Academy Rorts - The 2025 Draft Thread

[Johnny Bananas]

Some pretty damning (funny?) stories coming out over night about how badly West Coast handled their draft. Mucked up the maths of when to big on the GC players (both got matched) and then apparently they were lost on what to do next. Trading Hawks the pick 34 to Hawks and then running out of list spots. And well the mistake of getting extra rookie spots and then not using them to create list spots

I am totally unsurprised, given the trade for Baker last year.

 

[briztoon]

Some pretty damning (funny?) stories coming out over night about how badly West Coast handled their draft. Mucked up the maths of when to big on the GC players (both got matched) and then apparently they were lost on what to do next. Trading Hawks the pick 34 to Hawks and then running out of list spots. And well the mistake of getting extra rookie spots and then not using them to create list spots

Every club should already have a fully functioning draft simulator that they can use, that calculates all possible scenarios, such as oppo teams deficits, etc.

West Coast should have role played every possible scenario in regards to bidding on the GC kids.

If a fan can create a draft simulator, every club should have had one two or three years ago at the very latest.

AFL Draft Simulator

 

[KissKiss]

Every club should already have a fully functioning draft simulator that they can use, that calculates all possible scenarios, such as oppo teams deficits, etc.

West Coast should have role played every possible scenario in regards to bidding on the GC kids.

If a fan can create a draft simulator, every club should have had one two or three years ago at the very latest.

AFL Draft Simulator

You could see what looked like simulators on a few laptop screens during the draft. Just bizarre that one of the best resourced clubs cant figure it out.

I think they are a bit like Essendon and Carlton. See themselves as a big club and just havent kept up to times on how to run a club. Actually even Simpson spoke about this after leaving the club. He sounds great on the modern tactics discussions but admitted they were blown away by clubs like Hawks and Brisbane on how to manage the off list side of things. They are late in approaching players and amateur at the draft

 

[lionshine]

Really? Seems an emphasis that hes very much an outside mid. If you're not great at contesting the footy it's a long way to develop into a lockdown defender.

I don't understand so many people's obsession with replacing Starcevich

Haha I probably didn’t convey this properly in my original post but what I was getting at is I have no idea what type of player he is or where we will potentially play him.

 

[briztoon]

 

[Toffee Lion]

It feels nice just seeing new faces come in without having to put a weight of expectations on them to turn the club around or be guns from the get go.

They'll know it won't be easy to crack the 22 but the club has shown willingness to youth players who perform well which will make them work hard for a spot, instead of feeling like they'll have no hope. It's easily the best place you can get drafted.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Haha I probably didn’t convey this properly in my original post but what I was getting at is I have no idea what type of player he is or where we will potentially play him.

Sounds like the archetypal wing

 

[WheildonTheAxe]

Interesting that Stephen saw the wing as an area we need a depth in

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Interesting that Stephen saw the wing as an area we need a depth in

We never really replaced Sharp I guess. Bruce has done alright but he's probably not a long term winger.

 

[WheildonTheAxe]

We never really replaced Sharp I guess. Bruce has done alright but he's probably not a long term winger.

We brought in Marshall? I suppose Fletcher was originally touted as a winger but is clearly not going to spend much of his career on the wing. I suppose a lot of the players that play on the wing are not really wingers.

 

[mattsmob]

Wing definitely needs some bolstering imo. Between, Bailey, Jaspa and Levi all being better suited elsewhere Berry, Marshall and Bruce are probably our only genuine wingers at this stage.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Some pretty damning (funny?) stories coming out over night about how badly West Coast handled their draft. Mucked up the maths of when to bid on the GC players (both got matched) and then apparently they were lost on what to do next. Trading Hawks the pick 34 to Hawks and then running out of list spots. And well the mistake of getting extra rookie spots and then not using them to create list spots

They used the Liam Ryan pick to get a one pick upgrade.

Bizarre.

