Hot Topic 2016 DRAFT

[HBF]

I'm just wondering what the knock is on Powell-Pepper? He's been spoken about for a couple of years as a draft prospect but never in the top 15.

Tough and competitive, is it just that others show more polish?

His field kicking can let him down at times. But this is going on very limited viewings of SPP.

 

[La Dispute]

If we do pick up SPS at 5. Hoping we can pick up SPP at 25. They'd help each other settle in. And they'd provide a nice balance of 'types'. One skilful runner. One bull extractor.

It'd be very possible and would balance our list profile nicely. Crazy to think talent like Clarke and SPP will be available in the mid-20's with a number of players jumping up the rankings. Both would start round 1 as well.

I think it's been mentioned a few times but given how good this draft is for inside mids, we'd be smart to take a couple. Petrevski-Seton, Pepper-Powell and then someone like Poholke or Mutch would be outstanding.

Grab a couple of determined TAC cup kids with some high-level attributes with our later picks and we're laughing.

 

[Jimmae]

Because if you have the #1 pick its because you finished last, and you need to be able to sell the dream to your members.. and the story line that you got your 2nd choice in the draft is not that sexy.

People are not that delusional, nor would the kid be. Setting yourself up for failure if that's the thought process.

If the kid knows he's clearly number 2, that's just going to do psychological damage, unless they play wildly different positions and you have a clear need of him.

 

[La Dispute]

Speaking of, how long has it been since we've gone so deep into a draft? 2010?

I'm just as excited to see how creative SOS gets with these later picks, as we know the quality of the draft till pick 40 odd. Will also be good having a big cohort who haven't played AFL before and get to learn under Bolton. Going to be some big ticks to the recruiting team if we can get a couple of really capable role players out of our later picks.

 

[Azul]

Just on the interstate thing, sometimes it works in our favour like Docherty. On the other hand, we received unders for Menzel.

Late picks for interstaters may make sense if we draft 'em in the 3rd/4th round and onsell them for a 2nd rounder a few years later!

 

[ParapMarkets]

Not too keen on picking up a non-victorian tbh

They all end up going home these days

Meh.
Sure, we need to do a lot of psychological testing to ascertain the go-home factor but let's take the player we consider best at our pick and back ourselves to create a really good environment and make them want to stay. We shouldn't be paranoid and start jumping at shadows.

We have 1AW in his new position to ensure these guys will be comfortable transitioning, I'm sure he will do a great job for us. Pretty sure I heard a while back that SPS is hoping to go to a Melbourne club.

 

[LanceRomance]

Meh.
Sure, we need to do a lot of psychological testing to ascertain the go-home factor but let's take the player we consider best at our pick and back ourselves to create a really good environment and make them want to stay. We shouldn't be paranoid and start jumping at shadows.

We have 1AW in his new position to ensure these guys will be comfortable transitioning, I'm sure he will do a great job for us. Pretty sure I heard a while back that SPS is hoping to go to a Melbourne club.

they pretty much all want to come home now.

the stigma has been removed.

 

[Arr0w]

Speaking of, how long has it been since we've gone so deep into a draft? 2010?

I'm just as excited to see how creative SOS gets with these later picks, as we know the quality of the draft till pick 40 odd. Will also be good having a big cohort who haven't played AFL before and get to learn under Bolton. Going to be some big ticks to the recruiting team if we can get a couple of really capable role players out of our later picks.

Agree La Dispute, finding gems late in the draft, really adds the icing on a rebuild

 

[Sheephead]

Not too keen on picking up a non-victorian tbh

They all end up going home these days

And an indigenous lad to boot. They get more homesick than others it appears, and probably rightly so too.

 

[Sheephead]

Agree La Dispute, finding gems late in the draft, really adds the icing on a rebuild

A James Hird type at 70 odd would be nice.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

A James Hird type at 70 odd would be nice.

Playing type only.

 

[La Dispute]

And an indigenous lad to boot. They get more homesick than others it appears, and probably rightly so too.

Plenty of homesick caucasian players too. If the club feels SPS has the aptitude to move interstate, I'd back their judgement. As mentioned, SPS doesn't live anywhere near Perth either.

