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

[DrAbs]

Twomey at it again. Must have a line on who we are interested in

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Seeing the three Ranges boys at the Hangar is telling. I reckon they (Dons) want Dovaston there with Pick 9. Feel they'll probably miss out on Robey but Taylor is still a live chance.

Bar the Academy kids, I'm not liking the prospects with Pick 14/15 much.

I would consider trading back for a future asset (say F2) and perhaps another pick in the 20s. Of who is available, grab two of Marsh, NHH, Phillipou, Barker, Pickett, Greeves, or Ludowyke. Would also consider Dalton, Rodriguez, Allen with the last pick.

 

[DrAbs]

Id be surprised if bombers don't go the 3 eastern boys in robey, taylor and dovaston if they deal for 9. Looking something like this minus bids.

1.dursmaa
2. Cdt
3. Cumming
4.sharp
5.robey
6.taylor
7.farrow
8.nairn
9. Dovaston
10-?

Richmond have first dibs at Robey. I doubt they take both Cumming and Sharp.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Seeing the three Ranges boys at the Hangar is telling. I reckon they (Dons) want Dovaston there with Pick 9. Feel they'll probably miss out on Robey but Taylor is still a live chance.

Bar the Academy kids, I'm not liking the prospects with Pick 14/15 much.

I would consider trading back for a future asset (say F2) and perhaps another pick in the 20s. Of who is available, grab two of Marsh, NHH, Phillipou, Barker, Pickett, Greeves, or Ludowyke. Would also consider Dalton, Rodriguez, Allen with the last pick.

Can you explain as to why we're giving up a top 10/13 pick for a f2nd? And having two picks at 23-28 isn't going to get you anything that's even worthwhile turning up on the night. It's a shallow draft that stops dead at 20+ academy kids. That's been covered on this board a few times by very good draft watchers. So, no. Take best fit at 10/13. Try to shift 22 up in the teens . 22+ f2 for dogs 14?

 

[FB19]

Id be surprised if bombers don't go the 3 eastern boys in robey, taylor and dovaston if they deal for 9. Looking something like this minus bids.

1.dursmaa
2. Cdt
3. Cumming
4.sharp
5.robey
6.taylor
7.farrow
8.nairn
9. Dovaston
10-?

I think eagles will take sharp.
Duursma sharp
Robey Grlj
CDT X.Taylor
Nairn Dovaston
Cumming
That’s what I think the first 9 look like with scum trading into pick 9 and apparently North into 11. If we traded back with the eagles for 13 and 34 and then trade 22/34 for 18 then:
Farrow to eagles
Schubert to north
O.Taylor to GWS
Pick 13 Marsh to Hawks
14 Lindsay to dogs
15 suns gone
16 Philippou to Crows
17 lions gone
Pick 18 we take Greeves Barker or NHH

 

[Tall Tales and True]

Where do Rory Wright, Riley Onley & Sam Allen likely fall ... picks/clubs? All look 'likely types'.

 

[FB19]

Where do Rory Wright, Riley Onley & Sam Allen likely fall ... picks/clubs? All look 'likely types'.

Good question impossible to answer. These guys could go anywhere from 30 to 50 it just depends on clubs boards. I like them all would be happy to take any of them in that range and especially if one slipped to our pick 59 which likely becomes an early 50s pick.

 

[tl92]

Id be surprised if bombers don't go the 3 eastern boys in robey, taylor and dovaston if they deal for 9. Looking something like this minus bids.

1.dursmaa
2. Cdt
3. Cumming
4.sharp
5.robey
6.taylor
7.farrow
8.nairn
9. Dovaston
10-?

Grlj

 

[DrAbs]

Can you explain as to why we're giving up a top 10/13 pick for a f2nd? And having two picks at 23-28 isn't going to get you anything that's even worthwhile turning up on the night. It's a shallow draft that stops dead at 20+ academy kids. That's been covered on this board a few times by very good draft watchers. So, no. Take best fit at 10/13. Try to shift 22 up in the teens . 22+ f2 for dogs 14?

Would you like an Oskar Taylor at that pick? If neither of Cumming, Sharp or Grlj slide, in my opinion, whatever quality remains from that point won't be significantly different from a pick in the 20s, let alone two.

I'm taking Greeves and Pickett over Pick 14. Bank the F2 for next year, could package up for Butters.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Would you like an Oskar Taylor at that pick? If neither of Cumming, Sharp or Grlj slide, in my opinion, whatever quality remains from that point won't be significantly different from a pick in the 20s, let alone two.

