#19 Tew Jiath

[LaurieHolden]

FWIW, Changkuoth Jiath was an Unregistered Player Selection out of Box Hill in the 2017 Post-Draft.
It took until R21 2019 before he played his 1st of 2 games that year, before adding 5 in 2020. It wasn't until 4 years later in 2021 then 2022 where he started to string regular games together.

Point being, despite Hine saying he views Tew Jiath as more developed at a similar draft age, it will take time.

[Culprit]

I've seen a few videos of TJ and his family celebrating being drafted and they are a delight to watch. Whether he makes it or doesn't, Sudanese players are making massive inroads in local football and his draft selection makes Aussie Rules even more attractive as there are not too many footballers coming from the very large Indian and Asian communities.

Players who don't make it at the elite level bring knowledge and experience back to the lower levels way more than the players who do make it.

[WhyPhilWhy?]

I note that he weighs only a kilo more than Joe Richards, so I'm guessing there's a lot of time in the weights room coming his way.

[stui magpie]

#13 would have been a nice association for a player that idolised Daisy Thomas.
But #8? Tew Jiath has as much connection with Heritier Lumumba as I do.
I read one comparing Jiath to Allir Allir, who was born in Kenya to South Sudanese parents.
Tew Jiath was born in Ethiopia to South Sudanese parents.
I was born in Wagga Wagga, so was Michael Slater. That's where the comparison ended.

So was Wayne Carey and Laurie Daley.

Allir Allir and Jiath both have Sth Sudanese parents, regardless of where they were born, so the comparison has validity. Comparison to Heritier is nothing more than skin colour which should mean nothing but might. A player of African heritage might like to wear the number of a past player of African heritage, or it might mean nothing to him.

[K]

^ if he debuts before 2025 I'll run the drinks and cut the oranges.

yeah thats hardly a punishment for losing a bet! i mean id do that every day of the week for free!!!!!

LH means at the Nick's Chrissy Party.

[LaurieHolden]

So was Wayne Carey and Laurie Daley.

Laurie Daley is from Junee.

[Presti35]

I'm sure Lumumba would like to see Tew get the #8 which is also available.

You know, I just said that because H mentioned Tew in his insta story after he was drafted, thats all. Nothing to do with comparing either player. And nothing to do with their skin colour or where they were born.

Anyway it looks like 8 is going to Schultz, so it doesnt matter.

[Presti35]

I know they offered 13 to Harry DeMattia, but after seeing Tew specifically say Daisy Thomas was his childhood hero, I'd love to see him get that number.

Going back to this, would still love to see it. But 13 going to Harry.

Numbers will be announced soon. Someone has mentioned Tew will get 19, with Carmichael moving to 12, Steene to 21, but I dont know how true that is.

[LaurieHolden]

Recommend to watch the training footage over the past few sessions, just a beautiful lateral mover. Has clear footy IQ, just puts himself in the right positions and hasn't been bothered by the intensity and gets involved.
Appears to have a decent tank in the running drills, kept pace with the likes of Lipinski, Macrae, IQ.
We've got one here and despite his fighting weight, I'll make a bold call and say he'll play this year.

[Charlie Oneeye]

Ahh you have been noticing too.

When Tew gets half a chance to baulk, he can put 3 metres between him and his would be tackler in half a second.

I have been noticing him more and more, something good happens when he has the ball, also bad things, but he is raw. Today's training session convincing me he has elite level upside.

[WhyPhilWhy?]

Reliable reports have TJ growing 3cm taller since he started at the Club.

[LaurieHolden]

Reliable reports have TJ growing 3cm taller since he started at the Club.

It's the guernsey Steve, I'm 6 foot when I wear mine.

[Pies2016]

Not often we get an agreed general consensus regarding draftees but most Nicks VFL watchers agree this kid looks the real deal. Just turned 19 but playing his half back role with authority in every game he’s played this season.
He’s virtually a clone of both his older brother and Khamis ( Dogs ) they way the Sudanese players just float in and out of contests with a minimum of fuss.
I’m a big fan of this kid and his skill set looks pretty complete.
All draftees face a lot of hurdles and distractions along the way to becoming an AFL regular but if this kid can continue to make footy his priority, he will definitely get his shot in the big time in the next year or two.

[LaurieHolden]

^what's your view on the modern-day winger? I understand they have to have the endurance to run both ways and have elite disposal as a vital link man in the side.
Q posed, as towards the end of the year I'd dearly like to see him pushed up the ground in the VFL and see if he can use the space and him natural dash and evasiveness to become a dangerous winger. I view it as one of the more underrated and often underutilised modern-day positions.
I've seen enough of his pre-season / training / games to concur with your assessment, as a result, I believe he could be the type of player to transform that position.

[Pies2016]

Laurie, you raise a good point about wingers because there are plenty of footy people who believe the modern day winger requires the most extensive skill set and athletic gifts of all positions on the ground. I posted elsewhere that both Jaicos and Sidebottom covered the most ground of any players from both teams in the Port game. So there’s an example of the quality ( and smarts ) required to play AFL wing.
The club will need to make some decisions regarding our future wingers in the coming off season. We’ve got players like Markov, Noble, Ryan, Jaith and now Parker all looking comfortable at half back at VFL level but they can’t all play there.
It’s definitely easier to play half back than it is wing and when you add in the smarts required to play wing, it’s an incredibly specialised and demanding position when you’re trying to win the battle against the likes of Gulden, McCluggage, Whitfield and now Nick Martin etc. What I can tell you is, if you aren’t blessed with immense stamina or endurance, you won’t last long as an AFL winger.
The club will have a couple names on the whiteboard to replace Sidey at some point and who knows, that may yet be the quick fix of Bailey Smith. Time will tell.