Without much background known on kids Geelong drafted, can anybody tell me about Harry Taylor of East Freo?

Question

Here in America, prospective on draftees in Oz is almost impossible to know.

Just wondering about how Geelong did in the draft. Please educate me.

Harry Taylor, East Fremantle
Dawson Simpson, Murray
Scott Simpson, Dandenong
Dan McKenna, Gippsland
Adam Donahue, Geelong (father-son, Larry)

Answer 1

Name: Harry Taylor
DOB: 12/06/1986
Height: 193.3cmWeight: 90.8kg
Recruited From: EAST FREMANTLE
Position: Tall defender/forward
Bio: Versatile player who has played a variety of positions at senior level with East Fremantle in the WAFL competition. High possession winner who has a great work ethic. Excellent speed (2.91sec for 20m) and endurance (14.2 beep test).


Dawson Simpson – Murray Bushrangers
205cm, 97kg (size taken from TAC Cup Record but is said to have grown to 207cm, 100kg)

Junior position: Ruck
Projected AFL position: Ruck

Strengths
Height
Fearlessness
Ground skills for size
Second efforts

Weaknesses
Ruck technique
Low possession winner

Question marks
His height has been a distinct advantage in juniors, but will it stand out as much in AFL as he’ll be up against smarter and more athletic opponents?

Comments
Dawson Simpson is a massive unit. Listed as 205cm in the TAC Cup Record (measurements taken at start of year). On top of his extreme height he also has a decent amount of bulk behind him tipping around 100kg, but the thing that makes Simpson such an exciting prospect is that this monster frame doesn’t detract heavily from his athleticism.

Immediately these measurement would conjure images of a tall dopey bloke who couldn’t put one leg ahead of the other, nevermind catch a ball, but Simpson actually moves around the ground a lot better than you would expect. On top of this he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty with second efforts so he displays a good level of intensity.

He seems to have a very good understanding of his size advantage because he doesn’t hold much fear, whether that be backing into a contest or bending down to pick up a ball in traffic.

He has a bit of work to do with his rucking as he still loses hitouts to guys under 200cm at juniors. Shaun McKernan and Jackson Trengove with superior technique and leap got the better of him in their two finals match-ups despite giving away over 10cm to Simpson, so this is a clear indication that some improvement needs to happen there and height alone won’t do it for him. With that said, it’s not like he is a bad ruckman. He is quite good and made Vic Country this year against some stiff competition, but better technique mixed with his height would go a long way.

At this stage he is still a low possession winner, even in juniors. He’s not a bad user of the ball when he gets his hands on it but he’s not really influential around the ground. Reasonable athleticism and immense size are a good combination so he’s got the makings right there to be moulded into a more effective around the ground player, but that’s not an extremely likely prospect.

Upside is a key term with Dawson Simpson. He’s shown good signs at junior level and has every chance to improve. His improvement over this season alone has shown that he could be on the way to realising his potential.

Mid second/early third round pick

Stats
2007 TAC Cup season
18 games played
6.4
68 kicks (44 of them effective)
67 handballs (58 effective)
277 hitouts
16 contested marks
30 uncontested marks
37 tackles


Scott Simpson, Dandenong.
Was selected in TAC cup team of the year.
Super-competitive, hard working and aggressive player who plays with presence up forward. Vic Metro U18 representative in 2007 who can take a contested mark. From Mt Eliza FC. "Weaver: Very, very sticky mitts. Plays FF or CHF and when he gets his hands to the footy he completes a lot of marks.

Dan McKenna-
Name: Dan McKenna
Recruited From: GIPPSLAND POWER
DOB: 29/06/1989
Position: Tall forward
Height: 195.3cm Weight: 84.5kg
Bio: Good overhead and agile type who can also play back. Noted goalkicker who represented Vic Country at Under 18 level this year.

Adam Donahue-
Can't find any infomation on him.

Answer 2

Wow. Thanks Max! That's all great info.

I had the same question as GFC-B coz living in NSW we are ignored by the AFL but more so by the media and so we don't get these facts.

The two Simpson boys sound like exciting prospects in particular. Very pleased to hear what you said about second efforts as after watching Kingy in the GF this year it was remarkable how many THIRD efforts he pulled off with effect. I put $20 down at 100 to 1 for the Norm Smith on Kingy and after watching it for the 653rd time, I still feel a little ripped off. He and Andrew Mackie were best on ground when it really counted - the first half.

St Kilda have a good pick-up in Kingy. Hope they use him well.

Answer 3

Taylor is 21 years of age. He has played 48 WAFL games with E/Freo. He finished third in the club's F&B last season.

He is 193cm. He can play as a key defender but blitzed speed & endurance tests at last month's State draft screening - to show he could play in the midfield if required.

He has a big reputation as an up & coming player in WA.

Answer 4

He got a big rap from Shane Woewoddin who said his work ethic is fantastic he didn't picked up in the draft last year skinny little kid that has developed well this year and he comes from Gero ( my home town) so he must be good.