I'd rather we keep Miller tbh. When he's on from he's one of the best players in the league. was great towards the end of the season.

Glad we're trying to keep Cordoba. Initially didn't impress me, but was close to MOM against both Adelaide and the Victory towards the end of the season.

Pretty sure I read somewhere that Miller is as good as gone. Pretty sure he has decided to leave, the club just don't want to accept it yet.

I reckon you may be on the mark about Italiano - With Edwards' recruitment of Da Silva and others this season it can only point to Edwards having already spotted another hot young West Aussie talent at GKer coming through or even promoting another GKer from the NYL squad? On hot young talents at GKer - we actually haven't seen too many 'feted' talents in that possie out here for a little while. Quite strange infact, considering with with Franken, Petkovic brothers and others coming through. Even when Velaphi and Vretski were competing for a spot here - the stocks were strong, competitive, even if both those two's careers have hardly sizzled since. Mind you having one of the best Gkers in the A-League in Danny Vukovic, really does shrivel the chance of opportunity for any other generally.

Yeah, Panta's absence in the article is a strange one. May be an editorial oversight somehow (They MAY be re-negotiating with his contract aswell?) or maybe the club HAS re-signed him at some point and we missed it?



I think you may be on the mark here too - Farrand93 we've OFTEN seen players released due to clubs and players falling out over contracts, what's offered doesn't meet player's expectations etc... Just see Andrezinho (sp) more recent seasons?

AND it depends WHO Edwards has lined up, ESPECIALLY VISA spots wise - as obviously Miller, McGarry, Cordoba and even Nagai all = VISA spots, 4/5 of them infact! So those 4 are a CRUCIAL decision for Edwards infact, esp the 3 CMs as discussed, so sorting that may take more time and sussing out.

The likes of McGarry (Turning 34 this year) and even Miller (32 going 33 ny) are older/getting on too - so Glory may rightfully expect reduced deals especially to factor in injuries/appearances. So there may be some haggling back and forth there.

Edited by Gloryperth: 11/4/2013 06:57:44 PM

Not too fussed about Miller. He might have good control and can keep the ball but he never wants to shoot. So many times in been in a position to shoot but has pulled the ball back for another option.

I think Glory can do better and try for a true No. 10 and one not afraid to take a speculative shot every now and then, something that Cordoba was keep on doing with a mighty fine right foot he has.

Hoping Garcia ends up at Glory.

He might be the attacking mid they are after, plus Edwards' son was released too.

On the 'three centre mids on VISA spots' equation - that's clearly a squad imbalance and also leads to the club being weaker on CB and even striking quality.

IMHO a CM HAS to go, McGarry may be turning Aussie soon, but quality on the pitch counts, but there too he's lifted. Cordoba was on contract to seasons end and was last of Fergie's signings - Jury out on him and what Edwards thinks...

Miller has injury history and gets older - may not be what he was formerly worth, but he's still worth something - so haggling that contract is key and IF he wants to leave, then so be it.

Again, Glory should have 2 VISA spots free, including releasing one of those CMs - As Glory desperately needs to utilise a VISA spot on CB (Replacing Bas Van Den Brink essentially, or even adaptable like Heff, but better?) and even striker (Replacing Mehmet essentially). As Glory were clearly exposed once Smeltz was injured/dropped in form and with the CB crisis late in season, where Heffernan and even Burns were filling in. Panta, at the very least, should NOT be first choice CB either! Though I agree, just let him go - ANOTHER 30 something btw - and bring on either an exp f/t CB (Madaschi? That would rock!) or another young gun WAussie to come into the mix with Thwaite and Clisby.



Garcia = the guy who COULD slot in as that cover/option up front to compete with Smeltz AND/OR push out wide? Again, means a Cordoba or the like would need to leave IMHO, to utilise that VISA quality on another key position of need.

Cameron Edwards? Who knows - would be a tricky area as Glory have had bad experience in the past re: McMahon and son! It's too bad that he isn't still at the club, that would make it 'a lil less' tricky, I think?

Edited by Gloryperth: 11/4/2013 07:09:47 PM

Paul Izzo and Mark Birighitti are WA GKers who went through the NTC program here. Have you heard of them?

There is no way in this universe that Ward is ANY better than Miller, McGarry, Cordoba - all who should be signed.

