Phantom Draft Adzy's 2018 Phantom

[adammania9]

NOVEMBER PHANTOM DRAFT (Rounds 1+2)

I’m not going to do solo write-ups on any players unless requested so if you're keen to hear any reasoning behind selections or my personal ratings of individuals, then feel free to hit me up.

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Pick 1, Carlton
Sam Walsh | Balanced Midfielder 183cm/74kg
Age: 18 (July 2, 2000)
VIC Country | Geelong Falcons
Comparison: Adam Treloar
Profile: Prolific ball-winning midfielder with good ball use and clutch decision making.

Rationale: It’s no secret that Carlton’s midfield is its weakest link – disposals, contested possessions, clearances, inside 50’s – they ranked in the bottom four for all these stats. Walsh’s class and poise will complement Cripps and the developing Kennedy well. The Blues have thought long and hard about this for months – don’t expect too long of a wait for this boy’s name to ring around the room.

Pick 2, Gold Coast
Jack Lukosius | Key Forward 196cm/84kg
Age: 18 (August 9, 2000)
South Australia | Woodville West-Torrens
Comparison: Nick Riewoldt
Profile: Best key forward to come through in years. Elite overhead mark and a great field kick too.

Rationale: The Suns apparently lost a good key forward, so logically the boy who has been compared to Riewoldt and classified as the best under 18 forward of the modern era will appeal to them greatly. Gold Coast ranked 18th in marks inside 50 in 2018; there’s no way they’ll let that slide. The Suns have plenty of time on their hands for development, and they should be able to accommodate the versatile Lukosius with plenty of game time to help him settle in over the next two years. Like Walsh, you can take this one to the bank as well.

Pick 3, Gold Coast [Lynch compensation pick]
Connor Rozee | General Forward/Balanced Midfielder 185cm/72kg
Age: 18 (January 22, 2000)
South Australia | North Adelaide
Comparison: Tom T. Lynch
Profile: Highly productive utility with tricks and skills of all sorts

Rationale: Big fan of Rozee and whilst I wouldn’t pick him at third in the draft, I understand why the Suns would – he’s very close with Lukosius there’s a culture element, he’ll eventually grow into a very dynamic attacking midfielder which will accompany their many inside options, and he appears to be a very committed gentleman who can help build a great club on the Gold Coast. Izak Rankine is another South Australian who may appeal however given the history of culture issues at the Suns combined with Rankine’s looser personality and interests, I’d assume the Suns may not run the risk of having Rankine flee in a short time.

Pick 4, St Kilda
Max King | Key Forward 201cm/86kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Comparison: Josh J. Kennedy
Profile: Mobile forward with a great overhead mark and plenty of X-factor

Rationale: I think most talents up this end could help out the Saints in an array of different ways – they’re not desperately deficient in any area but they’re not great in any area either. A couple of years ago, the Saints looked to be set for tall forwards for years – they had the growing #1 draft pick McCartin, a consistent 40 goal support forward in Bruce as well as the dynamic and deadly Membrey to play third tall, and they even had just drafted a very talented Josh Battle. McCartin now sits on the brink of retirement should injury persist, Bruce’s form is comparable to that of Jack Anthony, and Membrey has found little consistency in making up for the other two’s lacklustre footy. Max King is a Saints fan, he’s been training at their facilities in the wake of his ACL recovery, and he appears to be a perfect fit. It’s not a luxury St Kilda would have liked to have paid a couple of years back, but it appears to be a necessity now.

Also just quietly, I think the King twins are far and away the highest ceiling players in this draft. For all the hype on Lukosius, I reckon these two gentlemen will be the future of tall forwards.

Pick 5, Port Adelaide [from Brisbane Lions]
Izak Rankine | Balanced Midfielder/General Forward 180cm/76kg
Age: 18 (April 23, 2000)
South Australia | West Adelaide
Comparison: Cyril Rioli
Profile: Freakish forward-midfielder with elite composure and skill who hits the scoreboard.

