Draft Expert eDPS’s Cream Of The Crop 2021

[eDPS]

Hello all and welcome back to another exciting year for potential AFL draftees, this thread will be dedicated to all things draft in 2021 and beyond. Be on the lookout for player notes, rankings and a rolling mock draft which have become a staple and as always I’m happy to answer any draft questions you may have.

 

[briztoon]

What a stupid decision for the NAB league to have one month break earlier in the year.

Weren’t all the private school boys playing school footy at the time?

But yes, the AFL screwed up Victorian NAB League footy from go to woe this year.

 

[eDPS]

Brady Hough with a huge game on League debut, if he has another good game in the WA v SA game in grand final week he will be right in my top 20 mix.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Brady Hough with a huge game on League debut, if he has another good game in the WA v SA game in grand final week he will be right in my top 20 mix.

Considering he's a midfielder playing in other positions, he's a good chance to go higher.

 

[SaintSteele9]

Hey eDPS, thoroughly enjoyed your tracking and rankings throughout the year. A question regarding St. Kilda’s first pick (assuming no trade/split thereof) - screaming out for a midfield 2IC for Steele. Who are likely to be best available at our pick in your mind?

 

[eDPS]

Hey eDPS, thoroughly enjoyed your tracking and rankings throughout the year. A question regarding St. Kilda’s first pick (assuming no trade/split thereof) - screaming out for a midfield 2IC for Steele. Who are likely to be best available at our pick in your mind?

If he gets past hawks Sonsie would be a likely option. You often don’t mind going local and Sinn/Chesser are both worth picks in that range although Sinn is less likely as a mid. Josh Ward would offer a great mix aswel for his inside/outside work.

Ben Hobbs is a bit too similar to the inside mids you have already but wouldn’t but a terrible option, Erasmus and Goater would be nice if they slid aswell

 

[plays tall 1]

Brady Hough with a huge game on League debut, if he has another good game in the WA v SA game in grand final week he will be right in my top 20 mix.

What style of player is he? Any AFL players you’d compare him to?

 

[Jack Richards]

Is Sam Darcy that good eDPS that he goes top 3? Heard he has a ton to work on..

 

[eDPS]

What style of player is he? Any AFL players you’d compare him to?

He is a versatile type that can play on every line and has some athleticism and upside to him. Hard to nail down a comparison maybe Xavier Duursma a little bit

 

[nelk boys]

If he gets past hawks Sonsie would be a likely option. You often don’t mind going local and Sinn/Chesser are both worth picks in that range although Sinn is less likely as a mid. Josh Ward would offer a great mix aswel for his inside/outside work.

Ben Hobbs is a bit too similar to the inside mids you have already but wouldn’t but a terrible option, Erasmus and Goater would be nice if they slid aswell

Do you think Sinn could still play on the wing then, like a Isaac Smith, with a bit more inside capability?
Also interested in if you think Chesser will make it at AFL level, I thought he would be a bit faster in pace.

 

[Ah12]

What do you think Ports list needs are in terms of young talent from this years draft. Or do u think they should just focus on bringing in established players eg. Dawson. Port were in a window for the last 2 seasons but boak, gray and Dixon have 1-2 years left tops which leaves a few questions marks.

 

[bird_man]

If he gets past hawks Sonsie would be a likely option. You often don’t mind going local and Sinn/Chesser are both worth picks in that range although Sinn is less likely as a mid. Josh Ward would offer a great mix aswel for his inside/outside work.

Ben Hobbs is a bit too similar to the inside mids you have already but wouldn’t but a terrible option, Erasmus and Goater would be nice if they slid aswell

What are your thoughts on Chesser being able to turn into a full time mid?

IMO he looks very outside and more suited to the wing or flank.

I would have though Sinn was more likely to be a mid out of those two?

 

[eDPS]

What are your thoughts on Chesser being able to turn into a full time mid?

IMO he looks very outside and more suited to the wing or flank.

I would have though Sinn was more likely to be a mid out of those two?

The case with Sinn is that his rebound can be so damaging from half back that you would be nullifying the best he can offer playing him in the middle although he can play decently there. Chesser isn’t a pure outside player by any means, we got to see how Callaghan went when he moved inside and Chesser could have had some similar games if given that chance.

