Mega Thread 2013 Official Draft Thread

[tigs2010]

Anybody else going to the TAC Cup prelims tomorrow?

tigs2010 TFLUA-Tiger Tigerbob

Nah, I have assignments coming out of my arse at the moment. Ridiculous. Tried to knock one off last night so I could go and only got through 1/5 of it.

 

[captain cotch 9]

Ben Cavarra as a rookie? I played with his brother John
He is a gun just a little to short

 

[Grockadoc]

Ben Cavarra as a rookie? I played with his brother John
He is a gun just a little to short

Won't even get to the rookie draft. Will most likely go mid to late second round or early 3rd round.

 

[Grockadoc]

Just a side note guys:

We had Nick Bourke and Ben Lennon train with us during the the pre-season last year for a week or two as part of the AIS Academy.

The last two people to have trained with Richmond as part of the AIS academy have both gone on to be drafted by the Tigers. (Trent Cotchin and Liam McBean.)

Here's hoping the trend continues and that Lennon can slip to our pick. He is a deadset gun.

 

[Frustrated Tiger]

Anyone think we should draft Chris Cain? 26yo 181cm 83kg from Port Melbourne. He moves like andrew swallow but has better skills. Averaging 27 disposals, 5 tackles, 4 clearances and runs forward to kick goals. He's a very smart player and a good tackler. The only reason he wasnt drafted was he had lower back problems, seems over it now. Cmon tiges get him!

Hi Chris. ...

 

[Dragonss]

Just a side note guys:

We had Nick Bourke and Ben Lennon train with us during the the pre-season last year for a week or two as part of the AIS Academy.

The last two people to have trained with Richmond as part of the AIS academy have both gone on to be drafted by the Tigers. (Trent Cotchin and Liam McBean.)

Here's hoping the trend continues and that Lennon can slip to our pick. He is a deadset gun.

Almost forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.

If Dunstan, Sheed, Salem and Lennon were available at our pick would you still choose Lennon?

From what ive seen on the phantom draft board and from boundforglory he seems like a deledio who can play back, forward and midfield and can also use the ball well.

 

[Danog]

Almost forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.

If Dunstan, Sheed, Salem and Lennon were available at our pick would you still choose Lennon?

From what ive seen on the phantom draft board and from boundforglory he seems like a deledio who can play back, forward and midfield and can also use the ball well.

I would.

 

[Grockadoc]

Almost forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.

If Dunstan, Sheed, Salem and Lennon were available at our pick would you still choose Lennon?

From what ive seen on the phantom draft board and from boundforglory he seems like a deledio who can play back, forward and midfield and can also use the ball well.

It's an interesting question, Dragonss. And one that is going to divide many, many people. These are my thoughts.

Lennon seems to be the most purely talented, well rounded player of those 4. Just seems to do everything well. Can play back, forward and midfield much like Lids, but he has a better (not by much, though) inside game, isn't as quick as Deledio, his kicking is almost on the same level and can easily roost it 60 meters. He has VERY good goal sense on the run, and with snaps, but his set shot kicking can be erratic, much like Lids. Very strong mark, especially overhead. Will fit in well with players who can play all over the ground: Ellis, Vlastuin and Lids. Would be a perfect partner in crime for Lids, in that he can be very damaging with just a handful of disposals and we can swap them both around from Half Back to the Midfield and not lose out much in either position. I see him doing the most damage from the wing in that he can swing either forward or back as needed, or on half back in Newy's role where he can use his booming kick to penetrate opposition zones and presses. Can fade in and out of games, but he does have the capability to tear the game apart with one passage.