Rationale: Port traded up to Pick 5 for this one reason and if he isn’t there, I figure they’ll just pick someone else really good but disappointment will be had. The obvious reason is that he’s comparable to Chad Wingard as a forward, however even if they kept Chad I’d have said Izak is a must-get for Port’s forward line, which works too damn hard to kick goals. Their forward line is plain and rusty, with only part-timer Robbie able to glow up there. I can see Izak coming in and like Stephenson before him, kick over 30 goals in a debut season and provide pressure and excitement for the boys around him. He’s the kind of kid whose form can lift his counterparts. Port want class and speed, and now they have it.

Pick 6, Gold Coast [from Fremantle via Port Adelaide via Brisbane Lions via Fremantle via Melbourne]
Ben King | Key Forward/Key Defender 201cm/85kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Comparison: Tom McDonald
Profile: Strong contested marking swingman with an incredible overhead mark

Rationale: The Gold Coast Suns have committed to a full list rebuild and I think they’ll commence by stocking up on key position players they can build the side around in the long term. Ben King is one of my favourite prospects this year and I genuinely think his athleticism and strength will see him develop into an elite player at either end of the ground. The Suns could take a midfielder here but given their extensive selection of mature-age midfielders in the trade period, I sense they’ll go against the common opinion and take Ben King.

Pick 7, Sydney Swans [academy bid]
1644 points (1315 with 20% discount). Sydney Swans lose Pick 26 (729), Pick 33 (563) and Pick 38 (Pick 465) with 442 points leftover. Swans gain Pick 7, Pick 40 and Pick 74.
Nick Blakey | Tall Utility 194cm/75kg
Age: 18 (February 2, 2000)
NSW-ACT | University of New South Wales
Comparison: Jack Riewoldt
Profile: Mobile forward whose athleticism and skill can see him play anywhere

Rationale: No comment, really – Blakey is a sensational talent, and the Swans would even match a bid at pick one. Sam Reid’s everlasting injuries have caused Sydney some serious headaches up forward over the years, so Blakey should be a breath of fresh air, and should blossom just in time for Franklin’s decline. With fellow local talents Heeney and Mills, expect Blakey to become a poster boy in Sydney for years to come.

Pick 8, Western Bulldogs
Bailey Smith | Inside Midfielder 183cm/79kg
Age: 17 (December 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Comparison: Josh Kelly
Profile: High-production, efficient ball user who contributes consistently

Rationale: I like many believe the Bulldogs clearly need another key forward but the general consensus is that they’ll look to build on their impressive young midfield which has battled injury problems over the last couple of years. Bailey Smith is too good to pass up under any circumstances if you’re the Western Bulldogs – he’s an impressive young leader who will headline the midfield one day – the 5 to 6-year gap between he and Bont/Macrae will be very important in time.

Pick 9, Adelaide
Jye Caldwell | Balanced Midfielder 181cm/78kg
Age: 18 (September 28, 2000)
VIC Country | Bendigo Pioneers
Comparison: Luke Shuey
Profile: Contested ball winner who cuts up the opposition and tackles very well.

Rationale: No, he’s not South Australian but Caldwell is the exact type of midfielder Adelaide need to rejuvenate their team with. Caldwell’s hard run and burst speed going forward will be a huge boost for a Crows side that lacks leg speed. Arguably a top five talent if injury held off, his ball winning and movement is also top shelf. Sloane and co. need support, support, support and I believe that a real pure inside-out midfielder like Caldwell who uses it well and possesses a strong defensive game is a perfect pick-up given Adelaide’s current midfield status.

Pick 10, GWS Giants [from Essendon]
Zak Butters | General Forward/Outside Midfielder 178cm/70kg
Age: 18 (September 8, 2000)
VIC Metro | Western Jets
Comparison: Tom Scully
Profile: Classy and speedy wingman who spreads well and can win his own ball going forward

Rationale: Picked a bit prematurely most would agree but I argue Butters is exactly what GWS need in the forward half of the ground. Having suffered greatly from Scully’s many injuries in recent years, the Giants now miss that efficiency going inside 50, so the speed and X-factor of Butters effectively complements the working class De Boer and Langdon who specialise in pressure and support. Butters comes into GWS as a finisher in front of goal, and eventually become a half-forward/wing player where he can win more footy and set up play going inside 50.

