2013 Draft Discussion

[luthor]

Was pick 25 the pick we stopped and had a good chat before selecting ?

Yeah....that's my recollection.

It just felt like we must have been agonising over the choice between McStay (probably our prior preference at 25) and Taylor(who we thought would have been long gone by then).

Essendon were widely tipped to take Zac Merrett at 26, so I'm thinking that our fellas were trying to work out what the Suns were likely to do at 27.

Maybe they thought the Suns would grab McStay , so decided to roll the dice on Taylor still being there at 28?.

Whatever, there was absolutely no delay at naming Taylor at 28.....seemed like we couldn't read out his name fast enough.

So we ended up having our cake and eating it

 

[chopperduck]

Yeah, i think 7 we were going best available, 22 was always going to be Gardiner, i think at 25 we had a bit of a think, not sure if it would have been all about Taylor, probably just having a look at who was left, weighing that up against probably wanting another KPD. When 28 came up and he was still there we jumped at him. Id say one of the 30's we were always going to use on Robertson, and Cutler was probably just a best available option at 33, still adding to our defensive theme, but someone who we see that can more so rebound from HB rather than be a shut down type.

It will be interesting to see how our defenders turn out. We didn't seem to really go after a genuine KPD, we just took the defenders we liked. Gardiner might not be able to play the talls at AFL, but you never know. McStay, even though he is more KPD size, i don't really think we got him specifically for that role either, he seems to be a bit more of a project type pick. Someone who has a bit of rebound and just happened to grow an extra few cms. Will be interesting to see how they fall into place in the back 6.

 

[Leuy LongerCombo]

I like the selection of Gardiner, he could be a great 2nd Tall behind Clarke down the track. There are some decent 3rd tall / undersized KP type of players getting around that would be a good match up for him Darling, Gunston, Cameria, Reid etc

Clarke to take the really big blokes like Daniher / Boyd or resting ruck an and Gardiner to take the next KPF. Mcstay I heard has a little Harry Taylor about him, but still very raw. He could make an ideal 3rd tall offering intercepting marking and a little rebound.

I think all 3 can offer something different and could form a potentially solid back 6 with good development. The Good thing about Gardiner and Mcstay being recruited in the same year they can be develop together a form a good partnership

 

[irel]

In all the excitement of drafting the "Pocket Taylor Rocket" one thing that has been missed is the equally excellent pick of Cutler at 33. Cutler's drop in the draft was of equal proportions to Taylor's.

Cutler was always regarded as the second best defensive utility behind Scharenburg. In most opinions he was rated in the 10-20 range with the Swans being his likely destination with pick 16. Emma Quale has him rated at 19 in her top 25 draftees list. http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/afl/emma-quayles-top-25-draftees-20131115-2xmtr.html
Interesting that Emma has Aish at 3, Lewis at 10, Cutler at 19 and Gardiner at 25.

To also take Robertson with pick 34 (bar for his year of injury a potential first rounder) I think is an excellent outcome.

 

[whatboutbob]

^with descriptions:

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-lads-most-likely-20131116-2xo46.html

3. JAMES AISH

(Norwood, 184cm, 79kg)
Aish has poise, composure and a way of knowing how things are going to pan out. You feel comfortable when the ball is in his hands, because he sizes things up and makes such sensible decisions. He's faced some challenges this year, coming back from a shoulder reconstruction and getting used to being tagged. He's played two years of senior football for Norwood as an outside sweeper, and is used to adhering to structures and doing what his team needs him to do.
Who will pick him? The Saints will have researched but he seems likely to go from pick 4-7. A nice surprise for Collingwood or Brisbane?

10. LEWIS TAYLOR
(Geelong Falcons, 175cm, 75kg)
Taylor loves being busy. Loves the give-and-go, zig zags all over the ground, and it feels like he's playing on fast-forward at times. He has pace, and that combined with his foot skills makes up for the fact he's so small. He's highly independent and knows how to look out for himself. Adds energy, on and off the field.
Who will pick him? He should get taken in the teens, perhaps GWS or Fremantle. Most of the clubs around there have spent a lot of time on him. Shouldn't get out of the top 20.


19. TOM CUTLER
(Oakleigh Chargers, 192cm, 84kg)
A strong, powerful player, who could play off half-back or through the middle. Cutler is driven, and asks a lot of himself. He missed games this year through injury, but got himself into excellent shape for the combine and worked hard to remind everyone there of his athletic abilities. If he works as a midfielder, he'll be hard to match up on given his height and power. A thoughtful personality who likes to take things in.
Who will pick him? Probably won't get past Adelaide's first pick, but could go before then, somewhere in the late teens.

25. DARCY GARDINER
(Geelong Falcons, 194cm, 86kg)
Gardiner's the standout key back in this group. He's extremely competitive and plays fairly close to the edge. Despises being beaten and is a close checker who doesn't like giving opponents too much room to move. Loves to spoil, but likes having the ball in his hands too. He's not huge, so it remains to be seen how he'll go playing on 200-centimetre forwards. But he'll give you a contest, every time.
Who will pick him? He's a top-30 pick, it will just depend on clubs' priorities and how many midfielders get out of the teens. Should go somewhere in the first 30.

