Opinion 2014 Draft Prospects / Strategy

[scottjr]

Likely to be gone before we get a pick

If common sense prevails he'll be gone but there are going to be sliders for one reason or another and he's a possibility just starting to feel a little hopeful about our picks. There is a solid chance we are going to end up with a player we could have made a case for as a first round pick.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Likely to be gone before we get a pick

Have you had a look at Sean McLaren whom Paige Cardona has coming our way ... he looks very mobile for a genuinely tall (197cm) option.

 

[Macca19]

Luke Thompson - 196cm defender... is there any interest?
I was surprised Adelaide let him go.
Played a good game against us last year

Hes 196cm like Cam O'Shea is 197cm.

 

[Nemisis]

This draft will present plenty of good players late. Brenton Payne has been tipped to go from 16 to not even being drafted.
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-09-20/draft-prospect-brenton-payne

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Geoff Parker talks to afl.com about Port's draft strategy.

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2014-11-23/pies-giants-to-shape-draft

 

[Ford Fairlane]

From that article there is a bit of talk about us adding another running half back. Josh Glenn would fit that role (mind you we have a few on the list already who could play that role). Another name that might come under consideration then is Jason Castagna.

If available Clem Smith would have to be high on the list too.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Matt Rendell says to coaches, leave recruiting to recruiters.

Looks like we could have double-thwarted them at the 2008 draft.

Justin Westhoff is Mick Moylan's favourite pick.

 

[scottjr]

From that article there is a bit of talk about us adding another running half back. Josh Glenn would fit that role (mind you we have a few on the list already who could play that role). Another name that might come under consideration then is Jason Castagna.

If available Clem Smith would have to be high on the list too.

I'm a Josh Glenn fan and would love to get him over to us but if we don't get him Paige does a pretty good job of selling Jaden McGrath.

Position: Midfielder/forward
Height: 179 cm, Weight: 73 kg, DOB: 15/06/1996
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 30-rookie
Plays like: Reece Conca

Almost a forgotten man given most of his year was a write-off with injury. Nonetheless, the AFL-AIS Academy Graduate Jaden McGrath is one of a few players who has really been robbed of consistent football this year due to a range of unlucky injuries. McGrath was one of the best players against Collingwood’s VFL side, and thrived in an environment against bigger bodies. He collected 14 disposals, two marks, two clearances and one score assist, not looking out of place on the MCG. McGrath is a pacey midfielder who has elite endurance, covering plenty of territory with an engine that allows him to get to plenty of contests. Although he missed the championships due to patella tendinitis, McGrath is a bullocking, raging bull-type midfielder with a knack of kicking goals and setting them up. He is a star around the clearances and runs hard to kicks goals, while also possessing a neat skill set. McGrath has also shown a propensity to tackle strongly, and is a really creative type who remains composed and has demonstrated an ability to play both inside and outside.

 

[Janus]

Lots of good smaller players in this draft that might sift to the later picks. Like the look of Josh Deluca-Cardillo as one who hasn't been mentioned. He's a bit like Karl Amon on fast forward.

Deluca-Cardillo? I went to primary school with a girl who had that exact same name. Wonder if he is her brother

 

[Portress Hill]

I'm a Josh Glenn fan and would love to get him over to us but if we don't get him Paige does a pretty good job of selling Jaden McGrath.

Position: Midfielder/forward
Height: 179 cm, Weight: 73 kg, DOB: 15/06/1996
Club: Bendigo Pioneers
Projected draft range: 30-rookie
Plays like: Reece Conca

Almost a forgotten man given most of his year was a write-off with injury. Nonetheless, the AFL-AIS Academy Graduate Jaden McGrath is one of a few players who has really been robbed of consistent football this year due to a range of unlucky injuries. McGrath was one of the best players against Collingwood’s VFL side, and thrived in an environment against bigger bodies. He collected 14 disposals, two marks, two clearances and one score assist, not looking out of place on the MCG. McGrath is a pacey midfielder who has elite endurance, covering plenty of territory with an engine that allows him to get to plenty of contests. Although he missed the championships due to patella tendinitis, McGrath is a bullocking, raging bull-type midfielder with a knack of kicking goals and setting them up. He is a star around the clearances and runs hard to kicks goals, while also possessing a neat skill set. McGrath has also shown a propensity to tackle strongly, and is a really creative type who remains composed and has demonstrated an ability to play both inside and outside.

he is my first choice too (of the realistic targets)

 

[missionpossible]

The form line from the ais v vfl team is normally very reliable.

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Paige Cardona's Bound for Glory phantom draft 6.0 is up.

Paige has Port taking Nathan Drummond at 57 (ahead of Josh Glenn at 58 and Jaden McGrath at 66) and Sean McLaren at 75.

 

[Forzaport]

The Collingwood recruiter thinks this could be the most even draft in history. Good news for us.

 

[Jumbo]

The Collingwood recruiter thinks this could be the most even draft in history. Good news for us.

The suggested low number of players to be drafted suggests that if will be an evenly average draft.

 

[Forzaport]

The suggested low number of players to be drafted suggests that if will be an evenly average draft.

87 picks total. Once you factor in rookies, academy selections, father/sons and the likelihood of mature recruits, that doesn't leave many bottom agers.

 

[robbo1981]

We end up with picks 56,69,78,84 in the final draft order.

 

[RossFC]

Pretty depressing that a team passed before our first pick. But hey, Paddy Ryder!

 

[240volt]

Deluca-Cardillo? I went to primary school with a girl who had that exact same name. Wonder if he is her brother

Could have had a sex change?

 

[Chachi]

It would be really interesting to see each individuals clubs ratings/draft order after the draft. Club needs, let alone opinion, would make each list different. Wonder if it would ever happen?

 

[Forzaport]

Had a closer look at the draft order - it appears that rookie promotions are no longer associated with a national draft pick.

There are 87 picks in total and 12 have already been committed to father/sons and academy players leaving 75 live picks. Port's first live pick is the 50th selection (officially pick #56), second pick is 61st live pick (officially pick #69), third pick is 68th live pick (officially pick 78) and fourth pick is 74th live pick (officially pick #84).

I'm sure there will be a few passed picks late in the draft as not every club uses the maximum 40 players on their senior list even if a draft pick has been allocated for them to do so (e.g. I doubt Carlton will use picks #82 and #87). This means our 2-4 picks may be a little earlier, not that it will make much difference.

 

[bluemoon86]

Would love to see us pickup Caleb Daniel. Sounds like the perfect way to use a third round pick. Is he likely to be around then or is he a bit of an unknown?

 

[Janus]

Could have had a sex change?

She/he would be a bit old to be drafted then, since I'm in my 30s

 

[Jonts]

It would be really interesting to see each individuals clubs ratings/draft order after the draft. Club needs, let alone opinion, would make each list different. Wonder if it would ever happen?

Maybe retrospectively for drafts 8+ years ago
But that's still a long shot
straight after the draft?
Snowballs chance in hell

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Is Cal Twomey doing a phantom draft for afl.com this year?

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Emma Quayle is doing a draft chat at 11.30 on The Age website.