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Monocle
And the rebuild begins.
- Sep 18, 2003
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Monocle
And the rebuild begins.
- Sep 18, 2003
- 13,331
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- AFL Club
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PMBangers
@Headless approved!
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- #51
Pick 33 - GWS
Archie Ludowyke
Sandringham Dragons/ VIC M
Key Forward
Similar to my first pick I just don't have much belief in the inside midfielder options available here, so in preparation for an aging Hogan I'll go with Ludo as the best tall available.
Ludo's an interesting one because i feel hes got some genuinely high level AFL Craft to his game already but lacked consistency and strength this year to stamp himself as the best KPF in the class, and the unfortunate end to his season meant he never really got to have that purple patch we like to see from talls in their draft year. Regardless, I feel outside of Schubert he's the best performed and best bet in his position
Not many considerations at this point from a list balance perspective, if I had gone Taylor, Schubert or Kyle at my first pick this would've been Hunter Holmes and a Jai Murray bid but felt Barker made these two unnecessary, Byrne the only other in contention for me
noobermensch up with Dees
Archie Ludowyke
Sandringham Dragons/ VIC M
Key Forward
Similar to my first pick I just don't have much belief in the inside midfielder options available here, so in preparation for an aging Hogan I'll go with Ludo as the best tall available.
Ludo's an interesting one because i feel hes got some genuinely high level AFL Craft to his game already but lacked consistency and strength this year to stamp himself as the best KPF in the class, and the unfortunate end to his season meant he never really got to have that purple patch we like to see from talls in their draft year. Regardless, I feel outside of Schubert he's the best performed and best bet in his position
Not many considerations at this point from a list balance perspective, if I had gone Taylor, Schubert or Kyle at my first pick this would've been Hunter Holmes and a Jai Murray bid but felt Barker made these two unnecessary, Byrne the only other in contention for me
noobermensch up with Dees
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Pie 4 Life
Hall of Famer
Oh hello, woken up from my slumber to match this bid.
Pies match bid on Zac McCarthy.
Zac McCarthy (Oakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro)
Forward/Ruck | 199cm | 27/10/2007
SNAPSHOT: “A mobile key forward who can second as a ruck with his athletic traits and wiry frame.” – Michael Alvaro
Luck’s a fortune in football and it just so happens that in an era where Collingwood fans have been crying out for young key forward depth, Next Generation Academy prospect Zac McCarthy may well land in the Magpies’ lap. The rangy Oakleigh Chargers tall has shown equal parts potential and growth during his top-age campaign, climbing up draft boards to be considered a top 30 talent by some.
McCarthy began to emerge last year and even got to play some Coates Talent League football alongside elder brother, Tadhg. He made five bottom-age appearances for Oakleigh and was selected in the Vic Metro Futures squad, showing good signs in the Under 17 trial. While he missed out on the Metro summer training hub heading into 2025, opportunities emerged for him to link with the Pies’ programs in preseason.
Two promising first-up performances in Chargers colours helped propel McCarthy into the final Vic Metro squad, where he played out a full National Championships. While he hit the scoreboard in all four games, his breakout came against Western Australia with three majors in a convincing win. McCarthy battled neck and hip niggles post-champs, but for Oakleigh’s quarter final loss to Sandringham.
STRENGTHS:
- Aerial ability
- Mobility
- Reach
- Scoreboard impact
- Upside
- Versatility
IMPROVEMENTS:
- Durability
- Strength
While by no means the finished product, there's plenty to like about McCarthy. He has improved at a strong rate over the last two seasons to not just put his name on the radar, but surge up draft boards. The most exciting part is that he still has a lot of development left and shapes as a high-upside type for the long-term. Despite that, his dual-position status as a key forward who can ruck only improves his likelihood of an accelerated AFL berth.
McCarthy is a lightly framed and wiry type who excels aerially. He possesses a great natural weapon in his reach, allowing him to extend at the ball overhead and pluck it at high points. Being able to do so makes him a difficult player to spoil and helps in one-on-one situations. It's also a factor when the 199cm prospect is allowed an uninterrupted run and jump at the ball, as is often the case when featuring at the centre bounces.
