2012 Draft Discussion

[Swanny10]

I think regardless of Hudson playing on we need to add another Ruck into the mix (at the very least a rookie).

If Huddo retires we may need to go after a more mature type but if he plays on I would probably prefer more of a project type.

Actually if Huddo retires we probably need to add a couple of rucks, perhaps both a mature aged and a project.

 

[POBT]

Huddo staying or going doesn't really change the fact that we need a project ruckman on the list. What it potentially does change is the need to bring in another mature-ish ruckman as insurance.

 

[chopperduck]

Certainly wouldn't want to burn either rucks out next year if we don't have Huddo and one goes down with an injury, more so Longer being the younger one. A mature aged ruck would have to be an option, just as a bit more insurance, along with another rookie project i think.

 

[whatboutbob]

Certainly wouldn't want to burn either rucks out next year if we don't have Huddo and one goes down with an injury, more so Longer being the younger one. A mature aged ruck would have to be an option, just as a bit more insurance, along with another rookie project i think.

I've figured we'll grab one of the GC guys plus a rookie.

 

[POBT]

I just don't expect Longer to be a significantly better player in 12 months. It would be great if he is but ruckmen take time and I don't think another year is suddenly going to make a massive difference in his playing level. I absolutely agree with the desire to avoid burning Leuey and Longer out.

 

[Sunny_]

I've figured we'll grab one of the GC guys plus a rookie.

Nicholls is the one I think we'll probably move on at the end of this year. He'd be your rookie prospect.

 

[whatboutbob]

Nicholls is the one I think we'll probably move on at the end of this year. He'd be your rookie prospect.

Yeah, and if Tippett doesn't come off then I'd make a play for Dixon as well.

 

[POBT]

Nicholls is the one I think we'll probably move on at the end of this year. He'd be your rookie prospect.

Has he done much at reserves level?

 

[Sunny_]

Yeah, and if Tippett doesn't come off then I'd make a play for Dixon as well.

Would be extremely sad if Dixon were to go, but I'm not too worried about it. Very confident he will stay.

Nicholls is doing alright at 2s level, but he's still pretty raw. Unbelievable leap on him though.

 

[Offsider]

Yeah, and if Tippett doesn't come off then I'd make a play for Dixon as well.

Dixon would be a great get as a part-time ruckman and full forward. I think he will become a very good player when he learns to use his body properly and is more fully fit. Nicholls is one I am not so sure on, but as a third/fourth ruck propsect, he would be a good option, he looks like he will only ever be a ruckman, and needs a lot of development time, but is quite athletic. Nicholls may want to return to Victoria, however, but he lives in QLD so we would be an option.

 

[acuguy]

The only ruck we get in now is a 3rd ruck insurance mature player. When you load 2 first rd picks on rucks you don't go to the well again for another 10 years!!!!!

The only key position player i would draft is another defender. Longer must be in the plans to play the majority of his career forward. Berger is definitely going to be our main ruck, Longer forward with either Lisle, Merrett or Retzlaff will be in the plans, that is a potential 10 year key forward position combo.

I hope we pick a project defender and just continue to load up with class movers through the middle.


We need a gun line breaker.

Any suggestions?

 

[Hollow Knight]

Toumpas but he is now well out of the equation for us. It now looks like we'll finish above the Bulldogs, Port, Melbourne, GWS and Gold Coast. That means our highest pick would be pick 8 at best.

 

[Quigley]

On rucks how is Michael going in the ressies?

If Hudson retires I suggest we just go with what we have. A guy I would look at for us in this draft to address the issue is McBean but no way would he be ready to play next year. I was not overly enthused with him as a ruck given the hype but I thought his work at CHB was excellent for a 200cm player. He looks like a really good second ruck / KP prospect reminding me a bit of Keefe. Apart from McBean (and Grundy obviously) the rucks in this draft are as poor as I have seen them. There is simply no one else I would consider taking.

The other thing to consider on the ruck front is that next year Gray will be available as one of our academy guys. FM our academy ruck stocks were talked up by one of the coaching staff so we might not want to overload on young rucks at the moment especially when we have two such good young rucks onboard.

 

[cotter101]

I'd really like to see us grab Jesse Stringer.

 

[whatboutbob]

Just back from the U/18's match vs Tasmania - won by Tassie 9.7.61 to 6.17.53.
Qld had the chances to win, should have won .........and didn't. As you can see from the score line they lacked some finish in front of the sticks, and that was the difference.

I got along to this game too. Agree with most of what you wrote Crusha, except your assessment of Cameron's game. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but wasn't he playing on VDB for much of the game? My impression was VDB towelled him up. Yeah, Cameron's a nice kick, but as far as KPD's go I actually thought Wyld was more impressive.

As for the academy kids, isn't Conway a little clearance machine!

 

[chopperduck]

Good point about the academy stocks Quigs, we might not go down the path of a ruck this year, for that reason. I suppose with Bergs, Longer and Lisle being able to pinch hit, that should be enough cover. You can't really have a good option at 3 and 4. Probably agree with acuguy, a good mover, line breaker would still be nice. We look like we are starting to get some good depth with our mids, but some still aren't sure fire hits.

 

[thoselionslads]

I got along to this game too. Agree with most of what you wrote Crusha, except your assessment of Cameron's game. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but wasn't he playing on VDB for much of the game? My impression was VDB towelled him up. Yeah, Cameron's a nice kick, but as far as KPD's go I actually thought Wyld was more impressive.

