Review 2022 Mid Season Draft - Wednesday June 1 @ 6.30pm

[giantroo]

Mid-Season Rookie Draft: Which clubs have a list spot?

Check out which clubs have a pick in the mid-season draft

www.afl.com.au

 

[noobermensch]

Since 2009, the ND's been nothing much than a dragged out borefest.

How it was in 2008 and prior was how it should've been now.

No histrionics.
No walking up to the stage to receive your guernsey.
No dressing up semi formally with club polo.
No long breaks between picks.
No interviews with EVERY selected player.
No Shifter singing the praises of EVERYONE.

I also don't believe there was the principal's address by the AFL CEO in 2008 and prior.

And, of course, the yearly reminder for folk to please turn off their mobile phones.

What I want is the reveals of draftees' junior clubs and player registration numbers.

I don't at all mind them trying to turn the ND into an Event. It's just the execution that's lacking.

 

[RUNVS]

RUNVS.

Since the AFL's adopted the current interface, there's FA functionality.

The draft tracker was bloody good.
The Brownlow Medal tracker was bloody good.
The AFL Match Centre was bloody good.

Now look what the goons have given us.

It doesn't make sense though as why get rid of it?

I mean I understand maybe the first year of live trading as perhaps the program was not designed for it and they would not be able to make the changes easily but after that, with a year to modify or change the program so it could do that I don't see why it has not returned. It was really good, especially since Bigfooty often dies during the draft so it is very hard to check what is otherwise happening if you can't watch the coverage for whatever reason.

 

[Lore]

It doesn't make sense though as why get rid of it?

I mean I understand maybe the first year of live trading as perhaps the program was not designed for it and they would not be able to make the changes easily but after that, with a year to modify or change the program so it could do that I don't see why it has not returned. It was really good, especially since Bigfooty often dies during the draft so it is very hard to check what is otherwise happening if you can't watch the coverage for whatever reason.

It coped well enough with live trading. It wasn't perfect but it was better than a silly blog. We had live trading for 3-4 years before they got rid of it when the pandemic led to massive cuts at AFL Media.

 

[Giant Strides]

It went away with half the staff and half the budget during the pandemic

AFL just needs to employ you, Lore.

You run Draft & Trade with better than military precision.

 

[RUNVS]

It coped well enough with live trading. It wasn't perfect but it was better than a silly blog. We had live trading for 3-4 years before they got rid of it when the pandemic led to massive cuts at AFL Media.

Well the AFL needs to bring it back. They are trying to make draft night into an event but they have a truly second rate online presence during the draft night itself. Makes them look unprofessional.

 

[lethalsax]

What’s the difference between the mid season draft and the off-season draft?
Like why are there two drafts?
Are the players available if different calibers?
Are the contracts different?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

 

[Lore]

Well the AFL needs to bring it back. They are trying to make draft night into an event but they have a truly second rate online presence during the draft night itself. Makes them look unprofessional.

I'm not entirely convinced anything at that organisation is particularly professional to be honest. If you think this is bad you ought to see the AFLW coverage

 

[swuzzlebubble]

What’s the difference between the mid season draft and the off-season draft?
Like why are there two drafts?
Are the players available if different calibers?
Are the contracts different?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

It's a chance for clubs to replace injured players during the season.
The draftees technically must have been passed over in the previous end of year draft, so in theory a lower calibre.
But some players show form in state leagues this year that may not have been evident last year.

 

[kane249]

Is there any possibility of getting this back for tonight

Rather than the super crappy blog posts that felt like they came from 1998 like we had last year?

As an aside, that is not a good top 10

So many average players and a few have moved clubs too

 

[juss]

Is this televised?

 

[Lore]

What’s the difference between the mid season draft and the off-season draft?
Like why are there two drafts?
Are the players available if different calibers?
Are the contracts different?


