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[PMBangers]

 

[PMBangers]

Pick 33 - GWS
Archie Ludowyke
Sandringham Dragons/ VIC M
Key Forward

Similar to my first pick I just don't have much belief in the inside midfielder options available here, so in preparation for an aging Hogan I'll go with Ludo as the best tall available.

Ludo's an interesting one because i feel hes got some genuinely high level AFL Craft to his game already but lacked consistency and strength this year to stamp himself as the best KPF in the class, and the unfortunate end to his season meant he never really got to have that purple patch we like to see from talls in their draft year. Regardless, I feel outside of Schubert he's the best performed and best bet in his position

Not many considerations at this point from a list balance perspective, if I had gone Taylor, Schubert or Kyle at my first pick this would've been Hunter Holmes and a Jai Murray bid but felt Barker made these two unnecessary, Byrne the only other in contention for me

noobermensch up with Dees

 

[noobermensch]

I was really hoping Thredgold or Ludowyke would slide through to this pick as the Dees could use some bolstering of their tall stocks at either end of the field.

On that note, we'll lodge a bid for Zac McCarthy. Pie 4 Life will the pies match?

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I was really hoping Thredgold or Ludowyke would slide through to this pick as the Dees could use some bolstering of their tall stocks at either end of the field.

On that note, we'll lodge a bid for Zac McCarthy. Pie 4 Life will the pies match?

Oh hello, woken up from my slumber to match this bid.

Pies match bid on Zac McCarthy.

Zac McCarthy (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 27/10/2007

SNAPSHOT: “A mobile key forward who can second as a ruck with his athletic traits and wiry frame.” – Michael Alvaro

Luck’s a fortune in football and it just so happens that in an era where Collingwood fans have been crying out for young key forward depth, Next Generation Academy prospect Zac McCarthy may well land in the Magpies’ lap. The rangy Oakleigh Chargers tall has shown equal parts potential and growth during his top-age campaign, climbing up draft boards to be considered a top 30 talent by some.

McCarthy began to emerge last year and even got to play some Coates Talent League football alongside elder brother, Tadhg. He made five bottom-age appearances for Oakleigh and was selected in the Vic Metro Futures squad, showing good signs in the Under 17 trial. While he missed out on the Metro summer training hub heading into 2025, opportunities emerged for him to link with the Pies’ programs in preseason.

Two promising first-up performances in Chargers colours helped propel McCarthy into the final Vic Metro squad, where he played out a full National Championships. While he hit the scoreboard in all four games, his breakout came against Western Australia with three majors in a convincing win. McCarthy battled neck and hip niggles post-champs, but for Oakleigh’s quarter final loss to Sandringham.

STRENGTHS:

• Aerial ability
• Mobility
• Reach
• Scoreboard impact
• Upside
• Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Durability
• Strength

While by no means the finished product, there's plenty to like about McCarthy. He has improved at a strong rate over the last two seasons to not just put his name on the radar, but surge up draft boards. The most exciting part is that he still has a lot of development left and shapes as a high-upside type for the long-term. Despite that, his dual-position status as a key forward who can ruck only improves his likelihood of an accelerated AFL berth.

McCarthy is a lightly framed and wiry type who excels aerially. He possesses a great natural weapon in his reach, allowing him to extend at the ball overhead and pluck it at high points. Being able to do so makes him a difficult player to spoil and helps in one-on-one situations. It's also a factor when the 199cm prospect is allowed an uninterrupted run and jump at the ball, as is often the case when featuring at the centre bounces.

While impactful in the air, something which sets McCarthy apart is his agility across the ground. He's the type of tall who looks comfortable in possession, able to roam and gain separation from his opponent, or seamlessly link up with smaller players. Such play is particularly evident when stationed in the ruck, where McCarthy can get involved like a fourth midfielder and help set up attacks through the centre corridor.

As a forward, McCarthy offers a mobile marking target and has proven himself to be a consistent goalkicker. While hardly scoring in bunches, he posted a major in each National Championships game this season and kicked four in just three games for Oakleigh. It's something he can continue to enhance if utilised more often inside 50, but his ability to cover ground and chop out in the ruck suggests he won't be a typical stay-at-home type.

