List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft - The Final Countdown

[Rubber Hips]

Robey is a bit of a risk but plenty of upside. Covers the ground well and good overhead. Got it 40 times in a game so can find it.
Cummings is similar too Sharp but quicker and has very good lateral movement.
Grij has real pace and very hard at it. Can't miss with him although it is high for his type.

If we didn't have the mids we have no problem with Sharp. A good accumulator and uses it by hand well, but the others might have higher ceilings. St.Kilda just delisted their captain because he was not quick enough, that is the way the game is going.

So you reckon Robey and Grilj?

 

[Rubber Hips]

Not fast. No outside game. Disposal crumbles under literally any pressure.

Which 2 do you want us to go with?

 

[Rubber Hips]

And yet by some margin was the best performed player in the champs and more than held his own at senior level in the SANFL. I think you’re underscoring him myself, unless this years draft is the worst of all time and he’s as poor a prospect as you think.
He will easily be a 200-300 game player at AFL level, finds the footy and is as tough as any, imo

I’m with you on sharp… he has been consistent for a while…quite solid
we might not pick him bc we have Smills…but still think he goes top 6-8

 

[tony__montana]

Is there any data on sharps speed from previous year or the start of this year?

 

[THE_GUN]

Particularly ironic that THE_GUN references that we want inside/outside mids and nominates Robey, when Grjl has played more midfield than him. Either way you’re recruiting a hbf or hff you’re hoping can develop into an AFL mid at some point in their careers.

Or just recruit Cumming & Sharp both true mids that run defensively and offensively
There is nothing in Grlj i see that Cummings doesn't provide and already has a true inside game as well as ability to kick goals foward. Both players great athletes

If not linked to Richmond due to playing in our VFL team then Grlj would be more a pick #8-#12 range player
Im not totally against getting him but if he is the player we have decided on then just want the club to trade down to Bombers/Melbourne picks to grab another asset.

E.G - Bombers trade
Richmond out : #4
Richmond In : #5 +#21

Melbourne trade
Richmond out : #4 + F2
Richmond in : #7 + F1

 

[THE_GUN]

I feel like it benefits both West Coast and Essendon to do a trade like this

Ess give: 5, 6, 27
WCE give: 2, 13, 41

If Matty Clarke & Eagles are not in love with either Robey or CDT and Bombers really want 1 of them this is the perfect trade to happen or if the Eagles really do want Dean then this deal wont achieve that goal as carlton will just match a bid at pick #5 with their pick #9

Really depends what they want and if its Sharp they run the risk of Richmond taking him or trading that pick to a club that does love Sharp and with Petracca / Oliver out i could see melbourne moving up to pick #4 to grab Sharp

 

[THE_GUN]

If I was picking for Richmond I’d take Grlj and Cumming. If it weren’t for Smillie I’d take Sharp.

Looking at 2026 i would say you are correct but looking at a Richmond list in 4-5 years with No Hopper , Taranto & Prestia
then it doesnt look as great with no inside Bull midfielder and we need min 2-3 imo
Lalor is more HF/Mid
Hotton same as Lalor
McAuliffe will be an inside mid but also but more 1st receiver providing run out of the midfield
Smillie same as McAuliffe but probably 50/50

Sharp would be the main inside bull that runs defensively

 

[noobermensch]

Full season highlights for the standout inside mid in this draft pool Dyson Sharp. Dyson is not the type of footballer who's going to wow the crowd with spectacular, highlight worthy plays... his bread and butter is his work around congestion and contest. Clean hands, powerful over the ball, quick and slick disposal, and always a ferocious appetite to pressure and tackle. Sharp is the player most ready to step straight in to an AFL midfield in round 1 next season and meaningfully contribute, and shapes as a likely future leader for whichever team picks him.

 

[Wrenny]

Can any draft watcher, someone that seriously watched both last years juniors and this years, answer this question.

If the following of CDT, Robey, Gryl, Cumming, Taylor & Sharp (who it would appear we will be selecting our two players from) had been in last years draft instead of this years, where would they have approximately ranked. Would any of them been in the top ten etc? Would in your opinion any of them have been selected over the 7 top liners we choose last year?

Are they genuinely good or simply the best available in this draft? Thanks

All above Matt Whitlock.

