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

[tl92]

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.

Is that different from Smilie who went pick 7 last year?

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

How obvious that Mick Ablett is on the AFL pay roll.

Must have said 100 times how good the academy system was and that it didn't compromise the draft

Sarah Jones mocking the amount of “bid pending” last night had him sitting there stone faced.

 

[OnTheRocks]

LeRay Mysterio for me

LeRay
Lazar or Beamz

 

[moginie]

From his playing days sleepy mm probably has more eyes and ears on the ground than most other recruiters/clubs outside of Crows/Port which has maybe helped us snag these central district boys!

It's an interesting theory, but the only one we've drafted recently from the club he used to play for is Josh Morris.

I just think he's very good at his job.

 

[Ka Norkers]

Sleepy with a great haul for our great club IMO

at this time of the year, literally every club says they had a great trade period, even Port!!!
I'd wait at least 24 months to see if MM nailed the draft in 2025.
The one draft I would give a massive tick to, at this stage, is 2021 (including the MSD)
TBH, I'd say beyond that year, so far, our drafting has been pretty average.

 

[matey]

It's an interesting theory, but the only one we've drafted recently from the club he used to play for is Josh Morris.

I just think he's very good at his job.

True but if Crows/Port knew about these kids …… not being super active in this draft has made it harder for them with the picks they had.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

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.

It’s really not that hard to understand is it?

He clearly isn’t the player that was projected at the start of the season, for whatever reason. Be it that he’s not quick, that he’s “feet are cooked” or that he’s had some off-field troubles.

All 18 clubs looked passed him numerous times, just like plenty of others in previous drafts.

I really don’t understand why it’s that perplexing.

 

[Holy Rioli]

at this time of the year, literally every club says they had a great trade period, even Port!!!

In Port's defense (and you'll never see me argue their defense again) point out a single bust or failed pick from last night?

 

[eldorado]

In Port's defense (and you'll never see me argue their defense again) point out a single bust or failed pick from last night?

Despite me not knowing who Port picked, and not knowing anything about those players even if I did...

Port Adelaide...D+

 

[PorkPieHat]

So we've drafted two of the youngest in the draft, someone with no arms for the large part of the season, and a cricketer.

Making their highlights packages all the more impressive. Astute drafting I reckon, and boy we've added some running power.

 

[moginie]

True but if Crows/Port knew about these kids …… not being super active in this draft has made it harder for them with the picks they had.

I think it's one of those perfect storms. Reputed to be a weak draft, SA win the U18 championship and the two SA clubs not having the draft stocks to capitalise.

I'm happy with what we've snagged and I look forward to seeing all of them strut their paces at Box Hill.

 

[HawthornHawk]

LeRay
Lazar or Beamz

LeRay Gun

 

[Since 2001]

If greeves doesn't get picked today, he mustve interviewed poorly, off feild concerns and/or dont believe his game translates to the AFL.

One thing that sticks on my mind though, hawthorn would only nominate greeves for NGA believing he is good enough. Then dont take him in the national draft. If they dont select him in the rookie draft I'll find it very confusing and would love to know what happened behind the scenes

 

[Millsie69]

St Kilda took a player in the national draft not that long ago who nearly bullied a disabled kid to death. For That piece of shit to get drafted, but Greeves and NHH not to is kinda wild to me.
I'd be very curious about the actual rationale- interviewing poorly is one thing, dodging the combine is another, but I feel like there must be something else.

And is now delisted

 

[Judd2Sewell]

I think it's just a brilliant idea to draft forwards while we have Gunston still with us.

I don't think it's a coincidence how quickly our forward group has developed with unc on the training track.

Hope he stays on as a coach once he hangs the boots up. He could be invaluable overseeing the development of Dear, Ramsden (?), Schubert and Nairn.

 

[fairdinks]

Because the AFL is desperate for them to win a premiership and one thing GC has worked out is how to take advantage of the draft.

Thank god they have nfi how to develop players or they would win 6 flags in a row.

Their supporters must be over the moon. All 3 of them.

If that is the reason for the Hawks not selecting Olli or NHH, then they have taken the no-dlckheads policy to the next level.

probably throw Dovaston in with that scenario as well. He did not come across very well in the draft interview on Wed night.

 

[hawkinoz]

some decent players undrafted;

Ollie Greaves - AA
Noah Hibbins~Hargreaves
Sam Ainsworth - AA Ruck
Marcus Krasnadamskis - Ruck
Oskar Ainsworth
Tom Burton
Noah Chamberlain
Liam Hetherton
Louis Kellaway ( Tigers FS)
Leon Kickett ( likely Tigers)
Jesse Mellor - AA ( Cats NGA)
Riley Onley - AA
Fred Rodriguez - AA
Wes Walley
Xavier Bamert
Rory Wright
Toby Whan
Felix Kneipp
Harry Scott
Aaron Sharkie
Hunter Wright
Tom Blamires
Blake Oodshorn-Bennier

****

One of Ollie G/ Riley Onley/ Tom Burton or Fred Rodriguez or Rory Wright for our 1st pick if Kickett is not on board.

