List Mgmt. 2015 AFL Draft - what type of players should we be looking at & who do we take? (Poll added)

[The Flying Doormat]

I really like the look of Gresham.

A friend of mine who is a recruiter in another professional sport (US College Basketball), gave me a glimpse of the criterion sheet of things that the US scouts look for in a point guard (it's very detailed and layered). Pretty much all of the criterion are able to be applied to AFL midfielders and it's aimed at looking at how much of that players skill-set will transition into the professional game at the next level both physically and mentally.

Aside from athleticism (which we know he has), decision making and match awareness were the ones that stuck out to me; decision making had the following basic layers:

1. Is the player a good decision maker?
2. Is the player a good decision maker under duress?
3. Is the player a quick decision maker?
4. Can the player co-ordinate others during the course of play? etc (there are 27 criterion).

I know I haven't seen a whole lot of him, but Gresham definitely ticks most of those boxes from what I have seen.

I'm starting to become more and more a fan of 'strategic line drafting'. So I would love to address our KPD and midfield stocks this year given the talent available and then look to focus on the forwards either next year (with another early pick), via FA or trade (perhaps another crack at Tomlinson).

1. Weitering
8. Francis/Collins
11. Gresham
19. Dunkley/Cunningham

We address our Defence with Weitering, Collins/Francis and Plowman for the next 10 years and add some inside/outside breaking run in Gresham and then either another big bodied insider in Dunkley, or more inside/outside line breaking run in Cunningham.

From his highlights package, Milera meets the four criteria.

 

[Matty411]

From his highlights package, Milera meets the four criteria.

As do (arguably) Weitering, Parish, Collins and Gresham. Oliver and Francis meet at least 3 of those, too. No surprise they will all feature top 15.

 

[LordLucifer]

19. Gresham if available if not Collins or B Mckay

I'm really struggling to buy into the Gresham hype right now.

177cm means he would be the equal smallest on our list (Tutt is 177 & Smith is 178cm) so unless he has superior skills & workrate, you have to wonder what he has to offer us presently.

Besides, we have so many glaring deficiencies that it would make far more sense to build a "big" list right now. In a couple of years time, if a small mid/forward was around and it was agreed that we needed a player of that type, only then would I advocate the drafting of one.

 

[Matty411]

I'm really struggling to buy into the Gresham hype right now.

177cm means he would be the equal smallest on our list (Tutt is 177 & Smith is 178cm) so unless he has superior skills & workrate, you have to wonder what he has to offer us presently.

Besides, we have so many glaring deficiencies that it would make far more sense to build a "big" list right now. In a couple of years time, if a small mid/forward was around and it was agreed that we needed a player of that type, only then would I advocate the drafting of one.

Ye of little faith Sheik! Think we let him pass at 8/11 but if he's there at 19, can't see us letting him go unless we grabbed 2 x mids at 8/11. He's a jet - size isn't the be all and end all. Gresham is an A-grade footballer, it's that simple. Can kick a goal so worst case I can see him playing 70-80% small forward until he's ready. Upgrade on Tutt, Lamb and definitely Clemmy Smith in that role. Largely ranked in the top 15 picks overall.

 

[The Flying Doormat]

As do (arguably) Weitering, Parish, Collins and Gresham. Oliver and Francis meet at least 3 of those, too. No surprise they will all feature top 15.

No argument there. All good options. What caught my eye with Milera was the speed he operates at and flexibility. Reminded me of Wanganeen.

 

[Matty411]

No argument there. All good options. What caught my eye with Milera was the speed he operates at and flexibility. Reminded me of Wanganeen.

With a bit of bulk and 24 months in the AFL system can really see him exploding onto the scene. My only issue would be with his 'type' relative to the attributes we need. In saying that, best available is best available. Back ourselves in to get him (or whoever is drafted to CFC) to buy into our culture and want to stay long term.

 

[LordLucifer]

The other player that I just cannot get excited about is Milera.

Initially (about a month back), I thought he may be a player that we could do with, however, I keep going back and looking at the highlight reels and have come to the conclusion that he is a player who doesn't like it in close, he wants to be an "outside receiver" (sorry for the yankee tag). Many people will apply the 'downhill skier' tag at some stage.