I think he'd flourish in an AFL environment and playing for a big club.

 

[Jimmae]

Speaking of, how long has it been since we've gone so deep into a draft? 2010?

I'm just as excited to see how creative SOS gets with these later picks, as we know the quality of the draft till pick 40 odd. Will also be good having a big cohort who haven't played AFL before and get to learn under Bolton. Going to be some big ticks to the recruiting team if we can get a couple of really capable role players out of our later picks.

Deep in terms of how late the picks are? 2014.

Deep in terms of how many picks? If we take six, it'll be the first time since 2006.

 

[TerryWallet]

This was a post by Bishop just earlier in reply to a Lions poster:

Lions Poster: I can't see Brisbane bid on Bowes anymore with Ainsworth come out and declare he wants to be a Lion so unless Ainsworth isn't available at 3 Brisbane shouldn't bid

Bishop: It's been well known for a while of Ben's desire to get to the Lions. But I'll back in what I'm told- Lions will bid at 3. I'd be very very very surprised if I'm wrong.


I strongly agree with Bishop on that. Not that i'd be overly fussed if they don't bid(from a Blues POV there are options at 5 as we all know).

But for many reasons i think Brisbane are knockies to bid on Bowes at 3, which will be a help to us.

 

[Red Bull]

Shaping as though we'll have our choice of SPS Brodie Taranto Scrimshaw .
What with the amateur trade week from Adelaide , it's a good thing Silvagni found that future 1st rounder from the Cats or our 5 might have had to been in play for the GWS boys ...

 

[La Dispute]

Deep in terms of how late the picks are? 2014.

Deep in terms of how many picks? If we take six, it'll be the first time since 2006.

In terms of how late, but it is apparent we don't normally make too many selections. It'll be good having that extra flexibility and hopefully we can grab a couple of sliders, as clubs with fewer draft picks take needs-based players.

 

[ParapMarkets]

So Twomey has us linked to SPS.

hmmm...interesting.

I probably should take this on face value, but.....i've been thinking for a week that if i was Carlton i would be sending out false trial balloon's on our real fancy...because GC have a pick before us and 2 picks straight after us. For strategic reasons , GC would love to know who we "want".

Probably should take things on face value because that seems to be how it works with mail from the main insiders leading up to the draft....but...i'll only be convinced of our selection when Quayle, Twomey submit their Phantom on the day of the draft i reckon.

Yeah, there's no doubt SOS will be trying hard to keep people guessing and there will be plenty of mind games.

 

[SpaceCow]

Just noticed Melbourne are pretty light on for this draft. I'm not sure I rate their list enough to basically skip an entire draft. False dawns have been aplenty down at Demonland.

 

[TerryWallet]

Just noticed Melbourne are pretty light on for this draft. I'm not sure I rate their list enough to basically skip an entire draft. False dawns have been aplenty down at Demonland.

They haven't skipped a draft.

Sam Weideman is their this years 1st Rounder. Was an astute trade. Got him in when the timing was right.

 

[passmark]

Interesting Twomey linking us with SPS. Makes more than a fair bit of sense...

- we need excellent ball users and he's probably the no.1 in this regard in this draft (I'm sure Bolton will be demanding from SOS a fine user of the ball).
- there's a bit of a proven tactic that with your first pick you should pick the most glaringly talented player, the type who can change games on their own. Because these players wont be the later in the draft. Not meat and potatoes in other words. Game changers. Sheer talent is rare. Pies taking Thomas at 2 is a good example. Well SPS is that.
- you could argue we need top end quality outside run and carry. In Cripps we have an elite extractor, but whose our elite outside user? SPS would be it.

Great thing about SPS is he has shown he can also win it in close, so he is not 100% outside. He has terrific evasive skills in close.

On pure talent he is the no.1 player in the draft and from what I can gather seems to be a bit more dedicated than Yarran whom we took at 6 and in terms of skill and carry is similar to Sam. And SPS has more likely midfield upside than Yazz too so I see SPS as Being less risky a prospect for those worried he might be Yazz Mark 2.

Of course you could lodge an arguement linking us to just about any player given our needs. But certainly taking SPS would make a fair bit of sense.