Pick 11, North Melbourne [NGA bid]
1329 points (1063 with 20% discount). North Melbourne lose North Melbourne lose Pick 41 (412), Pick 46 (331), Pick 47 (316) and Pick 48 (302) with 298 points leftover. Kangaroos gain Pick 11, Pick 49, Pick 73 and Pick 75.
Tarryn Thomas | Balanced Midfielder/General Forward 189cm/80kg
Age: 18 (March 25, 2000)
Tasmania | North Launceston
Comparison: Shaun Burgoyne
Profile: Gut-running midfielder with terrific burst speed who runs both ways and takes the game on

Rationale: Thomas could slide closer to the end of the first round I reckon, but I suspect Port may bid on him as they look for more speed and class particularly on the outside. Not much to say here – Thomas will become a North Melbourne under the circumstances of any realistic bid and his burst speed and efficient ball use is exactly what the midfield brigade lacks.

Pick 12, Port Adelaide
Jordan Clark | Balanced Midfielder/General Defender 182cm/78kg
Age: 18 (October 16, 2000)
Western Australia | Claremont
Comparison: James Sicily
Profile: Composed defender with silky foot skills and good agility who makes his way around traffic

Rationale: Port’s midfield has names but there’s no flow or cohesion – there are plenty of hard nuts who can get in an under but when it comes to fluency in moving the footy forward and on to the hands of targets, improvements are needed. I say here they’ll look for an outside option in the form of Jordan Clark here. Clark is the best half-back of the draft whose skills and composure will translate very well into senior footy comparable to Andrew McGrath and in time when he builds his endurance, Clark could become a sensational wingman or even on-baller comparable to Steele Sidebottom. They’ll have no issues selecting an interstate player here given their strong retention record. Expect them to take the best available.

Pick 13, GWS Giants [from North Melbourne via Port Adelaide via Fremantle]
Sam Sturt | Medium Forward 188cm/79kg
Age: 18
Dandenong Stingrays
Comparison: Will Hoskin-Elliott
Profile: A highly impactful mid-sized forward who is strong overhead and is a ripping kick

Rationale: I see Greater Western Sydney’s forward line as their greatest deficiency and whilst they’re pretty stocked for marking options in that best 22, I think Sturt is a great fit as a mid-sized option comparable to the way Cam McCarthy fit in 2015, by supporting two talls in providing another marking target as well as being perfectly competent at ground level too. Johnny Patton may be just one more serious knee injury from curtains, so it’s always good to have insurance. From a statistical analysis, the Giants sat 13th in marks taken inside 50 and 11th for goals in 2018 – they aren’t going to win their maiden premiership without reinventing that forward line.

Pick 14, Geelong
Jackson Hately | Inside Midfielder/Tall Utility 192cm/79kg
Age: 18 (January 21, 2000)
South Australia | Central District
Comparison: Elliot Yeo
Profile: Tall ball winner in midfield who can play all over the ground and is a good user by foot.

Rationale: I disagree with the argument that Geelong don’t need midfielders – disposals, centre clearances, inside 50’s, clearances – they didn’t rank highly in any of these. The Trinity Grammar school captain is a fine young player and leader who should be a long-term revelation for a rebuilding Cats outfit. I reckon Hately is a top ten player this year, so if the Cats are able to nail him in here, it’s a bargain. Hately’s immense decision making and strong defensive game will be refreshing for Geelong supporters, and if the club believe they can win the premiership, Hately is a ready-made player who consistently performed at SANFL level who can be a boost to the weekly 22 immediately.

Pick 15, Adelaide [from Sydney Swans]
Jez McLennan | General Defender 184cm/82kg
Age: 18 (September 7, 2000)
South Australia | Central District
Comparison: Brayden Maynard
Profile: Elite kicking rebounding defender who can take a grab and defend his man well

Rationale: Stephenson, Gray, Martin, Petracca, Dangerfield etc. – mid-sized players murdered Adelaide’s defence in 2018. On paper, Adelaide have a tremendous back line but their mid-sized options in Laird, Doedee and Smith are all rebound specialists who are not great at defending a man. McLennan has senior SANFL experience and succeeded in handling the size of his mature opponents and he was great in the act of closing space on his men and creating space for himself and his teammates. Like Hately, McLennan is a leader down back and a player who will play senior footy in 2019 and quickly find a place in his team wherever he goes. McLennan is a must-get for Adelaide in my eyes.

