BigFooty Official 2022 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

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Round 1
Pick 1 - Brisbane - Will Ashcroft [Matched Bid]
Pick 2 - GWS - Aaron Cadman
Pick 3 - North Melbourne - Harry Sheezel
Pick 4 - North Melbourne - George Wardlaw
Pick 5 - Essendon - Elijah Tsatas
Pick 6 - Gold Coast Suns - Mattaes Phillipou
Pick 7 - Hawthorn - Cam MacKenzie
Pick 8 - Geelong - Darcy Jones
Pick 9 - West Coast Eagles - Jhye Clark
Pick 10 - St Kilda - Bailey Humphrey
Pick 11 - Carlton - Lewis Hayes
Pick 12 - Western Bulldogs - Reuben Ginbey
Pick 13 - West Coast Eagles - Elijah Hewett
Pick 14 - Melbourne - Matthew Jefferson
Pick 15 - Sydney - Jedd Busslinger
Pick 16 - GWS - Oliver Hollands
Pick 17 - Essendon - Alwyn Davey

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

[Matched Bid]
Pick 18 - Brisbane - Jaspa Fletcher [Matched Bid]
Pick 19 - Collingwood - Isaac Keeler
Pick 20 - Sydney - Brayden George
Pick 21 - GWS - Jacob Konstanty

Round 2
Pick 22 - GWS - Coby Burgiel
Pick 23 - West Coast Eagles - Olli Hotton
Pick 24 - Western Bulldogs - Josh Weddle
Pick 25 - North Melbourne - Lachlan Cowan
Pick 26 - Hawthorn - Charlie Clarke
Pick 27- Collingwood - Harry Barnett
Pick 28 - West Coast Eagles - Henry Hustwaite
Pick 29 - Adelaide - Max Michalanny [Matched Bid]
Pick 30 - Collingwood - Mitch Szybkowski
Pick 31 - St Kilda - Max Gruzewski
Pick 32 - Carlton - Ed Allan
Pick 33 - Fremantle - Jed Hagan
Pick 34 - GWS - Harry Rowston
Pick 35 - St Kilda - Harry Lemmey
Pick 36 - Port Adelaide - Kobe Ryan
Pick 37 - Melbourne - Nick Sadler

Round 3
Pick 38 - Western Bulldogs - Jaiden Magor
Pick 39 - North Melbourne - Tom Scully

21

Tom Scully

Age

32

Ht

181cm

Wt

80kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.7

5star

K

9.9

4star

HB

10.8

5star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.5

5star

CL

2.3

4star

D

12.6

3star

K

7.5

3star

HB

5.1

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.1

2star

CL

0.8

3star

D

19.8

5star

K

8.8

4star

HB

11.0

5star

M

3.0

3star

T

4.6

5star

CL

3.8

5star

Pick 40 - Hawthorn - Anthony Munkara
Pick 41 - Sydney - Adam D'Aloia
Pick 42 - North Melbourne - Cooper Harvey
Pick 43 - Fremantle - Jed Adams
Pick 44 - Gold Coast Suns - Sam Gilbey
Pick 45 - St Kilda - James Van Es
Pick 46 - Hawthorn - Brandon Leary
Pick 47 - Carlton - Billy Dowling
Pick 48 - Hawthorn - Jake Walker
Pick 49 - Collingwood - Jakob Ryan
Pick 50 - Hawthorn - Cooper Vickery
Pick 51 - Richmond - Phoenix Foster
Pick 52 - Essendon - Bailey MacDonald
Pick 53 - GWS - PASS
Pick 54 - Geelong - Hugh Davies

