2023 AFL Draft General Discussion

[Thunderstruck]

Some believe in the "draft talent, trade needs" mantra.

But a midfield core of LDU, Wardlaw, Phillips, Ford, Scott, Thomas, Sanders, McKercher is insane to go with Stepho and Sheezel who both want to get minutes. And I've probably missed someone. It's like AFL Fantasy but on-field. And spreading that out between HF/HB doesn't fix the situation, either.

But I can easily see it happening.

Yep Powell, best hands of the lot! He has to play inside to utilise him the best

 

[Lach72]

No one seems to have Collard top 40…interesting to me as kicking goals for jam at the moment

 

[RanaNaved]

No one seems to have Collard top 40…interesting to me as kicking goals for jam at the moment

He doesn't look interested out there until he thinks he can get a goal. Very conditional with his efforts. Bit of a sook

 

[KinderSmock]

Also feels like it cheapens the NGA system. The whole point of recognising indigenous background is so clubs focus on developing disadvantaged kids. If he’s just some random kid who may or may not turn out to have indigenous background, why does he require special treatment?

It’s interesting to weigh in on disadvantage here. Palawa people have been historically disadvantaged. And you could easily make a case for Tasmania being a place of generational disadvantage, especially for the Palawa people. Literacy and numeracy rates in the state sit at 50% and I’m not joking.

What’s worth noting is Sanders’ move. He was poached by Melbourne Grammar in 2022 and has since played with Sandringham, arguably one of the best Coates Talent League clubs. It was a huge move for him to go from his previous high school to MGS as a boarder. But the scholarship he received and the opportunity it could provide was worth it as until recently, Tasmanian talent has been ignored or overlooked. Nobody wanted Sanders to end up like fellow teammate Callow, who had a strong draft year but was ultimately snubbed.

What’s probably more of the concern is why North only cares about him now. They’ve largely neglected their Tasmanian AFL Academy. At least for men. Bar Thomas, I don’t think anyone else has been picked up recently.

 

[botts]

It’s interesting to weigh in on disadvantage here. Palawa people have been historically disadvantaged. And you could easily make a case for Tasmania being a place of generational disadvantage, especially for the Palawa people. Literacy and numeracy rates in the state sit at 50% and I’m not joking.

What’s worth noting is Sanders’ move. He was poached by Melbourne Grammar in 2022 and has since played with Sandringham, arguably one of the best Coates Talent League clubs. It was a huge move for him to go from his previous high school to MGS as a boarder. But the scholarship he received and the opportunity it could provide was worth it as until recently, Tasmanian talent has been ignored or overlooked. Nobody wanted Sanders to end up like fellow teammate Callow, who had a strong draft year but was ultimately snubbed.

What’s probably more of the concern is why North only cares about him now. They’ve largely neglected their Tasmanian AFL Academy. At least for men. Bar Thomas, I don’t think anyone else has been picked up recently.

The whole thing about only recognising his indigenous culture now sounds a bit iffy. I would love to know how they go about recognising it.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

It’s interesting to weigh in on disadvantage here. Palawa people have been historically disadvantaged. And you could easily make a case for Tasmania being a place of generational disadvantage, especially for the Palawa people. Literacy and numeracy rates in the state sit at 50% and I’m not joking.

What’s worth noting is Sanders’ move. He was poached by Melbourne Grammar in 2022 and has since played with Sandringham, arguably one of the best Coates Talent League clubs. It was a huge move for him to go from his previous high school to MGS as a boarder. But the scholarship he received and the opportunity it could provide was worth it as until recently, Tasmanian talent has been ignored or overlooked. Nobody wanted Sanders to end up like fellow teammate Callow, who had a strong draft year but was ultimately snubbed.

What’s probably more of the concern is why North only cares about him now. They’ve largely neglected their Tasmanian AFL Academy. At least for men. Bar Thomas, I don’t think anyone else has been picked up recently.

If his indigenous status is only being recognised now, does that not suggest it’s more a case of “oh hey, this guy happens to have indigenous ancestors, let’s take advantage of that” rather than “this guy experiences genuine disadvantage in life due to his cultural background, let’s see what we can do to support him”. If it’s the former, providing special treatment to someone in those circumstances does nothing to bridge the gap and, when taking that approach in general, is robbing opportunity of people who actually need it.

