Unofficial Preview 2020 Draft Discussion

[PenAndPaper]

Pick 3: Composed mid with elite disposal
Pick 21: Key fwd
Pick 40: mid/fwd
Pick 46: Downie
Pick 59: best available
Pick 63: best available

That's my ideal draft in regards to positions addressed. Don't think we need to spend big on getting a key forward, our problem is delivery to them so a composed elite disposal mid is my priority. Also think we need to target more mid/fwd type players that have shown they can play both.

 

[VandoHawk]

So we're likely going to have a pick between 2-4. Even if we finish above Fremantle (by some miracle) their pick will get knocked down the order due to points deficit. So it's extremely likely we're going to have our first top 4 pick since 2005. It will be interesting to see what we go with. These are the 5 players that will come into consideration:

Logan McDonald: has come from looking like a decent KPF to the premier one of the draft now. Is taking contested grabs and kicking bags against men. Has fantastic work ethic and tidy skills for a forward. Bar not being lightning quick he has all the tools. His recent string of performances could see him go Pick 1.

Elijah Hollands: the most talented player in this draft. Incredible upside, fantastic skills, a big body and hits the scoreboard. Already done an ACL so it's definitely a risk given our position. From the vision I've seen prior to injury he strongly reminds me of a forward version of Hodge.

Riley Thilthorpe: has been played primarily as a ruck this year. It's rare you have a 200cm/95kg player that's also incredibly quick and agile. Also has the endurance to run all day. Thought he was guaranteed to go Pick 1 to Adelaide (high upside, good performances, SA boy) but McDonald's rise may see him slip slightly. Depending on what the club needs he can be developed into a ruck or a KPF.

Will Phillips: Sam Walsh 2.0. Great midfielder with a good mix of pace and inside/outside to his game. Has tidy skills but I wouldn't call them elite. Reads the game very well - a pure footballer. You can probably pencil him in for 200 games. But I'm not sure he can be the difference?

Denver Granger-Barrass: A very good KPD. Reads the ball well in flight, loves to intercept and can shutdown bigger opposition defenders. Slightly undersized at initial measurements (192cm) but if he grows to ~195cm I think he’ll be a cracking defender. Unlike most key position backs he has serviceable foot skills.

 

[Brishawk]

So we're likely going to have a pick between 2-4. Even if we finish above Fremantle (by some miracle) their pick will get knocked down the order due to points deficit. So it's extremely likely we're going to have our first top 4 pick since 2005. It will be interesting to see what we go with. These are the 5 players that will come into consideration:

Logan McDonald: has come from looking like a decent KPF to the premier one of the draft now. Is taking contested grabs and kicking bags against men. Has fantastic work ethic and tidy skills for a forward. Bar not being lightning quick he has all the tools. His recent string of performances could see him go Pick 1.

Elijah Hollands: the most talented player in this draft. Incredible upside, fantastic skills, a big body and hits the scoreboard. Already done an ACL so it's definitely a risk given our position. From the vision I've seen prior to injury he strongly reminds me of a forward version of Hodge.

Riley Thilthorpe: has been played primarily as a ruck this year. It's rare you have a 200cm/95kg player that's also incredibly quick and agile. Also has the endurance to run all day. Thought he was guaranteed to go Pick 1 to Adelaide (high upside, good performances, SA boy) but McDonald's rise may see him slip slightly. Depending on what the club needs he can be developed into a ruck or a KPF.

Will Phillips: Sam Walsh 2.0. Great midfielder with a good mix of pace and inside/outside to his game. Has tidy skills but I wouldn't call them elite. Reads the game very well - a pure footballer. You can probably pencil him in for 200 games. But I'm not sure he can be the difference?

Denver Granger-Barrass: A very good KPD. Reads the ball well in flight, loves to intercept and can shutdown bigger opposition defenders. Slightly undersized at initial measurements (192cm) but if he grows to ~195cm I think he’ll be a cracking defender. Unlike most key position backs he has serviceable foot skills.

I wouldn't use a top 5 pick on Phillips. McDonald, Hollands and Granger-Barrass all look a level above. Not sure on Thilthorpe. I need to see more video of him.

 

[VandoHawk]

I wouldn't use a top 5 pick on Phillips. McDonald, Hollands and Granger-Barrass all look a level above. Not sure on Thilthorpe. I need to see more video of him.

I think Phillips is worth a top 5 pick. It wouldn't surprise me if he went Pick 2. He was matching guys like Rowell & Anderson in his underage year. I wouldn't say he's as good as Rowell but he'll definitely go early. That being said he probably wouldn't be my first choice with our selection. I'm secretly hoping that if North finish below us they go for him so we get access to Hollands or one of the talls. I wouldn't be unhappy with the selection, just think there are better options for us.

 

[cryptor]

Unless there's someone who stands out from the pack then probably best bet would be to go for the best KPF we can get our hands on. We need an elite KPF in the side yesterday.

 

[WWSD]

Swap Pick 3 and 21 around. McDonald or Thilthorpe at 3. Wouldn't mind a ruck somewhere as currently our stocks are diabolical.

This is our highest first round pick since 2006. I would be very disappointed if GW wasted it on a young ruck. Better off getting a ruckman with a 3rd-4th round pick or as a DFA.

I personally want an inside midfielder with elite kicking skills. It’s something we don’t currently have. Not one inside midfielder on our list that is an elite kick and also has genuine speed.

 

[The Offerman]

An inside mid with an elite kick and genuine speed. A winger. You want a winger.

