Draft 2021 AFLW Draft discussion

[The_Wookie]

Hi guys,

the live Draft thread is now open here.

Draft - The 2021 AFLW National Draft, 6.45pm AEST on womens.afl & the AFLW app

Click for a Full list of drafted players >> ============================ The 2021 AFLW Draft will take place on Tuesday, July 27 in a virtual format, commencing at 6.45pm AEST on womens.afl and the AFLW Official App. Like last year, it will be a studio show, hosted by Nat Edwards, Sarah...

www.bigfooty.com

 

[AlphaSheep]

So just finished the game, I'll be 100% honest I wasn't paying complete attention (damn uni assignments) but I was really impressed with Teagan Levi (Gold Coast Academy, 2021 draft) in the midfield, class above, she may be the most impactful of the 2021 draftees league wide given where Gold Coast are at with their list. Bella Smith (Lions academy, 2021) had her moments as well, played in all thirds of the ground as well so the versatility will be helpful at the next level.
Outside of Levi I hadn't really heard or seen much of the Gold Coast Academy girls, the Cockatoo-Motlap twins were really good, with Laquoiya the better of the two, although she played far more forward or midfield of them, but they were both really clean with their skills and at ground level. Giselle Davies was good at ground level for a tall defender as well, wasn't the best night for marking but she looked to have good technique, was just let down by the conditions.

As far as 2022 draft prospects go, Charlotte Mullins (Lions academy) is a really crafty and smooth forward/ midfielder, looked comfortably the best of the youngsters, would've been the 3rd or 4th best as well. Fleur Davies (Suns) was also really solid as a Ruck/ Tall forward option, another one clean at ground level, but held a few marks that no one else was managing in the conditions

Teagan Levi is the only player I've seen who might be able to match Monique Conti for agility.

 

[PMBangers]

Tess Craven may very well be in the conversation with Slender, Rowbottom and Prespakis as the top tier if the VIC girls, has been insane last week and is the clear best today. Next week will be the real test, but I wouldn't be shocked if Geelong opted for her regardless of priority picks

 

[Lord of the Wings]

What's your latest draft predictions PM?

 

[TBOW]

Tess Craven may very well be in the conversation with Slender, Rowbottom and Prespakis as the top tier if the VIC girls, has been insane last week and is the clear best today. Next week will be the real test, but I wouldn't be shocked if Geelong opted for her regardless of priority picks

That's interesting. You would think if that is the case they would still be looking to trade down that pick 2.
Even if it is just to St.Kilda for pick 4 and a second rounder - Saints would love to be able to lock in one of Prespakis or Rowbottom.

I would be ecstatic if the dogs could get their hands on one of those girls - we're still really light on in the on-ball division and they both seem ready to go.
I imagine a few teams will be trying to work out a way to move up the order - Carlton probably end up in the box seat if they trade out Harris.

 

[PMBangers]

What's your latest draft predictions PM?

I'll get a first round mock out at some point this week, want to wait for any priority picks to get announced before doing it

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I'll get a first round mock out at some point this week, want to wait for any priority picks to get announced before doing it

Can’t wait

 

[Stan Judkins]

That's interesting. You would think if that is the case they would still be looking to trade down that pick 2.
Even if it is just to St.Kilda for pick 4 and a second rounder - Saints would love to be able to lock in one of Prespakis or Rowbottom.

I would be ecstatic if the dogs could get their hands on one of those girls - we're still really light on in the on-ball division and they both seem ready to go.
I imagine a few teams will be trying to work out a way to move up the order - Carlton probably end up in the box seat if they trade out Harris.

That's interesting. You would think if that is the case they would still be looking to trade down that pick 2.
only if and when Prespakis and/or Rowbottom say no thanks to play for the Cats
Those 2 are clear 1 & 2 in Victoria, no matter how good Tess Craven (Geelong Falcons) has been going this year and she has been very good, in the Top 4 Vic players no doubt about it

Saints would love to be able to lock in one of Prespakis or Rowbottom. I imagine a few teams will be trying to work out a way to move up the order
I'm sure Saints would, so would Cats, Tigers, Bulldogs, Blues, North, Dees & Pies
Trade time going to be interesting for pick 1 & 2, if they're on the table for the right price, also the concession picks that are coming for the bottom sides

 

[Vacuous Space]

That's interesting. You would think if that is the case they would still be looking to trade down that pick 2.
Even if it is just to St.Kilda for pick 4 and a second rounder - Saints would love to be able to lock in one of Prespakis or Rowbottom.

I would be ecstatic if the dogs could get their hands on one of those girls - we're still really light on in the on-ball division and they both seem ready to go.
I imagine a few teams will be trying to work out a way to move up the order - Carlton probably end up in the box seat if they trade out Harris.

I'm hoping we get at least one of the Dogs remaining VFLW games on YouTube, since Ella Friend is going to be playing for them - possibly Dojiok, but I haven't seen that confirmed. I would think those would be players they'd be considering at that pick, so it'll be interesting to see how they're used.

I'm also interested in your perspective as a Doggies supporter - would you rather they 1) traded the pick for immediate assistance; 2) used the pick on a mid type (potentially Craven); or 3) took the BPA with that pick (possibly not a mid) and relied on the improvement of Fitzgerald/Georgostathis/Newton/Pritchard to help out Blackburn and Lamb?

