BigFooty Official 2021 OFFICIAL BIGFOOTY PHANTOM DRAFT

[PMBangers]

IF YOU WANT TO READ THROUGH THE THREAD AND ONLY SEE THE SELECTIONS RATHER THAN COMMENTARY FROM NON-DRAFTERS, CLICK 'READER MODE' NEXT TO YOUR 'WATCH' BUTTON

Pick 1 - North Melbourne - Jason Horne-Francis
Pick 2 - Western Bulldogs MATCHED BID - Sam Darcy
Pick 3 - Collingwood MATCHED BID - Nick Daicos
Pick 4 - GWS - Josh Gibcus
Pick 5 - Gold Coast Suns - Neil Erasmus
Pick 6 - Adelaide - Finn Callaghan
Pick 7 - Hawthorn - Ben Hobbs
Pick 8 - Fremantle - Josh Rachele
Pick 9 - Richmond - Josh Ward
Pick 10 - Fremantle - Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera
Pick 11 - St Kilda - Matthew Johnson
Pick 12 - West Coast - Josh Goater
Pick 13 - Essendon - Tyler Sonsie
Pick 14 - Port Adelaide - Josh Sinn
Pick 15 - GWS - Mac Andrew
Pick 16 - Brisbane - Jye Amiss
Pick 17 - Richmond - Jacob Van Rooyen
Pick 18 - Sydney - Darcy Wilmot
Pick 19 - Melbourne - Campbell Chesser
Pick 20 - Brisbane - Mitch Owens

Pick 21 - Fremantle - Mitch Knevitt

Pick 22 - North Melbourne - Tom Brown
Pick 23 - Hawthorn - Rhett Bazzo
Pick 24 - GWS Giants MATCHED BID - Josh Fahey
Pick 25 - Geelong - Arlo Draper
Pick 26 - Hawthorn - Conor Macdonald
Pick 27 - Carlton - Angus Sheldrick
Pick 28 - Richmond - Zac Taylor
Pick 29 - Richmond - Cooper Murley

Pick 30 - Richmond - Blake Howes
Pick 31 - West Coast Eagles - Toby Conway
Pick 32 - Geelong - Sam Butler

Multiple players found. Use birthday to differentiate. eg [PLAYERCARD="23/11/1962"]Joe Smith[/PLAYERCARD]

Pick 33 - Sydney - Ned Long
Pick 34 - Geelong - Leek Alleer
Pick 35 - Adelaide - Matty Roberts
Pick 36 - Geelong - Brady Hough
Pick 37 - West Coast Eagles - Jesse Motlop

Pick 38 - Melbourne - Judson Clarke
Pick 39 - Sydney - Paul Curtis

Pick 40 - Brisbane - Alastair Lord
Pick 41 - North Melbourne - Jack Williams
Pick 42 - North Melbourne - Arthur Jones
Pick 43 - Melbourne - Charlie Molan
Pick 44 - Collingwood - Kai Lohmann
Pick 45 - Geelong - Kade Dittmar
Pick 46 - Essendon - Shay Linke
Pick 47 - Brisbane - Hugh Jackson
Pick 48 - Collingwood - Taj Woewodin
Pick 49 - Essendon - Corey Warner
Pick 50 - Melbourne - Youseph Dib
Pick 51 - Collingwood - Lachlan Rankin

Pick 52 - Hawthorn - Joshua Browne
Pick 53 - Brisbane - Miller Bergman
Pick 54 - Fremantle - Anthony Caminiti
Pick 55 - St Kilda - Bailey Rogers
Pick 56 - Port Adelaide - Sam Breuer
Pick 57 - Carlton - Luke Polson
Pick 58 - Western Bulldogs (Darcy bid residual points) - Morgan Ferres
Pick 59 - Hawthorn - Jake Soligo
Pick 60 - St Kilda - Jack Avery
Pick 61 - St Kilda - Charlie Dean
Pick 62 - West Coast - James Tunstill
Pick 63 - Fremantle - Eric Benning
Pick 64 - Sydney - Justin Davies

