BigFooty Official Big Footy Phantom Draft

[Monocle]

Wizard17 you are up for pick 3 for Melbourne.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

If we could all agree not to bid on Tom Green it'd be much appreciated

I’m sure Green would appreciate either of the Sydney teams

 

[Snoop Dog]

Hi Snoop Dog . With the DFA pick-up of Buzza, I'm pretty sure Port has 36 on the main list (including rookie upgrades of Ladhams and Lienert), so 4 live picks. We'd be passing at 67 as well.

Thanks bud - didnt realise two boys been promoted.

Macca19

 

[Macca19]

Yes that is correct

 

[LemmingMaster]

Just take them tonight, get the ball rolling.

Vested interest acknowledged...... as I have a pretty good idea ...... who the third player selected will be.

Are you picking for Melbourne or only Wizard?

 

[Monocle]

We have talked Wiz is doing pick 3 and I am doing pick 8.

He can do the write up latter , but to keep things moving I know the pick is this.

Pick 3. Melbourne select Hayden Young

Wiz write up to come.

Thunderstruck your on the clock.

 

[Wizard17]

Pick 3 - Melbourne - Hayden Young (188cm, 82kg Defender via the Dandenong Stingrays)

Rationale - With the strength in Melbourne's inside midfield we where looking to add some class to complement that on the outside and we felt that Hayden Young was that player. With his kicking being the best in the draft pool, his natural ability to set up plays off half back and intercept marking becoming more and more important in the modern game he would fit perfectly into Melbourne's round 1 line up.

Strengths: Kicking
Intercept Marking
Athleticism
Decision Making

Improvements: Midfield Game

 

[Thunderstruck]

Bid on Tom Green for Adelaide

 

[PMBangers]

Bid on Tom Green for Adelaide

Matched

 

[PMBangers]

Pick 4 - Thomas Green (NSW/ACT) - GWS Giants
188 cm 85 kg
Midfielder

The comparisons Green has earned himself throughout the year are accurate, Patrick Cripps and Clayton Oliver. Like the two mentioned Green is an imposing size for a midfielder, using his smarts and size to dominate around stoppages and win contested ball. Not really a need or even best available imo but with a good fitness program Green makes for a scary prospect to come against.
Has the size and ability to play from Round 1 but with the GWS midfield depth may find himself in the NEAFL for half a season and come in as an impact player

Strengths: Ball reading, stoppage play, accumulation, inside game, disposal by hand, strength
Room for Improvement: Kicking, Versatility

 

[Thunderstruck]

Good call!!

Pick #5 Adelaide Sam Flanders Gippsland Power 182cm 81kg

Flanders will be a perfect fit for the crows here who desperately need some mongrel in their side and to top it off Flanders also kicks goals from the middle or from up forward. There is not much he can't do as a footballer which will be very attractive to any club after him. As a a comparison I liken his game to a blend between Joel Selwood and Kane Lambert but being superior overhead to both but obviously without the leadership prowess of Selwood.

Flanders is as hard as a cats head, strong inside, loves body contact, loves the contest and hates being beaten, he always wants to beat his man and let them know about it as well, he's got a bit of cheek to go with it and that's what I love about him. But aside from that he knows how to win his own ball, has strength standing up in tackles but can explode from stoppages and congestion with quick evasive moves, has quick hands and sums up the play quicker than most allowing him to do this. Overhead for his size he is excellent and strong, but has the added bonus few inside mids can do and that is hit the scoreboard and regularly at that. He can do it from the middle or he can do it resting forward and would be a painful matchup 1 on 1 for anyone trying to keep him quiet. And finally he's very strong defensively, loves to hurt with his tackles and make himself known, he's going to be ready from round 1 and make an impact be it as a half forward with stints in the middle or otherwise.

The only main question marks I have of him at this stage is that he can have periods where he goes quiet....although 4 quarter performances from players like him are super rare, he can turn a game quicker than most and be a matchwinner when the pressure is on so that area is not a huge concern.

His kicking whilst sound is not excellent by any stretch and mechanically needs a little work for mine but most of the best players in the comp are superior in other areas and weaker in kicking also so it wouldn't be a great deal. He does finish in front of goal when he's on fire but this can be hit and miss also. But overall he's one exciting hard-nosed package and perfect for Adelaide who are screaming out for a grunty mongrel to fly the flag and lead by example.

 

[AsterixTheGaul]

With pick number 6 (originally 5), Sydney select

Luke Jackson
East Fremantle FC
KPF/Ruck
199cm/94kg

Jackson has been steadily climbing the boards in 2019 and for me, he is the stand out tall in this draft. There is a lot to like about this guy and I was prepared to jump up and take him. I expect to hear the shouts of “we don’t want a ruckman this early” but I saw him play live on several occasions and if you had of been there, you could also justify my valuation. He is no ordinary ruckman and later in 2019, he showed that he would make it as a KPF.

