Review 2025 National Draft Thread | Dovaston #16 / Thredgold #26 / Mikunda #48

[krakouers]

I hope that we bid on Walley (WC) & Whan (Freo).

Wes seems to go missing a bit:

Whan certainly has a freedom to him but the legality of the registration makes me wonder where did your heart go?

 

[kool kangas]

My opinion on this years draft is that unless another club comes to us with an offer for a player we dont need then we keep what we have and use those picks to get players...

Its time for a reset of keeping our picks for next season.....

 

[giantroo]

Wes seems to go missing a bit:
View attachment 2333503
Whan certainly has a freedom to him but the legality of the registration makes me wonder where did your heart go?
View attachment 2333510

Walley in the red and white at the Swans makes perfect sense.
Marketing team would have a field day with it.

 

[King Hansen]

Walley in the red and white at the Swans makes perfect sense.
Marketing team would have a field day with it.

Especially if he's playing shit and goes missing during games.

 

[andana]

I hope that we bid on Walley (WC) & Whan (Freo). Whan has a bucketload of potential, you could make an argument he is one of the best kicks in the draft.

Like the look of Swadling, Hallett and Evans too.

Not concerned about Evans back injury ?

 

[Chewy Chewman]

With the news Gold Coast has pick 4 on the table. Wonder if we’d be able trade our two early second rounders for pick 4. Could get us in the Archie Ludowyke range

 

[roos 10]

With the news Gold Coast has pick 4 on the table. Wonder if we’d be able trade our two early second rounders for pick 4. Could get us in the Archie Ludowyke range

Need to probably add next years 2nd aswell
Maybe 20/21 this year plus 2026 2nd rounder
For pick 4 and Connor budrick

 

[giantroo]

With the news Gold Coast has pick 4 on the table. Wonder if we’d be able trade our two early second rounders for pick 4. Could get us in the Archie Ludowyke range

This is what the Dogs traded for it last year.

The Western Bulldogs trade both its Round One picks (10 & 17) and its future Round One pick to the Gold Coast SUNS for its Round One pick (4), both Round Three picks (46 & 51) and its future Round Three pick

 

[Shermanator]

My opinion on this years draft is that unless another club comes to us with an offer for a player we dont need then we keep what we have and use those picks to get players...

Its time for a reset of keeping our picks for next season.....

Especially if it’s an apparent shallow draft AND highly compromised by Academy & FS’s.

Save our first rounder for next year and take the best available needs at our current picks.

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Not concerned about Evans back injury ?

Stress fractures are pretty common for juniors with big workloads. Lalor had them earlier in his career and it hasn’t impacted him.

 

[Chewy Chewman]

This is what the Dogs traded for it last year.

The Western Bulldogs trade both its Round One picks (10 & 17) and its future Round One pick to the Gold Coast SUNS for its Round One pick (4), both Round Three picks (46 & 51) and its future Round Three pick

Given that we traded pick 2 to Richmond for two picks in the 20’s I can’t see why not.

 

[ToxicMegaPunts]

This is what the Dogs traded for it last year.

The Western Bulldogs trade both its Round One picks (10 & 17) and its future Round One pick to the Gold Coast SUNS for its Round One pick (4), both Round Three picks (46 & 51) and its future Round Three pick

I believe it was 2023 that the Dogs made this trade with the Suns, then used the pick to select Sanders. Pretty steep price to pay in retrospect given the talent available in last years 1st round.

 

[chubbspeterson]

This is what the Dogs traded for it last year.

The Western Bulldogs trade both its Round One picks (10 & 17) and its future Round One pick to the Gold Coast SUNS for its Round One pick (4), both Round Three picks (46 & 51) and its future Round Three pick

Basically three mid/late 1sts being 10, 17 and 16 (F1) for 4, 46, 51 and F3 to take Sanders.

I'm not sure they get that exact same deal with the points system tightening up. Best might be a F1, top 15 & late picks.

