Player Watch 2025 AFL Draft Thread (Welcome to our new Central Districts overlords!)

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Burgers, Sizzle... Grjl?

Not since the 1990s half forward line included Condon and Bone has this board been so excited.

We could do a lot worse than drafting a guy a prospect who can smash out repeat sprints as fast as and often as Grjl can.

If he's the best available at our pick.

We had Balls and a Chick. A Cox too!

 

[unitedhawk2]

I get that some people hold Twomey's bias towards Essendon against him - and the same with Whateley's bias towards Geelong.

What I don't get is that some people - perhaps some of the same folk who criticise Twomey and Whateley - then criticise Dunstall for NOT being biased towards Hawthorn. That just doesn't sound logical to me.

For the record, I've always thought Whateley was biased towards the Cats and am beginning to see Twomey in the same light but I have 100% respect for Dunstall. Every fibre in his being probably cries out to barrack for the Hawks when he's on air but he's the ultimate professional and simply calls it as he sees it.

Love the Chief - and Derm.

 

[To the Hawk]

A month ago it wasn't even worth having a pick in this draft. There's only a slim chance the players we pick will get senior time in 2026.

I want to be excited about this - but as I see. We're the only finals team with a live pick in the top 15 (I think GWS might have one around there actually). And you gotta always look for ways to leap the competition.

We need to do better out of this draft than our nearest rivals (Academy BS makes this difficult) but if we can improve more than Adelaide, doggies and GWS out of tonight I think it's been a good night.

In terms of specific players - I try not to get attached as much as I've joked about Grjl. Knowing the club put times into Greeves makes me want him - but other than than I'll be more interested in looking at who we actually get rather than who we should or might get.

The Academy's is a killer.

With a fit Day I'm not so worried by Crows, Dogs and GWS

It's the Lions, Cats and I think Suns we will be chasing silverware with.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

The Academy's is a killer.

With a fit Day I'm not so worried by Crows, Dogs and GWS

It's the Lions, Cats and I think Suns we will be chasing silverware with.

SURELY Geelong drop off

I mean they'll still make finals cos pretty much everyone does now. But SURELY they're not contending in 2026

 

[unitedhawk2]

We could go two years without debuting a player!

Has that ever happened before?

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Has that ever happened before?

Who knows. Would be quite rare

 

[kazzooka]

I wasn't that big on Lindsay, but have come around. We love speedsters, but our quick ball movement isn't as built off that as we think.

It's built off brilliant ball use first and foremost.

Of the 3 mentioned Lindsay is ready to go in 2026 and could be a an added weapon.

He's a very safe pick and will play plenty of AFL. Grilj come with more risks and will need to develop, but ceiling is probably higher.

The more I think , the more Lindsay and his high footy IQ, professionalism and lethal left foot just screams Hawks.

I like both, but from the highlights Grij seems to get out of tackles just through being quick but they still get a hand on him. If feel like good AFL tacklers just wrap him up every time. Can't take on guys like that without being super powerful like Newcombe or Petracca.

Lindsay is such a good kick and is far better than just a half back, can be a gun mid.

 

[Since 2001]

What time do we think hawks first pick will be, 7:45pm?

 

[MrBeefSeven]

We could go two years without debuting a player!

Mraz will probably get a game at some point.

I feel like he would have this year had he not gotten injured

 

[kazzooka]

We could go two years without debuting a player!

Mraz, Ryan, McCabe, Anderson should all be in line for at least 1 game.

Hill an outside chance too.

 

[MazHawk]

. Also mention agin that we are talking to the Suns and Lions for a pick upgrade

FB19 & TazHawk15

 

[The Golden Glenferrie]

Mraz will probably get a game at some point.

I feel like he would have this year had he not gotten injured

Mraz, Ryan, McCabe, Anderson should all be in line for at least 1 game.

Hill an outside chance too.