Do you think Sinn could still play on the wing then, like a Isaac Smith, with a bit more inside capability?
Also interested in if you think Chesser will make it at AFL level, I thought he would be a bit faster in pace.

Yeah absolutely, these days you need a big tank to play wing so will need to see how he goes at the combine with his endurance which may be effected anyway due to injuries he has had this year. Chesser does under 3 seconds over 20m so pace is certainly not an issue.

What do you think Ports list needs are in terms of young talent from this years draft. Or do u think they should just focus on bringing in established players eg. Dawson. Port were in a window for the last 2 seasons but boak, gray and Dixon have 1-2 years left tops which leaves a few questions marks.

The list seems rather well balanced from my point of view. Should be fine either way going with someone like Dawson or going to the draft and trusting in the crew to pick the right players as they have done in recent years.

 

[eDPS]

Some notes I did back in 2019 at some under 16 trials, a few players have progressed since then and a few reminders as to why some where so highly rated

Josh Sinn (Sandringham Dragons | 186/72)

Sinn was terrific for Metro, starting down back he took some fantastic intercept marks and was lethal with is kicking which was often long and straight, he had a nice intercept which he attacked at speed and quickly ran into goal but just missed. He was often trusted with the kickouts and often used his left foot and in the second half he was moved forward and also looked outstanding quickly getting involved with a turn and burn from 50m and narrowly missing. He had plenty of shots on goal and finally converted a set shot in the 3rd quarter, he came off late in the game looking sore so hopefully it wasn’t that bad.

Tyler Sonsie (Eastern Ranges | 180/71)

Sonsie had the ball on a string and was impossible to stop everywhere on the ground, he started in the midfield winning plenty of the ball and showing his speed of the mark to get separation and often kick long with his deadly left boot. One bit of play he had deep in defence just showed he was a class above taking the game on and running through defence staying composed under pressure and was impossible to tackle and eventually kicked a fantastic switch kick under enormous pressure. He was moved to defence in the 2nd half to allow some other players to get midfield time but he still managed to win plenty of the ball and rebound with deadly results with his run and kicking first class. The 180cm Midfielder will be one to watch when the under 16 championships are under way.

Josh Ward (Northern Knights | 178/73)

Ward was a crafty forward all day often being he link up between half forward using his smarts and skill to cause havoc for the opposition. Ward could have kicked plenty of goals but was very unselfish setting up others on multiple occasions, Ward showed a lot of class and football smarts and despite his small stature he played a big impact on the result.

Blake Howes (Sandringham Dragons | 186/68)

Howes looked sensational in the air showing of a good leap and overhead marking ability. His marking was a good feature but he was also clean with his hands and ball use in general play, he had a nice kick inside 50 in the second quarter and would get his shot inside 50 in the second quarter taking a strong contested pack mark and slotting and set shot goal. Howes mostly played on the wing in Game 2 and was a strong performer and a hard matchup standing at 186cm.

Ned Long (Northern Knights | 190/83)

Long played as a tall midfielder standing already at 190cm he didn’t exactly use his taller frame to his advantage but did show his superior skill and movement in congestion especially in the second quarter where he was most involved and really looked a promising prospect with not many players sharing height and good skills and smarts around the ground at his age.


Paul Curtis (Western Jets | 178/72)

Curtis was a crafty forward kicking a goal in every quarter bar the last quarter where he still managed to take a shot but just missing. Curtis was good at ground level showing his agility but he also took a lovely mark to convert his second goal. His third goal showed his lovely agility and kicked a classy snap goal. Curtis was the most dangerous forward on the ground in Game 2 kicking three goals.

Josh Rachele (Murray Bushrangers | 180/73)

Rachele looked all class up forward, he didn’t hit the scoreboard in the first quarter but looked lively and clean around the ball but the second quarter he really picked it up kicking an easy goal out the back and then roving a contest and kicking his second in the same quarter. He was moved up the ground in the second half and looked just as comfortable rarely panicking with ball in hand, one bit of play in the last quarter he showed great composure and kicked well inboard under pressure.

Campbell Chesser (Sandringham Dragons | 185/78)

Chesser was one of Country’s better players playing through the midfield and wings. he was a major ball winner and classy player through the the day, his hands at clearances and movement was a feature. Often very composed with ball in hand and always trying to move the play quickly he was important as a player that could be effective in the middle but also have the tools to play well on the outside as well. The 185cm midfielder looks a prospect to watch for Country at the Under 16s championships.