Round 4
Pick 55 - Adelaide - Jonti Schuback
Pick 56 - Port Adelaide - Ryan Eyers
Pick 57 - GWS - PASS
Pick 58 - Essendon - Jack O’Sullivan
Pick 59 - Richmond - Harvey Gallagher
Pick 60 - Geelong - Lachlan Scannell
Pick 61 - Adelaide - Will Verrall
Pick 62 - Hawthorn - Jerome Lawrence
Pick 63 - Carlton - Blake Drury
Pick 64 - Fremantle - Jaxon Binns
Pick 65 - Essendon - Jayden Davey
Pick 66 - Western Bulldogs - Ethan Phillips
Pick 67 - North Melbourne - PASS
Pick 68 - Gold Coast Suns - Josh Draper
Pick 69 - Essendon - PASS
Pick 70 - Gold Coast Suns - Tyrell Dewar
Pick 71 - Sydney - PASS
Pick 72 - Fremantle - Noah Long

Round 5 (To get teams to 3 picks)
Pick 73 - Port Adelaide - Kyle Marshall
Pick 74 - Richmond - Luke Teal
Pick 75 - Melbourne - Harry Cole
Pick 76 - Brisbane - Tom McCallum

BID Matching details
Pick 1 Will Ashcroft - Brisbane use Picks 34,35,36,38,55 and take on a 150 point deficit for 2023

Pick 17 Alwyn Davey

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

- Essendon use Pick 23 to match

Pick 18 Jaspa Fletcher - Brisbane have no picks with points, so take on a bigger deficit with the Ashcroft one

Pick 29 Max Michalanny- Adelaide use 44 and 53 to match, 53 moves to 61

2023 MINI DRAFT ORDER
Pick 1 - North Melbourne - Harley Reid
Pick 2 - West Coast Eagles - Daniel Curtin
Pick 3 - GWS - Ashton Moir
Pick 4 - Essendon - Nick Watson
Pick 5 - Adelaide - Zane Duursma
Pick 6 - Gold Coast Suns - Jed Walter [MATCHED Bid]
Pick 7 - Hawthorn - Archer Reid
Pick 8 - North Melbourne (From Port Adelaide) - Nate Caddy
Pick 9 - St Kilda - Koltyn Tholstrup
Pick 10 - Carlton - Riley Hardeman
Pick 11 - Western Bulldogs - Jack Delean
Pick 12 - GWS (From Richmond) - Will Lorenz
Pick 13 - Melbourne (From Fremantle) - Sam Frangalas
Pick 14 - Melbourne - Nathan Philactides
Pick 15 - Western Bulldogs (From Brisbane) - Will Patton
Pick 16 - Collingwood - Cooper Simpson
Pick 17 - Sydney - Riak Andrew
Pick 18 - Geelong - Jayden Matz

 

[Shadow89]

#8 Geelong - Darcy Jones (175cm, 67kg forward/mid from WA)

It seems like there’s always someone in the draft that people are saying ‘if only he was taller…’. Well size isn’t everything. If Darcy Jones was 185cm, he’d be in the #1 mix in my opinion. So why can’t 175cm get him into the top 10?

As we get closer to the draft, Jones is the player I’m liking more and more and I’ve well and truly given up on my dream of him coming to Fremantle. It’s not a draft stock full of elite attributes, but Jones has them in his athletic ability, running patterns and scoreboard impact. Plus his genuine ball winning and reading of the play. And he actually uses his athleticism and speed on the ground - which is definitely not always the case with the draft combine stars.

It seems high, and I don’t think this happens on draft day. But I think Jones is the closest prospect we’ve seen to Shai Bolton, and using a top 10 pick on him would look pretty good. I expect Jones to start as a small/half forward but in a few years I see no reason he won’t be able to go through the middle. But for now, it makes the Geelong forward half faster and more.

Otherwise, Jedd Busslinger was high on my list for Geelong and I think he’s a very good chance to be the pick in the real thing. I’d take him over Jhye Clark who is probably the bookies favourite here. But Geelong will bring him ‘home’ in 2 years anyway, so why waste the pick. But with my two late picks I think I’m a better chance of finding a tall defender I like than a game changing small.

Monocle I think is up next

I think you probably know how most Geelong supporters feel about this one, so I won't get into it...but I am surprised about this pick for reasons other than talent.

