Blueboys7's Phantom Draft

[LukeParkerno1]

If Gumbleton and Neagle hold down the forward roles Hurley will not be needed up forward so one would assume that he would spend the majority of his time playing as a defender.

Personally, I would love to see Hurley play forward but the best outcome for Essendon would be to see Gumbleton and Neagle up forward with Hurley and Pears down back. This then means your greatest need is a ruckman that can play forward if needed - enter Fitzpatrick

Yeah, no. Gumbleton, Hurley and Neagle can all co-exist in the same forwardline, and Gumbeton if fit can go further up the ground. I have my doubts on Neagle anyway. Would rather Hurley and Gumbelton in the forwardline. If you so want to give us a ruckman give us Craig! At least he can kick the ball well enough!

 

[Blueboys7]

Yeah, no. Gumbleton, Hurley and Neagle can all co-exist in the same forwardline, and Gumbeton if fit can go further up the ground. I have my doubts on Neagle anyway. Would rather Hurley and Gumbelton in the forwardline. If you so want to give us a ruckman give us Craig! At least he can kick the ball well enough!

Craig is a little short to ruck at AFL level, so he may end up being more of a KPP anyway.

I just think after you had to play Hooker in the ruck in the finals you could use another ruckman but obviously you don't agree. If you wanted to go tall at pick 10 I would go for Talia or Carlisle as you would be able to mould both players to play either back or forward. Talia would be the go to allow Hurey to play forward, as I too have my doubts about Neagle and obviously Gumbleton's ability to remain injury free.

But from what I have been told by most Essendon supports is a need/want of more quality in the midfield. I tried to address a number of issues by taking Melksham, Crichton and Carey in the midfield (good variety of mids there) and then addressing the need for a ruckman/forward by selecting Fitzpatrick.

I also think you are selling Fitzpatrick a bit short, he is a good player but has had an ordinary year. Once he gets into the AFL system and matures a bit he should improve vastly.

 

[Mister Carlton]

Would love Griffiths because I think he could be that FF to take Rocca's Place

That's if you can get him on the park...

 

[Blueboys7]

That's if you can get him on the park...

Don't act like you know him personally

That's why I have him slipping to 30, he is much more talented than the pick would suggest but as you stated - far too injury prone.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

Craig is a little short to ruck at AFL level, so he may end up being more of a KPP anyway.

I just think after you had to play Hooker in the ruck in the finals you could use another ruckman but obviously you don't agree. If you wanted to go tall at pick 10 I would go for Talia or Carlisle as you would be able to mould both players to play either back or forward. Talia would be the go to allow Hurey to play forward, as I too have my doubts about Neagle and obviously Gumbleton's ability to remain injury free.

But from what I have been told by most Essendon supports is a need/want of more quality in the midfield. I tried to address a number of issues by taking Melksham, Crichton and Carey in the midfield (good variety of mids there) and then addressing the need for a ruckman/forward by selecting Fitzpatrick.

I also think you are selling Fitzpatrick a bit short, he is a good player but has had an ordinary year. Once he gets into the AFL system and matures a bit he should improve vastly.

I actually don't mind us taking a ruckman, I would prefer it be done in the rookie draft though, get a mature aged VFL ruckman, we actually have a fair few ruckman. This year we were unlucky with injuries there with Laycock and Hille being done for the season very early. But as a ruckman give me Craig over Fitzpatrick any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

No idea whether I would go tall. I have still got to finalise my 2nd and final mock draft. At this stage I have us taking Christensen at 10, but I have changed my mind about a million times!

 

[BOND 007]

The 'x-factor' trait weren't the main reasons for my selections. If the draft panned out with Bastinac and Taylor going to WC with those two picks then you would think they would try there hand at someone like Tapscott, Melksham or a slider. But because I wanted to address that need for a HFF (Rohan could become a hell of a lot more than that) to release Lecras to the midfield.

By the time I got to pick 22 I thought Bastinac was the best midfielder available and then Taylor was the next best available. The selection of the reliable and consistent Bastinac made me more comfortable selecting Taylor but obviously stilll had doubts. I toyed with the idea of Crichton as I rate him quite highly and would probably select him. Possibly Carey or Hutchings (who both slid a bit).

I see what you mean and a balance between consistency and x-factor is something to consider but non the less noth Rohan and Taylor could be absolute quality players, whether WC would take a risk such as this is another matter.

I was not meaing to imply you had selected these players simply on X factor alone. IMO when posters do drafts where 2 players are similar, they end up sending the player to WC with the greater X factor simply because the perception is that it fills a need. It is my understanding that the WC hierachy of all recruiting teams, actually have a tendancy to avoid this type of player where possible.

