Tom sullied

Greater Western Sydney midfielder Tom Scully finds space against his old team. Source: Herald Sun

IN AMERICAN sports they are known as "busts" - the No.1 rated draft talent who never quite cuts it in the big show. And right now that is Tom Scully.

The young man with the $1 million wage is in danger of becoming our equivalent of US basketballer Kwame Brown or former Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Brown has become a journeyman, while Russell is trying to find a second NFL club.

Scully isn't in their league yet but his career graph is spiralling downwards at a time when he should be making a serious impression in his fourth AFL season.

Instead Scully, 21, is meandering along as a midfielder, being surpassed by younger Greater Western Sydney teammates such as Toby Greene, Dylan Shiel, Adam Treloar and Lachie Whitfield.

His statistics show he is down in overall disposals, contested possessions and tackles, while continuing to struggle in his attempts to hit the scoreboard.

Yes, Scully is a soft target considering he wasn't responsible for being selected at No.1 in the 2009 draft.

But he did take the money and run from Melbourne and that leaves him more open to criticism.

Melbourne training at AAMI park. Tom Scully faces the media before training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Graeme Yeats, who coached Scully in 2008-09 at the Dandenong Stingrays, believes there are mitigating circumstances that should be considered when judging him.

"He is in uncharted territory in terms of leaving his club after two seasons to join a new franchise, and with that comes extra pressure. Plus he is someone who has always placed a lot of pressure on himself," Yeats said.

"By moving to a young club he has been placed in a role that would challenge a 26 or 27-year-old.

"It's fair to say I would have thought he may have had a greater impact by now, but if anyone can push through, then Tommy can."

Yeats still regards Scully as someone who plays his best football as an outside runner, not winning the hard ball in the packs.

He said the consistency would come when Scully was allowed to settle in a position that suited his strengths.

"Given his strength is his aerobic capacity, we played him wing, half-back or half-forward," Yeats said.

"He would pick up 30 possessions across half-back in his first season with us (2008).

"His kicking wasn't penetrating, but I wouldn't have seen it as a deficiency.

"The areas I thought he needed to improve were his decision making and execution by hand.

"But, overall, he was as capable as anyone to make an impact at AFL level.

"He is taking time to adapt and GWS probably needs a better performance out of him based on his salary.

"But he will do everything to ensure that happens."

The recruiters, men who spent plenty of wintry afternoons watching Scully and the class of 2009 ply their trade, aren't all as generous in their assessments.

But to a man - and the Herald Sun spoke with four - they said Scully and his former teammate Jack Trengove, who was taken at pick No.2 in the same draft, have been victims of the club that recruited them.

"Name one Melbourne player who has improved over the past four or five years," one leading recruiter said.

"Maybe Nathan Jones, and they can't even get that right by naming him captain.

"Jack Watts can be placed in the same category.

"Had those players gone to a Geelong or Sydney they would be more advanced, no doubt. They are products of their environment."

Tom Scully in action for GWS against Carlton on Sunday. Source: Getty Images

Dual North Melbourne premiership player and football analyst David King is prepared to cut Scully some slack.

"He is what he is, a gut-busting and overlap runner who is a very good short ball user," King said.

"I'm not as critical of him right now as I was at this stage last year.

"I still think he will be a very good player. As the GWS midfield group gets better, so will Tom.

"I saw him play on Nathan Jones recently and he was terrific.

"I know there are plenty of critics, including recruiters, but they tend to see what players can't do.

"And his professionalism creates standards within a developing club.

"Has he burst on the scene like some other young midfielders? No, but some players take longer."

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