I dunno. I really hope some sanity prevails when it comes to our drafting. When I look at our list there’s Casboult, Jones, Jaksch, Foster and Rowe who are all KPFs. Added to this our utilities, Walker and Everitt, are also played as KPFs. Further to this resting ruckmen such as Kreuzer, Phillips, Gorringe and Wood can also be used as marking targets inside forward 50 when resting. It’s not as though we’re exactly bereft of options. We’d have more marking options inside forward 50 than HBFs. Like them or not all these F50 marking options are on our list and chewing up plenty of our TPP. Until they're either delisted, traded or advised to take an early retirement by the surviving members of the Carlton Crew, I'd rather see what BB can do with them before getting any more. On the other hand we only have 1 KPD in Jamison and between his shoulders and calves he’s just about shot.
For me these are the absolute non-negotiable prerequisites I’m looking for in whoever we recruit from this year’s National Draft.
- Must be natural footballer rather than a natural athlete trying to be a footballer.
- Must be able work in conjunction with others as “a seamless collective”.
- Must have the desire to be first to the contest.
- Must have the courage to take the hit, either in the air or on the ground, rather than take short steps.
- Must have excellent disposal by hand or by foot that results in “retained possession” rather just another “effective disposal” stat.
- Must have an accurate and penetrating kick…and by that, I mean hit a moving target at a range of 50m or more.
- Must have already established a tank for repeated efforts.
- Must be able to play some senior football this year given we will have turned over at least 25% of our list this year.
- Must have the internal drive and motivation to be a self-starter given CFC’s piss-poor and/or non-existent player development programs. (I so hope that changes under BB).
- Must not be under a major injury cloud.
- Must be able to stick a tackle without a pre-match visit to the Selley’s factory.
- Must be good in the air and good off the deck.
- Must be able to “read the play”.
- Must be prepared to run and be able to “work both ways”.
- Must have the potential to dominate the position for which they’re drafted.
- Must be of quality character.
- Must not be managed by Colin Young.
- Must have the intelligence to want to develop as people not just footballers.
These are my picks for this years’ National Draft and why I want them.
(1) Jacob Weitering KPD Height 195 Weight 94
Excellent disposal by hand or either foot, combined with his decision-making ability to seek out the best available option allow him to control the play around him or downfield. He’s strong in the air and just as good when the ball’s on the deck where those massive mits that just seem to gobble up the Sherrin and will give new meaning to Paul Hogan’s “a fistful of ravioli” when the boys introduce him to Lygon St. Strong, courageous, tough, intelligent and with elite endurance just about make Weitering the complete footballer.
(8) Kieran Collins KPD Height 194 Weight 100
Just because he had his first shave at 4, was able to enter nightclubs without being asked to produce ID at 8, dated a cougar at 12 and received his Seniors Card at 15 does not make him a man-child. Honestly, some of the crap one reads in this thread regarding reasons not to draft this guy are enough to make one’s eyes boggle. An ac
(11) Riley Bonner Defender Height 190 Weight 85
I really like this bloke…even more than Francis, because he’s got more upside. Classy defender who is sound in the air, excellent off the deck and not afraid to take on his opponent with his speed, Bonner has the potential to become a pure excitement machine. He also has the capability to play on talls or smalls. While he’s great kick off either foot it’s the left peg that’s been fully weaponised and the ball leaves it with all the velocity and penetration of a sniper bullet. Bonner is reminiscent of the typical Hawthorn prototype defender and rest assured if we don’t take him here the Hawks definitely will at 15 or 18 as they’d view him as an ideal replacement for the aging Grant Birchall.
(19) Ryan Clarke Midfielder Height 185 Weight 84
Inside/outside goal kicking mid who literally runs his opponents into the ground. Hurts the opposition with his run and carry on the outside while bringing his teammates into the game with his creative handball when working inside. Although his tackling is one of strongest assets he needs to be a little mindful of the defensive side of his game because his hard running can leave him exposed if the ball gets turned over to the direct opponent he’s just burned off. Good operator with a mature head on his shoulders, I can’t wait to see him streaming through centre for the Blues after marking a 60m bullet from Bonner at full tilt.
(59) SOSOS Utility Height 191 Weight 83
Like something out of scene of Octopussy SOSOS is just like his old man…all arms and legs. Although lightly framed, he has his father’s ability to manoeuvre his opponent away and/or under the ball drop in contested marking contest without giving away free kicks. It’s a unique skill set that one doesn’t see often these days that will make him a very awkward proposition for his opponents once he develops his frame. An excellent and accurate kick, SOS Jnr is a genuine swingman that can competently play at either end.
(60) Tom Phillips Midfielder Height 186 Weight 75
Inside/outside midfielder who played in this years TAC Cup as an over-ager. Accumulates possessions at will and then distributes them by hand or his trusty left foot. His kicking doesn't have the penetration of a Collins or a Bonner, but it is very effective and used to pick out his teammates in traffic with great precision. Although tackling his one of his stronger suits he'll need to spend some time in the gym and put on some weight to be able do the same at AFL level. A potential diamond in the rough here, but if Pick 60 fails to remain live for any reason, Phillips might be a good one to rookie.
I deliberately set about trying to pick quality players that should still be realistically available at our picks and who should be able to fill a massive void in our list without banking on sliders or attempting to reach. I want them to be able learn together, grow together, work for each other, cover for each other and operate as a collective. I’d expect Weitering and Collins to be available for senior selection as soon as BB reckons that they’re ready to go. Bonner might need a little time in the gym to add 4-5kg to his frame and Clarke may need to do a little strength work, but barring injury, I’d expect both to play at least some senior footy this year. I wouldn’t expect any of them to play every game, but rotate in and out with Jamo providing some on field tuition.
If we could have a settled back six of Plowman, Collins, Docherty, Byrne, Weitering and Bonner by mid 2017 launching the footy out to the likes of hard-running players, such as Clarke and Kerridge, it would certainly go a long way to assisting the rest of the team retain some essential structures in the front half.
Would I love to get Schache, Hipwood, Oliver, Weideman, Gresham or Francis??? Of course, but SOS won’t be able to fix everything in one draft and he also only has so many picks at his disposal. Having said that, given that he’s already addressed our ruck division, if he can get our defence sorted and a small part of our midfield (Kerridge & Clarke) in just one offseason, then I’ll be more than satisfied.