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Draft Review 21st Century draft game - full 22 edition

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Josh Fraser

Fadge
 
You echoed my thoughts on Corey. Once I had Selwood and Stewart who I felt couldn't be ignored as best in class or very close to it from those available, I decided to let Cats get swept up by other players for the next stack of rounds. It did surprise me that a dual B&F winner (once in a semi final year of 2005, once in arguably Geelong's most dominant year outside of the GF: 2008) - considering who he had to compete against - slid this far. And ultimately Corey was a very prolific player who was elite on the inside but capable as a two way running wingman. A hybrid midfielder/wingman himself but more so on the stoppage side.

Against him his hurt factor from disposals wasn't as high as others and he was still never "the man" ahead of Ablett, Bartel and Selwood at different points.

Beams is a gold value pick too for the reasons you stated. Maybe a bit of a "what if" scenario stopping him having a superstar level career, but he was on the brink of it a couple of times and his best seasons were very damaging.
I agree with all of this, he can play that 3rd-4th midfielder and be versatile in this side
I want Hayes, Neale starting with combinations of N Brown Didak Beams and Corey rotating through there from bench and forward.
 
You echoed my thoughts on Corey. Once I had Selwood and Stewart who I felt couldn't be ignored as best in class or very close to it from those available, I decided to let Cats get swept up by other players for the next stack of rounds. It did surprise me that a dual B&F winner (once in a semi final year of 2005, once in arguably Geelong's most dominant year outside of the GF: 2008) - considering who he had to compete against - slid this far. And ultimately Corey was a very prolific player who was elite on the inside but capable as a two way running wingman. A hybrid midfielder/wingman himself but more so on the stoppage side.

Against him his hurt factor from disposals wasn't as high as others and he was still never "the man" ahead of Ablett, Bartel and Selwood at different points.

Beams is a gold value pick too for the reasons you stated. Maybe a bit of a "what if" scenario stopping him having a superstar level career, but he was on the brink of it a couple of times and his best seasons were very damaging.
His finals record is underrated as well.
 

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I totally forgot about him, I see him as a perfect second ruckmen resting forward sometimes. He is like Jackson if he doesnt get to the heights we expect.
That’s my thinking, decent 3rd tall fwd and better than a back up ruck
 
It all works on scales though, right?

If you have 8 seasons of 2+ clearances a game you were not as "out and out" wing as the two players I referred to who had 4x seasons of 2+ clearances combined (Smith and Embley).

It's rarely black or white. But I'd see Gaff as more of a hybrid than a Bradley Hill or Mitch Duncan, and that's fine. On the other end, Hannebery was more "inside" than Gaff, but not as much as JPK. Gaff was somewhere between a Smith and a Hannebery.
They forced him to play a diffrent role to get more strings to his bow. Oppo teams started putting their most dangerous mid on him in later years and exposing his speed.

Out and out Wing who was forced into a role for a while that didn't suit. He's not hybrid in my mind but I can see why you'd think that outside looking in.

Smith and Embers have some major weapons too. Gaff is a death by 1000 cuts type.
 
Geelong
Joel Corey
I could not ignore him for any longer I tried to hold out as he is a Geelong legend and more appreciated within Geelong than out, 2 Best and Fairests in the glory years and All Australians, I find it hard to seperate him and Enright for no nonsense consistent gems. Very happy to have him and has the ability to sit on a half back or go on ball and do damage.

Dane Beams
I think this guy compliments my midfield, I have Neale and Hayes as starters and Beams is a more power goal kicking Martin type that would fit in very well. His best was amazing and had years were he was 30 possesions and 1 goal averages.
Lets give him a fresh start get him to that clean country air and get some good hobbies for this misguided youth!
Feck!!!
 
They forced him to play a diffrent role to get more strings to his bow. Oppo teams started putting their most dangerous mid on him in later years and exposing his speed.

Out and out Wing who was forced into a role for a while that didn't suit. He's not hybrid in my mind but I can see why you'd think that outside looking in.

Smith and Embers have some major weapons too. Gaff is a death by 1000 cuts type.
Yeah I'm not holding it as a criticism or anything - hybrid can even be considered a compliment similar to how Martin was a hybrid mid/forward. But if there are hybrids there are ones with genuine 50/50 splits and ones with 70/30 etc. It starts to become splitting hairs without going through his 250+ matches and counting how many stoppages he attended. We've entered an era where the lines are blurred more than ever for positions and as Gaff's career progressed that was probably a league wide trend.

And yeah if you get the ball 30+ times it doesn't necessarily matter if you aren't precise with them, I get that too. But as a comparison Dangerfield was always called a butcher as he does spray a few each game. Yet his hurt factor is so much higher than Gaff if you look at score involvements, goals and goal assists per game or per disposal. It's just more fun to call him a butcher as some of his shanks were more memorable, and the classy disposals for whatever reason got swept under the carpet.

I'm guessing you'd still take Gaff over Embley which is fine - I might even be in the minority to prefer Embley on a wing. He just had those attributes I was after and if it's close I have been selecting former rather than current players in these scenarios. I want my team to at least have a splash of old school about it.
 
It's time for Collingwood to recruit a running defender, and the Projector remains active.

This player is a lock for their first All-Australian in 2024, and plays for a team who have just entered their 5 to 6 year 'premiership window'.

By the end of his career, I'm expecting this player to be a multi Premiership player and multi All-Australian, and has longevity in his genes.

With pick #225, Collingwood select Nick 'The Lizard' Blakey.
 
