Draft Expert PMBangers 2025 Draft Thread

[PMBangers]

Hows some of the overagers going like Floyd Burmeister?

No one's really done anything to push their draft stocks further than last year imo, but a guy like Burmeister who was on the cusp may get looked at this year just due to the weakness of the draft

Hey Bangers,
Interested in your thoughts on Avery Thomas from Tasmania. Got a late call up for Allies and performed pretty well in 2 of the 3 games. He’s come from nowhere and noticed Cal Twomey mentioned potentially having him inside his own top 20 on gettable a few weeks ago.

He's ok but I wouldn't be looking at him for anything more than a final draft pick/ rookie pick, strong aerially and good athletically but ball use is genuinely local footy level at best and would be the main development point, and projects as a pure lockdown defender which isn't usually a high draft pick

 

[Mutineer]

No one's really done anything to push their draft stocks further than last year imo, but a guy like Burmeister who was on the cusp may get looked at this year just due to the weakness of the draft

He's ok but I wouldn't be looking at him for anything more than a final draft pick/ rookie pick, strong aerially and good athletically but ball use is genuinely local footy level at best and would be the main development point, and projects as a pure lockdown defender which isn't usually a high draft pick

I really don't think big Floydy has really progressed much this season, still drops too many marks he gets his hands onto.

I think the only 2 Rebels players that are genuine draft chances are Talor Byrne and Sam Niklaus...after today I think everyone can now see why I've been so high on Talor Byrne. Archie Taylor maybe a rookie chance with his express speed and neat kicking.

 

[PMBangers]

I really don't think big Floydy has really progressed much this season, still drops too many marks he gets his hands onto.

I think the only 2 Rebels players that are genuine draft chances are Talor Byrne and Sam Niklaus...after today I think everyone can now see why I've been so high on Talor Byrne. Archie Taylor maybe a rookie chance with his express speed and neat kicking.

Agreed on all fronts (still haven't watched Niklaus), Byrne made a good case as the best small forward in the crop over champs, definitely brings a better defensive game than the others

 

[Danog]

Zaydyn Lockwood had a very good game recently. Richmond NGA who we didn't look at last year.

Was this an anomoly or has he put in other good performances?

 

[PMBangers]

Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL U18s - Vic Country vs. Vic Metro

Vic Country upset their Metro counterparts to end the Under 18 National Championships in second spot, as a pick one contender shone.

central.rookieme.com

Notes from Country v Metro above, decent showing as the VIC derby usually is but summed up the Champs and draft as a whole, pretty underwhelming. I know people are probably sick of hearing 'weak draft' over and over again but it is relatively unexciting without much of a 'top end' and I think this will lead to a lot of perceived project players going earlier than they typically would as clubs scramble to get someone with some genuinely elite AFL traits, even if there are red flags in their game.

 

[ArdentEagle]

It's the draft really that shit or is it that the Vic crop is weak this year and in turn the draft quality is deemed shithouse?

 

[PMBangers]

It's the draft really that shit or is it that the Vic crop is weak this year and in turn the draft quality is deemed shithouse?

It's shit

 

[ArdentEagle]

It's shit

Can you liken it to any other draft years mate?

 

[tigs2010]

It's shit

You'll get splinters with all this fence sitting

 

[PMBangers]

Can you liken it to any other draft years mate?

Not in my time following the draft closely to be honest, even the poor ones have had good top ends for the most part.

 

[Polkinghorne]

Scouting Notes: 2025 AFL U18s - Vic Country vs. Vic Metro

Vic Country upset their Metro counterparts to end the Under 18 National Championships in second spot, as a pick one contender shone.

central.rookieme.com

Notes from Country v Metro above, decent showing as the VIC derby usually is but summed up the Champs and draft as a whole, pretty underwhelming. I know people are probably sick of hearing 'weak draft' over and over again but it is relatively unexciting without much of a 'top end' and I think this will lead to a lot of perceived project players going earlier than they typically would as clubs scramble to get someone with some genuinely elite AFL traits, even if there are red flags in their game.

I thought the game was a cracker with plenty of speed on the game, nice and physical, with some real stand outs that would stack up. The vic sides will provide plenty of the all Oz team. It’s just that Last years crop was just an exceptional group.

 

[The Talent Scout]

I thought the game was a cracker with plenty of speed on the game, nice and physical, with some real stand outs that would stack up. The vic sides will provide plenty of the all Oz team. It’s just that Last years crop was just an exceptional group.

Hey Polkinghorne, well that is an interesting take, but that's your opinion so fair enough. From my viewpoint, the skills were probably 3/10, some other boys had good games but overall a very average game. Now for the All Australian team, I think some of the SA boys might have something to say about that, and while making the All Australian team is a huge tick of approval, this year it might be best not to focus too heavenly on it and I think recruiters will be of the same opinion.

Yes last years draft was an exceptional one, there's a couple of boys in this draft that project exciting capabilities and strangely enough they wont go in the first four selections.

