Recruiting AFL Draft Watch 2025 - Picks 9, 10, 13, 37

[Lore]

 

[nipst@r]

I just dont think what's holding back Gerryn, Mcmahon from engaging in contested marking and neutralising contest compared to say a L.Morris?

I think people get too caught up in certain specifics like this. A ' 3rd tall' isnt all of a sudden not contesting and neutralising contest

I think its more the position theyre given, some would say Langford out of the goalsquare is a key fwd becaue hes heavily targeted here as a top 2 going i50

But i dont think that means Mcmahon cant play that when Langford is elsewhere (inj., different position ect) same goes for Edwards, HJ, Gerryn ect

Wright, mcmahon, Edwards, even langford just arent great at always fighting to make a contest and bring the ball to ground. It's positioning, endeavour, playing style and size.

Morris does it. aerial competitor. Even durham and durrsma do it better than most of the taller players mentioned but don't quite have the height.

That Mcmahon is as much a KPF as L.Morris is?

I think Nik Cox if still around in 5 years time would become a KPD. His athletic ability, kicking allows him to play other positions compared

Caddy isnt that tall but does it better than our other fwds but its just not the best use of his talents.

It is literally why draper was played ff and did quite well there. Would crash packs and always endeavour to bring it to ground.

 

[fl4gd0n5]

Martin's fine

All I’ve seen is that he had scans, didn’t know they put out an update.

 

[fl4gd0n5]

My forward line positions are as follows

Key forward: tall, strong, key responsibility is competing for contested marks when the ball is going to a known “drop zone” ie down the line, top of goal square ect. Paired up against no1 or number 2 defender who is usually tasked with tagging them/trying to intercept in known hot zones

pressure forward. Aka small forward. Responsible for crumbing, transition play and locking the ball in forward half

3rd tall. Can’t really compete in hot zones and doesn’t offer much pressure but is a highly skilled midsize Jack of all trades type. Highly skilled. Usually has the easiest matchup and is expected to take advantage of that. Often creates a secondary target away from the main pack or is 3rd man up. X

Teams usually have 6 forwards and seperate to their role is the order the team targets them in.

Ie 1st option is biggest goal threat. 6th option smallest goal threat.

You can be any option number at any position see Pies having SFs as their no1 options. Vs the Cameron/Hawkins cats whose key forwards were no1 options.

Doesn’t really matter just as long as you have enough goals in the forward line as a group

Unless you’re Brad Scott it doesn’t really matter though.

 

[jdstorm]

Unless you’re Brad Scott it doesn’t really matter though.

What a rude thing to say.

I was just having a friendly conversation with another poster about how I view the game and the terminology I like to use.

 

[Keystone agony]

Wright, mcmahon, Edwards, even langford just arent great at always fighting to make a contest and bring the ball to ground. It's positioning, endeavour, playing style and size.

Morris does it. aerial competitor. Even durham and durrsma do it better than most of the taller players mentioned but don't quite have the height.


Caddy isnt that tall but does it better than our other fwds but its just not the best use of his talents.

It is literally why draper was played ff and did quite well there. Would crash packs and always endeavour to bring it to ground.

As you suggest size doesnt matter? Because smaller guys do it

Positioning can be trained and worked on

I think Mcmahon, Edwards, Langford fight as much as 2MP does.... hes been known to be uncompetitive at stages. Great hands, height and kick, but competitivness not sure

Everyone has different definitions it seems so its very subjective

Really as i keep saying as long as your forward 6-7 group can hit the scoreboard it really doesnt matter as much as people say. Your hitting the scoreboard when you can take marks i50 contest./uncontest., get ground ball, apply pressure, transition ball from d50 to i50, limit intercept mark ect ect as a combination of the group

 

[Old Campaigner]

View attachment 2483124
What a Masterplan this ended up being by the blues

Yeah, I can't believe they had enough points for their FS and academy picks AND a live selection

 

[brutus76]

Mick Ablett is trying become Australia's version of Mel Kiper.

What a tosser

 

[Kong]

Apologies for a dumb question, but I'm reading about the draft and am a bit lost.

Didn't Essendon have picks 4 and 5; what happened there?

 

[Duckworth]

Apologies for a dumb question, but I'm reading about the draft and am a bit lost.

Didn't Essendon have picks 4 and 5; what happened there?

equalisation.