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com

In chronological order and in descending order of (theoretical) player quality:

1. National Draft is at the end of the year, in November. Players must be 18 by the 31st of December to be eligible, this is the first opportunity they have to join an AFL club. All draftees get a minimum two year contract and are placed on the senior list. Clubs must take a minimum of three picks in this draft.
2. Pre-Season Draft (PSD) is the day after the National Draft. Players who nominated for the National Draft but didn't get drafted the day before are eligible. All draftees get a minimum one year contract and are placed on the senior list. This draft is optional for clubs.
3. Rookie Draft is directly after the Pre-Season Draft, usually on the same day. Players who nominated but are still not drafted after the Pre-Season Draft are eligible. They get a one year contract and go on the Rookie List, which means part of their salary is outside the cap. This draft is optional for clubs.
   
   
4. Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) over the pre-season when any draft eligible players who haven't been picked up can train with any of the clubs and sign directly to the rookie list of any club. The SSP starts in December and ends in March, prior to Round 1 of the new season. Participation is optional for clubs who have space on their lists – they can make space through retirements or moving long term injuries players to an inactive list.
   
   
5. Mid-Season Draft (MSD) is the draft eligible players from the previous year who nominated for the draft and still haven't been drafted. Players who are picked up can nominate for a six-month or 18-month contract and will be placed on the rookie list if selected. Clubs must have space on their rookie list in order to have a pick in this draft, and can again make space through retirements or moving long term injured players to an inactive list.

Being on the senior list is a better rate of pay than the rookie list, and the rookie list is supposed to be temporary, after 3 years you either get upgraded to the senior list or you're out (in practice the clubs do a lot of gymnastics to make it work for them). All contracts must end on 31 October according to the CBA, hence the six-month and 18-month contracts for the mid-season draftees.

 

[Swiggy]

Any mock drafts out there for tonight?

 

[RUNVS]

As an aside, that is not a good top 10

So many average players and a few have moved clubs too

I thought the same thing. Has to be up there with one of the worst top 10's in the last decade.

 

[Lore]

Is this televised?

AFL.com.au I believe. Don't think Fox has any interest.

Should be over in like 20 minutes I reckon anyway – I'd suggest it actually starts around 7 with half an hour of bullshit first.

 

[Lord of the Wings]

AFL.com.au I believe. Don't think Fox has any interest.

Should be over in like 20 minutes I reckon anyway – I'd suggest it actually starts around 7 with half an hour of bullshit first.

They asked Fox to do the coverage but when Fox asked Brad Johnson to host he said it would take him at least 2 weeks to think of something sensible to say about the likely 1st round picks. Hence Fox passed

 

[Jen2310]

 

[KinderSmock]

RUNVS.

Since the AFL's adopted the current interface, there's FA functionality.

The draft tracker was bloody good.
The Brownlow Medal tracker was bloody good.
The AFL Match Centre was bloody good.

Now look what the goons have given us.

Average school student could use Wix and make something that looks better.

 

[Frothiewalker]

Can anyone unpack this. Don’t have a subscription

 

[Chris25]

Not a mock, but where might the MSD prospects slot in as end of year draft picks?

30 to 40 - Culley, D’Ambrosio
40 to 50 - Ramsden, Hall-Kahan
50 plus - Derksen, Carmichael, Faulkhead, Teakle, Bauer
Rookies - the rest

 

[Mr north man]

Is this televised?

No on AFL website.

 

[Wild Bill]

Please take Dawson. Don’t want him anywhere near north.

Why?

 

[Kangaroos4eva]

Why?

Souup sums him up pretty well.

I'm probably going a bit harsh here but these are my honest thoughts as of right now:

Positives

• Really athletic, great pace for his size and quite agile. Could potentially make for a solid 1v1 defender at AFL level.
• Clean by hand under pressure
• Kills the high ball quite well

Negatives

• I don't know how to say this nicely - his kicking sucks. Notoriously underkicks it and if he's not taking a simple option such as a backwards kick or long down the line, he's a 50-50 shot at flat out turning it over.
• Poor decision maker by foot. Like... really poor. Something I saw a number of occasions was a short/medium kick to a 1vs1 just outside his defensive 50m. This was the type of kick he tried under basically no pressure.
• Lacks awareness. Both awareness of defenders close to him and when kicking to a target. Saw him a few times think he was clear of a defender only for them to lay some pressure on him and cause a turnover. When kicking to a target, I feel like at least once a game he tried to go a short/medium kick to a target and had it intercepted by a player that he should have seen near his target.
• He's not an interceptor. If you remove a game in the wet against Brisbane in Round 9 where he had 7 intercept marks and 11 intercept possessions, he averages 1.8 intercept marks a game and 4.7 intercept possessions over 7 games this season. This is while playing for one of the worst sides in the VFL, where the ball is coming into his area a large number of times per game.
• Favours marking on the chest over in the hands when intercepting.

