Further to the Sam Fisher signing

[joffaboy]

Can anyone tell me why he was overlooked by the draft and only taken as a mature aged draftee?

Usually with a player (cj for example) their is an obvious weakness such as kicking or lack of run.

Sam has proven he has the run and the skills as shown in his AA selection.

I can understand how this bloke could have been passed over.

Was he always a back? Or was he just a late maturer???

Some thoughts would be appreciated.

Oh and FANTASTIC NEWS that Sam has signed to 2012. Fully deserved and I hope we have renumerated him with what he deserves.

[Mr Magic]

I seem to recall reading reports he was a 'late bloomer' and had concentrated on playing golf until a late age.

I also believe he was originally a forward, not a backman?

[plugger66]

Can anyone tell me why he was overlooked by the draft and only taken as a mature aged draftee?

Usually with a player (cj for example) their is an obvious weakness such as kicking or lack of run.

Sam has proven he has the run and the skills as shown in his AA selection.

I can understand how this bloke could have been passed over.

Was he always a back? Or was he just a late maturer???

Some thoughts would be appreciated.


Didnt come to the city till very late because of his golf. Decided to play footy because the golf was going to be to hard and his older brother played for the same Adeaide side.
Oh and FANTASTIC NEWS that Sam has signed to 2012. Fully deserved and I hope we have renumerated him with what he deserves.

[goodie]

I seem to recall reading reports he was a 'late bloomer' and had concentrated on playing golf until a late age.

I also believe he was originally a forward, not a backman?

Correct on both counts

[joffaboy]

Thaks guys.

Well lucky us then. John Beveridge gets critisied for some draft choices however nobody can complain about Sam Fisher at 50+.

[saintbrat]

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews ... ntentSwap2

Yet the South Australian's luring to Moorabbin was a masterstroke of drafting by former recruiter John Beveridge, who plucked him as a 21-year-old from the bench at West Adelaide in the SANFL with selection No. 55 in the 2003 national draft, a bargain-basement pick. In a club boasting half-a-dozen gold bullions and No. 1 selections, a nugget was found deep in the fourth round.

Back then, Fisher had only just begun playing football again after a few years living in Adelaide pursuing the golf dream. He had played pennant for Kooyonga Golf Club, winning a state title (ironically, this is his last premiership, a fact he hopes to address with the Saints this year). His handicap fell to one and he represented SA.

He worked night shift in a factory to pay the bills. But, most of all, he found it lonely away from his family and friends in the riverland. "I'd had an absolute gutful of golf," he said. "I was working at night so I could get up and practise during the day. I got tired and burnt out so I decided to go back to footy, have a kick to get away from golf for a while."

In 2003 he played in a grand final with West Adelaide under Shaun Rehn's coaching, along with the likes of Adam Cooney (the No. 1 draft pick that year) and West Coast's rugged premiership defender Beau Waters, sitting in a forward pocket alongside Darren Bradshaw, brother of Brisbane's Daniel, who kicked the century. "I was just getting out of his (Bradshaw's) way," recalls Fisher. "I spent a fair bit of time on the bench."

He had always been a forward, even back in two under-13 premierships for Barmera. That was about to change dramatically in 2004 when St Kilda found itself devoid of tall defensive options early in the season, with Max Hudghton and Matt Maguire injured. Fisher, who had played two early games as a forward, was sent down back against Richmond and was pitted against Matthew Richardson. He conceded six goals, and another six to Matthew Lloyd and Essendon the next week. "It was a tough start. I was giving away quite a few kilos back then. They just threw me around."

What St Kilda was about to find out was that he was made of strong stuff. Fisher hit the gym and resolved to make himself stronger (he is 93 kilograms now, six kilograms heavier than when he started, and more muscular). "He was a quiet bloke," says Jones. "But you could see he had that confidence underneath."

[stinger]

I seem to recall reading reports he was a 'late bloomer' and had concentrated on playing golf until a late age.

I also believe he was originally a forward, not a backman?

yep......he concentrated on golf before tiring of it.said he got sick of the hours and hours of just hitting balls on his lonesome..........wise man...golf is a crap selfish lonely game..........

[stinger]

Thaks guys.

Well lucky us then. John Beveridge gets critisied for some draft choices however nobody can complain about Sam Fisher at 50+.

or gwilt......

[saintsRrising]

Thaks guys.

Well lucky us then. John Beveridge gets critisied for some draft choices however nobody can complain about Sam Fisher at 50+.

Apart from the Howard pick...I think it would more be the trades which were not his call that were at issue.

Great news on Sam though.

[The Saintsational Man]

wise man...golf is a crap selfish lonely game..........

That's a bit harsh Stinger.....