Pick 16, Fremantle [from GWS Giants]
Riley Collier-Dawkins | Inside Midfielder 193cm/88kg
Age: 18 (February 3, 2000)
VIC Metro | Oakleigh Chargers
Comparison: Josh P. Kennedy
Profile: Mobile ball-winning midfielder with pace who uses the ball well

Rationale: Freo used Lachie Neale’s departure to invest heavily in tall forwards, but now they are left with a gaping hole in the middle. Collier-Dawkins is one of those big-bodied mids who needs to be locked in a WAFL box for a while but the end result may be glorious. Collier-Dawkins is a tall explosive attacking midfielder who when on, cannot be stopped. Freo’s midfield needs fire power, and given they’re not in a premiership window at the moment, he like a few of their recent top selections has time to grow as a player before the ascend up the ladder.

Pick 17, Port Adelaide [from Hawthorn]
Ian Hill | Outside Midfielder/Small Forward 176cm/66kg
Age: 18 (February 9, 2000)
Western Australia | Perth
Comparison: Charlie Cameron
Profile: Quick, evasive winger with skills, hurt factor and goal sense

Rationale: A slider in the eyes of some, I reckon Ian Hill will still be selected in the first round on draft night, as Port double dose on outside run and class particularly in the forward half. Port’s forward line is slow and rusty – Ian Hill is like the oil on the tin man in the Wizard of Oz – he’s creative, silky and very skilled, and he is a quiet goal sneak too. He’ll take some time to grow as a competitor in the SANFL, but I wouldn’t put it beyond him to compete for spots with Motlop, Mayes and Sam Gray as the season progresses.

Pick 18, Adelaide [from Melbourne]
Curtis Taylor | Inside Midfielder/General Forward 186cm/79kg
Age: 18 (April 6, 2000)
VIC Metro | Calder Cannons
Comparison: Jy Simpkin
Profile: Hard-working midfield-forward, is very skilled and highly damaging

Rationale: Adelaide’s trade period saw the club recruit a couple of small, mercurial forwards and Taylor I believe might be the cherry on top of a great recruitment of small forward options. Taylor will begin his career up forward but his speed and competitiveness will be best served in midfield going forward in time, where he can win the pill and use his burst speed and clever decision making to set up attacking play. If things go right, I think Taylor can become Robbie Gray-level good – he has shown on many occasions his limitless potential but he just hasn’t gotten the best out of himself yet.

Pick 19, Richmond
Xavier Duursma | Balanced Midfielder 185cm/71kg
Age: 18 (July 7, 2000)
VIC Metro | Gippsland Power
Comparison: Zach Merrett
Profile: Hard-working wingman who earns his share of hard ball and has plenty of hurt factor

Rationale: Richmond’s lack of spread was exposed heavily in the back end of 2018 and unsuccessful acquisition of midfielders in the trade period leaves its midfield group at risk of being exposed by opposition midfielders next season. That said, Duursma isn’t one who will immediately come in and make a huge impact – I mean, he can, but I doubt it will be in midfield but more likely in defence where he can rebound and offer line-breaking speed, which may free up a player like Vlaustin to play in the middle. Duursma is a versatile option that I have no doubt will fit in nicely in Hardwick’s system as a support option who runs all say and can play absolutely anywhere.

Pick 20, Collingwood [NGA bid]
912 points (715 with 197-point discount). Collingwood lose Pick 40 (429) and Pick 43 (378) with 92 points leftover. Magpies gain Pick 20 and Pick 65.
Isaac Quaynor | General Defender/Outside Midfielder 179cm/82kg
Age: 18 (January 15, 2000)
VIC Metro | Oakleigh Chargers
Comparison: Heritier Lumumba
Profile: Long kicking rapid rebounding defender who can lock down an opponent or play higher up the ground

Rationale: I’m not sure what Collingwood actually prefer – a bid as late as possible in order to save on draft points or a bid before Brisbane’s pick so that trading this year’s first round pick for Beams becomes irrelevant. Either way, expect Quaynor to become a Magpie as long as no bid comes in the top ten. The Magpies need to build defensive depth and the balanced defender Quaynor fits the bill perfectly and he could slot into the 22 sooner rather than later, if he can effectively shut out opposition small forwards. He’s a very determined young boy and I predict he will become a favourite of Buckley’s.

