Draft discusson thread

[Snooperclyde]

Don't get me wrong people

I have not stated that I want or agree with pick 4 being a ruckman, it is just a possible scenario that started to look obvious to me after a full list assesment.

The ruck stocks are pretty thin in this year's draft and Gorringe is the standout IMO.

He did not test due to league commitments for the SA grand final and then missed the state screening with niggling injury.
Fairly impressive that an 18yo ruckman makes the league team for the grand final BTW, made more impressive when you consider the taller, more developed number 2 ruckman in this draft only played reserves, says volumes for Gorringe.

We will take two talls at the minimum with our four picks, that is also reasonably obvious to conclude.

Brennan is 188cms so not overly tall type but his dad was only 185cms and held down full back in the 92 GF.

West Coast
B:17 Guy McKenna14 Michael Brennan10 Don Pyke
HB:24 John Worsfold (c)27 Glen Jakovich31 Mitchell White
C:30 Peter Matera2 Dean Kemp39 Chris Waterman
HF:3 Chris Mainwaring19 Karl Langdon28 Chris Lewis
F:11 Ashley McIntosh4 Peter Sumich5 Dwayne Lamb
Foll:23 Paul Harding7 Craig Turley18 Tony Evans
Int:9 Peter Wilson1 Brett Heady

 

[wceblog]

C'mon dude...

It just doesn't make any sense drafting a back-up for the price of pick 4 - Gorringe would be a massive waste if Naitanui is fit and playing given he is a specialist ruck and drafting him to play the majority of time as a key forward is far too bigger risk considering he has spent little time playing such a role and hasn't shown standout ability when doing so.

There are other back-up ruck options that would be much more appropriate and cheaper i.e. draft a mature aged ruck from a state league competition with a much later selection or trade for a mature ruckman from another club when we are more competitive in a couple of years (there's consistently multiple options available at trade week - 13 rucks have been traded over the past 5 years).

 

[Snooperclyde]

Not that we should be after a ruckman the calibre of Clark or Leuenburger but how are they more risky than Gorringe?

Do you mean it's because they aren't guaranteed to come leave for WA?

Unless anyone has better info

Only info I have heard is Clarke linked to Freo, no mention of us but that could change if he wanted to come home.

Brisbane wont part with either player easily and free agency is only for players that have qualified, 8 years and one of the top ten paid at a club.

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=89809

 

[PRANKSTER666]

If Lycett is available at 26 we should snap him up and also look to rookie list someone like Tom Derickx who improved out of sight this year. He is still only 22 @ 201cm and 99kg.

 

[Snooperclyde]

C'mon dude...

It just doesn't make any sense drafting a back-up for the price of pick 4 - Gorringe would be a massive waste if Naitanui is fit and playing given he is a specialist ruck and drafting him to play the majority of time as a key forward is far too bigger risk considering he has spent little time playing such a role and hasn't shown standout ability when doing so.

There are other back-up ruck options that would be much more appropriate and cheaper i.e. draft a mature aged ruck from a state league competition with a much later selection or trade for a mature ruckman from another club when we are more competitive in a couple of years (there's consistently multiple options available at trade week - 13 rucks have been traded over the past 5 years).

I never said Gorringe was backup.

I said we have no backup for Cox and Naita and that draftee rucks take 3 years minimum to develop by which time Coxy will be ready for retitement.

That would leave us with Naita and whoever as our first choice rucks.

We do need a genuine backup in the next few years because if we leave that decision too late we will be in the same boat Hawthorn is ATM.

Other than

Jolly - COLLINGWOOD has confirmed it will give up picks 14 and 46 for Swans ruckman Darren Jolly.

Mumford - Geelong has traded ruckman Shane Mumford to the Swans in exchange for pick 28 but secured Dockers defender Marcus Drum.
The Swans lured Mumford north with a four-year deal reportedly in excess of $1 million.
THE Geelong administration is believed to be very upset with Shane Mumford's request for a trade to Sydney.
Mumford told the Cats today he wants to be traded to Sydney after getting a deal of a lifetime from the Swans.
The Swans added an extra year to their earlier offer to Mumford, increasing it to more than $1 million across four years.


Were there any good ruckmen among the 13 that did not cost their new club an arm and leg.

Salary cap issues has cost Geelong in the Momford scenario, lost a good young ruck.

 

[Snooperclyde]

If Lycett is available at 26 we should snap him up and also look to rookie list someone like Tom Derickx who improved out of sight this year. He is still only 22 @ 201cm and 99kg.

Lycett looks pretty good and he is the second best in this draft. He is more naturally developed than Gorringe and more in the mold of your traditional ruckmen types.

Yes an option but more of a risk as in he is not guaranteed to be available at 26 although I think he could be.

My logic with the Sullivan delisting is they must have a replacement in mind and confident that this will be achieved.

