Player Watch 2025 AFL Draft Thread (Welcome to our new Central Districts overlords!)

[flinchfree]

The best part for me is watching some posters who say things like “If we draft him we are wasting a pick” “If we draft him our recruiting team are useless” “He can’t kick or run and is fat” “If we draft him the whole competition will be laughing at us” then we draft the kid and the same posters spend the next few days saying “I hope I am wrong but I just don’t see it” followed by highlighting his good attributes and slowly coming around.
Then if they turn into guns we get the “I am happy to be proven wrong” and “What a guru sleepy mark is” if they don’t, we get the “I told you so”

It’s like clockwork and it’s the exact reason I don’t get enamoured with any one kid until he becomes a Hawk, then I do my research.

For sure, I have my favourites but am 100 behind Mark and the crew in whoever they choose.

 

[MasterSamurai]

There's no club worth doing a pick swap with unless we get fleeced. But, I'd rather flip our picks into next year instead of using them on small half backs that have zero flexibility. And also, clubs do get it wrong plenty of times so, can people stop having a go at posters who have strong opinions about the draft? What are we supposed to do, just say " everyone we're connected with will be a awesome get .... just because?"
I'm not backing down from my Oskar call, awful pick for where we at. He's the only player I've said this about in this draft and it's not like anyone in the industry or any other clubs have been scampering to get him .

 

[ahhhhhh]

There's no club worth doing a pick swap with unless we get fleeced. But, I'd rather flip our picks into next year instead of using them on small half backs that have zero flexibility. And also, clubs do get it wrong plenty of times so, can people stop having a go at posters who have strong opinions about the draft? What are we supposed to do, just say " everyone we're connected with will be a awesome get .... just because?"
I'm not backing down from my Oskar call, awful pick for where we at. He's the only player I've said this about in this draft and it's not like anyone in the industry or any other clubs have been scampering to get him .

You must be watching different highlights to me. Smooth, fast, skilful and reads the game beautifully.

 

[Platten44]

There's no club worth doing a pick swap with unless we get fleeced. But, I'd rather flip our picks into next year instead of using them on small half backs that have zero flexibility. And also, clubs do get it wrong plenty of times so, can people stop having a go at posters who have strong opinions about the draft? What are we supposed to do, just say " everyone we're connected with will be a awesome get .... just because?"
I'm not backing down from my Oskar call, awful pick for where we at. He's the only player I've said this about in this draft and it's not like anyone in the industry or any other clubs have been scampering to get him .

No one gets it wrong on draft day. Just ask Essendon, North and St.Kilda.

 

[MasterSamurai]

You must be watching different highlights to me. Smooth, fast, skilful and reads the game beautifully.

Yep, we must be
Loopy kicks under pressure, loopy hot potato handballs to teammates, double handling ground balls, getting caught because of slow decision making etc..
He does have a good left peg but only if in 30 metre space!!! Was really a lockdown defender, then was moved to half back to get a bit more involved in play, which he did but at AFL level, he'll struggle big time. Pick 10??? Wasted. Still, I don't think we go for this small defender anyway, if Grjl, Doveston Farrow Barker or NHH are there , we'll take one of them.
We've recently met with NHH the second time couple days ago.

 

[To the Hawk]

There's no club worth doing a pick swap with unless we get fleeced. But, I'd rather flip our picks into next year instead of using them on small half backs that have zero flexibility. And also, clubs do get it wrong plenty of times so, can people stop having a go at posters who have strong opinions about the draft? What are we supposed to do, just say " everyone we're connected with will be a awesome get .... just because?"
I'm not backing down from my Oskar call, awful pick for where we at. He's the only player I've said this about in this draft and it's not like anyone in the industry or any other clubs have been scampering to get him .

I like him but I do agree it's not the type of player you'd normally use a pick 10* on.

If we are big on him hopefully we try and get the deal North are offering the Blues and trade back. Take him and Greaves or NHH. Bank a top 25 pick next year.

 

[MasterSamurai]

I like him but I do agree it's not the type of player you'd normally use a pick 10* on.

If we are big on him hopefully we try and get the deal North are offering the Blues and trade back. Take him and Greaves or NHH. Bank a top 25 pick next year.

