BigFooty Official 2015 Big Footy Phantom Draft

[LemmingMaster]

Pick 1 - Jacob Weitering - Carlton
Bio in the morning.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Or Cornell

yes I was expecting bids for him and possibly Flynn with someone's late pick as well.

 

[Snoop Dog]

So nobody bid on Silvagni and we didn't match a bid for Rice that would require our two 3rd round picks? We would then use our last pick on SOSOS.

I understand there's a process to this certain phantom but a touch unrealistic from what Carlton would do. If Saints passed and we were able to take Rice with picks 50ish and change we'd jump at it.

You got it…..nobody bid on JS. I wasn't surprised by that. I also am not at all surprised that Saints chose to let Bailey pass. I reckon that was a bold bid by Essendon and I can understand rahul passing.

 

[Quigley]

Pick 2 - Brisbane
Josh Schache

My mock is on my tablet at home and I managed to email myself the wrong document so I will post my write up tonight.

Schache is the obvious choice for the Lions. We need a KPF and Schache establised himself as number 1 option in this regard. He is a big unit but his pace is well below what I would like. I struggle to see him being a Coleman threat in the future but give him a couple of years and he will be the big target that we need. Just having that will help our structure a lot. If the need was not so great I would have taken Francis who is the player I like most from this draft.

 

[Snoop Dog]

I would have bid higher on Coughlan but I knew nobody else had put a bid in, so I was hopeful of stealing him with a late pick. Maybe a bit too optimistic.

I probably would have gone to about 40 or so on him FWIW. Like you watched him for a while and think he made huge strides this year.

 

[Blue and Silver]

Is this being done across two threads. One with selections only?

Just because these occasionally get cramped with comments and then one can't watch the draft unfold through all the fodder.

 

[Snoop Dog]

I am also confused by the Rice selection as well, I did now know I had the ability to select him as well.

Yeah you could have nominated him with a selection last Thursday when I sent the list around of the latest bids which had him at 25. YOu could have then bid on him but as I said in the original note he nominated Saints so thats where we started from.

 

[Snoop Dog]

# 3 Melbourne - Darcy Parish (Geelong Falcons / 181cm / 74kg)

Terrific player who have seen plenty of. Probably not as big as you want your midfielders these days but he ticks nearly every box. Very clever player around the stoppages who can win it and create space through the congestion to get away and clear the ball. Actually has real bounce about him and would think he would be a hard player to track and stay on top of as he is always on the move. As a bottom ager I thought he was a bit outside but he was a terrific ball winner this year and has really rounded him out. His ball skills are very good (averages circa 70% DE) and he is particularly good at using lateral kicks to create the play and set team mates up. His vision is elite and his spacial awareness very good to. Just doesn't really get flustered. From a defensive aspect notwithstanding the frame he loves to tackle and whilst an average 2-3 at champs / TAC he isn't averse to it but it is an area he could do some more work on to try and get that up around 5+ per game.

Always love to watch how these kids go vs men and really rated his performance for the Academy side vs Blues and Werribee. He was hard at it and really competitive and I think the game vs the Blues was particularly good. Only knock is he didn't test that well at the combine which i was surprised by because when you watch him that is not the sense you get.

Not sure where he will start at AFL level. He has shown he is very good off a HB flank, demonstrated this year he is a very good all round midfielder and has pushed forward as well to kick goals. He has a very light frame though and he won't be pushed to the middle to quickly I would have thought and with mids like Jones, Petracca, Brayshaw, Tyson and Viney they can afford to protect him a bit. With Salem & Bugg off HB wouldn't mind betting he starts as a HF flanker.

Building a very talented group of juniors these Demons…...

 

[Snoop Dog]

foj1

 

[LemmingMaster]

Pick 1 - Jacob Weitering - 23/11/1997 - 194.9cm 94kg - CARLTON

Come draft night I personal think there are two top picks, then a little daylight to the next batch. (Well at least those not tied to academy picks)

Weitering may not end up the best player from his draft class, his bust potential is the lowest of all players. Carlton are going to hope he will control the backline for the next 10+ years. Weitering does not have a lot of negatives to his game but when/if he plays forward his leading patterns are not amazing and often feels like a one lead player, relying on his ability in the air. I would also like to see some more aggression and especially when tackling.
Weitering is a tall defender that is one of the best marks in the draft. His decision making ability is elite, kicking has a great combination of penetration and accuracy.
Carlton is going to need players that will set a fine example on and off the field for years to come. Weitering won the Ben Mitchell medal and has captain potential written all over him. At worst he will help captain the defensive unit at AFL level.