If he wasn’t already part of Norths NGA, it would seem he probably didn’t need it to begin with.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Also feels like it cheapens the NGA system. The whole point of recognising indigenous background is so clubs focus on developing disadvantaged kids. If he’s just some random kid who may or may not turn out to have indigenous background, why does he require special treatment?

To be fair on the NGA academies they are open to all kids in the area (McKercher was in our academy as well), it's just the kids with either indigenous or multicultural that clubs have any access to. It's not really about disadvantaged kids per se, the Saints got Mitch Owens out of a bayside Melbourne private school.

I'm vague on this but I believe Sanders, who has always been in the North NGA, now has a proof of Aboriginality so North are attempting to make him eligible for us to have first access to in the event he made it past pick 40. As an aside they are also propositioning potential pre-list access in an assistance package (similar to the same thing granted to Gold Coast with Qld and NT zones academy players a few years ago). Neither may get granted but the process has been in action for long enough it could be suggested the AFL has not said no.

It's understandable that some clubs will hate this but for some it may be preferable should it reach a time North receives an assistance package.

 

[Nat Fyfe]

To be fair on the NGA academies they are open to all kids in the area (McKercher was in our academy as well), it's just the kids with either indigenous or multicultural that clubs have any access to. It's not really about disadvantaged kids per se, the Saints got Mitch Owens out of a bayside Melbourne private school.

I'm vague on this but I believe Sanders, who has always been in the North NGA, now has a proof of Aboriginality so North are attempting to make him eligible for us to have first access to in the event he made it past pick 40. As an aside they are also propositioning potential pre-list access in an assistance package (similar to the same thing granted to Gold Coast with Qld and NT zones academy players a few years ago). Neither may get granted but the process has been in action for long enough it could be suggested the AFL has not said no.

It's understandable that some clubs will hate this but for some it may be preferable should it reach a time North receives an assistance package.

I hate this approach so much. It’s really sounding a lot like Sanders indigenous background was largely irrelevant to his football journey if he’s only just now getting proof (as opposed to years ago when first being eligible for North’s academy, or at least prior to this year).

Owens is a good shout, it makes a mockery of the purpose of this kind of system that he’s eligible, but someone like Patrick Cripps was never eligible for either of the WA clubs to bid on. Cripps would’ve faced a far tougher journey to get drafted than Owens ever did.

In saying that, if getting Sanders and matching the bid (rather than prelisting) is the type of assistance North gets, i still much prefer that over an early priority pick.

 

[botts]

T

I hate this approach so much. It’s really sounding a lot like Sanders indigenous background was largely irrelevant to his football journey if he’s only just now getting proof (as opposed to years ago when first being eligible for North’s academy, or at least prior to this year).

Owens is a good shout, it makes a mockery of the purpose of this kind of system that he’s eligible, but someone like Patrick Cripps was never eligible for either of the WA clubs to bid on. Cripps would’ve faced a far tougher journey to get drafted than Owens ever did.

In saying that, if getting Sanders and matching the bid (rather than prelisting) is the type of assistance North gets, i still much prefer that over an early priority pick.

he Mitch Owens argument is a little floor considering saint never the only team with access to him. Every club passed on him

 

[The Filth Wizard]

I hate this approach so much. It’s really sounding a lot like Sanders indigenous background was largely irrelevant to his football journey if he’s only just now getting proof (as opposed to years ago when first being eligible for North’s academy, or at least prior to this year).

Owens is a good shout, it makes a mockery of the purpose of this kind of system that he’s eligible, but someone like Patrick Cripps was never eligible for either of the WA clubs to bid on. Cripps would’ve faced a far tougher journey to get drafted than Owens ever did.

In saying that, if getting Sanders and matching the bid (rather than prelisting) is the type of assistance North gets, i still much prefer that over an early priority pick.

I'm pretty much in tune with your view... I hate some of the potential machinations in relation to the indigenous side of it however the reports seem like the player and family are happy with it (there were some photos floating around the North board yesterday of Sanders being at North previously for NGA academy stuff). Flip side, the club is thinking outside of the box to get help in a way that impacts as few clubs as possible (I imagine any club that sits around that draft position would be annoyed but at least it would be a known quantity on draft night). Plenty remains to be seen on this one though and nobody will really know until GF week I imagine, when the AFL convenes on this type of thing.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

T

he Mitch Owens argument is a little floor considering saint never the only team with access to him. Every club passed on him

Just to clarify Mitch Owens was brought up in the context he's a private schoolboy in a wealthy-ish area, to counter that these academies are just for those disadvantaged (and strictly indigenous). You certainly had to sweat out a few late picks before he was eligible to secure him.

