Game Day 2016 AFL National Draft-Friday November 25th 6.30pm

[Pure_Ownage]

So the day is upon us of the 2016 AFL National Draft to be held in Sydney.

As a reminder Geelong has selections 24, 38, 42, 63, 71, 73 and 84 (it may use a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 of these picks).

Coverage of the draft will start at 6.30pm on Fox and is also covered by SEN and 3aw on radio.

Please feel free to discuss last minute rumours about who is going where, as well as live discussion of the picks as they land on the night. Opposition supporters are welcome to post in this thread however please read our board rules which can be found here https://www.bigfooty.com/forum/thre...x-of-important-threads-inc-rules-etc.1118735/ as posts that breach these rules will be infracted.

Key resources:
Draft Day Event info: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/nab-afl-draft

AFL Draft Hub: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-countdown

Draft order (all clubs picks): http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-24/indicative-2016-afl-draft-order

Draft picks points value table: http://www.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL Tenant/AFL/Files/Points-draft-value.pdf

Player profiles: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/draft-pool

Road to the draft podcasts: http://www.afl.com.au/draft/road-to-the-draft

Phantom Drafts:
Emma Quayle (The Age) http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-ne...se-in-the-2016-afl-draft-20161124-gswol9.html

Brett Anderson (SEN and Inside Football) https://www.sen.com.au/news/2016/11/23/anderson-final-2016-afl-mock-draft/

Christopher Doerre aka Knightmare (BigFooty and ESPN website) http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/18053132/knightmare-updated-2016-afl-phantom-draft

Callum Twomey (AFL website) http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-24/callum-twomeys-2016-phantom-draft

 

[dangerwood]

Of the phantom draft predictions ill take Shai Bolton from Emma Quayles.

Id be quite excited if we got Bolton.

Would run circles around cedric cox and Im just not that keen on Battle.

 

[THE CAT WRANGLER]

Of the phantom draft predictions ill take Shai Bolton from Emma Quayles.

Id be quite excited if we got Bolton.

Would run circles around cedric cox and Im just not that keen on Battle.

Agree happy with Bolton

 

[year of the cat]

Ridley or Bolton would do me for our first.

 

[DangerIsLove]

Our best bet is to take Powell Pepper if available at 24. If not I would take Battle for Shit shits and gigs. If Isaac Cumming is available at 38 I would pounce on him. I'd also love a slider like Bolton or both Cox's to get to 38. As for 42 we might have to use that on Tom Stewart.
Would love to see Atkins end up at Shit Cattery also

 

[OzeSparky]

Im another that isn't keen on Battle, so Shai Bolton will do me too.

 

[foodles05]

Shai Bolton will definitely do me as well. Would absolutely love SPP or Galluci and the ultimate would be O Florent but no chance to be there. Just not an average tall/medium forward with out first pick please!

 

[David the Cat]

Battle is a goal kicker..good size...they'll be tempted. Of course he might not get to us..

Bolton would be fine..

 

[Sticksman]

I don't have Foxtel so any comments during the evening from those that do would be appreciated. I don't want to rely entirely on AW or SEN muppet commentary.

 

[Gavin Excell]

Will we ever have a first round pick again?

 

[Sttew]

I keep reading Callum Twomey reports that say Geelong's first pick is 26. It is 24, isn't it?

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-24/callum-twomeys-late-mail-draft-bolter-keeps-bolting

 

[year of the cat]

Will we ever have a first round pick again?

Not if Wells keeps trading them unnecessarily.

 

[year of the cat]

I keep reading Callum Twomey reports that say Geelong's first pick is 26. It is 24, isn't it?

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-24/callum-twomeys-late-mail-draft-bolter-keeps-bolting

I'd say he's assuming two bids come in for Cumming and Perryman prior to our pick

 

[bloodygoose]

Can anyone share the Geelong Advertiser stories? The story kicker suggests Wells may draft local kids.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GHS33]

I keep reading Callum Twomey reports that say Geelong's first pick is 26. It is 24, isn't it?

http://m.afl.com.au/news/2016-11-24/callum-twomeys-late-mail-draft-bolter-keeps-bolting

It's officially 24 but if academy kids go before 24 it will push our pick out. Could go as low as 27 if Setterfield, Perryman and Cumming all go first round.