Justin Davies

Age

40

Ht

184cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.4

2star

K

4.6

2star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.2

2star

T

2.0

4star

No current season stats available

D

9.8

3star

K

4.0

2star

HB

5.8

4star

M

3.2

4star

T

2.8

5star

Pick 65 - North Melbourne - Sam Banks
Pick 66 - Port Adelaide - Harvey Harrison
Pick 67 - Port Adelaide - Oscar Adams
Pick 68 - Adelaide - Jordan Lukac
Pick 69 - Brisbane - Marcus Windhager

(Selections to meet minimum of 3 criteria) note: this is for the phantom only, in the real draft rookie upgrades and such will happen to meet the minimum criteria

Pick 70 - Gold Coast Suns - Jase Burgoyne
Pick 71 - Carlton - Isaac Birt
Pick 72 - Gold Coast Suns - Ethan Regan
Pick 73 - Western Bulldogs (Darcy bid residual pick) - Luke Nankervis
Pick 74 - Western Bulldogs (Darcy bid residual pick) - Hugh Stagg
Pick 75 - Western Bulldogs (Darcy bid residual pick) - Dante Visentini
Pick 78 - GWS (list spots left after Fahey bid) - Ronald Fejo Jnr

Rookie Draft (1 Round for fun xx)
RD Pick 1 - North Melbourne - Jahmal Stretch
RD Pick 2 - Collingwood - Lukas Cooke
RD Pick 3 - Gold Coast Suns - Max Chipper
RD Pick 4 - Adelaide - James Willis
RD Pick 5 - Hawthorn - Toby Murray
RD Pick 6 - Carlton - Mani Liddy
RD Pick 7 - Richmond - Lewis Rayson
RD Pick 8 - Fremantle - Luca Whitelum
RD Pick 9 - St Kilda - Blake Schlensog
RD Pick 10 - West Coast Eagles - Lochie Paton
RD Pick 11 - Essendon - Dylan Landt
RD Pick 12 - Sydney
RD Pick 13 - GWS - Corey Preston
RD Pick 14 - Brisbane - Oscar Morrison
RD Pick 15 - Geelong - Kaden Harbour
RD Pick 16 - Port Adelaide - Zavier Maher
RD Pick 17 - Western Bulldogs - Zac Becker
RD Pick 18 - Melbourne - Jamieson Ballantyne

Bids in more detail
Pick 2 - GWS bid on Sam Darcy - (Requires 2014 points to match, Dogs use 23, 43, 44, 45, 52. Gain 2, 60)
Pick 3 - GWS bid on Nick Daicos - (Requires 1787 to match, Pies use 36, 38, 40, 43. Gain 3 [pretty sure this is about bang on])
Pick 24 - Geelong bid on Josh Fahey - (Requires 690 to match, GWS use 46 and 65. Gain 24. 200-odd point deficit)

 

[Davo-27]

Pick 26 - Hawthorn - Connor MacDonald - Dandenong - 184cm 77kg - Mid

he was a player i liked in round 1 and mentioned in my thread, but it took me until i saw him play a quality game for Vic Country before i fully got on board with him as a player i think the Hawks should target in the draft, he averages big numbers, but its his play and ability to win the hard ball that won me over as a serious option at this point in the draft.

Arr0w you're up

 

[Shadow89]

Pick 25 - Geelong - Arlo Draper (South Australia/General Utility)

Draper here is a case of "best available" and someone I'd be shocked to see here on draft night. He's number 12 on my power rankings and has been one that throughout the year I've been impressed with. His versatility and ability to play a wide range of positions has been on show this year and has played in the midfield, in the forward line and in the back line all with great results. His time in the back line for South Australia let him show his class and his time in the forward line let him show his x-factor, looking like genuine threats in both areas.

In all honesty Draper was probably 3rd-4th of who I wanted for this pick (Half because I wasn't expecting him to land here) and was behind Tom Brown, Josh Fahey, Rhett Bazzo and Mitch Knevitt in terms of what I wanted

Also Considered: Leek Alleer, Brady Hough, Sam Butler

Killing it again with a draft steal, good work!!

 

[botts]

Reading that description of him, I can see Owens as someone that could fit our needs long term. If the comments above about his character are reflected at the interview, that would score major points with our recruiting team as we seem to look for that.

