2014 Draft Discussion

[WhiteLionFeva]

I suppose Reece McKenzie's value will go up big time with his 10 goals this weekend for Northern Knights. Big strong fellow but until now I don't think he has set the world alight. Son of Warren McKenzie who played for Carlton but not eligible for father/son

 

[rusty08]

I suppose Reece McKenzie's value will go up big time with his 10 goals this weekend for Northern Knights. Big strong fellow but until now I don't think he has set the world alight. Son of Warren McKenzie who played for Carlton but not eligible for father/son

Yeah saw that. Big unit. Basketball background also. Apparently his contested marking his forte.

 

[rockypls]

Drafting Wright would also allow Close to spend the entire time up forward and not worry about the ruck duties. That's a big tick for me.

 

[Dylan12]

Christian Petracca was a guest on TAC Future Stars today. Obviously a lot of highlights and a lot to like all round. Comes from a basketball ground, although he isn't a convert as in a Brogan or Archie Smith and also played with that kid that was drafted with one of the early picks in the recent NBA draft.

Anyways, definitely an interesting size and very big bodied for his age, although not really a KPF as I originally thought. Will be a good get for whoever nabs him.

 

[PTizzle]

Would absolutely love a medium forward like Gunston or Elliot (I guess you could say a rich man's Ash McGrath too) - that kind of forward who can lead -> mark and also crumb. Probably not this year given we may only have one live pick and have needs to fill, but it's something I'd like to look at down the line. If we had a real target big and a quicker, clever smaller bloke I'd feel good about our forward line, the 'mozzies' look great and I think Close has shown a bit and could be the second forward long-term with any luck.

I spose we do have McGuane who somewhat fits that description to come back.

Lamb looks like the most likely of those types in this years draft but he'll be out of our range I'd imagine.

 

[Big Lion]

For those that have seen him play is Hammelman the potential answer to our forward problems? Is it worth taking him as well as someone like Wright, or if we are taking Hammelman do will go someone like Petracca?

 

[Swanny10]

For those that have seen him play is Hammelman the potential answer to our forward problems? Is it worth taking him as well as someone like Wright, or if we are taking Hammelman do will go someone like Petracca?

I like Hammleman and he has a lot of potential but he is still far from certain to make it at AFL level. My preference would be to take another key forward with our first pick provided one of the guys we rate worthy are available. I quite like Petracca but I wouldn't be putting all my eggs in one basket with Hammleman. Best case scenario you end up with 2 long term key forwards from one draft which is not an bad thing!

 

[Tairy Greene]

Maybe we should abstain from this draft and start work;

.

Skoob I'm actually worried about how many pics you have on hand of scantily clad men...

 

[Skoob]

Skoob I'm actually worried about how many pics you have on hand of scantily clad men...

Worried, or excited?

Admit it.

 

[Quigley]

For those that have seen him play is Hammelman the potential answer to our forward problems? Is it worth taking him as well as someone like Wright, or if we are taking Hammelman do will go someone like Petracca?

He has the tools. I would probably take a KPF first just so we can cover on our main list weakness especially when next year looks like a draft with a lot of high quality mids and we also have 2 good looking mid (possibly 3) academy prospects as well.

I would also take Uebergang who also has a fair bit of talent. We need a couple to work out and this is probably the year to give ourselves as many lottery tickets as possible and hope a few work out. If we end up with more than we need a quality KPF is worth a lot at the trade table.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

I dream of us having too many quality KPF's.

 

[Caiphus]

Exactly, if we can stock up on talls, I am happy to wait another year to go back to smalls. If we end up with too many good talls to squeeze in to the line-up then we at least have trading currency down the track to actually fill specific needs.

 

[jjami15]

He has the tools. I would probably take a KPF first just so we can cover on our main list weakness especially when next year looks like a draft with a lot of high quality mids and we also have 2 good looking mid (possibly 3) academy prospects as well.

I would also take Uebergang who also has a fair bit of talent. We need a couple to work out and this is probably the year to give ourselves as many lottery tickets as possible and hope a few work out. If we end up with more than we need a quality KPF is worth a lot at the trade table.