 

[Cup_o_Jobe]

on the rookie draft controversy, I think rather than age limits, the simplest fix is to say all rookie lists (whether cat a or cat b) are only for people who've never been on an AFL list before. It is a pathway for kids who miss out on the ND or more mature assets or long-term projects from the State leagues or the occasional Irish kid who needs time to learn the game. it shouldn't be a loophole for delisting senior players that you otherwise want to keep (a practice which effectively "eats up" a spot that could have gone to someone getting their shot at the big leagues).

 

[Vindicater]

on the rookie draft controversy, I think rather than age limits, the simplest fix is to say all rookie lists (whether cat a or cat b) are only for people who've never been on an AFL list before. It is a pathway for kids who miss out on the ND or more mature assets or long-term projects from the State leagues or the occasional Irish kid who needs time to learn the game. it shouldn't be a loophole for delisting senior players that you otherwise want to keep (a practice which effectively "eats up" a spot that could have gone to someone getting their shot at the big leagues).

List of 42 and then four more spots. Those spots can only be taken by those who have zero games and they can stay on the rookie list for as long as they stay at zero. Once they play a game they need to be upgraded the following year.

 

[Halloween Jack]

on the rookie draft controversy, I think rather than age limits, the simplest fix is to say all rookie lists (whether cat a or cat b) are only for people who've never been on an AFL list before. It is a pathway for kids who miss out on the ND or more mature assets or long-term projects from the State leagues or the occasional Irish kid who needs time to learn the game. it shouldn't be a loophole for delisting senior players that you otherwise want to keep (a practice which effectively "eats up" a spot that could have gone to someone getting their shot at the big leagues).

So the rookie list should just be for rookies. I like it

 

[JayJ20]

I've always been envious of those clubs that had the superstar mid that can play forward alongside the contested, strong mid.

The Dusty/Cotchin, Danger/Selwood (Ablett jnr/Selwood), Petracca/Oliver, Fyfe/Mundy, Bont/Libba, Parker/Kennedy. Even Swan/Pendlebury kinda fits that although Pendlebury is a little different. Anderson/Rowell fits that description too.

I'm hoping we finally have that duo in Sharp and Robey.

 

[ant555]

on the rookie draft controversy, I think rather than age limits, the simplest fix is to say all rookie lists (whether cat a or cat b) are only for people who've never been on an AFL list before. It is a pathway for kids who miss out on the ND or more mature assets or long-term projects from the State leagues or the occasional Irish kid who needs time to learn the game. it shouldn't be a loophole for delisting senior players that you otherwise want to keep (a practice which effectively "eats up" a spot that could have gone to someone getting their shot at the big leagues).

Not having access from not being on an AFL list is a bit restrive in my view. Plenty of players have not had a shot at AFL games despite being on an AFL list. Without trying to ignite a Voss debate the fact is Voss does not get a chance at Fremantle if we use that rule. So he is basically ruled out of AFL because we thought he was not serious enough and the fact he can not have access via the SSP.
Another example of how restrictive it could be is a player like Oscar Smartt. Mid season rookie pick up. Plays a few games and gets delisted. If he continues on and finds the level later on his chances of getting on an AFL list are reduced by taking out the rookie option.

I agree it should not be a loop hole. The rookie list is currently a joke because of it.

The best system IMO would be to make it for players who have not played more than say 10 AFL games if the current list size stays the same. In the unlikely event of list sizes increasing then add a few more spots on the main list and make the rookie list for players who have not played an AFL game.

 

[Yoda_]

I've always been envious of those clubs that had the superstar mid that can play forward alongside the contested, strong mid.

The Dusty/Cotchin, Danger/Selwood (Ablett jnr/Selwood), Petracca/Oliver, Fyfe/Mundy, Bont/Libba, Parker/Kennedy. Even Swan/Pendlebury kinda fits that although Pendlebury is a little different. Anderson/Rowell fits that description too.

I'm hoping we finally have that duo in Sharp and Robey.

ive been a big advocate of that type of player, why I wanted Archer Day~Wicks last year, a mid forward who can influence in both areas of the ground.

The very best are obviously taken early in drafts, we seem to have never been shit enough to get one of the top end versions until Robey has seemingly fallen into our laps

 

[Yoda_]

Not having access from not being on an AFL list is a bit restrive in my view. Plenty of players have not had a shot at AFL games despite being on an AFL list. Without trying to ignite a Voss debate the fact is Voss does not get a chance at Fremantle if we use that rule. So he is basically ruled out of AFL because we thought he was not serious enough and the fact he can not have access via the SSP.
Another example of how restrictive it could be is a player like Oscar Smartt. Mid season rookie pick up. Plays a few games and gets delisted. If he continues on and finds the level later on his chances of getting on an AFL list are reduced by taking out the rookie option.