There's no doubting the kid could be good, but for the same reasons it's interesting for WC to select Jhye Clark (he'll at least play at WC and actually more risky to go back to Collingwood than us, IMO), are the same reasons I could never see us selecting Darcy Jones.

In the past 3 seasons we lost two highly talented players to both yourselves and WC. Since the 2018 draft, we've been wary on spending up on those we deem a flight risk back the other way. Even Neale is one we're very worried about, given he only signed a 1 year contract - but we saw the risk as worth it given he was only Pick 33 and highly talented. Dev Robertson I believe we avoided for the very same reasons. Busslinger is different given his Geelong support and the Selwood connection from such a young age - so he's the exception to the rule here.

TL;DR, as much as I think Jones could be a gun, there's next to no chance we'd select him in the real thing, given the aforementioned go home factor - especially given the likelihood he wouldn't get many games in his first two years in the system. Would think our top picks in that range on our board, would be something like Clark, Busslinger, Humphrey, McKenzie - for varying reasons.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

If I were a West Coast fan and my club just picked Clark I would hope like hell they know what they are doing as that just screams "request trade back to Geelong in 2 years time"

That's alright, they will swap him for Darcy Jones who also wants to head back to his home state.

 

[Ysaye]

Pick 12 - Western Bulldogs - Reuben Ginbey
189cm, 85kg
East Perth
Midfielder/defender

In a few words, Ginbey is a powerfully built specimen and a competitive beast.

Spoiler: How did he perform?

Ginbey has had an outstanding year and performed well at all levels and in multiple roles. Starting off the year as backman at WAFL U18 level where he performed well, Ginbey moved into the midfield in the U18 championships and surprised us all winning the MVP for his state side and claiming All Australian honours. He then went back to the WAFL and managed 4 senior games where he impressed again as a defender. He then topped it off with a superb combine with top 10 finishes in leap (70cm), 20m sprints (2.92s) and 2km time trial (6.15m).

Spoiler: What does he bring? (Strengths)

Ginbey for one is a very consistent performer, that rarely plays a bad game. He's solid, dependable, competitive and versatile. Down back he has the defensive capabilities and athletic capabilities to shut out an opponent. He's also quite reliable with his disposal with time and space.

In the midfield he has the ability to break tackles with strength and burst out of stoppages with speed. He has very clean hands and uses his running ability to spread away from the contest as well as defend. His attack on the ball is very good also and by all reports he has some good leadership qualities captaining his school side. He should also be able to make an impact very early as he's well built and has a good fitness base.

Spoiler: What can he improve on?

Adding more class to his game is the biggest one. A bit too often he can get it and boot the ball out of congestion as far as he can if there's no handball option rather then assessing for better kicking options. He also usually runs fast and straight like a bull which is a very good thing to have, but it could be more beneficial to his side if he could add more of a sidestep to his game at times. He could also learn to hit the scoreboard a bit more too if I'm being picky.

Spoiler: Where does he fit into the doggies side?

With the bulldogs backline being highly attacking, Ginbey provides a defensive skillset that our other defenders don't have and could play as early as round 1 next year. He may also be used in small bursts in the midfield after the loss of Dunkley. In a few more years time he should be able to make the full transition into the midfield with Libba and Treloar most likely finding themselves in retirement.

Spoiler: Others I considered here

Brayden George, Oliver Hollands, Lachie Cowan, Jedd Busslinger

Monocle you're up

Given this was before 4am over here, I doubt Monocle actually was unless he is stark raving mad like me!

 

[weltschmerz]

Pick 12 - Western Bulldogs - Reuben Ginbey
189cm, 85kg
East Perth
Midfielder/defender

In a few words, Ginbey is a powerfully built specimen and a competitive beast.

Spoiler: How did he perform?