He has the basketball background and in 2019, finally chose football over representing Australia in the green and gold for hoops. During the year, I witnessed a marked improvement in his positional play and his reading of the ball. The longer the season went, the more natural a football brain he showed. Will he be a power forward who rucks or a ruck who plays more the Grundy ruck and ruck-rover away from stoppages? I am not sure but that does not change my valuation.

There is a reason that the East Fremantle midfield of Trent Rivers, Jeremy Sharp, Chad Warner and Trey Ruscoe were all invited to the combine after they seemed to step up in 2019. They had Jackson feeding them. And when I say feeding them, it is not just his hit outs (and yes in typical basketball style they hit the mark) but Jackson has a wonderful follow-up, is clean below his knees and was frequently feeding the mids by handpass post stoppage. Sydney mids will be salivating to think they would have Luke joining their team.

While there are a load of midfielders in this draft, I expect to be able to address those needs with picks 25, 32 and 44. Jackson offers a significant point of difference and hence the selection.

Over to you Chris25

 

[Chris25]

Pick 7 Fremantle - Dylan Stephens

No surprises this time, he's #3 on my board. I'll do a write up later, but just keeping this moving for now.

Dylan Stephens - 183cm, 69kg midfielder from Norwood, SA

I've had Dylan Stephens as my #3 for the entire year, I personally have no doubt he's the next best midfielder in the draft after the consensus top two in Rowell and Anderson. I think he's a very good chance to go at Adelaide's first round pick come the real thing, and I would certainly hope he doesn't make it past both of Fremantle's first round picks.

I know some people were left disappointed after his U18 Championships, which still baffles me to be honest. He was consistently one of SA's best, and was a deserving All Australian selection. His final game against the Allies was tremendous, and I think if he played a more inside role across all four games then he'd have been in the MVP mix. One of the knocks I hear people say is that he's too outside to be such an early pick, but it's just the role he's been forced to play this year. SA had a heap of decent inside midfielders, but nobody good enough to play on the outside - so team balance forces Stephens to the outside. And playing in the seniors all season for Norwood means he isn't going to consistently be in at the centre bounces. But he had 9 clearances against the Allies, and in his two reserves games for Norwood this year he had 17 clearances. He can play inside.

As an outside midfielder, he's the best in the draft and a complete prospect in my opinion. He tested near on elite for his endurance, and paired that with a 2.97 in the 20m sprint and an 8.24 agility - both top 10 results. And perhaps unlike some other draft prospects, he uses that athletic ability in his defensive game as well as on the attack. And with his footskills, his forwards will be more than happy with him delivering it to them on the lead.

If my write up is too positive it's because I genuinely think he is an elite prospect. The usual comparisons are Andrew Gaff, Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly. And even though the first one is a dirty sniper, it's pretty good company to be in. Body side and strength is the only real area that would hold Stephens back at the moment, but that's similar to how Kelly started. And within a couple of seasons, he'd made the transition into a complete balanced midfielder.

For Fremantle, there's no real question about the list fit. With Brad Hil gone, Stephens comes straight in and would be as good a replacement as possible. And I personally think is an upgrade on Ed Langdon.

Monocle is taking the next pick for Melbourne I think?

 

[Snoop Dog]

PMBangers your GWS selection has been updated

 

[Chris25]

Write up for my pick...

Dylan Stephens - 183cm, 69kg midfielder from Norwood, SA

I've had Dylan Stephens as my #3 for the entire year, I personally have no doubt he's the next best midfielder in the draft after the consensus top two in Rowell and Anderson. I think he's a very good chance to go at Adelaide's first round pick come the real thing, and I would certainly hope he doesn't make it past both of Fremantle's first round picks.

I know some people were left disappointed after his U18 Championships, which still baffles me to be honest. He was consistently one of SA's best, and was a deserving All Australian selection. His final game against the Allies was tremendous, and I think if he played a more inside role across all four games then he'd have been in the MVP mix. One of the knocks I hear people say is that he's too outside to be such an early pick, but it's just the role he's been forced to play this year. SA had a heap of decent inside midfielders, but nobody good enough to play on the outside - so team balance forces Stephens to the outside. And playing in the seniors all season for Norwood means he isn't going to consistently be in at the centre bounces. But he had 9 clearances against the Allies, and in his two reserves games for Norwood this year he had 17 clearances. He can play inside.