Sheed is one of the most talented midfielders in the draft. He is a work horse, and an accumulator, averaging 28 possessions a game at 74% DE, 6 Clearances, 4 inside 50's and a goal a game. Can play inside and play outside and his footskills are a real feature. Isn't afraid to put his body on the line. In terms of his movement, I see him very much like Reece Conca in that, he isn't a slouch, but he is not overly quick, however, he is clever at finding space and time where there is none. What he lacks in speed, he makes up for in endurance. Very much a similar player to Simon Black. He is also clever playing as a forward in that he protects the drop of the ball perfectly. He is average overhead, but he does have excellent finishing ability. The one knock on Sheed I have is he seems to be very one paced, but as I said, he is very good at finding space, so I don't think that would affect him too much. Would instantly set our midfield up for the next decade, and we can focus on other things. He is a very consistent player. He will have a bad game maybe once every 20 games, but the other 19 will be more or less the same and at a pretty high level.



Dunstan is an interesting one for me. I think he is almost a carbon copy of Dustin Martin, but doesn't have that explosive first couple of steps that Dustin has, nor is he as physically strong as Dustin. He is pretty much ready to go though. Unlike Dustan he has elite Leadership Skills, and would be a future captain at most clubs in the AFL, but at Richmond I don't think he would be, given the leadership skills of Cotchin and Vlastuin. Would certainly be a vice captain to Vlas though. Much like Dustin, he is very good both inside and outside. His disposal by hand is elite and he has an uncanny knack of finding a player with time and space from the bottom of a pack. His kicking is, for the most part good, but not outstanding. He is very, very good when played as a forward. He uses his strong body to hold out opponents in marking contests, and is very good overhead and knows where the goals are. He is a damaging player. He isn't as explosive off the mark as Dustin, but he has a very similar fitness base to Martin in that he will only be able to put in a solid 2 quarters until he builds it up. Won't see him become a consistent player for a few years until he establishes a decent fitness base, but he would be very good lining up on a Half Forward Flank with Dusty on the other.



Salem is the one that I think represents the most immediate need for the team, and the type of player that Francis seems to have taken in the draft of late. He won't end up as an elite talent, or at least, at this stage, I don't think he will, but he will be a very solid 200 gamer much like Ellis and Conca and possibly Vlastuin (who I think has the potential to become an Elite AFL player.). The most impressive feature for me that Salem possesses is his fanatical desire to hunt the ball and the man. He has a solid body for someone of his height, and he really uses it to his advantage. He is a tackling and harassing machine. When he tackles he tackles with intent and almost seems to enjoy hurting the opposition (which is a good trait to have in my opinion). He is also selfless in that he will provide shepherds to opposition players if it means his teammate would have more time and space, or be in a better position to help the team, instead of wanting the handball receive. He has above average pace but will bust a gut running all day, and will grind himself into the ground for the team, and he isn't afraid to take the game on and run and carry the ball if he has space and time to do so, so he does have some linebreaking ability. His kicking is elite for the most part, but he is prone to missing some pretty simple targets, but then again, Lids and Newy are as well. He doesn't have as high a ceiling as the other three, but he is probably the most team orientated of them all. He is very much in the mould of Luke Hodge.



There is one other player that I sincerely hope we look at though:

Nathan Freeman: Probably the most exciting prospect in the draft, for me. He has the ability to become one of, if not the BEST player in this draft. He is an absolute rarity in the AFL in that he is almost a carbon copy of Patrick Dangerfield. He has a very, very good inside game, but also has an explosive pace away from a contest that no-one, other than Judd in his prime, or Dangerfield now, possess. Absolute contested ball machine and clearance machine. Along with his pace, he has amazing agility and one of the better sidesteps in traffic I've seen in a long time. He is a very good mark overhead, and strong in one on one contests, and protects the ball drop to perfection. His kicking is almost elite, and he can hit targets from a variety of distances, but he is also very clever, in that he knows his limitations, and doesn't try to bite off more than he can chew. On the run, he is an elite shot at goal, and his set shots are pretty good as well. Freeman, along with Jack Martin, and possibly Ben Lennon are the only ones in this draft (Or so I believe), that are genuine game changers. Freeman is an extremely damaging footballer, and could become one of the best players in the AFL in his prime. He needs to work on his handballs in contested situations, though as, like most inside midfielders, he has a tendency to just slam the ball onto his boot, and he needs to work on his outside game, as he doesn't really find as many uncontested possessions that someone like him should. If he can do this, he is going to be an absolute jet, and would make our midfield the most explosive in the AFL, bar none.


