Draft Watcher Knightmare 2020 Draft Almanac

[Knightmare]

No I agree with this, but I just dont think Walker is lacking in one on one's and intercepting all that much either. Walker is very courageous too, good in the air for his size, and I could see him being an AFL defender... Collins is a beast though and just doesnt care about his own safety and is great at defending and thats his strength. Walker is the much better ball user though. But the coach in that article I linked says Collins has improved his kicking and if thats true then Collins is the probably best prospect from Tassie this year, because that can be his weakness. Like he is capable of kicking really well, but he also has too many clangers. If the coaches have fixed that, then he will be a gun i think.

He is a lot more Greenwood than Hall (I love watching Hall play, he's entertaining), but I think he will be a better ball user than Greenwood. He has played very well when playing alongside the best players his age. I think/hope he can be a very good AFL player. Tarryn I dont count as a pure midfielder.

Perhaps a harsh view with Walker, but given my divide from what AFL is reporting recruiters are thinking, I'll put forward my findings from my viewings last year.

I consistently walked away from each Tasmanian game feeling confident "there are three guys I'd pick from this team" and I'd go home every time watching Tasmania thinking the exact same thing. And that's pretty cool when I was thinking about underagers.

When taking notes I'll note instance where guys have positive and negative moments. I'll generally take 20ish notes of the 'big 3' but Walker I might note around 5 times for game as a rough comparison. 10+ positive instance of moments in a game tells me a guy is impacting games at that level to a level where I'd be suggesting a player is draftable. With Walker I never felt wowed or like he had that point of difference on a level where he had that one thing that looks like can be high level against other sides.

That said, it's my view of Walker the underager. Until I see him again this year, and he may have improved, it's hard to revise that evaluation.

I’m with Knightmare on Walker, not the biggest fan yet I’d like to see a harder edge to his game. Played the easiest role you can play last year as a looseish defender. That role hurt Darcy Cassar last year so hope Walker either gets more midfield minutes or shows a strong defensive game.

Would be interested in your view as to whether Walker has a clear point of difference. Not just something he's good at by NAB League standards, but something that translates to AFL play to suggest he can pretty clearly make a role/position his by being clearly AFL standard at something. At this stage my answer is I haven't seen that thing, but interested whether others have seen that something I haven't.

 

[Jazny]

With Walker I never felt wowed or like he had that point of difference on a level where he had that one thing that looks like can be high level against other sides.

I understand. Im not saying he will be like a brownlow medalist or top 20 pick, but I imo he could be a very competent player and deserves to be mentioned with the big three. If he has a point of difference imo its decision making/disposal. I felt kinda the same about Fraser Turner (drafted at ~55). But Walker is doing it as a bottom ager so im excited to see him this year! The article also said Callow was going to be played as a mid this season. I was looking forward to nab league more than AFL, stupid covid!

Your thoughts on Chugg?

 

[mustang]

KM could this years draft be more a lottery then in other years as late developers won’t get the chance to rise in there final year like Oliver did and a club could pick a player that could have been top 5 if the season was normal but now in the teens or 20’s based on last years shown form.

 

[eDPS]

Perhaps a harsh view with Walker, but given my divide from what AFL is reporting recruiters are thinking, I'll put forward my findings from my viewings last year.

I consistently walked away from each Tasmanian game feeling confident "there are three guys I'd pick from this team" and I'd go home every time watching Tasmania thinking the exact same thing. And that's pretty cool when I was thinking about underagers.

When taking notes I'll note instance where guys have positive and negative moments. I'll generally take 20ish notes of the 'big 3' but Walker I might note around 5 times for game as a rough comparison. 10+ positive instance of moments in a game tells me a guy is impacting games at that level to a level where I'd be suggesting a player is draftable. With Walker I never felt wowed or like he had that point of difference on a level where he had that one thing that looks like can be high level against other sides.

That said, it's my view of Walker the underager. Until I see him again this year, and he may have improved, it's hard to revise that evaluation.



Would be interested in your view as to whether Walker has a clear point of difference. Not just something he's good at by NAB League standards, but something that translates to AFL play to suggest he can pretty clearly make a role/position his by being clearly AFL standard at something. At this stage my answer is I haven't seen that thing, but interested whether others have seen that something I haven't.

Yeah I feel the same, I mean he isn’t a bad size, knows how to win the footy and is usually composed but yeah he isn’t a fast rebounder and his skills are only solid, not a big intercept marker and hasn’t shown a lot in one on ones.

 

[Dockeroo]

Yeah I feel the same, I mean he isn’t a bad size, knows how to win the footy and is usually composed but yeah he isn’t a fast rebounder and his skills are only solid, not a big intercept marker and hasn’t shown a lot in one on ones.