Ben Hobbs (GWV Rebels | 181/75)

Hobbs was the clear best player for Country in Game 2, winning plenty of the ball through the midfield and also hitting the scoreboard which he did twice with one goal from a 50m penalty in the second quarter and kicking a lovely set shot goal in the last quarter. Hobbs was clinical through the midfield, winning the ball well not just in the contest, but also on the outside winning the ball all over the ground. He wanted the ball so bad in the last quarter he even knocked over this own player to get to it.

Sam Darcy (Oakleigh Chargers | 191/66)

The son of Bulldogs champion Luke Darcy looked every bit like his old man although playing mostly as a forward he took some nice marks on the lead and certainly moved well and showed good hands at ground level for a taller player. Standing at 191cm and only 66kg, he certainly needs to grow into his body before he can really dominate a game but the signs are there that he could be a handy player and with any luck can grow to the height of his old man and be that dangerous goal kicking ruckman that would be handy in the modern game.

 

[bird_man]

The case with Sinn is that his rebound can be so damaging from half back that you would be nullifying the best he can offer playing him in the middle although he can play decently there. Chesser isn’t a pure outside player by any means, we got to see how Callaghan went when he moved inside and Chesser could have had some similar games if given that chance.


Yeah absolutely, these days you need a big tank to play wing so will need to see how he goes at the combine with his endurance which may be effected anyway due to injuries he has had this year. Chesser does under 3 seconds over 20m so pace is certainly not an issue.


The list seems rather well balanced from my point of view. Should be fine either way going with someone like Dawson or going to the draft and trusting in the crew to pick the right players as they have done in recent years.

We did see Chesser go into the middle in his last game for Sandy and wasn't be able to get the same results as Callaghan.

To be fair to him though it was his first game back.

I'm just worried as a Saints supporter we'll end up with another player that we can play midfield but it just never eventuates.

 

[Mutineer]

eDPS

Here ya go Ed, step into the big time...

Adelaide Crows - Careers

Want to work for the Adelaide Football Club? Opportunities will be posted here.

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[eDPS]

eDPS

Here ya go Ed, step into the big time...

Adelaide Crows - Careers

Want to work for the Adelaide Football Club? Opportunities will be posted here.

www.afc.com.au

That’s a step ahead of what I’m capable of right now mate

 

[Lore]

That’s a step ahead of what I’m capable of right now mate

Apply anyway You might not get that particular job but they will know you exist and what you are capable of, might have something else to offer you instead.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Also, we just fired our chief WA watcher. Want to move to WA, there's a spot in the team =)

 

[PMBangers]

Apply anyway You might not get that particular job but they will know you exist and what you are capable of, might have something else to offer you instead.

That talent ID intern program mentioned in there sounds good but can't find additional info =(

 

[Mutineer]

Also, we just fired our chief WA watcher. Want to move to WA, there's a spot in the team =)

Seems your mob's having a real clean out then?

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www.afl.com.au

 

[Rowie6]

Just wondering what the main difference is between Neil Erasmus and Finn Callaghan as players as they are both tall midfielders with inside and outside capabilities?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[eDPS]

Just wondering what the main difference is between Neil Erasmus and Finn Callaghan as players as they are both tall midfielders with inside and outside capabilities?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Callaghan is a bit more athletic and a better kick where as Erasmus is better around goal and a real marking threat.

 

[GoTigers2015]

Callaghan is a bit more athletic and a better kick where as Erasmus is better around goal and a real marking threat.

Would it be fair to compare Callaghan to Bailey Smith?

 

[eDPS]

Would it be fair to compare Callaghan to Bailey Smith?

No I don’t think so, Smith is a more powerful runner and more dynamic in the way he plays where as Callaghan is more smooth and agile. Callaghan and Erasmus have some similarities to AFL players but have their own unique style about them.

 

[fightingfury_88]

Hey eDPS, roughly where do you see Lewis Rayson falling to in this draft? I loved his work last year as a rebounding half back flanker, has faded a little this year but thought he was pretty good without starring against WA recently. Seems to have been sliding slowly throughout the year and am keen to hear your thoughts on where you value him.