While impactful in the air, something which sets McCarthy apart is his agility across the ground. He's the type of tall who looks comfortable in possession, able to roam and gain separation from his opponent, or seamlessly link up with smaller players. Such play is particularly evident when stationed in the ruck, where McCarthy can get involved like a fourth midfielder and help set up attacks through the centre corridor.
As a forward, McCarthy offers a mobile marking target and has proven himself to be a consistent goalkicker. While hardly scoring in bunches, he posted a major in each National Championships game this season and kicked four in just three games for Oakleigh. It's something he can continue to enhance if utilised more often inside 50, but his ability to cover ground and chop out in the ruck suggests he won't be a typical stay-at-home type.
His athleticism suits the requirements of modern day key position prospects, but McCarthy will likely need to add a good amount of muscle to his frame to compete at the next level. It will help him become a stronger contested marker and perhaps aid his durability. A couple of injury setbacks (hip and neck) stunted McCarthy's progress this year, and there remains an element of rawness to the upside he'll look to built on.
noobermensch
Norm Smith Medallist
- Apr 21, 2022
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Okay - with the quality talls a bit thin at this stage, the Dees will swing for the fences with Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves at pick 35, the biggest risk/reward prospect in the pool. Could be great, could be a bust.
Dees probably have room for that type of an x-factor all purpose forward on their list.
More of a writeup tomorrow.
Smythe - Richmond on the clock
Dees probably have room for that type of an x-factor all purpose forward on their list.
More of a writeup tomorrow.
Smythe - Richmond on the clock
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- Mar 26, 2017
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PICK 36 - RICHMOND - HUNTER HOLMES - 186cm - Mid - Oakleigh Chargers
Tigers go for speed through the middle here, I'm currently busy with work so here is the Rookie Me Central write up;
The crux of Holmes' game resides in his running power. He arguably possesses more speed than endurance but blends both traits to impact on the inside and outside of midfield. The wing is where Holmes will likely slot in at AFL level and he looked most comfortable there this year, able to track up and down the line as a link in the transitional chain. His ability to peel off and find space saw him take meters with frequency.
When released on the outside, Holmes' efficiency rose and he didn't have to rush to get the ball out. His ability to work into space made him a reliable outlet when looking to maintain possession in slow play, or to spark quick movement from end-to-end. Still, there is a bit to work with in the way Holmes can cut through traffic with his raw pace, and he can easily add the size required to better exploit his midfield potential.
The final point to note about Holmes is his rate of improvement. Having not been in the Oakleigh Chargers program last year, he completed a full Coates Talent League season and not only competed but thrived. The step-up in competition would have been even steeper as he showed his wares at the National Championships, so clubs will recognise there is upside to his profile having not had the same exposure to those levels as most peers.
There is no escaping that recruiters will be assessing Holmes’ upside with the thought of what his elder brother Max has become at AFL level. They possess similar traits with their light frame and speed-endurance running, capable of bringing the game forward in transition. While Hunter is arguably less developed at the same age, he is a prospect who can facilitate current ball movement trends and will only improve with exposure to an elite environment. He’ll most likely feature somewhere amongst the second round of the draft, but don’t be surprised to see him bolt up the order.
Next up is eDPS for Geelong
Tigers go for speed through the middle here, I'm currently busy with work so here is the Rookie Me Central write up;
The crux of Holmes' game resides in his running power. He arguably possesses more speed than endurance but blends both traits to impact on the inside and outside of midfield. The wing is where Holmes will likely slot in at AFL level and he looked most comfortable there this year, able to track up and down the line as a link in the transitional chain. His ability to peel off and find space saw him take meters with frequency.
When released on the outside, Holmes' efficiency rose and he didn't have to rush to get the ball out. His ability to work into space made him a reliable outlet when looking to maintain possession in slow play, or to spark quick movement from end-to-end. Still, there is a bit to work with in the way Holmes can cut through traffic with his raw pace, and he can easily add the size required to better exploit his midfield potential.
The final point to note about Holmes is his rate of improvement. Having not been in the Oakleigh Chargers program last year, he completed a full Coates Talent League season and not only competed but thrived. The step-up in competition would have been even steeper as he showed his wares at the National Championships, so clubs will recognise there is upside to his profile having not had the same exposure to those levels as most peers.
