List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft - The Final Countdown

[4tune8]

I mean our draft last year had already prevented us from going the North unbalanced draft model

Looking at our depth chart we clearly need mids more than any other position

Taranto, Hopper, Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, McAulliffe, Ross and Dow with Campbell and MRJ pinch hitting isn't enough depth? Big chance Kellaway is added to that mix.

What we really need is a HBF with speed, defensive skills and a ground ball winner with great disposal, similar with a winger and a ruck.

 

[Mr Magic]

Taranto, Hopper, Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, McAulliffe, Ross and Dow with Campbell and MRJ pinch hitting isn't enough depth? Big chance Kellaway is added to that mix.

What we really need is a HBF with speed, defensive skills and a ground ball winner with great disposal, similar with a winger and a ruck.

lets go through them.

Taranto yes.but can contribute forward

Lalor, can play forward and still sorting out his role. Lalor could play a half forward role to, he has talent to play a few positions

Smillie, well all is speculation at the moment. Has played half back and is not specialist ground ball in any event in terms of lack of reach advantage to the ground in contests, if I was to take a punt on Smillie at the moment it would be general mid with other roles/positions possible and that depends on team synergy with other players

Hotton default is forward,

Mcauliffe could be a wing but see how he goes, at face value general mid in terms of role and quality depth hopefully enhancing our versatility

Hopper to me is like Mcauliffe in the general mid category

Ross still searching for the right role, if anything Ross is looking half back or half forward if he fits tbh

Dow very much jury out in terms of the guts, I think Dow can play elsewhere but Dow is on the fringe in terms of if he can make it or not

Campbell default forward and see what happens,

MRJ default forward, see how he develops

It is not fair to make direct comparisons between Lalor and Dusty but Lalor could be argued as more suited to forward than Dusty despite Dusty's contest rate in the forward half, but obviously see how Lalor develops and it is about the team. There is a argument Sharp makes Lalor's life easier, let alone SMillie and others including Taranto taking role pressure off them. Sharp could help the others play in roles more suited to their talent and help the overall dynamic

whatever happens we want the best team combination around the time we are challenging for premierships

 

[Punt Road Feral]

Grlj played midfield all through the Coates Talent League games only went to HB and the Champs and when he played VFL for us.

As far as possessions go sometimes players don't need to rack up 30 odd touches a game to have an impact. Grlj is someone who is in that mold, as he looks to use his run and carry to drive the ball forward quickly and efficiently

Grlj playing HBF in the U18 champs shows he’s not rated in the top 3 mids at Vic Metro let alone in the entire draft.

I see him more playing the Zorko role at AFL level than the Cotchin role a few have compared him with on this thread.

I still rate him but think he may go between 5-8

 

[Rubber Hips]

What’s his name?

It’s the bloke on the left…Uncle Dave

 

[Calcium Man]

Grlj playing HBF in the U18 champs shows he’s not rated in the top 3 mids at Vic Metro let alone in the entire draft.

I see him more playing the Zorko role at AFL level than the Cotchin role a few have compared him with on this thread.

I still rate him but think he may go between 5-8

No it doesnt. It tells you Sharkie, Sweid, Burton and Dalton have less positional versatility like Smillie last year playing forward.

The best players at juniors are usually mids.

 

[Danog]

If the first 3 picks go as most expect (WC - Duursma CDT and Richmond with Robey) I can't see Essendon trading 5 and 6 for pick 4, or Melbourne trading 7 and 8 for our pick 4.

Picks 4 to 10 are pretty even. I don't think one of Sharp, Taylor, Grlj, Cumming Lindsay Schubert Farrow Marsh are worth two from the same group.

Robey and CDT on the other hand maybe worth two of those to some clubs.

I reckon Melb or Ess could offer 2 picks for our pick 3 to get Robey or CDT.

First 4, I agree.

 

[Nostradumbass]

It’s the bloke on the left…Uncle Dave

View attachment 2461114

Anyone get the theme song in their head after seeing this?

 

[Stan Judkins]

If the first 3 picks go as most expect (WC - Duursma CDT and Richmond with Robey) I can't see Essendon trading 5 and 6 for pick 4, or Melbourne trading 7 and 8 for our pick 4.