At AFL level I think you could look at someone like Harry Taylor with maybe a touch less speed in his legs at the moment.

Dear Carlton fans, I have a feeling I may select players with my next two picks that you may not like, so please just enjoy this pick and learn to meditate.

 

[Sashand88]

Weird that Saints didn't match the bid on B.Rice, surely come draft night if that bid was made, pick 45 with 20% discount and prob all or part of 68 (and by that time of the bid would be more like early 60's) would be used.

 

[foj1]

Pick 5- Essendon- Aaron Francis- 191cm 86kg West Adelaide

The easiest selection of the draft for mine. Only Jacob Weitering could be described as a better natural footballer.
Strengths
Aaron understands the game and has a high footy IQ
He is an extremely talented intercept mark playing as the third tall in defence. He shows courage and will leave his opponent to provide coverage for team mates.
Aaron is a superb kick with terrific vision and decision making ability.
I like that Aaron can kick 55 metres and his natural kick is low and quick.
Aaron is also proficient on his opposite side.
Aaron is clean below his knees.
I reckon Aaron will play round one as a third or fourth backman type. He will get the opportunity to learn his footy in a settled back line of Hurley, Hooker, Hibberd, Baguley and Fantasia.
Francis also has the ability to play forward and kick goals and run limited minutes in the midfield. The player who Aaron most reminds me of is Adam Hunter which I think Woosha would see as well.
Weaknesses
Aaron will need to change his body shape a little and harden up the rig through the torso. I think Francis can improve both his endurance running and agility but he tests ok in both.
Projection
200 game player who should develop into a consistent top line player at the Essendon Football Club

 

[Snoop Dog]

foj1 ........Charlie or Sam?

 

[Quigley]

Don't mind me just realised we have Mills in there

 

[foj1]

Pick 7- Essendon- Charlie Curnow- 191cm 96kg Geelong Falcons

Charlie Curnow has all the tools to play football to a very high standard.
Strengths
Curnow possesses a powerful frame that will allow him to compete at AFL level.
Charlie has strong hands which are one grab on most occasions and I think he reads the ball in the air as well as anyone in the draft.
Curnow is an outstanding endurance athlete which belies his physical appearance a little. With the rotations dropping next year I think the ability to have outstanding endurance will become even more highly coveted.
Curnow will begin his career as a forward in the Stringer/Gunston mould and could then develop into a big forward who can go into the middle a little like Jarryd Roughead.
Curnow is a good kick without being elite. He has got the capacity to kick long.
Lastly Charlie is an extrovert who is very popular amongst his team mates. I think Charlie will settle into an AFL environment easily and enjoy the experience without being over awed.
Weaknesses
Charlie will be an absolute beast after a couple of per seasons in the gym.
I think Charlie can become more explosive as he develops greater power in his physique. This in partnership with his endurance capabilities would make him an outstanding athlete.
Projection
I think Charlie can develop into a strong second forward at the Essendon FC
A forward line containing Daniher, Langford, Laverde, Edwards, Curnow and McKenna could be pretty exciting moving forward.
Rationale for Selections
Francis was a no brainer. I would be shattered if Essendon over look him.
This selection came down to Weideman, Milera or Curnow.
I quickly eliminated Milera and alternated between Curnow and Weideman.
I just look at hawthorns success and believe you need forwards who have more than one string to their bow which Curnow certainly has.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Offsider

 

[LemmingMaster]

Was there a thread for the academy bidding?

There is no thread, we did the bidding using private messages. To make the draft flow, we did the bidding in one simple voting processes.

 

[TerryWallet]

Can't argue the 1st 5 Picks so far. All good picks.

The only thing that has me scratching my head a bit is whether the Bombers take 2 190'ish cm Utility types in Francis and Curnow on top of the 2 last year in Langford and Laverde.

Francis and Curnow i believe definately warrant the selections , but tend to think Dodoro might throw in a mid with one of them. Milera's pace, skill and goalscoring would be just what's needed and Oliver would make a good Watson replacement. I really rate Oliver and would be rapt if he, Francis or Curnow reach our pick at 8.

 

[Snoop Dog]

Lets give Offsider til 3pm otherwise I think next one off Knightmare board

 

[MightyDons4]

Can't argue the 1st 5 Picks so far. All good picks.