Pick 21, Brisbane Lions [from Collingwood]
Liam Stocker | Inside Midfielder 183cm/83kg
Age: 18 (January 23, 2000)
VIC Metro | Sandringham Dragons
Comparison: Joel Selwood
Profile: Powerful ball winner who kicks and spreads well and possesses a nice outside game too

Rationale: The Lions’ list manager has addressed midfield and defensive depth as the two areas of concern, so back in the Lions to go best available midfielder with their first selection. One more successful midfield selection and Brisbane should be set for a long, long time with Stocker settling in with Neale, Lyons, McCluggage, Berry, Cutler and Rayner in addition to seasoned veterans Zorko and Robinson. Stocker is best available here – he is an elite contested midfielder whose explosive speed and tackling sets him apart from the standard inside midfielder. He’ll play senior footy in 2019 wherever he goes, and expect him to become an absolute warrior for his team.

Pick 22, GWS Giants [from West Coast via Gold Coast via Brisbane Lions via Fremantle]
Xavier O’Halloran | Inside Midfielder 186cm/82kg
Age: 18 (July 11, 2000)
VIC Metro | Western Jets
Comparison: Callan Ward
Profile: Inside specialist – a leader, ball winner, clearance king who boasts extreme acceleration

Rationale: Certainly not starved for depth, I think the Giants can back themselves in and pick best available throughout the draft and at 22 I have O’Halloran as the best and as a Western Jet, he and Butters make both of their transitions a lot easier. O’Halloran has a strong defensive game that many Giants midfielders can’t match – he uses his strength in contested situations, he tackles hard

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Pick 23, West Coast [compensation pick]
Chayce Jones | Outside Midfielder 179cm/73kg
Age: 18 (January 14, 2000)
Tasmania | Launceston
Comparison: Isaac Smith
Profile: Outside dual-sided accumulator who is rapid and kicks goals

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Pick 24, Western Bulldogs [F/S bid]
785 points (588 with 197-point discount). Bulldogs lose Pick 29 (653) and gain Pick 24.
Rhylee West | Inside Midfielder 180cm/80kg
Age: 18 (July 12, 2000)
VIC Metro | Calder Cannons
Comparison: Steele Sidebottom
Profile: Inside bull with lightning hands and is rarely beaten one-on-one

Pick 25, Adelaide [from Carlton]
Tom Sparrow | Inside Midfielder 182cm/81kg
Age: 18 (May 31, 2000)
South Australia | South Adelaide
Comparison: Jack Redden
Profile: Fearless ball winner with inside and outside run. As courageous as any in this draft.

Pick 26, West Coast [from Gold Coast]
Luke Valente | Inside Midfielder/Medium Forward 186cm/79kg
Age: 18 (May 8, 2000)
South Australia | Norwood
Comparison: Travis Boak
Profile: Strong ball-winning half-forward with a blend of class and hardness, who oozes leadership

Pick 27, Melbourne [from St Kilda via Port Adelaide via Fremantle]
Ned McHenry | Small Forward/Outside Midfielder 176cm/71kg
Age: 18 (July 13, 2000)
VIC Country | Geelong Falcons
Comparison: Daniel Rioli
Profile: Hard-running machine with elite pressure who makes great decisions with ball in hand

Pick 28, Gold Coast [from Brisbane Lions]
Bailey Williams | Ruck/Key Forward 198cm/95kg
Age: 18 (April 17, 2000)
VIC Country | Dandenong Stingrays
Comparison: Nic Naitanui
Profile: Highly productive ruck-forward with an insane leap and great tapping ability

Pick 29, GWS Giants [from Fremantle]
Tom McKenzie | Outside Midfielder 182cm/73kg
Age: 18 (June 23, 2000)
VIC Metro | Northern Knights
Comparison: Christian Petracca
Profile: Versatile mid who is an elite ball user and decision maker with clean skills. Endurance machine.