 

[GHS33]

Can anyone share the Geelong Advertiser stories? The story kicker suggests Wells may draft local kids.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GEELONG has produced another stellar batch of potential AFL players, but who has the best chance of a call-up to the big leagues?

Geelong Advertiser chief football writer Nick Wade assesses their chances for ahead of the draft.

ALEX WITHERDEN

Bio: Clubs are unfazed by the season-ending injury Witherden suffered while playing for Geelong College given he is almost back to full training. Very much a defensive architect who reads the play well, uses the ball beautifully by foot and is capable of eventually playing in the midfield. Needs to rebuild his fitness but the AFL Academy graduate has long been touted as an elite junior prospect and six months out with a leg injury has done nothing to change that.

Plays like: Drew comparisons to James Hird early in his career, but is now seen as a Brendon Goddard-type player for the way he sets up from half back with his elite kicking and pushes up to a wing. There is also a hint of Steve Johnson in the way he can assess a situation, kick around corners and somehow get the footy into a hands of a player in an attacking position.

DOB: September 10, 1998. Height: 186cm. Weight: 80kg.

Clubs: St Joseph’s/Geelong College/Geelong Falcons.

Club says: “Alex as a 16-year-old had already really established his reputation,” Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said. “Alex will get drafted, 100 per cent. He’s got a great attitude, he knows where he’s going, he can win the football in a lot of different positions. The only game he played for us this year he played forward and probably should have kicked five goals in the first quarter, he’s just such a clever player.”

The verdict: Will be the first Falcons player selected, possibly as early as the first round. Has been linked to Port Adelaide’s pick 14. Unlikely to slide past the 20s. Would have pushed for top 10 if he played all season.

JACK HENRY

Bio: Geelong Falcons insiders believe Henry has the potential to be anything, based on how much upside he still has. A former national-level junior decathlete from serious athletic pedigree, he only turned his attention to football last year and has been the bolter of the group. While his consistency was at times hot and cold this season, some of Henry’s best performances were so elite they could be enough to tempt a club to take an early punt. Didn’t have a great finals series but was carrying an ankle injury.

Plays like: Has been likened to Brendon Goddard for the role he played on a wing. His running traits are similar to Mark Blicavs in that he has a powerful tank and can play almost anywhere, allowing him to go forward and kick important goals — such as when he played a leading role in St Joseph’s College’s Herald Sun Shield win. Kicking needs work but a fulltime AFL environment should be able to refine that to the standard required.

DOB: August 29, 1998. Height: 191cm. Weight: 83kg.

Club: St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons.

Club says: “He played some really good marquee games for us. He didn’t dominate the TAC Cup, but he did things in certain games where recruiters will go back and really look at. He can play half forward, half back, wing, and there’s a lot of development in him because of his lack of football over the journey. If he doesn’t get drafted I will be shocked,” Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said.

The verdict: In the pick 30-40 range, but Henry could be one of the surprises of the night. While Alex Witherden is acknowledged as the Falcons’ top prospect, Henry is a close second and, just like Darcy Lang was a shock No. 15 pick in the 2013 draft, there’s enough chatter to suggest Henry is capable of causing a similar boilover.

SEAN DARCY

Bio: Described privately as the best tap ruckman in the TAC Cup, perhaps even in the draft pool. There is a video package doing the rounds in AFL circles of a game against Murray where he had 40 hit-outs, teaming brilliantly with midfielder Cassidy Parish.

The 18-year-old has completed his own version of the Amazing Race to chase his AFL dream after balancing his Falcons commitments with boarding at Melbourne’s Xavier College and living in South Purrumbete, near Cobden. Hounded AFL Victoria to play in the Vic Country side and didn’t let them down.

Plays like: It didn’t take long for the Shane Mumford comparisons — role, size and aggression. Darcy has good kicking skills for his size, has learnt to throw his big frame around and will improve his conditioning in a fulltime environment.