I can see some Yarran laziness in there & some Lewis Jetta skirting of the packs, I am not confident that both traits can be changed either.

He looks like a good kick, I'll give him that but the fact he appears to be on his own more times than not when receiving the aggot genuinely concerns me.

 

[La Dispute]

The other player that I just cannot get excited about is Milera.

Initially (about a month back), I thought he may be a player that we could do with, however, I keep going back and looking at the highlight reels and have come to the conclusion that he is a player who doesn't like it in close, he wants to be an "outside receiver" (sorry for the yankee tag). Many people will apply the 'downhill skier' tag at some stage.

I can see some Yarran laziness in there & some Lewis Jetta skirting of the packs, I am not confident that both traits can be changed either.

He looks like a good kick, I'll give him that but the fact he appears to be on his own more times than not when receiving the aggot genuinely concerns me.

Doesn't like it in close? What highlight reels were you watching? In the his 5 minute highlights package, there are a dozen pieces of inside play; mostly feeding out contested handballs out to teammates.

The Yarran/Jetta comparison is just lazy, tired, assumptive conjecture. Milera's got a much more rounded game than the aforementioned.

I wouldn't take him at 8 given one of Oliver, Francis or McKay will be available but I'd be very happy if we nabbed him at 11.

 

[LordLucifer]

Upgrade on Tutt

The old lady in the tuckshop is an upgrade on Tutt.

Not with you this time Matty, reckon we are better off going for bigger bodies right now.

If we are going to get a mid this year (and I'm not advocating we do, prefer all talls) then it would seem like a better long-term option to pick up a bigger player (like Oliver) who can work alongside Cripps in the guts.

 

[LordLucifer]

Doesn't like it in close? What highlight reels were you watching? In the his 5 minute highlights package, there are a dozen pieces of inside play; mostly feeding out contested handballs out to teammates.

The Yarran/Jetta comparison is just lazy, tired, assumptive conjecture. Milera's got a much more rounded game than the aforementioned.

I wouldn't take him at 8 given one of Oliver, Francis or McKay will be available but I'd be very happy if we nabbed him at 11.

Don't agree, time will tell who's right and who's wrong.

If we are going to snag a Croweater (as opposed to Francis), then Riley Bonner appears to be a better option having already played SANFL seniors at West Adelaide and has a penetrating left-foot kick.

 

[Peter Bell]

I'm a big fan of Gresham at 19 if he's available.

2015 TAC CUP Morrish Medal
Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers) 15 votes (16 games)
Jade Gresham (Northern Knights) 14 votes (13 games)

Gresham polled in the most matches (eight) of any player, but bagged the three votes only twice.

2015 TAC CUP Coaches Award
Jade Gresham (Northern Knights) 39
Clayton Oliver (Murray Bushrangers) 31

Also worth mentioning is Marc Murphy 181cm, Jade Gresham 178cm. Hello free kicks from unintentional head high tackles.

 

[The Flying Doormat]

Doesn't like it in close? What highlight reels were you watching? In the his 5 minute highlights package, there are a dozen pieces of inside play; mostly feeding out contested handballs out to teammates.

The Yarran/Jetta comparison is just lazy, tired, assumptive conjecture. Milera's got a much more rounded game than the aforementioned.

I wouldn't take him at 8 given one of Oliver, Francis or McKay will be available but I'd be very happy if we nabbed him at 11.

It must be blowing a sandstorm in the Sheik's desert today.

 

[thylacine60]

From his highlights package, Milera meets the four criteria.

Agree, Bruce. Gotta quit watching highlight reels. Each time I do I contend he is the one. Curious how those 2 or 3 minutes manage to capture sections of play involving mostly the one player.

 

[viking12]

really nervous on pick 8

do blues go for best available or on needs ?

 

[zeeCFC]

I'm officially happy with any players we take. Obviously if for whatever reason a Curnow or Francis type player slides it'll be awesome but it's a very even first round after the top 4 or so. They all have issues and areas they excel in so with 4 picks I think we can be happy with a range of combinations.

 

[DaVillaBlues]

Don't agree, time will tell who's right and who's wrong.

If we are going to snag a Croweater (as opposed to Francis), then Riley Bonner appears to be a better option having already played SANFL seniors at West Adelaide and has a penetrating left-foot kick.

