Jacob Weitering’s AFL debut has experts raving
HE’S only just made his AFL debut but Carlton young gun Jacob Weitering has some AFL pundits in raptures. VOTE: Will Weitering be one of the best no.1 picks?
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COULD Carlton young gun Jacob Weitering be the best no.1 draft pick since St Kilda champ Nick Riewoldt?
After making a stellar debut in the Blues’ narrow loss to Richmond, experts were glowing in their praise of the 18-year-old, with some making some big predictions about where he may one day sit.
Weitering had 17 disposals and seven marks against Richmond but it was his cool head and smart ball use that had experts raving.
Speaking on SEN on Saturday, Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said he was staggered by the key defender’s debut, asking whether Weitering may one day become one of the great no.1 draft picks.
David King was also amazed by what last year’s top draft pick has been able to do in such a short period of time.
“I’ve heard 50, 60 games, people say before you feel like you belong, and before you feel like you can read the speed of the game,” King said.
“He took about five minutes of pre-season. The game against Essendon at Ikon Park you thought ‘how long’s he been here?’
“Last year’s stats in the TAC (Cup) he was no.1 for intercept marks and in fact he rated elite for everything except spoils — he doesn’t spoil the ball — he goes to mark it and I think that’s where footy’s gone and maybe he’s the start of that next wave that don’t necessarily stand and want to diffuse a problem, they want to cause some of their own.”
Former Hawthorn champ Dermott Brereton agreed with King but said he wanted to see a little more.
“Have you seen enough of him in the shoulder-to-shoulder, isolated one-out contest?” Brereton said.
“To say he’s the best no.1 since Riewoldt means he’s going to be an all-time great.
“All I’m saying is if you’re claiming him now that he will go on to be an all-time great, I’d like to see him in a one-on-one contest a few more times because on a couple of occasions Jack (Riewoldt) tossed him aside and got to a ball and marked it without contact.
“Now we’re talking about a first-game player and I take my hat off to him but that’s just that aspect of the game ... everything else, ball in hand, set up, knowledge of the sport, attitude.”
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