List Mgmt. 2025 AFL Draft - The Final Countdown

[THE_GUN]

Fair enough, but isn’t that the criticism of North, that they’ve drafted best available and have ended up with a team of midfielders. As Dylan said in the piece with Michael, they were into Tauru but went FOS because he was deemed best available.

However, I do agree with best available with low picks in the midst of a rebuild, but with an even bottom end of the draft pool which is compromised, we need to look at best available and trying to address some gaps in our structure.

It’s been suggested that outside the top 2 or 3 picks and the top end Academy picks, then the next 10 are pretty even. Why wouldn’t you look at filling some holes.

Thats because they F***d up with who they thought was best available
Phillips over Thilthorp / McDonald might have changed things and Caddy / Curtain instead of Zane

 

[4tune8]

Fair enough, but isn’t that the criticism of North, that they’ve drafted best available and have ended up with a team of midfielders. As Dylan said in the piece with Michael, they were into Tauru but went FOS because he was deemed best available.

However, I do agree with best available with low picks in the midst of a rebuild, but with an even bottom end of the draft pool which is compromised, we need to look at best available and trying to address some gaps in our structure.

It’s been suggested that outside the top 2 or 3 picks and the top end Academy picks, then the next 10 are pretty even. Why wouldn’t you look at filling some holes.

My take is that supporters here have differing views as to where our holes in the list are. Therefore the opinions put forward as to who's best available coincide with those views.

There's the camp that sees our midfield as needing bolstering.

Others see speed by foot as an overarching need.

Some see HBF's and wingers as a priority, or the ruck position needs shoring up.

I guess the consensus would be a combination of all of the above.

What really matters is what our recruiters understand of where our list build lies and I think that we can get a fair picture from what they've been saying in interviews since the season ended. Obviously, they're not going to spell out our strategy in plain and simple terms for all eyes to see, but we can garner an idea from piecing together all the snippets and coming up with a logical strategy that aligns with their thinking.

 

[THE_GUN]

My take is that supporters here have differing views as to where our holes in the list are. Therefore the opinions put forward as to who's best available coincide with those views.

There's the camp that sees our midfield as needing bolstering.

Others see speed by foot as an overarching need.

Some see HBF's and wingers as a priority, or the ruck position needs shoring up.

I guess the consensus would be a combination of all of the above.

What really matters is what our recruiters understand of where our list build lies and I think that we can get a fair picture from what they've been saying in interviews since the season ended. Obviously, they're not going to spell out our strategy in plain and simple terms for all eyes to see, but we can garner an idea from piecing together all the snippets and coming up with a logical strategy that aligns with their thinking.

I think its not really that complicated and we just hav a ranking system and will be guided by the players that are on the board at our picks.

We would have 2 maybe 3 players ranked highly for our 2 selections and if available just take them
But if we have say 1 player that rankes way above 3-5 other players we would just take him and be open to trading the 2nd pick either for upgrade of #38 or future picks and still take 1 of the 3-5 players ranked similar

At this stage of the rebuild the club wouldnt focus too much about list needs but take best available
also would depend on which players we are talking to about coming as free agents the next 2 years
e.g If Tom Green is on the hook we wont be focused on a inside mid unless we love him so much cant pass up

 

[tiger_tough]

CDT is a key forward now allegedly

Hard pass if that's the case.

 

[4tune8]

Thats because they F***d up with who they thought was best available
Phillips over Thilthorp / McDonald might have changed things and Caddy / Curtain instead of Zane

It's more than that, look at their top picks since 2016

2016: Jy Simpkin pick 12
2017: LDU......... pick 4
2018: Tarryn T... pick 8
2019: Traded..... pick 11 for Pittard and Polec
2020: W Phillips. pick 3. T Powell pick 13
2021: JHF.......... pick 1
2022: Sheezel.... pick 3. Wardlaw pick 4
2023: McKercher pick 2. Duursma pick 4
2024: FOS......... pick 2

Duursma was picked off the back of showing good midfield numbers late in the season.

That's eleven 1st round picks and every single one of them was spent on a midfielder, exacerbated by 8 of those picks being in the top 5.

Every club with 9 years of consecutive top end draft picks would be expected to miss a few, North are no different, their issue is that by always going best available they have neglected their needs.

 

[THE_GUN]

It's more than that, look at their top picks since 2016

2016: Jy Simpkin pick 12
2017: LDU......... pick 4
2018: Tarryn T... pick 8
2019: Traded..... pick 11 for Pittard and Polec
2020: W Phillips. pick 3. T Powell pick 13
2021: JHF.......... pick 1
2022: Sheezel.... pick 3. Wardlaw pick 4
2023: McKercher pick 2. Duursma pick 4
2024: FOS......... pick 2

Duursma was picked off the back of showing good midfield numbers late in the season.

That's eleven 1st round picks and every single one of them was spent on a midfielder, exacerbated by 8 of those picks being in the top 5.