 

[arupist]

some decent players undrafted;

Ollie Greaves - AA
Noah Hibbins~Hargreaves
Sam Ainsworth - AA Ruck
Marcus Krasnadamskis - Ruck
Oskar Ainsworth
Tom Burton
Noah Chamberlain
Liam Hetherton
Louis Kellaway ( Tigers FS)
Leon Kickett ( likely Tigers)
Jesse Mellor - AA ( Cats NGA)
Riley Onley - AA
Fred Rodriguez - AA
Wes Walley
Xavier Bamert
Rory Wright
Toby Whan
Felix Kneipp
Harry Scott
Aaron Sharkie
Hunter Wright
Tom Blamires
Blake Oodshorn-Bennier

****

One of Ollie G/ Riley Onley/ Tom Burton or Fred Rodriguez or Rory Wright for our 1st pick if Kickett is not on board.

Interesting there are so many AAs in this list. We must remember, though, all of them were passed over 60 times in the draft. Not even Port was willing to take a risk. Hard to get excited about a rookie draft, but if I had to select one, it would probably be Fred Rodriguez - 7th in 2km time trial (in front of Schubert), run hard both ways. But I am only taking a ping. I don't really know anything. I just think it is time for both a Fred and a Rodriguez.

 

[fairdinks]

some decent players undrafted;

Ollie Greaves - AA
Noah Hibbins~Hargreaves
Sam Ainsworth - AA Ruck
Marcus Krasnadamskis - Ruck
Oskar Ainsworth
Tom Burton
Noah Chamberlain
Liam Hetherton
Louis Kellaway ( Tigers FS)
Leon Kickett ( likely Tigers)
Jesse Mellor - AA ( Cats NGA)
Riley Onley - AA
Fred Rodriguez - AA
Wes Walley
Xavier Bamert
Rory Wright
Toby Whan
Felix Kneipp
Harry Scott
Aaron Sharkie
Hunter Wright
Tom Blamires
Blake Oodshorn-Bennier

****

One of Ollie G/ Riley Onley/ Tom Burton or Fred Rodriguez or Rory Wright for our 1st pick if Kickett is not on board.

i want wes wally just for the lols

 

[moginie]

some decent players undrafted;

Ollie Greaves - AA
Noah Hibbins~Hargreaves
Sam Ainsworth - AA Ruck
Marcus Krasnadamskis - Ruck
Oskar Ainsworth
Tom Burton
Noah Chamberlain
Liam Hetherton
Louis Kellaway ( Tigers FS)
Leon Kickett ( likely Tigers)
Jesse Mellor - AA ( Cats NGA)
Riley Onley - AA
Fred Rodriguez - AA
Wes Walley
Xavier Bamert
Rory Wright
Toby Whan
Felix Kneipp
Harry Scott
Aaron Sharkie
Hunter Wright
Tom Blamires
Blake Oodshorn-Bennier

****

One of Ollie G/ Riley Onley/ Tom Burton or Fred Rodriguez or Rory Wright for our 1st pick if Kickett is not on board.

It's a shame that Wes Walley didn't get drafted last night, but at least it gives me the opportunity to ask where he is.

 

[Yardie]

Look I'm not suggesting this for a moment but if brain transplants ever become a thing the club could keep drafting young forwards and do a little bit of experimental brain surgery in one of the hidden rooms at the KCC every ten years or so and hey presto we have Jack Gunston the 2nd/3rd/4th/etc/etc playing for us for the next two hundred years.......

Oh my god, that's what the sleep room is for!?!?!?!

 

[Leather Poisoning]

If the draft is weak as was said to us endlessly through the trade period, then any undrafted players by that definition are not good.
(Personally I find it hard to speak badly of draftees cos they are all probably immensely more talented than I ever was - although I did have that neck injury that prevented me from being better than Juddy)

Port preferreed to draft nobody than the players that are being carried over to the rookie draft - so these kids are just so super speculative.

 

[bigmaxi]

Just watched all the highlight reels of our new Fab Four. Gotta say pretty excited, early days yes but loving the vision and the selections. Nothing like an injection of new blood into the team to get the juices flowing and excitement levels up as training begins. I know it’s very early in their development but hey get excited and get around them, the glass is always half full at Hawthorn. That’s why we are such a happy team.

 

[hawkinoz]

Interesting there are so many AAs in this list. We must remember, though, all of them were passed over 60 times in the draft. Not even Port was willing to take a risk. Hard to get excited about a rookie draft, but if I had to select one, it would probably be Fred Rodriguez - 7th in 2km time trial (in front of Schubert), run hard both ways. But I am only taking a ping. I don't really know anything. I just think it is time for both a Fred and a Rodriguez.

Applies to all players who get picked in rookie draft.. In draft, it is 2 yr contract risk.

Its 1yr in Rookie list. Yes, they all have questions but upside is huge. With Ollie G having been in our zone, our scouts have likely seen him closer than most others. So unles something is serious, he should be top of list.

But Fred R or Riley Onley is the other one IMO we should hope for given our midfield holes. We need to gamble on these to see if we can unearth any more diamonds.

 

[threesixpio]

Fox Footy gave them a B- but with compensation that pushed them upto an A+