Ginbey has had an outstanding year and performed well at all levels and in multiple roles. Starting off the year as backman at WAFL U18 level where he performed well, Ginbey moved into the midfield in the U18 championships and surprised us all winning the MVP for his state side and claiming All Australian honours. He then went back to the WAFL and managed 4 senior games where he impressed again as a defender. He then topped it off with a superb combine with top 10 finishes in leap (70cm), 20m sprints (2.92s) and 2km time trial (6.15m).

Spoiler: What does he bring? (Strengths)

Ginbey for one is a very consistent performer, that rarely plays a bad game. He's solid, dependable, competitive and versatile. Down back he has the defensive capabilities and athletic capabilities to shut out an opponent. He's also quite reliable with his disposal with time and space.

In the midfield he has the ability to break tackles with strength and burst out of stoppages with speed. He has very clean hands and uses his running ability to spread away from the contest as well as defend. His attack on the ball is very good also and by all reports he has some good leadership qualities captaining his school side. He should also be able to make an impact very early as he's well built and has a good fitness base.

Spoiler: What can he improve on?

Adding more class to his game is the biggest one. A bit too often he can get it and boot the ball out of congestion as far as he can if there's no handball option rather then assessing for better kicking options. He also usually runs fast and straight like a bull which is a very good thing to have, but it could be more beneficial to his side if he could add more of a sidestep to his game at times. He could also learn to hit the scoreboard a bit more too if I'm being picky.

Spoiler: Where does he fit into the doggies side?

With the bulldogs backline being highly attacking, Ginbey provides a defensive skillset that our other defenders don't have and could play as early as round 1 next year. He may also be used in small bursts in the midfield after the loss of Dunkley. In a few more years time he should be able to make the full transition into the midfield with Libba and Treloar most likely finding themselves in retirement.

Spoiler: Others I considered here

Brayden George, Oliver Hollands, Lachie Cowan, Jedd Busslinger

Monocle you're up

Oh hell yeah.

 

[Ysaye]

I think you probably know how most Geelong supporters feel about this one, so I won't get into it...but I am surprised about this pick for reasons other than talent.

There's no doubting the kid could be good, but for the same reasons it's interesting for WC to select Jhye Clark, are the same reasons I could never see us selecting Darcy Jones.

In the past 3 seasons we lost two highly talented players to both yourselves and WC. Since the 2018 draft, we've been wary on spending up on those we deem a flight risk back the other way. Even Neale is one we're very worried about, given he only signed a 1 year contract - but we saw the risk as worth it given he was only Pick 33 and highly talented. Dev Robertson I believe we avoided for the very same reasons. Busslinger is different given his Geelong support and the Selwood connection from such a young age - so he's the exception to the rule here.

TL;DR, as much as I think Jones could be a gun, there's next to no chance we'd select him in the real thing, given the aforementioned go home factor - especially given the likelihood he wouldn't get many games in his first two years in the system. Would think our Top 5 in that range on our board, would be something like Clark, Busslinger, Humphrey, McKenzie and Phillipou - for varying reasons.

Apart from avoiding comments people saying "they would never take that player!" (which happens even when you do pick out the exact player that the club will take), what incentive is there for us (the mock drafters) to take players we think are most likely to go to that club?

In many senses, the best pick we can make is one where we can overall say three or four years down the line "I told you that player was going to be good!", with a mock pick that was better than the one that they ended up getting taken at with the real draft.

 

[Shadow89]

Apart from avoiding comments people saying "they would never take that player!" (which happens even when you do pick out the exact player that the club will take), what incentive is there for us (the mock drafters) to take players we think are most likely to go to that club?

In many senses, the best pick we can make is one where we can overall say three or four years down the line "I told you that player was going to be good!", with a mock pick that was better than the one that they ended up getting taken at with the real draft.

Oh there's no argument here on any of that - but I think you also have to be realistic in who you select...because it's not just about your opinion as drafters, but also who would be the best 'fit' at a certain club - regardless of talent.

It's why I don't see us as interested in Phillipou either, given he seems like a bit of a FIGJAM - and we just don't pick those types.