Every club with 9 years of consecutive top end draft picks would be expected to miss a few, North are no different, their issue is that by always going best available they have neglected their needs.

I really dont see alot wrong if they had Caddy and McDonald on the list and Tarryn Thomas was just bad luck and couldnt be predicted. which also led to their bad call to get Polec / Pittard

2016: Jy Simpkin pick 12
2017: LDU......... pick 4
2018: Tarryn T... pick 8

2020: McDonald pick 3. T Powell pick 13
2021: JHF.......... pick 1
2022: Sheezel.... pick 3. Wardlaw pick 4
2023: McKercher pick 2. Caddy / Curtain pick 4
2024: FOS......... pick 2

 

[4tune8]

I think its not really that complicated and we just hav a ranking system and will be guided by the players that are on the board at our picks.

We would have 2 maybe 3 players ranked highly for our 2 selections and if available just take them
But if we have say 1 player that rankes way above 3-5 other players we would just take him and be open to trading the 2nd pick either for upgrade of #38 or future picks and still take 1 of the 3-5 players ranked similar

At this stage of the rebuild the club wouldnt focus too much about list needs but take best available
also would depend on which players we are talking to about coming as free agents the next 2 years
e.g If Tom Green is on the hook we wont be focused on a inside mid unless we love him so much cant pass up

Fair enough, I think that's an over simplification, but that's ok.

Re the bolded, we may be open to trading the second pick, but what if there's no buyer at the price that we're willing to sell? The obvious answer is that we then take that pick. How then do you differentiate between those 3-5 players that you mentioned? The answer has to be that you take the best player based on where the greatest need is. This is where player rankings based on position come into play.

It was interesting to hear Yze say post season that "we filled a lot of needs in our list last year" and by your timeline, that was in the 1st year of a list rebuild.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

It was interesting to hear Yze say post season that "we filled a lot of needs in our list last year" and by your timeline, that was in the 1st year of a list rebuild.

Last year recruitment was an anomaly considering how many top selections Richmond had via player defections.

This inturn accelerated our rebuild .

Richmond 2024 Telstra AFL Draft Summary

No. 1 - Sam Lalor (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)

No. 7 - Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges/Vic Metro)

No. 12 - Taj Hotton (Sandringham Dragons)

No. 14 - Jonty Faull (GWV Rebels/Vic Country)

No. 21 - Luke Trainor (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)

No. 23 - Harry Armstrong (Sandringham Dragons/Vic Metro)

No. 28 - Thomas Sims (Northern Knights/Vic Metro)

No. 58 - Jasper Alger (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Country)

 

[4tune8]

I really dont see alot wrong if they had Caddy and McDonald on the list and Tarryn Thomas was just bad luck and couldnt be predicted. which also led to their bad call to get Polec / Pittard

2016: Jy Simpkin pick 12
2017: LDU......... pick 4
2018: Tarryn T... pick 8

2020: McDonald pick 3. T Powell pick 13
2021: JHF.......... pick 1
2022: Sheezel.... pick 3. Wardlaw pick 4
2023: McKercher pick 2. Caddy / Curtain pick 4
2024: FOS......... pick 2

That's exactly the point, "if they had Caddy and McDonald" The simple fact of the matter is that they don't and that by always going best available has led to a list imbalance.

Simpkin wanted out because he's being played out of position, Wardlaw, Phillips and to an extent LDU are pure inside mids, Powell, Sheezel, McKercher are also being played out of position.

The point was made that we don't want to go down that path and for all intents and purposes we haven't, due in part to the lucky happenstance of having 7 high picks last year.

 

[THE_GUN]

Fair enough, I think that's an over simplification, but that's ok.

Re the bolded we may be open to trading the second pick, but what if there's no buyer at the price that we're willing to sell? The obvious answer is that we then take that pick. How then do you differentiate between those 3-5 players that you mentioned? The answer has to be that you take the best player based on where the greatest need is. This is where player rankings based on position come into play.

It was interesting to hear Yze say post season that "we filled a lot of needs in our list last year" and by your timeline, that was in the 1st year of a list rebuild.

We really did and almost completed our needs for KPP and 2nd Ruck
Richmond probably have another 8-10 spots to fill and should fill atleast 2 and possibly 3 of them in this draft leaving 7
for the next 3 drafts and free agents if the usual rebuild is 5 year period and be set to compete in 28/29 again for a prolonged period.

 

[poppa pump]

Not that great, pretty sure he duelled old mate & was beaten most of the day in the ruck.
Infact I think all the kids were fairly well beaten that day in the ruck, only reason I remember is I was hoping to see
Kalani White get a crack against our boys but it was not to be.

Correct he got beat in the ruck but around the ground CDT did well with him running out of puff a little towards the end.