I could be wayyy off and they rookie list some dude from another league but I am confident they have a plan in place.

 

[Obeanie1]

Even though Cox is 28 he has spent a fair bit of time over the past 2 years on the sidelines and not travelling. With NN coming along Cox will get heaps more support and that will hopefully extend his career. Cox could play for 3>4 years to age 32.

NN is our planned ruck for the next 10 years, will he go to GWS or get injured? Who knows but we have him him and he is a big part of our future.

Yes we need to get a couple of project rucks on our list in the next 2 drafts, at least 1 on the rookie list this year. Next year we can use our 1st or 2nd rounder next year on a project ruck.

Pick 4 on a promising FF / ruck would to be a good move as we lack in both areas but is pick 4 say Gaff / Heppell / Polec a better player than Gorringe when a Watson may well be around at pick 26.

Best available at 4, always has been our policy and I can't see that changing.

 

[BOND 007]

SC - I think all of us can see what you are saying - however I doubt very much that WC will use #4 this year for any ruckman and nor should they.

Midfielders win matches nowdays and the more quality you have the better the chances of winning. Added to that is the fact that Nait and Cox should provide enough cover for the next 3 years tells me that #4 this year should be directed towards Gaff or Heppell.

By the same token if WC dont draft a ruckman in the rookie selection (or Lycett is available at #29 and they bypass him) then I will be almightily pissed. Not interested in Rix but Andrews from WP should be considered given his physique indicates he picks up and move silos around in his spare time and he has some skill from which to work

 

[David_Brent]

Lycett looks pretty good and he is the second best in this draft. He is more naturally developed than Gorringe and more in the mold of your traditional ruckmen types.

Yes an option but more of a risk as in he is not guaranteed to be available at 26 although I think he could be.

My logic with the Sullivan delisting is they must have a replacement in mind and confident that this will be achieved.

I could be wayyy off and they rookie list some dude from another league but I am confident they have a plan in place.

Umm, I'm not sure about the rules regarding rookies but Sullivan has been on the West Coast rookie list for 3yrs now, isnt there a rule they have to be delisted or promoted after 3yrs? (same situation as Stevenson)

 

[Snooperclyde]

SC - I think all of us can see what you are saying - however I doubt very much that WC will use #4 this year for any ruckman and nor should they.

Midfielders win matches nowdays and the more quality you have the better the chances of winning. Added to that is the fact that Nait and Cox should provide enough cover for the next 3 years tells me that #4 this year should be directed towards Gaff or Heppell.

By the same token if WC dont draft a ruckman in the rookie selection (or Lycett is available at #29 and they bypass him) then I will be almightily pissed. Not interested in Rix but Andrews from WP should be considered given his physique indicates he picks up and move silos around in his spare time and he has some skill from which to work

Your all...... right, I am adding 2+2 and getting 5.

It could not be true surely

Back on #4 I was a Gaff fan but after his interview on the AFL site he sounds a bit soft and watching him play again........... well he looks very skilful but 'a touch soft'.

I like either Heppel or Polac but I have taken a shine to Brodie Smith, wont happen but I rate him after watching more footage of him playing.

Would not complain if we took Darling either at 4.

 

[Pat_Footy]

I've heard enough, Gaff is soft with no penetration. He really sounds like a pussy, I think Polec is the way to go. Cocky.

 

[Snooperclyde]

Umm, I'm not sure about the rules regarding rookies but Sullivan has been on the West Coast rookie list for 3yrs now, isnt there a rule they have to be delisted or promoted after 3yrs? (same situation as Stevenson)

Correct.

If he were in our plans then room would have been made, not like we NEED Nicoski or B Jones.

We are offering Houlihan a spot on the rookie list but I am not sure if you can re-rookie third year delisted rookies.

Suppose you can but I doubt that will happen with Sullivan.

 

[Snooperclyde]

I've heard enough, Gaff is soft with no penetration. He really sounds like a pussy, I think Polec is the way to go. Cocky.

Polec is an attacking type with good penetration, only question mark for me is his disposal at times. Dustin Martin sounded cocky last year and that might be a good path to follow after his stellar year.

Will be happy to see his name if that is what happens.

 

[wceblog]

I never said Gorringe was backup.

Reality is he would be back-up to Naita who would spend the large majority of the game rucking and be the first choice ruckman.

 

[dext]

4- Dyson Heppell (18, medium defender, Gippsland Power)
Resembles: Josh Drummond (Brisbane Lions)
Line-breaking half-back fl anker has superstar qualities including an accurate left-foot. Natural replacement for Jared Brennan for Lions. Has X-factor and is strong overhead as well.

26-Luke Mitchell (18, tall defender/forward, Calder Cannons)
One for the Jonathan Brown fans. Key forward whose strength is his contested marking. Missed the national championships due to shoulder injury so could be a value pick down the order.