As for the academy kids, isn't Conway a little clearance machine!

So Claye played KPD?

 

[whatboutbob]

So Claye played KPD?

For all bar a short stint (5 mins?) forward in the third.

 

[thoselionslads]

For all bar a short stint (5 mins?) forward in the third.

Interesting. Must be trying to add another string to his bow.

I wonder if it's on instruction from the AIS. He played full back for the AIS against Box Hill and was one of their best. Claye told me it was the first time he had played back line in about 5 years but didn't mind it. He has all the tools to be a very good forward imo.

How did Ives and Boston go?

 

[whatboutbob]

Interesting. Must be trying to add another string to his bow.

I wonder if it's on instruction from the AIS. He played full back for the AIS against Box Hill and was one of their best. Claye told me it was the first time he had played back line in about 5 years but didn't mind it. He has all the tools to be a very good forward imo.

How did Ives and Boston go?

Crusha summed it up pretty well. I thought Boston was 2nd QBOG (behind Conway). He's a smooth mover, composed and a good (but low risk) decision maker from half back/wing. Didn't have a heap of hurt factor on his kicks, but that may be partly because of the lack of options being presented further up the ground. I thought Conway was better in the clinches.

Ives got a fair bit of it, but I thought he was pretty wasteful.

ETA: Just looked at the game stats. Ives' disposal efficiency of 38% seems to confirm that, but he had a whopping 11 I50's, so again, the dysfunctional forward line probably didn't help.

 

[thoselionslads]

Crusha summed it up pretty well. I thought Boston was 2nd QBOG (behind Conway). He's a smooth mover, composed and a good (but low risk) decision maker from half back/wing. Didn't have a heap of hurt factor on his kicks, but that may be partly because of the lack of options being presented further up the ground. I thought Conway was better in the clinches.

Ives got a fair bit of it, but I thought he was pretty wasteful.

ETA: Just looked at the game stats. Ives' disposal efficiency of 38% seems to confirm that, but he had a whopping 11 I50's, so again, the dysfunctional forward line probably didn't help.

Thanks.

Boston is a lovely kick sounds a bit conservative with his decision making. Probably not a bad thing though. I saw an NEAFL game earlier this year where he kicked 6-7 goals playing as a small forward, really impressive.

Ives knows how to find it and is good inside, his skills are usually ok without being outstanding from what I've seen previously. A real go-er.

I've only seen Conway live once so I can't really comment on him. Going to make it a mission to see him soon though.

 

[whatboutbob]

Thanks.

Boston is a lovely kick sounds a bit conservative with his decision making. Probably not a bad thing though. I saw an NEAFL game earlier this year where he kicked 6-7 goals playing as a small forward, really impressive.

Ives knows how to find it and is good inside, his skills are usually ok without being outstanding from what I've seen previously. A real go-er.

I've only seen Conway live once so I can't really comment on him. Going to make it a mission to see him soon though.

If I had to oversimplify it, I'd say Conway was the grunt, while Boston was the class. He just looks polished.

 

[cmt26]

Just a quick thought that hasn't been raised in here so far,

Do you think that the addition of Murray Davis to the coaching staff will potentially lead to us grabbing one of the NT Thunder boys? either in the main draft or in the rookie.

I have no doubt that Davis was picked up for coaching rather than recruiting, but if Kerr & co. were to knock on his door, I'm sure he'd be one the best placed people to confirm or deny Hadley's opinion on certain NT Thunder players.

 

[Crusha]

I got along to this game too. Agree with most of what you wrote Crusha, except your assessment of Cameron's game. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but wasn't he playing on VDB for much of the game? My impression was VDB towelled him up. Yeah, Cameron's a nice kick, but as far as KPD's go I actually thought Wyld was more impressive.

As for the academy kids, isn't Conway a little clearance machine!

Having read some negative comments here re. Cameron, prior to seeing him for the first time, meant that I went along with low(ish) expectations (by comparison).
My recollection was that they were not directly opposed for a fair bit of the game (you have to factor in "Alzheimers Impact" with my reports), but you are probably correct.
If that's the case, then I'd reckon that they just about broke even getting clean hands on the ball, with Cameron effecting several crucial spoils as well.
My enthusiasm for Cameron, and as stated equally so for VDB, was not necessarily how they played their positions/matched up on the day, but more so their "Draftability" - both tall, great skills, good decision making etc (anything else can be worked on once in the system).
( Side note: VDB is an over age player - for what that's worth ????)

I have seen a bit more of Conway (than Cameron), and continue to like what I see.
He gives me the feeling that he is the "type" that will thrive in the Development system at AFL club level.
And he has already shown something in the "Ressies" (as a 16y.o.).

I did not notice Wyld too much in the game vs Sandringham, but he was very effective in this match.
Injured his knee late....I hope nothing serious for the lad.

 

[irel]

Just a quick thought that hasn't been raised in here so far,

Do you think that the addition of Murray Davis to the coaching staff will potentially lead to us grabbing one of the NT Thunder boys? either in the main draft or in the rookie.

I have no doubt that Davis was picked up for coaching rather than recruiting, but if Kerr & co. were to knock on his door, I'm sure he'd be one the best placed people to confirm or deny Hadley's opinion on certain NT Thunder players.

This question was asked last year when Murray was appointed and as we know we did not recruit any NT guys.
So obviously our recruiting does not hinge on coaches knowledge or opinions of particular players, but rather the recruiting staff's assessment of the players. As it should be. Our recruiting department in the last few years has been exemplary.