Operation Nakia Cockatoo

[Chimptastic]

Exactly my point, Everytime Nakia is involved in play 8/10 its a contested situation ...

60% of the time, it works everytime... :hihi

I agree that he's easily pigeon-holed as a typical outside flashy Indigenous lawn mowerer that is Indigenous. He actually projects as more of a flashy Daniel Jackson than a Daniel Pierce, but he didn't do enough rowing to capture our attention.

 

[linuscambridge]

I only ever see the draft videos these days, but always watch them with an eye to what traits will translate to AFL level. The video of Nakia looked to me like a template to exactly what he could bring to the party in an AFL match.

Doesn't mind getting his hands dirty with the inside ball. Has a great side step and stiff arm which only ever works if you are strong like Dusty or have particularly long arms as it looks like Cockatoo has. His break away speed would still be elite at AFL level. His vertical leap again is elite so marking should not be a problem.

I frankly couldn't see what is not to like, so I would be rapt if he made it to our pick and got called out as a Tiger.

So many other highlight videos show players floating about unmanned, or being on the receiving end of the cheap kick sideways, showing nothing that indicates the player will make the step up to AFL. That's not to say they won't, but my doubts on Nakia are far less than many other more highly fancied players.

 

[turk-d-tiger]

I only ever see the draft videos these days, but always watch them with an eye to what traits will translate to AFL level. The video of Nakia looked to me like a template to exactly what he could bring to the party in an AFL match.

Doesn't mind getting his hands dirty with the inside ball. Has a great side step and stiff arm which only ever works if you are strong like Dusty or have particularly long arms as it looks like Cockatoo has. His break away speed would still be elite at AFL level. His vertical leap again is elite so marking should not be a problem.

I frankly couldn't see what is not to like, so I would be rapt if he made it to our pick and got called out as a Tiger.

So many other highlight videos show players floating about unmanned, or being on the receiving end of the cheap kick sideways, showing nothing that indicates the player will make the step up to AFL. That's not to say they won't, but my doubts on Nakia are far less than many other more highly fancied players.

This is absolutely spot on.

When I look at the highlights of players in open space distributing the ball with time, It really doesnt do much for me as only the elite get to have the time and space to execute this at AFL level on a consistant basis.

We Must realise that there are only about 50-60 players selected at the draft and only about 10-15 actually end up having a long/good afl career,Keeping this in mind there are 44 players playing in any given game and only about 6-7 of these players will get drafted so there are alot of players on the ground that are not elite level kids
The point im trying to get to is that players like Duggan /Weller/Ellis will easily make the space and time to execute these skills at that level but wont have the same space ability at AFL level

Where a player like Cockatoo who has the Speed, Leap, Ball winning ability has more chance and will be more effective - Inside ball winning ability combined with pace strength and leap as well as a dertirmination to succeed is less of a risk than a silky player at junior level in my eyes

 

[Scoop]

This is overlooked continually, 64% of Cocky's possessions were contested in 2013, of course his DE will be down on the likes of Duggan. But I will add that he was a lot shorter and smaller in his freshman year, he has really filled out and looks as AFL ready as any of the draftees. We've been crying out for some x-factor for an eternity & when the opportunity arises many just adopt the glass half empty approach. How about being innovators for a change, we now have the tools to develop these guys into seasoned pros, clubs like Hawthorn & Collingwood have been successful because they have the balls to recruit project players. We seem to be so preoccupied with the safe options that we stand no chance of snaring the next Bontempelli or Brad Hill.

The only concern I have with Cocky is his kicking. There isn't enough data or vision to truly get a feel for his kicking.

 

[turk-d-tiger]

The only concern I have with Cocky is his kicking. There isn't enough data or vision to truly get a feel for his kicking.

Its very easy to alleviate that concern , Just remember that all the kids invited to the combine are elite juniors and out of all of them which kid at 17 years of age had the best kicking result ? 29/30 thats no fluke

Then comes the question, Whats his kicking like under pressure and to be honest i think its just as good as any whilst under pressure as he is probably the only player that you see in the highlights that is always runnning at full pace. and will only get better

#12 isnt #1 where you are guaranteed a Star but Nakia has the scope to be a star in our current team with our existing midfield

 

[linuscambridge]

Its very easy to alleviate that concern , Just remember that all the kids invited to the combine are elite juniors and out of all of them which kid at 17 years of age had the best kicking result ? 29/30 thats no fluke

Then comes the question, Whats his kicking like under pressure and to be honest i think its just as good as any whilst under pressure as he is probably the only player that you see in the highlights that is always runnning at full pace. and will only get better

#12 isnt #1 where you are guaranteed a Star but Nakia has the scope to be a star in our current team with our existing midfield

Agree, good post.

