The new captain of Geelong is Joel Selwood, who will be replacing former skipper Cameron Ling, who retired after Geelong’s premeiership last year. Selwood has always been the favourite for this position, and was the Cats vice-captain in season 2011.

Since his debut in 2007, Selwood has played a total of 114 games in his 4 seasons for the Cats and has kicked 48 goals. Throughout his short, yet illustrious career thus far, he has won numerous awards including; 3 Premierships, 2 All Australian Honours, the Cats Best and Fairest Award, Best First Year Player for the Cats and the leagues Most Courageous Player.

The Cats leadership group consists of the following players: Joel Selwood (captain), Jimmy Bartel (vice-captain), Joel Corey,  Steve Johnson, Corey Enright, James Kelly and Harry Taylor.

Ben Reid (Collingwood) - Reid injured his right shoulder when he fell awkwardly on the beach, while on holiday in Thailand over New Years.  Scans confirmed that Reid suffered a grad three strain to his shoulder and the defender would go through a restrictive pre-season schedule.

Reid should be available for selection in the Pies first NAB Cup match on February 18th.

Chris Judd (Carlton) – Judd had surgery on his sore shoulder last December, and got back into training with the rest of the boys when Carlton resumed for 2012.

He did not however participate in any contact drills, as the Blues didn’t want to risk it.

Michael Hurley (Essendon) – Hurley injured his hamstring during pre-season training. Hurley will undertake a modified program, as the Bombers don’t want to risk further damage.

He is likely to return to full training in February and should be free for play in the Bombers first NAB Cup game on February 19th.

James Podsiadly (Geelong) – Podsiadly dislocated his right shoulder in the 2011 Grand Final, which was operated on post season.

He has been rehabilitating it since and will miss the opening rounds of the Cats NAB Cup. The good news for Cats fans is that he should be completely recovered by the start of the season.

Dawson Simpson (Geelong) – Simpson injured his back and will have surgery later this week to remove a disc from his lower back.

Unfortunately he will miss the entirety of the Cats NAB Cup, however it is likely that he will be available for selection early in the season.

Jonathon Patton (Greater Western Sydney) - Patton was diagnosed with patellar tendiopathy in his left knee joint and will travel to Sweden later this month, to meet with a specialist.

Patton will either have a minor operation or further rehabilitation on his knee, and is likely to be available for GWS’ in May.

Alipate Carlile (Port Adelaide) – Carlile strained his left hamstring during pre-season training.

He will be unable to train for a few weeks, however is likely to be ready to go for the Power’s first NAB Cup game on February 26th.

Daniel Hannebery (Sydney) – Hannebery injured his knee during pre-season training and underwent minor knee surgery last week, to remove a piece of loose cartilage.

The good news for Swans supporters is that he’ll be running in about 2 weeks and should be back to full training within 4 weeks.

If all rehabilitation goes smoothly he may be up for selection in the Swans first NAB Cup march on February 24th.

The Madden Medal is presented by Open Universities Australia and is awarded to a player which has retired in 2011, which has throughout their career demonstrated on field excellence, off field football achievements, personal growth and community spirit.

The nominees for this award this year were as follows:

• Brady Rawlings (North Melbourne)
• Cameron Ling (Geelong)
• Craig Bolton (Sydney)
• Tadhg Kennelly (Sydney)
• Barry Hall (Western Bulldogs)
• Cameron Mooney (Geelong)

The winner of this year’s Madden Medal, was Geelong Premiership Captain Cameron Ling.

Cameron Ling retired after Geelong’s third premiership in five years,  after 12 years in the AFL having played 292 games and kicking 94 goals.

The AFL Players’ executive committee determines the winner of the Madden Medal, which is made up of the following people:  Luke Power (President), Luke Ball (Vice-President), Jason Blake, Adam Goodes,  Robert Murphy, Matthew Pavlich, Drew Petrie, Adam Selwood, Brad Sewell, , AFL Players Association CEO Matthew Finnis and past player Simon Madden,

Patton is easily the most dominant forward who will get selected from the 2011 draft. Some of the attributes that saw him picked first are as follows:

• His good hands/judgement
• His consistent goal kicking
• For a big man he is great at ground level
• Fast and fit for a key forward
• Times his leads as well as anyone

GWS should be able to build a forward line around Patton and he is a deserved number 1 pick.