 

[4tune8]

Looking at 2026 i would say you are correct but looking at a Richmond list in 4-5 years with No Hopper , Taranto & Prestia
then it doesnt look as great with no inside Bull midfielder and we need min 2-3 imo
Lalor is more HF/Mid
Hotton same as Lalor
McAuliffe will be an inside mid but also but more 1st receiver providing run out of the midfield
Smillie same as McAuliffe but probably 50/50

Sharp would be the main inside bull that runs defensively

Where do you place Kellaway?

 

[Danog]

Which 2 do you want us to go with?

Robey and Grlj

 

[THE_GUN]

Where do you place Kellaway?

40+ maybe even Rookie

 

[4tune8]

Looking at 2026 i would say you are correct but looking at a Richmond list in 4-5 years with No Hopper , Taranto & Prestia
then it doesnt look as great with no inside Bull midfielder and we need min 2-3 imo
Lalor is more HF/Mid
Hotton same as Lalor
McAuliffe will be an inside mid but also but more 1st receiver providing run out of the midfield
Smillie same as McAuliffe but probably 50/50

Sharp would be the main inside bull that runs defensively

Lalor will be a major part of our midfield as will Hotton, Smillie's ability as an extractor with elite disposal at his size will see him be part of that cohesive unit, McAulliffe as an inside bull with good defensive pressure and spread will be another cog.

I think that you're pigeon holing Grijl as a HBF, he's had a lot of exposure in the midfield mix, his speed, agility and endurance would fit like a hand in a glove.

Robey looks to be that HF/Mid that you assessed Lalor to be, Josh Caddy was an integral part of the team, Robey is bigger, faster, more agile, a better mark/lead up forward and with more impact around the ball than Caddy was.

Chuck in Kellaway, who worked in tandem with Sharp very effectively then we have our future midfield set, particularly when you add Campbell and MRJ into the mix.

I reckon we swing for the fences with 3 & 4, give the guys a good 12 months or more to assess where our needs really sit and then trade for those needs.

 

[Calcium Man]

Can any draft watcher, someone that seriously watched both last years juniors and this years, answer this question.

If the following of CDT, Robey, Gryl, Cumming, Taylor & Sharp (who it would appear we will be selecting our two players from) had been in last years draft instead of this years, where would they have approximately ranked. Would any of them been in the top ten etc? Would in your opinion any of them have been selected over the 7 top liners we choose last year?

Are they genuinely good or simply the best available in this draft? Thanks

I watched way more this year than last, so take what you want from this. Needs mattered last year a bit, so it’s a bit more what range and who’d consider at their pick than pure rankings. Port and Freo both wanted Berry as they preferred small forwards over Reid even if he was a better talent for example (and looks dumb).

but I’d say the following

CDT is after Faull but before sims. Reckon dogs at 20 or GWS at 18 his first really big suitors, I think we take him before Trainor at his lowest.

Sharp i also think dogs at 20 is his first suitor maybe Freo at 17 instead of Reid but I’d prefer Reid personally in their draft years. Dogs took Haynes another big mid, he has more pace but sharp is better don’t think he gets past swans picks in 20s.

Grlj I reckon would have had a huge range. Reckon Freo at 17 or port at 16is first serious consideration in first round but could have slid to Lachie Jacques at 29 to dogs

Cumming again as a HF reckon GWS where they take Hannaford at 18 and probably doesn’t get past swans with Dattoli at 22

XT is the hardest, not sure he’s Trainor level but probably gets taken by swans in the 20s (just seems a guy they would like) or all the way to when saints took Barrat at 32.

Edit: missed you said Robey, he’s actually the hardest. Could he rival Taurus surge? I think Dees over Lindsay might be the highest but I don’t see us picking him over Hotton and Faull and no one until gws or dogs picks. I think we take him over Trainor.

 

[THE_GUN]

Lalor will be a major part of our midfield as will Hotton, Smillie's ability as an extractor with elite disposal at his size will see him be part of that cohesive unit, McAulliffe as an inside bull with good defensive pressure and spread will be another cog.

I think that you're pigeon holing Grijl as a HBF, he's had a lot of exposure in the midfield mix, his speed, agility and endurance would fit like a hand in a glove.

Robey looks to be that HF/Mid that you assessed Lalor to be, Josh Caddy was an integral part of the team, Robey is bigger, faster, more agile, a better mark/lead up forward and with more impact around the ball than Caddy was.

Chuck in Kellaway, who worked in tandem with Sharp very effectively then we have our future midfield set, particularly when you add Campbell and MRJ into the mix.

I reckon we swing for the fences with 3 & 4, give the guys a good 12 months or more to assess where our needs really sit and then trade for those needs.

