2015 Draft - Which midfielder is next?

[Chris25]

I know we're still playing in the finals, but I've held off for longer than usual. And hey, the trade thread is getting massive already. So can I have a dedicated draft thread now?

To answer your first question, there is one Pearce who is a realistic chance of ending up on a list - Fraser Pearce. Overlooked last year, but the 186cm 19 year old has had a better year in 2015 through the midfield and across half back. As a rookie, he'd be well worth a pick for the laughs alone.

 

[ritz]

Welcome back Chris!
I've been waiting for this


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[UFO Tatsu]

I know we're still playing in the finals, but I've held off for longer than usual. And hey, the trade thread is getting massive already. So can I have a dedicated draft thread now?

To answer your first question, there is one Pearce who is a realistic chance of ending up on a list - Fraser Pearce. Overlooked last year, but the 186cm 19 year old has had a better year in 2015 through the midfield and across half back. As a rookie, he'd be well worth a pick for the laughs alone.

Any Pearce whose first name starts with B?

 

[TheMcManusNose]

Chris I notice you're higher on Weidman than most on the draft board. Leaving aside discussions of whether we will ignore need to go BPA (again), what would be your preference in terms of the realistic talls who might be available (e.g. Burton, Collins, Weidman, the McKays)?

 

[dogeatdog]

Chris, separate topic and I know it is still early to draw any conclusions but how have you accessed Freo's draftees from 2014 draft? Under/over or at your expectations going into the season?

 

[Scham]

Could Mitch Hibberd realistically go as high as our first pick Chris25? And if so, do you think he'd be worth it?

 

[WilloTree]

Western Bulldogs have delisted Daniel Pearce. 181cm 76kg Midfield/utility... Surely, he's already booked his flight?

 

[apuchar]

Mitchell Hibberd23/9/96191cm/85kgClarenceMitchell played his first game in nearly 18 months recently and was really good. He had 29 disposals and it was a really good effort to come back and fit back in seamlessly on the wing and half-back. He had a knee reconstruction at the end of 2013 and didn't play any footy and then as he was coming back he needed a shoulder reconstruction. He'll be one to generate a bit of interest.

 

[Andy Brennan]

What not quite key forward sized half-forward or half-back Flanders are available? I'm really interested in skinny 185 to 190 cm blokes.

 

[youmewe]

What not quite key forward sized half-forward or half-back Flanders are available? I'm really interested in skinny 185 to 190 cm blokes.

Have you tried 'eHarmony'?

 

[freo84]

Have you tried 'eHarmony'?

Oh dude I spat my drink out when i saw this!!

 

[Andy Brennan]

Have you tried 'eHarmony'?

Haha eharmony costs money though

 

[Chris25]

Welcome back Chris!
I've been waiting for this

I've been lurking, I just haven't been needed since Hinkley was delisted. Was tempted to return the other week after Tanner Smith finally got a game, but he was getting enough praise as it was.

Chris I notice you're higher on Weidman than most on the draft board. Leaving aside discussions of whether we will ignore need to go BPA (again), what would be your preference in terms of the realistic talls who might be available (e.g. Burton, Collins, Weidman, the McKays)?

I'd be more than happy with either Collins or Weideman, I just don't think they'll be available - particularly if there are any compensation picks given out. Collins is a sure thing as a defender in my opinion, Weitering is the next level but Collins could have a Lever type impact. He has really improved his attacking game over the past 12 months. I'd expect him to push the top 10. And I'm pretty sure that recruiters will value Weideman higher than BigFooty does, I think he has a bit of Taylor Walker to him in terms of football smarts and leadership. That sort of thing is what gets you onto draft boards, so I'd expect him to be go in the top 15 too.

Otherwise, I probably wouldn't go for the McKay brothers. Best case, they'd be a mix of Taberner and Apeness. I don't think they're the guys you build a forward line around and not what we need. Burton has long been my pick as one of the best players in the draft though, fully fit and he'd be in the same sort of discussion as Stringer, Gunston and Darling. It's just a matter of his medical report, his leg injury was nasty and he is still in recovery. If I'm confident he returns, I'd take him without a second thought.