If we want the K-mart Sam Frost, then he'll be an amazing pick-up.

Pretty crazy stuff if we use #2 at the MSD on him. Even if he was the best 1-on-1 defender in the country, with how poor he is by foot, he's going to hurt you a lot going the other way.

 

[eth-dog]

Does the draft start at 6:30 or the coverage?

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Does the draft start at 6:30 or the coverage?

The coverage more likely.

The picks will start at maybe 7:10pm.

 

[Jen2310]

Can anyone unpack this. Don’t have a subscription

West Coast​

Schofield: Ruckman


First and foremost, healthy players! Let’s be honest, anyone in state league footy around the country that is fit and able, with a clean injury history, is on the Eagles’ watchlist.

With the injury to Nic Naitanui and Nathan Vardy’s unexpected departure at the end of last season, West Coast’s ruck depth has been exposed badly in 2022. Their ruck depth chart currently sits at Bailey Williams, a forward who can play in the ruck but it’s not his best position; Cal Jamieson, a rangy utility who can play at either end or even on a wing, but just doesn’t have the body to be an every-week ruckman; finally, Luke Strnadica, added in the SSP, a ruckman from the WAFL whose body hasn’t been able to stand up to the rigours of weekly AFL as yet. He’s definitely a future option for the Eagles and was probably the best available locally – but what big men are there interstate?

Cherny: The Eagles have tended to look local with their mid-season and rookie picks. There are holes everywhere on this list and West Coast simply needs to bring in talent, including in the midfield. Jake Florenca has already had a taste at AFL level this year as a top-up and would have to be a consideration.

The Eagles also have interest in West Adelaide’s Josh Carmichael, who looks certain to be snapped up by someone, but two days out from the draft the word from out west is that the Eagles may have settled on Dandenong Stingray midfielder Jai Culley as its first selection.

North Melbourne​

Schofield: Mature big-bodied midfielder

With a developing list that’s a fair way from it in terms of quality at the moment, North has a young brigade of midfielders that could do with some support inside the stoppage.

Yes, they added Hugh Greenwood from Gold Coast last year, who by all reports leads by example and sets the standards for young guys around the group. But a bigger-bodied midfielder would walk straight into the void currently left by Ben Cunnington, to ably support Jason Horne-Francis, Jy Simpkin and Luke Davies-Uniacke.

Cherny: Like the Eagles, North has an abundance of holes to fill on their list. The midfield in particular looks skinny. The big-bodied Jai Culley from Dandenong Stingrays fits their list profile and should be able to prove some relatively instant support for a struggling on-ball brigade. Rival clubs are linking them strongly to Williamstown defender Kallan Dawson and Woodville-West Torrens small forward Zane Williams.

Essendon​

Schofield: Dangerous small forward

After a promising finish to 2021, the Bombers tumbled out of finals yet again. In a season that was meant to see them take another step forward, they have taken two steps back. They lack targets ahead of the football as well as genuine goalscoring small forwards.

With Orazio Fantasia, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Irving Mosquito and also the bigger Joe Daniher having left the club, the Bombers’ list and fan base are screaming out for a true forward.

Cherny: The Dons, under crafty list manager Adrian Dodoro, don’t mind playing a few mind games this time of year. Or any time of year really. Carmichael and Culley are both big-bodied midfielders who would provide a point of difference for a side that has badly missed the injured Kyle Langford, himself in the sights of Hawthorn as a free agent. There is a rival view that the Dons may look at forward Kim Kantilla from South Adelaide.

Adelaide​

Schofield: Midfield depth

The Crows are strong across their first two or three midfielders picked each week. Rory Laird and Ben Keays are walk-up starters anywhere, but then their depth drops away quickly. A young side that has had big lapses in consistency within games and week-to-week could do with some reinforcements through the middle of the ground.

