Phantom Draft Bishop's 2017 Draft Thread

[CaptainMurphy]

He's been tipped in recruiting circles to be the highest Dragon selected......

If true, he will go higher than 6.

Remember what happened in 2016.

Wow, had no idea

 

[Determinant]

He's been tipped in recruiting circles to be the highest Dragon selected......

If true, he will go higher than 6.

Remember what happened in 2016.

Highest I've seen him mentioned is low 20s, pre combine et al top 10 would be a huge bolter

 

[HedgeFund]

Highest I've seen him mentioned is low 20s, pre combine et al top 10 would be a huge bolter

What is speculated on these boards / threads re: ratings / rankings is completely irrelevant. If a club wishes to recruit a player early, they will.

 

[Procrastinator35]

What is speculated on these boards / threads re: ratings / rankings is completely irrelevant. If a club wishes to recruit a player early, they will.

And your point is?....That goes without saying.

 

[Determinant]

What is speculated on these boards / threads re: ratings / rankings is completely irrelevant. If a club wishes to recruit a player early, they will.

With all due respect that's a rather Captain Obvious statement, I wasn't purely referring to "these boards", elaboration on your recruitment circles would be appreciated.

 

[HedgeFund]

With all due respect that's a rather Captain Obvious statement, I wasn't purely referring to "these boards", elaboration on your recruitment circles would be appreciated.

When you state "the highest you've seen him mentioned" - it's logical to presume as a Mod on BF you're talking about this very fine internet resource. That includes the rankings of KM and others. Perhaps you mean AFL Draft central?

My sources are within the TAC and have heard direct from AFL club recruiters that many expect Murphy will be the first Dragon to get picked. There was a strong push from clubs for him to be added back in to the TAC program based on his APS performances as he had chosen not to return in 2017 having decided initially to focus on cricket.

Let's just say he is another Will Sutherland, without all the hoo-ha which accompanied it.

 

[theGav56]

I've said for a while that I think Fremantle/Collingwood could/will trade back in the trade period. While if they don't - I'd put a lot of money on the Dockers taking Brander, I can't see Collingwood taking Naughton (or even Brander - who I think they don't have ranked that highly).

Many Fremantle fans are thinking midfielder will be the preferred player. Brander is not seen as the solution up forward whereas next season provides a few forward options, including O'Reilly. Midfield is seen as better value. As a defender, Naughton sounds unlikely in anything but a trade down situation.

 

[theGav56]

Bishop if North as rumoured pick Stephenson at 4 what is the likelihood that 1 of the big 4 (Rayner, LDU, Cera, Dow) slide to StK at pick 7/8? I'm thinking Freo & Coll are a decent chance to go tall at 6/7 (Naughton/Brander).

I wouldn't be assuming Fremantle and/or Collingwood go tall.

 

[triggering bro]

I wouldn't be assuming Fremantle and/or Collingwood go tall.

Who do you think is on freo's shortlist?

 

[Determinant]

When you state "the highest you've seen him mentioned" - it's logical to presume as a Mod on BF you're talking about this very fine internet resource. That includes the rankings of KM and others. Perhaps you mean AFL Draft central?

My sources are within the TAC and have heard direct from AFL club recruiters that many expect Murphy will be the first Dragon to get picked. There was a strong push from clubs for him to be added back in to the TAC program based on his APS performances as he had chosen not to return in 2017 having decided initially to focus on cricket.

Let's just say he is another Will Sutherland, without all the hoo-ha which accompanied it.

Cheers, I'll keep an eye out for him

 

[eDPS]

When you state "the highest you've seen him mentioned" - it's logical to presume as a Mod on BF you're talking about this very fine internet resource. That includes the rankings of KM and others. Perhaps you mean AFL Draft central?

My sources are within the TAC and have heard direct from AFL club recruiters that many expect Murphy will be the first Dragon to get picked. There was a strong push from clubs for him to be added back in to the TAC program based on his APS performances as he had chosen not to return in 2017 having decided initially to focus on cricket.

Let's just say he is another Will Sutherland, without all the hoo-ha which accompanied it.

What role do you see Murphy playing at AFL level? That's what has me hesitant to even have him in my top 30. Good kick and mark overhead but I still have some question marks. I havnt seen enough of him ive only seen him live twice and he got injured in the 2nd game and got hit behind play in the first one haha

 

[theGav56]

Who do you think is on freo's shortlist?