Heffernan - not as good as Jamieson, we have backup there now too.

Bunnings Deck Chair > Berger

There is no loss here. As for Pantelidis, what really short term goldfiah memory people have.

Pants was a revelation last season when he anchored the defence with VDB. It was a complete surprise, like Jamo this season. If he want another year he should get it. Definitely deserves to be a backup CB as he's competent at CB if needed, he's versatile (can play DM), he's not going to be on a lot.

Nothing wrong there imo. Does not mean we don't have to look for a replacement for VDB though

Was trying to find some reports on Cameron Edwards. There is a Nike Academy youtube where it says he is a technical player who needs to work on his physicality and presence.

Comments from the Heart forum from watching him early this year seem to back that up and indicate that these issues still need resolving... link

However, given Ali's commitment to a neat passing game, it may be that his son would fit in ok as a midfield option. If he's really good enough, I'd have no problem with him being in the squad. Ali would seem to have a fair bit of integrity, unlike Macca Snr who just refused to accept that McJu wasn't up to it.

:lol: Oh dear, take off the rose coloured specs mate. He was /garbage/ last year and this year. Far too often out of position, fouled too regularly, lacked penetration with his passing, decision making two steps behind his teammates and (importantly for where he is deployed) cannot win a headed contest. As far as bandaid solutions go he was the equivilant of the used maccas wrapper dug out of the bin and affixed with some gum from under the busstop. Less flexible a utility than Heffernan was and just as bad technically. The only reason I can see for him having not been cut yet is Edwards hasn't found a CB solution and he doesn't want to cut the only utility that can fill in there in case he doesn't find one in time. We all know Clisby isn't ready yet.

I can't help but agree with Scoll, just I put it a little less harsh.

Though I know what you are saying AndyTodd'sElbow and don't disagree to a degree either - for a guy not playing his natural possie, he put it and put in well. Filled a void in the side that desperately needed filling and his performances earnt his re-signing. Fair enough. Pantalidis is the kind of player, always a trier, wears heart on sleeve at times.

Just comes down to wage demands in the end I guess. IF he's on a relatively appropriate wage - one equal to a back up, which he should be most, then fair enough. But if he's earning a bit more like a Heffernan or what not WHEN Glory COULD be opting to elevate from locally a 'similar level' talent, which IMHO is entirely possible, then that's not on, not now and not direction club is heading.

Todd Amphlette and Todd Howarth were two state league promotees who contributed reasonably well, and Amphlette showed some promise, but they were also discarded at a time when Glory were seeking short term success, squad wise. I hope, through Edwards, he may be open to promoting a top performing lad or two from the State League even IF they are mid-late 20s. Especially as cover to areas in the squad, like CB or what not.

Again, I'd rather a guy like that, or 'another Clisby' coming at CB if a Thwaite or our VISA CB is injured, rather than Jacob Burns or the equivalent of Heff or what not.

From past experience again - Djulbic came through at a slightly later age (Mid 20s) and succeeded and elsewhere in the A-League, Sasa Ognenovski is a prime example. There's no reason we can't find the next Djulbic or Ogenovski's locally?



Hmm interesting, thank you for that! Agree, though the issues he had at Heart would still carry over here and PG is still a club in the rough and rumble of our premier senior comp, so even for more technically inclined approaches, he would need to work on this.

But interestingly - IF Glory let one of Miller, Cordoba or McGarry depart, along with Ward's departure already, then Glory might do with a bit more centre mid cover, Aussie wise and a young bloke like Edwards returning to the club, to pressure the senior boys above him, could be the go?

Edited by Gloryperth: 12/4/2013 05:15:18 AM

Get your Pantelidis-What-A-Thug glasses off. Clearly missed the last half of the season last time and the finals if you think otherwise. But hey, lets just resort to the thug assessment because of needing a scapegoat in the final.

And btw, I was one of the people AGAINST his signing when it was announced before the 11/12 season. He proved everyone wrong there.

AndyTodd'sElbow what do you think in regards to what I said about the possibility of 'doing better' if we looked in our own backyard? Glory have suffered chronically from this for too long ofcourse, and Edwards seeks to change this. But I think the kind of case study of 'Panta' is an example of this.