I'm taking Greeves and Pickett over Pick 14. Bank the F2 for next year, could package up for Butters.

It's probably well known around here what I think of Oskar... Not much. But, the availability of Marsh, NHH, Doveston, Farrow , Barker is very real at 14!
Some picks in the 20's ain't gonna get you anywhere near Butters. Need two top ten picks to even get that party started.

 

[SunshineHawkCal]

When you have two early picks, they are premium, so choose wisely. ESPN does have Fred at 22, where our second pick comes in. He does have that burst out of the middle, which perhaps we need. The downside is he does not find enough of it and suggests limited at the next role. I assume we are looking for a player that can play multiple roles and rotated through the middle. I know Dovaston has been talked up alot. Greeves on the other hand has speed and defensive concerns. If you only have one pick, who would you choose between the two with our second pick? most will go with Greeves, I assume. Our first will be interesting, people are leaning now more towards Dovaston, but NHH is up there. Farrow and Lindsay are projected to go up there too. Hence, Greeves/Fred more likely for our second, it is good to bring up though because if we want another midfielder with our second, at least you have more than one option. Each one has strengths and concerns. Concerns over Farrow are contested game and speed. On that note Dovaston/NHH and Greeves/Fred real possibilities with our two picks if we wanted to go that way.

Wouldn't take notice of ESPN, I'd take Greeves over Rodriguez

 

[flinchfree]

Dovaston may not last to our first pick. Dees seem interested and Essendon have done some work.

He's my preference for our pick. Adds forward pressure and speed, takes pressure off Wiz, and lets us utilise Moore or CMac higher up. It's not a sexy comparison but he's a quicker Lachie Shultz.

I think Dovaston > Sharp > Farrow/Lindsay are my current preferences. Grlj trumps all but even more unlikely to be available.

A few have posted similarly on here that we should bring in another small forward so we can push existing small forwards to be on-ball.....
Which makes no sense to me???
Neither C-Mac or Moore are playing full time mid because neither are considered good enough to do so. Otherwise, in an area we were looking all season for help in, and in previous seasons too, they were thought of only as bit players. Help, but not the steak.

I don't see the sense in drafting a small forward when a seriously talented/effective midfielder is what the team is crying out for. Not even mentioning that we lost a relied upon servant in Worps out of the area.

This hoping and praying going on to forgo the now in prayer of landing the answer via trade next year is completely nuts.
Draft the best one you can get, even if it means gobbling up extra draft capital, then repeat with our second pick, develop and build our team through our systems.
What we don't need are 8-10 smaillish players whose best is forward - and with no one getting them the ball to advantage.

 

[VandoHawk]

A few have posted similarly on here that we should bring in another small forward so we can push existing small forwards to be on-ball.....
Which makes no sense to me???
Neither C-Mac or Moore are playing full time mid because neither are considered good enough to do so. Otherwise, in an area we were looking all season for help in, and in previous seasons too, they were thought of only as bit players. Help, but not the steak.

I don't see the sense in drafting a small forward when a seriously talented/effective midfielder is what the team is crying out for. Not even mentioning that we lost a relied upon servant in Worps out of the area.

This hoping and praying going on to forgo the now in prayer of landing the answer via trade next year is completely nuts.
Draft the best one you can get, even if it means gobbling up extra draft capital, then repeat with our second pick, develop and build our team through our systems.
What we don't need are 8-10 smaillish players whose best is forward - and with no one getting them the ball to advantage.

That's all well and good but there aren't really quality midfielders in the Pick 10 range. Sharp and Grlj are likely to be gone and both have some queries around them.

Rather than reaching for a player like Greeves because he's a positional need, I would prefer we take best available and repurpose the players we do have. Positional shifts happen all the time.

Pick 10 should be best available.
Pick 22 you can start weighing up talent with needs. Barker, Onley, Holmes etc - reaching for a player because they fit your profile.

 

[The Chad and I]

Addinsall reminds me of Lachie Neal. He has the low to the ground bent knee running style. His disposal by hand and foot looks really good and he is pretty nippy. I'd be wrapped if we snaffled him.

Addinsall moves exactly like Lachie Neale.
Elite hands, can win the ball in congestion, decent kick and seems to have a big tank, high work rate.