Yeah I'm not holding it as a criticism or anything - hybrid can even be considered a compliment similar to how Martin was a hybrid mid/forward. But if there are hybrids there are ones with genuine 50/50 splits and ones with 70/30 etc. It starts to become splitting hairs without going through his 250+ matches and counting how many stoppages he attended. We've entered an era where the lines are blurred more than ever for positions and as Gaff's career progressed that was probably a league wide trend.

And yeah if you get the ball 30+ times it doesn't necessarily matter if you aren't precise with them, I get that too. But as a comparison Dangerfield was always called a butcher as he does spray a few each game. Yet his hurt factor is so much higher than Gaff if you look at score involvements, goals and goal assists per game or per disposal. It's just more fun to call him a butcher as some of his shanks were more memorable, and the classy disposals for whatever reason got swept under the carpet.

I'm guessing you'd still take Gaff over Embley which is fine - I might even be in the minority to prefer Embley on a wing. He just had those attributes I was after and if it's close I have been selecting former rather than current players in these scenarios. I want my team to at least have a splash of old school about it.
Embley every day of the week for me mate
 
James Clement Matthew Scarlett ?
Joel Bowden Alex Rance ?
Scott Camporeale Lenny Hayes Joel Corey
Alan Didak Joe Daniher Nathan Brown
Michael Oloughlin ? ?
Paddy Ryder Lachie Neale Dane Beams
 

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WCE pick 226
Luke Ryan

Luke Ryan is widely regarded as one of the premier defenders in the AFL, and there are several compelling reasons why he stands out as an exceptional player. He's the league leading rebounder, has a laser boot, can play on talls and smalls and has off the charts DE


ChatGPT says;

1. Defensive Mastery: Ryan's defensive skills are truly elite. His ability to read the play and position himself effectively makes him a formidable opponent for any forward. His anticipation and intercept marking are crucial to his team's defensive structure, and he often manages to turn defense into attack with his quick decision-making.


2. Reliable and Consistent: One of Ryan's most impressive traits is his consistency. He consistently performs at a high level, maintaining his composure and effectiveness across games and seasons. This reliability is invaluable for his team, providing a solid foundation in the backline that they can depend on week in and week out.


3. Leadership Qualities: Beyond his on-field skills, Ryan is also a natural leader. His work ethic and commitment to his team set a positive example for his teammates. His leadership is evident in his communication and the way he organizes the defense, ensuring that the team remains cohesive and focused.


4. Athleticism and Skill: Ryan combines physical attributes with technical skills. His athleticism allows him to match the speed and agility of opposing forwards, while his skill set includes precise kicking and the ability to execute under pressure. This balance of attributes makes him a versatile and effective player.


5. Impact on the Game: Ryan's influence extends beyond just his defensive role. He often takes on the role of a playmaker from the backline, initiating attacks and contributing to the offensive play. His ability to read the game and execute accurate long kicks or handballs helps transition the ball smoothly from defense to attack.


6. Adaptability: Another reason for Ryan's excellence is his adaptability. He can match up against various types of forwards and adjust his game plan based on the needs of the team. Whether it's a key forward or a small, fast player, Ryan has the skills and flexibility to handle different challenges.
In summary, Luke Ryan's combination of defensive prowess, consistency, leadership, athleticism, impact on the game, and adaptability makes him an outstanding AFL player. His contributions on the field are instrumental to his team's success, and his presence is a significant asset to any side he plays for.
 

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WCE pick 226
Luke Ryan

Luke Ryan is widely regarded as one of the premier defenders in the AFL, and there are several compelling reasons why he stands out as an exceptional player. He's the league leading rebounder, has a laser boot, can play on talls and smalls and has off the charts DE


ChatGPT says;

1. Defensive Mastery: Ryan's defensive skills are truly elite. His ability to read the play and position himself effectively makes him a formidable opponent for any forward. His anticipation and intercept marking are crucial to his team's defensive structure, and he often manages to turn defense into attack with his quick decision-making.


2. Reliable and Consistent: One of Ryan's most impressive traits is his consistency. He consistently performs at a high level, maintaining his composure and effectiveness across games and seasons. This reliability is invaluable for his team, providing a solid foundation in the backline that they can depend on week in and week out.


3. Leadership Qualities: Beyond his on-field skills, Ryan is also a natural leader. His work ethic and commitment to his team set a positive example for his teammates. His leadership is evident in his communication and the way he organizes the defense, ensuring that the team remains cohesive and focused.


4. Athleticism and Skill: Ryan combines physical attributes with technical skills. His athleticism allows him to match the speed and agility of opposing forwards, while his skill set includes precise kicking and the ability to execute under pressure. This balance of attributes makes him a versatile and effective player.


5. Impact on the Game: Ryan's influence extends beyond just his defensive role. He often takes on the role of a playmaker from the backline, initiating attacks and contributing to the offensive play. His ability to read the game and execute accurate long kicks or handballs helps transition the ball smoothly from defense to attack.


6. Adaptability: Another reason for Ryan's excellence is his adaptability. He can match up against various types of forwards and adjust his game plan based on the needs of the team. Whether it's a key forward or a small, fast player, Ryan has the skills and flexibility to handle different challenges.
In summary, Luke Ryan's combination of defensive prowess, consistency, leadership, athleticism, impact on the game, and adaptability makes him an outstanding AFL player. His contributions on the field are instrumental to his team's success, and his presence is a significant asset to any side he plays for.
Our defensive structure is near identical
 

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