 

[pauldrc]

I like the selection of Gardiner, he could be a great 2nd Tall behind Clarke down the track. There are some decent 3rd tall / undersized KP type of players getting around that would be a good match up for him Darling, Gunston, Cameria, Reid etc

Clarke to take the really big blokes like Daniher / Boyd or resting ruck an and Gardiner to take the next KPF. Mcstay I heard has a little Harry Taylor about him, but still very raw. He could make an ideal 3rd tall offering intercepting marking and a little rebound.

I think all 3 can offer something different and could form a potentially solid back 6 with good development. The Good thing about Gardiner and Mcstay being recruited in the same year they can be develop together a form a good partnership

We may also have our eyes on someone coming up next year as a tall key back, or may be developing Bourke or someone else for that sort of role....

 

[Dan12]

Yeah....that's my recollection.

It just felt like we must have been agonising over the choice between McStay (probably our prior preference at 25) and Taylor(who we thought would have been long gone by then).

Essendon were widely tipped to take Zac Merrett at 26, so I'm thinking that our fellas were trying to work out what the Suns were likely to do at 27.

Maybe they thought the Suns would grab McStay , so decided to roll the dice on Taylor still being there at 28?.

Whatever, there was absolutely no delay at naming Taylor at 28.....seemed like we couldn't read out his name fast enough.

So we ended up having our cake and eating it

Essendon had an even longer discussion than our blokes did. I reckon they were having a similar dilemma between Merrett, their original preference, and someone like Taylor who they didn't expect to be there. I don't recall the Suns wasting any time with their selection. Maybe our guys thought Essendon could nab McStay?

 

[Madkeenlions]

We drafted Borat!!

 

[luthor]

Essendon had an even longer discussion than our blokes did. I reckon they were having a similar dilemma between Merrett, their original preference, and someone like Taylor who they didn't expect to be there. I don't recall the Suns wasting any time with their selection. Maybe our guys thought Essendon could nab McStay?

Yeah....could be.

Must admit, I was a bit surprised at GC taking Lemmens so rapidly. That was a bit of a left fielder in itself, wasn't it?

I'm a bit of an amateur when it comes to this whole draft thing but am I wrong in thinking that Lemmens didn't exactly feature highly in any of the plethora of "phantom" drafts bandied around before the event?

 

[SizeMatters]

The suns are in a position to take anyone in the draft regardless of the risks involved. The selections they took in the draft were definitely pre-planned and they stuck to it even with some highly rated sliders. KK and Lemmens are both rebounding defenders who can play in the midfield, while Leslie is a key defender who can play in the ruck for stints. The Suns must rate Lynch, Day and Dixon to really come on this year as they have not taken a key forward prospect since their inaugural draft.

 

[SizeMatters]

after rewatching the 2nd round of the draft the Lions took a bit of time to read out McStay, Taylor and Cutlers name. From the snippets I have read about Taylor being too good to pass up etc. I was surprised they took a bit of time to read out his name. I think they were discussing if selecting Taylor would be a better payoff than Robinson for example, who they may have thought would be snapped up by WCE at 31. I have no doubt that Robinson was going to be selected at 28 if Taylor hadn't slid that far. Just lucky that WCE got some other hack instead.

 

[Dan12]

Yeah....could be.

Must admit, I was a bit surprised at GC taking Lemmens so rapidly. That was a bit of a left fielder in itself, wasn't it?

I'm a bit of an amateur when it comes to this whole draft thing but am I wrong in thinking that Lemmens didn't exactly feature highly in any of the plethora of "phantom" drafts bandied around before the event?

I think GC just pre-planned who they were going to take and 'reached' for all their players. They're in a position with such unbelievable talent that they can draft specific needs. That's why they got KK instead of Aish. I guess Leslie and Lemmens, whoever they are, also filled those specific needs.

 

[James North]

That could be right. Apologies is that's the case SizeMatters.

We need a damn 'sarcasm' emoticon or somefing.

Not sure if this has been brought up by any discerning folk?

 

[Ray Button]

We may also have our eyes on someone coming up next year as a tall key back, or may be developing Bourke or someone else for that sort of role....

I still think Sam Michael is a chance to eventually replace Rog Merrett. He's a big boy now, and will be an absolute monster in a year or two. He reminds me a bit of Merrett in his unco early days. He has the size to go with the Boyd/Hawkins types.

Clarke reminds me more of Leppitsch, with the potential to do those attacking runs out of CHB.

 

[SizeMatters]

Michael is very top heavy and will take a while to get his legs bigger so he can lower his centre of gravity a bit. Look at Goose who has huge quads he is almost impossible to push out of the way in a 1v1. His core is very strong and that's why he can be CHB at a shortish height.

 

[rockypls]

 

[38Rockliff38]

Where's robbo and gardiner

 

[Harris Specter]

If that's a welcome committee at the airport, that's a fantastic gesture by the Lions staff.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Where's robbo and gardiner

Got homesick on the taxi ride to the airport. Gone home to mum.

 

[Gibbo_88]

Who's the one on the right, he's going to be huge!

 

[Hollow Knight]

Who's the one on the right, he's going to be huge!

Tom Cutler.

 

[dlanod]

I don't remember taking the one on the left in the draft.

 

[Morgs_]

Where's robbo and gardiner

Robertson is flying in this arvo and Darcy is getting in on Friday after high school graduation.

Robertson has landed.

 

[rockypls]

Josh Green clone.

 

[Harris Specter]

At the Lions' den