List Mgmt. Draftee, NGA and Father/Son Discussion - 2025

[Barrybran]

Sure, we have wings and half backs, not sure we have "very good" wings and half backs though.

Certainly don't have any line breaking half backs with pace.

The idea that we don't select best available because we already "have players" is a joke. We are so short of talent that we take best available.

Duursma is pretty much universally acknowledged as the best in this draft. We take him.

I appreciate the Vic media are all aboard the Duursma train and I think he'll be a very good AFL player. I think it's debatable that he is the best player in the draft. I also think what he offers overlaps with traits we already have on our list.

Can Duursma be better than players we already have? It's possible. But the question for me is not "will Duursma be better?", the question for me is "will Duursma add more to our list than another player?" At this point in time, I don't think so.

I wouldn't be unhappy if we selected Duursma and would back in the club, who know more about this stuff than I do. But I'm looking at our list as a whole and seeing quality players who are better fits for our squad, as well as the opportunity to get more high-end players through the door without giving up too much if we overlook Duursma.

 

[ziad]

I'd like some share/crypto advice please. I want to retire early, and retire rich.

Happy to PM you a sure thing. Given the current financial crisis I can also get my hands on a harbour bridge at a very cheap price if you are interested. Send me you bank details and password.

 

[twce13]

I appreciate the Vic media are all aboard the Duursma train and I think he'll be a very good AFL player. I think it's debatable that he is the best player in the draft. I also think what he offers overlaps with traits we already have on our list.

Can Duursma be better than players we already have? It's possible. But the question for me is not "will Duursma be better?", the question for me is "will Duursma add more to our list than another player?" At this point in time, I don't think so.

I wouldn't be unhappy if we selected Duursma and would back in the club, who know more about this stuff than I do. But I'm looking at our list as a whole and seeing quality players who are better fits for our squad, as well as the opportunity to get more high-end players through the door without giving up too much if we overlook Duursma.

Who exactly do we have on our list that is like duursma? Cause im not seeing it.

He has huge upside, his tape pops. He projects to be a good outside player, but should he actually become a balanced inside outside player then we have have hit the jackpot given his athleticism and skill set.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

I appreciate the Vic media are all aboard the Duursma train and I think he'll be a very good AFL player. I think it's debatable that he is the best player in the draft. I also think what he offers overlaps with traits we already have on our list.

Can Duursma be better than players we already have? It's possible. But the question for me is not "will Duursma be better?", the question for me is "will Duursma add more to our list than another player?" At this point in time, I don't think so.

I wouldn't be unhappy if we selected Duursma and would back in the club, who know more about this stuff than I do. But I'm looking at our list as a whole and seeing quality players who are better fits for our squad, as well as the opportunity to get more high-end players through the door without giving up too much if we overlook Duursma.

Out of curiosity who are our halfbacks that you rate?

I love Hough, but he's a defender first and foremost, not an attacking threat. McCarthy i hope continues to transition to the midfield, but if not, he's a very neat kick, but wouldn't describe him as line breaking. Then who?

Duursma looks like he could plug into half back almost immediately and be a Blakey lite in year one. We haven't had that off half back for a long time.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Happy to PM you a sure thing. Given the current financial crisis I can also get my hands on a harbour bridge at a very cheap price if you are interested. Send me you bank details and password.

PM Sent.

 

[WCE777]

There are 3 knocks on Duursma but he is an elite talent, probably the second most 3rd highest ceiling in the pool (behind Uwland and Hibbins-Hargreaves imo.

The knocks are this. Hasn't shown pure inside ability, regularly makes poor decisions by foot, his kicking is very inconsistent. The only other thing i've seen which is a personal knock but is reasonably common amongst youngsters stepping up is he pulled out of 2 contests when he had to put his body on the line in a VFL game and i've seen him do it at talent league in a couple of what would have been very hard marking contests.

There is also the potential worry about go home factor. If he really shines the club can't afford to be paying 2 developing players 4 mill of the cap in 3 years time. It will upset our other high level talents. He however is the exact sort of player that Mini seems to be chasing as he seems to want fast athletic players who are good overhead.

He is elite overhead, great around the contest, has spectacular agility and very good pace, great versatility and can cover the ground very quickly.