 

[Chris25]

Could Mitch Hibberd realistically go as high as our first pick Chris25? And if so, do you think he'd be worth it?

I'd expect Hibberd could go anywhere from 15-30, so he would be worth the pick in that regards. But maybe surplus to our needs, I think he's more comfortable across half back and the wing as opposed to being a midfielder. I thought Ethan Hughes was very good in that Port Adelaide game, and would play a similar role. If I'm drafting a half back, it's someone with genuine speed.

 

[go_the_dockers]

Chris25 - Can you give me your opinion on Mitch Brown (VFL), Shoenmaker, and any other mature KPP who could hit the ground running next year.

 

[Chris25]

Chris, separate topic and I know it is still early to draw any conclusions but how have you accessed Freo's draftees from 2014 draft? Under/over or at your expectations going into the season?

Probably over, having both Weller and Langdon debut was a big plus. Can't say I was surprised by Weller, that kid is all class. But Langdon performed much better than I expected, didn't expect him to dominate as much as he did in the WAFL. Blakely developed well too, get him on the Fyfe diet and he should be a regular in no time. Let's just say, I'm very happy Sydney matched our bid on Jack Hiscox and we got Blakely instead.

And at this early stage, it doesn't seem like we missed on too many talls either. So that's always nice.

 

[TheMcManusNose]

I'd be more than happy with either Collins or Weideman, I just don't think they'll be available - particularly if there are any compensation picks given out. Collins is a sure thing as a defender in my opinion, Weitering is the next level but Collins could have a Lever type impact. He has really improved his attacking game over the past 12 months. I'd expect him to push the top 10. And I'm pretty sure that recruiters will value Weideman higher than BigFooty does, I think he has a bit of Taylor Walker to him in terms of football smarts and leadership. That sort of thing is what gets you onto draft boards, so I'd expect him to be go in the top 15 too.

Otherwise, I probably wouldn't go for the McKay brothers. Best case, they'd be a mix of Taberner and Apeness. I don't think they're the guys you build a forward line around and not what we need. Burton has long been my pick as one of the best players in the draft though, fully fit and he'd be in the same sort of discussion as Stringer, Gunston and Darling. It's just a matter of his medical report, his leg injury was nasty and he is still in recovery. If I'm confident he returns, I'd take him without a second thought.

Interesting, that was my worry from what i'd read of him. I'd rather not draft pure stoppers or KPPs based on size and athleticism. Give me football smarts and skills even if they're undersized.

Cheers mate.

 

[Chris25]

Chris25 - Can you give me your opinion on Mitch Brown (VFL), Shoenmaker, and any other mature KPP who could hit the ground running next year.

I don't typically watch too much VFL, but the two main ones to watch for are Mitch Brown and Michael Hartley. Brown being the versatile swing man, and Hartley the stopper down back. Both will likely go in the national draft, perhaps over drafted in the case of Brown. I'm not sure we really need another fringe mature aged KPP though? We already have Silvagni, while I'd be keeping Smith on the rookie list and I'd be comfortable with him being called up if needed.

I'd rather we developed Pearce, Smith and maybe a new draftee or two. There are a couple of 19/20 year old KPPs going around who have shown a few things.

 

[go_the_dockers]

I don't typically watch too much VFL, but the two main ones to watch for are Mitch Brown and Michael Hartley. Brown being the versatile swing man, and Hartley the stopper down back. Both will likely go in the national draft, perhaps over drafted in the case of Brown. I'm not sure we really need another fringe mature aged KPP though? We already have Silvagni, while I'd be keeping Smith on the rookie list and I'd be comfortable with him being called up if needed.

I'd rather we developed Pearce, Smith and maybe a new draftee or two. There are a couple of 19/20 year old KPPs going around who have shown a few things.

If Pav and McPharlin retires would that change your opinion?

I was thinking we need at least one ready to go recruit should they both retire.

 

[Chris25]

If Pav and McPharlin retires would that change your opinion?

I was thinking we need at least one ready to go recruit should they both retire.

I suppose it would change things, but I just have a feeling we'd have to overpay for what would essentially be insurance. If Brown was available as a rookie, yeah I'd probably take him. But I think some club will probably take him in the 40-50 range, an Essendon for example who'll be desperate for someone to come in straight away.

