Opinion 2012 draft thread.

[BlackGoanna]

The more I think about Stringer, the closer he gets to my number 1 target in Mayes.

Given the draft is over a week away, I expect him to have overtaken Mayes by then.

When I think Mayes - Jordan Russel comes to mind. No doubt he is a better field kick... I am just worried about intensity... could be wrong though.

Order of preference on who may be available at our pick....

1. Vlastuin - Guaranteed replacement for Scotland, can push Gibbs into the midfield while he is still developing. Great attitude and safe bet.
2. McRae - Proven performer in big games. different type of midfielder than what we have. Nice sidestep and composure. Can develop on the wings/ half forward
3. Stringer take the punt that he still has dome development. Worry about junior prodigies who develop early. Could throw him in the mix next year

If we cant secure one of these perhaps we need to take a longer term view with another key position - perhaps Membrey as a third tall. Could work with Levi and Mitchell

not interested.
Gartlett - we already have one of them.
Simpson - think Oakleigh Nichols. Just get nervous with these types late in the draft
Mayes - as outlined above.

 

[Silvagnis]

This.

Mayes is boring and doesn't get enough of the ball.

I don't think I can look forward to watching a team with: Gibbs, Lucas, Mayes, Yarran.

We have more pressing needs.

I have to at that comment.

That would be a lot better than having a player sitting on the sidelines if he is unable to run like he used to.

Lucas needs to improve his kicking, but the reports on Mayes suggests the other three would hurt sides with their skill and execution. I'd like to draft a hard mid, but another mid/forward who can mark, deliver and finish like Gibbs would add to our 22.

Mayes sounds a similar athlete and type of player to Lucas, only with superior disposal and skill in front of goal.

NAB AFL Combine Results: Didn’t test due to minor knee injury. However has previously tested with AIS-AFL Academy Running Vertical Jump Right - 80cm, 20m Sprint - 2.95 secs, Agility - 7.92 secs, Beep Test - 14.4

X-factor: “A one touch player on the lead and at ground level with an innate ability around goals.”

Mayes could slot into our forwardline/midfield like a Fyfe or Menzel. Or Lucas who broke into our side in round three and looked good before injuries brought him undone.

Think we'd be very interested if Mayes gets to 11.

 

[Amers]

So what is Carlton looking for?

Well, we have delisted a HBF in Russell, and a FP in Kerr and 2 KPD's in Bower and Thornton. (Not that they were good at it, but that was the position on the list they were supposed to fill.)

Other factors, Scotland, Judd, Carrazzo and Waite are all getting older.

IMO, Bootsma is our replacement for Scotland, positionally, not style.

Buckley is our replacement for Simpson on a wing.

We have plenty of young KPF's, so an aging Waite is not a huge issue.

To me, our greatest needs are for replacements for Juddy and Carrazzo, and KPD.

In the draft, I reckon in the 1st rnd will try and go for best available inside mid - Stringer, Vlaustin, Jesse Lonergan, Ben Kennedy. (McCrae or Mayes if they slip.)

I'm guessing we will possably go for a KPD with our 2nd pick. I hear MM likes a tall spine, so think 195cm+, I have no idea who fits this criteria (help anyone?), if there is no quality KPD's there we could go totally different.

3rd rnd - I reckon we have a smokey lined up, similar to Rowe last year, no idea who or what position he will fill. If it's a KPD we could go small again with our 2nd pick to replace Russell maybe.

4th pick - it actually makes sense to find a small forward replacement for Kerr and to put some pressure on Garlett for his spot. Maybe they are seriously looking at Reimers.


Well, thats how I see it, agree?

I guess we all find out on the 22nd.

Go Blues !!!

 

[Triniboy]

The more I think about Stringer, the closer he gets to my number 1 target in Mayes.

Given the draft is over a week away, I expect him to have overtaken Mayes by then.

Stringer or Wines I'd be happy with either. Stringer has Jon Brown presence about him.

 

[Jeremias]

Stringer or Wines I'd be happy with either. Stringer has Jon Brown presence about him.

Would love Wines but I can't see him being available at our selection. I'm basing my opinion (ie. wanting Mayes most, followed by Stringer) according to who I believe realistically will/won't be available.

 

[No1Suspect]

I'd be content with Stringer.

He could be a "super sub" - can play anywhere from flank, on-ball (in stints) to KPP.

AHHH ****! now I want Stringer ..

Haha you crack me up!

 

[Azul]

Mayes-Stringer ? Sounds like a Canadian Bobsledder.

 

[Silvagnis]

Geelong set to pounce on Jake Stringer if his complications from leg break are behind him

Geelong could land one of the biggest steals in next week's AFL national draft following fresh revelations about the powerhouse utility it is lining up with its first choice.