Sure, he's a reasonable back up and can slot into his more natural defensive midfield too, but he's pushing past 30, bloke from Eastern States (Not sure his wage rate), and again - the last CB Glory promoted, or even last West Aussie, was a kind of while ago. Dino Djulbic was quite a find and we see how he's turned out, fringe Socceroo.

There is surely another Dino Djulbic type, in the WA State League or what not, just chomping at the bit, who'd be cheaper, a lil younger and more promising. The kind of guy few may have heard of, let alone rate, but once with Glory, keeps pushing those infront, gets the opportunity through injury, impresses to such a degree, that the injured guy can't get his spot back and we forget about him, other A-League clubs and Holger come sniffing, and away we go - Another West Aussie gem found!

And the benefit of local - See Wanderers, that's why it's sad to see Ward go. The passion and commitment. No 'home sickness' (Celeski and many others) or disloyalty once and Eastern club comes calling (Ala Colosimo).

Glory still misses Jamie Harnwell tbh - what a super sub he was! We can find the next guy from the state league, surely there are some good candidates, maybe 'seize a second chance at pro football' guys, out there?



Paul Izzo IS a South Aussie - I remembered him from the Joeys at the 2011 World Cup, and he was AIS then. Yeap, his AU profile suggests South Aussie too:

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/adelaideunited/players/Paul-Izzo/4924

Oh yeah, was tired, forgot Birighitti.

BTW Jamo is NOT a surprise - Gun young player, we all know his talent. Glory was his 'last chance' in a way and that's where Glory serves a good role, not unlike Phoenix. Jamieson has seized on it in a key possie where we've yearned for a talent like he for seasons. Glory were ripe for a Jamieson, it was up to Jamieson to respond to the potential we know he has and seems he's starting too?

His form during Adelaide's ACL run was terrific. Guy is STILL a contender for LB with the Socceroos IMHO, atleast A-League based squads. He already has NT exp and can certainly build on that.

Edited by Gloryperth: 13/4/2013 11:19:36 PM

Hey AndyTodd'sElbow and other Glory fans - what do you think of this article?

Report card | Perth Glory



Also, on defensive options - how bout we look no further than Brent Griffiths? :o

I know, 'red card boy' released by Glory. But the young West Aussie had rough deal I think. He has since had a stint with Phoenix, a few games in a season there, but once again moved on. BUT Was signed by top side, The Mariners for this season and has featured half a dozen times. Clearly more than one coach, including Arnie, has seen something in the former Blackburn Rovers youth (And Rostyn Griffith's younger bro). He's a West Aussie too.

At 23, he's a bit older and wiser than the young lad who got that rash red card in his debut season. He may be available on a free too, provided Arnie doesn't re-sign him. I saw him in the Mariner's recent ACL game against the Chinese team. He looked pretty solid at LB against a technically proficient and threatening CSL side, with had an experienced former Bundesliga/La-Liga and Bosnian International striker upfront. The Mariners lost that away game to two late goals, after leading for a majority of it with largely their 'B team.' But the goals weren't Griffith's fault, but 1-2 others, but you could see the Mariners team were tiring at that point.

Anyway, Brent Griffiths would be cheaper too, but he also had the A-League experience of two dozen or so games over 4 seaasons with 3 different clubs across the A-League. So he's certainly a more experienced A-League pro now. He's a big lad who can play across the back and still has that strong pedigree. He'd be a good, bargain pick up, I reckon AND good defensive cover!

He's a 'second chance' story if there ever was one, too!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brent_Griffiths


Seems he STILL keeps an eye on his hometown club, Glory, too ;)

https://twitter.com/brent_griff

Edited by Gloryperth: 12/4/2013 11:42:55 PM

And I was one of the ones who said give him a chance to redeem himself when we signed him. I judge players on every match not on glowing memories of a good run by the team. I also did not call him a thug, you may have inferred that from fouls too often, he doesn't have malice and that means he is not a thug. He is less skilled than his opponents and unco-ordinated as hell however and that makes him a liability in the last line because of the persistent fouling this causes.

Sentimentality has no part in forming a champion team. You like him? Great, but we are not building a team of players who are good blokes we are moving towards a primarily young, local team that has the talent required to win the league. Pantaledis fits none of those requirements, and as a jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none is not even the most experienced player we have in any position to provide leadership advice to the younger lads. He brings only commitment and the loyalty you get from being on potentially your last professional lifeline. As we've seen with Heffernan (and Howarth before him) playing to the best of your ability every week is not enough to deserve a contract when your best isn't A-League level. Thanks for your efforts, good luck with the next stage of your career Steve.