Pick 30, Melbourne [from Adelaide via Carlton via Sydney Swans via St Kilda]
Jacob Kennerley | Outside Midfielder 184cm/76kg
Age: 18 (June 16, 2000)
South Australia | Norwood
Comparison: Tom Phillips
Profile: Speedy ball getter who can run along a wing all day and provide outside link-up

Pick 31, Gold Coast [from Essendon]
Fraser Turner | Outside Midfielder 186cm/75kg
Age: 17 (December 26, 2000)
Allies | Clarence
Comparison: Jared Polec
Profile: Clean wingman with great endurance who provides his teammates with constant link-up

Pick 32, Brisbane Lions [from Port Adelaide via Fremantle]
Sydney Stack | Inside Midfielder 179cm/72kg
Age: 18 (April 28, 2000)
Western Australia | Perth
Comparison: Sam Powell-Pepper
Profile: Working class ball winner with great strength and tackling ability, and great breakaway speed

Pick 33, Fremantle [from North Melbourne]
Luke Foley | Inside Midfielder 187cm/75kg
Age: 19 (October 8, 1999)
Western Australia | Subiaco
Comparison: Mitch Duncan
Profile: Overaged ball winner whose run and carry stands out above all

Pick 34, West Coast [NGA bid]
542 points (345 with 197-point discount). Eagles lose Pick 57 (182) and Pick 69 (49) and go into a 114-point deficit for 2019. Gain Pick 34 and Pick 94.
Jarrod Cameron | Small Forward 180cm/69kg
Age: 18 (May 3, 2000)
Western Australia | Swan Districts
Comparison: Willie Rioli
Profile: Gun pressure forward who is strong in contested situations and possesses a great goal sense

Pick 35, Brisbane Lions [academy bid]
522 points (325 with 197-point discount). Lions lose Pick 37, gain Pick 35.
Connor McFayden | Tall Utility 190cm/88kg
Age: 18 (April 12, 2000)
Allies | Brisbane Lions NEAFL
Comparison: Jack Billings
Profile: Tall ball winning midfield-forward with class and versatility who could be developed in any role

Pick 36, Western Bulldogs [from Geelong via Gold Coast via Brisbane Lions]
Corey Rich | Medium Forward 183cm/83kg
Age: 21 (March 29, 1997)
Frankston VFL
Comparison: Jamie Elliott
Profile: High-marking medium forward with speed, class and great work rate

Pick 37, Essendon [from GWS Giants]
Sam Fletcher | Inside Midfielder 187cm/79kg
Age: 18 (January 27, 2000)
VIC Country | Dandenong Stingrays
Comparison: Touk Miller
Profile: Courageous contested midfielder who works hard defensively and uses the ball well

Pick 38, St Kilda [from Melbourne]
Zac Foot | Small Forward 180cm/71kg
Age: 17 (December 24, 2000)
VIC Country | Dandenong Stingrays
Comparison: Jack Higgins
Profile: Clever small forward with smarts and goal sense, whose pressure is a great trait

Pick 39, Richmond
Ely Smith | Inside Midfielder 188cm/86kg
Age: 18
Murray Bushrangers
Comparison: Brad Ebert
Profile: Strong midfielder who hits contests hard and wins the ball consistently

Pick 40, Sydney Swans [from West Coast via St Kilda]
Will Hamill | General Defender/Outside Midfielder 185cm/70kg
Age: 18 (November 17, 2000)
VIC Country | Dandenong Stingrays
Comparison: Nick Vlaustin
Profile: Prolific intercept defender who provides run and efficient ball use also.

 

[Turbocat]

Nice effort ... cant say I think we need an inside mid.. our weak points are kpf/ruck .. and in this draft id hope we do go that way.

 

[Danger in Texas]

Think the Crows will want pace with their picks, I wouldn't be going Valente with Melb's pick, even considering the SA factor. RCD or Berry would suit us better

 

[adammania9]

Think the Crows will want pace with their picks, I wouldn't be going Valente with Melb's pick, even considering the SA factor. RCD or Berry would suit us better

Fair call - Berry is somebody I can see pushing top ten by the end of the year and his explosive but inside game could be sought out by teams like the Crows.