Nevertheless, it's all hypothetical, and as you can see from my original response, there was nothing rude about what I was saying, just my perspective on the pick

 

[Monocle]

Pick # 13. West Coast. Elijah Hewett. 186 cm 82 kg. Midfielder. Swan Districts.







Hewett has been on Clubs radar for the past two years and while it would be fair to say, his 2021 season was better, in totality, than his 2022 season however the collective body of work is impressive. Without wanting to make too many excuses for his 2022 season it is worth noting that Covid affected him pretty badly in the early parts of the year and its something that he didn't fully break free from that setback.
He played most of the year in the seniors at Swan Districts where they did him few favours by playing him on a half back flank, as opposed to in the midfield where he shines best.

Anyone who watched the thrilling WAFL Colts 2021 Grand Final, would know that Swans don't beat Claremont that day with out Hewett, he won the medal and he was simply the difference between two really good teams.
Players always get more kudos when they show that they can perform in big games with high stakes riding on the game.

What he does bring to a Club is a very enticing set of skills and attributes.
He has power and quickness that enables him to burst through and away from packs in a contested situation.
His athletic build when coupled with his agility all help him be a balanced mid, it's not hard to imaging another 10 kg on his muscular body and that will be a lump of a lad to have to play on.
He can contribute to the scoreboard, plus he is a very good goals assist player when he links up.

His foot skills are very good and the fact that he performs so well on either foot make his a dangerous player with ball in hand, you can imagine any forward being thrilled with the way he presents the ball to leading players.
He does have a combative streak to him, which is ideal when he hunts the ball at the coal face.

He comes to a Club that is traditionally weak at stoppages and at the coal face.

He does need to stay more consistent and more involved in games and if he can master that, then West Coast will have a very good player on their hands.

He has a skill set thats very much needed at West Coast and I see no reason why he doesn't play early in 2023.

I am happy with the pairing of Clark and Hewett, together they make a good combination to help bolster a flagging Eagles midfield.



Busslinger was a hard leave on the board, however West Coast have greater midfield needs that KPD depth, so it was the way to go.

 

[Blackhawk42]

Love this pick.

175cm isn’t crazy small either. I think he will be one that invariably will be a head scratcher in 5-10 years time why he didn’t go this high in the real thing.

If Dylan Moore and Caleb Daniel have proven anything it's that writing off elite under 18 form on height concerns is an illegitimate excuse.

If both went top 10 in their respective drafts I don't believe anybody would be questioning those decisions now.

Darcy Jones at 7 is a phenomenal selection. If anybody can afford to take the 'risk' it's the reigning premier using a selection they shouldn't have anyway. Complete free swing.

 

[Schulzenfest]

Apart from avoiding comments people saying "they would never take that player!" (which happens even when you do pick out the exact player that the club will take), what incentive is there for us (the mock drafters) to take players we think are most likely to go to that club?

In many senses, the best pick we can make is one where we can overall say three or four years down the line "I told you that player was going to be good!", with a mock pick that was better than the one that they ended up getting taken at with the real draft.

I would have thought part of the point of nominating a club to select for in a phantom draft is to consider the needs and circumstances of that club? Otherwise just do a Power Rankings and don't bother with the phantom draft format in the first place.

 

[Chris25]

I think you probably know how most Geelong supporters feel about this one, so I won't get into it...but I am surprised about this pick for reasons other than talent.

There's no doubting the kid could be good, but for the same reasons it's interesting for WC to select Jhye Clark (he'll at least play at WC and actually more risky to go back to Collingwood than us, IMO), are the same reasons I could never see us selecting Darcy Jones.

In the past 3 seasons we lost two highly talented players to both yourselves and WC. Since the 2018 draft, we've been wary on spending up on those we deem a flight risk back the other way. Even Neale is one we're very worried about, given he only signed a 1 year contract - but we saw the risk as worth it given he was only Pick 33 and highly talented. Dev Robertson I believe we avoided for the very same reasons. Busslinger is different given his Geelong support and the Selwood connection from such a young age - so he's the exception to the rule here.