WCE 13, 19 and F2? No real need to trade up. NGA players and Oscar Allen compo potentially.
* 7, 9, 26, 27 and F2? No real need to trade up. NGA players and Draper comp potentially.
Crows with 16, 43, 48, 52 and their F1?
Cats with 14, 32 and F1?
GWS with 12, 30, 34 and F1? They have academy players though to think about.
Swans 5 and 23 or Hawks 6 and 24 is a small slide they could do.
Dogs 10, 28 and F1?

 

[chubbspeterson]

Realistically what do we need to target in this draft? KPF, pacy half-forward and another Riley Hardeman?

It depends if we get anything via trade (or FA) as to what picks we have left and what the needs are.
But equally we could probably just take the best talent because we probably have needs in all areas.

Electric small pressure fwd
Half back/wing - Lachie Aish type
Key position - both ends of the ground (Darling and Corr/Pink/Logue replacements needed the next few years)
Midfield/wing depth (transition run and ball use) - Freijah/Holmes type

 

[chubbspeterson]

Especially if it’s an apparent shallow draft AND highly compromised by Academy & FS’s.

Save our first rounder for next year and take the best available needs at our current picks.

That might be the go. Might have some player trades to leverage moving up the order or use the F2 or F3.
I think they'd only move up to get a tall or small fwd. Should be some half backs in the 20's or 30's.

 

[The Talent Scout]

With the news Gold Coast has pick 4 on the table. Wonder if we’d be able trade our two early second rounders for pick 4. Could get us in the Archie Ludowyke range

I would have thought that trading this years first rounder to Richmond in last years draft made perfectly clear our intentions for this years draft, now of course things can change but I don't think it will, trust me if we really liked someone early in the first round this year we wouldn't have traded out our pick but Will thought Matt's ability/potential was well worth getting and superseded everyone this year.

I think we will have identified three lads, two who may go in the second round and possibly a player who will get picked up much later, as for our 2 future first rounders, two things may happen, 1/ We use them on a certain player we've identified in the Trade/free Agency period. 2/ Keep our 2 future first rounders for next year.

I think unless Archie goes ballistic in these National Championships being played at the moment I think there is a chance we can pick him up in the second round if we want him, don't worry, Will would have done all his homework not only on this years draft but on the following year as well, probably the year after that, what we are going to do and players we would like to target. He & Brady will have plans on the exact structure that is being put in place for this years draft & free agency period + future picks.

One last point, as I've mentioned earlier, I think we will pick only the three required players in this years draft, what we have done and the way we have gone about it suggests to me that this is the path we are taking, the trade & free agency period, well that's another matter indeed, at the end of the year despite people thinking there will be anywhere from eight to a dozen players not getting contracts does not remotely sound logical, I have pointed out that Alastair and Todd last year pointed out that now is the period for stability, so unless I'm completely wrong on this matter then logic will come to the fore. As a famous Vulcan once said {thinking about our list} "In critical moments men sometimes see exactly what they wish to see". "Insufficient facts always invite danger" "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".

 

[chubbspeterson]

I would have thought that trading this years first rounder to Richmond in last years draft made perfectly clear our intentions for this years draft, now of course things can change but I don't think it will, trust me if we really liked someone early in the first round this year we wouldn't have traded out our pick but Will thought Matt's ability/potential was well worth getting and superseded everyone this year.

I think we will have identified three lads, two who may go in the second round and possibly a player who will get picked up much later, as for our 2 future first rounders, two things may happen, 1/ We use them on a certain player we've identified in the Trade/free Agency period. 2/ Keep our 2 future first rounders for next year.

I think unless Archie goes ballistic in these National Championships being played at the moment I think there is a chance we can pick him up in the second round if we want him, don't worry, Will would have done all his homework not only on this years draft but on the following year as well, probably the year after that, what we are going to do and players we would like to target. He & Brady will have plans on the exact structure that is being put in place for this years draft & free agency period + future picks.