As we’ve seen over the past few years with Melbourne and Richmond, depth across your midfield group can go a long way come September.

Cherny: The Crows offered a carrot to former St Kilda midfielder Nathan Freeman to play in their SANFL side, as a potential gateway to a mid-season spot, but after a pre-season injury that plan faded away. Adelaide likes to look local or to Victorian country kids who will need to relocate anyway. Midfielders Brett Turner of Glenelg and Josh Carmichael of West Adelaide are both on the radar if still available.

Hawthorn​

Schofield: Highly-skilled behind-the-ball players

The Sam Mitchell era has well and truly begun at Hawthorn, with their win against Brisbane on the weekend perhaps their most impressive yet. But given Mitchell’s time as a player and coach in teams that valued skill highly, players with that strength could be high on his agenda.

The Hawks’ high-energy brand of play lends itself to a ‘kicker’ behind the ball, as it looks like they are encouraged to take risks through the middle of the ground when they transition the footy.

Cherny: The diminutive Massimo D’Ambrosio is firming as a mid-season draft option, with plenty of clubs taking a look at the Western Jets backman. The Hawks wouldn’t be a bad fit, with D’Ambrosio’s elite kicking a point of difference. He’s very much in the Jake Bowey and Caleb Daniel mould. The Hawks have also shown a tendency to look inward, so defender James Blanck from Box Hill must also be a show, while ex-Brisbane tall Connor Ballenden is another player who may be considered.

Gold Coast​

Schofield: Key position players

Midfield depth and ball-winning ability have never been an issue at the Gold Coast Suns, with a glut of high draft picks forming the backbone of the club. Ben King being out for the season is a huge loss for the Suns, partially covered by the additions of Mabior Chol and Levi Casboult; though an extra tall would not go astray.

The captain, Jarrod Witts, isn’t getting any younger, so adding some depth in the ruck may be a smart move, especially ahead of the national draft at the end of the year.

Cherny: This is relatively late for Gold Coast to be picking in any draft, which itself is clearly a good sign of a brighter future. The Suns took Ned Moyle this time last year but could Max Ramsden, an athletic ruckman, be another player worth looking at if still available?

Port Adelaide​

Schofield: Key forward, key back

From what was once one of the AFL’s most dangerous key position groupings, the tide has turned quickly with some injuries and trades over the past couple of years for Port Adelaide. The absence of Aliir Aliir and Charlie Dixon to begin the season left huge holes at each end of the ground, which the Power failed to cover during their 0-5 start.

Key position players don’t grow on trees but adding one here may mean the difference between Port actually challenging this season or again wondering what could have been.

Cherny: After trading out Peter Ladhams last season,Port have left themselves reasonably short when it comes to talls, at either end and in the ruck. Tom Clurey has had to play this year while banged up. Sam Durdin, now at Glenelg, and Jack Maibaum, these days playing with Coburg, are both tall defenders who have had a taste of AFL and should be able to provide solid cover down back as Port make an unlikely finals bid. If homegrown is the preference, then someone like 191cm forward Jacob Bauer is an option.

Collingwood​

Schofield: Key forward and key backs

Everyone needs key position players but Collingwood have been screaming out for a ready-made key position swing man for years. Talls at either end, even with the long-term contracted Darcy Moore, are still in somewhat short supply. Expect Collingwood to be active in the mid-season draft. They will see it as both a chance to add to a young but exciting group, as well as get early access to key position players.

Cherny: With Brodie Grundy, Nathan Kreuger, Jack Madgen and Charlie Dean out, the Pies have a dearth of talls across the board. It’s hard to envisage they won’t go tall in one way shape or form. The likes of Max Ramsden and Liam Reidy are the best of the young ruckmen, while tall defender Kallan Dawson from Williamstown is another player being linked to the Pies.

Sydney​

Schofield: Inside mid

Contested ball-winning ability has been a Sydney staple for decades but they are starting to fall away in that department. Josh Kennedy looks set for some time on the sidelines, while Luke Parker and Isaac Heeney are spending quite a lot of time forward. All signs point to the Swans looking for an inside bull and they’re a club that rate character right alongside talent, so a player who is willing to quickly buy into the culture will be front of the line.

