Competitions 2012 AFC Draft Game - The Discussion and First Round Judging Thread

[Mad Fan of AFL]

Sando's Spikes

F: Garlett - Koschitzke - Howe
HF: Monfries - Franklin - Varcoe
C: S. Hill - Polkinghorne - Reimers
HB: E. Wood - Gilbert - Hurn (vc)
B: A. McGrath - Hooker - Grover (dvc)

Foll: Jolly (dvc) Cooney (c) Leroy Jetta

Int: Bellchambers, Sheppard, Brett Ebert Sub: Shoenmakers

Extended Interchange: Crowley, Dev Smith, Cripps

Ok, my opinion for what it is worth:

Forwardline: Franklin is obviously the draw card and my focal point in attack. He is able to run like the wind and easily kick bags of goals. Justin K is my other tall focal point and when he is in form he is able to kick his 3 or 4 goals per match. Surrounding these guys is plenty of x-factor who can kick many goals and apply forward pressure. There is many blokes who can go in here. Reimers, Hill, Jetta, Varcoe, Garlett, McGrath, Smith and Cripps provide excellent small/medium options. Howe provides a third tall who is promising.

Defence: A solid defence with Gilbert been my star tall. Hooker provides another solid tall to keep the monster forwards quiet. Grover is powerful and plays on taller forwards if required. Hurn and Easton Wood provides great run and carry ability with their good long penetrating kicking.

Midfield/Ruck. This is my weakest area. Jolly is an experienced ruck and he is just a huge man that will provide first use of the ball to my midfielders. Cooney is my other drawcard here. Exceptional ball user and winner and former Brownlow winner. Reimers and Hill provide pace on the wings whilst Polkinghorne is a noted clearance player and excells at the stoppages. Many of the small/medium forwards can play in the middle are hard at it and can rack up the numbers whilst been good ball users.

 

[FAITH]

Is interesting, had my favourites before I started rating, but havent done as well as I thought they would. Likewise, the team I have ranked 1st was a bit of a surprise packet. Really wish people would post their teams here so I can finish it off...

I had 2 teams in mind as my favs going into the rankings.
after rankings they finished 2nd and 4th, so 2 teams came out of nowhere.
Have to say my no 1 ranked team is a beauty just one small issue.

 

[Footypie32]

Question, do I have to follow the set criteria and give a value out of 100, or can I use my own rankings/means of giving a winner?

Can you do both? Would be better if we got everyones rating out of 100 score, just to get a more comprehensive result. You might also find if you do both they might end up fairly similar anyway. If you do only do 1 though, post the 1 that gives me a higher score...

 

[Stripple]

The Thundercats!

F: J King, I Folau, M Stokes
HF: L Dunn, K Tippet, J Brennan
C: L Montagna, J Ziebell, R Henderson
HB: J Gram, J Rivers, H Shaw
B: P Pupolo, B Rutten, D Jackson
R: T Goldstein, D Swan, B Stanton
Int: D Rodan, B Peak, E Curnow, J Jenkins

EMG: W Hoskin-Elliott, D Brogan, D Pfeiffer

The Rundown

Avg Games: 91.92 (3 zero gamers)
Avg Age: 25 years 7 months
Score for 2011: 252.176.1688

Think I have a pretty strong Midfield with most of my elite talent falling in that category. All of my non KPF and Backs can run through there are well giving me lots of rotations and versatility. Wings are a bit of question mark, having Montagna on one side is a sure thing but Henderson needs to add some aggression to his game to pay off.

I have a real class 1st Ruck in Toddy who can also provide some support around the ground, if he continues his trend from 2011 will be in the top 2 Rucks in the league in a year or two. My second ruck is a bit more cloudy with Jenkins an unknown, could be great could not get a game, worst comes to worst Tips can back up Toddy a bit.