As an outside midfielder, he's the best in the draft and a complete prospect in my opinion. He tested near on elite for his endurance, and paired that with a 2.97 in the 20m sprint and an 8.24 agility - both top 10 results. And perhaps unlike some other draft prospects, he uses that athletic ability in his defensive game as well as on the attack. And with his footskills, his forwards will be more than happy with him delivering it to them on the lead.

If my write up is too positive it's because I genuinely think he is an elite prospect. The usual comparisons are Andrew Gaff, Lachie Whitfield and Josh Kelly. And even though the first one is a dirty sniper, it's pretty good company to be in. Body side and strength is the only real area that would hold Stephens back at the moment, but that's similar to how Kelly started. And within a couple of seasons, he'd made the transition into a complete balanced midfielder.

For Fremantle, there's no real question about the list fit. With Brad Hil gone, Stephens comes straight in and would be as good a replacement as possible. And I personally think is an upgrade on Ed Langdon.

 

[Monocle]

Pick : 8 Melbourne Select.

Caleb Serong. 179cm. 82 kg. Gippsland Power. Vic Country. Midfield / Forward.



Serong was not the player that Wiz and I had originally pegged, for this pick as we didn't think he would still be around.

Wanted someone who could play as a small damaging forward , its a real need for Melbourne.
Its no secret that they went hard trying to acquire Jamie Elliot in the last month, history now shows that they were unsuccessful, so they still need to fill this positional need.

By joining Melbourne Serong will get the chance to play early, primarily as a small forward, without having to be launched into a frontline midfield position.
Over time there is no doubt that Serong will play more midfield minutes but for now he learns to improve his craft as a small forward.
He has some tricks but most importantly he has real class and skill that will contribute immediately to the Melbourne best 22.

He was simply too good to pass on.

Had Young not been taken at 3 then Ash would have been in strong consideration with this pick.
Weightman could also fit this positional need, but I rated him a few picks behind Serong.

Its one of those times when best available and a positional need marry up well together.

Melbourne should be very happy to secure the services of Young and Serong, both will play next year.


LemmingMaster The Navy Blues are on the clock.

 

[Ysaye]

Good call!!

Pick #5 Adelaide Sam Flanders Gippsland Power 182cm 81kg

Flanders will be a perfect fit for the crows here who desperately need some mongrel in their side and to top it off Flanders also kicks goals from the middle or from up forward. There is not much he can't do as a footballer which will be very attractive to any club after him. As a a comparison I liken his game to a blend between Joel Selwood and Kane Lambert but being superior overhead to both but obviously without the leadership prowess of Selwood.

Flanders is as hard as a cats head, strong inside, loves body contact, loves the contest and hates being beaten, he always wants to beat his man and let them know about it as well, he's got a bit of cheek to go with it and that's what I love about him. But aside from that he knows how to win his own ball, has strength standing up in tackles but can explode from stoppages and congestion with quick evasive moves, has quick hands and sums up the play quicker than most allowing him to do this. Overhead for his size he is excellent and strong, but has the added bonus few inside mids can do and that is hit the scoreboard and regularly at that. He can do it from the middle or he can do it resting forward and would be a painful matchup 1 on 1 for anyone trying to keep him quiet. And finally he's very strong defensively, loves to hurt with his tackles and make himself known, he's going to be ready from round 1 and make an impact be it as a half forward with stints in the middle or otherwise.

The only main question marks I have of him at this stage is that he can have periods where he goes quiet....although 4 quarter performances from players like him are super rare, he can turn a game quicker than most and be a matchwinner when the pressure is on so that area is not a huge concern.

His kicking whilst sound is not excellent by any stretch and mechanically needs a little work for mine but most of the best players in the comp are superior in other areas and weaker in kicking also so it wouldn't be a great deal. He does finish in front of goal when he's on fire but this can be hit and miss also. But overall he's one exciting hard-nosed package and perfect for Adelaide who are screaming out for a grunty mongrel to fly the flag and lead by example.

Really good write-up.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Pick 9 - Carlton - Lachlan Ash

This is a moment when live trading comes into action, not sure I can pass up on Ash in the real thing. I was super keen on this kid last year and he has taken his game to another level for me. Line breaking speed across the backline is certainly a helpful tool, not to mention his kicking skills are above average. He also has a very solid defensive side to his game and reads the play well. His ability to win his own ball will certainly allow him to move into the midfield if required.
Simpson is on his way out and Docherty has obviously had a few knee issues, so there is a need in our backline. The real difference for me is the line breaking ability and his desire to take the game on.

 

[Chris25]

Pick 10 Fremantle - Deven Robertson

Deven Robertson - 184cm, 81kg midfielder from Perth, WA

I considered a few others here - Finn Maginness, Will Gould, Brodie Kemp. But I thought I would go local, keep it fairly realistic and do what Fremantle should do. And that's draft smart. Like Andrew Brayshaw was a couple of years ago, Deven Robertson looks to be about as safe a prospect as you can get. Maybe he's not as flashy as others, maybe he won't win the awards that others will. But he'll be a 200 game player. He brings toughness and leadership, and that's something the good teams have lots of.

