Draft Review 2018 - The 2018 Superdraft

[Pykie]

Bit hard to judge Walsh because Cartlon’s midfield is so thin. You aren’t stopping Cripps so you can see how plenty of coaches would be putting time into Walsh

Walsh isn't getting tagged...

 

[Ambrosia]

Walsh isn't getting tagged...

Never said he was. I think sides are definitely putting more time into him though.

 

[Pykie]

Never said he was. I think sides are definitely putting more time into him though.

Maybe. I don't think any different to early last year when he was getting it consistently 20+ a game, most clubs would of targeted him last year as a main outlet for Cripps.

There's been a few like him that have started off 2020 a bit quieter like McCluggage etc for whatever reason.

Also remembering the reduced game time has an effect on stats.

 

[ItsAllAboutMe]

Maybe. I don't think any different to early last year when he was getting it consistently 20+ a game, most clubs would of targeted him last year as a main outlet for Cripps.

There's been a few like him that have started off 2020 a bit quieter like McCluggage etc for whatever reason.

Also remembering the reduced game time has an effect on stats.

I will back in Sammy to come good (not that he has been that bad)... Very few of the elite players have been in good form in the first 2 rounds, most need match fitness.. Doesnt matter how much work you do on the track if you dont get games under your belt its hard to get going.. Way too early to make a call after 2 games that are 12 weeks apart.

 

[Joao]

I think you’re underestimating the value of link up players who find space as well as Walsh. Walsh is more talented than Brent Stanton but he used to regularly cop a tag.

Not to mention look at the pay off. If you put some time into Walsh there’s a fair chance the Carlton forward line will have Will Setterfield and Ed Curnow kicking them the ball instead.

I'm not diminishing link up players at all. I just don't think Walsh is worth tagging at the moment. Definitely don't think he should be the main man delivering inside 50.

I suspect in time he and his coaches will find a way to make him dangerous and then he may well warrant the attention, but I don't see why you would bother as it stands.

 

[philthy05]

If you picked up a gun player you picked up a gun player and thank your lucky stars you got that. I don’t really care for which gun would have been better to draft arguments.

As long as you drafted well.

no one has mentioned duursma in this thread yet. He wouldnt be far off a AA wing spot 2 rounds in as a kid. Is a phenom.

 

[I drive a truck]

Smith was playing half forward last season so that makes it pretty difficult to compare those stats as well.

Smith spent a lot of time in the midfield last year. Don’t rewrite history.


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[Boyd oh Boyd]

Smith spent a lot of time in the midfield last year. Don’t rewrite history.


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There's a poster (Billy Bob65) that does midfield frequency stats that posts occasionally. Of the games he covered Smith averaged starts at 6 centre bounces inside and 4 on the wing a game. Walsh averaged 9 inside bounces and 10 on the wing. That's enough of a difference to note if you ask me.

 

[Davo-27]

If you picked up a gun player you picked up a gun player and thank your lucky stars you got that. I don’t really care for which gun would have been better to draft arguments.

As long as you drafted well.

no one has mentioned duursma in this thread yet. He wouldnt be far off a AA wing spot 2 rounds in as a kid. Is a phenom.

we all know Port killed it in this draft getting Rozee, Duursma and Butters, they all look like they've played over 100 AFL games already, slotted into the AFL system and all have potential to be stars, obviously dependant on injuries ect.

 

[Davo-27]

i was impressed with this draft in 2018

i think so far theres been a lot of evidence that this has been one of the strongest drafts in recent history, a list of players who have already impressed at AFL level

Sam Walsh - he has his fans and critics, but no-one can deny he has fit into the AFL system seemlessly
Jack Lukosius - again has had some hiccups, but his disposal is elite which is rare for a tall
Max King - a developing tall forward, already looking good
Connor Rozee - starring as a medium forw
Ben King - a developing tall forward, looking good
Bailey Smith - building good momentum and becoming a dangerous mid
Tarryn Thomas - putting in some good games for North
Nick Blakey - looks like being a top medium forw, maybe developing into a kpp
Jye Caldwell - injured and a packed GWS midfield have limited his exposure, but he looks the goods at the level in the small sample size we have seen
Zak Butters - is starting to show some serious quality at Port
Jackson Hately - has had some decent games for GWS
Jordan Clark - had an amazing year in his debut year for Geelong
Sam Sturt - is impressing for Fremantle recently
Xavier Duursma - is performing to a very high level
Bobby Hill - has had some decent games for GWS
Jared Cameron - looked comfortable at the level playing for WCE
Jack Ross - has been good for Richmond when he gets a shot
Toby Bedford - is looking sharp for Melbourne recently

theres another dozen or more i could mention, either just ok at AFL level, injured or being behind certain players in teams pecking order have held them back, but its been a pretty strong draft imo, within the next year or 2 we will hear a few others make their names especially Rankine

Izak Rankine - has not debuted but we all know he has some serious talent as a small forw/mid and cant wait for him to play a few games hopefully this season

 

[philthy05]

i was impressed with this draft in 2018
Connor Rozee - starring as a medium forward

Was a medium forward last year but is playing mid this year. Attended a high number of stoppages and finished with 8 clearances in 20% less game time last week.