We agree with most but i see Hotton/Lalor 60% foward 30-40% mid at best
Smillie would be 50% inside out type going by his junior years vision
McAullife again i see a mid/fwd

All this is fine and Robey would be the same along with Cummings but i can see Cummings becoming the exact mid we need similar role to Trent played and he is ferocious at the contest with great speed and a nice mark and kick

Sharp would be the 90% inside bull that allows the flexibility to move the other mids as we want and he also has been effective up foward when required and runs defensively when playing midfield. He just has so much body of work and at higher level both in 24 & 25 that just cant be ignored and should easily be a top 5 selection in the open draft

Grlj is the player i rate lower than #3 / #4 and around #8-#12
He just really has Richmond as a suiter prior to #7/#8 and i would want him but just dont think he is that 'Must Have' player to cough up a top pick like #4 and we could trade down and still get Grlj or Farrow which has similar traits and will also be a player.

But a trade with melbourne of say #3+F2 or #4 for #7 & #8 and select 2 of Taylor , Grlj , Farrow would also be a great result

 

[Jozzy]

Why the eff is the draft still 4 weeks away.

CFL really should try and keep the momentum going and then shut down and the end of Nov

They hold off the draft until after the year twelve school exams have finished.

 

[THE_GUN]

I watched way more this year than last, so take what you want from this. Needs mattered last year a bit, so it’s a bit more what range and who’d consider at their pick than pure rankings. Port and Freo both wanted Berry as they preferred small forwards over Reid even if he was a better talent for example (and looks dumb).

but I’d say the following

CDT is after Faull but before sims. Reckon dogs at 20 or GWS at 18 his first really big suitors, I think we take him before Trainor at his lowest.

Sharp i also think dogs at 20 is his first suitor maybe Freo at 17 instead of Reid but I’d prefer Reid personally in their draft years. Dogs took Haynes another big mid, he has more pace but sharp is better don’t think he gets past swans picks in 20s.

Grlj I reckon would have had a huge range. Reckon Freo at 17 or port at 16is first serious consideration in first round but could have slid to Lachie Jacques at 29 to dogs

Cumming again as a HF reckon GWS where they take Hannaford at 18 and probably doesn’t get past swans with Dattoli at 22

XT is the hardest, not sure he’s Trainor level but probably gets taken by swans in the 20s (just seems a guy they would like) or all the way to when saints took Barrat at 32.

CDT , Sharp , Grlj , Cumming , XT would have all been selected in the Bone Allan pick all the way to the doggies pick #20
So you are pretty spot on with the range #15-#20

 

[Toadvine]

They hold off the draft until after the year twelve school exams have finished.

Ah well that actually does sound reasonable

 

[4tune8]

We agree with most but i see Hotton/Lalor 60% foward 30-40% mid at best
Smillie would be 50% inside out type going by his junior years vision
McAullife again i see a mid/fwd

All this is fine and Robey would be the same along with Cummings but i can see Cummings becoming the exact mid we need similar role to Trent played and he is ferocious at the contest with great speed and a nice mark and kick

Sharp would be the 90% inside bull that allows the flexibility to move the other mids as we want and he also has been effective up foward when required and runs defensively when playing midfield. He just has so much body of work and at higher level both in 24 & 25 that just cant be ignored and should easily be a top 5 selection in the open draft

Grlj is the player i rate lower than #3 / #4 and around #8-#12
He just really has Richmond as a suiter prior to #7/#8 and i would want him but just dont think he is that 'Must Have' player to cough up a top pick like #4 and we could trade down and still get Grlj or Farrow which has similar traits and will also be a player.

But a trade with melbourne of say #3+F2 or #4 for #7 & #8 and select 2 of Taylor , Grlj , Farrow would also be a great result

Maybe you and I have differing ideas on what a midfielder is. For me it's not just CBA's, it's being involved around stoppages and that's where I see Lalor and Hotton excelling, they'll both be attending CBA's, along with Smillie, McAulliffe and Kellaway, but they'll be involved in most, if not all forward half stoppages. If Robey comes in then he also assists around those stoppages.

What I can see is Smillie, Kellaway and Grijl (if drafted) being involved but more in the defensive half stoppages.

FWIW, Blair has stated on a number of occasions that the recruitment team try to forecast what the game will look like in 5 years time. From what I can see (as a nuffie) the game is moving away from those pure inside mids, Steele went for peanuts, as did Worpel, OLiver has issues but he also went cheaply and we've already seen a number of young, pure mids get delisted. The game has evolved away from the Mitchell and Crouch types.