His form at the Championships really put his name on the map, winning the Larke Medal and being named the All Australian captain. But he's not really a bolter as such. He was All Australian and the WA MVP at the U16 Champs in 2017, and showed off his contested game as an underager last year too. He definitely took it to a new level this year though, averaging 30 touches and 7 tackles a game.

Robertson certainly isn't a complete prospect, he's been largely one dimensional as a player so far as a junior. That's often the case when you're so good in one role, but his versatility is lacking and he barely took a shot on goal all year. Even becoming a small scoreboard threat will take his game to a new level. And in terms of his kicking, I'd say it's fine for his position. Being that truly damaging midfielder is something he'll no doubt be working on though. But inside midfielders need that point of difference to be successful, and Robertson has that in his athleticism. His previous testing results would have been top 10 in the agility, 20m sprint and vertical jump at the Combine. His work by hand, and just his general courage and leadership are the other areas which set him apart.

A few Fremantle posters have questioned how the likes of Brayshaw, Robertson and Luke Valente from last year can all fit in the one midfield. But if they're all good enough, you make room and it should be all about competition for spots. I was a bit worried a bid might come before this pick, but it's a dream scenario in the end and a first round of Dylan Stephens, Deven Robertson and Liam Henry is as good as you could hope for.

 

[Davo-27]

Pick 11 Hawthorn - Brodie Kemp
192cm 82kg Bendigo Pioneers

a versatile player who was one of the best performers at the Championships, as well as being a big reason Bendigo was strong early in the season in the nableague, can play in most roles, his midfield role has been quite good and has a knack for kicking goals as he was a forw as a youngster, good competitor who is the proto-type tall midfielder that clubs are keen to get their hands on like Cripps/Fyfe/Bontempelli and showed he could also perform when given a role as a half back early on at the champs, on the field looks to have good athleticism, not sure on his combine results, but im guessing they were good and has a good head on his shoulders, seems thoughtful, calm and determined to make his mark.

will miss a large part of his first season because of his knee injury, but is a talent that the Hawks will be pleased to get at this pick.

he has good hands at ground level as well as being good in the air (good contested mark), fairly accurate goal kicker and can also play 1v1 defence and intercept + run from defence, clutch player who stood up in the big moments for Vic Country and if he was accurate in the final game couldve won it for Vic Country even after their poor start to the game.

at Hawthorn he would get one of the best medico teams in the business and when ready can play as either a tall mid, forw flanker or even def flanker until he finds his place in the AFL, which fits the Hawthorn motto of being able to play in different positions.

 

[Macca19]

Damn you Davo

 

[Sin City]

Pick 9 - Carlton - Lachlan Ash

This is a moment when live trading comes into action, not sure I can pass up on Ash in the real thing. I was super keen on this kid last year and he has taken his game to another level for me. Line breaking speed across the backline is certainly a helpful tool, not to mention his kicking skills are above average. He also has a very solid defensive side to his game and reads the play well. His ability to win his own ball will certainly allow him to move into the midfield if required.
Simpson is on his way out and Docherty has obviously had a few knee issues, so there is a need in our backline. The real difference for me is the line breaking ability and his desire to take the game on.

Nailed it. Well done

 

[Thunderstruck]

Kemp was my next choice, Flanders barely edged him over the line

 

[Macca19]

Pick 12 - Port Adelaide

Fischer McAsey - 197cm/91kg KPP

Was hoping for one of Ash or Kemp to fall here.

Fischer is the safest key position prospect of this years draft. Capable of playing at either end of the ground, he made a name for himself with an impressive, consistent display playing as a key defender at the Under 18 Championships, which saw him named Vic Metro's MVP as well as winning All Australian honours.

There are a number of key attributes to his game which are impressive. His ability to read the play is second to none and he likes to go for his marks. His intercept work is as good as any in this years draft crop and he shows some good natural aggression. He is a good contested mark and doesn't mind crashing packs when playing up forward. He shows good leadership and is a genuine two position prospect, capable of also playing as a key forward.

This is really a pick of necessity for Port Adelaide. After losing a number of talls and leaving their KPD stocks in particular in a dire state, it is a no brainer for Port to pick McAsey at this pick, despite the fact he is not best available on my list. My expectations are that he will play some AFL football in year 1, before becoming a main stay across CHB in year 2.

 

[Wizard17]

Pick 13 - Western Bulldogs - Cody Weightman (177cm, 73kg Forward via Dandenong Stingrays)

Write up a bit later.