TL;DR, as much as I think Jones could be a gun, there's next to no chance we'd select him in the real thing, given the aforementioned go home factor - especially given the likelihood he wouldn't get many games in his first two years in the system. Would think our top picks in that range on our board, would be something like Clark, Busslinger, Humphrey, McKenzie - for varying reasons.

Go home factor does make things a bit more complicated…but I don’t think it’s something I’m really qualified to comment on. I don’t know the kids, I haven’t spoken to them. If I start overlooking someone for that reason, then it unintentionally reflects bad on them. And someone will take that and claim it as fact.

Ultimately, I had Jones very close to best available - him, Humphrey, Keeler and Busslinger were the players still available from my top 10. So I don’t view it as a reach as others may. I have him ahead of Clark and MacKenzie. I think Jones ultimately goes first round, likely in the 15-20 range - so it’s only a little higher here.

I don’t view Jones necessarily as a need for Geelong - they have so few. A key defender, maybe continuing to plan for life after Hawkins too. So Busslinger was close. But I think Jones would be a good fit and likely a better chance of getting game time this year than someone like Humphrey. I think he would genuinely push someone like Miers in the forward half, and also provide a different look and more speed off the bench than some of the other fringe guys.

 

[ModernArtillery]

Pick 14 - Melbourne - Matthew Jefferson
194cm/76kg
Key Forward
Oakleigh Chargers

Justification
It was incredibly difficult to leave Jedd Busslinger on the board here, but between May, Lever and Petty it was hard to feel like this was the right spot for him. Melbourne do have a number of key forwards on their list, but none of them are the clear long term solution. Jefferson enters a situation where he'll be given the time he needs to develop into the number 1 or number 2 key forward for the Dees in 3-4 years time.

Profile
Jefferson projects as a mobile key forward, capable in the air and on the lead. He moves well, using his speed to create separation on the lead. His ability to read the flight of the ball, float in and mark it amongst a pack is one of his greatest attributes. Improving his capacity to impose himself physically in the marking contest will be critical to Jefferson's development, and adding size and strength will go a long way to helping that part of his game.

Stylistically, he's been compared to Essendon's Harry Jones and I think that's a pretty fair comparison. He could operate in a forward line with JVR long term, whose ability to push up the ground as a CHF would leave Jefferson to roam the 50, complementing his game nicely.

Other considerations:
Jedd Busslinger, Oliver Hollands, Alwyn Davey

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

Jr

eDPS

 

[eDPS]

Pick 15 - Sydney - Jedd Busslinger
196cm - Key Defender

Although Swans just brought in Aaron Francis he is far from a bankable player and Jedd Busslinger would be a great choice offering a bit more drive and height compared to the McCartin brothers. Busslinger is a strong interceptor and runs hard to provide rebound, his biggest question mark would be his actual defending as he struggled on bottom ager Jed Walter in a champs game this year but his shoulder injury may have had an influence on his contested work.

Players considered: Oliver Hollands

 

[PMBangers]

Pick 16 GWS
Oliver Hollands
Murray Bushrangers | VIC Country
Balanced Midfielder
183 cm 71 kg



Gonna just use the RookieMe Central write up given I wrote it;

SNAPSHOT: “Arguably the best two-way runner in the pool, Hollands brings a well balanced approached to his midfield craft, but has shown himself to be more than capable of impacting up either end of the ground.”

Rewarded for taking his limited opportunities in 2021 with AFL Academy Selection, it is obvious Ollie Hollands came into the season rated highly, and he lived up to that throughout. Splitting his time this season with the Murray Bushrangers, Geelong Grammar and Vic Country, Hollands has been a consistent performer across all competitions he’s played a part in. Predominantly a midfielder, he has shown his ability to impact both on the inside and outside, with his endurance level and accompanying work rate allowing him to get from contest to contest effectively and burn opponents in transition. He also managed to apply that same high level work rate off the back flank at times, most notably in the AFL Academy game against Collingwood’s VFL side.

