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...

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[PMBangers]

Trading two second round picks to go up and get Richards doesn't make sense to me. I'd have thought her likely to have been there in the second round. James would have seemed more likely to me as a mid/forward type, if that's the way the Saints wanted to go. If this draft is close to the mark, considering who is left over, the Dogs could do very well out of that trade.

From a Vic standpoint, I don't see a lot else with this phantom that's particularly surprising (since we've been softened up to the teams rushing to grab the inside mids). Am I missing something glaring?

Some of the strengths and positions on a few of the girls are weird, but outside of that and Richards you're not wrong there's not really any shocking selections in a vic sense. On Richards, my assumption is she may have been told it was likely a Dandenong player and didn't think they have a need for Anthony (weird considering she can play anywhere, but if you had watched only a select few games you may not know that), but to go from missing a Country game due to selection, to first round selection, would be astonishing

 

[Vacuous Space]

I'd be absolutely stoked if things panned out this way for Geelong. That'd be an amazing haul.

Interesting to see Black rates Poppy Schaap a good chance for Geelong's #15; I floated that possibility a couple of times but some seemed to think it'd be a reach - she's the type of player that could really add some spark to our forward line though and I can very much see her being taken with this pick too.

I'd have thought Ella Friend would be taken earlier than our #7 - and it may still play out that way - but if she gets to our 2nd selection I couldn't be happier.

Fingers crossed!

Regarding Schaap, I find it hard to tell when recruiters are going to care about size and when they aren't. I thought she was a glaring omission from the AA team, so she can clearly play. She's also supposed to have strong character. My main query would be whether teams expect her to line up in the midfield, because I'd be surprised to see a team use a first round pick on a specialist goalsneak. It may be that, with three other first round picks, Geelong can go a little earlier on her than other clubs who might be hesitant to use their first pick on her.

 

[Vacuous Space]

Some of the strengths and positions on a few of the girls are weird, but outside of that and Richards you're not wrong there's not really any shocking selections in a vic sense. On Richards, my assumption is she may have been told it was likely a Dandenong player and didn't think they have a need for Anthony (weird considering she can play anywhere, but if you had watched only a select few games you may not know that), but to go from missing a Country game due to selection, to first round selection, would be astonishing

Also possible the Saints are looking at Richards, but more for 36, which is more where I would have expected her to go (if at all).

Anthony seems like she might be the type of player that inexplicably slides, then comes straight in and people complain about their team passing on them.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Regarding Schaap, I find it hard to tell when recruiters are going to care about size and when they aren't. I thought she was a glaring omission from the AA team, so she can clearly play. She's also supposed to have strong character. My main query would be whether teams expect her to line up in the midfield, because I'd be surprised to see a team use a first round pick on a specialist goalsneak. It may be that, with three other first round picks, Geelong can go a little earlier on her than other clubs who might be hesitant to use their first pick on her.

She seems to fit the (vague) description that Geelong AFLW list manager Ben Waller mentioned on the Credit to the Girls podcast a couple of weeks ago; fast attacking players - that could probably apply to a few in this draft class, but Schaap addresses a specific need for our club at present, yet also sounds as though she has the scope to expand her game despite her lack of inches. I'd be very comfortable with the pick.

 

[Kchamp]

This is Sarah Black's Phantom draft from the previous year.

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15 out of the 16 went in the first round. 7 players went to her predicted clubs with her selected picks. Although Isabella Pritchard did eventually head to the dogs at pick 16.

 

[Vacuous Space]

She seems to fit the (vague) description that Geelong AFLW list manager Ben Waller mentioned on the Credit to the Girls podcast a couple of weeks ago; fast attacking players - that could probably apply to a few in this draft class, but Schaap addresses a specific need for our club at present, yet also sounds as though she has the scope to expand her game despite her lack of inches. I'd be very comfortable with the pick.

The problem is, the moment everything makes complete sense is the moment you know that you have everything wrong. Or maybe that's just me.

 

[toenail63]

This is Sarah Black's Phantom draft from the previous year.

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15 out of the 16 went in the first round. 7 players went to her predicted clubs with her selected picks. Although Isabella Pritchard did eventually head to the dogs at pick 16.

Last year Sarah predicted Alyssa Bannan to be the 2nd player drafted and to go the Dogs with pick 2. Bannan ended up at the Dees as #5. She predicted a midfielder in Smith to Dees. Dees ended going the tall not the mid, and Doggies the mid not the tall. This tells me she didn't have the mail on either of these 2 top end picks, and was a way off the radar there.

Thanks for the link though as it was great to watch the highlights of Ellie McKenzie almost a year on. It just shows that she hasn't missed a step in her transition from NAB Girls to AFLW.

 

[Stan Judkins]

Last year Sarah predicted Alyssa Bannan to be the 2nd player drafted and to go the Dogs with pick 2. Bannan ended up at the Dees as #5. She predicted a midfielder in Smith to Dees. Dees ended going the tall not the mid, and Doggies the mid not the tall. This tells me she didn't have the mail on either of these 2 top end picks, and was a way off the radar there.

Thanks for the link though as it was great to watch the highlights of Ellie McKenzie almost a year on. It just shows that she hasn't missed a step in her transition from NAB Girls to AFLW.

Yes i agree, i'd be surprised if Tigers went a mid with our 1st pick
Like Melbourne last year we'll go a Tall this year, having traded Frederick & Wakefield (34yo) having only 1 year left

 

[Kchamp]

Yes i agree, i'd be surprised if Tigers went a mid with our 1st pick
Like Melbourne last year we'll go a Tall this year, having traded Frederick & Wakefield (34yo) having only 1 year left

I had Amand Ling for the Tigers, but since she is rumoured to go higher, I'm starting to believe Ella Friend might go to Richmond. She's trained with them in the past and the Tigers would know what they were getting.

