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2016 Draft discussion

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The Flying Belgian said:
Was curious the other day when I heard you guys weren't deadset on McCluggage so went searching. Am I correct in thinking a decent percentage of that vision was from last year?
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Yeah was about 70/30 in terms of 2015 highlights vs 2016 highlights. As you would have read in mine/Briztoon's write up he had such an interrupted start to this year due to injury and suspension so he wasn't quite at his peak during when the Champs rolled around. In fact he missed the first game due to suspension as well.
 
Well it looks like it has come down to 2, McCluggage and Ainsworth. Not a bad problem to have, apart from the fact that we finish so low to get access to these types but hey let's not let that get in the way.
 

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briztoon said:
Hi Houli_Dooley hope you don't mind, I plagiarised your article from Bomberblitz a couple of pages back. Great write up and video. There's a few of us sold on Ainsworth here. Though I would take McGrath before McCluggage if it was a choice between those two.
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Just contacting my lawyers now. Hahaha nah you're right mate, completely fine.

Yeah at least you have the comfort of knowing you will DEFINITELY have access to at least 1 of these 3 players. That is a nice spot to be in as they are all super talents.

With Fagan putting an emphasis on forward pressure and manic harassment of the opposition in their D50 (as seen with Rioli, Puopolo and Breust being so vital to them) I can see him going for Ainsworth. He is more than that too as he has an aerial presence (plays above his height) and kicks goals at key moments.
 
The Bomb said:
I'm worried we will pick McGrath ahead of McCluggage, so if we pick McGrath, knowing you guys had pick 2 would you be disappointed not getting McCluggage, if GWS take him?
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Simple answer, hell no I wouldn't be disappointed. I rate them 1. McGrath, 2. Ainsworth, 3. McCluggage. And I'd probably draft SPS ahead of McCluggage as well.
 
Voss and Leppa(Up until last year) had it tough in terms of not having access to those elite top 3 draft prospects to aid us in rebuilding. I'm relieved that we now have a chance to add the cream of the crop two years in a row(Schache last year, most likely McCluggage or Ainsworth this year).

In terms of the Ainsworth v McCluggage debate. They are two of my favourite draft prospects of all time to be honest. Super talented and super exciting prospects who we would be very lucky to add to our list. A fair few people are saying this draft class lacks the truly elite prospects at the top end such as a gun KPP like a Weitering or Schache or midfielders on the level of guys like Callum Mills but gee guys like McCluggage and Ainsworth would be in the top three discussions in most drafts I reckon. Considering they both had interruptions in their pre seasons and in Ainsworth's case injury/suspension interruptions during the year, their seasons at U18/TAC Cup have been at a very high standard. McCluggage has statistically had one of the best, if not the best season a junior midfielder has ever had and Ainsworth is just an exciting footballer who is gifted athletically with star factor written all over him. When I look at McCluggage and Ainsworth I see two guys with loads of ability and potential who are likely to thrive and grow once in an AFL environment. Either way we get a gun and either way I'm happy.
 
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Oddly, I think out of the widely touted top three (Ainsworth, McLuggage, McGrath), the one who won't be an option for us - McGrath - is probably the third one I'd pick.

Incredibly happy with either Ainsworth or McLuggage.
 
One player I haven't really considered as a serious option is Brad Scheer.

Had a pretty decent year, and has a lot of attributes that would appeal to us. Was one of the leaders in the carnival in both Contested Possession and Clearances. Reviews on the draft boards have him as a contested beast with a strong tackle, decent up forward with a good grab and ability to finish around goal, with a reliable kick. Lacking pacing, but that seems to come with that type of player.

Gold Coast will need to go into defect to secure him after their trade period, any second round bids will quickly be matched. A bid at pick 16 will give the Suns some serious thinking.

Pick 16, 1067 x .8 = 853 - 250 (residual points from any early bids on Bowes) means they'll be looking at ~600 points defecit on their first next year.
If they do match, we could still benefit, as it has the potential to improves Ports first rounder next year by another spot.
 

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PattyKwasagun said:
Oddly, I think out of the widely touted top three (Ainsworth, McLuggage, McGrath), the one who won't be an option for us - McGrath - is probably the third one I'd pick.

Incredibly happy with either Ainsworth or McLuggage.
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I'm all for Ainsworth, he has got those game changing attributes, and with his strong forward play, he seems like a low risk investment. Feel the same as you with McGrath, leaves me kind of Meh, compared to the other two.

Starting to feel a little like last year with the Blues and Schache, think were jumping at shadows, at the end of the day, I think we will end up with our man Ainsworth.
 
1 player im interested in is peoples thoughts on Kobe Mutch.. a number of phantom drafters on here and Brett Anderson ( twitter) all seem to think that GWS wont match any bids for him.
Looks he could add to our growing midfield depth.
Would our pick 21, 22 be to high for him ?
and would he be a good fit for us ?
 
Trying to catch up on the draft a bit and saw a little infographic thing that had mcluggage ranked as elite for contested ball, thought that was a major knock on him. So what is it experts, is his contested ball a problem or not? I remember the aish knocks and he hasn't been able to improve at AFL level in that regard so it's always a concern.
 
I think the McCluggage can't win his own ball argument is flawed. People cite the fact that he only wins 40% contested or whatever the number is as a negative, however you've got to keep in mind that if he's picking it up 30 times he's winning 12 contested possessions a game. Compare that to a "contested beast" who wins the ball 20 times a match with 50-60% being contested and they're still only winning 10-12 contested possessions a game. I think it's unjustified to be calling him an outside player, it'd be more reasonable to call him a good contested player with a far superior outside game compared to other inside players.
 
Not a Psycho said:
I think the McCluggage can't win his own ball argument is flawed. People cite the fact that he only wins 40% contested or whatever the number is as a negative, however you've got to keep in mind that if he's picking it up 30 times he's winning 12 contested possessions a game. Compare that to a "contested beast" who wins the ball 20 times a match with 50-60% being contested and they're still only winning 10-12 contested possessions a game. I think it's unjustified to be calling him an outside player, it'd be more reasonable to call him a good contested player with a far superior outside game compared to other inside players.
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Exactly the type of response I was looking for cheers!
 

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Ainsworth has so much control from hand to foot and has the same feel as Luke Power.

Add to this that he is stocky, he could almost immediately be that bullocking player feeding off the back of packs.
 
Surely we go one of these three McCluggage, Brodie, Taranto with our 3rd pick. I don't want to see the lions pick another kid under 180cm playing half forward/forward pocket. I want a big body midfielder, proven ball winner in and under. I will like the look of our team if we can add them with beams, rocky, zorko, robinson, bastinac, rich. We have the two guys to put forward pressure on with Christensen (when fit) and Taylor. We have Schache and Hipwood up front. We have frost and andrews down back locking down the big forward then we have mayes, cutler, paparone running off the half back starts looking alright. Need more midfield depth.
 
When I see the speed and intensity Ainsworth plays at, as well as his great overhead ability... then measure out 2 cm with my fingers, it really doesn't seem an issue.

He has incredible midfield potential for mine as well.
 
Gibbo_88 said:
Ainsworth will be a lion in 2017. Take it to the bank :thumbsu:
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Yeah I get the feeling this is the club's ideal outcome. But Essendon taking McGrath would really throw a spanner in the works.

GWS obviously want McGrath, but I think if it came down to McCluggage v Ainsworth they'd go with the latter purely for X-factor
 

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2016 Draft discussion

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