Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2019 Draft Almanac

[theGav56]

From the Dockers, I'm keen on following the progress of:

Crowden unclear where he fits for now. Strong tackler, not enough production.
Dixon. great intraclub game kicking 3 goals and spending some time on the wing. Possible debut, but more likely next season.
Meek. duked it out with 2016 shouldabeen#1 Sean Darcy and did well.
Jones. looks most likely to struggle
Giro. well he got the nice contract extension and was best in the 2km time trial, and has tidied up his kicking. This year I think is depth for BHill or Langdon.
Banfield. I think best 22 and looks likely as a defensive medium forward/midfielder. Bigger and fitter.
Darcy. trimmed down a little and looking like he is doing everything possible to become an excellent player.
North. over his injuries and looking for an opportunity at the senior level and should get it. We need to enhance our inside mids and to improve our midfield disposal, and North can do that for us.
Carter. exciting to see how he goes
Valente. really disappointed that he hasn't been in full training. Going to be a solid player though and another one who can improve our midfield disposal and decision making.

Meanwhile, at Sydney, I wonder what a forward line of Papley, Hayward and Dawson looks like with Buddy being 32 years old.

Inserted some updates for you

 

[Knightmare]

From 2016 you need to add Duman as a good get as well. From the Rookie List, sitting in our best 22 with upside to come.

I think Logue will be better than a role player. His physicality and attitude are going to give him a really combative edge.

I agree with your comments regarding our nicely balanced ruck division, and think we have the KPPs similarly balanced now, without any of them nailing down an A-grade rating as of yet (perhaps Hogan). There is however quality and upside.
Defence; Pearce, Hamling, Logue, Cox/Swingman.
Forward; Hogan, Lobb, Taberner, McCarthy, Dixon, Cox/Swingman.

Duman had a good finish to 2018. On my watchlist but not top 20 yet.

KPPs are now looking much better after the additions of Hogan and Lobb who should play mostly forward also.

 

[theGav56]

Duman had a good finish to 2018. On my watchlist but not top 20 yet.

KPPs are now looking much better after the additions of Hogan and Lobb who should play mostly forward also.

Oh, yeah, I wasn't proposing Duman as top 20, more referring to that particular draft from Freo's perspective. Killed it really. I recall phantom's had a group of similarly ranked, lanky, tallish players who they thought could be ok, and from memory you had him at the forefront of that??? Anyway, he is doing ok, and as you say finished the year well. Could be best 22, but for me probably needs to develop another positional option for himself to achieve that. Possibly wing.

 

[lionshine]

How do you rate Matthew Rowell in 2018 compared to other highly rated under aged mids from past years?

 

[Knightmare]

Oh, yeah, I wasn't proposing Duman as top 20, more referring to that particular draft from Freo's perspective. Killed it really. I recall phantom's had a group of similarly ranked, lanky, tallish players who they thought could be ok, and from memory you had him at the forefront of that??? Anyway, he is doing ok, and as you say finished the year well. Could be best 22, but for me probably needs to develop another positional option for himself to achieve that. Possibly wing.

2016 was an excellent draft for Fremantle. No question.

I didn't have Duman inside my top 30 power rankings and he would have been borderline top 50 if I extended it out so I won't take credit for him.

Today if looking at him, I place him in the potentially developable category.

How do you rate Matthew Rowell in 2018 compared to other highly rated under aged mids from past years?

He's in the conversation with the best mids from the last few years.

Ever so slightly behind Rayner/B.Smith in my personal rankings but similar to Dow/Walsh/Taranto. Ahead of McCluggage/McGrath etc.

 

[Christou2Kouta]

(It’s an early call I know)
If tonight’s performance is anything to go by, Walsh could be set for the best season by a first year midfielder since Joel Selwood. Very happy to have taken him at pick 1.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Knightmare]

(It’s an early call I know)
If tonight’s performance is anything to go by, Walsh could be set for the best season by a first year midfielder since Joel Selwood. Very happy to have taken him at pick 1.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Last years top end was special. Lukosius, Rankine, Smith, Walsh. It's the best top end I've seen. No one should be surprised by Walsh's performance.

When people see Smith, they'll be making the same comments. He's an incredible mid. When people see Rankine they'll be wowed. Lukosius should have a strong first season and could be good for 100 marks per 22 games this season if Gold Coast put the games into him from the get go.

 

[M Malice]

Last years top end was special. Lukosius, Rankine, Smith, Walsh. It's the best top end I've seen. No one should be surprised by Walsh's performance.

When people see Smith, they'll be making the same comments. He's an incredible mid. When people see Rankine they'll be wowed. Lukosius should have a strong first season and could be good for 100 marks per 22 games this season if Gold Coast put the games into him from the get go.

How would you compare Sam Walsh to our recent high draft selection Hugh McCluggage in playing style and potential KM?

