Player Watch 2021 AFL National Draft - NOT FOR TRADE DISCUSSION

[Strapping Young Lad]

Let’s stick with a basic rule for this thread, that it’s for draft watch and discussion only.

It’s not for trade hypotheticals, who you think needs to be delisted or traded, how many games you think we will win, some other team will win, how many picks you want in the 1st round or discussion of current HFC players.

It’s about youngsters who are eligible for the draft in 2021.


Key dates to look out for:

• NAB AFL Draft Combine: TBC
• NAB AFL Draft: Wednesday November 24 - Thursday November 25
• NAB AFL Pre-season and Rookie Drafts: Friday November 26

 

[WWSD]

You look at some of the midfielders we had during the three-peat - Lewis, Shiels, Burgoyne, Hodge etc. They were all capable of playing in multiple positions.

I’m picking Ward over Hobbs. I feel like he would be able to bring more to the table.

 

[TylerDurden]

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[Sonny Hayes]

You look at some of the midfielders we had during the three-peat - Lewis, Shiels, Burgoyne, Hodge etc. They were all capable of playing in multiple positions.

I’m picking Ward over Hobbs. I feel like he would be able to bring more to the table.

Flexibility is nice but if I’m drafting a mid I want the better mid

 

[Alite]

You look at some of the midfielders we had during the three-peat - Lewis, Shiels, Burgoyne, Hodge etc. They were all capable of playing in multiple positions.

I’m picking Ward over Hobbs. I feel like he would be able to bring more to the table.

On that criteria I’d pick Johnson over both Ward and Hobbs. At 192cm, highly composed and skilled, and “with top 10 finishes in the vertical jump tests and agility test, along with very good showings in the 20m sprint and 2km time trial” I would think he could play in just about any position.

Matthew Johnson Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

And FWIW while Johnson‘s production is currently below that of Ward and Hobbs, for mine he looks to be the mid with the highest ceiling.

 

[KermitJagger]

Flexibility is nice but if I’m drafting a mid I want the better mid

It's a consideration when there's not a lot else separating them.

Hobbs is more inside, more powerful - Ward has better spread and elite work rate. Size-wise neither are huge, 183cm (Hobbs) vs 181cm (Ward). Ward has better production.

They both seem hard working, dedicated lads who will get the best out of themselves - but given the choice I'd take a kid that can start outside the midfield and not disappear.

 

[Soaring Hawk]

On that criteria I’d pick Johnson over both Ward and Hobbs. At 193cm, highly composed and skilled, and “with top 10 finishes in the vertical jump tests and agility test, along with very good showings in the 20m sprint and 2km time trial” I would think he could play just about any position.

Matthew Johnson Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

And FWIW while Johnson‘s production is currently entry below that of Ward and Hobbs, for mine he looks to be the mid with the highest ceiling.

If I recall correctly, someone mentioned that the people in the west still rate Johnson higher than Erasmus, while people at the start of the year were expecting him to be top 5. Certainly an interesting prospect.


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[Brishawk]

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You advertising your flatulence issues?

 

[nelk boys]

On that criteria I’d pick Johnson over both Ward and Hobbs. At 193cm, highly composed and skilled, and “with top 10 finishes in the vertical jump tests and agility test, along with very good showings in the 20m sprint and 2km time trial” I would think he could play just about any position.

Matthew Johnson Draft Profile

central.rookieme.com

And FWIW while Johnson‘s production is currently entry below that of Ward and Hobbs, for mine he looks to be the mid with the highest ceiling.

Has not shown to accumulate possesions, went down to the senior side and got dropped, averaged 5 possesions a game.

Don't think he will be a A grader, more like a Will Setterfield.

 

[Alite]

Has not shown to accumulate possesions, went down to the senior side and got dropped, averaged 5 possesions a game.
Don't think he will be a A grader, more like a Will Setterfield.

Granted he started the year lacking confidence in his role: “Johnson played (2) games at League level, playing wing and half-forward which aren’t natural positions for him, but he found his feet playing midfield in the Reserves side late in the year; averaging 25 disposals and almost eight marks a game.“

It is the quality of the possessions in his footage that excites me. His ability to create time and space, either for himself or the receiver, results in fast ball movement which is the key to creating scoring shots. I 100% see Johnson as an A grader.

 

[H00t]

Dean is the value pick. One thing that has gone a little under the radar with dean is that he ran around 6:20 for the 2km Strava run test. That's right up there in the top bracket for endurance.

Do you happen to know his 20 m time? Or what his speed is in general?

The highlight package didn’t give me an idea either way.

 

[Soaring Hawk]

Two weeks out, and these are the players I'm now hoping for:

5. Rachele / Sonsie (I originally had Erasmus, and still think he could be an absolute beauty, but ultimately went for Vic-based, high end talent who can score goals)
21. Chesser (although unlikely at this point I think, would be a steal, and be an awesome winger) / Howes (could be a long-term Gunston type player)
24. Murley (underrated IMO - having him, Mitchell and Brockman in the future HFF could be exciting)
59. Dean (with Skinner gone, I'm keen for Dean as a capable KPD)
65. Banks / Ferres

I've largely focused on attacking players who can kick goals.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Considered this slightly left of centre trio this morning.

