David Gourdis - 2007 AFL Draft Talk

[GreaT SourcE]

David Gourdis – Subiaco, WA, 192.4cm, 88.9kg, DOB 14/3/89
Honours

• Western Australia representative – winners of the 2007 NAB AFL Under-18 Championships

NAB AFL Draft Camp highlights

• 20m Sprints – 2.83 (1st overall)
• Vertical Standing Jump – 81 cm (1st overall)
• Repeat Sprints – 24.22 sec (6th overall)

Kevin Sheehan, AFL National Talent Manager says:
“Gourdis you just couldn’t ignore at Draft Camp where he tested in the top 1 per cent of anyone [in Camp history] for speed. At 192cm he did a 2.83 second time which was the quickest at Camp and he was up in the top bracket with the repeat sprints as well, and his vertical jump was again in the top 1 per cent of the kids we’ve ever tested. What that says to you – it doesn’t say ‘you are going to play AFL football’ – it says that you’ve got enormous athletic ability. He’s a WA under-18 rep this year so you’ll go back and have a good look at him playing for them. He’s a lead-up forward with that kind of speed and spring.
“He’s still developing as a player with his use of the footy and his decision making, but he’s got wonderful athletic ability and at his age there’s still scope for plenty of improvement in him. He’s got some attributes that will take all the clubs take notice and assess their football evaluation of him.”
Jon Haines, Talent and Coaching Manager WA Football Commission says:
“David blew us away with his sprint work for a guy of his size. He played mainly in key position roles for Subiaco this year – both forward and back – more so at centre half-forward in the colts. He works pretty hard up the ground and with that pace he causes a few headaches for defenders.
“He’s a very team-oriented player; probably overly so. One thing he could probably do is keep the ball to himself a little bit more; he tends to go over and above in terms of bringing other players into the game, but he’s a very coachable and flexible young player with a lot of the attributes that clubs are looking for.”

Might be a chance to get drafted to the Bulldogs with their first pick 5.
Thoughts....?

[Tippaz]

not pick5.

more of a pick10-20.

[GreaT SourcE]

Originally Posted by Tippaz

not pick5.

more of a pick10-20.

Yeah, he could easily slip to picks 10 to 20, but I think he fits the Bulldogs needs beautifully. He is a tall forward, with explosive pace, has a fantastic leap on him & can more importantly kick goals. I think either him, Henderson or McEvoy will be chosen with the Bulldogs 1st pick (5).

[Tippaz]

Originally Posted by GreaT SourcE

Yeah, he could easily slip to picks 10 to 20, but I think he fits the Bulldogs needs beautifully. He is a tall forward, with explosive pace, has a fantastic leap on him & can more importantly kick goals. I think either him, Henderson or McEvoy will be chosen with the Bulldogs 1st pick (5).

the HeraldSun were predicting Grant (never even heard of him) in today's paper with pick5.
don't know much about Henderson (tall, touted as a top10), but i've actually seen McEvoy play and i think he's a 5-year project. ruckmen usually take a long time to develop anyway.
they are saying Grant is a tall forward that would suit the Bulldogs needs. what do wreckon?

[GreaT SourcE]

Originally Posted by Tippaz

the HeraldSun were predicting Grant (never even heard of him) in today's paper with pick5.
don't know much about Henderson (tall, touted as a top10), but i've actually seen McEvoy play and i think he's a 5-year project. ruckmen usually take a long time to develop anyway.
they are saying Grant is a tall forward that would suit the Bulldogs needs. what do wreckon?

Yeah, Grant could be another chance with pick 5, is a very athletic player from the Stingrays who has been playing primarily as a forward in 2007 after playing a bit more of a utility role (including some defensive roles with good effect) in 2006. Good spring, safe hands and strong attack on the footy, could be a possibilty. I just think Gourdis is still the perfect fit for the Doggies, he's super quick, has natural spring & has goal-kicking ability, and looks more ready made for next year than Grant.

[Brades]

The reviews of Grant that I have seen make him sound like Rusling. Athletic, fast and a good mark.