There aren't really any ready made tall forwards that I'd be interested in though.

 

[TheMcManusNose]

I noticed you had a few 19 year old KPDs in your thread that would probably be of interest if we are searching for a slightly fast tracked KPD. Do you think they are rookie options or would we have to use a ~3rd round pick?

Also Riley Bonner, thoughts? IMO we need someone with good disposal to take over the Johnno/3rd tall defender role, especially if we end up with Dawson/Smith/Silvagni as KPDs (who while good triers couldn't hit a barn door by foot). Is Bonner a viable option if asked to play a semi-accountable role, or is he pretty much a wingman who just happens to be ~190?

 

[Chris25]

I noticed you had a few 19 year old KPDs in your thread that would probably be of interest if we are searching for a slightly fast tracked KPD. Do you think they are rookie options or would we have to use a ~3rd round pick?

Also Riley Bonner, thoughts? IMO we need someone with good disposal to take over the Johnno/3rd tall defender role, especially if we end up with Dawson/Smith/Silvagni as KPDs (who while good triers couldn't hit a barn door by foot). Is Bonner a viable option if asked to play a semi-accountable role, or is he pretty much a wingman who just happens to be ~190?

The two I'm interested in are Nick Coughlan, a 19 year old who played some good football for Footscray in the VFL. He was an athletic forward last year as an 18 year old (and GWS Academy player) but shifted down back this year and is looking the goods. I wouldn't be surprised if he went in the third or fourth round, particularly to the Bulldogs. The other is Matt Uebergang, a 20 year old playing in the NEAFL. He's another ex-forward who is playing more consistent football down back. He'd be a rookie pick, also maybe more suited to the 3rd tall role.

Bonner is a purely attacking player for me - back flank/wing who just happens to be 190cm. If anything, you'd develop him as a midfielder as opposed to a tall defender. He'd get exposed if he had a job to do down back. He'll likely go in the top 25 or so too, so too rich for us I'd expect.

 

[Scham]

I know we're most likely looking at a tall but can I get your thoughts on Tucker please Chris25?

 

[couldhavebeen]

Hi Chris,
I'm interested in your thoughts of Darcy Cameron from Claremont . He is a colts player that has played more in the reserves and league teams this year 204cm and 104 kgs . He plays FF and in the ruck . He replaced Seby in the league team when he was injured .He takes a very good contested mark ,has a good vertical leap and has a big tank. IMHO we would be crazy to not take him early .

 

[Chris25]

I know we're most likely looking at a tall but can I get your thoughts on Tucker please Chris25?

I quite like Tucker, I know other people have cooled on him because they don't think he improved much this year. But I think he's a reasonably safe option. Even if he doesn't develop into a true midfielder, he should have a good career at half back. He reminds me a bit of Tommy Sheridan, although a little shorter but a bit more hard nosed. Runs hard and likes to break the lines off half back, he's also clean with his disposal. I'd expect him to go in the 10-20 range.

Hi Chris,
I'm interested in your thoughts of Darcy Cameron from Claremont . He is a colts player that has played more in the reserves and league teams this year 204cm and 104 kgs . He plays FF and in the ruck . He replaced Seby in the league team when he was injured .He takes a very good contested mark ,has a good vertical leap and has a big tank. IMHO we would be crazy to not take him early .

This will be the third season that Cameron has been talked about as a draft prospect, third year in which he's received an invite to the Combine too. Teams just don't like drafting young ruckmen anymore. Unless they're an absolute elite ruck, it's easier to let them just develop slowly in the WAFL - like Moller, ideally we'd only be picking him up now, but we didn't have much of a choice.

But with two full years in the WAFL, this should be Cameron's year. His improved marking and goal scoring is what should get him over the line. I don't see him going before the rookie draft though. I think we'd only draft him, if we lost one of our rucks to retirement or trade week (and unlike many, I'd keep Hannath on the list). With two of Clarke, Griffin and Hannath in the WAFL, along with Moller and Apeness, we don't have a lot of room for someone like Cameron.