2025 Draft Thread

[TheJackal]

Compared to Murphy Reid and Langford last year these packages this year just don't show players at the same level. Not to say they won't be guns but hard to get excited about.

I have exactly the same reaction every time I see these packages. There will no doubt be a couple of guys taken this year who end up as a graders, but I'm just not excited at all when I see the so called top 10 options.

Even Jevan, who I called out months ago, he's speculative and far from an out and out gun.

This is one year where I'd probably feel no fomo if we go into the draft with no first rounder.

 

[Ads734]

There’s something I call the
‘Taking the Piss ‘ factor with young guys.

Some guys are just so above the level it they just dominate. Most of these guys are higher level picks, even if they didn’t start the season there.

When I say taking the piss, of course it is dependant on style. Some guys have decision making that is just streets ahead of the rest. Bear in mind this does not include ball winning ability or contested game usually. It’s something else , not tangible.

Sheezel, Murphy Reid, Rankine, Mccluggage, Nick Blakey

22

Nick Blakey

Age

25

Ht

196cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.9

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

2.9

3star

M

2.3

2star

T

2.4

4star

MG

189.1

3star

D

8.1

2star

K

6.3

3star

HB

1.9

1star

M

2.1

2star

T

2.6

4star

MG

189.1

3star

D

7.2

2star

K

5.2

2star

HB

2.0

2star

M

1.2

2star

T

1.2

3star

, Daicos,

Then you have certain players in key positions.
The first one who comes to mind is Tauru. He made it look like he was playing against kids.
King x2
Darcy

now the game Greeves played had a lot of the Taking the Piss about it.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

There’s something I call the
‘Taking the Piss ‘ factor with young guys.

Some guys are just so above the level it they just dominate. Most of these guys are higher level picks, even if they didn’t start the season there.

When I say taking the piss, of course it is dependant on style. Some guys have decision making that is just streets ahead of the rest. Bear in mind this does not include ball winning ability or contested game usually. It’s something else , not tangible.

Sheezel, Murphy Reid, Rankine, Mccluggage, Nick Blakey , Daicos,

Then you have certain players in key positions.
The first one who comes to mind is Tauru. He made it look like he was playing against kids.
King x2
Darcy

now the game Greeves played had a lot of the Taking the Piss about it.

Greeves is a bit on enigma, sometimes he looks like the next Petracca and others he looks like a stodgy David Mundy. The one thing we do know about the current top midfielders is they all have speed out of contest. The midfield game has changed rapidly (speed) in the past couple of years, with players like Cripps, Oliver etc not having the same impact.

The perfect midfielder is not what it used to be, and the numbers prove it

In less than five years, there's been a noticeable shift in the type of midfielders who are having the biggest impact on the game, writes Nathan Schmook

www.afl.com.au

Greeves is too slow and doesnt have the game we require in our midfield. If we maintain our first round pick there will be far better options available eg Cummings, Phillipou, Grjl, Farrow or even key tall options.

 

[ScrappyDo]

Agree, I think Greeves issue is he’s not going to get as much time and space at AFL level, he’s also not going to be able to monster undersized mids or defenders like he’s doing at U18 level, and his ability to use the ball isn’t going to be as good as other talents coming through the system.

I think qualities demonstrated in u18's tend to flow into seniors. Recruiters are also now much better at filtering out those with critical gaps in abilities.

 

[gringo2011]

Robey is the only one who has me remotely interested in hanging onto our first rounder, even then he is a high risk high reward type and may be taken before our pick anyway. His combination of size, balance, speed and clean hands look like potentially elite traits and his kicking is uncomplicated. Everything else (eg bodywork, vision, composure, decision making etc) needs a ton of improvement but he has the biggest ceiling by a distance IMO, with a Spencer White floor.

I feel similar to Greeves the way I did about Langford (and still do, although he has done better than I expected). Will be a solid footballer with a limited ceiling. They both don't have many tricks compared to other big bodied Lalor/Smillie types, unless you count having your hamstrings intact as a trick

Sharp looks like a safe(ish) bet and Duursma looks like a Duursma but I don't think anyone in this draft class would have cracked the top 10-15 last year. Genuinely underwhelming. Maybe we should just draft H Holmes and C Curtin and get to work on their brothers. The Tex Wanganeen effect

Outside of all that negativity I think we have struck gold with Fincher and not sure why he isn't rated higher in such a weak pool. Happy for it to stay that way.

Langford apparently the best first year player of the draft and one of only 5 to make the top 100 players in Champion Data in AFL history. He doesn't look as flashy as Reid but he is going to be a serious player.