CONS: He is slow, lacks physicality, and defensively ineffective.
I don't see why he is so highly rated tbh.

 

[The Chad and I]

A few have posted similarly on here that we should bring in another small forward so we can push existing small forwards to be on-ball.....
Which makes no sense to me???
Neither C-Mac or Moore are playing full time mid because neither are considered good enough to do so. Otherwise, in an area we were looking all season for help in, and in previous seasons too, they were thought of only as bit players. Help, but not the steak.

I don't see the sense in drafting a small forward when a seriously talented/effective midfielder is what the team is crying out for. Not even mentioning that we lost a relied upon servant in Worps out of the area.

This hoping and praying going on to forgo the now in prayer of landing the answer via trade next year is completely nuts.
Draft the best one you can get, even if it means gobbling up extra draft capital, then repeat with our second pick, develop and build our team through our systems.
What we don't need are 8-10 smaillish players whose best is forward - and with no one getting them the ball to advantage.

Agree.
We need a proper mid and if he can push forward then that's a bonus.

 

[The Chad and I]

Sullivan Robey is the best player in this draft for us IMO.
If Luke Hodge was taller, and played forward/mid instead of def/mid, that's what Robey looks like.
He is the type of player we need most and if he isn't taken in the first 5 picks, I hope we do whatever we need to in order to trade up and get him.

Robey more forward than mid vs last year's number 1 pick Sam Lalor, but similar types.
Taking him after pick 5 would be very good value IMO.

I doubt he lasts until our first, but if can do a deal to get him at 6-10, i hope we could get it done.

 

[burner1]

Who is ‘best available’ for our pick 10? (Ie ignoring any positional needs?). Assume sharp, Cummings, Grij are gone.

If we’re going for upside (rather than best as in ‘safest’ pick) feels like maybe NHH, Murray, maybe Barker? Farrow as well. All not as ‘proven’ / injury issues etc.

 

[MasterSamurai]

Why are people talking like Ward and Mackenzie aren't on our list? They are 21 and 22 year Olds that have plenty of improvement in them. Both pick 7's and it's like they don't exist. Midfield group of Day, Newcombe, Nash, Ward and Mackenzie is plenty enough.
Lions midfield has spooked lot of people but, have a look at their half frwds and half backs!!! That's what you're really dealing with. Our frwd pressure was really weak last year, Oppo half backs had days out against us, so, calls for another small frwd who both kicks goals and puts on real pressure is not that far fetched.

 

[sohsam]

A few have posted similarly on here that we should bring in another small forward so we can push existing small forwards to be on-ball.....
Which makes no sense to me???
Neither C-Mac or Moore are playing full time mid because neither are considered good enough to do so. Otherwise, in an area we were looking all season for help in, and in previous seasons too, they were thought of only as bit players. Help, but not the steak.

I don't see the sense in drafting a small forward when a seriously talented/effective midfielder is what the team is crying out for. Not even mentioning that we lost a relied upon servant in Worps out of the area.

This hoping and praying going on to forgo the now in prayer of landing the answer via trade next year is completely nuts.
Draft the best one you can get, even if it means gobbling up extra draft capital, then repeat with our second pick, develop and build our team through our systems.
What we don't need are 8-10 smaillish players whose best is forward - and with no one getting them the ball to advantage.

exactly sharp can do what doveston or lindsay can do but neither can do what sharp can do. He can apply that pressure when no ball in hand, not allow dangerfield to waltz out of centre square, he can win his own ball and distribute effectively. He can also go forward lock the ball in or mark and kick goals, he can also go to the back line and be a distributor or apply pressure in getting goals kicked on us, be an attacking weapon to get the ball accurately moving out of defence. If we cannot get him, then the next best, perhaps greeves with our second pick. Whether you want someone 70% time midfield or 20% time. There is no guarantee that a small forward will be able to play effectively as midfielder either. That is why some people looked at Farrow as option, not sure about his tank, it is a bit of an unknown compared to Sharp who has been doing it seniors for last two years and afl ready.

 

[sohsam]

Who is ‘best available’ for our pick 10? (Ie ignoring any positional needs?). Assume sharp, Cummings, Grij are gone.

If we’re going for upside (rather than best as in ‘safest’ pick) feels like maybe NHH, Murray, maybe Barker? Farrow as well. All not as ‘proven’ / injury issues etc.

