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the big lebowski said:
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Compare the pair: How potential number one picks Riley Thilthorpe, Logan McDonald stack up

Thilthorpe or McDonald? Adelaide is tipped to take one of them as its first pick in the draft. We analyse their stats and get their local clubs to push their cases.

Matt Turner

@mattturner1986
December 3, 2020 - 5:04PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/spor.../65dba4896521105e37a08a130cc2aae5#share-tools


They are the twin towers in the mix to make history at Adelaide.

West Adelaide’s Riley Thilthorpe or Perth’s Logan McDonald are considered likely to become the Crows’ highest ever selection when they pick first overall at the December 9 draft.

Adelaide, which has never chosen earlier than sixth, may bid on Western Bulldogs Next Generation Academy prospect Jamarra Ugle-Hagan or pull a surprise by taking Murray Bushrangers’ Elijah Hollands at the top of the order.

But many observers expect it will be one of the two talls, forward/ruckman Thilthorpe or spearhead McDonald.

The pair have some similarities, such as coming off nine-game seasons, sharing a manager, Ben Williams, and the potential to address a glaring need for the Crows in attack.
A closer look at their 2020 seasons also shows that while there are obvious contrasts, such as McDonald kicking 21 goals to Thilthorpe’s five and 201cm Thilthorpe, who is five centimetres taller, playing in the ruck, some of their key statistics are alike.

Both averaged 11 disposals, seven contested possessions and four marks.
McDonald took more contested and forward 50 marks, and had more score involvements, but Thilthorpe was ahead in tackles, clearances and disposal efficiency.

Although they both featured in nine matches, McDonald played for a Perth side that ended a 23-year WAFL finals drought and Thilthorpe was in a Bloods outfit that finished bottom with just two wins from 14 games.

McDonald was a key factor in the Demons’ September charge, ranking second in the league’s goalkicking after the minor round and placing runner-up in Perth’s best and fairest.

Thilthorpe missed the last five matches due to groin issues.

1607062481662.png

McDonald only made his senior debut this year after playing colts the previous season, while Thilthorpe kicked eight goals in six matches in 2019.
So who should Adelaide choose?

The football managers at their respective state league clubs made strong cases to The Advertiser, saying their charge would be a great fit for the Crows, coming off their first wooden spoon.

West Adelaide’s Wayne Siekman said Thilthorpe’s numbers had to be taken into context.

“We were the bottom side and he was getting the best defender every week, as an 18-year-old kid, but it was the best preparation for him,” Siekman said.

“The ball service from us wasn’t good enough but he very rarely got outmarked and when the ball hits the ground he’s ferocious.


“He’s got commitment, determination and character.”

Siekman said Thilthorpe’s kicking and running were strengths.

“He’s one of the best runners in our club and in the SA hub this year,” he said.

“He wants to be another Brodie Grundy, but he also wants to be a Max or Ben King, or Nick Riewoldt.

“I don’t know how many 200cm blokes can kick with left or right comfortably, not just use his left when he’s in trouble.

“He’s always at training early and always practising his kicking.”

Siekman said Thilthorpe took feedback well and it was due to working too hard and overloading that his injuries had to be managed late in the season.
“He’s all fine now and he’s ready to go,” he said.

Perth’s Trevor Williams called McDonald a ready-made replacement for Taylor Walker when he retired.

“He can work up the ground, he can work back and his biggest asset is he was able to work over defenders, and they couldn’t go with him in the finish,” Williams said.
“It wasn’t just him getting on the end of it, he set up so many as well.

“His contested marking was amazing … and his groundwork for a kid his size is very, very good.

“His weakness at the moment is probably his body size – he needs to get stronger, but in an AFL environment, that’s what they do.”

Of McDonald’s lower tackle numbers, Williams said: “he was never shy in not tackling, it was whether the opportunity presented itself and his contested pressure was never questioned.”

Williams also backed up McDonald’s assertion that he would stay loyal if he was drafted to the Crows.

“All Adelaide supporters should be pretty happy if it was Logan,” he said.

“They’d get a great person and potentially a very good footballer.”
 
the big lebowski said:
Got this from the crows board from an inaccessible paywall article comparing McDonald and Thilthorpe
View attachment 1022643
Click to expand...

I've been a massive Thilthorpe fan for a while so I'll provide some context around his numbers which only improve his standing in this draft. Most of this is probably commonly known but it's good to keep at the forefront of your mind when assessing his performance this season.

- Thilthorpe was carrying a groin injury for a fair portion of the season (who knows whether it was from the beginning or not, what we know is that it did impede him and led to him not playing the last 4-5 games of the season)
- He had to ruck more than anticipated due to injuries at West Adelaide, particularly in the second half of the season
- Thilthorpe's side went 2-11 with a percentage of 40.4%. McDonald's side went 5-3 with a percentage of 99%. Generally the better side you play in as a forward the more goals you'll kick and more score involvements you'll have.