 

[robbo1981]

Rapt with ports first 3 picks nailed this draft.
But this could go done as the best draft ever it's crazy good.
I still think Rankine will be the best of the lot he is a special talent can't wait for him to get his body right.

 

[Boots73]

Rapt with ports first 3 picks nailed this draft.
But this could go done as the best draft ever it's crazy good.
I still think Rankine will be the best of the lot he is a special talent can't wait for him to get his body right.

That’s a pretty big wrap for Rankine
What type of player do you think he could end up turning into ?
Maybe Cyril Rioli type of player ?

 

[Supersuns]

That’s a pretty big wrap for Rankine
What type of player do you think he could end up turning into ?
Maybe Cyril Rioli type of player ?

More along the lines of a Andrew McLeod i think

 

[Warhorse]

Smith looks to become the best player in the draft from what I have seen and could become the best player in the league. He is a better midfielder than Rozee in my opinion with Rozee a much better forward.

I'm keen to see Rankine play. As good as Rozee is, Rankine is on another level with his talent. Injury free he could be fighting with Smith to be the best player in this draft.

Both the King boys are obvious talents who can become top 10 forwards in the league if not top 5.

Lukosius and Thomas are two of the more interesting prospects form this draft pool. Boom or bust prospects. Thomas shows some draft dropping good moments before disappearing for whole quarters. North will have to wear some pain and play him in the midfield if they want him to become the star. Lukosius I personally don't see as becoming top 10 in this draft. I struggle to see where he ends up and GCS are not exactly known for developing this sort of player.

For Geelong, as good as Clark has been, he has probably been over-rated. will be a very good backline player, but unless he can turn into a winger or midfielder he will never really be one of the top players from this draft

What a crazy draft and will rival 2001 in time.

 

[Pykie]

Smith looks to become the best player in the draft from what I have seen and could become the best player in the league. He is a better midfielder than Rozee in my opinion with Rozee a much better forward.

I'm keen to see Rankine play. As good as Rozee is, Rankine is on another level with his talent. Injury free he could be fighting with Smith to be the best player in this draft.

Both the King boys are obvious talents who can become top 10 forwards in the league if not top 5.

Lukosius and Thomas are two of the more interesting prospects form this draft pool. Boom or bust prospects. Thomas shows some draft dropping good moments before disappearing for whole quarters. North will have to wear some pain and play him in the midfield if they want him to become the star. Lukosius I personally don't see as becoming top 10 in this draft. I struggle to see where he ends up and GCS are not exactly known for developing this sort of player.

For Geelong, as good as Clark has been, he has probably been over-rated. will be a very good backline player, but unless he can turn into a winger or midfielder he will never really be one of the top players from this draft

What a crazy draft and will rival 2001 in time.

Thomas isn't going to be a bust.

As for going missing for quarters, well it's pretty common playing half forward in your second year.

We now know he just wasn't physically anywhere near it last year based on video's this pre-season. He's improved a lot in that regard, it will take him a couple of years more to get fully developed, fit and strong, but like we are starting to see with Simpkin, it will be worth the wait. He's also a big rangy kid, and only 2 cm's shorter than Aaron Goodes, so will fill out into something pretty significant.


He was still North's 5th best player according to the AFL ratings against GWS and was 4th against St Kilda.

Curtis Taylor was the #1 player on the ground and Thomas was the #2 player on the ground in the 3rd qtr against St Kilda when they turned the game back from 3-4 goals down which eventually won us the game....

 

[robbo1981]

That’s a pretty big wrap for Rankine
What type of player do you think he could end up turning into ?
Maybe Cyril Rioli type of player ?

More midfielder than rioli as another poster said McLeod type.

 

[GUMBLETRON]

The hype on Rankine was Rioli with hamstrings that would let him play midfield.

So far they won't let him play anywhere.

 

[I drive a truck]

Smith looks to become the best player in the draft from what I have seen and could become the best player in the league. He is a better midfielder than Rozee in my opinion with Rozee a much better forward.

I'm keen to see Rankine play. As good as Rozee is, Rankine is on another level with his talent. Injury free he could be fighting with Smith to be the best player in this draft.

Both the King boys are obvious talents who can become top 10 forwards in the league if not top 5.

Lukosius and Thomas are two of the more interesting prospects form this draft pool. Boom or bust prospects. Thomas shows some draft dropping good moments before disappearing for whole quarters. North will have to wear some pain and play him in the midfield if they want him to become the star. Lukosius I personally don't see as becoming top 10 in this draft. I struggle to see where he ends up and GCS are not exactly known for developing this sort of player.

For Geelong, as good as Clark has been, he has probably been over-rated. will be a very good backline player, but unless he can turn into a winger or midfielder he will never really be one of the top players from this draft

What a crazy draft and will rival 2001 in time.