5. Erasmus
21. Wilmot
24. Roberts

Fwd/mid
Mid
Def/mid

Read somewhere that there is a belief that Wilmot may have the ability to push into the midfield in the future. His highlights strike me as a Laird/Maynard type. I know we don't need more back flankers, but if Laird or Maynard were available to our club I'd take them in a heartbeat and worry about it later.

 

[threesixpio]

What if we are fighting another club to get him ?

 

[Brant]

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Summary, please?

Paywalled.

 

[Brant]

Considered this slightly left of centre trio this morning.

5. Erasmus
21. Wilmot
24. Roberts

Fwd/mid
Mid
Def/mid

Read somewhere that there is a belief that Wilmot may have the ability to push into the midfield in the future. His highlights strike me as a Laird/Maynard type. I know we don't need more back flankers, but if Laird or Maynard were available to our club I'd take them in a heartbeat and worry about it later.

I think Wilmot could easily play forward & develop into a midfielder. I like him a lot at 21 / 24.

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

Two weeks out, and these are the players I'm now hoping for:

5. Rachele / Sonsie (I originally had Erasmus, and still think he could be an absolute beauty, but ultimately went for Vic-based, high end talent who can score goals)
21. Chesser (although unlikely at this point I think, would be a steal, and be an awesome winger) / Howes (could be a long-term Gunston type player)
24. Murley (underrated IMO - having him, Mitchell and Brockman in the future HFF could be exciting)
59. Dean (with Skinner gone, I'm keen for Dean as a capable KPD)
65. Banks / Ferres

I've largely focused on attacking players who can kick goals.

Sonsie at 5 please no.

Murley at 24 is a massive reach

 

[KermitJagger]

Summary, please?

Paywalled.

Due to less football, the late season bolters who go from being unknowns to stars will be more easily picked up later in the draft.

Also used Daniel Rioli as an example of a bolter, though at Pick 15 I'd say he was a bit of a stretch at that pick and not a good example for the article.

 

[Brant]

Due to less football, the late season bolters who go from being unknowns to stars will be more easily picked up later in the draft.

Also used Daniel Rioli as an example of a bolter, though at Pick 15 I'd say he was a bit of a stretch at that pick and not a good example for the article.

Can you please summarise all AFL articles from now on?

Succinct & informative

 

[Judd2Sewell]

Pick 5: Ward / Erasmus
Pick 21: Chesser / Taylor / Wilmot
Pick 24: Taylor / Wilmot / Clarke

 

[Big Hotdog]

Pick 5: Ward / Erasmus
Pick 21: Chesser / Taylor / Wilmot
Pick 24: Taylor / Wilmot / Clarke

Few Chesser calls sneaking into peoples wants.
Was talking to a bloke who has watched a lot of Chesser and he rates him an as athlete...footballer not so much.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

Considered this slightly left of centre trio this morning.

5. Erasmus
21. Wilmot
24. Roberts

Fwd/mid
Mid
Def/mid

Read somewhere that there is a belief that Wilmot may have the ability to push into the midfield in the future. His highlights strike me as a Laird/Maynard type. I know we don't need more back flankers, but if Laird or Maynard were available to our club I'd take them in a heartbeat and worry about it later.

I kind of get where you’re coming from but this is a Midfielder’s draft and we need midfielders so if we end up taking a back flanker because we think he might be able to play midfield I’d have to wonder just what we’re thinking taking him, with so many flankers on the list that we’re already pondering this very same question with.

 

[Soaring Hawk]

Sonsie at 5 please no.

Murley at 24 is a massive reach

Fair enough, never thought it'd be a widely popular choice. However, I'd happily take Sonsie (and Sinn) before Ward and Hobbs, and both of those names are widely accepted as top 10. Would rather Rachele, but wouldn't be upset with Sonsie (or Sinn).

I think Murley at 24 (pushing out to 26/27) is viewed as a reach because he didn't get much of a chance to prove himself this year. I recall that many thought Mitchell at 29 was a reach last year too, and I think they play in a similar style.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I kind of get where you’re coming from but this is a Midfielder’s draft and we need midfielders so if we end up taking a back flanker because we think he might be able to play midfield I’d have to wonder just what we’re thinking taking him, with so many flankers on the list that we’re already pondering this very same question with.

I think we'd do it if Mitchell is planning on moving Day and Scrimshaw into the guts.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I think we'd do it if Mitchell is planning on moving Day and Scrimshaw into the guts.

Even if we did that, the back flanks are still full with Impey, CJ and Morris coming through.

I just can’t see why we’d look past a genuine centre square midfielder, wingman or small forward for another back flanker so early in the draft.

 

[RIOLINWITPUNCHS]

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