 

[The Flying Belgian]

Interesting that Stephen saw the wing as an area we need a depth in

That is interesting. Guessing they prefer Beecken on the defensive side of the ball. Fletch too maybe.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Evans is not a small forward, nor is he a small back. He profiles as a genuine 188cm midfielder with the tools to make an impact at AFL level. Yes, our midfield is already stacked, but when a player you’ve rated as a first-round talent is still available late in the second round, you don’t hesitate, you pull the trigger.

What stands out about Evans in my viewing of his vids, is the balance in his game. He combines inside toughness with outside polish, plays with real physicality, and, from all reports, has a strong desire to be at the Lions. That combination of skillset and mindset is exactly what you want in a young recruit.

It reminds me of when we drafted Brandon Starcevich. He came in as a midfielder but developed into an elite lockdown defender, capable of handling both smalls and talls. Evans shows similar traits, versatility, resilience, and the kind of competitive edge that can see him thrive in multiple roles. Whether he remains a midfielder or transitions into another position, he has the attributes to become a valuable long-term piece of our side.

I am excited to add another WA tallent from our WA academy.

Don’t mind the pick but doesn’t 13 possessions and a goal a game scream pressure half forward rather than full time mid. We ain’t picking someone as a full time mid who averages 13 possessions.

 

[irel]

Don’t mind the pick but doesn’t 13 possessions and a goal a game scream pressure half forward rather than full time mid. We ain’t picking someone as a full time mid who averages 13 possessions.

Naah, he screams Des Headland to me.

 

[Nathan Barley]

Don’t mind the pick but doesn’t 13 possessions and a goal a game scream pressure half forward rather than full time mid. We ain’t picking someone as a full time mid who averages 13 possessions.

Averaged closer to 30 at colts level this year before injury

 

[Sproj]

Interesting that Conole (Now I want a cannoli) said that we are only adding Linc as a rookie. So I guess we aren't picking up Waller or anyone else.

 

[Perrip]

Interesting that Conole (Now I want a cannoli) said that we are only adding Linc as a rookie. So I guess we aren't picking up Waller or anyone else.

Yep. Only had 5 list spots available this draft and drafted 4 players + making Linc a rookie. So, we'll have 37 on the primary list and 7 rookies next year. Hopefully Waller & Bridge get picked up

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Cody Curtin Draft Profile

Claremont spearhead Cody Curtin is a physically imposing marking target capable of kicking big bags of goals.

central.rookieme.com

It's great that Curtin has kicked several bags, and is a very accurate kick for goal too. One thing that concerns me though, is it sounds like he's dominated at u18 level with his size and strength. Of course he can get even stronger, but you'd think those won't be as big an advantage at senior level.

When I look through his positive attributes, they seem more suited to a key forward than a key defender. Maybe he'll stay forward and it's Gallop who might be tried in defence.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

Averaged closer to 30 at colts level this year before injury

He played 2 games last year for an average of 26, the year before played 17 and averaged 12……. In the league games he averaged 6.

 

[Viceregal]

Every club should already have a fully functioning draft simulator that they can use, that calculates all possible scenarios, such as oppo teams deficits, etc.

West Coast should have role played every possible scenario in regards to bidding on the GC kids.

If a fan can create a draft simulator, every club should have had one two or three years ago at the very latest.

AFL Draft Simulator

Have you been back (visibly) on the Eagles Board yet?

 

[blueiris]

We would have picked him. But you got in first. We then go Archie Ludowyke. Similar players. Nice work and payback for AhChee I think as well.

lol will never have true payback unless we cost Cal a premiership

 

[blueiris]

Curtin is already a solid unit considering his height. Looks to have established a very set routine for goal kicking.

Gallop was a strong unit think we’ll play play Curtain Down back

 

[blueiris]

I think Brad Dalziell (age 20) in 2007 was the last mature aged player we took in the National Draft before Tai Hayes tonight.
That being mature aged, and who has not played at AFL level.
Not including other sort of drafts like rookie, preseason (Day), midseason (Beecken), zone (Reville). TV show (M Eagles), International (Uosis)
Zorko was traded from the Suns

Is Ashcroft considered mature

 

[Johnny Bananas]

Gallop was a strong unit think we’ll play play Curtain Down back

Curtin is a strong unit too.