Just my opinion, but I don't want Sharp

 

[RobsJourney]

Maybe you and I have differing ideas on what a midfielder is. For me it's not just CBA's, it's being involved around stoppages and that's where I see Lalor and Hotton excelling, they'll both be attending CBA's, along with Smillie, McAulliffe and Kellaway, but they'll be involved in most, if not all forward half stoppages. If Robey comes in then he also assists around those stoppages.

What I can see is Smillie, Kellaway and Grijl (if drafted) being involved but more in the defensive half stoppages.

FWIW, Blair has stated on a number of occasions that the recruitment team try to forecast what the game will look like in 5 years time. From what I can see (as a nuffie) the game is moving away from those pure inside mids, Steele went for peanuts, as did Worpel, OLiver has issues but he also went cheaply and we've already seen a number of young, pure mids get delisted. The game has evolved away from the Mitchell and Crouch types.

Just my opinion, but I don't want Sharp

Hard to predict though isn’t it, and in the end good footballer = good footballer, generally. I’m sure there’ll continue to be a place for inside mids.

 

[4tune8]

Hard to predict though isn’t it, and in the end good footballer = good footballer, generally. I’m sure there’ll continue to be a place for inside mids.

For sure, but I reckon you can pick them up a lot cheaper (unless they're generational talents) than pick 3 or 4

 

[THE_GUN]

Maybe you and I have differing ideas on what a midfielder is. For me it's not just CBA's, it's being involved around stoppages and that's where I see Lalor and Hotton excelling, they'll both be attending CBA's, along with Smillie, McAulliffe and Kellaway, but they'll be involved in most, if not all forward half stoppages. If Robey comes in then he also assists around those stoppages.

What I can see is Smillie, Kellaway and Grijl (if drafted) being involved but more in the defensive half stoppages.

FWIW, Blair has stated on a number of occasions that the recruitment team try to forecast what the game will look like in 5 years time. From what I can see (as a nuffie) the game is moving away from those pure inside mids, Steele went for peanuts, as did Worpel, OLiver has issues but he also went cheaply and we've already seen a number of young, pure mids get delisted. The game has evolved away from the Mitchell and Crouch types.

Just my opinion, but I don't want Sharp

Doesnt matter which way the game goes having a player Like Libbs , Dunkley , Neal etc that get the ball 30+ times a game and can run defensively to help and maintain defensive pressure will always be a part of the game specially now with 5 interchange. Then you add the foward ability of Sharp who can rest there and kick a goal then that is the meat & patato of the meal.

Worpel was a free agent and Hawks had dreams of Merrett which backfired and would have been reluctant to commit
Oliver as you mentioned has issue's which are very well known
Steel got traded by stkilda but quickly got snapped up and would have had 5-6 other clubs lining up if he was open to a move prior but happened on the last day. StKilda who knows what they are doing

Whilst the main knock on Sharp is his speed i would highly doubt he is slower than Harvey Langford or even that much slower than a Jagga smith/Smillie type but is a beast of a mid that actually runs all day both offensively and defensively
SA didnt play him full time mid this year and gave other kids a run in the midfield as well as senior games.
but i think if he did play in his best position all year then he would have been inside the to 4 on everybody's board

 

[THE_GUN]

For sure, but I reckon you can pick them up a lot cheaper (unless they're generational talents) than pick 3 or 4

But doesnt that also apply to outside runners and half backs ?

Just about every mock draft or supposed expert has Grlj high on the mock with Richmond taking him due to our supposed desperation for speed in our 2nd year of a rebuild

 

[tony__montana]

Grjl is a hard one to peg for mine. Has all the tools, has a wicked sidestep and his overlap running is great to watch. In highlights, he swoops on the loose ball at pace and one grabs it a lot which is another big tick. He’s hard as a cats head and not afraid to go when needed.

Only question mark is how classy is he? At the championships he was underwhelming for mine, one game he only had 2 kicks - recruiters like to see the very top echelon rise to the Occassion at every level which he didn’t do.

I’m on the fence bc he shows glimpses but I’m not sure it will translate.

At the end of the day I’ll be happy with 2 of Robey, Sharp, Cumming, CDT and Grjl

 

[Grrr]

So you reckon Robey and Grilj?

Or Cummings. If Dursma or CDT fall.