In a recent press conference they suggested they think the top 7 are evenly rated by them. Brander may be in that 7, and I expect Fogarty could be too. Brayshaw is talked about by posters, as is Stephenson and Cera.

They indicated that tall defenders had been somewhat addressed last year with Logue and Cox.

My personal preference is Fogarty and Brayshaw. That is partly driven by a little bit of paranoia about go home factors and those two not only meet our needs but are perhaps expected to be okay with living in WA for the long term.

 

[Bishop]

Nathan Murphy? At pick 6?

Wouldn't entirely rule it out.

When you state "the highest you've seen him mentioned" - it's logical to presume as a Mod on BF you're talking about this very fine internet resource. That includes the rankings of KM and others. Perhaps you mean AFL Draft central?

My sources are within the TAC and have heard direct from AFL club recruiters that many expect Murphy will be the first Dragon to get picked. There was a strong push from clubs for him to be added back in to the TAC program based on his APS performances as he had chosen not to return in 2017 having decided initially to focus on cricket.

Let's just say he is another Will Sutherland, without all the hoo-ha which accompanied it.

Agree with you Hedge on all your points. Along the lines from what my sources have told me.

What role do you see Murphy playing at AFL level? That's what has me hesitant to even have him in my top 30. Good kick and mark overhead but I still have some question marks. I havnt seen enough of him ive only seen him live twice and he got injured in the 2nd game and got hit behind play in the first one haha

He's played midfield growing up and speaking to a few people they think he could play there at AFL level again in the future - Probably at the moment in a mould of Will Hayward.

But you need to remember his footballing is untapped - other than playing school footy and juniors growing up, he's never tested/trained heavily for an AFL career, with the focus being on cricket.

Clubs look at the huge upside: The kid can certainly play.

 

[Bishop]

In a recent press conference they suggested they think the top 7 are evenly rated by them. Brander may be in that 7, and I expect Fogarty could be too. Brayshaw is talked about by posters, as is Stephenson and Cera.

They indicated that tall defenders had been somewhat addressed last year with Logue and Cox.

My personal preference is Fogarty and Brayshaw. That is partly driven by a little bit of paranoia about go home factors and those two not only meet our needs but are perhaps expected to be okay with living in WA for the long term.

I don't read a lot into what the clubs say publicly - it's not what they share behind the scenes. Every club has to pump up the draft - you only have to listen to Cal Twomey's podcast where ever recruiter says it's a good draft - well of course they do, because they have to sell hope to their fans - but deep down they know it's crap.

I know Brander is in their mix and at the moment I'd heavily expect them to take him from what I am told. They have had their fingers in Nathan Murphy since last year, so he's another I think they consider.

What I do know is that they've watched Andrew Brayshaw very closely and for me - if they don't take Brander or Murphy, I'd be backing them to take Brayshaw.

Bishop I still struggle to see Coffield and Stephenson in the top 10. Are there clubs that have been link to these players inside that mark?

St Kilda heavily into Coffield, not sure RE: Stephenson who likes him -- but don't know any club I've spoken to that don't have either of them in their top 10.

 

[theGav56]

I don't read a lot into what the clubs say publicly - it's not what they share behind the scenes. Every club has to pump up the draft - you only have to listen to Cal Twomey's podcast where ever recruiter says it's a good draft - well of course they do, because they have to sell hope to their fans - but deep down they know it's crap.

I know Brander is in their mix and at the moment I'd heavily expect them to take him from what I am told. They have had their fingers in Nathan Murphy since last year, so he's another I think they consider.

What I do know is that they've watched Andrew Brayshaw very closely and for me - if they don't take Brander or Murphy, I'd be backing them to take Brayshaw.



St Kilda heavily into Coffield, not sure RE: Stephenson who likes him -- but don't know any club I've spoken to that don't have either of them in their top 10.

Yes I fully agree with what you say about public statements. They may in fact be making statements about using the pick while simultaneously being quite open to downgrading. Many variables. But the reading of the draft as being reasonably even talent-wise in the early stages, and not dominated by some high end talent rings true, or at least is consistent in discussions.

I have no idea whether they will take Brander or not, but they are unlikely to see him as a must have. Not only from the clubs posturing, but also because we are looking at next years draft as being more capable of addressing Forward issues. But I certainly don't think it is anywhere near a foregone conclusion.