 

[spook]

Agree, good post.

x2.

 

[mad_tiggy911]

x2.

x3.

 

[LeeToRainesToRoach]

Are we any better at developing indigenous talent than we were a decade ago? Can Dimma relate?

 

[scooty]

Its the reason he failed the other coaching jobs he was honest and said he struggles with indiginous players

 

[FistFullOfDollars]

The only concern I have with Cocky is his kicking. There isn't enough data or vision to truly get a feel for his kicking.

Agree. it's hard to know if he's rusty after a lengthy injury but a lot of his disposals in the highlight vid are rushed and he makes things more difficult for his team mate than they should be.

He kicks into the D50 and he doesn't spot the loose man and instead kicks well short of team mate who has to slow down and bend over to pick it up with his opponent on his hammer.

One hand ball which should have been an easy hand off but instead his team mate had to jump in the air to try and receive the ball and it was so high it slipped through his fingertips and the ball is fumbled.

He kicks backwards and sideways and hits easy targets twice. Apart from his shots at goal its all very scrappy stuff. I don't understand all the hype and "if FJ doesn't pick him that'll be it for me" etc

 

[Baloo]

Its the reason he failed the other coaching jobs he was honest and said he struggles with indiginous players

No, he never said that. He said he doesn't see the need to treat them differently from any other player.

 

[bullus_hit]

Agree. it's hard to know if he's rusty after a lengthy injury but a lot of his disposals in the highlight vid are rushed and he makes things more difficult for his team mate than they should be.

He kicks into the D50 and he doesn't spot the loose man and instead kicks well short of team mate who has to slow down and bend over to pick it up with his opponent on his hammer.

One hand ball which should have been an easy hand off but instead his team mate had to jump in the air to try and receive the ball and it was so high it slipped through his fingertips and the ball is fumbled.

He kicks backwards and sideways and hits easy targets twice. Apart from his shots at goal its all very scrappy stuff. I don't understand all the hype and "if FJ doesn't pick him that'll be it for me" etc

He was BOG, you make it sound like he was a liability.

 

[turk-d-tiger]

Agree. it's hard to know if he's rusty after a lengthy injury but a lot of his disposals in the highlight vid are rushed and he makes things more difficult for his team mate than they should be.

He kicks into the D50 and he doesn't spot the loose man and instead kicks well short of team mate who has to slow down and bend over to pick it up with his opponent on his hammer.

One hand ball which should have been an easy hand off but instead his team mate had to jump in the air to try and receive the ball and it was so high it slipped through his fingertips and the ball is fumbled.

He kicks backwards and sideways and hits easy targets twice. Apart from his shots at goal its all very scrappy stuff. I don't understand all the hype and "if FJ doesn't pick him that'll be it for me" etc

Things do get a little bit harder when your going at a million miles an hour and as BH also mentioned He was best on ground in the game which had Weller,Heeney,Steel and a few others playing - Not too shabby for your 1st game back in a year so we might excuse the kid for 1 missed pass,1 handball a little too high and a missed goal by about 1.2mtrs whilst running flat out for 30mtrs

 

[Leysy Days]

Fair questions considering everyone is working on limited data leysy would have thought.

The Nakia fan boi's are a passionate lot. ;D

 

[FistFullOfDollars]

He was BOG, you make it sound like he was a liability.

It's not like I'm making stuff up. Apart from his shots from goal his ball use was scrappy in that highlights clip.

People are talking him up like he's flawless. I'm just trying to be realistic, some have said he has an amazing highlights package and that others just show players kicking sideways and backwards but the funny thing is Nakia's does as well. People are just polarised by the stiff arms, speed and run and carry that they ignore it.

Everyone just needs to be objective. Look at this from all perspectives.

 

[bullus_hit]

Fair questions considering everyone is working on limited data leysy would have thought.

The Nakia fan boi's are a passionate lot. ;D

It becomes a question of half glass empty or half glass full, for a first game in 15 months it exceeded expectations. All the draftees have made some howlers, an overcooked handball and a short kick shouldn't detract from the other great qualities on show.

It's not like I'm making stuff up. Apart from his shots from goal his ball use was scrappy in that highlights clip.

People are talking him up like he's flawless. I'm just trying to be realistic, some have said he has an amazing highlights package and that others just show players kicking sideways and backwards but the funny thing is Nakia's does as well. People are just polarised by the stiff arms, speed and run and carry that they ignore it.

Everyone just needs to be objective. Look at this from all perspectives.