:shock: :shock: :shock:

Over my dead body.

But WHY Farrand93 - I probably have a short term memory in this regard, as I remember he was given a few games late in the season due to injury and in his last game with the club drew a straight red for a foolish foul/rash tackle or something. But he was also in his late teens then and again, IF Arnie and the Mariners have seen something in him, as too Blackburn Rovers when he was younger... I'm just wondering what the issues are REALLY?



And can't help but agree with your sentiments Scoll, in regards to Panta, even if they read a lil harsh. I have a natural sentimentality to all the West Aussie boys, so am a little sadder than perhaps I should be, as rationale DID dictate for both a Howarth AND Ward their time was kind of up/Glory can do better. I'm also a slightly older guy than maybe a few of the younger blokes on these forums, so I don't mind the odd older player and even late bloomer - stories like Sasa Ognenovski and others can inspire - from brickies labourer to AFC Player of the Year.

But I'm more colder, rational, when it comes to the Eastern States recruits, whose expertise we have higher expectations of. They SHOULD be better than what we've got locally, otherwise it's detrimental for the chances of local talent and even more will up and leave the state/bypass Glory, while in turn Glory continues to suffer, on the field, from both their poor recruiting/outlook and the lack of making the most of what's in their own backyard and in-turn suffering off the field to a fair degree too, as they have, due to the lack of locals in the squad for a number of years.

The WA State League combined with Glory's past context of NOT giving enough West Aussies a go means the local State League is surely RIPE full of guys, or atleast 2-3 who are in their mid-late 20s and MAY be A-League capable but haven't been given the chance yet, despite being standouts in the local league for a few seasons. I don't follow the state league, but there are surely some blokes like that, who may ALSO help slot into some key areas in Glory's squad where they have been weak for depth, like CB and ST?

Edited by Gloryperth: 13/4/2013 11:12:11 PM

I just think he's well below pro level in this country.

I have a feeling that Cordoba and McGarry will both be signed, and Nagai will head back to Japan.

Would love to see us pick up Meyer.

My updated shopping list:

James Meyer
Matt Simon (Assuming we lose Smeltz)
Kisnorbo
Nagai (highly unlikely)
A young Left sided player
Jamie McLaren
Suree Sukha
Richard Garcia
Young GK

---------------Vuka
Riso--Clisby--Paddy--Jambo
-------Burns--McGarry
Sukha-Corboba-Garcia
-----------Simon

Bench:
Meyer
McLaren
Da Silva
Panta
New GK


If Nagai was retained, I'd have Garcia at CAM and play Cordoba off the bench.

Saw someone on Twitter say Gory will add 5-8 new players, depending on how many they lose. They're also trying to extend Nagai's loan, so that's a positive. Wouldn't be surprised if they did.

You're thinking too much of players you know. Heard of Nagai prior to his loan? We need positions not names and a decent chunk of that list are MASSIVE steps back in our recruitment and club vision.

An article said that actually, infact it was in the wake of Miller being released. I expect Garcia to be one of those five, given Edwards' comments about the good West Aussie talent not at Glory and bringing some of that West Aussie talent back.




Can't help but agree.

Jamie McLaren is a young striker based at Blackburn Rovers, currently playing Under 21 and Reserve level, league. He will surely stay in Europe and if not, he's NOT from WA, so I'd rather a West Aussie talent.

In the end, as Scoll rightly pointed out, it's about squad demands, positionally, and that's infact where Glory have been caught out past few seasons - one too many central midfielders, one too few CBs.

Richard Garcia we're already chasing I think and so we should - Prodigal Son come home and just what Glory needs to strengthen upfront and more goalscoring ability. He can also play behind and out wide, both areas where Glory could do with a bit more quality, aswell as cover.

The young gker should be a NYL promotee or another Edwards gem from somewhere. If they're born 1995 then they might become part of the 2015 Young Socceroos squad? edit: Actually a GKer from the NYL squad, Tony Franken's son (?)Jordan Franken may be the answer - already with the squad, good pedigree and born 1995! With Woodcock, Davies and Da Silva they already have their 'Under 20' quota covered, but signing Franken would be neat and with Neil Young still back up, Franken would be cheap and just continue to be #1 for the NYL team anyway.