The most likely homes for Brander are undoubteably Fremantle, Collingwood and St Kilda, all positioned well for selecting him as a vale selection, and all having a need for his type. If St Kilda really want Brander it may behoove them to do a trade for pick 5, which seems to be at the top of where he may be taken; pick 7 + (42)? = 5

 

[Bishop]

Yes I fully agree with what you say about public statements. They may in fact be making statements about using the pick while simultaneously being quite open to downgrading. Many variables. But the reading of the draft as being reasonably even talent-wise in the early stages, and not dominated by some high end talent rings true, or at least is consistent in discussions.

I have no idea whether they will take Brander or not, but they are unlikely to see him as a must have. Not only from the clubs posturing, but also because we are looking at next years draft as being more capable of addressing Forward issues. But I certainly don't think it is anywhere near a foregone conclusion.

The most likely homes for Brander are undoubteably Fremantle, Collingwood and St Kilda, all positioned well for selecting him as a vale selection, and all having a need for his type. If St Kilda really want Brander it may behoove them to do a trade for pick 5, which seems to be at the top of where he may be taken; pick 7 + (42)? = 5

I can't see St Kilda taking him, reading between the lines Collingwood don't rate him as a top 10 - other clubs feel the same way.

Yes next year's talls look better, but it's fraught with danger waiting 12 months - they could all be off the board with Picks 1-4 for example, if Freo end up with Pick 5 next year for example. You're running a risk & they've watched Brander closely - it's does make sense, but they've shown in the past when everyone thinks they'd draft tall they go small.

 

[adammania9]

Hi Bishop, do you know much of Connor Thar and his chances of being drafted in 2018? Western Jets bottom-age player, often plays on ball.

 

[Bishop]

Hi Bishop, do you know much of Connor Thar and his chances of being drafted in 2018? Western Jets bottom-age player, often plays on ball.

Yep saw Connor play a fair few times this year. Handy midfielder, agile at the stoppages and can burst forward. Does need to clean up his kicking - but does some good things.

 

[HedgeFund]

What role do you see Murphy playing at AFL level? That's what has me hesitant to even have him in my top 30. Good kick and mark overhead but I still have some question marks. I havnt seen enough of him ive only seen him live twice and he got injured in the 2nd game and got hit behind play in the first one haha

Third tall defender. Has Corey Enright attributes.

 

[eDPS]

Third tall defender. Has Corey Enright attributes.

Next question, what is a player like that worth as a draft pick? I don't think many half backs would be worth a top 10 pick

 

[HedgeFund]

Next question, what is a player like that worth as a draft pick? I don't think many half backs would be worth a top 10 pick

Really? McGrath played U18 Champs / TAC finals primarily as a running defender. If the player is good enough, clubs find room for them don't they?

 

[Scottie65]

Stephenson pretty much on par with where I had him ranked this time last year, Fogarty/Ballenden have gone a fair bit backwards for me. Brander about even, but I would've liked him to play one position all year which might've helped.



And that is another factor on top of the above - I wouldn't had Dow inside my top 25 this time last year. Player do improve dramatically in their last year and pop up.



The top two for me... Still got a few ? on Rankine. I wouldn't have him clear top 3 at the moment...

i was gunna say...now way has stephenson dropped off...if anything hes better cause this year he has spent a lot of time in the middle so has added another string to his already impressive bow...has a much bigger tank also..much fitter...

 

[eDPS]

Really? McGrath played U18 Champs / TAC finals primarily as a running defender. If the player is good enough, clubs find room for them don't they?

McGrath played a lot more midfield

 

[triggering bro]

Bishop i heard Aiden Bonar is an unreal talent, what type of player is he & whats his draft range? Cheers

 

[Bishop]

Bishop i heard Aiden Bonar is an unreal talent, what type of player is he & whats his draft range? Cheers

Very talented player - I reckon he'll find himself in the first round or early 2nd round.

190cm strong bodied - likely to end up as an inside midfielder. Is still lacking a bit of 'match fitness' so still hasn't been at 100% throughout the TAC Cup season when he's returned from an ACL injury. At the moment a 3rd tall is where the Dandenong Stingrays played him, can mark the ball - but is a strong tackle and clearance player.