Nice effort ... cant say I think we need an inside mid.. our weak points are kpf/ruck .. and in this draft id hope we do go that way.

I'm trying to follow Stephen Wells' strategy here - he usually goes for talls in the back end of the draft and I reckon he'll continue that way. I reckon RCD would be a terrific fit at the Cats as a successor for Joel Selwood.

 

[DCFCFAN84]

Good job I really like the Max King pick for freo. I feel like he may be available due to his acl injury.

 

[Moeydw]

How much later past the 1st round do you expect a bid for Quaynor to come?

 

[M Malice]

Would love a phantom 2nd round. I'm hoping that Thomas Berry slips from your prediction to us with our 2nd pick. Sam Walsh an obvious selection for us at pick 2 although some are saying Bailey Smith is surging up.

 

[PMBangers]

Good effort, all ways difficult to do phantom drafts and keep everyone happy.

If Walsh and Hately keep their progression going I think Carlton would prefer one of them to Lukosius as they're lacking in the middle at the moment.

I agree with your assessment of our forwardline but on your own logic we should go with Ian Hill who is a more natural forward and brings a real POD with his speed and agility

 

[philthy05]

Yes port work really hard to get our goals. I don’t think it’s cattle though with the list of goalkickers we have. R Gray , Motlop Dixon watts Marshall Wingard Rockliff etc. I place it on coaching set up.

Hill could be an upgrade on our small forward position though but there are a couple problems. I suspect hill could be a flight risk. I have no evidence other than guesswork though, but if he did we would struggle to get anything close to that same pick back. People don’t pay that for small forwards or undersized outside flankers unless they are all aus level.

The other problem is if port wanted him we have saints 2nd rounder. Just gamble either he or Chayce Jones are available at that 2nd rounder.

Port will probably go best available but we do need genuine mids (inside/outside) as boak, r gray Rockliff and eberts replacements need to be sorted soon. We have wines Wingard Polec and spp as our future midfield but need more guys coming up under them and they aren’t there yet with only atley a possible guy on our list.

I highly suspect port will be looking for an upgrade on Amon/ Barry as wingers and Chayce Jones would strike me as someone they might target.

 

[Cleric]

I assume Gold Coast will have two picks in the top 10 when they recieve a compo for Lynch.

 

[Snuffaluphagus]

Dont need a KPF now, have the greatest Cox to play the ganr

 

[Crow till I die]

Just my opinion, Izak Rankine will be the crows 1st pick. Buyer beware based on what has come out of his camp this year...chad wingardish

 

[Mofra]

I like it - no bid on Rhylee West, that alone makes me happy.
Rankine is certainly going to divide opinions this year.

 

[THE_GUN]

This thread really needs a clean up - Maybe you guys should exchange numbers and perhaps arrange a room or a boxing ring either one we dont care.

Pick 17, Richmond
Jack Bytel | Inside Midfielder 188cm/82kg

Where do we sign

 

[tigs2010]

Pick 17, Richmond
Jack Bytel | Inside Midfielder 188cm/82kg
Age: 18 (March 14, 2000)
VIC Country | Calder Cannons
Comparison: Trent Cotchin
Profile: A clearance and contested-ball winning machine, arguably the best pure inside mid this year

Rationale: Whilst I think the Tigers are in dire need of outside speed, they’re 17th in clearances and 8th in contested possessions, something they should be performing better in if they want to win more premierships. Bytel is a bit of a slider at the moment, entering the year as a potential top five talent and Richmond do like a slider. He’s a ready-made footballer who can step in and provide Martin and Cotchin with a bit of relief in the middle and his ball use is a significant improvement on Dion Prestia's.

Can't say I agree about the need for outside speed.

A KPF (hopefully addressed last draft) and big bodied inside mid are the needs so I feel you have nailed this pick for us.

 

[Chris25]

All cleaned up. Someone put a lot of effort into making this, don’t go and disrespect them by derailing the thread with a pissing contest.

 

[Dr Tigris]

Like the Tigers 1st. Pretty much what we need for the future.

This year will be interesting as there is a lot of high end talent to share around. So hopefully everyone gets what they want.