I agree it should not be a loop hole. The rookie list is currently a joke because of it.

The best system IMO would be to make it for players who have not played more than say 10 AFL games if the current list size stays the same. In the unlikely event of list sizes increasing then add a few more spots on the main list and make the rookie list for players who have not played an AFL game.

Voss is the exception, not the rule here

 

[ant555]

Voss is the exception, not the rule here

So ? It happened that way. He was still a rookie when they gave him a chance.

 

[bomberlegend2007]

I just love this draft. Maybe the best in terms of high quality talent, but also in terms of needs and development.

Farrow will be playing defensive while swinging into the midfield. Robey will be starting forward, moving in the midfield. All this will happen when they are ready for the role.

Sharp will play midfield R1. And will stay there for his career.

Exciting times. Finally.

 

[ant555]

My draft summary. Really liked how it turned out but I will say I am holding the excitement a bit as it has always looked like a draft with very limited star power so if we nail this draft it will be more the fact w have found a few good B grade players who can play a role and work as a cog in the machine going forward to build a good side with good team culture.



Trading for Carltons pick was a winner for mine. I know it left us exposed as far as Sweid goes but to have 3 picks in our area of the draft was a bonus. Gave us the chance to balance out the early picks. I think Sweid will be a good player for Fremantle. Probably fits their list a bit better given he is a midfielder first and they have some big midfielders already so picking up a midfielder at the very small end of the scale is not as much of an issue. Obviously, he has a bit of forward craft to go with it but he is a midfielder. He will be okay for them.



I will add I think the Tigers did well with their picks. Personally, I did not think there was a lot between Cumming and Robey although Cumming does have more runs on the board and you could actually say he is a bit more of a certain pick. If he was 188cm he would have been my number 1 but at 183cm he is the same as our other midfielders like Caldwell. Think he will be a good player but it would have been rinse and repeat for us. Grlj fits how they play and to be honest if they passed on him, I would have wanted him. For a smaller midfielder he has a difference and that is simply the speed and agility to take the game on. Thought the Tigers would have a punt on Robey but Cumming is a good pick for them.


Also have to say I think the Hawks did okay. Looked a bit unusual as it happened but I think they ended up with a bunch of players who look to have something to work with to my eye and also added a couple of future second round picks. Dalton in particular will be an interesting watch. Absolute running machine and inside terroir.



Robey. He was number 1 on my list of the players in our draft range. However, there is risk. he has come a really long was in half a season but he still has to fill the potential. Needs to tidy up some of his decision making with ball in hand and will need to have an upward trajectory as far as his endurance goes. Maybe a little tune up on some of his midfield craft. The absolute dream scenario is his ceiling is Dangerfield level but I suspect he may not have the endurance level to go that far. I think a fair comparison is his best may be Jake Stringer

20

Jake Stringer

Age

31

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

top level or Degoey. A player who can have stints in the midfield as a real power player but also be dangerous as a forward. Maybe he does not have the same X factor as those two at their best but the scope to be very similar. Worst case is probably bad Jake Stringer

20

Jake Stringer

Age

31

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

level where he is inconsistent and struggles to impact games for periods. Potential is a dangerous thing to get too excited about but this guy certainly has huge potential.



Farrow. You can see why they picked him. We have been pretty average at moving the footy from half back and this guy can make that happen. Very nice long kick but I will say he can be very over confident and try and take on way too much. He will need to reign that in but he does have a knack of finding targets and hitting them. He is not a jet from half back but he reads the play well and is able to intercept and then his reaction time to get things going and find targets is good. He has enough speed to take his 10 meters and find players 50 meters up the ground. If they keep the stand enforcement up, he will be very dangerous. He is strong. Can break tackles and is actually pretty handy at finding the football in back half stoppages. Given how strong he is and how well he reads the footy you would think he would defend one on one really well but it is an area he needs work in. Can also give his opponent a bit too much rope at times.
There is scope for midfield in the future but his pure midfield craft is nothing special as far as I can see. Gets by being really strong and being decent enough at ground level.