Robinson is probably in his last season next year, and I wonder if we'd move McCluggage more on ball at some point, so there's definitely room on our wings. The fact that he doesn't mind the contested ball is good too as we like to play our skinny side wing just off the defensive side of the stoppage.

I think you should just swap mitchs then even one will be happy

 

[Mydogbella]

I know Fremantle posters aren't too happy with me going small early. I probably won't be let back onto the board if I don't go tall here, so at 193cm and 81kg...

Pick 21 Fremantle - Mitch Knevitt (midfielder, Geelong Falcons/Vic Country)

Okay, so a few notes first...

- there's next to no chance Fremantle takes this pick. It'll be used to move down the order and probably try to pick up a future second rounder in the process. So it's a difficult one for 'realism'

- going small early was more just an experiment as such, since Fremantle posters are so focused on going tall early. So I wanted to look at another option and what could happen, and I did suspect all the big name talls would be gone by now. I've floated the idea on the Fremantle board that if we rate Jack Williams then maybe we get a goal kicker like Rachele and outside skill in NWM early, and then position ourselves for Williams in the second round. If I could trade down, I'd consider that

- if this was the real thing, I think it's unlikely we'd have passed up on Mac Andrew if he was available (which I doubt he will be)

But onto the pick...

I really like Mitch Knevitt, probably more than most on here - although I suspect he'll get some more attention the closer we get to the draft. He's one of a host of Victorian players that would have been really interesting to watch play a full season, because I think he was primed for big things. And he definitely made the most of his opportunities this year, winning big time numbers in the midfield and consistently being one of his teams best.

I know Josh Goater has his fans who highlight his athleticism and potential, but I reckon Knevitt is right up there. His upside is huge and it looks like he's only just getting started. I also think he has a more defined primary position. His Combine testing proved his athleticism too. And while Matt Johnson is arguably the 'big body' midfielder of note in this draft and he's no doubt better and more composed now, Knevitt does things that Johnson just can't. When you think of guys like Petracca, Bontempelli, Cripps and Fyfe, what sets them apart from other midfielders? Contested marking. And that's where Knevitt has the other two covered, and makes him such an attractive option in the modern game.

He's still improving as a player. He has the endurance base, and he's starting to utilise it more in games. His inside game is developing from pure strength to incorporating more finesse and positioning as well.

If I was going to justify this pick to Fremantle fans, I would highlight there was no KPF that I rated around this mark available and also we'll be unlikely to be picking here. And that while Knevitt is absolutely a midfielder, he's one that could definitely play forward too - allowing Fyfe to also go forward more often too. I've also got a couple of talls up my sleeve still.

giantroo

Hi Chris25

If you can have a do over same scenario. Would you still pick Rachele 1st knowing that Richmond is unlikely to grab him at 7? Richmond is hot on the heel of Erasmus/Andrew/Ward.

In this case would not grabbing Mac Andrew first yield the best result?

PS I do like the players you picked just that with Dockers 2 picks you can strategize to alter the landscape of the 1st round picks.

 

[botts]

Pick 25 - Geelong - Arlo Draper (South Australia/General Utility)

Draper here is a case of "best available" and someone I'd be shocked to see here on draft night. He's number 12 on my power rankings and has been one that throughout the year I've been impressed with. His versatility and ability to play a wide range of positions has been on show this year and has played in the midfield, in the forward line and in the back line all with great results. His time in the back line for South Australia let him show his class and his time in the forward line let him show his x-factor, looking like genuine threats in both areas.

In all honesty Draper was probably 3rd-4th of who I wanted for this pick (Half because I wasn't expecting him to land here) and was behind Tom Brown, Josh Fahey, Rhett Bazzo and Mitch Knevitt in terms of what I wanted

Also Considered: Leek Alleer, Brady Hough, Sam Butler

Surely he doesn’t fall this far

 

[Arr0w]

Pick 27 - Carlton - Angus Sheldrick 179 88 WA Mosman Park JFC (Midfielder)

I just can't go past his ball winning, contested numbers. Sheldrick continues to step up at every level, constantly putting his nose over the ball. If not trying to bite off too much by foot, his vision and disposal are extremely effective and does hit the scoreboard if not respected. While his upside might be more limited than other prospects at this point in the draft, I am confident that his consistency will remain at the next. Rate him end of 1st round. Similar characteristics to Merrett

Strong considerations to Rankin, Williams, Alleer

Smythe you are up

 

[Smythe]

PICK 27 - RICHMOND TIGERS - ZAC TAYLOR - 180cm 74 kg - FWD/MID

Image thanks to Gratees

Zac is a speedy fwd/mid from Calder who would fit into the Richmond side seemlessly with his style of play, attack on the ball and game smarts.