Forward line is not the strongest as Folau is a real unknown if he turns out all right then him pairing with Tips will provide a pretty solid base with my pockets in King and Stokes to crumb off the packs. Brennan and Dunn provide a bit of a different option with more leading and marking opportunities.

Backs are pretty solid with lots of rebound in Gram, Pupolo, and Shaw. Rutten and Rivers to handle the gorillas, with Jackson taking third tall/spare man in defence. Think Rutten is still a gun and is rarely killed in a contest.

Bench is mainly mids, lots of rotations. Emergencies are a mix of mature body back ups and potential picks.

Pretty happy over all with my team and there is only one deficiency I would really like to fix but in a game like this one area is always going to fall short in comparison to your others.

On a side not have loved playing this game, been a real enjoyable experience and would do it again in a heartbeat. My rankings will be PM'd by tomorrow evening.

 

[BACCS]

The Sloanedawgs:

F: Blair, Green, L. Jones
HF: McGylnn, Waite, Ellard
C: Ray, Thompson, L. Anthony
HB: Mackie, B. Reid, Russell
B: C. Brown, Gibson, Duffield
Foll: Jacobs, Pendlebury (C), J. Lewis
I/C: Bird, Gaff, Thornton
S: A. Smith
E: Stiller, Zorko, Hudson

Forwards:

Probably the weakest point of my team, but it is still quite solid. Green kicked nearly 60 odd goals in 2010, with another 37 in 2011 in a pretty average year by his standards. Is a good lead up forward for his size, which outweighs his average one on one marking with the gorilla fullbacks. The only issue with Waite is staying on the park, because otherwise with delivery from a sublime midfield of Pendlebury, Lewis, Thompson, Gaff and Bird (very much like he has at Carlton), he can easily be a 50+ goal a year forward. McGylnn and Ellard are good lead up options on the flanks, and are usually reliable kicks on goal. Jones provides that extra tall and showed in 2011 that he'll be a fine player. Finally, Blair has been a revelation in the Collingwood side and plays well above his size, but also crumbs well.

Midfield:

Easily my strongest position. Thompson, Pendlebury and Lewis are all A grade mids, and would compete with any other midfield put up against them. Pendles and Lewis are also noted goalkickers, so could easily rest down there while Gaff and Bird provide some relief in the midfield. Jacobs is a very handy ruck, and after a very good first season with Adelaide, will only get better as he improves tapping to advantage (shouldn't be too much of a problem with this midfield anyway!). Ray is a very underrated winger for the Saints and will provide plenty of drive, while Anthony is a big accumulator of the ball and can use it well. Hudson as emergency will provide emergency cover for Jacobs, who unless injured, should play close to 100% game time anyway (as he did with us).

Backline:

A very close 2nd to the mids as the strongest position in my side. Everyone already knows that Reid and Gibson are absolute quality, and are elite in their areas. Mackie has always been a solid performer for the Cats and rebounded very strongly in 2011 after a relatively poor 2010, while Russell has improved dramatically in the last 5 or so seasons for Carlton and finished top 3 in their B&F in 2010 (also a good user of the ball by foot). Brown is a former AA from an extremely good side in Hawthorn, and if he stays away from the tribunal, will play on the talls or smalls as required and perform, as he always does. Duffield is a more than handy defender to provide drive from the backline, and would be perfect as my loose man.

Bench/Emergencies:

Gaff and Bird are quality young mids, and will provide relief for the mids or wingers. Thornton has been a very reliable swingman for Carlton over a decade, and is a handy play to have in the side. Ash Smith is the perfect sub, able to come on and provide immediate run and dash from the wing or backline. To the emergencies... Stiller is a handy run with player, Hudson will provide relief for Jacobs and while Zorko is an unknown, Brisbane is very confident that he'll be able to have an immediate impact down forward or in the midfield as a mature ager.

 

[BACCS]

I'll have my judging of other teams in by Monday or Tuesday.

 

[Hank93]

I'll try and pm my scores to Kristof in the next couple of days. There still are quite a few teams who haven't posted their team yet.