I love what McCluggage has shown in his 2 years with us and think he will be an elite mid of the competition in 2-3 years, you?

 

[Knightmare]

How would you compare Sam Walsh to our recent high draft selection Hugh McCluggage in playing style and potential KM?

I love what McCluggage has shown in his 2 years with us and think he will be an elite mid of the competition in 2-3 years, you?

Much more advanced and slightly better overall. Walsh is not nearly as quick or skilful as McCluggage and won't provide the same scoreboard impact and won't hurt sides with his i50 delivery as much but Walsh will rack up more of the ball overall and is the stronger contested ball winner and do a lot more for you around the ball.

I could make a case that my top 4 in Lukosius/Rankine/Smith/Walsh are all better than any of the 2016 or 2017 prospects. They're all more advanced at the same age.

 

[dylan93]

Is there already a list of NGA prospects for this year's draft KM?

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Is there already a list of NGA prospects for this year's draft KM?

List may've changed since but, from an article on the AFL's website from 2017:


CARLTON

Michael Bozikis (2019), Fairfield, Multicultural
Paul Sidhu (2019), Mernda, Multicultural
Tochukwu Oparaocha (2019), Wollert, Multicultural
Cameron Wild (2019), South Morang, Indigenous

FREMANTLE

Liam Henry (2019), Derby, Indigenous

HAWTHORN

Marcus Toussaint (2019), Inverloch, Multicultural
Todd Garner (2019), Gruyere, Indigenous
Tot Jok (2019), Pakenham, Multicultural
Charles Power (2019), Heathmont, Multicultural
Sebastian Reyneke (2019), Park Orchards, Multicultural
Harrison Pepper (2019), Morwell, Indigenous

NORTH MELBOURNE

Leiwyn Jones (2019), Launceston, Indigenous

RICHMOND:

Hugo Ingham (2019), Shepparton, Multicultural
Peter Clarke (2019), Mildura, Indigenous
Kobe Brown (2019), Mildura, Indigenous


Since publication, ADELAIDE have rights to South Aussie prospect Daniel Sladojevic.

 

[Cleric]

I must admit I saw Taheny at Norwood league training and he exploded through the middle at one and it was like oh my god. Even one of my mates who is league footballer said did you see that.

He has so much talent but definitely has to learn the professional side of the game and the work it takes to make it. That's the only knock on him at the moment, except perhaps his tank.

I have seen a bit of Cam. Have seen him dominate a game and look a level above everyone else on the park. He is a better, more versatile version of Gunston. However, towards the end of last year he really fell away. He was playing sore and I saw him limp away from alot of contests, so hopefully he was playing really sore and not just being soft.
I saw him play in the SA U17s vs SA U16s last year and he put on a clinic. Played down back, forward and on the wing. That is also another issue I have seen with him. Because he is able to play alot of positions, he tends to get thrown all over the ground during a game. He needs to be settled this year.

 

[Knightmare]

2017 AFL Draft the real top 20. A surprise number one. Only players who have played at AFL level have been included in this iteration: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/26121298/afl-draft-doerre-reselecting-top-20-2017-draft

 

[Turbocat]

2017 AFL Draft the real top 20. A surprise number one. Only players who have played at AFL level have been included in this iteration: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/26121298/afl-draft-doerre-reselecting-top-20-2017-draft

Interesting as usual.

Where do you see Crosely fitting in at Gold Coast. It would seem they have a heap of talls ..where does Ben King play.

and why was Naughton and Sam Taylor undervalued at the draft , while Coffield and Clarke were perhaps over rated ?

 

[Knightmare]

Interesting as usual.

Where do you see Crosely fitting in at Gold Coast. It would seem they have a heap of talls ..where does Ben King play.

and why was Naughton and Sam Taylor undervalued at the draft , while Coffield and Clarke were perhaps over rated ?

I feel like in a year or two Crossley will get traded as per Nankervis to another club to take over as the lead ruckman.

Gold Coast have better forwards, and with their ruck situation their only position of strength in their squad, if he wants to become a regular, sooner, he will have to move to get that I anticipate with Lukosius/Wright a super combo up front and Corbett likely to play with Burgess another able body.
*Sam Day I don't rate and wouldn't include in their mix as an athlete who hasn't developed into an AFL standard footballer so he wouldn't be in my plans.

 

[Turbocat]

I feel like in a year or two Crossley will get traded as per Nankervis to another club to take over as the lead ruckman.

Gold Coast have better forwards, and with their ruck situation their only position of strength in their squad, if he wants to become a regular, sooner, he will have to move to get that I anticipate with Lukosius/Wright a super combo up front and Corbett likely to play with Burgess another able body.
*Sam Day I don't rate and wouldn't include in their mix as an athlete who hasn't developed into an AFL standard footballer so he wouldn't be in my plans.