It's just CB which remains the concern, whether Glory re-sign Pantalidis or not. They'll probably need to use a VISA spot on a good CB, or if they're lucky, snap up West Aussie, Adrian Madaschi from his K-League side, as his contract expires this year! Then again, with another CB - why not promote from within AGAIN? As Edwards has touched on a few times, we have a great gen of young players coming through and I see the current NYL side ALSO has the younger bro of Shane Lowry, Ryan, who is 6 ft tall, 93 born and described as a 'A no-nonsense centre half, Ryan is strong in the air and tackle. Ryan is another product of the ECU academy.'

Thwaite and Clisby, with young Ryan and Panta or whoever backing up?

http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/perthglory/players/Ryan-Lowry/4378

Glory's defensive stocks would be slanting young, but not THAT young, with both Clisby and Lowry in their early 20s, with the experienced Thwaite (And Panta IF we must) guiding them. I think the sound of this. Glory have ENOUGH infact, STILL TOO MUCH, experience on the rest of the pitch anyway!

1    Australia    GK    Danny Vuković
2    Australia    CB/LB    Jack Clisby - Should be pushing to be regular CB
5    Australia    CB/DM    Steve Pantelidis
7    Australia    DM    Jacob Burns (Captain)
9    New Zealand    FW    Shane Smeltz (Marquee)
11    Australia    LW/LB    Adrian Zahra
13    Australia    W/FW    Travis Dodd
14    Scotland    MF    Steven McGarry (VISA)
15    Australia    MF    Brandon O'Neill (Youth) - Needs more senior team opp
17    Australia    W    Chris Harold
      
No.       Position    Player
18    Argentina    MF    Matías Córdoba (VISA)
19    Australia    RB    Joshua Risdon
20    Australia    GK    Neil Young
21    Australia    LB    Scott Jamieson
22    Australia    FW    Ndumba Makeche - Needs more senior team opportunity
23    Australia    CB    Michael Thwaite (Vice Captain)
28    Australia    W/MF    Daniel De Silva - Needs more senior team opportunity
––    Australia    FB    Riley Woodcock (Youth)
––    Australia    FB    Matthew Davies (Youth)

+

Richard Garcia - FW/W
Andy Higgins (CM from NYL)
Ryan Lowry (CB from NYL)
Nagai (Hopefully) - W

AND 'if' Panta goes, utilise a VISA on CB (Or Madaschi). Then, Madaschi/VISA - Thwaite pairing, Clisby and Lowry as back up.

Edited by GloryPerth: 19/4/2013 05:20:57 AM

I definitely feel we need a starting CB even if we manage to hold on to Thwaite. Clisby has promise but I don't see him as an A-League level first team player for another season yet. Looks a bit too lost at times. Kisnorbo is not the answer- at 32 and with (give or take) three solid years of injury interspersed with patches of merely serviceable play, he is not reliable enough and nothing more than a stop-gap for a couple of seasons in the best case scenario. He is also not a local so he only has experience going for him. Was mighty unlucky the way his career panned out and was a great CB for Leeds when fit but time moves on.

We really need one or two players to complement Smeltz and take the goal-scoring pressure off him. The less pressure there is on Shane to score the majority of our goals the more goals he will in fact score. As much as I defended him in the other thread this is where the departure of Liam Miller is beneficial to the club. It is true that his weakness was his poor goal scoring ability and his departure affords us an opportunity to bring a more threatening goal scoring option in. Whether this is another CM or whether the formation is tweaked doesn't really matter so long as a goal scoring threat is the result.

Also remember- Dodd will be out until around late Jan/Feb with his knee so we will be entitled to pick up an injury replacement for him outside the cap (up to his salary) for this period should we wish to.

Pretty sure Neil Young is retired by the way, and only acting as a coach for the goalkeepers.

If Jack Clisby (State League Player of the Year) can't push Pantelidis out of a starting spot next season or at least down the pecking order, then there is no one from WA that's going to help Glory down back.

Must've been mistake with Izzo. I was sure there was a goalie other than Bira that came from WA and was on another A-League club's list (not talking about Tando).

Yeah, Young retired a long time ago, very early on in the season.

Pants is nothing to do with sentimentality. He's show he's good, I consider past games when making an assessment of a player, not just their last one and for a squaddie he is good.

