Draft Review 2014 - Redo the 2014 AFL Draft

[sr36]

I think Petracca pretty much has top spot locked away for this draft, regardless of how the rest of these players' careers pan out. He's played at a very high level pretty much ever since he came into the competition. He won a Norm Smith with a performance that left absolutely no doubt who the best player on the ground was that day. And while the stakes weren't as high on Thursday night as a grand final, it was an insanely good performance.

The rest of the players near the top of the list will move up and down, according to whether you value more their best or their consistency. And depending of their output for the rest of their careers. But it will be close to impossible to catch Petracca.

Longevity will play a big factor. Eg, from the perspective of most Pies fans, Pendles has overtaken Bucks based on sheer longevity. So Heeney, whose peak has gotten very close if not equal to Trac, could still overtake him over the course of his career.

 

[liz]

Longevity will play a big factor. Eg, from the perspective of most Pies fans, Pendles has overtaken Bucks based on sheer longevity. So Heeney, whose peak has gotten very close if not equal to Trac, could still overtake him over the course of his career.

Maybe. We will have to wait and see how Petracca's injury last year affects him long term. Will it have a psychological impact on his ability to get back to his very best?

Heeney has struggled with injuries for most of his career, including ones he has played with but that have limited his output. He's had periods in other seasons where he's shown form almost as good as his 2024, but he's not been able to sustain it as his body hasn't allowed him to. Even last year, we saw his body say "no more" in that last, most important game of the season. He therefore doesn't strike me as a player who'll be able to play on (at a high level) well into his 30s. I think there's just been too much wear and tear.

 

[sr36]

Maybe. We will have to wait and see how Petracca's injury last year affects him long term. Will it have a psychological impact on his ability to get back to his very best?

Heeney has struggled with injuries for most of his career, including ones he has played with but that have limited his output. He's had periods in other seasons where he's shown form almost as good as his 2024, but he's not been able to sustain it as his body hasn't allowed him to. Even last year, we saw his body say "no more" in that last, most important game of the season. He therefore doesn't strike me as a player who'll be able to play on (at a high level) well into his 30s. I think there's just been too much wear and tear.

To me Isaac has more of the body type that endures than Trac, but yes I'm not factoring in past injuries. Whilst they're both wonderful forwards, it'll probably come down to which one of them plays more seasons as full time mids. Definitely looks like being Petracca at this stage, but could easily change.