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[Stan Judkins]

I had Amand Ling for the Tigers, but since she is rumoured to go higher, I'm starting to believe Ella Friend might go to Richmond. She's trained with them in the past and the Tigers would know what they were getting.

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Yeah Tara Slender (Bendigo Pioneers), Ella Friend (GWV Rebels), Nyakoat Dojiok (GWV Rebels) trained with us
One of Slender or Friend I think would be our 1st pick
Traded Frederick, Wakefield 34 yo & Bernardi 31 yo, our FWD line is old & on it's last legs

 

[Kchamp]

Yeah Tara Slender (Bendigo Pioneers), Ella Friend (GWV Rebels), Nyakoat Dojiok (GWV Rebels) trained with us
One of Slender or Friend I think would be our 1st pick
Traded Frederick, Wakefield 34 yo & Bernardi 31 yo, our FWD line is old & on it's last legs

It's pretty old, but in this draft aside from Imogen Barnet and Imogen Milford, there are no real pure tall forwards in the Victorian pool. Just utilities, if Friend doesn't work up forward, she could still make a very good defender. You wouldn't go wrong with Nyakoat Dojiok either, the girl is a natural athlete with awesome hands.

 

[toenail63]

It's pretty old, but in this draft aside from Imogen Barnet and Imogen Milford, there are no real pure tall forwards in the Victorian pool. Just utilities, if Friend doesn't work up forward, she could still make a very good defender. You wouldn't go wrong with Nyakoat Dojiok either, the girl is a natural athlete with awesome hands.

With Adelaide only having the 3 picks this draft what do you think about the SA Pool of tall forwards. Is there anyone worth targeting from SA?

Do you consider Southern Saints Tara Bohanna more of a utility than a forward?

 

[Kchamp]

With Adelaide only having the 3 picks this draft what do you think about the SA Pool of tall forwards. Is there anyone worth targeting from SA?

Do you consider Southern Saints Tara Bohanna more of a utility than a forward?

I would consider Tara Bohanna as a forward more than a utility, but her kicking and disposal efficiency is rough as guts. She still provides a good marking option, but I don't think she'll get drafted (Although I hope I'm wrong).

SA doesn't have much in the area of tall forwards. Adelaide will probably pick up Gypsy Schirmer who's the only big candidate at 178cm. Jade HALFPENNY has nominated WA at 175cm. There's really not many talls out there at the moment for Victoria.

 

[Munga]

Sarah Black has released her phantom

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I like Craven, but what's this "foot issue" she mentions?

 

[Munga]

I'd be absolutely stoked if things panned out this way for Geelong. That'd be an amazing haul.

Makes me sick reading it. But it would be an awesome haul yeah, take it when you can... I just wish the Saints were gifted early picks on a platter too

 

[Vacuous Space]

I like Craven, but what's this "foot issue" she mentions?

Possibly whatever injury kept her out for the last game of the champs and one NAB League game. She did play out the rest of the NAB League season.

 

[Cursed Cat]

Makes me sick reading it. But it would be an awesome haul yeah, take it when you can... I just wish the Saints were gifted early picks on a platter too

We've had some good picks during our time in the comp, but there have been conditions attached that have worked against us at times.
Our initial list build was a bit slapdash though and in a way we are benefitting from our own initial incompetence, I concede.

 

[Munga]

Pretty good top 10.

Who's the best key defender for the Saints at pick 12?

 

[Munga]

We've had some good picks during our time in the comp, but there have been conditions attached that have worked against us at times.
Our initial list build was a bit slapdash though and in a way we are benefitting from our own initial incompetence, I concede.

I didn't think the Cats were too bad, and going very well at VFLW level. I would've given the Cats and Saints one first rounder each, maybe throw in another second for the Cats too. Two firsts was over the top though, and Saints nothing (token second round no better than the pick we already had and won't use).
I don't hold it against the Cats at all, it's the AFLW's doing.

 

[PMBangers]

Pretty good top 10.

Who's the best key defender for the Saints at pick 12?

Dojiok

 

[Vacuous Space]

I didn't think the Cats were too bad, and going very well at VFLW level. I would've given the Cats and Saints one first rounder each, maybe throw in another second for the Cats too. Two firsts was over the top though, and Saints nothing (token second round no better than the pick we already had and won't use).
I don't hold it against the Cats at all, it's the AFLW's doing.

The Saints traded the priority pick with their original second round pick to the Dogs for pick 12.

 

[Munga]

The Saints traded the priority pick with their original second round pick to the Dogs for pick 12.

So we did, I'm going cross-eyed with draft picks and Vic picks

 

[Vacuous Space]

So we did, I'm going cross-eyed with draft picks and Vic picks

Yeah, at the time of the deal it was national pick 12 for Vic picks 12 and 14. Just a tad confusing.

 

[TBOW]

Did the Bulldogs plan on this happening, I'm not so sure.

I would suggest that trading our first pick back from before a likely bid to after indicates that we were aware of Georgias decision. Otherwise we would have likely tried to trade our second back to bump our third up - something like our R2 and R3 for Collingwoods pair of late 2nds.

Georgias decision is disappointing for us dogs fans, but given the nature of the competition it's understandable that her football life fits in around her non football life.

 

[Kchamp]

I'm just curious, is there anybody who sees's Olivia Meagher or Maeve Chaplin missing out on being drafted again?