I have the same train of thought (I do get others and drives me crazy) and hope to jag a couple of KPFs. On regards to taking a KPF first up who do you envision this being. At the moment all roads lead to St Kilda with first pick and taking McCartin. Does this leave only Wright. Would a possible three tall attack of Wright, Hammelman, Close (similar to GC) be more conducive then say McCartin and Hammelman and Close. I was wondering if you would be able to give us all abit of an insight into Hammelman and Uebergang with pros and cons

 

[Quigley]

Who ends up where will largely come down to who performs well between now and the end of the year. None of the KPFs set the world on fire at the Champs and Wright looked a hell of a lot better ruck than he did as a forward.

On Wright I do think he would complement Hammelmann and Close well. He can lead strongly but given his size he can also work closer to goal. I am not yet convinced he will be effective at AFL level up forward but if nothing else he is going to be a big physical target who our mids can kick to and can go into the ruck and provide excellent back up there. As a floor that is pretty handy.

The style comparison I have with Hammelmann is Roughhead. He is capable of playing both KP spots very effectively although he is more of a leading target rather than a wrestler. He can get around the ground really nicely, is clean and has pretty good skills but does not tend to get a lot of goals working back into the 50. Mostly his goals up forward tend to come from strong and smart leads inside 50. He has a really good feel for where to lead to and he gets separation well. He gets most of his shots 25m-30m out from goal. As a forward he needs to do a bit more work defensively but I am confident that will come. When he played as a FB against Collingwood for the AIS I thought he was the stand out KP on the ground for the AIS and having that string to his bow is very handy I think. Hammelmann doesn't really have a lot of weaknesses in his game. Whether he succeeds or not will come down to whatever is between the ears I think.

Uebergang is a bit of a Bradshaw type who works closer to goal. Still effective on the lead but in body on body situations he is very effective and protects the drop zone really well. He is quick and leads strongly but I don't think he has the feel for when and where to lead as much as Hammelmann does. He is more reliant on his physical abilities. Defensively he is very good and has a bit of Josh Kennedy about his work when the ball is going the other way. He is a very strong tackler for a KPF and applies a lot of pressure on the defenders coming out.

 

[Kevvo]

Who ends up where will largely come down to who performs well between now and the end of the year. None of the KPFs set the world on fire at the Champs and Wright looked a hell of a lot better ruck than he did as a forward.

On Wright I do think he would complement Hammelmann and Close well. He can lead strongly but given his size he can also work closer to goal. I am not yet convinced he will be effective at AFL level up forward but if nothing else he is going to be a big physical target who our mids can kick to and can go into the ruck and provide excellent back up there. As a floor that is pretty handy.

From the little bits I've seen of Wright and what bounces through the echo chamber, he looks to be a really effective set shot from roundabout 50m out from goal. I'm confident that wouldn't be his primary role, but that would be a fantastic weapon to have at our disposal given it would be more complicated to find a matchup for him at that area of if we have a second ruck roaming around. I can imagine that creating space inside 50 too.

My one minor nagging worry is the Vic Metro thing. I know you have to back yourself to keep players and take the best available, but they seem to be the hardest to keep. That would be a dagger.

 

[a mayes ing]

From the little bits I've seen of Wright and what bounces through the echo chamber, he looks to be a really effective set shot from roundabout 50m out from goal. I'm confident that wouldn't be his primary role, but that would be a fantastic weapon to have at our disposal given it would be more complicated to find a matchup for him at that area of if we have a second ruck roaming around. I can imagine that creating space inside 50 too.

My one minor nagging worry is the Vic Metro thing. I know you have to back yourself to keep players and take the best available, but they seem to be the hardest to keep. That would be a dagger.

yep, imagine after years of finally getting the forward we have been waiting for only for him to go back to mum and us getting pretty much nuthing on the trade table.

 

[a mayes ing]

So apparently Callum Mills could be one of the best midfielders next year at the draft and Sydney have first access to him under the academy. How are they getting all these incredible footballers and we get ones worth 2nd or 3rd rounders.

 

[Hollow Knight]

So apparently Callum Mills could be one of the best midfielders next year at the draft and Sydney have first access to him under the academy. How are they getting all these incredible footballers and we get ones worth 2nd or 3rd rounders.

Luck. Academies are first and foremost about getting locals on lists, and less about getting "bargains".