Then maybe we can take a ball winning mid at 25. I have a feeling one such good prospect will be available there, just based on what I have heard about the amazing midfield depth this year. If we can get a ball winner at 25 who is a far better prospect than say a Whiley then that would be a good result. And maybe get Barrett too via FA. That's how you add midfield depth.

That's the key for me.

For all of Yarrans talent he was only ever going to play HBF , small forward or wing. Never had the dedication or judgement to be a midfielder.

SPS is a mid who can do it all and id expect him to transfer into our midfield within 8 weeks of the season opener , all things going to plan.

I don't reckon he's any chance to be a bust , at the very worst he'd be a very good small forward.

 

[RudyBlue]

Agree La Dispute, finding gems late in the draft, really adds the icing on a rebuild

I'd even go futher and say it makes or breaks the build of a team. So often the difference between a contender and premiership team is the output of your 'role' players and the overall depth of your list.

Getting the most out of later draft/rookie picks and speculative trades/DFAs/ PSDs makes a huge difference.

Our Ratten era team had some of the best top-end talent in the league but we couldn't get much out of lesser lights.

 

[RudyBlue]

Just noticed Melbourne are pretty light on for this draft. I'm not sure I rate their list enough to basically skip an entire draft. False dawns have been aplenty down at Demonland.

Forwards: can build around Hogan and Weideman for a decade.
Midfield: don't + Lewis
Defence: McDonald boys look good, some decent young rebound. Hibberd adds some hardness and good rebound.

Melbourne are at the stage where they can fill holes via trading and free agency. Their young guys just have to realise how good they are.

Melbourne fans should be disappointed if they don't make the 8, time for excuses is over.

 

[La Dispute]

Interesting Twomey linking us with SPS. Makes more than a fair bit of sense...

- we need excellent ball users and he's probably the no.1 in this regard in this draft (I'm sure Bolton will be demanding from SOS a fine user of the ball).
- there's a bit of a proven tactic that with your first pick you should pick the most glaringly talented player, the type who can change games on their own. Because these players wont be the later in the draft. Not meat and potatoes in other words. Game changers. Sheer talent is rare. Pies taking Thomas at 2 is a good example. Well SPS is that.
- you could argue we need top end quality outside run and carry. In Cripps we have an elite extractor, but whose our elite outside user? SPS would be it.

Great thing about SPS is he has shown he can also win it in close, so he is not 100% outside. He has terrific evasive skills in close.

Great post.

The past few days I'm warmed to the idea and SPS is as well credentialed as any player in the draft. He suffered a little from the high standards put on him as a result of his stellar 2015, but he was still very productive and showed his worth this year. For reference, that 2015 package is one of the better junior compilations I've seen.

There is also an abundance of inside ball-winners in this years draft. We could easily grab Pepper-Powell, Clarke or Drew at 25 as no doubt one of them will slide and clubs with limited picks will need to assess and pick for need. We're in a good position in this regard.

As much as I'd be happy with Brodie or Taranto and think we'd enjoy the relative security of their home state status, if we don't feel a prominent go-home factor with SPS we're better off backing our system and picking him as the best player at that selection. He would certainly be a point of difference in our current side with his x-factor, pace, kicking skills and combined inside/outside game. Get this one right and we'll look back on it as a defining selection.

 

[La Dispute]

I'd even go futher and say it makes or breaks the build of a team. So often the difference between a contender and premiership team is the output of your 'role' players and the overall depth of your list.

Getting the most out of later draft/rookie picks and speculative trades/DFAs/ PSDs makes a huge difference.

Our Ratten era team had some of the best top-end talent in the league but we couldn't get much out of lesser lights.

Our bottom 10 players in the 2011 Semi-Final, for example, had glaring deficiencies as footballers. We want to build a list that doesn't allow our role-players to be too one-dimensional and have the requisite composure, basic skill execution and footy IQ; like the Bulldogs, Hawks or Sydney players possess.

 

[majesticseacapt]

im no u/18 expert. but from the 3 names weve been linked with, ill be very happy with either of them. i think SPS is a more of risk/higher reward type of selection, but one id be comfortable taking.

SPS or brodie for me if both are available @ 5.

with our WA boys on board, id be confident that the go home factor would be very small.