- Nov 23, 2015
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- AFL Club
- GWS
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- #351
If we have to lose one or the other of the bull inside mids - which seems reasonable given what we've seen of the list balance and the speculation on TPP, plus with Perryman able to be used inside - then I'd agree that KPF, goalkicking small/medium forward, & KPD should be priorities. It also depends on whether we prioritise any more outside run, noting we do have Whitfield, Callaghan, Ash, Cumming, Fahey & Hamilton with various combinations of speed & endurance.Alright guys here is a big one...
Let's say we lose one of Taranto / Hopper and get a pick 10 - 15 in return.
We take the 10-15 pick to the draft along with our top 6 pick and we target one or two of Busslinger, Lemmey, Scully as a tall. If we took a KPF in Lemmey or Scully these guys will obviously take more time to develop. I am just thinking could you imagine a backline in 2 years time of Sam Taylor (FB), Busslinger (CHB), Leek Aliir (Intercept Defender), Isaac Cumming, Connor Idun, Jack Buckley, Josh Fahey... That to me has the potential to be best in the league status in 2 years time.
Plus we should also target a small forward knowing how dodgy Daniels hamstrings are and we will probably need to replace Bobby Hill at years end.
This is where we should also use the upcoming MSD to complement the end of year ND to see if we can meet (or at least trial) any longer term options.
One point to start with is that I'm not sure exactly what role Leek Aleer is best suited to - is he a second KPD, or primarily an interceptor in the Haynes mould? Assuming that Davis & Keeffe have very limited time left, Stein is only a backup, not sure how Fleeton is best used ... Buckley proved himself last year, but at 193 cms might be a touch small for KPD week in/week out. (I'm still frustrated that we didn't pick up Lienert in the PSD, who Port delisted, as he would have IMHO been very good as a backup KPD instead of Keeffe, going forward.) How we see the existing KPDs will dictate whether we spend an early pick picking up a KPD (Busslinger being the standout KPD in this year's draft) or leave it until later (or use the MSD). Selecting Busslinger would presumably come if we see Aleer taking Haynes' intercepting position rather than a second KPD role, and see Buckley as a fringe option (which is still required, because someone's always getting injured in the GWS team!)
So, under your scenario, we have picks around #5/6 and #10-15. Given the current draft watchers' thoughts, we would be looking at options being:
- Harry Sheezel (goalkicking medium forward), then likely to miss out on Lemmey, Scully & Busslinger, but could pick up Matthew Jefferson, Aaron Cadman or Isaac Keeler (all KPFs), and probably a second small forward with our second rounder or perhaps Henry Hustwaite as a KPD
- Lemmey or Scully as KPF, then probably miss out on Sheezel & Busslinger, so pick up a Brayden George/Seth Campbel/Anthony Munkara l as small/medium forward, then with our second a KPD such as Henry Hustwaite
- Jedd Busslinger (KPD), Jefferson/Cadman/Keeler (KPF), then Charlie Clarke (small/medium forward).
In the meantime, we can look to take someone at the MSD to help fill those holes. Obviously, if we're favouring a particular position at ND, we could look at someone from a different role at MSD. Now, the quality of the MSD options is likely not as good as at ND, but you could trial a player and see if we've got a diamond in the rough. Options would include:
- Ethan Grace, 181cm forward who kicked 4 goals in his last game for the Giants in the NAB League against Bendigo and had booted 3 goals the previous game against Sandringham. Kicks the ball well and has impressed with his improvement since last year.
- Jye Menzie, 180cm forward kicked 10 goals from his first two games and displaying some electric ground-level speed in attack. He has an endless desire to compete and hit the scoreboard, with his aerobic capacity enabling him to get higher up the ground on occasions. Set to turn 20 later this year, clubs rate Menzie's ability to scrap at every contest.
- Zane William, Woodville-West Torrens forward has caught the attention of clubs this season in the SANFL. The 20-year-old has booted 13 goals from 7 games, including a haul of 5 goals against Glenelg early in the season. At 183cm he is sharp with the ball in hand and creates chances and has been linked to clubs searching for a small forward option.
- Oskar Faulkhead, utility midfielder who could be used forward (would also provide midfield backup if we've traded Taranto or Hopper)
- James Blanck, 21-year-old 195cm key defender currently at Box Hill who contests well.
- Will Reinhold, ex-GWS academy tall defender who can also play up the ground on the wing. The 21-year-old is a cousin of Brisbane star and former Bombers forward Joe Daniher, Reinhold has played in the VFL with Port Melbourne this season and is a neat left-foot kick.
- Kallan Dawson, 23 year old 194cm Williamstown prospect plays his best footy as a third tall back, where he's able to peel off & intercept. Averaged 13 disposals and 6.9 marks per game in the VFL this year, while his speed has also made him a damaging rebounding threat.
- Wade Derksen, 197cm key position prospect, is understood to be prepared to go anywhere to land an AFL opportunity. The 20-year-old has played only three league games in the WAFL and missed last weekend due to COVID, but he caught the eyes of recruiters when he kicked four goals from 22 disposals and seven marks against West Coast.
- Hugo Hall-Kahan, exciting medium forward who has impressed with his tricks inside 50 in the first half of the season. The 188cm goalkicker booted five majors in round two this season and another four in round four and last week had 20 disposals in the NAB League. Turning 19 later this year, Hall-Kahan capable of marking in the air and also doing some snapping or creating a chance from nothing at ground level.
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