Robey moves a bit like a water buffalo or something to me. He looks okay but just feel like he could be a bust too. Agree with a lot of what you've said though. None of them look particularly highly skilled. Feel like a real gamblers draft to me. There is a bunch that end up stars from every draft I guess, it's just harder to see it in some of them.

 

[stfan]

I have exactly the same reaction every time I see these packages. There will no doubt be a couple of guys taken this year who end up as a graders, but I'm just not excited at all when I see the so called top 10 options.

Even Jevan, who I called out months ago, he's speculative and far from an out and out gun.

This is one year where I'd probably feel no fomo if we go into the draft with no first rounder.

Yes, I feel we may not have a 1st round pick either as it/they (If Marshall goes too) will go in gaining another established player, or two.

It kinda sucks personally as this will be the one and only year that I will get to attend draft night....and we will not have a pick on the night.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

I wonder how Dalrymple and our recruiting team will feel when Murphy Reid wins this years Rising Star Award?

IMO not recruiting him was a very questionable start by Simon, as a much as try I cant see what others see in Travaglia. I am not convinced he is ever going to have the physique to have an impact as a AFL midfielder and his kicking is well below average for his draft class. In an era when kicking skills are the premium of skill recruiters should be looking for.

 

[BrutThough]

I wonder how Dalrymple and our recruiting team will feel when Murphy Reid wins this years Rising Star Award?

IMO not recruiting him was a very questionable start by Simon, as a much as try I cant see what others see in Travaglia. I am not convinced he is ever going to have the physique to have an impact as a AFL midfielder and his kicking is well below average for his draft class. In an era when kicking skills are the premium of skill recruiters should be looking for.

Why would they care? Toby has nothing to do with someone who went 9 picks later who plays a completely different position to him.

Why some supporters feel the need to constantly tear him down in relation to Reid because they think they are draft experts is the bigger question that needs answered.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Why would they care? Toby has nothing to do with someone who went 9 picks later who plays a completely different position to him.

Why some supporters feel the need to constantly tear him down in relation to Reid because they think they are draft experts is the bigger question that needs answered.

You are kidding obviously you dont want the best players at our club?

What makes someone a draft expert? I can garuantee you if you went back through the players I have propsed for the club they have a much better sucess rate than any recruiting/list manager we have had.

Travaglia will be another wasted half back flanker who our club think will become a midfielder, but it wont happen. As much as the 'head in the sand' approach is common place for a lot of supporters I am not one of them.

 

[BrutThough]

You are kidding obviously you dont want the best players at our club?

Of course every supporter wants the best players at their club. But just because a skinny 18 year old who needs time to develop didnt have as strong a first year as someone else, doesnt meant they wont be an excellent player long term. We are selecting someone for 12 years, not one.

I will back in the professionals who have a history of selecting long term, elite players over some anonymous keyboard warriors who think their opinion after watching some draft videos gives them the right to sh*t on a teenager every time someone else plays well.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Of course every supporter wants the best players at their club. But just because a skinny 18 year old who needs time to develop didnt have as strong a first year as someone else, doesnt meant they wont be an excellent player long term. We are selecting someone for 12 years, not one.

I will back in the professionals who have a history of selecting long term, elite players over some anonymous keyboard warriors who think their opinion after watching some draft videos gives them the right to sh*t on a teenager every time someone else plays well.

Yep the ostrich has its tail feathers pointing to the sky!

Im not shitting on Travaglia I just dont believe his kicking is at the level required and very highly doubt he makes it as a midfielder.

Plus guess what this is a supporter forum where 'keyboard warriors' are allowed opinions and mine is Reid would be a much better fit for our list then Travaglia will ever be.

 

[akaifu]

You are kidding obviously you dont want the best players at our club?

What makes someone a draft expert? I can garuantee you if you went back through the players I have propsed for the club they have a much better sucess rate than any recruiting/list manager we have had.

Travaglia will be another wasted half back flanker who our club think will become a midfielder, but it wont happen. As much as the 'head in the sand' approach is common place for a lot of supporters I am not one of them.

Ohh man lmaooooo

 

[ScrappyDo]

I wonder how Dalrymple and our recruiting team will feel when Murphy Reid wins this years Rising Star Award?

IMO not recruiting him was a very questionable start by Simon, as a much as try I cant see what others see in Travaglia. I am not convinced he is ever going to have the physique to have an impact as a AFL midfielder and his kicking is well below average for his draft class. In an era when kicking skills are the premium of skill recruiters should be looking for.

Reid didn't, and doesn't fit the player type that RTB wants. I also don't think you can legitimately criticise whilst ignoring the Tauru, Box and Dodson selections. Anyway, it's far far too early to draw judgements on Toby. Silly even.