In terms of how I HOPE we draft, in terms of preference.

1: Freeman
2: Sheed
3: Lennon
4: Salem
5: Dunstan


How I think we WILL draft with our first pick in order of preference:

1: Salem/Sheed
2: Sheed/Salem
3: Freeman
4: Dunstan
5: Lennon.


Of course, these are just my opinions, and I'm sure some will disagree.

 

[Danog]

Christian Petracca is really really good. Top 10 for next year, surely.

 

[Dragonss]

Salem is the one that I think represents the most immediate need for the team, and the type of player that Francis seems to have taken in the draft of late. He won't end up as an elite talent, or at least, at this stage, I don't think he will, but he will be a very solid 200 gamer much like Ellis and Conca and possibly Vlastuin (who I think has the potential to become an Elite AFL player.). The most impressive feature for me that Salem possesses is his fanatical desire to hunt the ball and the man. He has a solid body for someone of his height, and he really uses it to his advantage. He is a tackling and harassing machine. When he tackles he tackles with intent and almost seems to enjoy hurting the opposition (which is a good trait to have in my opinion). He is also selfless in that he will provide shepherds to opposition players if it means his teammate would have more time and space, or be in a better position to help the team, instead of wanting the handball receive. He has above average pace but will bust a gut running all day, and will grind himself into the ground for the team, and he isn't afraid to take the game on and run and carry the ball if he has space and time to do so, so he does have some linebreaking ability. His kicking is elite for the most part, but he is prone to missing some pretty simple targets, but then again, Lids and Newy are as well. He doesn't have as high a ceiling as the other three, but he is probably the most team orientated of them all. He is very much in the mould of Luke Hodge.

I thought Salem was the kid who has a knack of just taking things in slow mo without getting caught. If it wasn't him I wonder who I was thinking of...
I didn't throw up Freeman's name because I don't think he'll last to our pick.
Having Lennon would really help Deledio as oppositions would now need to worry about this 18/19 year old who has the same hurt factor as Deledio. Who to tag? Cotchin, Deledio, Martin, Ellis or Lennon?

Hmmm... don't know if giving up our first round pick for Longer/Adams would be a bad or good idea, since some potential prospects just look great.
I hope the deal pans out as Foley + third rounder for Longer/Adams and they take the bait. Adams plus one of those you mentioned. Possibly even Hartung, Acres, Wilson and Garlett with second selection. Very good draft.

 

[Grockadoc]

I thought Salem was the kid who has a knack of just taking things in slow mo without getting caught. If it wasn't him I wonder who I was thinking of...
I didn't throw up Freeman's name because I don't think he'll last to our pick.
Having Lennon would really help Deledio as oppositions would now need to worry about this 18/19 year old who has the same hurt factor as Deledio. Who to tag? Cotchin, Deledio, Martin, Ellis or Lennon?

Hmmm... don't know if giving up our first round pick for Longer/Adams would be a bad or good idea, since some potential prospects just look great.
I hope the deal pans out as Foley + third rounder for Longer/Adams and they take the bait. Adams plus one of those you mentioned. Possibly even Hartung, Acres, Wilson and Garlett with second selection. Very good draft.

I've been flat out against trading our first rounder, as I believe there will be some absolute quality there at our pick, unless we can secure another one (IE Martin or Conca go etc.)

 

[Frustrated Tiger]

Almost forgot about that. Thanks for the reminder.

If Dunstan, Sheed, Salem and Lennon were available at our pick would you still choose Lennon?

From what ive seen on the phantom draft board and from boundforglory he seems like a deledio who can play back, forward and midfield and can also use the ball well.

Can he shake a tag?

 

[captain cotch 9]

I've been keen on Dunstan all along but Lennon sounds good. Unlike the Wallace era I have faith that our pick wil be a gun

 

[Grockadoc]

I've been keen on Dunstan all along but Lennon sounds good. Unlike the Wallace era I have faith that our pick wil be a gun

As am I.

 

[Danog]

Dunstan will slide.