As for this gold mine of young WA talent coming through. LOL, we had that talent 2-3 years ago in the form of Rostyn Griffiths, Trent Sainsbury, the Edwards brothers, Babalj, Biraghitti etc. We're not going to pull players like that out of the woodwork willy nilly.

AndTodd'sElbow, there is another Newcastle Jets GKer, Jack Duncan, but he was only born in Perth and grew up in Sydney.

There's Alex Vrtevski, but he's in Indonesia now, or last I checked?

Is Neil Young retired or not? I couldn't find an article on it, can you? Edit: He's NOT retired? See his Twitter,

Though his contract too, is due to expire this season, so no announcement on whether he's re-signed or joined the coaching staff, or whatever, 'yet.'

Edwards himself has talked of this West Aussie talent, including alluding, atleast between the lines, to the talent you referred to AndyTodd'sElbow. So Edwards is seeking to bring back some of this talent and good on him. Obviously he won't get them all, nor could he, but good on him for striving to and seems it's starting with the likes of De Silva and hopefully Garcia.

Also you are right about Clisby - IF he, player of the year, can't then nobody can I suppose. But that's partly why I feel he can. Young, well built, quite promising lad. His coming into the line up also corresponded with the turn in form. Not contributing that to him per say and I don't disagree with Panta as a squaddie either. But flipside, would like to see our coaches BACK the young West Aussie talent for once, give them a good chance (Instead of shuffling all the vets all around the place, every which way, position wise - like Glory has nobody else), and Edwards is certainly one to be doing that for a change!

Though I guess we all agree (Scoll's post too) and Edwards probably does too - with 3 VISA spots free and McGarry's future still be to decided, there is definitely need to utilise one on a quality CB. We were short one since BVDB and hopefully it's somebody even better too. Though IF Madaschi is a possibly then we won't even have to utilise a VISA place there. And again - IF the VISA/Madaschi or Thwaite are injured, Clisby has to be the first to come in - He's 21/22 and this next season could be 'the making' of him, especially if he gets his big break, through injury or suspension infront of him.

Edited by gloryperth: 26/4/2013 04:09:06 AM

Also worth noting that Clisby was brought into the team towards the end of the season, he may settle a lot more after he has a pre-season with Edwards under his belt. Was lost this season but he is very young and has miles of room to improve.

Clisby is a talent, his debut was very good. But he came into a side well out of form, Thwaites head wasn't in the right space and Clisby's inexperience showed. He can take a cracking free kick, has great passing range and came on and helped create a goal playing as a striker late in the season.

He actually has all the attributes to replace Burns long term, but over the next season or two should develope into a quality cb.

Does anybody know what has happened to the Gloryboys forum?

It's like the club in the off-season.

They shut up shop and nothing works.

Thanks Scoll and Rooster9 and THAT'S the thing - Let's hope Edwards will have faith to back the likes of he, this next coming season. Rather than him dwindling as a bit part player like a few of the rare West Aussie talents who featured at Glory, before him, only to, like they, end up being released or departing to rival A-League clubs, to become A-League stars with them! Let's hope we're NOT grooming Clisby to be a future star CB for Heart, Jets, the Mariners or the like. Oh FORBID the Mariners - They are set to lose 2 CBs their way too (Sainsbury & Zwansvijk (sp?)), so they MIGHT be on the look out for more young CB talent, including out this way, so we'd better watch out!

Edited by gloryperth: 27/4/2013 01:29:43 AM

I remember watching Brent Griffiths in the NYL and he was an absolute beast, they often played a 3-5-2 but with 2 wing backs. He was often camped on his own in his own half, and just dominated opposition attacks. He was a big kid too, but he was unproven against adults. Clisby on the hand has proven himself as a youngster at State league level. When he debuted Thwaite had gone off the boil a little, but I think when he is at his best that he and Clisby could make a great cb pairing. Even if Perth retain Panta they still need another back up cb, unless they are planning on promoting Lowry from the youth aswell.

On another note Mcgarry took out the Most Glorious Player award last night, and recently promoted Riley Woodcock took out the NYL Most Glorious Player. IIRC Riley was being courted by CCM and Heart and is very highly rated, with a number of caps at jnr level for Australia.

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/sport/16898176/glory-lock-in-mcgarry/