You answered your question, abit of unknown really, NHH or Farrow for upside, if doveston there, may take him ahead of the other two, going for safety, you get what you see and apparently we could do with more pressure in forward half. Gunston finishing up is going to leave a big hole for us, was the premier forward in the competition last year. In his prime with Breust were dead eyed accurate kicks for goals, Gunston's numbers are ridiculous, midfield like, if M Marsh can come close to that, we will be laughing.

 

[sohsam]

Sullivan Robey is the best player in this draft for us IMO.
If Luke Hodge was taller, and played forward/mid instead of def/mid, that's what Robey looks like.
He is the type of player we need most and if he isn't taken in the first 5 picks, I hope we do whatever we need to in order to trade up and get him.

Robey more forward than mid vs last year's number 1 pick Sam Lalor, but similar types.
Taking him after pick 5 would be very good value IMO.

I doubt he lasts until our first, but if can do a deal to get him at 6-10, i hope we could get it done.

you maybe talking about potential rather than current output, I doubt Hodge was an unknown, sullivan robey only second half of the year. It depends how long before he is afl ready. That is the risk, isn't it, do you give up future picks to get someone this year or go for best available. Sharp is a top 5 player too but one has history. The problem these days with getting a very good player is you have to pay them over $1M to keep them, I prefer many good players than few very good players, everyone is different, I can see where you are coming from, everyone has different opinions. I understand why someone pays 3 first rounds for a 30 year old, where another only one. Whether you try your luck in the draft and go for 4 and one or two come out good or you sell the farm and hope works out, especially if you think that is only missing piece to premiership, I do not but obviously helps.

 

[Dewnior]

Would you like an Oskar Taylor at that pick? If neither of Cumming, Sharp or Grlj slide, in my opinion, whatever quality remains from that point won't be significantly different from a pick in the 20s, let alone two.

I'm taking Greeves and Pickett over Pick 14. Bank the F2 for next year, could package up for Butters.

If we trade pick 10 for a future pick it better bloody be for a F1.

Package up F2 for Butters

 

[Dewnior]

Rather than reaching for a player like Greeves because he's a positional need, I would prefer we take best available and repurpose the players we do have. Positional shifts happen all the time.

No, if we think the player we want will be gone by our pick we should be trading it up or for a F1.

 

[MazHawk]

Not sure if this has been put up but it's a pretty good draft simulator ..

AFL Draft Simulator

 

[Blackhawk42]

Who is ‘best available’ for our pick 10? (Ie ignoring any positional needs?). Assume sharp, Cummings, Grij are gone.

If we’re going for upside (rather than best as in ‘safest’ pick) feels like maybe NHH, Murray, maybe Barker? Farrow as well. All not as ‘proven’ / injury issues etc.

He's suddenly been invited to opening night of the draft, meaning he's in the range of our first pick.
Cameron Nairn had 2 games this season of over 30 disposals as well as producing a 7 goal haul. Went goalless only twice and played as a 3rd tall forward and wing. A unique, dynamic prospect that screams a Sam Mitchell player.

Farrow has his detractors, and highlights videos can be dangerous to judge, but look at these fundamentals.


Clean disposal.
Quick, snappy and strong decision making.
One-touch ground ball pick ups.
One grab marks, including intercepts.
Evasiveness and composure.

These are the traits you want in players who are likely to start as back flankers and 'graduate' into full time midfielders.
Players like Will Day, Jordan Dawson, Jack Crisp etc.

So these are my guys outside of Sharp, Cumming and Gjrl, who I would certainly select first if any were available.

 

[sohsam]

I think eagles will take sharp.
Duursma sharp
Robey Grlj
CDT X.Taylor
Nairn Dovaston
Cumming
That’s what I think the first 9 look like with scum trading into pick 9 and apparently North into 11. If we traded back with the eagles for 13 and 34 and then trade 22/34 for 18 then:
Farrow to eagles
Schubert to north
O.Taylor to GWS
Pick 13 Marsh to Hawks
14 Lindsay to dogs
15 suns gone
16 Philippou to Crows
17 lions gone
Pick 18 we take Greeves Barker or NHH

Marsh, Greeves/NHH, that sounds pretty good. All three are pretty hard to pick, where they fall. That means we would have to let Farrow go. As someone else said you cannot have too many of those slower big midfield types, if have greeves, do not need farrow. NHH seems more dynamic but does not have the body shape to be inside midfielder and Marsh would be Gunston replacement, if he gets close, will be over the moon.