Quick Notes on Sam Kerridge

• Kicks goals
• Loves a contest
• Kicking can be an issue
• Finds space

Sam Kerridge in detail

Sam Kerridge is one of those footballers you want to rate really highly but instead just believe they are serviceable. There is a lot to like about Kerridge but he is your true “needs a few years in the AFL system” type player.

Kerridge works hard, you can tell the moment you lay eyes on him that he gives his all to every moment of any football match but he does have big question marks over his kicking, if he had great foot skills you’d have him in your top 20.

As it stands Kerridge is still likely to go before pick 30 due to his discipline, versatility and his appetite for the contest. Kerridge has already improved through hard work and in 2-3 years should make himself a 100 game+ midfielder- he’s just not ready right now.

Sam Kerridge Highlights

All 2011 ContestedFooty AFL Draft profiles

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If you need more information on the players check out our profiles on them here. 2011 AFL Draft Prospects

Quick Notes on Jordan Murdoch

• Left footer
• Quick- 2.76 seconds over 20 meters at the Draft Combine- number 1 result
• Hits targets
• Versatile

Jordan Murdoch in detail

Jordan Murdoch had slipped under the general public’s radar until the last few weeks but I assure you the recruiters have had their eyes on him for a while. Murdoch is a seriously exciting prospect, he plays most of his football up forward but can slip into the midfield or play loose man in defence as the team requires.

What makes Murdoch such an exciting prospect is his combination of height strength and speed, it allows him to add that extra dimension to most forward lines which are usually made up of players who have one or the other.

Don’t assume Murdoch is just an athlete playing football either; he has sure hands and neat skills which allow him to kick goals or hit up team mates regularly.

Expect Murdoch to go in the first 25 picks in the draft, apparently the Tigers and the Blues are his most likely home.

Jordan Murdoch Highlights

All 2011 ContestedFooty AFL Draft profiles

Quick Notes on Josh Bootsma

• Dual sided player
• Rebounds well
• Has pace
• Solid overhead

Josh Bootsma in detail

Josh Bootsma is one of this year’s last minute draft bolters, was up until a few months ago considered a late draft choice if he were to get drafted at all, now all the talk is North Melbourne and Fremantle are very keen to secure his services and he is likely to go in the first 30 picks.

Bootsma is more of a half back flanker than a key position player his height would suggest, sure he can play tall if required but he is much better at ground level and rebounds very well. An AFL comparison which has been made is that he is like Sam Gilbert but he can kick.

Trying to place these last minute hype players is hard, in truth he should get selected after pick 30 but all the whispers indicate he’ll go earlier than that.

Josh Bootsma Highlights

No footage available.
All 2011 ContestedFooty AFL Draft profiles

In a draft dominated by GWS it will be interesting to see what positional requirements they rate most highly and how the remaining picks are used by the other clubs.

One thing that you will notice by this breakdown is the spread of forwards, midfielders, back and ruckmen in the mix for the 2011 Draft.

Hopefully this will help you figure out who you want to go to your club in the draft this year.

Please note that some of these players can play a variety of positions. Also note that they are in no particular order.

Forwards:

Jonathon Patton

• Good hands/judgement
• Goal kicker
• Good at ground level
• Endurance/Speed impressive for size
• Times leads well
• Many tout as top 3 pick
• AFL ready body (GWS)

• Possible father/son pick for Collingwood (Craig Starcevich)
• Strong mark
• Kicks goals
• Long kick
• Consistency an issue shows signs but hasn’t set the world alight.
• Football smarts
• Second round onwards.

Midfielders:

Devon Smith

• Taken game to a new level this year
• Goal kicker
• Quick off the mark
• Likely to start AFL career as a small forward
• Long term future as a goal kicking rover

Defenders:

Matthew Buntine

• Wins most ground level contests through his toughness
• Can play tall or small
• Natural leader
• Good foot skills
• Reads the play well
• Can create play as well as shut down his opponent

Ruckmen:

Billy Longer

• Quick
• Imposes his size on the game
• Clean at ground level
• Can play forward and hit the scoreboard
• Leader
• All Australian
• Top 5-10 pick