 

[Futbolista]

I know I'm very biased but I don't think the WA boys are going to drop very far. 20-40 sure. Curtin is unbeatable when he's on.

 

[Polkinghorne]

Hey Polkinghorne, well that is an interesting take, but that's your opinion so fair enough. From my viewpoint, the skills were probably 3/10, some other boys had good games but overall a very average game. Now for the All Australian team, I think some of the SA boys might have something to say about that, and while making the All Australian team is a huge tick of approval, this year it might be best not to focus too heavenly on it and I think recruiters will be of the same opinion.

Yes last years draft was an exceptional one, there's a couple of boys in this draft that project exciting capabilities and strangely enough they wont go in the first four selections.

Thanks TTS, SA were fantastic with some real top end talent and looked a well connected group, as did the VC side the last couple of games. Be interesting to see the make up of the AA but am thinking the Vic sides will make up close to half the side

 

[tigs2010]

Thanks TTS, SA were fantastic with some real top end talent and looked a well connected group, as did the VC side the last couple of games. Be interesting to see the make up of the AA but am thinking the Vic sides will make up close to half the side

I haven't given it a huge amount of thought but I think if you take just the centre, half forward and forward lines 7 of the 9 will (or at least should) be from SA. Barker, Sharp, Leray, Cumming, Schubert, Nairn & Marsh.

 

[GWS Goose]

it will be interesting 5 years from now if the draft class still looks weak.

These things can only be viewed in hindsight. Probably an opportunity for those recruiters with eagle eyes to see what others cant to make the best of it.

 

[PMBangers]

I haven't given it a huge amount of thought but I think if you take just the centre, half forward and forward lines 7 of the 9 will (or at least should) be from SA. Barker, Sharp, Leray, Cumming, Schubert, Nairn & Marsh.

Believe there's been a mandate of a minimum of 3 players per champs team as well which is more likely to chew into vic selections than SA too

 

[tigs2010]

Believe there's been a mandate of a minimum of 3 players per champs team as well which is more likely to chew into vic selections than SA too

Sounds like something the AFL would do.

Give it 2 or 3 years and every player will get an AA ribbon

 

[Mutineer]

Hey Polkinghorne, well that is an interesting take, but that's your opinion so fair enough. From my viewpoint, the skills were probably 3/10, some other boys had good games but overall a very average game. Now for the All Australian team, I think some of the SA boys might have something to say about that, and while making the All Australian team is a huge tick of approval, this year it might be best not to focus too heavenly on it and I think recruiters will be of the same opinion.

Yes last years draft was an exceptional one, there's a couple of boys in this draft that project exciting capabilities and strangely enough they wont go in the first four selections.

If clubs with early picks before the Sun's pick don't bid on Dylan Patterson they're being derelict in their duty IMO.

No player in this draft projects to bring bums on seats like him if everything goes well with his development.

 

[The Talent Scout]

If clubs with early picks before the Sun's pick don't bid on Dylan Patterson they're being derelict in their duty IMO.

No player in this draft projects to bring bums on seats like him if everything goes well with his development.

Yea spot on Mutineer, the fact he's another academy player that's going to be a gun is just another case of the bottom clubs missing out on the real top talent but that's another story, great skills, will certainly excite fans when he gets to the Suns that's for sure.

 

[Cleric]

I know I'm very biased but I don't think the WA boys are going to drop very far. 20-40 sure. Curtin is unbeatable when he's on.

The issue for Curtin is he could be another man against kids victim.
When you are 200cms and 110kgs its not hard to stand out in a U18s team. Alot of times these types dont make it at AFL.

 

[Polkinghorne]

I haven't given it a huge amount of thought but I think if you take just the centre, half forward and forward lines 7 of the 9 will (or at least should) be from SA. Barker, Sharp, Leray, Cumming, Schubert, Nairn & Marsh.

Hey Tigs, Agree with all other than maybe Nairn - kicked 9gls for carnival with 7 in one game - pretty quiet in other 3 games

 

[Futbolista]

The issue for Curtin is he could be another man against kids victim.
When you are 200cms and 110kgs its not hard to stand out in a U18s team. Alot of times these types dont make it at AFL.

I agree mate.

But to me, it's a mind over matter thing for him.

At whatever level he plays he will be a big unit and I think his skills are good for a player of that size.

It's up to him if he wants to "compete" against players his own height and weight. He can if he commits himself to it.

 

[Cleric]

I agree mate.

But to me, it's a mind over matter thing for him.

At whatever level he plays he will be a big unit and I think his skills are good for a player of that size.

It's up to him if he wants to "compete" against players his own height and weight. He can if he commits himself to it.

I hope he makes it. I have no doubt he will be drafted.

 

[Tasmanian saint]

Believe there's been a mandate of a minimum of 3 players per champs team as well which is more likely to chew into vic selections than SA too

Who do you think st Kilda might be looking at with there first pick and do you think philipou would be a reach to take in the top 10 ? Cheers