There is no escaping that recruiters will be assessing Holmes’ upside with the thought of what his elder brother Max has become at AFL level. They possess similar traits with their light frame and speed-endurance running, capable of bringing the game forward in transition. While Hunter is arguably less developed at the same age, he is a prospect who can facilitate current ball movement trends and will only improve with exposure to an elite environment. He’ll most likely feature somewhere amongst the second round of the draft, but don’t be surprised to see him bolt up the order.
Next up is eDPS for Geelong
eDPS
Brownlow Medallist
Pick 37 - Geelong - Matthew LeRay - 188cm - Wingman/Utility
Depth in the wing position was a target for me for Geelong and LeRay can also play other positions which Geelong values a lot. LeRay is a great user of the ball especially by foot and has a good enough contested/defensive game to make a really good modern day wingman.
LeRay needs to build his fitness more and he isn’t the absolute quickest but moves fairly well despite that and has plenty of growth in his game, could see Cats taking him here and people wondering down the line how the hell the got him here.
Monocle
Depth in the wing position was a target for me for Geelong and LeRay can also play other positions which Geelong values a lot. LeRay is a great user of the ball especially by foot and has a good enough contested/defensive game to make a really good modern day wingman.
LeRay needs to build his fitness more and he isn’t the absolute quickest but moves fairly well despite that and has plenty of growth in his game, could see Cats taking him here and people wondering down the line how the hell the got him here.
Monocle
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noobermensch
Norm Smith Medallist
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This is a puzzler - what kind of player do you draft for the team that has everything? An abundance of riches through the middle, the acquisition of Allen and emergence of Ty Gallop has covered what was a slight weakness in their tall forwards. They might look at adding another quality tall defender but this isn't the draft pool or pick for that.
With Ah Chee headed out the door, Charlie Cameron now 31 and showing some inconsistency, and some uncertainty around Zac Bailey, we'll add some depth to their small forward group by picking:
Talor Byrne - Pick 38 - Brisbane Lions - write up to come
They have a few interesting academy prospects they could look at here, but I feel that its a bit too early for them at this pick.
Pie 4 Life is up next I assume?
With Ah Chee headed out the door, Charlie Cameron now 31 and showing some inconsistency, and some uncertainty around Zac Bailey, we'll add some depth to their small forward group by picking:
Talor Byrne - Pick 38 - Brisbane Lions - write up to come
They have a few interesting academy prospects they could look at here, but I feel that its a bit too early for them at this pick.
Pie 4 Life is up next I assume?
eDPS
Brownlow Medallist
Suns match
eDPS
Brownlow Medallist
Match, enjoying the deficit
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eDPS
Brownlow Medallist
And match
Pie 4 Life
Hall of Famer
Thanks Ed.
Collingwood bids on Jesse Mellor (Geelong Falcons)...
let's just check who the coach is oh... well I was done with Gold Coast at least..
noobermensch
Norm Smith Medallist
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Pick 43 - Brisbane Lions - Harrison Bridge - 182cm rebounding defender or wing
There are a bunch of prospects I really like that are still in the pool, but I'm going to reach a little and select Harrison Bridge from the Lions Academy here. He hasn't had a great run at it this year due to injury, but his traits are exciting and the Lions could probably use another young small/rebounding defender to develop with Starcevich leaving, the possibility that Fletcher and Wilmot move up the ground, and the unlikely event that Zorko eventually retires.
There are other academy prospects that could be looked at here but they may be a better fit for rookie list spots. I'm pretty sure project ruck Waller will end up there, possibly one or both of Prindable and McFadyen depending on list choices and whether any other club bids on them before the rookie draft.
This should be the last of Brisbane's national draft picks as I think they only have 3 spots open on the senior list? If that's right, we'll pass on our remaining picks.
roos_fanatic08 I think its north up next
There are a bunch of prospects I really like that are still in the pool, but I'm going to reach a little and select Harrison Bridge from the Lions Academy here. He hasn't had a great run at it this year due to injury, but his traits are exciting and the Lions could probably use another young small/rebounding defender to develop with Starcevich leaving, the possibility that Fletcher and Wilmot move up the ground, and the unlikely event that Zorko eventually retires.