So assuming Rohan @7 and Bastinac #22 then I think your suggestion of Hutchings makes sense. I also think come 2nd rounds, teams tend to look at filling needs rather than best player available scenerio. I just cannot see where Taylor fills a need @ WC : he's too small to be big, too big to be small, not quick yet not slow, not quite the skills to be elite nor the work ethic to improve. IMO, and I have been wrong before, he is the exact type of player WC avoid.

 

[Blueboys7]

I actually don't mind us taking a ruckman, I would prefer it be done in the rookie draft though, get a mature aged VFL ruckman, we actually have a fair few ruckman. This year we were unlucky with injuries there with Laycock and Hille being done for the season very early. But as a ruckman give me Craig over Fitzpatrick any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

No idea whether I would go tall. I have still got to finalise my 2nd and final mock draft. At this stage I have us taking Christensen at 10, but I have changed my mind about a million times!

To be fair Laycock is no good and Hille is an older player coming from a knee reco so it will be interesting to see how he goes. So Craig is your choice of ruckman this year? (other than Vardy) Who would you prefer in place of Fitzpatrick?

I can see Christensen sliding only because of his height. It may not have hindered his performances in the TAC Cup or the U/18 Champs but once he gets into an AFL club it may become an issue. Other than that he is a very talented player and well worth a late first round pick but I think there are better options at 10.

 

[Blueboys7]

I was not meaing to imply you had selected these players simply on X factor alone. IMO when posters do drafts where 2 players are similar, they end up sending the player to WC with the greater X factor simply because the perception is that it fills a need. It is my understanding that the WC hierachy of all recruiting teams, actually have a tendancy to avoid this type of player where possible.

So assuming Rohan @7 and Bastinac #22 then I think your suggestion of Hutchings makes sense. I also think come 2nd rounds, teams tend to look at filling needs rather than best player available scenerio. I just cannot see where Taylor fills a need @ WC : he's too small to be big, too big to be small, not quick yet not slow, not quite the skills to be elite nor the work ethic to improve. IMO, and I have been wrong before, he is the exact type of player WC avoid.

I understand where you are coming from and I usually wouldn't want Carlton to select players like Taylor when there are players who may have more of a chance at being a success. It's similar to the Yarran over Rich debate, whilst I am happy with Yarran and if he gets a good work ethic could be a star. Whilst Rich is guaranteed to be a good player, more of a blue colar worker.

Interesting argument, and as I have said I found the selection a difficult one as your list is starting to take pretty good shape. So who would have you selected? Hutchings?

 

[Morro]

I reckon you are pretty spot on for us, and I hope so!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

To be fair Laycock is no good and Hille is an older player coming from a knee reco so it will be interesting to see how he goes. So Craig is your choice of ruckman this year? (other than Vardy) Who would you prefer in place of Fitzpatrick?

I can see Christensen sliding only because of his height. It may not have hindered his performances in the TAC Cup or the U/18 Champs but once he gets into an AFL club it may become an issue. Other than that he is a very talented player and well worth a late first round pick but I think there are better options at 10.

Craig, simply put he is a better kick. Give us him in Fitzpatrick's place, I'd be happy. Although I'd rather Bartlett at 26 and Craig at 33, but either one I'd be happy.

Christensen I see as the biggest question as to where he would go. Have seen people have him at 10 and as low as 30. Who knows.

 

[Blueboys7]

Craig, simply put he is a better kick. Give us him in Fitzpatrick's place, I'd be happy. Although I'd rather Bartlett at 26 and Craig at 33, but either one I'd be happy.

Christensen I see as the biggest question as to where he would go. Have seen people have him at 10 and as low as 30. Who knows.

I did consider taking another mid and looking at Craig or Gawn at 33 but decided not to.

I love Christensen as a player and hope he gets taken reasonably early as he deserves it after his performances. One of the most interesting players in terms of where he will go in the draft.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on Fitzpatrick

 

[GrandBlue]

bombersno1 has no knowledge on the meaning of 'upside'. He likes to criticize Fitzpatrick only on the fact that his kicking skills are poor while blatantly ignoring all his other qualities. So what if he can't kick, he's young and has a lot of improvement in him and that's not even getting to the fact that he's very quick for his size, has good endurance, has a very good, athletic leap and can get a lot of tap-outs.

 

[curiousLplater]

Good job Blueboy,
Like your write up, but love the way you are handling the criticism, very smart.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

bombersno1 has no knowledge on the meaning of 'upside'. He likes to criticize Fitzpatrick only on the fact that his kicking skills are poor while blatantly ignoring all his other qualities. So what if he can't kick, he's young and has a lot of improvement in him and that's not even getting to the fact that he's very quick for his size, has good endurance, has a very good, athletic leap and can get a lot of tap-outs.

If you can'ty kick, you are not going to magically be a great kick of the footy. There are some things you can improve, but kicking is difficult to drastically improve. With our gameplan we need guys that hit targets 9 times out of 10, not 2 times out of 10.

 

[LukeParkerno1]

bombersno1 has no knowledge on the meaning of 'upside'.

