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

[Yardie]

I for one welcome our new South Australian overlordsView attachment 2482355

Will Day right now....

 

[MuzzHawk]

LeRay Mysterio for me

BilLeRay Cyrus

 

[Bugs1977]

ooh more SA trade bait

Hawks talking to Port come next years trade period

 

[MJA33]

I liked this about LeRay in the U18 AA article:
"LeRay showcased outstanding work rate throughout the carnival, tracking into both 50-metre arcs and helping connect the lines with his kicking off both feet."

Noticed that in the highlights he had a couple of nice left foot passes that hit team mates. Great attribute to have it looks very natural on opposite foot.

 

[ReturningHawk]

He is slow as buggery.

An oversized lump of a kid that dominates juniors due to his size but lacks athletic attributes to play modern AFL footy - emphasis on running two ways and ability to spread to create space.

His attributes in under 18 footy do not translate to senior AFL.

The onus is on him to build his tank and pace. Mitchell and Newc didn't get drafted until 21 y.o. so has time on his side. Good luck to the kid.

1. He is not that slow

2. His pace, or lack thereof has nothing to do with why he wasn't drafted. A player as gifted as he is does not go undrafted without much bigger concerns.

 

[Randy Campbell]

One for all and all for one
Is the we play at Centrals.

 

[Bugs1977]

We're going to have to stack the fridges at KCC with a shit load of Farmers Union Iced Coffee in 2026

Also need to stock up on the Vilis pies which I'm sure is there pie of choice

 

[m0zza]

B

Agree with everything you said but Newk was 19 when drafted.

So was Sam

 

[The Kipster]

1. He is not that slow

2. His pace, or lack thereof has nothing to do with why he wasn't drafted. A player as gifted as he is does not go undrafted without much bigger concerns.

and they are?

 

[Crisp Clearances]

a bit like ollie from freo, did the draft combine and did ass just war previuosly a top pick but drafted and greeves didnt get drafted though

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

Had a couple of beers aye.

Nope. Clear as day.

I've thought this for a long time. I really hate it.

I also sdore the fs rule and hate that is used to justify the academies. We're at the point where if the access/ discounts were abolished and the academies were run by the afl, fs would be collateral

One FS was taken this draft

 

[brad sue well]

 

[The Kipster]

a bit like ollie from freo, did the draft combine and did ass just war previuosly a top pick but drafted and greeves didnt get drafted though

He did no ass during the war? not many did though.

 

[Dewyyyyy]

Thought I’d do a little draft recap.

Overall, Hawthorn would walk out of this draft period happy. Gaining four new draftees, with a high emphasis on endurance shown to be a common denomination.

Nairn:
Hawthorns first pick in 2025, sliding down from where he was expected however at 188cm being a strong aerialist with great foot skills, footy iq with a tough gamestyle, he showcased a really high workrate and good athleticism. Played a lot as a midfielder, moved forward and then to the wing and back into the middle, which demonstrates his utility. Has a lot of development and where he ends up will be interesting, my guess is as a MID-FWD.

Player comp: Ollie Dempsey.

Schubert:
Lots to like, Hawthorn traded up to get Schubert, a very late birthday and highly touted as the best key forward in the draft. Stands at about 200cm tall, he is probably more of a long-term prospect, however with his size, strong aerial ability and being a genuine key forward, there is a big something there. He has pretty good skills, especially for a big man, finishes well and will grow into his big frame. FWD/RUC and has strong footy smarts.

Player comp: Tom Lynch.

Dalton:
Another which Hawthorn traded up to get. He fits the bill of what Hawthorn need, joining the strong list of runners with his sub six two km time trial winning out this year. A smaller midfielder however he is an elite ball winner, with good skills by hand and foot, balanced inside and outside player with good power and an ability to get forward, but uses his strong running capacity to work at a high level both ways. He is a big time professional and will fit in well.

