2015 Draft - Which midfielder is next?

[poshman]

Great thread!

As I can't see your thoughts in the trade threads and without derailing this too much Id love your opinion on the potential trades for McCarthy and Bennell? If you feel it will derail this too much perhaps you could give your opinion in those threads Chris?

Either way appreciate your work!

 

[Chris25]

Great thread!

As I can't see your thoughts in the trade threads and without derailing this too much Id love your opinion on the potential trades for McCarthy and Bennell? If you feel it will derail this too much perhaps you could give your opinion in those threads Chris?

Either way appreciate your work!

I would be more than happy with both of McCarthy and Bennell. But with some reservations.

As good as I think Bennell is, I can't see how we'd be able to get both him and McCarthy without trading someone like Weller. We'd need to get another first round pick from somewhere, and he has the most value. But even if Bennell is better now, I have high expectations of Weller. Hopefully he nominated only us and we got some sort of a bad behaviour discount, but I'd be focusing on McCarthy first and foremost and deal for Bennell if I had anything left over.

The only issue I have with McCarthy, is that I don't think he's a true #1 key forward. No reason to think he wont continue to be at least a 40 goal forward, but he looks better with other bigger targets around him to me - whether that be Pavlich next year, or ideally Apeness comes on and plays that role. One rumour I have heard is our first round pick and Chris Mayne for McCarthy, which I'd strongly consider.

Bennell and McCarthy for our 1st round, 2nd round, Weller and Mayne? It does seem like a lot...

 

[couldhavebeen]

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.



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.

Hannath has not improved in the 2 years on our list .
Cameron would be the perfect replacement for him and he could be the replacement for Pavlich if we don't get McCarthy .Clarke would be my first choice to stay and Griffin has been good at filling the gap of the second tall forward \ruck . Moller is still a year off being in our best 22 but this kid could come into the team very quickly . Apeness has yet to show us anything and has been injured for almost the whole year . Yes he has potential but Cameron will be a better player .

 

[Chris25]

Seems like as good a time as any to bump this...

 

[Freo Dr]

Hey Chris25 since we had state screenings now as well as the draft combine would like to get your thoughts on some of the talls IF they happen to be available around our remaining picks (assuming no McCarthy trade).

So local boys Marcus Adams (1st in 20 m sprint, mature player) and Shane McAdam or the boy from Hale (Jimmy Miller)...

 

[theGav56]

Any plausible mature talls that might work.

 

[Unique Name]

Chris, if we continue as is our first two picks are 22 then 53.

Do you think there are any KPP's worth looking at 53 or should we just be getting best available that low in the draft?

Thanks

 

[Freo Dr]

Any plausible mature talls that might work.

sherrif and I - maybe others as well - like the look of Marcus Adams as a mature recruit KPF ready to go sooner rather than later. He did the state screening and won the 20m sprint, something like 193 cm but really built and takes a strong contested mark. Ideally I would like to get him with our 2nd or later pick (would think 3rd round or rookie myself). This would allow us to get the most talented youngster still with pick 22.

 

[Scham]

sherrif and I - maybe others as well - like the look of Marcus Adams as a mature recruit KPF ready to go sooner rather than later. He did the state screening and won the 20m sprint, something like 193 cm but really built and takes a strong contested mark. Ideally I would like to get him with our 2nd or later pick (would think 3rd round or rookie myself). This would allow us to get the most talented youngster still with pick 22.

Good to see you and sherrif have finally twigged. I guess a guy has to run a quick 20m before you get on board?

 

[Freo Dr]

Good to see you and sherrif have finally twigged. I guess a guy has to run a quick 20m before you get on board?

Actually saw him last year and been thinking we should be looking at him since April, although I can understand your West Perth loyalties on this...

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/threads/which-wa-lad-to-try-and-poach.1061213/#post-32817159

Believe Tayl0r is a fan of the big fella as well, wants him to be Mr November (Draft)

 

[Taylor]

Yep. The added flexibility of playing him forward or back makes him worth our first choice in the draft.

Although I'm equal parts confident that we will take him with our first pick as I am that we will take him with our last, I would like to add him to our stable of big men.