 

[KinderSmock]

To be fair on the NGA academies they are open to all kids in the area (McKercher was in our academy as well), it's just the kids with either indigenous or multicultural that clubs have any access to. It's not really about disadvantaged kids per se, the Saints got Mitch Owens out of a bayside Melbourne private school.

I'm vague on this but I believe Sanders, who has always been in the North NGA, now has a proof of Aboriginality so North are attempting to make him eligible for us to have first access to in the event he made it past pick 40. As an aside they are also propositioning potential pre-list access in an assistance package (similar to the same thing granted to Gold Coast with Qld and NT zones academy players a few years ago). Neither may get granted but the process has been in action for long enough it could be suggested the AFL has not said no.

It's understandable that some clubs will hate this but for some it may be preferable should it reach a time North receives an assistance package.

Sanders has identified as Indigenous throughout his schooling. He also participated in the AFL’s Flying Boomerangs team in 2019. So it’s now new. Since U12s, North identified McKercher, Callinan and Sanders and I think they even had them in their academy. I’m not sure why they’re not currently recognised but North really haven’t done much with their Tasmanian prospects. I knew people who were in it but after Thomas was drafted, it fizzed away.

AFL Victoria - Play AFL

www.aflvic.com.au

 

[KinderSmock]

I hate this approach so much. It’s really sounding a lot like Sanders indigenous background was largely irrelevant to his football journey if he’s only just now getting proof (as opposed to years ago when first being eligible for North’s academy, or at least prior to this year).

Owens is a good shout, it makes a mockery of the purpose of this kind of system that he’s eligible, but someone like Patrick Cripps was never eligible for either of the WA clubs to bid on. Cripps would’ve faced a far tougher journey to get drafted than Owens ever did.

In saying that, if getting Sanders and matching the bid (rather than prelisting) is the type of assistance North gets, i still much prefer that over an early priority pick.

At least they still have to pay something. However many picks it ends up being in the 40s.

 

[The Filth Wizard]

Sanders has identified as Indigenous throughout his schooling. He also participated in the AFL’s Flying Boomerangs team in 2019. So it’s now new. Since U12s, North identified McKercher, Callinan and Sanders and I think they even had them in their academy. I’m not sure why they’re not currently recognised but North really haven’t done much with their Tasmanian prospects. I knew people who were in it but after Thomas was drafted, it fizzed away.

AFL Victoria - Play AFL

www.aflvic.com.au

I appreciate the clarification, as said I was vague and based that on one of our posters saying he'd recently had to "prove" his Aboriginality. I'm not sure as to the current state of the academy, the last guy I remember coming through that played AFL was Rhyan Mansell and IMO we really screwed the pooch not listing him Cat B in either 2018 and 2019.

 

[KinderSmock]

I appreciate the clarification, as said I was vague and based that on one of our posters saying he'd recently had to "prove" his Aboriginality. I'm not sure as to the current state of the academy, the last guy I remember coming through that played AFL was Rhyan Mansell and IMO we really screwed the pooch not listing him Cat B in either 2018 and 2019.

Mansell's good ... when he's not busy advancing his MMA career.

The media is so obsessed about APS private schools that they forget about other schools or clubs that are producing talent. Launceston footy teams have produced some talent.

Launceston: C. Jones, Kolodjashnij.

North Launceston: Cowan, Thomas, Mansell, Nankervis and Campbell with Zane Littlejohn (Hawthorn assistant) also hailing from here as well.

North's success is indicative of their era of dominance across the State League.

Although now delisted, Jay Lockhart and Callow came from North and Isaac Chugg played for Launceston.

Oh and for random trivia, Mitch Thorp coaches Launceston these days. His thread is hilarious and he has not changed one bit.

This year, they'll be another four prospects from Launceston/North Launceston who'll likely be drafted this year, too. At least two might as well write themselves contracts pending a disaster. Adding to the curiosity is that at one point in time, three young footballers went to the same school.

 

[TDS7]

Mansell's good ... when he's not busy advancing his MMA career.

The media is so obsessed about APS private schools that they forget about other schools or clubs that are producing talent. Launceston footy teams have produced some talent.

Launceston: C. Jones, Kolodjashnij.

North Launceston: Cowan, Thomas, Mansell, Nankervis and Campbell with Zane Littlejohn (Brisbane assistant) also hailing from here as well.