There are other academy prospects that could be looked at here but they may be a better fit for rookie list spots. I'm pretty sure project ruck Waller will end up there, possibly one or both of Prindable and McFadyen depending on list choices and whether any other club bids on them before the rookie draft.
This should be the last of Brisbane's national draft picks as I think they only have 3 spots open on the senior list? If that's right, we'll pass on our remaining picks.
roos_fanatic08 I think its north up next
Pie 4 Life
Hall of Famer
Bidding on other team's players? OUTRAGEOUS!
Yeah we'll match thanks. Write up to come.
Pick 45 - North Melbourne - Max Kondogiannis Oakleigh Charges - 190cm
North indicated during the trade period that they were targeting “hybrid” defenders. Flexible types of who can intercept, play on smalls and talls, while also providing some run and carry. With Kondogiannis you get all that and more.
At times this year he was often pitted against genuine talls, and despite giving away 6-10cm he often still competed well, especially on the lead where he’d utilise his speed to compete. When he got the opportunity to play as a genuine 3rd tall, that’s where his game really game to the fore, providing genuine intercept marking, composure and line breaking ability off half back.
He is one of the more composed defenders in this years draft class and rarely makes bad decisions by hand or foot. When his confidence is up he is a 70-80m player who can break a line with run and attacking flair.
Needs to work on his strength over the ball and his ability to compete in contested standing situations, but that’s not unexpected for a kid his size. He had the frame to put on mass so I don’t think that will be a long term problem in an AFL environment.
Chris25 Freo are up next
North indicated during the trade period that they were targeting “hybrid” defenders. Flexible types of who can intercept, play on smalls and talls, while also providing some run and carry. With Kondogiannis you get all that and more.
At times this year he was often pitted against genuine talls, and despite giving away 6-10cm he often still competed well, especially on the lead where he’d utilise his speed to compete. When he got the opportunity to play as a genuine 3rd tall, that’s where his game really game to the fore, providing genuine intercept marking, composure and line breaking ability off half back.
He is one of the more composed defenders in this years draft class and rarely makes bad decisions by hand or foot. When his confidence is up he is a 70-80m player who can break a line with run and attacking flair.
Needs to work on his strength over the ball and his ability to compete in contested standing situations, but that’s not unexpected for a kid his size. He had the frame to put on mass so I don’t think that will be a long term problem in an AFL environment.
Chris25 Freo are up next
Chris25
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Pick 46 Fremantle - Jack Dalton (177cm mid)
The Fremantle board will no doubt be calling for me to take Rodriguez here, but I don’t give in to peer pressure that easily.
While Dalton might not be the flashiest player and a sub 180cm mid doesn’t tend to be high on a clubs wishlist, I just don’t see him failing. Worst case, he dominates state league and is talked up as a mature aged prospect every year. He can and will run all day, he wins his own ball inside and receives on the outside.
For Fremantle, I think we lack a genuine ball magnet outside of our stars. Nobody is regularly racking up 30 touches in the WAFL, Dalton will. And we have a bunch of bigger bodies already, so size wouldn’t be an issue. Plus I can see him making a more than handy pressure forward with his tackling and work rate.
Foot skills are the only thing stopping him from going earlier, but I’d still back him over some of those drafted so far.
Thunderstruck
The Fremantle board will no doubt be calling for me to take Rodriguez here, but I don’t give in to peer pressure that easily.
While Dalton might not be the flashiest player and a sub 180cm mid doesn’t tend to be high on a clubs wishlist, I just don’t see him failing. Worst case, he dominates state league and is talked up as a mature aged prospect every year. He can and will run all day, he wins his own ball inside and receives on the outside.
For Fremantle, I think we lack a genuine ball magnet outside of our stars. Nobody is regularly racking up 30 touches in the WAFL, Dalton will. And we have a bunch of bigger bodies already, so size wouldn’t be an issue. Plus I can see him making a more than handy pressure forward with his tackling and work rate.
Foot skills are the only thing stopping him from going earlier, but I’d still back him over some of those drafted so far.