Nobody is suggesting he was flawless, but I think you are selling his game very short. The power in his first few steps will be lethal at AFL level, as will his agility & leap, he has a second gear and he knows how to use it. He can also kick well on his left foot, something which you have either missed or are deliberately overlooking. I take it you don't rate him, that's your perogative.

 

[FistFullOfDollars]

I do rate him and I would be happy if we took him with pick 12 because it means our club believes he's the best available. What I don't like is people saying "if we pick X over Cockatoo we have rocks in our head" etc.

Where is the glass half full with Duggan? Ellis?

 

[bullus_hit]

I do rate him and I would be happy if we took him with pick 12 because it means our club believes he's the best available. What I don't like is people saying "if we pick X over Cockatoo we have rocks in our head" etc.

Where is the glass half full with Duggan? Ellis?

I don't believe I have said anything of the sort, I've made it pretty clear I would be happy with either Weller or Cockatoo, with Wright being my first preference. I don't want the other two because they aren't line breakers, they are relatively slow and they had an indifferent carnival. Other people obviously have other priorities and that's fine, the safe option is their thing and I respect that.

 

[Chimptastic]

This is a nerd move on my behalf but considering the interest in Cockatoo's solitary game from the last 1.3 years I decided to break down his possessions from the highlights video.

I'll oversimplify by evaluating the outcome of three general match situations:

1. Opposition has the ball
2. Neutral ball
3. Team in-possession

My coding will zone in on whether the player:
1 - retains team possession (0); downgrades a team possession to neutral ball (-1); downgrades a team possession to a turnover / opposition ball (-2)...
2 - wins a neutral ball (+1); maintains a neutral ball (0); loses a neutral ball to opposition (-1)...
3 - fails to defend when the opposition has the ball (0); upgrades an opposition ball to a neutral ball (+1); upgrades an opposition ball to a team in-possession ball (+2).

Feel free to take the number weightings as merely a very "loose" measure of a player's impact on changes in possession. In short, it doesn't punish poor defence (it only rewards good defence) and it doesn't reward good possessions (only punishes poor outcome of possessions), while neutral ball is more intuitive. Overall, any score in the positive will show a positive influence on changes in possession. With that said, let's see how Cockatoo influenced his team's changes in possession in the video:

First he gets a score in the "TOWARD" category (ball gets TO him) then he gets a score in the "FROM" category, when the ball leaves him.



1: TOWARD: Kicker not shown. Either retains team possession (0) or turns opposition kick into an in-possession (+2). FROM: His disposal is not shown (-).

2: TOWARDS: Handball receive, maintains (0). FROM: Handpasses cleanly back to running teammate, maintains (0).

3: TOWARDS: Smothers opposition kick to win possession for the team (+2). FROM: Handpasses cleanly to teammate, retains (0).

4. TOWARDS: Wins a neutral ball (+1). FROM: Handpasses cleanly to teammate, retains (0).

5. TOWARDS: Wins a neutral ball (+1). FROM: Kicks un-cleanly to teammate, retains (0).

6. TOWARDS: Wins a neutral ball (+1). FROM: Handpasses cleanly to teammate, retains (0).

7. TOWARDS: Handpass received, retains (0). FROM: Short forward kick to teammate, retains (0).

8. TOWARDS: Difficult handpass received, retains (0). FROM: Difficult handpass to teammate, 50/50 retains, vision cut short but I'll give him this one (0)

9. TOWARDS: In-possession contested mark, retains (0). FROM: Very safe backwards 15m kick, retains (0).

10. TOWARDS: Handball received under pressure, retains (0). FROM: Shot on goal drops short, luckily marked by teammate... his intention was a goal, the outcome was a 50/50 chance, so I'll call this (-1).

11. TOWARDS: Good leading mark, retains (0). FROM: Safe 15m sideways kick in attacking half, retains (0).

12. TOWARDS: Turns neutral centre bounce into a clearance (+1). FROM: Scores a point, retains (0).

13. TOWARDS: Turns neutral centre ball into a clearance (+1). FROM: Scores a goal, retains (0).


OVERALL SCORE: +6 or +8 influence on possession changes from 13 (of 20) disposals shown in the highlights video. The +2 difference depends on whether his first mark was an intercept mark or not.

Again, it's a loose measurement and I understand the limitations of the above data but considering the limited footage we have (which is not the entire match, which I assume recruiters have access to) it's just another perspective to consider in the wide range of factors necessary to evaluate a player's effectiveness and in projecting his likelihood of becoming a great AFL player. I'll leave it up to the readers to draw a conclusion.