For the people that have started rating teams, was it time consuming?

 

[hendo8888]

Takes about 5 minutes per team.
Depends how in depth you want to make it.

 

[Mego Red]

SENDING ME SCORES

Cut and paste the following list into a PM, with a score out of 100 next to each name (or a N/A next to your team.

1. Carl Spackler - The Gophers
2. Footypie32 - The Anti-Crows
3. Mad Fan of AFL - Sando's Spikes
4. Blackbird RGB - Hell's Feather Busters
5. Stripple - the Thundercats
6. BACCS - The Sloanedawgs
7. Roo2macca - The Maccaroos
8. Buzzasto - The Lismore Lions
9. Crows are the best - Kenworth Trucks
10. Hendo888 - The Foo Fighters
11. Freddy Bassett - Club 119-138-165
12. Hdecure - The Crippled Crows
13. Kristof - The Stringer Bellends
14. ringo200 - The Ringo Starrs
15. Lawrst - The Memes
16. Faith - Faith FC
17. Adelaide Fan 14 - The A Team
18. Bacon8 - Total Bacon Domination

 

[Mego Red]

I will add up all scores received by 10am, Thursday January 19.

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

The Lismore Lions


Hayden Ballantyne|Tommy Walsh|Mark LeCras
Ricky Petterd|Jack Watts|David Armitage
Hamish Hartlett|Tom Scully|Nathan Fyfe
Josh Drummond|Tom Lonergan|Nick Lower
Stephen Gilham|Brian Lake|Dyson Heppell

Orren Stephenson|Mark Murphy|Matt Priddis

Matt Deboer|Rhys Palmer|Jonothan Griffin

Jared Polec

Aaron Cornelius|Taylor Hunt|Simon Hogan​

Defenders

If you look at recent Premiership sides, (Hawthorn, Collingwood and in particular Geelong) a premiership is built on a stable and reliable defence and I believe that the Lismore Lions have stability in abundance. An inform Brian Lake is unquestionably among the best full-backs in the league and I truly think that a backroom reshuffle and the addition of Brendan McCartney will give him a new lease of life. Tom Longergan's back half of 2011 was immense, combining to keep Cloke and Dawes' potentially huge impact in the grand final to an absolute minimum. Meanwhile, having a key defender like Stephen Gilham as a third tall and able to shut down any opposition 3rd key (Gunston, A.Walker, Jurrah) is an absolute luxury. That leaves Dyson Heppell to mop-up like he did throughout the season, Drummond to use his golden boot to launch attacks and the likes of Rhys Palmer and Nick Lower to play a strong accumulator role out of half back as often a loose player in attacking situations (ie; Deledio, Houli ect.)


Midfielders

One of the top 5 midfielders in the AFL (Murphy), a clearance king with the most damaging in an under handball in the game (Priddis) with a James Hird like utility with a sky-high limit (Fyfe) form a Lions' engine room oozing of class and talent both inside and out. Those alone are a very impressive line-up, but then there is Tom Scully who is only beginning his career with absolutely flawless ability (loyalty? Thats another question ), Hamish Hartlett who is frighteningly similar to Judd in his early days (I really like him, which says a lot considering he plays for Pooooort) and Jared Polec who can become very elite very quickly and would be a hot chance to win the rising star after an injury plagued 2011. Competing behind them, are Matt Deboer who is the ultimate team man and is extremely highly rated out West, David Armitage- a full-throttle inside player that loves the dirty stuff and Geelong's Simon Hogan and Taylor Hunt who will battle for Cameron Ling's role as a number #1 tagger and will both play significant roles in a charge toward another Premiership. I am absolutely thrilled with how my midfield has come together! Orren Stephenson and Jonathan Griffin form quite possibly the most under-pressure ruck division in the game but I rate Stephenson a lot higher than most. Having said this, I believe that a strong midfield can easily account for an under-strength ruckman (Collingwood and Hawthorn during most of 2011) and these two must simply provide a strong contest on a consistent basis.