Sharp. I just think this guy makes it. Most likely does not have the ceiling that others have but he is just so good at the basic stuff. He is simply reliable and a competitor. Is not flashy just a hard-working team guy with a good footy IQ and a real competitive streak. Lots of questions were asked about his outside game heading into this season and to his credit he asked his coaches himself on how he could be a more rounded player. And then he just came out and did it. His inside game is very good. Clean hands. Good read. Makes quick decisions. Where he has improved is he has worked on his speed off the mark and kept improving his endurance level. The speed of the mark improvement has been evident in his forward play where he has been able to get some separation and present as a lead up target.
Obviously, he is no jet but he simply has second and third and fourth efforts and is smart enough to get into good positions around the ground as well. Kicking on the right is generally above average. On the left it is not much to write home about but he has the ability to use it to get himself out of trouble. He will not change games off his own boot or carry the whole side but he will 100% be one of the bigger reliable cogs in the machine.





Max Kondogiannis. Another medium intercept defender who reads it well. Well above average kick. He is pretty quick and has endurance. His combine results were very good. Has good footy IQ as far as reading the play and cutting off forward entries. He is more lightly framed so he will need to develop body wise which will answer questions on his actual defending. Like Farrow he will also have to fine tune the decision making a little and reign in some of the dare. He has shown he can take the play on and use his dash.
He is a guy they will hope they can develop his frame as he has some serious tools to work with. Captained his school side. We would be looking at him to be an attacking weapon off half back with speed and skill if we can develop him.



Hussien El Achkar. Obviously has a bit of profile for us as he has been in our system and people know a bit about him. Very smart small forward who does not need many touches to make things happen. Has a little bit of speed off the mark but overall, he is not quick. What he has is agility and is very nimble so in close he is able to get out of trouble. His elite ability is creating scoring shots and goal sense. His conversion rate could be better at times but he just keeps creating opportunity. As I mentioned overall, he is not a speed machine and his endurance is nothing to write home about so he will have to improve that area to be any chance of having a secondary role similar to what we saw Kako doing at the back end of the season. Will also have to improve his defensive pressure. The question mark is will his lack of overall speed and endurance effect the level he can reach at AFL level and can he simply rely on stepping himself out of trouble to create scoring chances.

 

[emblurr]

Have to feel a bit sorry for this kid. Went into the night reading mock drafts saying he will be coming to us and dreaming of kicking snags in front 90,000 fans at Dreamtime and ANZAC Day.

Nek minnit he’s drafted to NMFC who have more opposition supporters turn up to their home games than their own fans

Yeah he looked really flat when answering in this video straight after selection

 

[Call Me Cake]

Even if we finished in 17th I'd still go with what we did. The fact that we gained the pick that Hawks initially offered us to make Farrow (a possible Will Day type) a reality is just the icing on the cake.

 

[Old Campaigner]

it has always looked like a draft with very limited star power so if we nail this draft it will be more the fact w have found a few good B grade players who can play a role and work as a cog in the machine going forward to build a good side with good team culture.

It's absolutely zero guarantee of anything but I like in Robey and Farrow we got two kids with late birthdays and potent attributes who showed considerable improvement over the course of the year. The best case is they continue in that trajectory and become those A grade players this draft largely lacked.

 

[Lore]

on the rookie draft controversy, I think rather than age limits, the simplest fix is to say all rookie lists (whether cat a or cat b) are only for people who've never been on an AFL list before. It is a pathway for kids who miss out on the ND or more mature assets or long-term projects from the State leagues or the occasional Irish kid who needs time to learn the game. it shouldn't be a loophole for delisting senior players that you otherwise want to keep (a practice which effectively "eats up" a spot that could have gone to someone getting their shot at the big leagues).

Particularly where that player gets screwed around so that the club can vacuum up draft points and match bids on academy players they otherwise wouldn’t be entitled to match

 

[naraku]

I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but I love that our first 3 picks have size to them.

There is now 180cm tweener-mid/flanker.

They're all AFL sized.

Sharp,Robey and I think Farrow all will he in the midfield in a few years and will compliment Durham,Caldwell, Fiorini, Duursma etc

 

[Call Me Cake]

I'm sure it's been mentioned before, but I love that our first 3 picks have size to them.

There is now 180cm tweener-mid/flanker.

They're all AFL sized.

Sharp,Robey and I think Farrow all will he in the midfield in a few years and will compliment Durham,Caldwell, Fiorini, Duursma etc

I also love that they have height but aren't the typical beanpole types with fragility. Robey is already a machine (90kg), even with the growth spurt he did his due diligence to fill out in the gym so it's all in proportion. It's the complete antithesis to what we've had before.