 

[THE_GUN]

That's exactly the point, "if they had Caddy and McDonald" The simple fact of the matter is that they don't and that by always going best available has led to a list imbalance.

Simpkin wanted out because he's being played out of position, Wardlaw, Phillips and to an extent LDU are pure inside mids, Powell, Sheezel, McKercher are also being played out of position.

The point was made that we don't want to go down that path and for all intents and purposes we haven't, due in part to the lucky happenstance of having 7 high picks last year.

That goes back to my 1st answer on the topic
Their choice of best available was wrong and their talent identification was wrong in these years

Just about every club would have selected McDonald over Phillips and that was a shock and Zane Duursma was ranked in the top 5 and may still make it but something has gone wrong there and not sure if its talent or development or just a slow burn. But Caddy & Curtain were ranked later by 3-5 spots

But what seems apparent is outside runners are more prone to fail if you are drafting them to become more than just their specialized positions with some exceptions but rare

 

[noobermensch]

Lots more Xavier Taylor in the coming days, processing through his backlog of games this year while working up to a full season highlights video.

A tough game for Eastern who took a heavy loss against the Suns Academy. Xavier Taylor was one of Eastern's best with his typical competitive intensity on display, intercepting the ball and chasing down opponents.

 

[bigstyletiger]

Hard pass if that's the case.

I'm thinking the best comp for CDT is blicavs with better fwd ability. He is super quick, agile, high endurance and has good skills. All teams could use three of blicavs type and quality maybe even four. One at chb, one on the wing, on in the midfield and one fwd. Watch the full season highlights. At times he moves better than a lot of mids in the AFL.

 

[docko911]

So if Vlastuin had been a top five pick he would have been a bust?

Take your hand off it mate

Between him and Wines for best player in that draft so top 5 pick would’ve been well worth it.

 

[THE_GUN]

I'm thinking the best comp for CDT is blicavs with better fwd ability. He is super quick, agile, high endurance and has good skills. All teams could use three of blicavs type and quality maybe even four. One at chb, one on the wing, on in the midfield and one fwd. Watch the full season highlights. At times he moves better than a lot of mids in the AFL.

Or Bailey Williams without the leap but slightly better runner

"Williams has long been praised for his athletic ability. In the National Draft Combine, and despite his size, he finished sixth in the 20-metre sprint (2.946 seconds) "

 

[Mr Magic]

That’s not a top 5 pick is it

it is great X Taylor is a Tigers fan and supporter but if Tigerland is mart can't get him with top 5 picks in this basket IMO

 

[poppa pump]

Thats because they F***d up with who they thought was best available
Phillips over Thilthorp / McDonald might have changed things and Caddy / Curtain instead of Zane

This illustrates the often flored tactics of not reaching and picking your biggest talent instead ,which I hate to say it-Geelong did in 2020 by reaching and picking max Holmes as he had several afl traits.

 

[THE_GUN]

This illustrates the often flored tactics of not reaching and picking your biggest talent instead ,which I hate to say it-Geelong did in 2020 by reaching and picking max Holmes as he had several afl traits.

So you telling me we grab Holmes with #38 even though it might be a reach
and should 'Reach' for Cumming

 

[_RT_]

So do rankings matter or not?

Big Footy Logic:
- Rankings/Statistics matter when they back a posters position/opinion
-Rankings/Statistics don't matter when they disprove a posters position/opinion

 

[tigs2010]

Big Footy Logic:
- Rankings/Statistics matter when they back a posters position/opinion
-Rankings/Statistics don't matter when they disprove a posters position/opinion

Just the way it should be.

 

[Drunken Wookie]

Hard pass if that's the case.

its a firm yet malleable pass from me.

 

[THE THIN MAN]

Big Footy Logic:
- Rankings/Statistics matter when they back a posters position/opinion
-Rankings/Statistics don't matter when they disprove a posters position/opinion

Don't forget the ubiquitous Mock Draft, if enough nuffies repeat something it must be true!

 

[sregit]

Lets have some milk together some time

We need calcium

Ha ha ha funny! Seriously though your midfielder centric draft is spot on. It’s a given that Richmond can get Cumming who is a very good onballer but in the event Robey did go before our pick, who do you pick then?

 

[The Vaucluse]

So you telling me we grab Holmes with #38 even though it might be a reach
and should 'Reach' for Cumming

Given the logic of best available, there’s the potential that we take CDT & Sharp. I’m not against that, but do they fit our needs in the short and medium term.

Ultimately, I trust our recruiters to make the right call, they have a keen understanding of where the game is heading, the relevant statistics relating to this pool and what the next two draft look like.

I do thinks it’s a bit of a blend between best available and needs or upgrading on positions.

I’m a little impatient, I understand that 6 - 8 wins next year represents a big tick, but I would like to address some gapping wholes in our structure at this draft.

However, I don’t want to be picking a Thomas Dow or a Riley Collier-Dawkins because we need to fill a gap in our list.