I agree with your assessment of Duursma, I don't like the idea of spending picks 1 and 2 on outside players when our midfield is in the state it is and our list.
If we can get the best 2 mids and Duursma with a later pick that would be fine, but again picks 1 and 2 is too high a price imo.

 

[Byron_Clanger]

I appreciate the Vic media are all aboard the Duursma train and I think he'll be a very good AFL player. I think it's debatable that he is the best player in the draft. I also think what he offers overlaps with traits we already have on our list.

Can Duursma be better than players we already have? It's possible. But the question for me is not "will Duursma be better?", the question for me is "will Duursma add more to our list than another player?" At this point in time, I don't think so.

I wouldn't be unhappy if we selected Duursma and would back in the club, who know more about this stuff than I do. But I'm looking at our list as a whole and seeing quality players who are better fits for our squad, as well as the opportunity to get more high-end players through the door without giving up too much if we overlook Duursma.

Literally any kid/kids we take in this draft should add instant value to the team for next year. Though I'm sure most of us thought the same thing re: Bo Allan last year

 

[WCE777]

What Duursma does well, is excel in facets of the game that we are, collectively short on as a skillset.

As I have stated previously on here, he will be real outside weapon and have serious hurt factor, when he is being feed by a dominant midfield.
Obviously he will rely on others to win it at the coal face and then feed it out to him, to do his stuff.

Now thats where it gets interesting for us, as we clearly don't have the midfield to adequately benefit from his skillset.
However he has elements to his game that put him in rare company, that are match winning traits, that few players have.

I think Mini is going to really be attracted to the skillset that he offers and will be pushing for us drafting him, as Duursma has the skillset to fit into Mini's game plan.

I think he is just too good a talent to pass up on and I say that knowing full well, that he will becoming to a list, that at this point in time, is bereft of the type of players that he will need around him to maximise his talent.

Thats the challenge for our recruiters in the next three years, to get the coal face ball winning mids onto our list and performing so that:

1. Harley has some help on the inside so he doesn't have to be "The Lone Ranger".
2. In conjunction with the Coaching staff find and develop players and a game plan to improve our clearance woes.
3. With inside grunt get to best utalise and assist Duursma's talents.


That leads to the next point, and its a critical one, how well and quickly are we able to find the contested winning players needed to turn our plight around.

Such players available in this draft, that will be in our pick range ( with current picks OR what they may turn into ) are:

Sharp
Cumming
Greeves

We need to some how pick up at least one of this trio ( two would be nice - also I get we wouldnt take both Sharp and Greeves - to similar in both strengths and weaknesses - acknowledged ) , also nab ourselves a B grader midfielder via the trade period.

If we could turn picks 1&2 somehow into; Duursma, Sharp and Cumming that would IMO be a really good draft.

The good news is that ( assuming Harley stays ), we have a three year window, to get the players that we desperately need into our system, to start moving up the ladder and generating some positivity around becoming a team that has a good chance of contending.

If we create a winning culture and get some on field success, then the players will stay as nothing breeds success like success.

Long ramble but the more I think about it, the more I see us calling Duursma's name out on draft night.

all of this.
I rate your player identification and agree with all the sentiments around Duursma skill set.
He is the outside player that we need when we have better inside grunt and class.
If he was at the Hawks 1st he would be a great addition, but he won't be.
We may need to get inventive to get Sharp, Cumming and Duursma in the draft but that's ok, like you mentioned if we land 3 players in the 1st round of that quality it would be a really good draft.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Tom McCarthy (might not be a defender), Ryan Maric (he's been moved out of the backline) Liam Duggan

14

Liam Duggan

Age

29

Ht

186cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.4

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

5.3

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.1

4star

MG

283.7

4star

D

16.0

4star

K

12.0

5star

HB

4.0

3star

M

5.7

5star

T

1.1

2star

MG

283.7

4star

D

13.2

4star

K

7.8

3star

HB

5.4

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.2

3star

(dump kick extraordinaire), McGovern (gone) are our prime movers from the backline.