North's success is indicative of their era of dominance across the State League.

Although now delisted, Jay Lockhart and Callow came from North and Isaac Chugg played for Launceston.

Oh and for random trivia, Mitch Thorp coaches Launceston these days. His thread is hilarious and he has not changed one bit.

This year, they'll be another four prospects from Launceston/North Launceston who'll likely be drafted this year, too. At least two might as well write themselves contracts pending a disaster. Adding to the curiosity is that at one point in time, three young footballers went to the same school.

Littlejohn is actually head coach at Box Hill (Hawks VFL team) and our head of player development. He's been great though, he should get a shot at a top job at some point.

 

[KinderSmock]

Littlejohn is actually head coach at Box Hill (Hawks VFL team) and our head of player development. He's been great though, he should get a shot at a top job at some point.

I did Auskick with him a couple of moons ago. Reckon I played my best footy at that age. Quality bloke and would make a great head coach.

 

[hawkinoz]

I did Auskick with him a couple of moons ago. Reckon I played my best footy at that age. Quality bloke and would make a great head coach.

here is LittleJohn revving up the troops at Box Hill.. Won the game by a goal

 

[Stamos]

Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide: Top draft prospects' July ranking

AFL.com.au's draft guru Cal Twomey delivers his first Phantom Form Guide ahead of the 2023 National Draft

www.afl.com.au

 

[Dudoro]

As I said before pick 10 becomes 15.
5 of first 15 off the board and Sanders could be pre-listed to NM making it 6 of first 15. This draft is as compromised as the expansion drafts.

When do we stop getting these compromised drafts? It’s utter crap for teams unless you finish bottom 4 on ladder and encourages clubs to do what NM and Hawthorn did having to trade out players to ensure they fall low enough to get talent.
Otherwise you get stuck in mid table with ordinary talent.

 

[noobermensch]

As I said before pick 10 becomes 15.
5 of first 15 off the board and Sanders could be pre-listed to NM making it 6 of first 15. This draft is as compromised as the expansion drafts.

When do we stop getting these compromised drafts? It’s utter crap for teams unless you finish bottom 4 on ladder and encourages clubs to do what NM and Hawthorn did having to trade out players to ensure they fall low enough to get talent.
Otherwise you get stuck in mid table with ordinary talent.

Depends on how you look at it I suppose, at least with regards to the northern academies. Would those kids have chosen AFL and been nurtured to the point where they're first round picks if Gold Coast weren't incentivized to invest in grass roots footy in their local area?

 

[Dudoro]

Depends on how you look at it I suppose, at least with regards to the northern academies. Would those kids have chosen AFL and been nurtured to the point where they're first round picks if Gold Coast weren't incentivized to invest in grass roots footy in their local area?

The issue I have with it, is not having the academies, but the fact they’re ‘run’ under the clubs banner. The AFL provides the funding to clubs like GC yet they get to call it their own academy. It ain’t GC investing their own money.

You really think kids wouldn’t join if it was called AFL academy and not GC academy? Boys in Vic don’t not sign up to play footy bc they’re worried about moving interstate

 

[KinderSmock]

The issue I have with it, is not having the academies, but the fact they’re ‘run’ under the clubs banner. The AFL provides the funding to clubs like GC yet they get to call it their own academy. It ain’t GC investing their own money.

You really think kids wouldn’t join if it was called AFL academy and not GC academy? Boys in Vic don’t not sign up to play footy bc they’re worried about moving interstate

It would be better to have northern academies run by the AFL and open to all clubs to draft from.

 

[Dudoro]

It would be better to have northern academies run by the AFL and open to all clubs to draft from.

Correct

 

[RedmanWasHere]

As I said before pick 10 becomes 15.
5 of first 15 off the board and Sanders could be pre-listed to NM making it 6 of first 15. This draft is as compromised as the expansion drafts.

When do we stop getting these compromised drafts? It’s utter crap for teams unless you finish bottom 4 on ladder and encourages clubs to do what NM and Hawthorn did having to trade out players to ensure they fall low enough to get talent.
Otherwise you get stuck in mid table with ordinary talent.

From now until Tassie enters the 2027 AFLM Draft, I'm happy for a modicum of compromise.

If Tassie needs until 2030 to maintain this level, so be it.

If Tassie and others are still doing this in 2032 for instance, that's when it becomes an issue.