DOB: June 12, 1998. Height: 201cm. Weight: 113kg.

Clubs: Cobden, Hampden league/Xavier College/Geelong Falcons.

Club says: “He’s been really dedicated,” Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said. “Good attitude, can win the footy, good decision making, has got really good skills, a beautiful left-foot kick, he can go forward. I would say that most people would say Sean Darcy is the best tap ruckman in the draft.”

The verdict: On the borderline of the national draft but should eventually find himself on an AFL list through the rookie draft. If he misses out, he will be back at the Falcons next year as an over-age player.

SAM SIMPSON

Bio: The son of Sean Simpson is guaranteed to be on an AFL list — it’s just a matter of which club. The Cats opted not to commit to him as a father-son selection in the national draft, meaning he is free to be picked up by any club. But the Cats have priority access to him if he slides to the rookie draft and will take him if he is available. A wingman who pushes forward, Simpson is a late developer who has played only nine TAC Cup matches and is training both at the Falcons and Cats in the lead-up to the draft.

Plays like: There are some Scott Pendlebury tendencies in the way he moves across the ground. TAC Cup players often couldn’t tackle him, he just had an evasive knack of finding space. Not overly quick but has a big engine and is capable of being a difficult match-up in the forward half. Had 28 disposals, six marks and four tackles against the Western Jets in just his second TAC Cup match.

DOB: June 14, 1998. Height: 179cm. Weight: 64kg.

Club: St Joseph’s/Geelong Falcons.

Club says: “He was probably one of our best performing athletes (in the pre-season), but then he got a crook back, and during the year he had a few knee problems, so he hasn’t had a clear run through the year,” Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said. “But in the game he’s played, he’s done well. We played Dandenong during the year, Wellsy (Stephen Wells) was there, everyone was there, and he just turned it on. He’s got some tricks, some real tricks.”

The verdict: It’s a lineball call as to whether he survives to the rookie draft. At least two other clubs — both of which were finalists this year — are understood to have strong

interest in Simpson. The Cats, of course, can still select him in the national draft, but they just no longer have the right to intervene if another club gets in first. “I’ve had clubs say ‘if Geelong doesn’t do anything, we will’. There’s clear interest in him,” Turner said.


PAT DOWLING

Bio: Penetrating left-footer whose biggest strength is his ability to hit the scoreboard. Was one of the Falcons’ more consistent players and finished the season strongly after being overlooked for

Vic Country.

Plays like: Kicks a bit like Matt Suckling and also has shades of Luke Power about him.

DOB: September 28, 1998. Height: 186cm. Weight: 81kg.

Club: St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons.

Club says: “He went to the state screening and there’s been a little bit of interest in him, but he’s more of a chance as a rookie I think,” Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said. “He was part of a very talented, even side.”

The verdict: As Turner said, best hope is the rookie draft. But if he is overlooked, a year at senior level will put him in good stead for this time next year.


MAX AUGERINOS

Bio: Augerinos’s stocks solidified after a series of shutdown jobs on key midfielders in the back end of the season, notably the job he did to rein in potential No. 1 draft pick Hugh McCluggage in the qualifying final. Described as a “hard-edged tough nut” by AFL talent guru Kevin Sheehan, Augerinos also played senior GFL footy this year and was one of the Falcons’ starting midfielders. Very consistent, professional, ruthless and tested well for speed and agility at the “Rookie Me” Combine.

Plays like: A Liam Shiels-type player who can tag effectively when required, prides himself on leadership and can flick the switch as an attacking weapon,

DOB: March 31, 1997. Height: 176cm. Weight: 71kg.

Club: St Mary’s/Geelong Falcons.

Club says: “Max has come back as a 19-year-old and absolutely dominated. I compare him to Luke Dahlhaus a lot because Max didn’t get invited to the state screening but neither did Luke Dahlhaus. Both on-ballers, both have fantastic attitudes and can play inside and get the hard ball. Max is a better kick, he’s a longer kick. If I’m going to push for anyone in our squad who hasn’t been pushed hard, it would be Max, he’s worth a punt,” Falcons talent manager Michael Turner said.