What are your And knightmares thoughts on where Freo’s two NGA players will land? Joel Western and Brandon Walker. Second round?
I guess it depends on what they Show in the national champs later this year?

 

[curnow inferno]

km did you ever end up doing another re-draft of past 5 drafts this pre-season as you had done the previous pre-season? i would love to see an updated one.

 

[Juice030103]

thoughts on nik cox? where will he go in the draft?

 

[Knightmare]

I understand. Im not saying he will be like a brownlow medalist or top 20 pick, but I imo he could be a very competent player and deserves to be mentioned with the big three. If he has a point of difference imo its decision making/disposal. I felt kinda the same about Fraser Turner (drafted at ~55). But Walker is doing it as a bottom ager so im excited to see him this year! The article also said Callow was going to be played as a mid this season. I was looking forward to nab league more than AFL, stupid covid!

Your thoughts on Chugg?

Chugg tests well athletically but has yet to stand out. He is one Tasmania would have hoped would have shown development this year, but without games, it's hard to pick him on play to date.

KM could this years draft be more a lottery then in other years as late developers won’t get the chance to rise in there final year like Oliver did and a club could pick a player that could have been top 5 if the season was normal but now in the teens or 20’s based on last years shown form.

Without exposed form this year unless we return to play (unclear with the second wave hitting Melbourne and local transmission now a problem re. COVID) it is a lot based on 2018/2019 form, preseason signs and measurements and whether they're still growing as indicators of upside and future growth potential.

There will be some who no doubt slip through into next years draft, as there are always risers/sliders every year as was the case with Oliver in his draft year. It will make next year's draft potentially more intriguing if things return to normalcy in 2021.

What are your And knightmares thoughts on where Freo’s two NGA players will land? Joel Western and Brandon Walker. Second round?
I guess it depends on what they Show in the national champs later this year?

Walker can break the lines and provide meaningful drive from defence. He's draftable and someone from the second round who I see coming into the mix.

Western is a good small mid and can push behind the ball where he can provide some drive with his speed. At his height for mine needs to develop forward craft/make that his main go, but hasn't to date looked comfortable as a forward. More a possible Cat B candidate than someone I'd consider in the National Draft.

km did you ever end up doing another re-draft of past 5 drafts this pre-season as you had done the previous pre-season? i would love to see an updated one.

Haven't done a re-do of the past 5 drafts during the pre-season.

I may do later in the year/during the offseason.

I definitely don't plan for my previous draft re-do's to be my last. They're too much fun.

thoughts on nik cox? where will he go in the draft?

Cox is a definite chance with his athleticism/endurance/versatility at 200cm. Second round onwards he has to be a consideration.

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

What range would you have Jake Bowey? I quite like him, small but great user and doesn't shirk a contest.

 

[weltschmerz]

Have you seen much of Ewan Macpherson? Do you think he's best as a defender?

 

[Knightmare]

What range would you have Jake Bowey? I quite like him, small but great user and doesn't shirk a contest.

He's small but has tricks. Good skills/evasion/composure and can provide some run with ball in hand.

If he can translate his game to crumbing forward I'd be going from a possible pick to someone I'd be advocating.

Have you seen much of Ewan Macpherson? Do you think he's best as a defender?

Ok defender. Tests well athletically and plays a hard brand of footy. Have heard he has improved over the offseason but based on 2019 play perhaps at this stage is lacking a point of difference. A possible cat b rookie at this stage until play starts and he moves up standings on performance.

 

[AdamMarrett]

Where does Lachlan Jones fit in the draft? I know he's linked to Port Adelaide but he's hard to get a read on as to how highly he's rated.

 

[Knightmare]

Where does Lachlan Jones fit in the draft? I know he's linked to Port Adelaide but he's hard to get a read on as to how highly he's rated.

Good size and contested ball winning capabilities.

Could be a good get as a cat b rookie assuming cat b rookie lists continue.

We probably don't have more than around 40 selections in the draft, so it's going to be competitive to get senior listed this year assuming the list reduction to 35 senior listed.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

I hope we do get a proper draft and don't have to cut lists.

 

[Knightmare]

I hope we do get a proper draft and don't have to cut lists.

We first have to hope we can play the full season for the clubs to have any hope at making enough money to continue with full size lists.

With the second wave and local transmission happening in Melbourne, I'm not even optimistic we finish the season.

The Victorian sides may need to set up interstate over the next few weeks to finish the season if a hard lockdown doesn't happen and/or is ineffective and hope other states don't get a second wave.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

With the second wave and local transmission happening

Are you sure it's a 2nd wave and not a continuation of the current wave?