I guess id ask just how bolted on is Luc etc.. where as Crossley is a local. ...

and as Id expect GC to be near bottom again... you see them going more mids this year.. (or is there an outstanding tall that they cant go past)

So you see BenK down back... I have read Stk are already scouting him... to for GC to hold all these kids.

Sam Day FA at end of the year... I presume you will not be encouraging Collingwood to trow a truck load at him. Have to be considered a huge fail ..was #2 originally?

 

[briztoon]

2017 AFL Draft the real top 20. A surprise number one. Only players who have played at AFL level have been included in this iteration: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/26121298/afl-draft-doerre-reselecting-top-20-2017-draft

Genuinely surprised you don't have Zac Bailey in there, but have LDU at 11.

Certainly looked better than half the players you listed between 11 and 20.

 

[Knightmare]

I guess id ask just how bolted on is Luc etc.. where as Crossley is a local. ...

and as Id expect GC to be near bottom again... you see them going more mids this year.. (or is there an outstanding tall that they cant go past)

So you see BenK down back... I have read Stk are already scouting him... to for GC to hold all these kids.

Sam Day FA at end of the year... I presume you will not be encouraging Collingwood to trow a truck load at him. Have to be considered a huge fail ..was #2 originally?

Gold Coast need everything other than rucks. They just need quality everywhere that can enhance their best 22. Their ball movement may be their greatest flaw. Seeing just in the first half two kicks directed towards Lukosius on the wing fly out of bounds and out of his reach and all those wish and hope kicks to congested packs - not situations either Lukosius/Wright thrive on, and a complete overhaul on their ball movement is needed with the injection of some guys who can attack games with pace/skills.

On career performance, I wouldn't pick up Sam Day as a delisted free agent let alone pay anything for him. I don't support the use of senior list positions for depth.

Genuinely surprised you don't have Zac Bailey in there, but have LDU at 11.

Certainly looked better than half the players you listed between 11 and 20.

On form through year one, LDU struggled but I expect improves and his 27 disposals in JLT1 supports that thought process. Bailey has shown some pace. He's in my top 25 from 2018 but others have to date outperformed him.

 

[briztoon]

On form through year one, LDU struggled but I expect improves and his 27 disposals in JLT1 supports that thought process. Bailey has shown some pace. He's in my top 25 from 2018 but others have to date outperformed him.

LDU at 11 and Bonar 12 haven’t.

 

[Knightmare]

LDU at 11 and Bonar 12 haven’t.

Bonar I'd disagree with you on and so would the numbers/analytics. On form in the minutes he has been out there, I've found Bonar to be a greater difference maker. His pressure has been sensational and he's winning his own ball. Long term he can become a monster once he gets more minutes at AFL level.

 

[Muffasa]

Knightmare - Saw GWS Academy v Murray Bushies play a practice match a few weeks ago. Tom Green playing 3qrts had 25+ touches, 12-15 clearances. Dominated and seemed to have trimmed down over the summer.

Thoughts on his draft standings & gws taking him/matching a bid on draft night?

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Knightmare.

Without naming anyone, do you share my thoughts that the folk in the 2015 AFL Draft who have struggled at senior level, have had injuries dent their senior chances or haven't gotten an opportunity to play at senior level need to wriggle on or risk getting the arse at year's end?

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare - Saw GWS Academy v Murray Bushies play a practice match a few weeks ago. Tom Green playing 3qrts had 25+ touches, 12-15 clearances. Dominated and seemed to have trimmed down over the summer.

Thoughts on his draft standings & gws taking him/matching a bid on draft night?

I have Green up there with anyone in this years pool. He's in the best player discussion. He could be something like Patrick Cripps. In my power rankings, while I won't spoil where I have him today, I'd be surprised if he drops outside my top 5 this year.

If he's still dominating at stoppages and winning his own ball better than ever and is quicker/fitter, he's putting himself in a great situation for this years draft and only elevating his stocks.

Knightmare.

Without naming anyone, do you share my thoughts that the folk in the 2015 AFL Draft who have struggled at senior level, have had injuries dent their senior chances or haven't gotten an opportunity to play at senior level need to wriggle on or risk getting the arse at year's end?

That's often the way in the early years.

I agree with your statement, but it applies to every draft.

2015 more than others? For mine around the same.

You only have to move a year forward to 2014 and see all the injuries/concussions Paddy McCartin and Angus Brayshaw have both had. Injuries to Pickett, Ahern, Moore. Wright if not hurt last year I feel would be much more highly regarded than he is. Cockatoo. And that's just from inside the top 10. If you want a draft littered with those kinds of stories 2014 top of mind really is one of those years, particularly up the top end.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Even De Goey, Marchbank and Petracca have had injury issues over the years.

 

[Eastcoasteagle]

2017 AFL Draft the real top 20. A surprise number one. Only players who have played at AFL level have been included in this iteration: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/26121298/afl-draft-doerre-reselecting-top-20-2017-draft

No flying Ryan?