Dave
Years ago
Seems that NSW and Santa Clara basketballer Ben Dowdell (Jeffs brother) has signed with the Crows as an AFL rookie according to this topic on the bigfooty forums.
http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?s=b68e0b728ac11ffceea18315aa2e0b03&t=883572
A promising player who is now lost to the game due to no room for him to be signed in the NBL it seems
trevor
Years ago
Interesting. It was only in pre-season that he was playing with Cairns.
What do AFL scouts look for in basketballers? From memory Ben Dowdell isn't that athletic .. I could be wrong.
Its 100 percrnt true & a real shame kings should hav picked him over gynes
kr
Years ago
Not sure about Ben Dowdell, but Crows have just signed ex crocs development player Josh Jenkins.
http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2011/10/19/275871_sport.html
paul
Years ago
A 3-4 man who isnt all that athletic in the NBL can potentially be a very athletic ruckman in the AFL. Brogan wasnt up to the NBL athletically but dominated the AFL in that regard.
If it is true re Dowdell that is a genuine shame, and a strong case as to why we need 2-3 extra NBL teams. Still, good chance he will be back I think, is good enough to play NBL and the odds of making the switch successfully are low if he didnt grow up with aussie rules.
Inspector gadget
Years ago
They get to sign them under the elite talent rule, can't have played any footbal in the last 3 years and must be from another sport at an elite level. Dot need to draft them just sign them
Confirmed by a crows player to me last night. Along with Jenkins, Tippett, Henderson and too an extent Walker and Martin, all with bball experience, seems the crows have a common path of picking athletic basetballers?
Not great for the game, as Paul said, would easily make the NBL is 2/3 more teams were involved.
But kudos to the Crows for again looking outside the square, hopefully either Dowdell or Jenkins can blossom into good ruckmen.
It would make a change if Adelaide had signed a basketballer and might set a precedent
harry
Years ago
wonder if he can kick?
tippet couldnt/cant
althou he is getting better
Played 19s in 2007 with Mills and Ogilvy - was their starting 4. Played at a decent level college in the WCC.
Could be a good AFL player. Not really a massive loss for the NBL.
xztatik
Years ago
Story: http://www.afc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/4417/newsid/125285/default.aspx
He averaged 10 points and 6 boards as starting PF at the World Uni Games a few months ago
http://www.australiabasket.com/Australia/basketball-National-Team.asp?Year=2011&Age=22
Bring back the charity game -
Guard: Brodie Martin v Chris Warren
Guard: Ricky Henderson v Nathan Herbert
Forward: Josh Jenkins v Stephen Weigh
Forward: Ben Dowdell v Adam Ballinger
Forward: Kurt Tippett v Daniel Johnson
I'll take the Crows. lol
Mick
Years ago
Josh Jenkins has the worst attitude. Saw him lose to teams with no talent on lax club level just because he wanted to go 1 on 5 all the time. Will never make it in any sport despite talent & athleticism.
Juror 12
Years ago
My recollection of Brogan was that he was up to NBL athletically but was let down by his skill level (couldn't shoot).
He certainly had a very servicable and lucrative (relative to his potential NBL earnings) AFL career tho.
Yeah Brogan was fine athletically in the NBL, just had no game a bit like Matt Illman.
Andy Otten at Adelaide also has a basketball background
Brogan was slow and unathletic in the NBL, no way he could compete with guys like Mackinnon and Saville or imports.
Dean Brogan clip with the 36ers:
"Very, very active"
"Very good athlete too"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qykoz6RxKRA
xztatik
Years ago
Well Brogan was a terrible athlete in the AFL (good tap ruckman and enforcer, but a lumberer) so I can't imagine how he would've been any good athletically in the NBL.
Some people saw him play in the NBL not just with the 36ers but with Newcastle too.
Mick. I know Jenkins was chased by a few AFL clubs (look online to see) and that his maturity and work ethic are valued highly. There's a reason why Crows threw a deal at him. Sour grapes?
Mick
Years ago
anon - just talking about his effort on the basketball court. Pisspoor. Have never seen him play footy but he's definitely a prospect with those hops and strength.
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