 

[Knightmare]

Are you sure it's a 2nd wave and not a continuation of the current wave?

I'm not in medicine to know how they categorise it but we haven't had any meaningful local transmission in Australia really until these past three weeks in Melbourne where we've had rising case numbers. And with rising case numbers, for a second time now, I would categorise this as a second wave that we're in now.

Before that it was all about those returning international travellers.

So if there is ever a time to bunker down and get serious in Melbourne/Victoria so we don't lose control like we're seeing overseas and we actually want to get rid of the virus, now is the time to get on top of it or we may never.

And until/unless there is a cure, there isn't. So it's important if we want to open up our economy again, to eliminate all cases completely so that we can get back completely to business as usual at least in Australia so we don't have to be going in/out of lockdown every few weeks.

 

[Mutineer]

So best guess where Baldwin goes now re pick? Outside the 1st round now?

Talented SA prospect to miss second straight season

Kaine Baldwin won't play again in 2020 after injuring his knee

www.afl.com.au

 

[Marcel Proust]

If compared to a say Collingwood I wouldn't say Collingwood have any bullies in there.

Even Richmond, they don't have those top few contested ball/clearance guys either, with their midfield actually a relative weak point with more their structures, defence and pressure what makes them a great team.

I think easier ruck matchups for English and the other midfielders getting accustomed to playing alongside Bailey Smith through the midfield will be those key steps towards the Dogs' midfield clicking and sharking more of those balls again with English/Smith not yet having that familiarity having not played much together.

It feels like the not sharking it component has come down more than anything to the ease with which hitouts to decisive advantage have occurred at stoppages this season with Grundy's connection in round 1 looking decisively better than last year and Ryder/Marshall also excellent at that part of the game last week.

Will be interesting to see whether Bont/Macrae/Dunkley can look better over the coming rounds. I'd like to see West eventually integrated into that mix to complement those guys and Smith as that projected long term midfield core that looks to me to be already in place and good enough even with those guys to as a midfield group be among that upper echelon assuming based on what I was watching in 2019.

Martin, Cotchin, Prestia are not too shabby

could probable use one more though.

RCD should be the answer

 

[bone2468]

So best guess where Baldwin goes now re pick? Outside the 1st round now?

Talented SA prospect to miss second straight season

Kaine Baldwin won't play again in 2020 after injuring his knee

www.afl.com.au

I’d personally sit out the year and get fresh for the next

 

[Dockeroo]

I’d personally sit out the year and get fresh for the next

Someone will take a chance on him in the rookie draft

 

[andleanback]

Someone will take a chance on him in the rookie draft

Most likely won’t be a rookie draft this year.

 

[TylerDurden]

KM where do you see Connor Downie in the draft order?

 

[Knightmare]

So best guess where Baldwin goes now re pick? Outside the 1st round now?

Talented SA prospect to miss second straight season

Kaine Baldwin won't play again in 2020 after injuring his knee

www.afl.com.au

Probably puts Baldwin out of the top-10 mix.

Late first or second round I still look at him as a viable pick and someone a club should certainly take as a national draft selection I would have thought.

Letting a top-10 talent slip out of the draft would be silly.

Martin, Cotchin, Prestia are not too shabby

could probable use one more though.

RCD should be the answer

Pickett, Stack, Ross and Dow are all also there, so there are some developable types.

I just wouldn't be regarding Richmond's midfield as a top-4 midfield. It may not even be a top-8 midfield.

In no particular order Dogs, Eagles, Cats, Pies, Giants, Power, Roos, Lions, Hawks and Dees for mine all have better midfields with Richmond's big 3 a nice big three, but lacking much in terms of established guys after that.

Pickett can play, Stack can transition into the midfield, Ross can play and Dow is showing signs that he could develop and I agree RCD can become a monster in the future. But in assessing where it is today compared to other midfields, as a unit due to the lack of quality numbers outside of that big three, it's a relative weak point for Richmond and why we see Richmond rely on their defensive systems with their defence and pressure what wins so many games of footy.

KM where do you see Connor Downie in the draft order?

Downie is a good piece. Since fairly early last year I've had him firmly planted inside my top-30. I see him going second round on draft day. The drive he generates on the outside is excellent.

 

[Magpies2021]

Someone will take a chance on him in the rookie draft

Talking about the draft.. When you look at The Murray bushrangers there’s the likes of Holland’s that’ll go top 3, and possibly bondendo and Mahar who may get drafted but besides them is there anyone else putting there hand up for getting drafted off last years performance? Cheers


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