Picks 4 to 10 are pretty even. I don't think one of Sharp, Taylor, Grlj, Cumming Lindsay Schubert Farrow Marsh are worth two from the same group.

Robey and CDT on the other hand maybe worth two of those to some clubs.

I reckon Melb or Ess could offer 2 picks for our pick 3 to get Robey or CDT.

Agree %

i think there is a zero chance that Essendon trade 5 & 6 for picks 2 or 3 or 4 on their own

and zero chance Melbourne trade 7 & 8 for the same picks 2 or 3 or 4 on their own

it's not happening, not in this draft anyway

I'm guessing the 1st eight picks will stay as they are (bids aside)

aside from Duursma who'll the weagles will take at pick 1, the rest aren't enough of a difference bar CDT (position wise) to warrant blowing 2 x top 10 picks to move up

there's plenty of MID, MID/HBF, MID/HFF, HFF, HBF in the rest after pick 1 that are there abouts, and I'm in the don't take CDT with our picks

my preferred are any of Robey, Sharp, Grji, Cumming & X Taylor

 

[TJTIGER]

He may not be back in 2026...

Are you aware of something or stating a possibility given his injuries?

 

[Calcium Man]

View attachment 2461069

Tier Duursma
I feel I've made it pretty clear that I see Duursma as pretty far and away the best player in the draft with some really exciting traits for the next level that should hold up across a variety of positions. I imagine he'll start his career as a half back that transitions into the midfield with more conditioning behind him, with his athleticism, consistency, IQ and skills all good enough to suggest he could be an AA level player at his peak

Tier 2
Mostly made up of guys that I think have some genuinely elite traits that'll hold up at the next level but some drawbacks that might hold them out of the elite bracket at AFL level, whether that be disposal, athleticism or consistency, I'm still confident these guys will be up the top end of their respective teams at their peak, with the upper end of their potential being AA level

Tier 3
Guys that possess one elite trait or are pretty good across the board and I'm pretty confident they'll be Above Average to Good at the very least, and most have a similar ceiling to the Tier 2 guys from my POV

Tier 4
Some guys in here I really like and some I'm not huge on, but the tier as a whole is made up of prospects I see AFL level potential in but I'm not super confident they'll make it for one reason or another, but still expect them to get drafted.

PMbangers rankings for those interested.

Robey and Grlj at 3 and 4 would be a great result.

 

[partycorolla]

Are you aware of something or stating a possibility given his injuries?

He did his second consectutive knee and 3rd overall in what, July or August. He'll be at least 12 months so unlikely to make it in to our best 23 next season.

 

[Punt Road Feral]

He did his second consectutive knee and 3rd overall in what, July or August. He'll be at least 12 months so unlikely to make it in to our best 23 next season.

Your thinking of Judson Clarke

 

[partycorolla]

Your thinking of Judson Clarke

Your powers of deduction have not dimished despite rumours to the contrary.

 

[nugget_12]

Is everyone’s objection to taking Grlj with our early picks based purely on the fact it’s an early pick?

If the 3 academy bids come before pick 4 that pushes it to 7 so would everyone be happy to select him if we had pick 7?

To me it hoping we land on Cumming and Grlj but I’ll be ok with whatever Rhy and Blair go with as they will have the info we don’t have out here in the public.

As an armchair expert Grlj reminds me of Ed Richards

20

Ed Richards

Age

26

Ht

188cm

Wt

89kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.4

3star

K

7.2

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

2.5

3star

T

2.4

4star

CL

0.7

3star

D

11.3

3star

K

6.0

2star

HB

5.3

3star

M

1.5

2star

T

2.5

3star

CL

1.1

3star

D

14.6

4star

K

9.8

4star

HB

4.8

4star

M

4.8

5star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

who will use his speed off HB before transitioning to a mid in his mid 20’s.
Cumming just look like a weapon to me so I really hope we get him.

 

[Tigeral]

Taranto, Hopper, Lalor, Smillie, Hotton, McAulliffe, Ross and Dow with Campbell and MRJ pinch hitting isn't enough depth? Big chance Kellaway is added to that mix.