Jake Stringer has tumbled down the draft order because of complications from breaking two bones in his leg 18 months ago.

Recruiters described the 191cm goalkicker's running gait as "atrocious" in the 3km time-trial at last month's AFL draft combine.

Another said it was like he was running on "one leg"

But the Herald Sun can reveal an AFL club official believes Stringer's issues could be resolved inside three months with the help of some modified boots and re-modelling his running style.

Geelong set to pounce on Jake Stringer if his complications from leg break are behind him

 

[smashbox gill]

Geelong set to pounce on Jake Stringer if his complications from leg break are behind him

Geelong set to pounce on Jake Stringer if his complications from leg break are behind him

NO I WANT HIM!

 

[HereComesJuddy]

I really think we will take Nick Vlastuin unless Richmond take him.

One of the best clearance players from this group of kids, a midfielder who can play across half back and leads the team, he thrives on winning the contested ball, he wants to play like Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball and is compared to Brad Sewell. He is a born leader and his playing style is considered brutal. Considered one of the most fearless and physical talents from this years crop.

All the other guys have the pro's and cons, but I think that if he is still available at pick 11, we will most likely take him (unless there is a gun that slides). He just sounds like the type of player that will help us release Gibbs and could potentially take the reigns from Scotland. He is one of the players that is believed could slot in come round 1.

 

[smashbox gill]

I really think we will take Nick Vlastuin unless Richmond take him.

One of the best clearance players from this group of kids, a midfielder who can play across half back and leads the team, he thrives on winning the contested ball, has been compared to Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball and Brad Sewell. He is a born leader and his playing style is considered brutal. Considered one of the most fearless and physical talents from this years crop.

All the other guys have the pro's and cons, but I think that if he is still available at pick 11, we will most likely take him (unless there is a gun that slides). He just sounds like the type of player that will help us release Gibbs and could potentially take the reigns from Scotland. He is one of the players that is believed could slot in come round 1.

Stringer is Vlaustin and more. Good leadership, hard at it contested ball winner, can play anywhere on the field, and can also go forward and provide a target and kick goals as he has better speed

 

[zeeCFC]

I really think we will take Nick Vlastuin unless Richmond take him.

One of the best clearance players from this group of kids, a midfielder who can play across half back and leads the team, he thrives on winning the contested ball, he wants to play like Lenny Hayes, Luke Ball and is compared to Brad Sewell. He is a born leader and his playing style is considered brutal. Considered one of the most fearless and physical talents from this years crop.

All the other guys have the pro's and cons, but I think that if he is still available at pick 11, we will most likely take him (unless there is a gun that slides). He just sounds like the type of player that will help us release Gibbs and could potentially take the reigns from Scotland. He is one of the players that is believed could slot in come round 1.

Would be very happy with Vlastuin. Despite having a bandwagon for 5hits and gigs, Vlastuin would be my no.1 choice of those most likely to be available.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

Stringer is Vlaustin and more. Good leadership, hard at it contested ball winner, can play anywhere on the field, and can also go forward and provide a target and kick goals as he has better speed

Or is he less? The poor guy can't run... I won't complain if we take Stringer, but this leg issue is very concerning. There is a reason why he is spoken about. Whoever takes the risk, may or maynot see him play afl football.

Last month in the time trials, it was said that Stringer looked like he was running on only 1 leg. This is how long after his injury? Atrocious was one word described on his running.

If we did take Stringer, I think people need to keep in mind, that he most likely won't play next year. If he can't run now, whats he going to be like in afl pace? It could take a few more years for his running to come back, if ever.

He is in my top 3 choices, but fear what is already known about him. Right now, he is not ready.

 

[mediumsizered]

Geelong set to pounce on Jake Stringer if his complications from leg break are behind him

Geelong set to pounce on Jake Stringer if his complications from leg break are behind him

Stringer's not going to slide all the way to pick 16. It is all good & well for those writing the article to suggest that Geelong is lining up to pick Stringer with their first pick, but most likely they are not the only ones lining up to pick him. I wonder which Mock Draft on BF they have read to come to this conclusion.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Stringer's not going to slide all the way to pick 16. It is all good & well for those writing the article to suggest that Geelong is lining up to pick Stringer with their first pick, but most likely they are not the only ones lining up to pick him. I wonder which Mock Draft on BF they have read to come to this conclusion.

Stringer won't get past GC or GWS after our pick even if we passed on him. Way too much talent and they can take the risk with his injury.