Player comp: Lachie Neale/Shane Crawford

Matt LeRay:
One I know a little less about, but the last pick of Hawthorns 2025 cohort. Dual sport athlete who had to choose between high level cricket and footy, choosing footy. 188cm who played a lot as a winger, but also showcased an ability to play in pretty much any position. Someone who prides himself on leadership, with great skills both sides of his body, a tough character, strong aerial player and an initiative to always take the game forward and the game on. He says himself he modelled his game on Will Day, Marcus Bontempelli

4

Marcus Bontempelli

Age

30

Ht

194cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

22.5

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

10.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.8

5star

CL

4.4

5star

D

18.4

4star

K

9.7

4star

HB

8.8

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.1

5star

CL

4.0

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.8

5star

CL

1.8

4star

and Patrick Cripps

9

Patrick Cripps

Age

30

Ht

195cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

25.9

5star

K

9.8

4star

HB

16.1

5star

M

3.4

3star

T

5.8

5star

CL

7.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.9

5star

M

2.5

3star

T

3.8

4star

CL

6.3

5star

D

12.6

4star

K

4.8

2star

HB

7.8

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

3.2

5star

CL

1.4

4star

. Which shows a lot about himself.

Player comp: Will Day

Hawthorn fans should get excited, there’s a lot to like about this crop.

At this stage:
Nairn - GFWD/WING
Schubert - KPF
Dalton - MID/SFWD
LeRay - Utility

Covers a lot of positions, with talent and development thriving, it’ll be good viewing for next year and beyond.

 

[tommyk72]

BilLeRay Cyrus

Miley

 

[Crisp Clearances]

He did no ass during the war? not many did though.

all i know is he didn cheeks is why he sled so far down and now not drafted not i did believe he was a third at worst but hork or anyone else didnt think so

 

[ReturningHawk]

and they are?

I don't pretend to know more detail that what's been rumoured: that he pulled a sickie and missed the combine testing.

What we all know is this timeline:
February - Hawthorn applies to have Greeves recognised as an NGA player, hoping to secure him as an academy pick.
March - Application rejected
June - Greeves was Victoria Metro’s Most Valuable Player this year, averaging 25.0 disposals, 5.3 marks and 2.8 tackles per game. Finishes second in the Larke medal.
September - Greeves stars in the Eastern Ranges premiership win, capping off a year where he averaged over 26 touches and a goal per game.
November - Overlooked completely in the ND.

There must be some off-field concerns.

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Also need to stock up on the Vilis pies which I'm sure is there pie of choice

Shouldnt be a problem now with every 7/11 stocking them now

 

[CHUBBSS]

I think Mckenzie just turned water into wine

 

[FB19]

So that’s the weirdest I’ve ever felt about a draft I don’t know what to make of it. I can’t believe that NHH wasn’t drafted. I am at a total loss how we go from trying to get Ollie Greeves into our NGA at the start of the year to not picking him at pick 56. That doesn’t intuitively make sense.

Note: if somehow either of those 2 get rookied by us tomorrow then I take it all back and our list mgt team are elite poker playing geniuses. They are well on the way with taking 4 picks and having 3 f2s.

 

[BigLittleHawk]

Anyone know when the rookie draft takes place?

 

[The Kipster]

I don't pretend to know more detail that what's been rumoured: that he pulled a sickie and missed the combine testing.

What we all know is this timeline:
February - Hawthorn applies to have Greeves recognised as an NGA player, hoping to secure him as an academy pick.
March - Application rejected
June - Greeves was Victoria Metro’s Most Valuable Player this year, averaging 25.0 disposals, 5.3 marks and 2.8 tackles per game. Finishes second in the Larke medal.
September - Greeves stars in the Eastern Ranges premiership win, capping off a year where he averaged over 26 touches and a goal per game.
November - Overlooked completely in the ND.

There must be some off-field concerns.

Thanks RH.

 

[moses]

Also need to stock up on the Vilis pies which I'm sure is there pie of choice

They are Barossa boys aren't they? Maybe Hawks can have a vintec wine fridge installed in the change rooms, so they can enjoy a tasty Barossa Shiraz post victory

 

[The Kipster]

I think Mckenzie just turned water into wine

Took a job through Mississippi turning muddy water into wine - Jesus just left Chicago - ZZ Top. It is randomly playing as I type.

 

[FB19]

Anyone know when the rookie draft takes place?

3.10 Tomorrow