The only thing that has me scratching my head a bit is whether the Bombers take 2 190'ish cm Utility types in Francis and Curnow on top of the 2 last year in Langford and Laverde.

Francis and Curnow i believe definately warrant the selections , but tend to think Dodoro might throw in a mid with one of them. Milera's pace, skill and goalscoring would be just what's needed and Oliver would make a good Watson replacement. I really rate Oliver and would be rapt if he, Francis or Curnow reach our pick at 8.

Langford and Laverde will end up as mids, where as Curnow and Francis likely end up as 2nd/3rd talls respectively. They are all extremely different players despite having roughly the same dimensions.

Also Curnow said in his draft trumps video he was around 196cm, so make of that what you will.

 

[foj1]

Can't argue the 1st 5 Picks so far. All good picks.

The only thing that has me scratching my head a bit is whether the Bombers take 2 190'ish cm Utility types in Francis and Curnow on top of the 2 last year in Langford and Laverde.

Francis and Curnow i believe definately warrant the selections , but tend to think Dodoro might throw in a mid with one of them. Milera's pace, skill and goalscoring would be just what's needed and Oliver would make a good Watson replacement. I really rate Oliver and would be rapt if he, Francis or Curnow reach our pick at 8.

It is funny you say that because it was certainly something I considered however Francis is primarily a defender and Curnow primarily a forward. I think our forward line with Daniher and perhaps one of tbc or McKernan is tall enough. I think the game is evolving towards the 6 foot 3 guys who can mark move and play almost anywhere. I am not of the belief that Oliver has shown more than Francis or Curnow at this stage. I love Weideman but I went with a guy with more versatility while we have Edwards who to some degree plays a flashy half forward role with speed and sizzle. If Essendon picked these two blokes it is not inconceivable to suggest both would play round one if they had good preseasons. Which talks about the quality of Francis and Curnow and the state of our side.

 

[foj1]

Lets give Offsider til 3pm otherwise I think next one off Knightmare board

Because it started early I think it is fair to give offsides a fair bit of time. I hate when first round selections especially are not taken by drafter.

 

[TerryWallet]

It is funny you say that because it was certainly something I considered however Francis is primarily a defender and Curnow primarily a forward. I think our forward line with Daniher and perhaps one of tbc or McKernan is tall enough. I think the game is evolving towards the 6 foot 3 guys who can mark move and play almost anywhere. I am not of the belief that Oliver has shown more than Francis or Curnow at this stage. I love Weideman but I went with a guy with more versatility while we have Edwards who to some degree plays a flashy half forward role with speed and sizzle. If Essendon picked these two blokes it is not inconceivable to suggest both would play round one if they had good preseasons. Which talks about the quality of Francis and Curnow and the state of our side.

I agree with this.

I guess my point is, even though Laverde, Langford, Francis and Curnow have their differences, they are all still essentially 190'ish Utilities. I like all 4 as AFL players very much. But 4 may be a bit of overkill when Milera has completely different attributes that EFC really need, and imo Oliver is a genuine high level midfield talent rather than the Utility type who "can" become a genuine AFL midfielder.

Intriguing 3 weeks ahead for Essendon, Melbourne, Carlton and Adelaide supporters. Draft night should be fun.

 

[LemmingMaster]

I agree with this.

I guess my point is, even though Laverde, Langford, Francis and Curnow have their differences, they are all still essentially 190'ish Utilities. I like all 4 as AFL players very much. But 4 may be a bit of overkill when Milera has completely different attributes that EFC really need, and imo Oliver is a genuine high level midfield talent rather than the Utility type who "can" become a genuine AFL midfielder.

Intriguing 3 weeks ahead for Essendon, Melbourne, Carlton and Adelaide supporters. Draft night should be fun.

I will make a few more comments after my next two selections. As an amatuer drafter, these next two picks could go in a number of ways come draft night, with part of me attempting to guess who Adelaide rate highly.

 

[foj1]

Edwards and McKenna have some attributes similar to milera I reckon.
Laverde will play forward wing midfield.
Langford forward midfield.
I have already selected rice who is a beautiful user of the ball at that 184cm mark who can play half forward and half back.
I would have liked a midfielder at 5 or 7 but only hopper, mills and parish are worth it.
I am not sold on milera being a midfielder.
All in all Francis and Curnow too good to pass up.
I agree with you about Oliver. He can become a very capable mid at afl level.