Not a bad move at all.

 

[ahhhhhh]

Cal Twomey's 2025 Phantom Draft: Top 30, late picks, whispers

Who will your club take in this year's Telstra AFL Draft? Our expert makes the call

www.afl.com.au

 

[NigelTufnel]

Cal Twomey's 2025 Phantom Draft: Top 30, late picks, whispers

Who will your club take in this year's Telstra AFL Draft? Our expert makes the call

www.afl.com.au

So Grlj at 14 and Hetherton at 27, with us having interest in Lindsay, Dovaston, H. Barker, O. Taylor and Schubert. Interestingly Greeves isn't mocked in the top 30 although Cal links us to him at a later pick.

Wouldn't be upset if it panned out that way tbh

 

[kirbatron]

gentle reminder

Draft YearFox Footy / Fox Sports Grade for Hawks

2021B-
2022D+
2023C+
2024C

 

[number23]

So Grlj at 14 and Hetherton at 27, with us having interest in Lindsay, Dovaston, H. Barker, O. Taylor and Schubert. Interestingly Greeves isn't mocked in the top 30 although Cal links us to him at a later pick.

Wouldn't be upset if it panned out that way tbh

Anyone know anything about Hetherton? Sounds like another forgotten player like Mraz.. forgotten due to injury. Surprised that Harley Barker (still available) is not picked. They must rate Hetherton big time.

 

[Blackhawk42]

I'd be a little underwealmed if we picked a project key forward while Hibbens-Hargreaves and Greeves are both still available.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

So Cletus has us landing Sizzle at Pick 14, let’s hope he is bang on.

Heatherton looks like the sort of player we go for.

 

[sohsam]

Anyone know anything about Hetherton? Sounds like another forgotten player like Mraz.. forgotten due to injury. Surprised that Harley Barker (still available) is not picked. They must rate Hetherton big time.

I was surprised too as I thought we were almost certainty to pick greeves with our second, if slightest chance someone else had done, barker next in line. Hetherton, another full forward apparently we do not have enough 3 x 195 cm players in forward half, need another, and Mccabe now training as a forward. did not realise had scaife in reserve, even ramsden has been labelled forward. Hetherton does look pretty good though from limited vision, mobile. We came in with draft / exchange of players to strengthen our inside midfield.

 

[Dewnior]

Cal Twomey's 2025 Phantom Draft: Top 30, late picks, whispers

Who will your club take in this year's Telstra AFL Draft? Our expert makes the call

www.afl.com.au

Cal has us taking a tall forward with our second pick. Seriously nfi. I hope we live trade on the night and worpedo his phantom draft.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I was surprised too as I thought we were almost certainty to pick greeves with our second, if slightest chance someone else had done, barker next in line. Hetherton, another full forward apparently we do not have enough 3 x 195 cm players in forward half, need another, and Mccabe now training as a forward. did not realise had scaife in reserve, even ramsden has been labelled forward. Hetherton does look pretty good though from limited vision, mobile. We came in with draft / exchange of players to strengthen our inside midfield.

On the bolded, our coach has already told Frenchy, Wardy, Butts and the Beast that they have opportunity ahead of them and should plan to have big preseasons.

We’re not drafting to fix or strengthen the inside mid position as that’s a position taken on by someone with some summers in their legs and a built up core.

Btw, Scaife is gone. McCabe likely will settle back, Gunston is 45… if we see a talented tall available at our pick, we should take them.

 

[hawkinoz]

So Grlj at 14 and Hetherton at 27, with us having interest in Lindsay, Dovaston, H. Barker, O. Taylor and Schubert. Interestingly Greeves isn't mocked in the top 30 although Cal links us to him at a later pick.

Wouldn't be upset if it panned out that way tbh

and his write up for hawks says

Draft picks: 10, 22, 59, 66 (likely to use two or three selections)

The majority of Hawthorn's work will be done on night one, with the Hawks currently holding two picks in the first round. The Hawks have told clubs they will listen to offers for pick 10 if it meant a slight shift down the draft board, but whether any clubs come for the pick on the night remains to be seen. What they do late might also be shaped by their early selections, but among the players linked to the Hawks are small forward Talor Byrne, midfielder Sam Swadling and ball-getter Ollie Greeves. The club has also had a look at Jack Lawrence, a small forward from the Dandenong Stingrays, but it could be for a train-on spot if they hold over a position.