With our run home, I expect we will be in a position to give lots of games out

 

[hardway]

With our run home, I expect we will be in a position to give lots of games out

Mraz and Anderson will definitely get a chance.

 

[chippie]

I get that some people hold Twomey's bias towards Essendon against him - and the same with Whateley's bias towards Geelong.

What I don't get is that some people - perhaps some of the same folk who criticise Twomey and Whateley - then criticise Dunstall for NOT being biased towards Hawthorn. That just doesn't sound logical to me.

For the record, I've always thought Whateley was biased towards the Cats and am beginning to see Twomey in the same light but I have 100% respect for Dunstall. Every fibre in his being probably cries out to barrack for the Hawks when he's on air but he's the ultimate professional and simply calls it as he sees it.

Love the Chief - and Derm.

I get what you’re saying I just feel he goes way too far the other way in not wanting to offer any praise towards us. Then again, f#%king hell the guy owes us nothing - 1250 goals and responsible for hiring Clarko!

 

[hfc70]

... he's the ultimate professional and simply calls it as he sees it.

Totally disagree. Bunghole goes to the 'extreme' the other way, which puts most Hawks supporters off.
Very hard to listen too.

Don't get me started on 'the kid'

 

[Books]

What time do we think hawks first pick will be, 7:45pm?

From previous experience, I think that is optimistic.

If the coverage starts at 7, there will be lots of preamble. Then the Eagles will be on the clock at 7:30. It will supposedly take them a minute or two to decide. Then each selection will take time while we watch interviews and highlights and pretend the clubs are still debating which players they all like.
Our first selection will end up being pick 14 or 15, and I would guess that will be closer to 8:15 pm.

As a spectator, it is a night for being patient.

 

[To the Hawk]

SURELY Geelong drop off

I mean they'll still make finals cos pretty much everyone does now. But SURELY they're not contending in 2026

I personally don't see them dropping off. Pies, yep.

 

[Since 2001]

From previous experience, I think that is optimistic.

If the coverage starts at 7, there will be lots of preamble. Then the Eagles will be on the clock at 7:30. It will supposedly take them a minute or two to decide. Then each selection will take time while we watch interviews and highlights and pretend the clubs are still debating which players they all like.
Our first selection will end up being pick 14 or 15, and I would guess that will be closer to 8:15 pm.

As a spectator, it is a night for being patient.

The first round might go to midnight then!

 

[MercurialHawk26]

Apparently Shane Crawford is presenting the jumper tonight.

I know it has no bearing but to me it just feels right that he will present it to a quick inside outside midfielder.

 

[hardway]

Apparently Shane Crawford is presenting the jumper tonight.

I know it has no bearing but to me it just feels right that he will present it to a quick inside outside midfielder.

I think it it puts to bed the possibility of trading the first pick.

 

[hawkmang]

SURELY Geelong drop off

I mean they'll still make finals cos pretty much everyone does now. But SURELY they're not contending in 2026

Think everyone has been thinking this for a couple decades now… I know better than to write them off. As annoying as he is Scott is a fantastic coach and gets a lot out of his team

 

[daniel23]

Lindsay is this years murphy reid seriously underatted and performed at all levels. Ive gone cold on grjl. Hes fitter than most his age and is fairly low production on top of having a high handball to kick ratio. Not sure if he has the iq at the next level especially to play mid.

 

[Slaatybaadfaast]

This one wasnt written by Cletus

 

[brad sue well]

What do AFL recruiters actually look for in potential draftees?

There’s much more to AFL drafting than assessing kicks, handballs, marks and running ability.

theconversation.com

 

[Blackhawk42]

Lindsay is this years murphy reid seriously underatted and performed at all levels. Ive gone cold on grjl. Hes fitter than most his age and is fairly low production on top of having a high handball to kick ratio. Not sure if he has the iq at the next level especially to play mid.

He's a metres gained player though.

Even low production can be very effective if you're constantly taking ground.