Interesting that you say Smith is a better mid than Rozee. Rozee has been playing mid for parts of two games. That’s it. You must be prescient to know which is better already. I don’t think Smith has the hurt factor with his touches. Yes he had 29 on the weekend but the Doggies’ midfield was smashed. I would rather 17 damaging disposals than 29 and lacking defensive work.


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[It Just Is]

Superdraft for top end talent so far but will be interesting to see if a few players from the back end of the draft pop up or if it stays just a super first round. The class of 2018 are probably more impacted by the lack of state league football than anyone else.

A lot is made of Ports top 3 picks but the other handful of players drafted are a different story, as you would expect given where they were taken. None made the squad of 32 going to the Gold Coast hub.

73. Grundy - one of the most raw players on an AFL list last season averaging around 5 touches per game in the SANFL. Some positive noises of improvement over the preseason but still a long way to go. An athletic key defender so may be given plenty of time.
76. Woodcock - Good footballer but small and not fast. Not sure how much improvement his game has as he is currently well down the pecking order

Rookie:
Cox - closest of the bunch. A small marking forward who can hit the scoreboard. Possibly would have been in the squad but has a minor injury.

Cat B:
Pudney
Frederick - quick small defender. Surprised with his consistency in the SANFL last year but behind quite a few at present.

 

[kreglze]

Rankine playing in the scratchy against the Crows this week.

Hopefully 1 game and he then gets introduced to the seniors against Fremantle.

 

[Virgin Dog]

Interesting that you say Smith is a better mid than Rozee. Rozee has been playing mid for parts of two games. That’s it. You must be prescient to know which is better already. I don’t think Smith has the hurt factor with his touches. Yes he had 29 on the weekend but the Doggies’ midfield was smashed. I would rather 17 damaging disposals than 29 and lacking defensive work.


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Lacking defensive work how? He had 27 pressure acts, 6 clearances, 5 tackles, 3 rebound 50s, had 59% of his possessions in the defensive half.

In the Pies game Round 1, he had 24 pressure acts, 7 tackles, and 75% of his possessions in the defensive half.

Between the 2 preseason games and the opening 2 rounds, he's had a total of 32 tackles in 4 games. You can criticise Smith in other ways (not using his speed enough as he should, preferring handballing over kicking despite being a fantastic kick in U18s) but lacking defensive work is pretty farfetched

 

[robbo1981]

Lacking defensive work how? He had 27 pressure acts, 6 clearances, 5 tackles, 3 rebound 50s, had 59% of his possessions in the defensive half.

In the Pies game Round 1, he had 24 pressure acts, 7 tackles, and 75% of his possessions in the defensive half.

Between the 2 preseason games and the opening 2 rounds, he's had a total of 32 tackles in 4 games. You can criticise Smith in other ways (not using his speed enough as he should, preferring handballing over kicking despite being a fantastic kick in U18s) but lacking defensive work is pretty farfetched

Just got Smith in my dt M8 sorry sure thing to slow him down

 

[Warhorse]

Thomas isn't going to be a bust.

As for going missing for quarters, well it's pretty common playing half forward in your second year.

We now know he just wasn't physically anywhere near it last year based on video's this pre-season. He's improved a lot in that regard, it will take him a couple of years more to get fully developed, fit and strong, but like we are starting to see with Simpkin, it will be worth the wait. He's also a big rangy kid, and only 2 cm's shorter than Aaron Goodes, so will fill out into something pretty significant.


He was still North's 5th best player according to the AFL ratings against GWS and was 4th against St Kilda.

Curtis Taylor was the #1 player on the ground and Thomas was the #2 player on the ground in the 3rd qtr against St Kilda when they turned the game back from 3-4 goals down which eventually won us the game....

He might not be a boom or bust type (I think he is), I just don't see him reaching his potential unless North are willing to suffer short term pain and allow him to spend more time in the midfield.

Interesting that you say Smith is a better mid than Rozee. Rozee has been playing mid for parts of two games. That’s it. You must be prescient to know which is better already. I don’t think Smith has the hurt factor with his touches. Yes he had 29 on the weekend but the Doggies’ midfield was smashed. I would rather 17 damaging disposals than 29 and lacking defensive work.


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It's my opinion. I see him as becoming the best player in the league. Good in traffic, contested ball winner and excellent on the outside. I think he is the next Gary Ablett Jnr and will be the dominant midfielder of his generation. There is an argument that rozee could end up better but I don't personally think it will end up that way.

 

[triggering bro]

The draft looked great at the time & it’s not letting us down.

Out of the top 10 it’s only really Rankine & Jones that haven’t done a great deal for differing reasons.

Carlton would be incredibly happy with Walsh. He hasn’t put a foot wrong. I’d take Rozee over him because the high impact duel-position players are rare & the most valuable commodity in the game.

Admittedly I’m biased but Max King looks like a generational key forward. The snippets I’ve seen are enough to think he will be the dominant tall forward in the comp in a few years time.

Smith the Steve Sanders looking mofo looks like being a dominant no-nonsense bull midfielder for a long time.

North & Syd cashed in with their academy & father son selections.

For mine I’d take Rozee, Max King, Walsh & then Smith - in that order. I favour high impact over volume.