Forwards

Could be considered a weakness to many but I am very pleased with how it has come together and fits the style I had in mind. Going into the draft, I realised that competition for key forwards would be very high and a number (with the obvious exception of Franklin) will go above their value. While I realise their importance I looked at another strategy to kick a winning score and focussed on the Carlton model of 2011. The two targets out of the goal square are Tommy Walsh and Aaron Cornelius. Cornelius has done a few good things and is the back-up, but on the back of his outstanding International Rules Series and sky high potential, Walsh will be the key target. I don't expect him to kick 4 or 5 goals a game, I simply expect him to lead out of the goal-square, create a contest when it comes his away and those around him will be put the points on the board. I see his role in my side as being similar to Carlton's plethora of rotating forwards during 2011 that although didn't kick many goals, brought those around them into the game. At Centre Half Forward, one word describes Jack Watts and that is "Carey". So much about Watts during 2011 screamed Duck and he will be a traditional lead-up CHF while doubling back and be the main option under the forward line. He has an enormous tank and lightning speed and his lead will be very instrumental. Expected to score bags will be Mark LeCras, from the West Coast Eagles. Played in a more team orientated role in the midfield during 2011, I expect LeCras to move back to the forward line and "whizz around" which he did so successfully during 2009/10. Likewise, Ricky Petterd will be expected to perform both attacking and defensive roles and Ballantyne- he is the best defensive forward in the game. Not much more can be said.

Completed a Lismore Lions write-up. Will do ratings and the do tomorrow, that took me way longer than I planned.

 

[Mego Red]

Three paragraphs of support, Buzz. It has to be fair to everyone.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Lots of writing there Buzz... who are you trying to convince? Us or you?

 

[Footypie32]

-1 Buzzasto for having your team the wrong way round. Rules are rules!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Team: The Gophers

Nickname: Varmint Cong

Logo:

Final Team:
F Chris Mayne ---- Josh Kennedy (wce) ---- Matt Campbell
HF Daniel Wells ---- Nathan Vardy ---- Jake Melksham
C David Mundy ---- Michael Rischitelli ---- Callan Ward
HB Chris Yarran ---- Lachie Hansen ----Nick Malceski
B Ben Stratton ---- Harry Taylor ---- Sam Butler
1R David Hille ---- Josh Kennedy (syd) ---- Gary Ablett Jnr
INT Jordan Roughead ---- Lindsay Gilbee ---- Daniel Connors ---- (Travis Colyer)
EMER David Astbury ---- Cale Morton ---- Charlie Dixon

My team kicks ass. A midfield to die for; Gablett, Kennedy, Rischitelli, Ward, Mundy, Wells... oozes quality, smarts, hardness and contested ball winners. Don't mind the look of Melksham and Colyer either as part of the rotation though they are obviously unproven. The quality at ground level compensates somewhat for a weakness in the ruck division.

There is quality at either end of the ground with Harry Taylor and Josh Kennedy. These guys are in their prime. Both will be around the mark for AA selection. Taylor's 2nd and 3rd defensive tall helpers aren't superstars though this is the one area of the ground where you can skimp on spending money and get away with it (though I reckon Stratton will be a ripper but that's highly speculative at this stage). Kennedy's goal kicking support acts (Mayne and Campbell) have upside but aren't yet proven performers.

Midfield and two quality bookends is obviously the strength of my team. Rucks and 2nd/3rd talls at each end obviously the weakness. I do like the Yarran-Malceski-Butler combo down back too. A touch of class and some reliable performers. The other negative is that Nathan Vardy and Daniel Wells are coming off injuries. Might be late starters but remember... we're picking which team would be the best in 2012. Not Round 1 2012.

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Sorry guys, I do understand your points- a lot of boring reading!