 

[Simon_Says]

Does Liam Wisdom get any publicity or airplay over in SA?
I went over to SA in October to watch him train with this draft class.
Lukosius, Rankine and Rozee were all there on the track.

 

[adammania9]

How much later past the 1st round do you expect a bid for Quaynor to come?

I have West Coast bidding on them with the Suns' second rounder (pick 22) with the Pies matching.

Would love a phantom 2nd round. I'm hoping that Thomas Berry slips from your prediction to us with our 2nd pick. Sam Walsh an obvious selection for us at pick 2 although some are saying Bailey Smith is surging up.

Currently sitting on Ned McHenry for Brisbane's second round pick; I reckon the Lions need outside midfielders pretty badly.

Just my opinion, Izak Rankine will be the crows 1st pick. Buyer beware based on what has come out of his camp this year...chad wingardish

I'm not buying into any of that discussion yet as it's all playground rumours and guesswork. I too have a feeling he'll try his best to stay in SA but I'd need more proof before manipulating my draft.

I like it - no bid on Rhylee West, that alone makes me happy.
Rankine is certainly going to divide opinions this year.

I'm thinking Carlton will bid on him with your second round pick. At this point, I think Rankine is exactly the type of force you need inside forward fifty.

Can't say I agree about the need for outside speed.

A KPF (hopefully addressed last draft) and big bodied inside mid are the needs so I feel you have nailed this pick for us.

You're not wrong about the outside speed - I completely overlooked your depth for your options there. And for sure, a KPP for either end of the ground is an attractive prospect. Hudson Garoni could be around at your second pick.

 

[briztoon]

Currently sitting on Ned McHenry for Brisbane's second round pick; I reckon the Lions need outside midfielders pretty badly.

Genuine inside mid is a more pressing need. Walsh is more outside than inside, so fills that need, and we have a number of young outside types in the reserves that us Lions fans have high hopes for. Jacob Allison and Cedric Cox being the two most promising. Add in that Hugh McCluggage and Sam Mayes are more your outside mid and half forward type being asked to play different roles, with Lewis Taylor and Tom Cutler really coming in to their own as well as outside players.

Genuine inside ball winning mid with class and small defender are our real need at the moment.

 

[eastfreo75]

Just my opinion, Izak Rankine will be the crows 1st pick. Buyer beware based on what has come out of his camp this year...chad wingardish

Depends on your first pick.

Players do fall due what you saying but at some point the risk/reward will be too good for a team to pass on.

 

[eastfreo75]

All cleaned up. Someone put a lot of effort into making this, don’t go and disrespect them by derailing the thread with a pissing contest.

Totally right Chris.

I want more to come up with drafts.

I don’t see a lot of the young talent like other people and rely on the wisdom of the crowd.

 

[Crow till I die]

Depends on your first pick.

Players do fall due what you saying but at some point the risk/reward will be too good for a team to pass on.

Absolutely agree. With the crows very likely to miss finals they should get a top 10 pick and with the top 10 in the draft being so strong, I am very bullish he will be overlooked as the other talent is too good to pass up to risk drafting a guy that presents as a possible flight risk. If the crows first pick was 18, then for sure, a club might take the plunge

 

[eastfreo75]

Absolutely agree. With the crows very likely to miss finals they should get a top 10 pick and with the top 10 in the draft being so strong, I am very bullish he will be overlooked as the other talent is too good to pass up to risk drafting a guy that presents as a possible flight risk. If the crows first pick was 18, then for sure, a club might take the plunge

A lot of moving parts at the moment.

I still think that the crows will make finals and the pick will be around 10-12.

Considering Rankine could go as high as 4 and really don’t think he will go to the crows unless Adelaide get better picks.

 

[Flags_In_The_Bag]

Think the Crows will want pace with their picks, I wouldn't be going Valente with Melb's pick, even considering the SA factor. RCD or Berry would suit us better

The crows will be getting the dogs pick to get Rankine in exchange for Mitch and another player and pay most of his salary, for them (dogs) to grab his brother as a restricted free agent. People dont realize how much money the dogs have got to spend, boyds remaining contract is less now as it was front loaded. That's my mail of what they are thinking, but comes from somebody in the know who gets it wrong sometimes.