One last point, as I've mentioned earlier, I think we will pick only the three required players in this years draft, what we have done and the way we have gone about it suggests to me that this is the path we are taking, the trade & free agency period, well that's another matter indeed, at the end of the year despite people thinking there will be anywhere from eight to a dozen players not getting contracts does not remotely sound logical, I have pointed out that Alastair and Todd last year pointed out that now is the period for stability, so unless I'm completely wrong on this matter then logic will come to the fore. As a famous Vulcan once said {thinking about our list} "In critical moments men sometimes see exactly what they wish to see". "Insufficient facts always invite danger" "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".

I think you are probably right. I think we only use 20, 21, 38 or whatever they become.
I personally would use pick 56 on a defender to replace Corr/Pink/Logue, but we don't seem to like using picks>50.

I'm not so sure Archie Ludowyke or Cody Curtin would be there in the 2nd round. They look like being in the top 15 (likely the first 10 of "available" players not tied to other clubs). Might be more Schubert, Ah-Mu or Hetherton.
But I guess we're not sure how many of those 1st rounders will be absorbed in bids and/or who gets them via trades etc.

Players likely in frame for top 15 that are tied to other clubs (may have missed a few)
Zeke Uwland (GC), Daniel Annable (Lions), Max King (Swans), Dylan Patterson (GC), Noah Chamberlain (Swans)
Wes Walley (WCE), Beau Addinsall (GC)

Players that may be top 30 or rising that are tied to other clubs (may have missed a few)
Zac McCarthy (Pies NGA), Adam Sweid (), Koby Evans (WCE), Toby Whan (Freo), Thomas McGuane (Pies F/S), Harry Dean (Blues F/S), Hussien El Achkar (*), Louis Kellaway (Tigers)

Players that are likely in frame for top 15 NOT tied to other clubs (may have missed a few)
Duff Tytler, Willem Duursma, Oliver Greeves, Dyson Sharp, Josh Lindsay, Sam Grlj, Archie Ludowyke, Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves, Fred Rodriguez, Rory Wright, Jevan Phillipou, Cody Curtin, Louis Emmett, Lachie Dovaston, Riley Onley, Sam Cumming

Players that may be top 30 or rising that are NOT tied to other clubs (may have missed a few)
Liam Hetherton, Aiden Schubert, Sam Swadling, Tom Burton, Matthew LeRay, Harley Barker, Taron Ah-Mu, Mitch Marsh, Xavier Taylor? Max Thomas? Jacob Farrow? Hunter Holmes? Taj Murray?

We'll likely need to delist/trade at least 7 players to take 3 ND picks given our two extra rookie spots will go.
There's three fairly obvious ones, then another 4 needed for 3 ND picks, more if extra trade/FA spots required.
It's gonna be tight! Might be 2-3 that explore opportunities out of Ford/Phillips/Scott. Wait and see I guess.

Main List (38) - Bergman, Tucker, CCJ, Phillips? Ford? Harvey (down to 33 if carrying 6 rookies for 3 ND picks)
Rookies (8) - RHJ (contract), Maley, Teakle, Pink, Kal Dawson, Payne, Banch, Trembath (down to 6 minimum)

 

[pupstar]

I would have thought that trading this years first rounder to Richmond in last years draft made perfectly clear our intentions for this years draft, now of course things can change but I don't think it will, trust me if we really liked someone early in the first round this year we wouldn't have traded out our pick but Will thought Matt's ability/potential was well worth getting and superseded everyone this year.

I think we will have identified three lads, two who may go in the second round and possibly a player who will get picked up much later, as for our 2 future first rounders, two things may happen, 1/ We use them on a certain player we've identified in the Trade/free Agency period. 2/ Keep our 2 future first rounders for next year.

I think unless Archie goes ballistic in these National Championships being played at the moment I think there is a chance we can pick him up in the second round if we want him, don't worry, Will would have done all his homework not only on this years draft but on the following year as well, probably the year after that, what we are going to do and players we would like to target. He & Brady will have plans on the exact structure that is being put in place for this years draft & free agency period + future picks.