This write up is from AFL Draft Central as they really nailed it and i couldn't agree more with their notes on this kid...

A crafty small prospect with outstanding vision, skills and decision making, Taylor has no trouble finding the ball and makes things happen in possession.
One of the players who hit peak form just as Victoria’s season was shut down, Zac Taylor produced incredible numbers towards the back-end of 2021. Having made a steady start to the year rotating forward from midfield, he began to take full toll around the ball and eventually featured among a stacked Vic Metro centre bounce mix.

The 180cm talent took out Calder Cannons’ best and fairest award and was named in the NAB League team of the year, capping a super campaign which has seen him rise into second round contention. With clean skills and one of the best kicks going around, Taylor is a creative player who can hurt the opposition with ball in hand.

A player who suits the modern game with his quick thinking and efficient ball use, Taylor is one of the more intriguing small prospects to consider. With the toughness, ball winning ability, and work rate to play midfield, he may have to find his way in there through other roles but has the versatility to do so.

Taylor could provide great value, given his professionalism and growing ability. AFL DRAFT CENTRAL

 

[Smythe]

PICK 28 - RICHMOND TIGERS - COOPER MURLEY - 178cm 70kg - MID/FWD

IMAGE THANKS TO Gratees

Once again this is from AFL DRAFT CENTRAL, check out the website as they do a power of work.
Here, once again, my thoughts are shared with theirs about Cooper Murley.
His blend of speed and endurance is enticing, so too his clean ball use by hand and foot. Cooper will likely fill a role across half-forward or the wing early on, where his speed and skill will be useful. His smaller stature could restrict his midfield minutes, but his athleticism and skill could see him fill a range of roles around the ground.His cleanliness at ground level is also a feature. He is a smart footballer who sums up situations well, makes good decisions and has the skills to execute under pressure.
He has the speed and acceleration required to compete at the highest level as a smaller prospect, and he compliments his pace with a high work rate.
He works tirelessly up and down the ground, running into defence to support his teammates before quickly looking to transition on the rebound. His acceleration off the mark is arguably his most eye-catching trait to the naked eye. He is able to both burst through a pack and surge forward, and apply immediate closing pressure when the opposition has the ball.
Cooper is a smart runner who spreads into favorable areas of the ground, which has allowed him to accumulate plenty of possessions. At stoppages, he is always on the move, hitting the ball at pace and accelerating through congestion.
He is a speedy, attacking-minded midfielder who can win his own ball and use his athletic traits to damaging effect on the outside. He runs all day, uses the ball efficiently and can also fill a role up forward.”
Cooper Murley captured the attention of AFL recruiters last season after producing a stunning bottom-age year in Norwood’s premiership-winning Under 18s side. Primarily used in the midfield, the Tea Tree Gully product shone to finish just one vote behind eventual first round pick Tom Powell in the McCallum-Tomkins Medal count.
This season, the AFL Academy member was forced to overcome an ankle injury in April, before playing four Reserves games with the Redlegs, where he averaged 12 disposals and three marks. Upon returning to the Under 18 set-up, he gathered 34 disposals, seven clearances and two goals against South Adelaide to remind onlookers of his high-end talent and class. AFL DRAFT CENTRAL

 

[Smythe]

PICK 29 - RICHMOND TIGERS - BLAKE HOWES - 192cm 80kg - FWD/WING

Image thanks to Gratees

At this point in the draft we have got what we need to regenerate our team and provide developing back up in most ares of need. I had many thoughts on who to choose next and going to the footage and points system Blake Howes was the pick.
Alleer, Frost and Pegoraro for defense purposes were thought of but too many things about their game play did not warrant a national draft pick at this point, more later draft or rookie from our point of view.
Butler and Clarke came into mind, and although i like Butler and rate him, the same cannot be said of his disposal and/or sometimes his decision making. Clarke was a hard one, but i like the Taylor, Murley combo and their style of play better than Clarke's.
Long, Warner, Roberts were thought of as another mid to add to the mix, but once again in regards to Long and Roberts, too many things pointed to a no from my perspective (nothing really against them but list fit wise). Warner again, size counted against him with Ward already joining the mix with Murley and Taylor projecting starters as fwd's and perhaps def in the future. So another smaller mid was not an option.
I was always going to select both Taylor and Murley with the two previous picks and with the last pick, if Rhett Bazzo, Mitch Knevitt or Tom brown were available they would have been picked here at Pick 30 in that order of want/need.