29-Josh Green (18, midfielder/small forward, Clarance Tas)
Versatile midfielder who has a major presence around the stoppages. Moves well in space and has great goal sense. Tasmanian MVP who has the makings of an A-grade onballer despite relatively small stature.

 

[dantheman06]

Anyone heard of George Horlin Smith? Sounds like a good get for our third pick. We love the SA boys!


http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport...ter-in-afl-draft/story-e6freck3-1225948003228

 

[adagio]

I think Horlin-Smith is getting a huge beat-up from the media purely because its a good story, but won't actually go top 50. Lovely skills but he makes Priddis look fast.

 

[wceblog]

Sidebottom is treacle slow too ... it shouldn't be limiting if he has good skills, makes good decisions, reads the play well etc. especially considering he hasn't done a pre-season before and has been focusing more on cricket playing at an elite level (AUS U16 captain), so there should be at least a decent amount of upside in that regard.

If a few clubs like him enough then he's every chance to go top 30 - there seems to consistently be a few guys that didn't play in the U18 championships that bolt into top 30 contention late in the year i.e. Howard, Gunston, Black last year and M.Brown, Post, Wright the year before.

 

[EagleMan87]

4- Dyson Heppell (18, medium defender, Gippsland Power)
Resembles: Josh Drummond (Brisbane Lions)
Line-breaking half-back fl anker has superstar qualities including an accurate left-foot. Natural replacement for Jared Brennan for Lions. Has X-factor and is strong overhead as well.

26-Luke Mitchell (18, tall defender/forward, Calder Cannons)
One for the Jonathan Brown fans. Key forward whose strength is his contested marking. Missed the national championships due to shoulder injury so could be a value pick down the order.

29-Josh Green (18, midfielder/small forward, Clarance Tas)
Versatile midfielder who has a major presence around the stoppages. Moves well in space and has great goal sense. Tasmanian MVP who has the makings of an A-grade onballer despite relatively small stature.

 

[Goosecat]

Josh Caddy for me!!

No GAFF Please!

Like every year all the first few picks have potential. I'm not sure where the stat info comes from but on the AFL website there is a fairly comprehensive draft machine which rates all the draft potentials in 8 major categories. Kicking, Marking, Handball Awareness, Pace, Possession Winning, Endurance, Agility, Power and Spring.

Of the midfielders Polec is first in 5 of the above 8 and top 10 in all of them. All those going on about Gaffs endurance might be interested to note Polac rates higher in first place with Gaff second, Swallow third and the surprise packet I believe the Eagles should take in 4th place, Josh Caddy.

Gaff has absolutely zero right side ability(watch his videos), Josh Caddy can use both. Gaff doesn't even make the top ten midfielder list for pace. Polec is listed as first with my surprise packet Caddy coming in third behind Polec and Bennell.

Polec is the only midfielder who finishes in the top ten in all 8 categories and wins 5 of them. There is only one player who stands alone in second place by finishing in the top ten of 7 of the 8 categories, Josh Caddy. The only one he missed out in was Agility, but so did Gaff and Swallow I might add.
Of all these midfielders guess who averaged the most contested posessions (11!) and clearences (7) during the under18 championships, Josh Caddy. He also averaged a goal every game and did I mention he has real pace (3rd fastest midfielder behind Polec and Bennell) to go with his ball winning ability.

Now watch some of his video. Of all the above he has more aggression, lays more tackles and pushes off opponents. All good signs the likes of Martin, last year and Judd in the past showed at youth level. My only concern is he is already pretty solid and will have to watch over bulking on the weights.

I know we want some outside pace and delivery skill but Josh Caddy can do that as well as a pussy footed one sided Gaff (actually as mentioned Gaff has no pace anyway).

It has to be a choice between Polec or Caddy.

 

[Prem87]

Re: Josh Caddy for me!!

I've been watching old video of Judd, man Polec looks and moves a lot like him.

 

[paran]

Yep, what he said.

 

[wceblog]

Re: Josh Caddy for me!!

That draft machine sucks - I wouldn't put much (any?) weight on the results/rankings it gives.

That said I am a very big fan of Caddy and think he will be a very good player, but he's not the best fit for us given we overstocked for his type (inside 'first dibs' midfielder) on our and in our team structure.

He uses both sides, but is only a decent kick at best IMO (Martin was very good to elite pre-draft), although he does win a very high ratio of contested football and clearances as you mentioned. His style is much more brutal than classy - we need very classy!

Polec, Heppell or Gaff are the best fits as they can play an outside midfield role with much greater effect (Caddy doesn't have much of an outside game) - all are get into more often and are much more effective players in space than Caddy.

 

[Mattman93]

Re: Josh Caddy for me!!

I've been watching old video of Judd, man Polec looks and moves a lot like him.

How old?

 

[Prem87]

Re: Josh Caddy for me!!

baby footage!

02-06 when he was skinny and had acceleration.