Give me a Nick Blakey

22

Nick Blakey

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.4

4star

MG

189.1

3star

D

8.1

2star

K

6.3

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

2.1

2star

T

2.6

4star

MG

189.1

3star

D

7.2

2star

K

5.2

2star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.2

2star

T

1.2

3star

type any day, making meters through run and kicking. That's who Duursma projects to be like to start, before moving into an inside mid hopefully.

 

[Barrybran]

Who exactly do we have on our list that is like duursma? Cause im not seeing it.

He has huge upside, his tape pops. He projects to be a good outside player, but should he actually become a balanced inside outside player then we have have hit the jackpot given his athleticism and skill set.

Out of curiosity who are our halfbacks that you rate?

I love Hough, but he's a defender first and foremost, not an attacking threat. McCarthy i hope continues to transition to the midfield, but if not, he's a very neat kick, but wouldn't describe him as line breaking. Then who?

Duursma looks like he could plug into half back almost immediately and be a Blakey lite in year one. We haven't had that off half back for a long time.

Hough and Ginbey are both defenders we've tried through the middle. Allan was drafted as a mid learning as a defender. McCarthy is a capable defender and has looked good early days in the middle. Duursma isn't offering anything new here.

I think Duursma gives us flexibility to change things up but Cumming would be a better fit with runs on the board against adults as a midfielder and holes opening up in our forward line.

 

[Barrybran]

Literally any kid/kids we take in this draft should add instant value to the team for next year. Though I'm sure most of us thought the same thing re: Bo Allan last year

Not necessarily. We're still drafting for the future and best 23 spots are going to be harder to break into next year. Sharp/Duursma/Cumming more than likely play early. Anyone else likely plays WAFL. Depending on what we do with picks 1 & 2, that could be 1-2 first round picks biding their time at WAFL level next year.

 

[King LeBron]

There are 3 knocks on Duursma but he is an elite talent, probably the second most 3rd highest ceiling in the pool (behind Uwland and Hibbins-Hargreaves imo.

The knocks are this. Hasn't shown pure inside ability, regularly makes poor decisions by foot, his kicking is very inconsistent. The only other thing i've seen which is a personal knock but is reasonably common amongst youngsters stepping up is he pulled out of 2 contests when he had to put his body on the line in a VFL game and i've seen him do it at talent league in a couple of what would have been very hard marking contests.

There is also the potential worry about go home factor. If he really shines the club can't afford to be paying 2 developing players 4 mill of the cap in 3 years time. It will upset our other high level talents. He however is the exact sort of player that Mini seems to be chasing as he seems to want fast athletic players who are good overhead.

He is elite overhead, great around the contest, has spectacular agility and very good pace, great versatility and can cover the ground very quickly.

His kicking is fine. Technically its one of the best I've seen of the top picks. Yes his decision making by foot can be questionable at times, but that can easily be fixed with some coaching and experience. Not worried about that at all.

I know this opinion will be taken as blasphemy - but he reminds me of a right footed version of the Bont. Tall, rangy, athletic type that can take an overhead mark but has pace, agility and a good skills.

 

[Barrybran]

all of this.
I rate your player identification and agree with all the sentiments around Duursma skill set.
He is the outside player that we need when we have better inside grunt and class.
If he was at the Hawks 1st he would be a great addition, but he won't be.
We may need to get inventive to get Sharp, Cumming and Duursma in the draft but that's ok, like you mentioned if we land 3 players in the 1st round of that quality it would be a really good draft.

Do we go hard after one of Richmond's picks? Just get all three?

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Hough and Ginbey are both defenders we've tried through the middle. Allan was drafted as a mid learning as a defender. McCarthy is a capable defender and has looked good early days in the middle. Duursma isn't offering anything new here.

I think Duursma gives us flexibility to change things up but Cumming would be a better fit with runs on the board against adults as a midfielder and holes opening up in our forward line.

You seem to be looking at the immediate return, not the mid/long term future. Not a fan

 

[Barrybran]

You seem to be looking at the immediate return, not the mid/long term future. Not a fan

No, I'm looking at our midfield as being our most important asset while we have top 5 picks available to us.

 

[Dark Sharks]

Hi gaiz, who am i right now....