Thunderstruck
Monocle
And the rebuild begins.
- Sep 18, 2003
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Pick 48 - Port Adelaide - Sam Swadling - 187cm - Midfielder - West Perth.
Write up latter.
Pie 4 Life If i am reading this right its your pick.
Write up latter.
Pie 4 Life If i am reading this right its your pick.
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Monocle
And the rebuild begins.
- Sep 18, 2003
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Ok - so I will assume I am up for the sake of not stalling things.
Pick 49 - West Coast - Avery Thomas - 185cm - Defender - Tassie Devils.
Write when I get go after work, I reckon Avery is pretty good value at this point in the draft.
Thunderstruck Crows up.
Pick 49 - West Coast - Avery Thomas - 185cm - Defender - Tassie Devils.
Write when I get go after work, I reckon Avery is pretty good value at this point in the draft.
Thunderstruck Crows up.
Monocle
And the rebuild begins.
- Sep 18, 2003
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Pick 51 - Adelaide Sam Ainsworth Norwood 198cm
Write-up to come but figured Banfield would be matched but not unhappy to land Ainsworth here. Raw, but big upside and few are as competitive as Sam, I think he will have some versatility going forward.
Pie 4 Life
Write-up to come but figured Banfield would be matched but not unhappy to land Ainsworth here. Raw, but big upside and few are as competitive as Sam, I think he will have some versatility going forward.
Pie 4 Life
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Pie 4 Life
Hall of Famer
Pick 52 - Collingwood - Taj Murray (NT)
Grabbed a high potential ruck/forward to fill a need. Fill writeup to come.
roos_fanatic08
Grabbed a high potential ruck/forward to fill a need. Fill writeup to come.
roos_fanatic08
Pick 53 - North Melbourne - Rory Wright Sandringham Dragons - 183cm
In all likelihood north won’t take this selection to draft night because we only have 3 list spots. However, if I was list manager there would have been 1-2 in the delist gun and I would’ve preferenced taking this pick!
Wright is simply a real footballer’s footballer. Old school competitive mentality, but that’s not where it ends. He has composure, and a left foot kick can be damaging.
He started off the year in the midfield, but a shift to half back through the year seen him take his game to another level. His competitiveness held him in good stead often throwing his body to stop opposition forays forward, both in the air and at ground level. At AFL level he’ll have the potential to be a dour lockdown type who can also provide drive, in that Brayden Maynard mould.
goodcop badcop
In all likelihood north won’t take this selection to draft night because we only have 3 list spots. However, if I was list manager there would have been 1-2 in the delist gun and I would’ve preferenced taking this pick!
Wright is simply a real footballer’s footballer. Old school competitive mentality, but that’s not where it ends. He has composure, and a left foot kick can be damaging.
He started off the year in the midfield, but a shift to half back through the year seen him take his game to another level. His competitiveness held him in good stead often throwing his body to stop opposition forays forward, both in the air and at ground level. At AFL level he’ll have the potential to be a dour lockdown type who can also provide drive, in that Brayden Maynard mould.
goodcop badcop
- Sep 4, 2014
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Sorry for the wait guys. This is the dogs last pick
Pick 54 - Western Bulldogs - Will Darcy (F/S)
Oakleigh Chargers
196cm, Key defender/forward
Brother of Sam and has some similarities with his ability to kick off both sides of his body and is very clean below his knees. Also very agile and quick for a tall. Showed quite a lot at APS level as a key defender which is where I think he will develop. Plenty of upside in Will after a fairly significant 15cm growth spurt and is very skinny and less exposed compared to others. Dogs will be hoping he can be a late developer like his brother.
Collingwood's turn Pie 4 Life
Pick 54 - Western Bulldogs - Will Darcy (F/S)
Oakleigh Chargers
196cm, Key defender/forward
Brother of Sam and has some similarities with his ability to kick off both sides of his body and is very clean below his knees. Also very agile and quick for a tall. Showed quite a lot at APS level as a key defender which is where I think he will develop. Plenty of upside in Will after a fairly significant 15cm growth spurt and is very skinny and less exposed compared to others. Dogs will be hoping he can be a late developer like his brother.
Collingwood's turn Pie 4 Life
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