The verdict: If Mick Turner and Andy Allthorpe get their way, he’ll get a rookie chance.


TOM STEWART

Bio: The South Barwon fullback played 18 of a possible 19 VFL matches this year and proved his adaptability by often playing undersized on key forwards. Not only can he spoil from seemingly any position, he was regularly among the Cats’ leading possession winners as a springboard out of defence and played on the edge. At 190cm, Stewart is a genuine third-tall defender at AFL level and has honed his craft in recent seasons with the sage advice of champion defender Matthew Scarlett. Stewart averaged the second most disposals of any key defender (16.9) in the VFL, including 6.3 intercepts per match.

DOB: March 15, 1993. Height: 190cm. Weight: 90kg.

Clubs: South Barwon/Geelong VFL.

Expert says: “Stewart’s game has grown significantly this season. The defender has developed a reputation to spoil just about anything and everything that comes remotely near him, but he also has an attacking string to his bow. Stewart won flags with South Barwon in 2012 and 2013 before joining the Cats’ VFL side. An aggressive defender, he was named at centre half-back in the VFL Team of the Year and finished runner-up in Geelong’s VFL best-and-fairest.” — Fox Footy draft guru Ben Waterworth

The verdict: Seems a great chance to be drafted or rookied, but there’s still a bit to play out. He was invited to the state screening, which means he is on the radar of at least two AFL clubs. Geelong is also very keen and history shows the Cats’ VFL side is a breeding ground for quality tall defenders after Matthew Egan and Scott Thompson were plucked from VFL ranks in 2004 and 2007.


WILL SEXTON

Bio: Blossomed in the second half of the year after forcing his way into Geelong’s talented VFL side, then keeping his spot during the finals. Crisp ball user off half back and has fixed some of the defensive areas in his game to easily hold his own at VFL level. Was runner-up in the Geelong Falcons’ best-and-fairest in 2015.

DOB: May 14, 1997. Height: 175cm. Weight: 75kg.

Clubs: South Barwon/Geelong VFL.

Club says: “Will is obviously a great user of the footy and makes really smart decisions as well. He does have areas of his game that could improve, like his aerobic capacity, but we’re working on those with him and he’s working really hard on the contested side of his game and his defensive accountability. He’s one of the model young kids that you just love to have in your program because he’s so professional, diligent, works hard, is respectful and has a lot of upside to him,” VFL football manager Troy Selwood said.

The verdict: Might find it tough to squeeze into a rookie spot this year but won’t give up.


SAM McLACHLAN

Bio: This could end up being one of the great stories to come out of Geelong’s VFL program. Overlooked for North Ballarat at TAC Cup level, McLachlan dominated at Hampden level last year for North Warrnambool and did not want to live with any regrets, so he moved his life to Geelong last summer to chase his footy dream. He was noticed almost immediately by several AFL clubs, who requested he attend the state draft screening. McLachlan is a strong inside midfielder with polished skills who is composed, holds his tackles, has a ruthless streak and works well in traffic. At the state combine, he finished second among VFL players in the beep test with a score of 13.3 and third in the 20m sprint (3.29sec). McLachlan’s natural goal sense adds to his credentials.

DOB: September 22, 1995. Height: 187cm. Weight: 84kg.

Clubs: Colac/Geelong VFL.

Club says: “He was one of our surprise packets of the year,” VFL football manager Troy

Selwood said. “He played on instinct and the grounding he had in the Hampden league helped him to not be intimidated by the step up of playing senior footy against men. It didn’t take long before he was in our best 22.”

The verdict: Still 50-50 for the draft but there is a sense a club might have seen enough to roll the dice in the rookie draft.


TIMM HOUSE

Bio: “Can clunk it,’’ a recruiter was saying last week as he discussed the powerful Geelong VFL player. The Newtown & Chilwell swingman showed his marking prowess in his VFL debut when he kicked five goals against Sandringham. House arrived in Geelong last year but he calls WA home and played reserve grade and colts football for Claremont. Although he showed up as a forward, House is capable of playing in defence. The Cats like what they’ve seen — and two Melbourne clubs do as well. — VFL guru Paul Amy

DOB: May 26, 1995. Height: 194cm. Weight: 95kg.