Cherny: The Swans have plenty of tall options across the ground and while their midfield isn’t poor, a harder edge would not go astray. Culley and Carmichael look like the two top options on that front but if they’ve been snapped up, then D’Ambrosio looks like one the Swans will consider.

Richmond​

Schofield: Inside mid

Traditionally the Tigers have backed their ability to teach those within to play the Richmond way. It has worked for a long time but as the senior premiership players start to transition from the side, the Tigers need more depth across their midfield. If they are fortunate enough to maintain the services of Dusty Martin, I’m sure they’d love to play him closer to goal as he gets older and will need more mids if that’s the case.

Cherny: Another club that is relatively well-placed when it comes to talls. The midfield is still pretty reliant on the older brigade, so younger talent would be very handy. Carmichael and Culley are a couple of obvious options but the 188cm Hugo Hall-Kahan, who has an exemption to participate after briefly being linked to St Kilda’s Next Generation Academy, could also enter their plans. The Tigers have also kept a close eye on D’Ambrosio, who has featured for their VFL side intermittently.

Geelong​

Schofield: Ruckman

Although they have a few developing rucks on their list, they haven’t had a true ruckman since Brad Ottens. With Rhys Stanley missing some games, I’m just not sure that Geelong can win a flag with Mark Blicavs as their pinch-hitting ruckman.

It’s my view that Geelong need to add a bona fide ruckman, yet given their depth at the position and the lack of quality rucks around the country, it’s unlikely they’ll chase one.

Cherny: The Cats have Toby Conway, Shannon Neale and Paul Tsapatolis as developing ruckmen on their list, so it’s hard to imagine they would add another this time around. Geelong have tended to keep their powder dry in the mid-season, preferring to bolster their list later in the year and via unorthodox means like Category B rookies.

With Mark Blicavs spending plenty of time in the ruck, the Cats are understood to have been scouring several key defensive options in the draft to help rising star Sam De Koning, with the likes of Dawson, Maibaum and Mutaz El Nour on the radar.

St Kilda​

Schofield: Small forward

Cover for Jack Higgins? The ex-Tiger was setting the world alight before being struck down with another head injury. Some cover and depth in the dangerous, pressure small forward space would fit nicely into the Saints’ system. They have the big centrepiece sorted in Max King, now the mosquito fleet needs to get to work at his feet.

Cherny: The Saints have exceeded expectations this year but another goalkicking option would be nice, given they’ve been held to some pretty low scores despite their 7-3 start. Goalsneak Oskar Faulkhead, a midfielder who can float forward, was a standout in the Young Guns game against Vic Country earlier this month and could be around the mark here.

Fremantle​

Schofield: Forwards

The Dockers have nine to 10 backmen that could play every week at AFL level, so they won’t add a defender. Their midfield now has depth with the additions of Will Brodie, Jordan Clark and smart drafting over the past few seasons (plus a returning Nat Fyfe.) So that leaves us with the forward line. When the Dockers have won, their ability to score and score quickly has been a feature. However, in their losses this season, the inability to kick a score has been disappointing.

Is there a player in the state leagues who can fill this void for finals-hunting Freo?

Cherny: Peel Thunder key forward Wade Derksen has long been on Fremantle’s radar, and given their struggles inside attacking 50 and the fact that the Dockers like to go local where possible, he seems an obvious fit. Derksen has also attracted interest from Melbourne but the Dees don’t have a pick yet.

Carlton​

Schofield: Tall defenders

Imagine this team with Liam Jones and an uninjured Harry McKay – scary! They could add some tall stocks at the draft, although they probably don’t need to. They are flying!

Cherny: Liam Jones’ retirement left the Blues with a gap to plug and while they’ve held up reasonably well so far, another key backman would be useful. Blanck, Maibaum, Dawson and Durdin all have potential suitors, so it depends on who slips through given Carlton will be picking late; a foreign feeling for Blues fans.

GWS​

Cherny: GWS now have potential spots through injury/illness to Josh Fahey and Bobby Hill.

No available spots​

Brisbane

Melbourne

Western Bulldogs