I'd be taking him with our first choice knowing it puts a mature, as in ready to go, big body in the forward line for round one with the option to play him in defence for 2017/18 if we secure McCarthy or another of our tall options needs a place in the forward line.

 

[Agenfrida]

If the Worst is anything to go by, we might be taking that young kid from Exmouth, Jimmy Miller with our first (If he's still there). How many clubs need to nominate for state combine invites? 3? So clearly there's a couple of clubs looking at Adams too. Hopefully he's there at our pick, but given it's a weak draft and a few clubs need talls, he might not be.

 

[Freo Dr]

If two clubs nominate interest then they got to state screening but reps from all clubs attend anyway.

I have seen all the results from the SA combine, but the WA results I can only find a summary on the AFL website. Was hoping to see the beep test results for these WA guys ...

 

[Nickos66]

Menegola topped the list in WA with 14.13.

Must've had a big friday night. I'd have expected higher from him.

 

[Taylor]

Menegola topped the list in WA with 14.13.

Must've had a big friday night. I'd have expected higher from him.

It was humid and gross in Joondalup, thick air. I know that sounds odd but it makes it hard to run.

 

[Chris25]

Hey Chris25 since we had state screenings now as well as the draft combine would like to get your thoughts on some of the talls IF they happen to be available around our remaining picks (assuming no McCarthy trade).

So local boys Marcus Adams (1st in 20 m sprint, mature player) and Shane McAdam or the boy from Hale (Jimmy Miller)...

Assuming no McCarthy trade, we'd be left with picks 22 and 56 - which isn't ideal for drafting a quality KPP. Pick 22 is in that awkward spot, where the best talls are taken but it's maybe too soon for that next group. I'd expect Weideman, Burton, Curnow and Collins to all be gone. That leaves Harry McKay as probably the next best, but I wouldn't take him for Fremantle. So unless one of the top names does drop, I'd expect us to go smaller. Midfielders is where the value will be. Maybe Ah Chee will be there, and we can play 6 small forwards.

I don't believe in reaching for someone, just because they might be gone by when we next pick. That's how you end up with someone like Boekhurst as a first round pick. And that's where I stand on Marcus Adams. I think somewhere around 50 is probably about his value, so at 56 he'd be an option for me. He's strong, fast and could play early, but I don't think he's the answer. He looks like a third tall to me, not a key position player. And better suited down back too. I think he's a useful piece, like Spangher at the Hawks.

I wont pretend to know anything about Jimmy Miller. I guess he'd be a rookie option, maybe last round in the national draft if we really were trying to 'hide him'. We'll see.

 

[Chris25]

Chris, if we continue as is our first two picks are 22 then 53.

Do you think there are any KPP's worth looking at 53 or should we just be getting best available that low in the draft?

Thanks

I assume most of the talls I'm interested will be picked between our picks - Coughlan, Skinner, Moore, Smith. Maybe a defender like Glass-McCasker is there and an option come the third round. Or as I mentioned above, Marcus Adams. But I think you just go best available, try your luck come the rookie draft where there isn't the same pressure on the players - maybe the 20 year old Uebergang from the NEAFL. It's not often talls picked late in the national draft actually come good.

If anything, I'd reach at 22 and pick Sam Skinner.

 

[Chris25]

Any plausible mature talls that might work.

I don't think so. Not any forwards at least.

19 year old Nick Coughlan in the national draft, 20 year old Matt Uebergang in the rookie draft. Both are athletic tall defenders.

Mitch Brown looks like another Alex Silvagni or Joel Tippett to me. Too good for the state leagues, not good enough to be a regular in the AFL. Michael Hartley is the best mature aged shut down defender. Tom Keough from the SANFL is a bit like Marcus Adams, not quite a KPP but an option anyway.

 

[meima]

Assuming no McCarthy trade, we'd be left with picks 22 and 56 - which isn't ideal for drafting a quality KPP. Pick 22 is in that awkward spot, where the best talls are taken but it's maybe too soon for that next group. I'd expect Weideman, Burton, Curnow and Collins to all be gone. That leaves Harry McKay as probably the next best, but I wouldn't take him for Fremantle. So unless one of the top names does drop, I'd expect us to go smaller. Midfielders is where the value will be. Maybe Ah Chee will be there, and we can play 6 small forwards.