 

[Saintscomemarchingin]

Robey is the only one who has me remotely interested in hanging onto our first rounder, even then he is a high risk high reward type and may be taken before our pick anyway. His combination of size, balance, speed and clean hands look like potentially elite traits and his kicking is uncomplicated. Everything else (eg bodywork, vision, composure, decision making etc) needs a ton of improvement but he has the biggest ceiling by a distance IMO, with a Spencer White floor.

I feel similar to Greeves the way I did about Langford (and still do, although he has done better than I expected). Will be a solid footballer with a limited ceiling. They both don't have many tricks compared to other big bodied Lalor/Smillie types, unless you count having your hamstrings intact as a trick

Sharp looks like a safe(ish) bet and Duursma looks like a Duursma but I don't think anyone in this draft class would have cracked the top 10-15 last year. Genuinely underwhelming. Maybe we should just draft H Holmes and C Curtin and get to work on their brothers. The Tex Wanganeen effect

Outside of all that negativity I think we have struck gold with Fincher and not sure why he isn't rated higher in such a weak pool. Happy for it to stay that way.

Fincher was a fourth rounder
Will be a second rounder now.

 

[Goofy975]

Fincher was a fourth rounder
Will be a second rounder now.

Trending towards 1st round imo

 

[MOLTEN GANGLANDS]

kicking looks really good, the fact he can play effectively as a half forward is also a massive bonus for getting into the 22 and giving the coaches more options on game day. Would love to snag him

 

[saintkildaman]

Wonder if Carlton fans were dirty they didn’t pick Luke Dunstan

27

Luke Dunstan

Age

30

Ht

185cm

Wt

86kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.7

5star

K

10.1

4star

HB

10.6

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

4.4

5star

D

21.0

5star

K

13.0

5star

HB

8.0

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

9.0

5star

CL

2.0

4star

D

18.2

5star

K

6.0

3star

HB

12.2

5star

M

2.4

3star

T

6.2

5star

CL

4.2

5star

ahead of Cripps at the end of 2014

 

[SaintsofSteel]

Fincher named in Coates League Team of the Year - I wonder who esle we might be interested in?

 

[ScrappyDo]

Fincher named in Coates League Team of the Year - I wonder who esle we might be interested in?

That's a seriously munted group of young fellas right there. We can take Finch but no thanks on the rest.

 

[gringo2011]

I'm really liking Talor Byrne. He's probably still using a booster seat but he can footy. He's not let the fact that his parents didn't finish his name or his lack of height stop him. Got vibes of Zorko and Caleb Daniel

5

Caleb Daniel

Age

29

Ht

171cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

9.8

5star

M

3.5

4star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.4

4star

D

19.5

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.4

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

2.0

3star

CL

1.0

3star

D

16.4

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

9.2

5star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

.

 

[gringo2011]

I still like Rodriguez, despite a lack of production he uses the ball well and has a bit of pace and skill.

 

[hangdog]

I wonder how Dalrymple and our recruiting team will feel when Murphy Reid wins this years Rising Star Award?

IMO not recruiting him was a very questionable start by Simon, as a much as try I cant see what others see in Travaglia. I am not convinced he is ever going to have the physique to have an impact as a AFL midfielder and his kicking is well below average for his draft class. In an era when kicking skills are the premium of skill recruiters should be looking for.

I won't judge until they've both played 75-100 games or so. You don't rule out an Olympic swimmer 50m into a 200m final...

Unless it was Eric the Eel...

 

[gringo2011]

I won't judge until they've both played 75-100 games or so. You don't rule out an Olympic swimmer 50m into a 200m final...

Unless it was Eric the Eel...

Reid looks incredible and it looks like they got an absolute gun. All we need Toby to do is be a good player. He doesn't need to be compared. A lot of others missed out on him too. I would imagine Travaglia is seen as a replacement for Sinclair Whan he retires. He looks a very good attacking HBF and still has midfield potential.

 

[SaintsofSteel]

I'm really liking Talor Byrne. He's probably still using a booster seat but he can footy. He's not let the fact that his parents didn't finish his name or his lack of height stop him. Got vibes of Zorko and Caleb Daniel.

I still like Rodriguez, despite a lack of production he uses the ball well and has a bit of pace and skill.

Both most likely second round Dalrymple specials if we can some how work our way back in. Rodriguez is a bit similiar to Boxshall and Talor Byrne reminds me of Jamie Elliott with has plenty of spunk.

I enjoyed the work of Josiah Landy today, he is a smaller goal kicking mid who could start out as a small forward.

 

[TheJackal]

I won't judge until they've both played 75-100 games or so. You don't rule out an Olympic swimmer 50m into a 200m final...

Unless it was Eric the Eel...

Rude. Eric the Eel was the best in his field!