Draft Expert Davo-27's 2025 Draft Thread

[eaglevision]

I'll have him at pick 1 in my rankings, i was surprised to see him in random spots pre and post champs on some lists, i thought maybe they had some justifications for it, nope...

Ceiling : Brownlow, Norm Smith or AA?

Same, has been all year. Barring injury there hasn’t been a more sure 250 gamer come through in a while.

Could definitely win a Brownlow with the right development as will always be under the umpire’s noses playing his role and playing it well in far more games than not. I’ve accepted that WCE recruiters may not share this view but I’ll be pretty disappointed if we leave the draft without him with picks 1 and 2.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

I'll have him at pick 1 in my rankings, i was surprised to see him in random spots pre and post champs on some lists, i thought maybe they had some justifications for it, nope...

Ceiling : Brownlow, Norm Smith or AA?

Just speculating but is it a case of him not giving the media woodies?

Whereas Duff-Tytler and Duursma seemingly do?

 

[eaglevision]

I would be more than happy for Richmond to call out his name at #3
250 game player if ever i seen

Wrote my post above before reading this, yep obviously in agreement there.

 

[eaglevision]

Just speculating but is it a case of him not giving the media woodies?

Whereas Duff-Tytler and Duursma seemingly do?

In addition to not being a flashy player, I suspect if Dyson played for Sandringham he’d be getting a lot more credit.

 

[THE_GUN]

I blame his receding hair

 

[RedmanWasHere]

In addition to not being a flashy player, I suspect if Dyson played for Sandringham he’d be getting a lot more credit.

I don't get the suddenness of Sandy as draft central.

Once upon a time, you had plenty coming from the Falcons, Stingrays, Cannons and even the Ranges.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

And since when did Assumption College fall out of favour as the private school of choice?

 

[eaglevision]

I don't get the suddenness of Sandy as draft central.

Once upon a time, you had plenty coming from the Falcons, Stingrays, Cannons and even the Ranges.

Many resources in early talent ID and a gentle hand in the direction would have a big say in it. Ranges will have a good year this year.

 

[Giant Strides]

I don't get the suddenness of Sandy as draft central.

Once upon a time, you had plenty coming from the Falcons, Stingrays, Cannons and even the Ranges.

I think it's just recency bias.

 

[Chip Scab1]

I think it's just recency bias.

They have cornered the APS market, where since Juddy really, you get the best of the best. Obviously good kids come from everywhere, but if you let the APS Scholarship System work in your favour (as they do) it's all systems go for ongoing dynastic returns.

 

[pileitinho]

And since when did Assumption College fall out of favour as the private school of choice?

In footy years, an age ago now.

 

[Chip Scab1]

In footy years, an age ago now.

I'd almost say this century.

I remember playing them in cricket in 1998-2000 and it was a different school back then, they had an aura.

 

[Tivva29]

And since when did Assumption College fall out of favour as the private school of choice?

About 20 years ago. APS is a far better standard than AGS.

 

[Delediodelight]

And since when did Assumption College fall out of favour as the private school of choice?

APS schools are offering full scholarships, sometimes for day and boarding about $80k per year. Most AGSV schools outside of PEGS and Yarra Valley don’t offer any scholarships.

APS pick the eyes out of every school in Victoria and sometimes interstate. Hence why Sandy gets good post APS/AGSV finishing.

 

[pileitinho]

APS schools are offering full scholarships, sometimes for day and boarding about $80k per year. Most AGSV schools outside of PEGS and Yarra Valley don’t offer any scholarships.

APS pick the eyes out of every school in Victoria and sometimes interstate. Hence why Sandy gets good post APS/AGSV finishing.

Not to mention the facilities and coaching are top-notch in the APS. A plethora of ex-AFL players provide input to players, every week during most seasons they are playing basically against the best juniors in the country. Can see why in most drafts the top 30 picks are littered with ex-APS students, and why others outside of those top 30 still can make it in the AFL if they had APS-footy exposure.

 

[master bate]

They have cornered the APS market, where since Juddy really, you get the best of the best. Obviously good kids come from everywhere, but if you let the APS Scholarship System work in your favour (as they do) it's all systems go for ongoing dynastic returns.

APS is a big factor, but they don't completely own that market. Brighton, Caulfield, Hayliebury (Brighton campus), Melbourne Grammar often go to Sandy but then you've got Scotch, Xavier, Carey, St Kevs usually towards Oakleigh.

I think Sandy's strong point is they combine APS with other private schools (Mentone, St Bede's) and then really strong junior clubs.

No doubt people involved with have some of the usual negatives as clubs are never perfect but from the outside the SMJFL seems to do a really good job of training up kids from across the region and from a bunch of different backgrounds. It's a sporty area too, kids are outside kicking the footy, going the beach, playing basketball.

 

[Davo-27]

I'll do a top 50 on Sunday or Monday when i finish watching the champs and other key games ect, I will leave you with my top 5 though which might seem controversial as it's a little different to the medias list.