If he is a first rounder he will probably cost them a first rounder.

Only issue is PR... On the back of COLA, the Eddies of the world a watching like a Hawk. I fear too much good fortune Sydney's way and we all pay the price before we get to cash in.

 

[chopperduck]

Sydney has been kissed on the 4 asterisk lately. Just luck. Normally how many first round picks come from NSW or QLD?

Im all for drafting tall. They take longer so get them first. Agree exactly with that Quigs has said, get as many chances as possible. Go for a top end talent, then we really only need 1 of Freeman, Paine, Hammelmann, Uebergang to pay off, along with Close and we are set. If extra ones come good then we can benefit at the trade table.

Otherwise, we do need some defenders, so even if one of those guys turns into a defender it would pay off. Keays is looking a decent prospect, hopefully next year we can get another top 10 mid along with Keays as a 2nd round selection.

 

[jjami15]

Who ends up where will largely come down to who performs well between now and the end of the year. None of the KPFs set the world on fire at the Champs and Wright looked a hell of a lot better ruck than he did as a forward.

On Wright I do think he would complement Hammelmann and Close well. He can lead strongly but given his size he can also work closer to goal. I am not yet convinced he will be effective at AFL level up forward but if nothing else he is going to be a big physical target who our mids can kick to and can go into the ruck and provide excellent back up there. As a floor that is pretty handy.

The style comparison I have with Hammelmann is Roughhead. He is capable of playing both KP spots very effectively although he is more of a leading target rather than a wrestler. He can get around the ground really nicely, is clean and has pretty good skills but does not tend to get a lot of goals working back into the 50. Mostly his goals up forward tend to come from strong and smart leads inside 50. He has a really good feel for where to lead to and he gets separation well. He gets most of his shots 25m-30m out from goal. As a forward he needs to do a bit more work defensively but I am confident that will come. When he played as a FB against Collingwood for the AIS I thought he was the stand out KP on the ground for the AIS and having that string to his bow is very handy I think. Hammelmann doesn't really have a lot of weaknesses in his game. Whether he succeeds or not will come down to whatever is between the ears I think.

Uebergang is a bit of a Bradshaw type who works closer to goal. Still effective on the lead but in body on body situations he is very effective and protects the drop zone really well. He is quick and leads strongly but I don't think he has the feel for when and where to lead as much as Hammelmann does. He is more reliant on his physical abilities. Defensively he is very good and has a bit of Josh Kennedy about his work when the ball is going the other way. He is a very strong tackler for a KPF and applies a lot of pressure on the defenders coming out.

Greatly appreciated Quigley and thank you for your insights into playing styles and the like. If we went with Wright hope he's level headed and nothing like our last few talls that we've drafted early.

 

[a mayes ing]

I rekon we still need a gorilla type defender that will replace McGuire when he retires.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Also worth bearing in mind that there will always be a perspective going around regarding a kids potential draft position - "could go as high as pick 5" is what you commonly hear. And some who's agenda lies in a given way will use it as fuel to fan the fire of outrage. You'll rarely get a draft range or hear " he could slide to pick 20".

 

[Eons]

So apparently Callum Mills could be one of the best midfielders next year at the draft and Sydney have first access to him under the academy. How are they getting all these incredible footballers and we get ones worth 2nd or 3rd rounders.

Knightmare in his phantom draft thread said that if Ben Keays keeps tracking along next year he'll be a top 5 pick, he rates him that highly. We have some very decent prospects in our academy too.

Edit : Funny reading TFB's post after typing mine

 

[Hollow Knight]

Knightmare in his phantom draft thread said that if Ben Keays keeps tracking along next year he'll be a top 5 pick, he rates him that highly.

IIRC, Knightmare had Isaac Conway pencilled in as an early second rounder going into his draft year. Long way to go yet.

 

[Quigley]

I rekon we still need a gorilla type defender that will replace McGuire when he retires.

I would be surprised if Gardiner didn't fill that role.

FWIW I would certainly draft Harris Andrews this year. 198cm KPD who moves really nicely for someone that height and seems to have good defensive instincts. I would also probably stick Jackson on the rookie list and see what develops. We already have 3 very good KPD prospects on the list and I would just take what is on offer from the academy this year and not reach for anything more.