A FRIEND of mine recently started doing some part-time work recruiting for an AFL club. He asked what were the qualities you should look out for. They are many and varied in a continually changing game, and it's a rare player that possesses them all, but for starters, kicking skills are a must.

Ten years ago, long kicks to contests were the norm. Not now. Now the coaches demand that teams don't lose possession, so it's precise short passing over 30 to 45 metres that's required. And what about kicking for goal from a sharp angle?

Twice on Saturday night, Geelong's Steve Johnson on his preferred right foot went back after a mark and dismissed the traditional deep punt. Instead, he turned his left shoulder to the goals, faced the centre circle, angled the ball on his boot and hooked the sharply curving ball through the middle — incredible.

And being smart helps, too. Dumb footballers get coaches sacked. Cat full-back Matthew Scarlett and Pie half-forward Alan Didak are two of the sharpest. Scarlett bodies to perfection. He forces his opponents to lead wide. He protects the ball with his own body positioning. He spoils and follows up. He keeps his feet and continually uses poise and balance to wrong-foot opponents before directing the ball through the corridor. He doesn't panic. Didak also bodies to advantage. It's a subtle push here or block there. He makes sure the ball falls to his advantage side. He won't take possession if he knows he will be wrapped up. He knocks on or soccers the ball. He would be a nightmare to play on.

Fumbles are no good in today's modern game. With a dozen players in the one team running forward, the player who fumbles the footy just kills you, as the rebound catches everybody out of position. So teams love to put the ball to the players with the cleanest hands. Think Chris Judd, Gary Ablett and Luke Hodge. Dare to run and carry and break the lines is so important, too.

Adam Goodes does it for the Swans, Brent Harvey and Nathan Foley recently wore the Big V, and one of the reasons they did was because their dash and boldness can cause a flurry of goals.

Being a super athlete is required nowadays, too. In a perfect world, the player has the endurance to run 14 kilometres and time and again be explosive off the mark. "Buddy" Franklin is the benchmark. He has exceptional quickness over a short distance, yet can push 100 metres upfield and then double back to exhaust his opponents.

Courage is also a commodity that has always been valued. Jonathan Brown and Nick Riewoldt inspire teammates when they fearlessly run with the flight of the ball, eyes fixed on their objective, with total disregard for personal safety. Brett Kirk leads his Swans with repeated crash and tackle efforts. Nothing, not cuts, bruises or breaks faze him.

And courage to run until you drop is also required.

Lenny Hayes and Robert Harvey do it at St Kilda, as do Brad Sewell and Chance Bateman with the Hawks.

If you are a selfish individual in a team sport, you cause problems. Most teenagers think just of themselves. It's all about "me". When they get into senior football, the emphasis turns to "we". They are taught the value of sacrifice for the team. The Brisbane Lions' Simon Black has done it all — premierships, a Brownlow, best-and-fairests and All-Australians — but his teammates love and respect his preparedness to sacrifice for the good of the team. He leads the way with shepherds, blocks, tackles and dummy leads.

Recruiters also need to look out for players who are physically and mentally tough. The emphasis on tackling has never been greater. Players are brought to ground harder and more often than ever before. It hurts and you are expected to get up and keep going.

If you don't, your value diminishes. Everyone has problems at some times. Emotional, social, mental. If they affect on-field performances, careers can be cut.

With the massive media coverage of the game, every player's form, attitude and statistics are scrutinised like never before. It's hot in the kitchen. Some succumb to the heat.

Currently, St Kilda's Max Hudghton has to be careful. He is angry and frustrated with everyone — opponents, umpires and teammates.

Being disciplined, to be the best you can be physically, is vital today. We have seen drugs and alcohol ruin careers and damage clubs.

Proper diet, rest and rehabilitation are required to maximise output. Party boys are frowned upon today.

Two Collingwood players Leon Davis and Rhyce Shaw had embarrassing grand final performances five years ago. But they have shown commitment and resilience to take in the correct fuel and push their bodies to the max. Both are now in career-best form and highly respected senior footballers.

And life balance is important, too. Footballers who study, do part-time work, embrace a charity or do some good for the community realise that there is another life out there. And as such are generally better footballers and people.

So, as I said to my friend, there's a dozen or more qualities to look out for with young players. Sometimes, if only one or two really stand out, that's enough to get excited about because then it's up to the AFL club with all its resources to develop the rest.