That being said, Blake in my opinion, is the best available fit and need for Richmond.
He is a highly athletic and agile forward who has great hands, excellent decision making skills, can find the goals and also play off the wing position and half forward line very well.
"The biggest strength of Howes’ game is his vertical leap, as he is regularly able to get higher in the air than taller opponents which allows him to take his marks easier. At times, this sees him play as a forward target due to his aerial ability.
At the next level, he looms as a handy third tall option or develop-able outside type.
Much of his versatile quality comes through his athleticism, with the springy leap helping his forward craft and a speed-endurance mix boding well for midfield minutes. He showcased his running capacity with a 6:08 2km time in October, and has all the athletic upside which recruiters look for." AFL DRAFT CENTRAL

you're up Monocle

 

[Chris25]

Hi Chris25

If you can have a do over same scenario. Would you still pick Rachele 1st knowing that Richmond is unlikely to grab him at 7? Richmond is hot on the heel of Erasmus/Andrew/Ward.

In this case would not grabbing Mac Andrew first yield the best result?

PS I do like the players you picked just that with Dockers 2 picks you can strategize to alter the landscape of the 1st round picks.

I wouldn't count anyone out for Rachele. I think he's a lot more popular amongst clubs than he's given credit for. So if I want him, I'd be taking him first. There's also the potential for trades to throw a spanner in there. I suspect Richmond will try to trade up for example, probably to try to secure the midfielder they want. Perhaps it ends up being GWS picking between our selections, who I'd be more worried about taking Andrew. But then we might take Andrew, GWS trade down further as a result and someone else jumps up for Rachele.

Clubs will all know roughly who's interested in who, and you're right - if we wanted Rachele and Andrew, or whoever, we'd work our picks to increase the odds of pulling it off.

 

[RUNVS]

Surely he doesn’t fall this far

Someone always does.

 

[Monocle]

Pick: 31 - West Coast. Toby Conway. 204cm 90 kg. Ruckman. Geelong Falcons / Vic Country.





This pick is based partly on the departure of a couple of key Eagles players in the next few seasons, Kennedy will go around for one more season, which will be in all likely hood be his last. NN has probably two seasons left in him three tops.
So it's time to add some height and variable ruck / KPF combinations to the list.

Currently Allen and Darling can man the two KPF posts, but ideally another genuine KPF option.

Bailey Williams has played that role for the Dandenong Stingrays as well as rucked.
The jury is still out as too if he is a genuine AFL ruck man or more a KPF that can give a chop out in the ruck, he in many ways is still a work in progress with no definitive answer as to if he is a ruck or a KPF.
Jamieson is IMO, a bit of a long shot and if he makes it it will be as a KPF and not a ruck.

West Coast tried to add some ruck depth to the list in trade week, when they put feelers out to Jordan Sweet who ultimately decided to remain with the Western Bulldogs.

There is only one decent ruckman in this years cohort and Conway is it, so he being available at the juncture in the draft I decided to take him.
I like his ruckwork and additionally I also like the fact that he is able to move deep into both the backline and forward line to provide an overhead marking option.
For a tall he has already shown that he has sound skills in his general game, to suggest that these traits will transition at the next level.
In all reality he wont be a real option to play until he fills out and matures, I would say he will be a 3-4 year project that will see him hone his craft in the WAFL.

West Coast have, traditionally valued quality ruckmen and have shown that they are prepared to draft early and do the necessary ground work to get them to the next level.

The Club has invested quality draft capital over the years to ensure that a chain of succession planing has occurred: Gardner - Cox - NN.
I see the drafting of Conway as being an extension of this strategy.