I'll be fine with McDonald but I think many are way too quick to rubbish Thilthorpe as, for whatever reason, he doesn't appear to be the sexy option when compared to McDonald and Hollands.
 
Souup said:
I've been a massive Thilthorpe fan for a while so I'll provide some context around his numbers which only improve his standing in this draft. Most of this is probably commonly known but it's good to keep at the forefront of your mind when assessing his performance this season.

- Thilthorpe was carrying a groin injury for a fair portion of the season (who knows whether it was from the beginning or not, what we know is that it did impede him and led to him not playing the last 4-5 games of the season)
- He had to ruck more than anticipated, particularly in the second half of the season
- Thilthorpe's side went 2-11 with a percentage of 40.4%. McDonald's side went 5-3 with a percentage of 99%. Generally the better side you play in as a forward the more goals you'll kick.

I'll be fine with McDonald but I think many are way too quick to rubbish Thilthorpe as, for whatever reason, he doesn't appear to be the sexy option when compared to McDonald and Hollands.
Click to expand...

Thilthorpe over McDonald for me
 
Tick for me.



West Adelaide’s Wayne Siekman said Thilthorpe’s numbers had to be taken into context.

“We were the bottom side and he was getting the best defender every week, as an 18-year-old kid, but it was the best preparation for him,” Siekman said.

“The ball service from us wasn’t good enough but he very rarely got outmarked and when the ball hits the ground he’s ferocious.


“He’s got commitment, determination and character.”

Siekman said Thilthorpe’s kicking and running were strengths.

“He’s one of the best runners in our club and in the SA hub this year,” he said.

“He wants to be another Brodie Grundy, but he also wants to be a Max or Ben King, or Nick Riewoldt.

“I don’t know how many 200cm blokes can kick with left or right comfortably, not just use his left when he’s in trouble.

“He’s always at training early and always practising his kicking.”

Siekman said Thilthorpe took feedback well and it was due to working too hard and overloading that his injuries had to be managed late in the season.
“He’s all fine now and he’s ready to go,” he said.
 
Krakouer Bonar said:
Picking the draft looks fun. In fact, its an obsession for the Herald Sun and SEN who have nothing better to talk about. What's cricket!!

Lets see if Krak-B gets close:

1: (Dogs)J Ugle-Hagan (bid matched)
2: (Adel) L McDonald
3: (NMFC) W Phillips
4: (Syd) D Granger-Barrass
5: (Haw) E Hollands
6: (GCFC) A Perkins
7: (Syd) B Campbell (bid matched)
8: (Ess) R Thilthorpe
9: (Port) L Jones (bid matched)
10: (Ess) H Chapman
11: (Ess) T Bruhn
12: (Adel) T Powell
13: (GWS) Z Reid
14: (NMFC) F Macrae

No point going further.
Click to expand...
Happy with that.
 

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Also, would Thilthorpe be a target outside of Adelaide in the top 5?. Based on the projections sprouting up every 30 mins, he seems like he might shoot out of it. Could a GC trade land us Thilthorpe and another 1st rounder if so?
 
the big lebowski said:
It’s because of the ridiculous emphasis recruiters place on height. I find it truly bizarre.

You have the most recent Brownlow medalist at 177cm.

Norths best midfielder by this years best and fairest is 182cm.

The would be rising star winner and no 1 draft pick is 180cm.

If Phillips was 188cm he’d be with Hollands in no 1 contention.
Click to expand...
Could not have written it better.
 
Driving home today i heard an interview with Nathan O'Driscoll, sounded like a solid citizen to me, loved it when he said he likes to "tackle to hurt", haven't seen much mention of him here, anyone know much about him ? possible pick #11 candidate ?
 
Kangaroos4eva said:
It is well known that Essendon is a club looking to move right up the order with eyes on McDonald and Hollands, making North a prime candidate to deal with. The Roos should be looking to maximise their hand at the top end given the state of their squad, so obtaining two of Essendon’s three-consecutive top-10’ers would be ideal. The Roos may have to give something back, perhaps pick 30 to make it a fair trade, but could extract some great value with a total of three first round selections.



We live to serve *’s needs...
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Like you say what a joke and may have to give something back seriously.
 

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muttley45 said:
Driving home today i heard an interview with Nathan O'Driscoll, sounded like a solid citizen to me, loved it when he said he likes to "tackle to hurt", haven't seen much mention of him here, anyone know much about him ? possible pick #11 candidate ?
Click to expand...
I like him too. Probably not pick 11 but could potentially last to our pick 30 in which case he’d be a no brainer
 
muttley45 said:
Driving home today i heard an interview with Nathan O'Driscoll, sounded like a solid citizen to me, loved it when he said he likes to "tackle to hurt", haven't seen much mention of him here, anyone know much about him ? possible pick #11 candidate ?
Click to expand...
player.whooshkaa.com

Nathan O'Driscoll (4.12.20)

WA draft prospect and cracking lad Nathan O'Driscoll joins Sammy ahead of the draft next week!
player.whooshkaa.com player.whooshkaa.com
 
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