Inside Footy's pre draft edition claims Bonner could be the best kick of the draft, and is actually good on his right foot it seems

Want him at #11 tbh, we are crying out for more decent users by foot.

We need to start drafting more guaranteed solid future 150 game players, even if they won't be elite talents, and that's why Menzel had to go, his talents would be wasted at a club that's rebuilding, and Kerridge, injuries not withstanding will be another reliable Heath Scotland type for us.

I don't subscribe to best available talent all the time if it means another Yarran or Menzel flakey type. We need more solid players who will more likely to produce the goods on a weekly basis than a Menzel or Yarran.

 

[La Dispute]

really nervous on pick 8

do blues go for best available or on needs ?

Best available.

One of Francis, Curnow, Oliver or McKay will be around.

 

[Matty411]

The old lady in the tuckshop is an upgrade on Tutt.

Not with you this time Matty, reckon we are better off going for bigger bodies right now.

If we are going to get a mid this year (and I'm not advocating we do, prefer all talls) then it would seem like a better long-term option to pick up a bigger player (like Oliver) who can work alongside Cripps in the guts.

All good bud! Don't always have to agree. I'm hopeful we grab Oliver and another tall at 8 + 11 then if Gresh is there at 19, we strike.

2 x mids (1 big-bodied, 1 smaller all-round type) and 2 x KPPs (1 KPD and 1 KPF ideally in McKay/Burton) is the right balance. Can also see Hibberd/Bonner/Cole or Clarke being considered at 19 in this scenario if Gresh is gone, which I think he will be.

 

[Jimmae]

Gonna be pretty unhappy if we aren't looking to make use of any of the 4th round picks that survive the SOS bid; the rookie draft is going to be too thin for more than one live pick.

 

[Amers]

I'm keen on 2 talls and 2 mids, Collins and Weitering being my 1st preference for talls. Plenty of mids to choose from around our picks.

 

[Amers]

Does anyone else see a bit of Marc Murphy in Gresham? We could get a clone of our skipper!!

 

[Jimmae]

Does anyone else see a bit of Marc Murphy in Gresham? We could get a clone of our skipper!!

I see way more of Marc Murphy in Parish. Gresham doesn't look great to me, but I've really on got the Champs to go on there.

 

[Matty411]

Watching Harry McKay footage, whilst still not sold on him - he's growing on me. Assuming he doesn't shoot out to pure ruck size (currently 200cm), I can really see a lot of Tom Lynch and Drew Petrie in him. Still so young and only played 2 proper seasons - once he fills out, plays a few seasons in/out of seniors/VFL, he really could be a combination the above two guys.

With Cas unlikely to be our long-term messiah in the forward line, McKay projects as an all-round upgrade on him down the track. If he's developed and coached correctly (something our new regime has somewhat of a specialty in) then he could well prove to be a great pick.

 

[Crippa#9]

Watching Harry McKay footage, whilst still not sold on him - he's growing on me. Assuming he doesn't shoot out to pure ruck size (currently 200cm), I can really see a lot of Tom Lynch and Drew Petrie in him. Still so young and only played 2 proper seasons - once he fills out, plays a few seasons in/out of seniors/VFL, he really could be a combination the above two guys.

With Cas unlikely to be our long-term messiah in the forward line, McKay projects as an all-round upgrade on him down the track. If he's developed and coached correctly (something our new regime has somewhat of a specialty in) then he could well prove to be a great pick.

Wouldn't be surprised if SOS takes Burton & McKay. There's our lead up KPF & Future CHF for the next 10 years....

 

[ParapMarkets]

Just on McKay, I appreciate people being a bit worried about him being selected with pick 8 (people keep mentioning him being a beanpole) because it is a bit risky but I was watching the Vic Country V SA game again last night (Because I am a footy nerd) and I can definitely see why recruiters like him. He didn't dominate like Weitering and Schache but he really does have some impressive attributes for a guy who is 2 metres tall and seemed to work really well up the ground, and his skills below his knees for someone of his height are exceptional. If he has an excellent work ethic he could become anything.

We need a good group of young leaders like Cripps and Weitering and the enthusiasm of guys like Buckley, but we also need to take some risks (albeit educated) to become seriously competitive, if someone like Weideman, Oliver or Francis doesn't slide then I will be hoping we take this guy with 8.