Most of my posts throughout the competition have been highly positive and very in-depth. It is a combination of watching a lot of football and understanding players well, loving the recruiting side of the game and in particular this game and my general application and writing style. But I can most definitely concur, it is extremely positive!

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Ff. Schneider pavlich kreuzer

hf. Sidebottom t.cloke sherman

c. Zaharakis j.watson mackay

hb. Adcock t.williams h.obrien

fb. Toovey fletcher t.hunt


1st. t.west corey selwood


res. S.edwards masten m.johnson cunnington


emg logan everitt b.mclean

There an initial there we should know about?

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

Well, I've finished scoring most of the teams. Just waiting on Lawrst, AdelaideFan14 and Bacon 8.

So far my highest team is only in the 70's. I don't know if that means I'm marking it harder? Oh well.

The 'perfect scores' I have awarded so far have been:
BACCS - Inside Mids
Freddy Bassett - Tall Forwards
Footypie32 - Small/Mid-sized forwards
Roo2macca - Tall Defenders
Blackbird RGB & FAITH - Rucks
Footypie32 & Mad Fan of AFL - X Factor

Is tight at the top

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Three paragraphs of support, Buzz. It has to be fair to everyone.

I completely mis-read this

It has now been corrected, sorry- definetely not intentional.

 

[BACCS]

Well, I've finished scoring most of the teams. Just waiting on Lawrst, AdelaideFan14 and Bacon 8.

So far my highest team is only in the 70's. I don't know if that means I'm marking it harder? Oh well.

The 'perfect scores' I have awarded so far have been:
BACCS - Inside Mids
Freddy Bassett - Tall Forwards
Footypie32 - Small/Mid-sized forwards
Roo2macca - Tall Defenders
Blackbird RGB & FAITH - Rucks
Footypie32 & Mad Fan of AFL - X Factor

Is tight at the top

I feel so validated now!

 

[FAITH]

Sorry guys, I do understand your points- a lot of boring reading!

Most of my posts throughout the competition have been highly positive and very in-depth. It is a combination of watching a lot of football and understanding players well, loving the recruiting side of the game and in particular this game and my general application and writing style. But I can most definitely concur, it is extremely positive!

Enjoyed the read buzz

 

[FAITH]

I'll try and pm my scores to Kristof in the next couple of days. There still are quite a few teams who haven't posted their team yet.

For the people that have started rating teams, was it time consuming?

took me an hr.
ive got my rankings done and dusted

 

[FAITH]

There an initial there we should know about?

Freddy almost had me fooled.
Thought it was Jselwood

 

[FAITH]

Well, I've finished scoring most of the teams. Just waiting on Lawrst, AdelaideFan14 and Bacon 8.

So far my highest team is only in the 70's. I don't know if that means I'm marking it harder? Oh well.

The 'perfect scores' I have awarded so far have been:
BACCS - Inside Mids
Freddy Bassett - Tall Forwards
Footypie32 - Small/Mid-sized forwards
Roo2macca - Tall Defenders
Blackbird RGB & FAITH - Rucks
Footypie32 & Mad Fan of AFL - X Factor

Is tight at the top

My top team got 80, 2nd place got 75, 3rd-5th place got 70.

 

[Footypie32]

Well, I've finished scoring most of the teams. Just waiting on Lawrst, AdelaideFan14 and Bacon 8.

So far my highest team is only in the 70's. I don't know if that means I'm marking it harder? Oh well.

The 'perfect scores' I have awarded so far have been:
BACCS - Inside Mids
Freddy Bassett - Tall Forwards
Footypie32 - Small/Mid-sized forwards
Roo2macca - Tall Defenders
Blackbird RGB & FAITH - Rucks
Footypie32 & Mad Fan of AFL - X Factor

Is tight at the top

I think I've probably been a bit more lenient with my marking. Have 2 teams in the 80's and 2 on 79, but dont reckon it matters that much. Have given out 2 scores of 1 in certain categories. Have 4 or 5 midfields that I really rate. Its gonna be close...