***

So will depend on if we are able to move down for trade with either GWS or WCE but if Grlj is on board I can't see why we will do that unless its 50-50 and don't mind Oskar taylor at 12 or 13 if Grlj is gone..

 

[VandoHawk]

Grlj lasting to us would be fantastic. Perfect skillset for our club with his speed and linebreaking.

I don't mind the Hetherton link. There's a lot of Mraz about it - talented key position player who was injured but showed good signs and is gifted athletically. With Scaife gone, McCabe likely to settle back, and Gunston getting older there's room for a developing KPF.

I would still take Barker or Greeves personally but there's upside.

I also love that Twomey is linking us to Byrne. Please please please trade a future third or whatever to climb up slightly and take him Hawks. I rate him just as highly as Dovaston.

 

[user33]

Grill is appealing. Kind of scared he’ll be Seamus 2.0, which at that pick is far too early

 

[To the Hawk]

That isn't like Twomey's normal phantom draft at all. He's not certain from as early on as Richmond. I can't see them passing on Xavier Taylor at all.

I think he's money is correct on Bombers as you'd expect. They'll grab 9 for Dovaston.

I've thought all along Grlj will be the one that gets through to us. I'm not sure if we are all in on him, however?

Personally I'm just not sure what he projects to be beyond his running capacity, isn't a big ball winner, kicking and composure needs work and is a long way from a centre bounce mid at present.

Don't get me wrong, the running capacity and speed is exactly the type of player you want on the list. Just surprised it's around pick 14 given other areas to improve make it feel bit more of a project player. Similar in ways to Bailey MacDonald.

But I think this whole draft is messy and may as well take a swing on high upside types with Cummins and Sharp off the board I guess.

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

Cal's first Phantom is usually a little off the mark, with his "Late Mail" Phantom being much closer.
Although this year is significantly harder to gauge, with the 4 teams having successive picks, different needs, which can result in some highly rated kids sliding further than expected. We are in a surprisingly good position.

 

[hardway]

Cal has us taking a tall forward with our second pick. Seriously nfi. I hope we live trade on the night and worpedo his phantom draft.

I don’t mind it, we need someone with natural forward craft to develop a long side Dear.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Grill is appealing. Kind of scared he’ll be Seamus 2.0, which at that pick is far too early

Watch at the 50 second mark. Nothing like Seamus at all.

Look at the class he has to step two opponents and square it up, after being involved in the back pocket.

 

[number23]

Rookie me has Heatherton in the 40-60 range with kicking being an issue.. A pity Mitch Marsh is gone on Cal's Draft. He'd be a great Gunner's replacement

 

[sohsam]

Grlj lasting to us would be fantastic. Perfect skillset for our club with his speed and linebreaking.

I don't mind the Hetherton link. There's a lot of Mraz about it - talented key position player who was injured but showed good signs and is gifted athletically. With Scaife gone, McCabe likely to settle back, and Gunston getting older there's room for a developing KPF.

I would still take Barker or Greeves personally but there's upside.

I also love that Twomey is linking us to Byrne. Please please please trade a future third or whatever to climb up slightly and take him Hawks. I rate him just as highly as Dovaston.

I would be surprised if we did not take Greeves, I probably have to warm up to the idea that we might end up taking Grlj, seems similar to I Smith, speed and endurance and can run him through backline, middle, forward line, the versatility but pretty much outside runner, hope he tidies up his disposal, that is what happens when you miss out on sharp/cumming, have to look at other positions, next best available. I take it schubert is higher rated player, but seems less mobile. I doubt you will pick up Byrne at our second pick then if you rate him. If we were going for a mobile forward, M Marsh might be higher rated again than these two, if available, in terms of overall ratings I suspect schubert who is more a full forward and M Marsh a more mobile forward rated equally, I suspect Hetherton is behind those two. People see Grlj an upgarde on Barker, it all depends whether we can even trade for two 20s picks, we may not be able to. Barker is the cheaper option.