What we really need is a HBF with speed, defensive skills and a ground ball winner with great disposal, similar with a winger and a ruck.

Half a dozen players but none are elite, hopefully Lalor and Smilie are exceptions. More mids please

 

[TJTIGER]

He did his second consectutive knee and 3rd overall in what, July or August. He'll be at least 12 months so unlikely to make it in to our best 23 next season.

I had forgotten when he did it. But yes, I doubt any chances will be taken with him. He'll be as conditioned as possible before he takes to the field again... Hope he can get some consistent VFL games to build his confidence. All the very best to him.!

 

[partycorolla]

I had forgotten when he did it. But yes, I doubt any chances will be taken with him. He'll be as conditioned as possible before he takes to the field again... Hope he can get some consistent VFL games to build his confidence. All the very best to him.!

Hope so, he has a lot of potential. Love that left boot of his and has some wheels as well, which we need. Not sure I'd have him as best 23 for 2026, could be a 2027 bonus...

 

[TJTIGER]

Hope so, he has a lot of potential. Love that left boot of his and has some wheels as well, which we need. Not sure I'd have him as best 23 for 2026, could be a 2027 bonus...

He has some skill. I would love to see him get at least 18-'20 games in. I've seen enough to think he can make a solid contribution to the team ...

 

[wormy]

I think this board needs to accept the very real possibility that West Coast takes Duursma and Robey.

In which case we take two of CDT, Grlj, and X Taylor.

Personally I think CDT and Grlj would still be a great haul, but my preference is for Robey.

 

[eaglevision]

I think this board needs to accept the very real possibility that West Coast takes Duursma and Robey.

In which case we take two of CDT, Grlj, and X Taylor.

Personally I think CDT and Grlj would still be a great haul, but my preference is for Robey.

Very, very unlikely we do that wormy. Incredibly risky duo.

 

[gothetigs]

CDT and Sharp duo could be a blessing in disguise

 

[GoTigers2015]

Pick #9 & #11 not enough ?
I think we would jump at that

Blair would laugh at that offer.

 

[GoTigers2015]

I’m still Robey & Grjl both can play elsewhere (forward & halfback) until midfield minutes open up.

I also don’t want to fall into the north trap of only drafting mids and then not being able to play them all. Likely next years top end will also be a mid and we also have Kellaway and Armstrong to potentially come in.

Armstrong looks that can slot in multiple positions. Play back and rotate into the midfield.

 

[GoTigers2015]

If the first 3 picks go as most expect (WC - Duursma CDT and Richmond with Robey) I can't see Essendon trading 5 and 6 for pick 4, or Melbourne trading 7 and 8 for our pick 4.

Picks 4 to 10 are pretty even. I don't think one of Sharp, Taylor, Grlj, Cumming Lindsay Schubert Farrow Marsh are worth two from the same group.

Robey and CDT on the other hand maybe worth two of those to some clubs.

I reckon Melb or Ess could offer 2 picks for our pick 3 to get Robey or CDT.

If Melbourne traded picks 7 & 8 for pick 4 , we should look at trading pick 8 into next year.
I would like if traded pick 8 to Norf so we can death ride them again

 

[Mr Magic]

Is everyone’s objection to taking Grlj with our early picks based purely on the fact it’s an early pick?

If the 3 academy bids come before pick 4 that pushes it to 7 so would everyone be happy to select him if we had pick 7?

To me it hoping we land on Cumming and Grlj but I’ll be ok with whatever Rhy and Blair go with as they will have the info we don’t have out here in the public.

As an armchair expert Grlj reminds me of Ed Richards who will use his speed off HB before transitioning to a mid in his mid 20’s.
Cumming just look like a weapon to me so I really hope we get him.

Ed Richards is more balanced and a better mark than Grij for starters.

do not really see the comparison tbh

Sam Grij is shorter than Richards.

If anything Robey is a bit like Richards possibly only taller and not as quick?

to me you make the case if you want to pick Grij pick Robey instead, ticks more boxes especially regarding alignment with Richards