His athleticism suits the requirements of modern day key position prospects, but McCarthy will likely need to add a good amount of muscle to his frame to compete at the next level. It will help him become a stronger contested marker and perhaps aid his durability. A couple of injury setbacks (hip and neck) stunted McCarthy's progress this year, and there remains an element of rawness to the upside he'll look to built on.

 

[noobermensch]

Okay - with the quality talls a bit thin at this stage, the Dees will swing for the fences with Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves at pick 35, the biggest risk/reward prospect in the pool. Could be great, could be a bust.

Dees probably have room for that type of an x-factor all purpose forward on their list.

More of a writeup tomorrow.

Smythe - Richmond on the clock

 

[Smythe]

PICK 36 - RICHMOND - HUNTER HOLMES - 186cm - Mid - Oakleigh Chargers

Tigers go for speed through the middle here, I'm currently busy with work so here is the Rookie Me Central write up;

The crux of Holmes' game resides in his running power. He arguably possesses more speed than endurance but blends both traits to impact on the inside and outside of midfield. The wing is where Holmes will likely slot in at AFL level and he looked most comfortable there this year, able to track up and down the line as a link in the transitional chain. His ability to peel off and find space saw him take meters with frequency.

When released on the outside, Holmes' efficiency rose and he didn't have to rush to get the ball out. His ability to work into space made him a reliable outlet when looking to maintain possession in slow play, or to spark quick movement from end-to-end. Still, there is a bit to work with in the way Holmes can cut through traffic with his raw pace, and he can easily add the size required to better exploit his midfield potential.

The final point to note about Holmes is his rate of improvement. Having not been in the Oakleigh Chargers program last year, he completed a full Coates Talent League season and not only competed but thrived. The step-up in competition would have been even steeper as he showed his wares at the National Championships, so clubs will recognise there is upside to his profile having not had the same exposure to those levels as most peers.

There is no escaping that recruiters will be assessing Holmes’ upside with the thought of what his elder brother Max has become at AFL level. They possess similar traits with their light frame and speed-endurance running, capable of bringing the game forward in transition. While Hunter is arguably less developed at the same age, he is a prospect who can facilitate current ball movement trends and will only improve with exposure to an elite environment. He’ll most likely feature somewhere amongst the second round of the draft, but don’t be surprised to see him bolt up the order.

Next up is eDPS for Geelong

 

[eDPS]

Pick 37 - Geelong - Matthew LeRay - 188cm - Wingman/Utility

Depth in the wing position was a target for me for Geelong and LeRay can also play other positions which Geelong values a lot. LeRay is a great user of the ball especially by foot and has a good enough contested/defensive game to make a really good modern day wingman.

LeRay needs to build his fitness more and he isn’t the absolute quickest but moves fairly well despite that and has plenty of growth in his game, could see Cats taking him here and people wondering down the line how the hell the got him here.

Monocle

 

[PMBangers]

Pick 37 - Geelong - Matthew LeRay - 188cm - Wingman/Utility

Write up to come

Monocle

That Eagles pick was eaten matching Williams, noobermensch with Brisbane

 

[noobermensch]

This is a puzzler - what kind of player do you draft for the team that has everything? An abundance of riches through the middle, the acquisition of Allen and emergence of Ty Gallop has covered what was a slight weakness in their tall forwards. They might look at adding another quality tall defender but this isn't the draft pool or pick for that.

With Ah Chee headed out the door, Charlie Cameron

23

Charlie Cameron

Age

31

Ht

180cm

Wt

76kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.1

3star

K

8.4

3star

HB

3.7

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

G

1.5

5star

D

9.6

2star

K

7.9

3star

HB

1.7

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

1.7

3star

G

1.9

5star

D

9.6

3star

K

5.4

2star

HB

4.2

4star

M

1.4

2star

T

3.4

5star

G

1.2

4star

now 31 and showing some inconsistency, and some uncertainty around Zac Bailey

33

Zac Bailey

Age

26

Ht

181cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.7

3star

K

6.9

3star

HB

5.9

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.2

4star

CL

0.9

3star

D

12.9

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

5.6

3star

M

3.9

4star

T

2.4

3star

CL

0.7

3star

D

13.4

4star

K

6.6

3star

HB

6.8

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

CL

0.6

3star

, we'll add some depth to their small forward group by picking:

Talor Byrne - Pick 38 - Brisbane Lions - write up to come

They have a few interesting academy prospects they could look at here, but I feel that its a bit too early for them at this pick.