What? I have taken Christensen at 10 in my draft on that very reason, has plenty of upside. But sometimes you need to be smart. There is upside and there is stupidity!

 

[LukeParkerno1]

I did consider taking another mid and looking at Craig or Gawn at 33 but decided not to.

I love Christensen as a player and hope he gets taken reasonably early as he deserves it after his performances. One of the most interesting players in terms of where he will go in the draft.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree on Fitzpatrick

As I said, happy to disagree. Would be surprised to see Fitzpatrick's name read out by Essendon though. The other option for us is a small forward- crumber.

 

[nthor5]

Great draft blue boy!

Would be very happy as a dees supporter to get Trengove, Scully, Black and Jetta.
I think that would fill all our needs and then hopefully we could get a ruckman at 34, possibly Gawn.

 

[BOND 007]

I understand where you are coming from and I usually wouldn't want Carlton to select players like Taylor when there are players who may have more of a chance at being a success. It's similar to the Yarran over Rich debate, whilst I am happy with Yarran and if he gets a good work ethic could be a star. Whilst Rich is guaranteed to be a good player, more of a blue colar worker.

Interesting argument, and as I have said I found the selection a difficult one as your list is starting to take pretty good shape. So who would have you selected? Hutchings?

No actually I would take Colyer. WC desperately lack legspeed in the fwd half, the type of speed that Phil Matera had to arrive at the fall of the ball and chase down defenders. I understand that Rohan has speed but I see him as a HFF/wing type rather than a FP/roving type.

Colyer can also go midfield as an outside player and can deliver with some precision, another hole at WC- so IMO he fills 2 needs. There is concern over height as there is with Christensen, but anybody who can get their hands on the pill on a regular basis ala Kerr and Harvey, will always find a spot in a football team, especially when a player has blistering pace, as it unnerves the opposition.

Anyway Blueboys7, this is not meant to be of any criticism of your draft in general, it is well articulated and incorporates sound argument

 

[saxymaxy]

atm the players i am hoping for with our selections are...

7) jetta or lucas

22/23) Colyer, taylor, bastinac, duncan, sheppard

My dream draft would be, jetta Colyer taylor


as for your mock draft, a really good effort and i could definitely see it panning out that way

 

[darnaby]

bombersno1 seems to talk more No2s than sense

 

[Nater]

Nice draft, from a Port perspective im really glad you went best available mid at pick 16. Gysberts is around the mark in your draft so im happy with that. Would love Stevens or Melksham to slide thru but if they dont, Gysberts, Bastinac & Christensen all seem likey picks

 

[Blueboys7]

[/b]


No actually I would take Colyer. WC desperately lack legspeed in the fwd half, the type of speed that Phil Matera had to arrive at the fall of the ball and chase down defenders. I understand that Rohan has speed but I see him as a HFF/wing type rather than a FP/roving type.

Colyer can also go midfield as an outside player and can deliver with some precision, another hole at WC- so IMO he fills 2 needs. There is concern over height as there is with Christensen, but anybody who can get their hands on the pill on a regular basis ala Kerr and Harvey, will always find a spot in a football team, especially when a player has blistering pace, as it unnerves the opposition.

Anyway Blueboys7, this is not meant to be of any criticism of your draft in general, it is well articulated and incorporates sound argument

No worries, I like to hear the response to my draft and answer any queries over selections. That's why I made it, especially for the discussion which is some what lacklustre on BF over the off-season

Colyer is a good player and may go in the 2nd round but with his height and queries over his foot skills he may slide. Then again, WC like to take home grown talent where possible and he does fill a need. As I have said before they may wish to target a specialised crumber later in the draft/rookie draft.

 

[tcwaters]

Nice work Blueboys7.

I wouldn't mind Rohan & Bastinac. Taylor, I don't know much of though..

 

[saj_21]

Would prefer Carlsile over Jetta, we walready have an abundance of mids and considering we still have Struass and Blease from last year. We need to take a punt on another tall. I wouldn't consider neville Jetta in out best 22 and would have morton, davey, grimes on a wing over Lewis Jetta.

 

[Blueboys7]

Would prefer Carlsile over Jetta, we walready have an abundance of mids and considering we still have Struass and Blease from last year. We need to take a punt on another tall. I wouldn't consider neville Jetta in out best 22 and would have morton, davey, grimes on a wing over Lewis Jetta.

I pretty much agree with you, but since I had Black at 11 I went a different way at 18. With Jetta on a wing it gives you some more flexibilty and an ability to play good users of the pill in Davey and Grimes off half back or half forward.

With Watts, Jurrah, Bate (to an extent) and Black in the forward half then Frawley, Garland, Rivers, Warnock and Martin (bit iffy on where his position is in the 22) as defenders I thought the club may go small.

I suppose Carlisle would then seem a good fit if Melbourne were wanting to go tall as he can be mouled either up forward or down back.