Dursmaa is just soft. A pea heart. We don't need anyone like him at our club. We have enough soft-***** as it is. Durrsma will definitely be the softest. Overrated i reckon. Is a bust. Mark my words. Soft flog. Micropenis i reckon.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

No, I'm looking at our midfield as being our most important asset while we have top 5 picks available to us.

Ok. You have obviously written off any realistic chance of Duursma becoming a mid?

There's certainly an element of risk with Duursma, but watching his tape, i can also see the upside is massive, and it's a risk we are perfectly positioned to take given we have the safety net of pick 2 as well.

At a minimum I'd see Duursma as a Blakey type player. Something we a desperately crying out for, but also there is a hint of Bont/Dawson there. Even if doesn't get all the way there that is still a bloody good mid.

I'd definitely take him 1, then look at options of trading down 2 if we we certain we could get Sharp later, if not just take Sharp.

 

[twce13]

Hough and Ginbey are both defenders we've tried through the middle. Allan was drafted as a mid learning as a defender. McCarthy is a capable defender and has looked good early days in the middle. Duursma isn't offering anything new here.

I think Duursma gives us flexibility to change things up but Cumming would be a better fit with runs on the board against adults as a midfielder and holes opening up in our forward line.

ginbey and hough are nothing like duursma tho. i dont see an overlap here.

 

[WCE777]

Do we go hard after one of Richmond's picks? Just get all three?

Cumming probably projects around the GC pick 7 at this stage and would probably be the play or trading with RICH or ESS if the want CDT bad we could get 1 of their picks 3/4 or 5/6 and get Cumming.

 

[bUCKET__]

Duursma already scoops balls up from the ground more cleanly than anyone else on our list. Except maybe Baker. He can mark and tackle well. Mightn't help with clearances right away, but brings plenty from day 1 that the current squad is severely lacking. I'd play him half-forward instead of back, with some rotations on ball too.

The midfield is lacking but there are gaps all over the ground he can fill straight away.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

ginbey and hough are nothing like duursma tho. i dont see an overlap here.

Yeah i think he's confused on either what our current half backs offer, or what Duursma would offer from half back, given his comparisons and claims that he'd offer nothing different.

 

[RanaNaved]

People can debate Duursma until the cows come home, but he'll be at WC next year. Should probably be debating which positions he'll start/end up in etc

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Cumming probably projects around the GC pick 7 at this stage and would probably be the play or trading with RICH or ESS if the want CDT bad we could get 1 of their picks 3/4 or 5/6 and get Cumming.

Pick 1 Duursma
Pick 2 - Sharp

Pick 3/4 - CDT

Then will be one of the below left at pick 7 if we get that off the Suns

Cumming/NHH/Lindsay/Schubert/Greeves/Grlj

Then one of the following at the Hawks (pick ~12)

If anyone falls from group above, or Marsh/Farrow/Harley Barker/Freddy R

I'd be happy with combos from those groups. Missing out on Cummings but getting Schubert or NHH for example would be ok in my book.

 

[Mattman93]

They are the two most athletic mids in the top bracket.

I’m worried we’ll pass on Sharp because of his pace.

Fair enough; just wondering if you had any particular reason to think that, since nothing we've heard (yet) indicates Cumming at 2 is much chance.

 

[Barrybran]

Ok. You have obviously written off any realistic chance of Duursma becoming a mid?

There's certainly an element of risk with Duursma, but watching his tape, i can also see the upside is massive, and it's a risk we are perfectly positioned to take given we have the safety net of pick 2 as well.

At a minimum I'd see Duursma as a Blakey type player. Something we a desperately crying out for, but also there is a hint of Bont/Dawson there. Even if doesn't get all the way there that is still a bloody good mid.

I'd definitely take him 1, then look at options of trading down 2 if we we certain we could get Sharp later, if not just take Sharp.

Less written off, more not seeing it yet. I know it can be done. Hugh McCluggage is an example of a very good outside player taken early in the draft, who has become a capable inside mid. But it has taken him a very long time to get to that point.

As far as line breaking defenders go, I think Ginbey can play that role eventually. Sure, he's done an amazing job as a lock down defender this year but Hough was doing that at a very high level before him. McCarthy could move up a line as well. I just don't see Duursma as a point of difference yet to other options on the table.