Pie 4 Life is up next I assume?

 

[PMBangers]

This is a puzzler - what kind of player do you draft for the team that has everything? An abundance of riches through the middle, the acquisition of Allen and emergence of Ty Gallop has covered what was a slight weakness in their tall forwards. They might look at adding another quality tall defender but this isn't the draft pool or pick for that.

With Ah Chee headed out the door, Charlie Cameron now 31 and showing some inconsistency, and some uncertainty around Zac Bailey, we'll add some depth to their small forward group by picking:

Talor Byrne - Pick 38 - Brisbane Lions - write up to come

They have a few interesting academy prospects they could look at here, but I feel that its a bit too early for them at this pick.

Pie 4 Life is up next I assume?

You're up again, Pies pick chewed up in McCarthy bid

 

[Lana]

Pick 37 - Geelong - Matthew LeRay - 188cm - Wingman/Utility

Write up to come

Monocle

Sounds very Geelong like

 

[Pie 4 Life]

You're up again, Pies pick chewed up in McCarthy bid

Both my picks in the 30s as per your un-updated OP? lol

 

[PMBangers]

Both my picks in the 30s as per your un-updated OP? lol

I've had a mare here

 

[PMBangers]

It is indeed Pie 4 Life picking

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I've had a mare here

Fine we’ll take Finn Callaghan as compensation.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Collingwood would love to bid on Beau Addinsall (Gold Coast Suns)

eDPS

Told you I was patient Ed!

 

[Mutineer]

This is a puzzler - what kind of player do you draft for the team that has everything? An abundance of riches through the middle, the acquisition of Allen and emergence of Ty Gallop has covered what was a slight weakness in their tall forwards. They might look at adding another quality tall defender but this isn't the draft pool or pick for that.

With Ah Chee headed out the door, Charlie Cameron now 31 and showing some inconsistency, and some uncertainty around Zac Bailey, we'll add some depth to their small forward group by picking:

Talor Byrne - Pick 38 - Brisbane Lions - write up to come

They have a few interesting academy prospects they could look at here, but I feel that its a bit too early for them at this pick.

Pie 4 Life is up next I assume?

Another Ballarat/GWV Rebel to the Lions, successful strategy so far.

 

[eDPS]

Collingwood would love to bid on Beau Addinsall (Gold Coast Suns)

eDPS

Told you I was patient Ed!

Suns match

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Suns match

Thanks Ed.

Next up Collingwood bid for Jai Murray

Match or let him go?

 

[eDPS]

Thanks Ed.

Next up Collingwood bid for Jai Murray

Match or let him go?

Match, enjoying the deficit

 

[Warhorse]

Thanks Ed.

Next up Collingwood bid for Jai Murray

Match or let him go?

Why isn't this guy higher? Extremely underrated imo

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Match, enjoying the deficit

Thanks Ed, take a seat I'll get back to you soon.

Collingwood bid on Lachlan Carmichael (Sydney Swans Academy)

Smythe

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Why isn't this guy higher? Extremely underrated imo

100%. I don't bid on anyone I wouldn't be happy taking with the selection. Partial making them earn it, but definitely would be more than happy to take them should they overlook.

 

[noobermensch]

Collingwood bid on Lachlan Carmichael (Sydney Swans Academy)

Carmichael was bid on earlier and passed. He's now an Essendon player.

 

[tigs2010]

Thanks Ed, take a seat I'll get back to you soon.

Collingwood bid on Lachlan Carmichael (Sydney Swans Academy)

Smythe

Already copped a bid at 23 and passed

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Carmichael was bid on earlier and passed. He's now an Essendon player.

Ah the "Lachie" did me in when Ctrl + F.

Alright then eDPS last one for me, Koby Coulson bid.