STRENGTHS:

• Endurance
• Two-way running
• Decision making
• Accumulation
• Versatility

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Strength
• Kicking under pressure

There is notable footballing heritage running through Hollands' family, with great-grandfather Martin Cross (Carlton), father Ben (Richmond) and brother Elijah (Gold Coast Suns) all playing at the highest level. Ollie looks like joining the ranks after an impressive two years leading into the draft. Hollands was one who stepped up to the level of competition through the year, with some of his best games being when representing Vic Country, playing a particularly important role in the championships decider game against Vic Metro at Marvel Stadium.

On-field, Hollands has proven himself as a more than capable midfielder when stationed on the inside or outside, with pretty advanced stoppage craft he was regularly able to get to the fall of the ball as a first possession winner and feed it out by hand, but is equally as good when acting more as a receiver with the timing of his runs often catching opposition off guard. Where Hollands has managed to make himself standout amongst the draft class comes with his two way running and elite endurance base, able to get from contest-to-contest effectively across the entire game, but also use his work rate to impact in defence by getting back and aiding his defenders in winning the ball, then burn his opposition in transition with his quick spread.

It is not just the fact Hollands gets around the ground that has drawn the eye, his decision making and ability to win a high amount of the footy rounds out a dangerous list of traits. Outside of an injury affected Round 1, Hollands did not drop below 20 disposals in any of his Under 18 appearances for the year, more often than not using the ball damagingly when he won it with smart hands in close and clean kicking in space.

Despite being predominantly a midfielder over the past two years, Hollands versatility is something that will appeal to clubs given his performances when briefly played up forward or down back, able to run and carry well from a defensive position, and create plays in the forward half, without taking a significant hit to the amount of footy he wins.

Looking towards the future, Hollands has noted that he would like to improve on his strength and ability to play one-on-one as he looks to move to the inside at the top level, sometimes being moved off the ball a little too easily around stoppages, and also mentioned scoreboard impact is an area he wants to work on. Outside of this, Hollands may look to improve on his kicking under pressure, sometimes rushing when a tackle is coming.

In terms of Hollands at GWS, for a long time now we've had a flock of talented midfielders that don't have any sort of two way urgency, it's very predictable when watching us that if we win a stoppage it'll generally end up inside 50, but if we lose a stoppage there's rarely a follow up one because one of our players ran hard for a tackle. Hollands comes in an addresses this pretty well when he's fully developed, but early days his work rate off the ball from a wing would be valuable as a link up player between the arcs.

Also Considered; Jacob Konstanty
Pie 4 Life

 

[Gosaints12]

Pick 15 - Sydney - Jedd Busslinger
196cm - Key Defender

Write up to come

solid pick. Shocked he was on the board TBH.

 

[RUNVS]

Pick 15 - Sydney - Jedd Busslinger
196cm - Key Defender

Write up to come

If Jedd is still there at our pick we would be crazy not to get him.

 

[Blackhawk42]

solid pick. Shocked he was on the board TBH.

Key defenders aren't sexy picks. From memory I believe DGB and Gibcus dropped lower in multiple Bigfooty phantoms than the picks they were ultimately drafted at.

There are some safe looking gun mids and some huge upside players in the top 10. Every chance a reliable tall defender like Buss falls outside on the night. But it won't be by much if it happens.

 

[RUNVS]

Key defenders aren't sexy picks. From memory I believe DGB and Gibcus dropped lower in multiple Bigfooty phantoms than the picks they were ultimately drafted at.

There are some safe looking gun mids and some huge upside players in the top 10. Every chance a reliable tall defender like Buss falls outside on the night. But it won't be by much if it happens.