One last point, as I've mentioned earlier, I think we will pick only the three required players in this years draft, what we have done and the way we have gone about it suggests to me that this is the path we are taking, the trade & free agency period, well that's another matter indeed, at the end of the year despite people thinking there will be anywhere from eight to a dozen players not getting contracts does not remotely sound logical, I have pointed out that Alastair and Todd last year pointed out that now is the period for stability, so unless I'm completely wrong on this matter then logic will come to the fore. As a famous Vulcan once said {thinking about our list} "In critical moments men sometimes see exactly what they wish to see". "Insufficient facts always invite danger" "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".

This is exactly how i see it panning out as well Scout. I know quite a few posters think our recruiting staff have no idea but that's just so far from the truth it's not funny.

 

[chubbspeterson]

This is exactly how i see it panning out as well Scout. I know quite a few posters think our recruiting staff have no idea but that's just so far from the truth it's not funny.

I'm very curious to see what we target. Trade period will probably give us a better idea as well with list spots and the draft.
Key position players, electric small fwd, taller mid, half back/wing (transition run and ball use), medium defenders?

 

[roos_fanatic08]

This is exactly how i see it panning out as well Scout. I know quite a few posters think our recruiting staff have no idea but that's just so far from the truth it's not funny.

Let’s just say plenty of people were happy to see the back of Scott Clayton. He was/is a simpleton when it comes to finding and tanking talent. His ability to overate potential draftees with limited athletic and physical upside was his speciality.
He managed to bluff Rawlings and co plenty of times too.

Historically we have show we are very simplistic thinkers, hence why staff (who were never rated externally by the wider AFL community) managed to get key positions within our list management and recruiting (Joyce, Luff ect).

There has been NOTHING to suggest that Rawlings shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breathe as those mentioned above.

 

[chubbspeterson]

Let’s just say plenty of people were happy to see the back of Scott Clayton. He was/is a simpleton when it comes to finding and tanking talent. His ability to overate potential draftees with limited athletic and physical upside was his speciality.
He managed to bluff Rawlings and co plenty of times too.

Historically we have show we are very simplistic thinkers, hence why staff (who were never rated externally by the wider AFL community) managed to get key positions within our list management and recruiting (Joyce, Luff ect).

There has been NOTHING to suggest that Rawlings shouldn’t be mentioned in the same breathe as those mentioned above.

Brady has been a poor list manager and trade negotiator from 2022-2024 trade/draft periods.
Somethings were out of his control and some things in his control, but you have to say underwhelming.
Would be happy to move on from him and good to get some fresh air from Clayton.

Before that period though, Brady as GM and Luff as List Manager are accountable for the list cull in 2020.
Luff as List Manager and Finnigan and Clayton as recruiters didn't set the world on fire in the 2019-2021 drafts, with only Comben, Phillips, Powell, Ford, Goater, Curtis, Archer left. "Lack of alignment" perhaps at play, but all to blame.

Brady as list manager and Thursfield as recruiting manager are responsible for the 2022-2024 trade/draft periods.
If our picks remain as is, we'll find out if Will and our recruiting team can select well with later picks.

 

[giantroo]

 

[andana]

Player profile of every WA U18s squad member

The Marsh AFL Under-18’s National Championships began last weekend, and WA’s 2025 campaign kicks off this Saturday, 10am at Mineral Resources Park against Vic Country. WA has gone in with a strong side in 2025, led by captain and top Western Australian draft prospect Fred Rodriguez, who we wrote...

wafootball.com.au

 

[krakouers]

If he wasn’t secretly one of us North supporters, I’d be thinking we have noobermensch ’s replacement

 

[Pres]

I went to the game today. Duursma really looks the real deal. Looked so good. You could play him almost anywhere.

Josh Lindsay off half back with the laser left foot looks super well suited to the moden game.

Banfield superb late for WA.