Club: Newtown & Chilwell/Geelong VFL.


TOM ATKINS

Bio: Tom Ruggles won the Geelong VFL best-and-fairest last year then was rookie-listed months later. Does the same fate await the Cats’ 2016 VFL best-and-fairest winner in Atkins? Should he land at a club, they will be taking on a hard-edged, inside player who fears no one. Atkins was rewarded for his stellar 2016 season by being named in the VFL Team of the Year. The boy from St Joseph’s was ranked third in the VFL for tackles a game, rated elite for average goals and had a contested possession rate well above 50 per cent. — Fox Footy’s Sarah Olle & Ben Waterworth

DOB: September 18, 1995. Height: 180cm. Weight: 85kg.

Clubs: St Joseph’s/Geelong VFL

Club says: “Tom, for us, is a great story of perseverance and persistence in our VFL program,” VFL football manager Troy Selwood said. “Over the pre-season he had a strong attitude towards VFL footy and he didn’t want to leave the program with any regrets and you could tell over the summer how important he was going to be for our VFL side this year, just through the midfield with how he plays, and the defensive pressure he applies. By the first month of the season we felt he was already one of the most important pieces in the team. I think he now believes he can match it with not only VFL players but also AFL-listed players.”

The verdict: Rookie chance. What hurts him is there’s so many midfielders available.


JYE BOLTON

Bio: The former Leopold and Drysdale player’s decision to move across the Nullarbor and join Claremont has undoubtedly paid off for Bolton, who was the standout player in the WAFL in 2016. He won the Sandover Medal as the competition’s best-and-fairest, as well as Claremont’s best-and-fairest, a spot in the WAFL team of the year and the Simpson Medal after his two-goal, 46-disposal game in WA’s 134-point state game victory over Tasmania. Following one season on Collingwood’s rookie list, Bolton appears better prepared to give the AFL a crack. Finished off the season in fine fashion, winning 30-plus disposals and 7-plus clearances in each of his final seven games. He averaged 35 disposals and 10 clearances over this stretch. — Fox Footy draft guru Ben Waterworth

DOB: March 3, 1992. Height: 180cm. Weight: 85kg.

Club: Claremont.

The verdict: A hard-running ball magnet that can either play as an inside or outside midfielder, Bolton could not have done much more in 2016 to boost his draft hopes.

Source: http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au...t/news-story/0cf00045f0d7a448ce57a371e10ce30d

 

[Catsnlakers]

Will we ever have a first round pick again?

Next trade period we will trade to get a first rounder i reckon... As we need to have had two first rounders by the 2018 draft... On topic just excited to welcome any young men to our club and help build the future.

 

[Stan The Caddy]

I'm gonna put my hand up here. I have NFI what I want us to do...

 

[Pure_Ownage]

Not if Wells keeps trading them unnecessarily.

He is not allowed to indefinitely so i wouldnt stress.

As for tonight i want battle but i reckon 24 will be ridley unless they feel stewart wont last til 38.

 

[Benny78]

Who are we going to pick 24 in the draft today guys?

Edit: Ah Ridley. His father used to run a stock feed mill in Pakenham.

 

[Ricky Vaughn]

I'm gonna put my hand up here. I have NFI what I want us to do...

+1 Here.

But 5 minutes after we draft a bloke, and I watch his 3 minute highlights and read a short bio, I'll be an expert on his potential AFL career.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

I reckon we take 6 picks and turn them into this...

 

[year of the cat]

He is not allowed to indefinitely so i wouldnt stress.

As for tonight i want battle but i reckon 24 will be ridley unless they feel stewart wont last til 38.

All along I thought you were hoping for Ridley rather than Battle

 

[CatRiot]

What do people think - will it be a huge loss if we lost Tom Stewart, Sam Simpson and Tim House in the draft?

 

[CatRiot]

I reckon we take 6 picks and turn them into this...

View attachment 313163

What an unbelievable draft that was... classic