It's like the ridiculous suggestion Grundy would get out of the top 10. Richmond would have to be sniffing paint flakes behind the table to **** that up

 

[Sin City]

Stringer's not going to slide all the way to pick 16. It is all good & well for those writing the article to suggest that Geelong is lining up to pick Stringer with their first pick, but most likely they are not the only ones lining up to pick him. I wonder which Mock Draft on BF they have read to come to this conclusion.

Slide? 16 still sounds early to me.

 

[mediumsizered]

Stringer won't get past GC or GWS after our pick even if we passed on him. Way too much talent and they can take the risk with his injury.

It's like the ridiculous suggestion Grundy would get out of the top 10. Richmond would have to be sniffing paint flakes behind the table to **** that up

This is exactly what I was thinking.

 

[mediumsizered]

Slide? 16 still sounds early to me.

Judd & Joel Selwood are two obvious examples of why it could be dangerous to rule an extremely talented player out because of previous injuries.

 

[Sin City]

Judd & Joel Selwood are two obvious examples of why it could be dangerous to rule an extremely talented player out because of previous injuries.

And there's countless examples of players who haven't got back to their best after injuries too.

 

[smashbox gill]

Or is he less? The poor guy can't run... I won't complain if we take Stringer, but this leg issue is very concerning. There is a reason why he is spoken about. Whoever takes the risk, may or maynot see him play afl football.

Last month in the time trials, it was said that Stringer looked like he was running on only 1 leg. This is how long after his injury? Atrocious was one word described on his running.

If we did take Stringer, I think people need to keep in mind, that he most likely won't play next year. If he can't run now, whats he going to be like in afl pace? It could take a few more years for his running to come back, if ever.

He is in my top 3 choices, but fear what is already known about him. Right now, he is not ready.

Did you see his VFL form late in the season where he was very very good! was in the top bendigo players each week. His endurance may not be back yet but his footballing ability is still very much there as evident by this form

 

[mediumsizered]

And there's countless examples of players who haven't got back to their best after injuries too.

Very true, but I would hate to think Geelong got themselves another star because other clubs (including us) weren't prepared to back themselves in & take Stringer. Although Gibbs was the obvious #1 in 2006, the teams immediately after us would still be kicking themselves after letting Selwood slip through to Geelong.

 

[HereComesJuddy]

Did you see his VFL form late in the season where he was very very good! was in the top bendigo players each week. His endurance may not be back yet but his footballing ability is still very much there as evident by this form

I won't lie, I didn't see it. Heard all about it. Who did he play on that day? Who had it kicking it down his throat those days? Did you see him at the Under18 Champs?

Jake Stringer
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposal Efficeincy Contested Possessions Tackles Goals
3 10 13 3 56.5% 11 5 0.2

Nick Vlastuin
Matches Kicks Handballs Marks Disposal Efficeincy Contested Possessions Tackles Goals
5 47 36 23 74.7% 38 11 0.0

But when he was amoungst all the guys pushing to get into the afl draft, he didn't cut it. Imagine what he will be like when he has to play against fit men?

I think he could be a superstar, but he may amount to nothing also. As I said, he is in my top few, but I think Vlastuin is a better option for us, especially for pick 11. If Stringer was there at our 2nd pick, I would cry if we didn't take him. But not pick 11.

 

[Sin City]

Very true, but I would hate to think Geelong got themselves another star because other clubs (including us) weren't prepared to back themselves in & take Stringer. Although Gibbs was the obvious #1 in 2006, the teams immediately after us would still be kicking themselves after letting Selwood slip through to Geelong.

I do have him going at 14 despite being ranked a fair bit lower but only because GWS can afford such a high risk. That's easy for me in a phantom but they may want to bolster their defence or take lower risk selections and based on his output he'd then belong back in the mid 20s. Stringer's injury is more like Nathan Brown's, who went from star to barely average player.

 

[Azul]

And there's countless examples of players who haven't got back to their best after injuries too.

Yep, Tom Swift springs to mind. The hype, like Stringer, was that he would go top 5 if not for injuries.

The question recruiters have to ask is with so much talent available in the top dozen, is Stringer really the standout player (i.e. once in a generation Pavlich/Goodes) that requires us to gamble on our only selection in the top 35?

And if he is, surely another club would gamble on him in the first 9 selections...

 

[zeeCFC]

I do have him going at 14 despite being ranked a fair bit lower but only because GWS can afford such a high risk. That's easy for me in a phantom but they may want to bolster their defence or take lower risk selections and based on his output he'd then belong back in the mid 20s. Stringer's injury is more like Nathan Brown's, who went from star to barely average player.

How's Tomlinson tracking at GWS? Not sure they'd like to only have Davis (very good KPP) to be supported by only Mohr. They might have a look at Clurey is my thinking.