 

[Grockadoc]

Dunstan will slide.

Here's how I'd think they are likely to go:

Sheed: 5-12
Salem: 10-15
Dunstan: 12-17
Freeman: 8-12
Lennon: 5-10

 

[Danog]

Here's how I'd think they are likely to go:

Sheed: 5-12
Salem: 10-15
Dunstan: 12-17
Freeman: 8-12
Lennon: 5-10

Have heard as late as 20 for Dunstan.

 

[Grockadoc]

Have heard as late as 20 for Dunstan.

So have I, but I'd be very surprised if he lasts past Hawthorn's pick, as he would be a good fit for them, especially with Mitchell and Sewell getting on.

 

[Danog]

So have I, but I'd be very surprised if he lasts past Hawthorn's pick, as he would be a good fit for them, especially with Mitchell and Sewell getting on.

They might be trading that for Longer, though.

 

[captain cotch 9]

Surely if Hawthorn trade their first pick for Longer we are well placed to trade our pick for Adams

 

[Tigers26]

I thought Salem was the kid who has a knack of just taking things in slow mo without getting caught. If it wasn't him I wonder who I was thinking of...
I didn't throw up Freeman's name because I don't think he'll last to our pick.
Having Lennon would really help Deledio as oppositions would now need to worry about this 18/19 year old who has the same hurt factor as Deledio. Who to tag? Cotchin, Deledio, Martin, Ellis or Lennon?

Hmmm... don't know if giving up our first round pick for Longer/Adams would be a bad or good idea, since some potential prospects just look great.
I hope the deal pans out as Foley + third rounder for Longer/Adams and they take the bait. Adams plus one of those you mentioned. Possibly even Hartung, Acres, Wilson and Garlett with second selection. Very good draft.

Salem is very much that player you mentioned. Very calm, doesn't seem rushed, does a nice side step to give himself more time. Uses the ball at an elite level, decision making also elite.

 

[tigs2010]

With all the early talk Dunstan would slide. He's now been performing well at SANFL level. I reckon he will rise back up by draft day.

 

[Mr Magic]

I thought Salem was the kid who has a knack of just taking things in slow mo without getting caught. If it wasn't him I wonder who I was thinking of...
I didn't throw up Freeman's name because I don't think he'll last to our pick.
Having Lennon would really help Deledio as oppositions would now need to worry about this 18/19 year old who has the same hurt factor as Deledio. Who to tag? Cotchin, Deledio, Martin, Ellis or Lennon?

Hmmm... don't know if giving up our first round pick for Longer/Adams would be a bad or good idea, since some potential prospects just look great.
I hope the deal pans out as Foley + third rounder for Longer/Adams and they take the bait. Adams plus one of those you mentioned. Possibly even Hartung, Acres, Wilson and Garlett with second selection. Very good draft.

Starting to lean this way myself. Mind you haven't seen a lot if any vision(video) at all of many players. Give us extra cash though.

Some of the phantoms read okay!!

 

[Tomnat Tigers]

With all the early talk Dunstan would slide. He's now been performing well at SANFL level. I reckon he will rise back up by draft day.

Will depend largely on how well he performs at draft camp, you would think.

I see him as a Ryan O'Keefe without the penetrative kick. Would happily use pick 11 on him.

 

[Grockadoc]

They might be trading that for Longer, though.

Not if we get in, first though.

I am against us trading our first rounder for Taylor Adams. Yes, he will be a very good player, but he doesn't represent an immediate need for us. Plenty of players who have the same ceiling as Adams will be around at our pick.

I am all for us trading our first rounder for Billy Longer though. There isn't a decent quality ruckman in the draft of the quality of Longer. There are only two notable ruckman in the draft and both are second round prospects at this stage. One is undersized as a ruckman like Todd Elton (Cameron Conlon, 197 cm, 90 kg), and the other is a very promising ruckman at this stage, and already has a decent sized frame on him. (Darcy Cameron, 203 cm, 98 kg).

If we don't get Longer, I wouldn't be against trading Astbury for a second round pick and using it to get Cameron.