 

[Back Pocket Rocket]

This is our highest first round pick since 2006. I would be very disappointed if GW wasted it on a young ruck. Better off getting a ruckman with a 3rd-4th round pick or as a DFA.

I personally want an inside midfielder with elite kicking skills. It’s something we don’t currently have. Not one inside midfielder on our list that is an elite kick and also has genuine speed.

I wouldn't use 3 on a ruck either. Thilthorpe will be a foward/ruck (David Hale). As a side note, not drafting a ruck in the top 30 is a reason we have an actual dinosaur, gumby ceglar, a 208cm 69kg bean pole and a 30 year old rookie as our current ruck stocks. Are there any potential ruckman around the 20-30 range?

 

[VandoHawk]

This is our highest first round pick since 2006. I would be very disappointed if GW wasted it on a young ruck. Better off getting a ruckman with a 3rd-4th round pick or as a DFA.

I personally want an inside midfielder with elite kicking skills. It’s something we don’t currently have. Not one inside midfielder on our list that is an elite kick and also has genuine speed.

Thilthorpe is very capable of being a KPF if we choose to develop him in that role. He's freakishly agile for his size, a great contested mark and can pile on goals when given the chance. He'll only be a starting ruck if that's what we want him to be.

 

[KingCantona]

Usually of the mind that you draft the best available talent rather than for need, but i think our key position stocks are too weak to not try draft 1 or 2 of the better KPP prospects.

 

[Sonny Hayes]

Too early to say draft 'x' type with our first.

If we have pick 3 and Thilthorpe and McDonald are gone i would hope we are not going to reach on a key position player,

If we have pick 2 and somehow both are still available (won't happen) i hope we take one of them.

Our circumstances will dictate what type we take.

 

[Brishawk]

I think Phillips is worth a top 5 pick. It wouldn't surprise me if he went Pick 2. He was matching guys like Rowell & Anderson in his underage year. I wouldn't say he's as good as Rowell but he'll definitely go early. That being said he probably wouldn't be my first choice with our selection. I'm secretly hoping that if North finish below us they go for him so we get access to Hollands or one of the talls. I wouldn't be unhappy with the selection, just think there are better options for us.

I’m not convinced of Phillips skills. I don’t think he has as much upside as any of the players mentioned above either. And for hawthorn, he is very similar to the players on our list. Holland’s and DGB looked to have the most talent and upside. Mcdonald looks a very natural footballer with pace being my question mark on him.

 

[Brishawk]

Too early to say draft 'x' type with our first.

If we have pick 3 and Thilthorpe and McDonald are gone i would hope we are not going to reach on a key position player,

If we have pick 2 and somehow both are still available (won't happen) i hope we take one of them.

Our circumstances will dictate what type we take.

Yeah exactly. Best of what is available. In saying that, DGB looks very promising. Holland’s looks a very good prospect. Very good skills and athleticism. Get our docs to examine the knee.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I’m not convinced of Phillips skills. I don’t think he has as much upside as any of the players mentioned above either. And for hawthorn, he is very similar to the players on our list. Holland’s and DGB looked to have the most talent and upside. Mcdonald looks a very natural footballer with pace being my question mark on him.

Hollands is the perfect fit based on his skill set.

 

[Billyc]

Big wrap

 

[Spursfan]

Say we do actually win a few more games (god forbid) and we move to pick 6 to 8 or so. Who would be looking at there ? I assume Hollands/McDonald/Tilthorpe/DBG/Phillips are all gone then

 

[TylerDurden]

Oh god. We need pick 2.

 

[Soaring Hawk]

Oh god. We need pick 2.

Only if you agree with the way he rates a player. If you value other criteria (ie overhead marking or agility for a key forward) you may come up with a different assessment of McDonalds ability. No doubt he’s good, but that’s a big call


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[TylerDurden]

Only if you agree with the way he rates a player. If you value other criteria (ie overhead marking or agility for a key forward) you may come up with a different assessment of McDonalds ability. No doubt he’s good, but that’s a big call


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Huge call. Puts him ahead of the Kings.

 

[Soaring Hawk]

Huge call. Puts him ahead of the Kings.

Yeah, and I’m not yet convinced that’s accurate


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[MJA33]

Oh god. We need pick 2.

Would crows not take as pick 1? Seems perfect for them

 

[Billyc]

Only if you agree with the way he rates a player. If you value other criteria (ie overhead marking or agility for a key forward) you may come up with a different assessment of McDonalds ability. No doubt he’s good, but that’s a big call


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

Subjective, of course. But a very strong endorsement. His stats in the WAFL are objectively impressive. I recall Jesse Hogan dominating in the state league year before he started too so it’s no guarantee (though Hogan should have been a gem, just not cut out for the mental / professional side of the game)

 

[Zack]

Knightmare is always interesting... didn't he have the guy on BB who lost as his No.2?

But he is a very interesting read, and does his homework by watching games. Just counts a little too much in upside on a guy who can dunk. When we need a guy who can kick. But he's solid.

 

[JaegarTime]

Hollands over Phillips for me. Phillips just seems like more of what we already have. Struggle to choose whether we go for McDonald if he’s still there though, kid looks great.

O’Driscoll could be an option as the mid if we take McDonald early and happen to receive another first rounder.

 

[Hodginator]

I know nothing about this draft, but if there’s a gun key forward available with our first pick, I hope we take them.

Can get a midfielder with our second pick.