1. Dyson Sharp - 188cm mid who can play hbf or a half forw role, ball winning mid who has quality clever disposal in tight and can be creative on the outside, leadership, consistent, winner, seems like a 300 game player, Ryan Griffen clone, champion

2. Willem Duursma - he moves beautifully on the outside, athletic talent, i have concerns on his turnovers in d50 and his aversion to physicality/tackling on him and him tackling, but outside of that looks like he could be a star winger and has improved his contested side of his game, also a nice mark for a tallish winger

3. Zeke Uwland - he was a very skilled hbf who has turned mid, very clean kicking skills and tough little guy, was really impressive prior to injury

4. Dylan Patterson - as a leading forw he looked good, but his aerobic capacity and running off hbf really opened his game up to a new level, he is everywhere and moves like a 200+ game player on field with a nice kicking action and was The Allies best player at the champs imo

5. Aidan Schubert - this guy was a contested marking beast, moving up and down the ground making life easier for 2 other top tier forws in Marsh and Nairn taking the best key back and creating space as well as contesting part time ruck and even popping up in defence, he was already near my top 10, but his champs pushed him up to top5 potential in my eyes


Have not seen enough of Robey yet, so he could force his way into the top 5 in future.

 

[Giant Strides]

I like that you are your own man, with some different ratings (and reasons) for the kids.

 

[txbyhull]

Respect with not ascribing to group think and consensus. Do think you'll come around to a few other blokes though. XT and Robey look immense

 

[Davo-27]

Respect with not ascribing to group think and consensus. Do think you'll come around to a few other blokes though. XT and Robey look immense

This was me picking X Taylor for Hawks with Carltons pick on May 22 this year in this thread, so I rate him, until I finish the champs I'm not 100% certain at which position in my rankings

Right now I'd take Xavier Taylor as a Sicily successor in a couple years, I don't know if I even had him top 50 start of the year, I liked Sam Grlj off his trials for the u16s champs, which he missed, I called him early and again didn't have him top 50 start of season, but I like those Travaglia/XTaylor types, so I'd take Taylor.

 

[blueiris]

I'll do a top 50 on Sunday or Monday when i finish watching the champs and other key games ect, I will leave you with my top 5 though which might seem controversial as it's a little different to the medias list.

1. Dyson Sharp - 188cm mid who can play hbf or a half forw role, ball winning mid who has quality clever disposal in tight and can be creative on the outside, leadership, consistent, winner, seems like a 300 game player, Ryan Griffen clone, champion

2. Willem Duursma - he moves beautifully on the outside, athletic talent, i have concerns on his turnovers in d50 and his aversion to physicality/tackling on him and him tackling, but outside of that looks like he could be a star winger and has improved his contested side of his game, also a nice mark for a tallish winger

3. Zeke Uwland - he was a very skilled hbf who has turned mid, very clean kicking skills and tough little guy, was really impressive prior to injury

4. Dylan Patterson - as a leading forw he looked good, but his aerobic capacity and running off hbf really opened his game up to a new level, he is everywhere and moves like a 200+ game player on field with a nice kicking action and was The Allies best player at the champs imo

5. Aidan Schubert - this guy was a contested marking beast, moving up and down the ground making life easier for 2 other top tier forws in Marsh and Nairn taking the best key back and creating space as well as contesting part time ruck and even popping up in defence, he was already near my top 10, but his champs pushed him up to top5 potential in my eyes


Have not seen enough of Robey yet, so he could force his way into the top 5 in future.

i really don't see the Uwland hype I've seen him play many games can't say he's impressed me at all

 

[txbyhull]

i really don't see the Uwland hype I've seen him play many games can't say he's impressed me at all

Let me guess, you think all the Brisbane academy fellas are better

 

[Sector 7G]

APS schools are offering full scholarships, sometimes for day and boarding about $80k per year. Most AGSV schools outside of PEGS and Yarra Valley don’t offer any scholarships.

APS pick the eyes out of every school in Victoria and sometimes interstate. Hence why Sandy gets good post APS/AGSV finishing.

Camberwell Grammar has had increased emphasis on sports since their sports centre redevelopment. 2 kids in the Vic 15 side this year who are playing Chargers U16 next year along with a 3rd teammate. Sam Grlj will go first round this year

 

[bungalow_bill]

I'll do a top 50 on Sunday or Monday when i finish watching the champs and other key games ect, I will leave you with my top 5 though which might seem controversial as it's a little different to the medias list.

1. Dyson Sharp - 188cm mid who can play hbf or a half forw role, ball winning mid who has quality clever disposal in tight and can be creative on the outside, leadership, consistent, winner, seems like a 300 game player, Ryan Griffen clone, champion

2. Willem Duursma - he moves beautifully on the outside, athletic talent, i have concerns on his turnovers in d50 and his aversion to physicality/tackling on him and him tackling, but outside of that looks like he could be a star winger and has improved his contested side of his game, also a nice mark for a tallish winger

3. Zeke Uwland - he was a very skilled hbf who has turned mid, very clean kicking skills and tough little guy, was really impressive prior to injury

4. Dylan Patterson - as a leading forw he looked good, but his aerobic capacity and running off hbf really opened his game up to a new level, he is everywhere and moves like a 200+ game player on field with a nice kicking action and was The Allies best player at the champs imo

5. Aidan Schubert - this guy was a contested marking beast, moving up and down the ground making life easier for 2 other top tier forws in Marsh and Nairn taking the best key back and creating space as well as contesting part time ruck and even popping up in defence, he was already near my top 10, but his champs pushed him up to top5 potential in my eyes


Have not seen enough of Robey yet, so he could force his way into the top 5 in future.

This goes along with the general consensus that Annable will probably not be bid on in the top 5. Uwland and Patterson will be super stars so bids in the top 3 are very likely.

 

[blueiris]

Let me guess, you think all the Brisbane academy fellas are better

Did I say that? Annabel definitely shows more though