
Adam Cockie – medium midfielder who had a stellar first senior season at WAFL level for Subiaco. Wins the contested ball, has good skills on either side of his body and demonstrates good lateral movement.

Western Bulldogs Rookie picks

Jamason Daniels
Liam Picken – Medium forward capable of going into the midfield. He placed second in the TAC Cup goalkicking award.
Christopher Ogle - NSW rookie

So you happy with your clubs picks? Is any of the international rookies the new Kennelly or do you see the new Cox in one of the rookies?

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