I don't believe in reaching for someone, just because they might be gone by when we next pick. That's how you end up with someone like Boekhurst as a first round pick. And that's where I stand on Marcus Adams. I think somewhere around 50 is probably about his value, so at 56 he'd be an option for me. He's strong, fast and could play early, but I don't think he's the answer. He looks like a third tall to me, not a key position player. And better suited down back too. I think he's a useful piece, like Spangher at the Hawks.

I wont pretend to know anything about Jimmy Miller. I guess he'd be a rookie option, maybe last round in the national draft if we really were trying to 'hide him'. We'll see.

If ah Chee around , pick 22 is worth for ballas successor.

 

[couldhavebeen]

Chris 25 I'm interested in your thoughts on Darcy Cameron from Claremont 204cm 101 kg 20 years old . I've only seen limited game time of him but he impressed me with his contested marking and ruck work . Should Fremantle look at him as a late draft pick \rookie . He's a late bloomer and a bit under the radar but he to me is a natural footballer and could be the diamond in the ruff .

 

[Chris25]

Chris 25 I'm interested in your thoughts on Darcy Cameron from Claremont 204cm 101 kg 20 years old . I've only seen limited game time of him but he impressed me with his contested marking and ruck work . Should Fremantle look at him as a late draft pick \rookie . He's a late bloomer and a bit under the radar but he to me is a natural footballer and could be the diamond in the ruff .

He really could have been drafted as an 18 year old, it's just that teams don't like having to put 3 or 4 years into a young ruckman before they see a return. It's easier to just let them develop in the state leagues, that's what Hannath had to do. Now Cameron has reached that spot where he is ready to contribute at AFL level, so he should get picked up this year - he's been to the Combine three years in a row now.

As a rookie, he'd be an obvious pick for us. I don't think we really need another ruckman on our senior list, we have four already. But there's room on the rookie list for sure. He's a little like Jon Griffin with his marking and versatility to go forward, bit better athlete too.

 

[TheMcManusNose]

I assume most of the talls I'm interested will be picked between our picks - Coughlan, Skinner, Moore, Smith. Maybe a defender like Glass-McCasker is there and an option come the third round. Or as I mentioned above, Marcus Adams. But I think you just go best available, try your luck come the rookie draft where there isn't the same pressure on the players - maybe the 20 year old Uebergang from the NEAFL. It's not often talls picked late in the national draft actually come good.

If anything, I'd reach at 22 and pick Sam Skinner.

Seems to be much more the case for KPFs rather than KPDs it seems. There a quite a few reasonable AFL level KPDs going around who are late 2nd -> rookie, but competent KPFs there are practically none.

Personally I'd rather wait until #56 for options like Adams or try one of your mentioned 19-20 year old talls in the 4th round or rookie (given it seems we will have quite a few list spots to fill).

22 is probably too late for a decent 1-2 KPF option as you say, however it seems you need to have a pick in that range if you want to be looking at players with genuinely elite disposal (e.g. Hibberd, Bonner as random examples from this draft) - you can't get those guys in the 3rd round. I think that is almost as pressing a problem for us as KPFs.

 

[Taylor]

I think KPDs can get away with being super athletes without much ball reading ability, as long as they can notice their man on the lead and beat them they don't even need to be able to mark.

Obviously those that can mark are a step above but if your whole job is to stop someone else influencing play, and that person is dictating your required effort then it's not as tough to find an athlete for the role.

 

[Frank J Moose]

Declan Mountford had some pretty impressive athletic scores at the draft and reasonable stats in the U18s. However doesn't seem to br highly rated?

 

[TheMcManusNose]

I think KPDs can get away with being super athletes without much ball reading ability, as long as they can notice their man on the lead and beat them they don't even need to be able to mark.

Obviously those that can mark are a step above but if your whole job is to stop someone else influencing play, and that person is dictating your required effort then it's not as tough to find an athlete for the role.

Absolutely. I notice Chris has mentioned a few who have developed a rebounding capability in addition to being a simple stopper. But yeah, big guys who know where to lead are hens teeth.