It is also sort of a needs based pick. You can fit a dozen midfielders into your team if you need to but most teams don't really have more than 2 or 3 tall defenders in the team at once, so if a team is pretty happy with their backline they could easily overlook a key defender in the draft who would otherwise be a good choice at their selection based on talent.

It is sort of like having the second best wicket keeper in the world, something that is pointless if you already have the best wicket keeper in the world. There are only so many positions in the team for him.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Pick #17 – Collingwood bid on Alwyn Davey

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

Jr

Will eDPS match?

 

[eDPS]

Pick #17 – Collingwood bid on Alwyn Davey Jr

Will eDPS match?

You have no idea what you have unleashed onto this phantom draft, a powerful enemy you have made

 

[Pie 4 Life]

You have no idea what you have unleashed onto this phantom draft, a powerful enemy you have made

You gonna bid on Yousef Dib again?

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Pick 15 - Sydney - Jedd Busslinger
196cm - Key Defender

Write up to come

Really like this pick, couldn't lose out of him or Hollands if they were available. Nice pick for us. Hope for an on baller at our next.Great pick.

 

[Blackhawk42]

It is also sort of a needs based pick. You can fit a dozen midfielders into your team if you need to but most teams don't really have more than 2 or 3 tall defenders in the team at once, so if a team is pretty happy with their backline they could easily overlook a key defender in the draft who would otherwise be a good choice at their selection based on talent.

It is sort of like having the second best wicket keeper in the world, something that is pointless if you already have the best wicket keeper in the world. There are only so many positions in the team for him.

Hence why Hawthorn will likely pass on both Gibcus and Busslinger in consecutive years even if we rated them the next best available talent. We had earmarked James Blanck a long way out and are clearly very happy with a future of he, DGB, Sicily and Frost. Plus potentially McCabe as a father/son next year.

Buss will be a fantastic pick up for a few clubs though. Much like Gibcus at Richmond which was a pick I rated highly from the Tigers a year ago.

 

[eDPS]

See you all at 10.15 AM tomorrow for my decision

Regards
Adrian (edps) Dodoro

 

[Warhorse]

#8 Geelong - Darcy Jones (175cm, 67kg forward/mid from WA)

It seems like there’s always someone in the draft that people are saying ‘if only he was taller…’. Well size isn’t everything. If Darcy Jones was 185cm, he’d be in the #1 mix in my opinion. So why can’t 175cm get him into the top 10?

As we get closer to the draft, Jones is the player I’m liking more and more and I’ve well and truly given up on my dream of him coming to Fremantle. It’s not a draft stock full of elite attributes, but Jones has them in his athletic ability, running patterns and scoreboard impact. Plus his genuine ball winning and reading of the play. And he actually uses his athleticism and speed on the ground - which is definitely not always the case with the draft combine stars.

It seems high, and I don’t think this happens on draft day. But I think Jones is the closest prospect we’ve seen to Shai Bolton, and using a top 10 pick on him would look pretty good. I expect Jones to start as a small/half forward but in a few years I see no reason he won’t be able to go through the middle. But for now, it makes the Geelong forward half faster and more.

Otherwise, Jedd Busslinger was high on my list for Geelong and I think he’s a very good chance to be the pick in the real thing. I’d take him over Jhye Clark who is probably the bookies favourite here. But Geelong will bring him ‘home’ in 2 years anyway, so why waste the pick. But with my two late picks I think I’m a better chance of finding a tall defender I like than a game changing small.

Monocle I think is up next

Interesting selection - don't agree with the selection but love the fact you have stuck to your own rankings rather than groupthink. In reality would you take this pick or prefer to trade down to multiple first round picks or first first?

On Clark - where do you see him at in a few years? Is there a comparable AFL player?

 

[KinderSmock]

Interesting selection - don't agree with the selection but love the fact you have stuck to your own rankings rather than groupthink. In reality would you take this pick or prefer to trade down to multiple first round picks or first first?

On Clark - where do you see him at in a few years? Is there a comparable AFL player?

Selwood is the closest to Clark and he's almost a ready made replacement.