I had the Dogs taking McEvoy in 2019 and Bannan last year, so I'm assuming that whatever I predict for them will be wrong.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

I'm hoping we get at least one of the Dogs remaining VFLW games on YouTube, since Ella Friend is going to be playing for them - possibly Dojiok, but I haven't seen that confirmed. I would think those would be players they'd be considering at that pick, so it'll be interesting to see how they're used.

I'm also interested in your perspective as a Doggies supporter - would you rather they 1) traded the pick for immediate assistance; 2) used the pick on a mid type (potentially Craven); or 3) took the BPA with that pick (possibly not a mid) and relied on the improvement of Fitzgerald/Georgostathis/Newton/Pritchard to help out Blackburn and Lamb?

I had the Dogs taking McEvoy in 2019 and Bannan last year, so I'm assuming that whatever I predict for them will be wrong.

Dojiok will play if fit. She went down to training a few weeks back but had a niggle.

 

[Vacuous Space]

Dojiok will play if fit. She went down to training a few weeks back but had a niggle.

Thanks for that. afl.com.au article mentioned Friend and Meier, but not Dojiok. There are a lot of players not mentioned in that article, though. Do VFLW teams get posted anywhere in advance?

I really liked seeing Dojiok get some midfield time in the second half on the weekend. It would be nice to see the Dogs play her somewhere other than rebounding out of defence, if only because I think most of us are pretty sure she can do that at this point.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Thanks for that. afl.com.au article mentioned Friend and Meier, but not Dojiok. There are a lot of players not mentioned in that article, though. Do VFLW teams get posted anywhere in advance?

I really liked seeing Dojiok get some midfield time in the second half on the weekend. It would be nice to see the Dogs play her somewhere other than rebounding out of defence, if only because I think most of us are pretty sure she can do that at this point.

Yeah she’s definitely on the list as such and has been to training before. If fit and warrants selection which she should, then she should get a gig at some point.

Yeah her ability to read the ball in flight behind the ball, speed and power combination is superb. It’s her kicking which needs a fair bit of work. She’s improved her game over the last few years (at 15 she was raw as they come and understandably so) but still has a way to go.

 

[PMBangers]

I really liked seeing Dojiok get some midfield time in the second half on the weekend. It would be nice to see the Dogs play her somewhere other than rebounding out of defence, if only because I think most of us are pretty sure she can do that at this point.

There's a chance that in the AFLW academy game she'll get rotated through the forward line as well at some stage, so they might treat it a bit like a showcase match and get the players to play everywhere

 

[Pie 4 Life]

There's a chance that in the AFLW academy game she'll get rotated through the forward line as well at some stage, so they might treat it a bit like a showcase match and get the players to play everywhere

So in short they will treat the showcase match like a showcase match?

 

[PMBangers]

So in short they will treat the showcase match like a showcase match?

Sorry mate I don't actually watch football

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Sorry mate I don't actually watch football

Absolute dribble

 

[Vacuous Space]

Is that like the Academy game the boys play against a VFL team? Have they done that previously, or is this a new thing?

 

[PMBangers]

Is that like the Academy game the boys play against a VFL team? Have they done that previously, or is this a new thing?

Yep, against Collingwood VFLW, doesn't give them a whole heap of time to actually do it really. Pretty sure this is the first time

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Yep, against Collingwood VFLW, doesn't give them a whole heap of time to actually do it really. Pretty sure this is the first time

They played against Geelong VFLW under lights a few years back with Hanks, Prespakis etc.

 

[PMBangers]

They played against Geelong VFLW under lights a few years back with Hanks, Prespakis etc.

Sorry mate I don't actually watch football

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Wouldn't be a BigFooty Draft Expert without taking a punt on something you actually don't know the answer to

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Hanks, Prespakis, you can see Jordyn Allen and Olivia Purcell in the background etc.

 

[PMBangers]

View attachment 1123987View attachment 1123988

Hanks, Prespakis, you can see Jordyn Allen and Olivia Purcell in the background etc.

Some handy names, can only assume the academy pretty easily won? Pies are a good challenge though, top VFLW side is a decent opportunity to prove yourself

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Some handy names, can only assume the academy pretty easily won? Pies are a good challenge though, top VFLW side is a decent opportunity to prove yourself

Yeah eight-goal win 60-12. Geelong actually started strong but then were blown away.

 

[PMBangers]

 

[TBOW]

I'm hoping we get at least one of the Dogs remaining VFLW games on YouTube, since Ella Friend is going to be playing for them - possibly Dojiok, but I haven't seen that confirmed. I would think those would be players they'd be considering at that pick, so it'll be interesting to see how they're used.

I'm also interested in your perspective as a Doggies supporter - would you rather they 1) traded the pick for immediate assistance; 2) used the pick on a mid type (potentially Craven); or 3) took the BPA with that pick (possibly not a mid) and relied on the improvement of Fitzgerald/Georgostathis/Newton/Pritchard to help out Blackburn and Lamb?

I had the Dogs taking McEvoy in 2019 and Bannan last year, so I'm assuming that whatever I predict for them will be wrong.

It's really hard to say. In my opinion we definitely need to bolster the midfield and preferably with ready made experience, but the club might have confidence in girls like Newton and Fitzy having more influence in that part of the ground next year so be happy to take best available.
Our resident stat guy posted a few days ago that our possession count for the year was 3rd worst in the league so clearly we need to improve that.

On the GWV girls - we are likely playing them due to GWV being part of our academy. Dojiok may be NGV eligible for us but no-one seems to know for sure.