A couple of other factors as to why Conway at this pick.

I also acknowledge that I have gone a tad early on Conway in relation to my draft board, however there are a few teams that could well take Conway between this and my next pick, ( 31 and 37 ), so I decided to go early by taking him now, as I said earlier on, there is only one decent ruckman in this cohort so hence the need to pounce now.

I do have another position of need to address and have a cluster of guys, of whom one will be available at 37 to address this need.

 

[Shadow89]

Psst Bastyy ... Sam Butler

Multiple players found. Use birthday to differentiate. eg [PLAYERCARD="23/11/1962"]Joe Smith[/PLAYERCARD]

still there

 

[Big_Newon]

Smythe nailed richmonds picks.

 

[Roksman]

Smythe nailed richmonds picks.

If we get to our 3 in a row and pass on Leek Alleer, there will be scenes in my living room.

 

[Shadow89]

Smythe nailed richmonds picks.

So jealous of Zac Taylor getting snapped up mere picks before us. Draper way too good to pass up after falling to 25 though

 

[Davo-27]

Pick: 30 - West Coast. Toby Conway. 204cm 90 kg. Ruckman. Geelong Falcons / Vic Country.

View attachment 1263570


Will do a full write up latter once I have taken my next pick at 36.

There is only one decent ruckman in this years cohort and Conway is it.

Have another position of need to address and have a cluster of guys, of whom one will be available at 36.
There are a few teams that could well take Conway between 30 and 36, so I am going a tad early and taking him now.

Bastyy you are up.

pick 31 - Toby Conway, to fix up the continuity

 

[Monocle]

Smythe nailed richmonds picks.

Agree he did very well.

Ward
JVR
Taylor
Murley
Howes

Great list refresh done in one draft.

 

[Big_Newon]

Agree he did very well.

Ward
JVR
Taylor
Murley
Howes

Great list refresh done in one draft.

The one change i would make though is take Butler or Aleer over Murley.

 

[Big_Newon]

If we get to our 3 in a row and pass on Leek Alleer, there will be scenes in my living room.

Hahaha true.

 

[Bastyy]

Pick 31 - Geelong - Sam Butler

Multiple players found. Use birthday to differentiate. eg [PLAYERCARD="23/11/1962"]Joe Smith[/PLAYERCARD]

(Mid-Forward/Vic Country)

A second player in my top 20 sliding to my picks

Sam is one I've been excited by since I first watched him. He's got an elite amount of speed and some great skills. Unlike his brother who on his day is an elite small forward, Sam is more of a mid with great ability inside 50. Not only has he shown the ability to kick goals and look dangerous as an forward option, but he's got a great track record at getting the ball and using his speed and skills in the midfield. Sam also tested incredibly well at the combine and could be a first round bolter come draft night given his great athletic profile

ALSO CONSIDERED: Leek Alleer, Brady Hough, Jesse Motlop

andleanback you're up

 

[Big_Newon]

Geelong with Butler and Draper. They could build a playground with these sliders.

 

[Shadow89]

Pick 31 - Geelong - Sam Butler (Mid-Forward/Vic Country)

A second player in my top 20 sliding to my picks

Sam is one I've been excited by since I first watched him. He's got an elite amount of speed and some great skills. Unlike his brother who on his day is an elite small forward, Sam is more of a mid with great ability inside 50. Not only has he shown the ability to kick goals and look dangerous as an forward option, but he's got a great track record at getting the ball and using his speed and skills in the midfield. Sam also tested incredibly well at the combine and could be a first round bolter come draft night given his great athletic profile

ALSO CONSIDERED: Leek Alleer, Brady Hough, Jesse Motlop

andleanback you're up

Legit would have a conniption if these were our first two picks ... if we can get the other one I want at our next pick... I think I may actually pass out from delirium

...too bad it's not real

 

[blueiris]

Personally, I wouldn't pass on a key position talent because he won't crack the best 22 for a few years. I'm confident in his ability to play forward at AFL level, so the fact he's shown little capacity to play in defence is not a concern for me.

I don’t really see it as a problem always take the talented bigman over the classy midfielder great choice if it falls this way

 

[Davo-27]

how low will Matthew Roberts slide in this Phantom Draft i wonder?