Analysis Draft Hindsight Heroes v1 (2017)

[liam123]

Welcome to the official "hindsight heroes/keyboard worrier/I know better" draft analyses for 2017. The thread where you get to show your expertise by demonstrating where West Coast got it wrong (Or right)


The 2017 draft is over and the results are in!


Now after much angst and debate coupled with more than 200 pages of legal advice and YouTube videos we have all formed our own opinions on who we should have drafted.


The rules of this thread are simple:

1. For each pick taken by west coast state if you love, hate or are neutral in regards to the actions they took
2. For each pick state who YOU personally would have chosen (you may choose the same player as west coast). You may chose to add picks 77,105 to your selections and then choose your rookies accordingly (after Monday if you prefer)
3. You cannot assume a player will slide beyond a pick they are actually taken at. Liam Ryan was taken at pick 26 so you can't select him at 32
4. Over the next few years you can quote these selections to prove that your not just a hindsight hero. Or, you can simply use it to look back on in a few years to see how well you went...
5. Posting can begin after the ND and then rookies can be edited in after the RD which keeps things neat and clean
6. Explanations and such regarding your picks are obviously allowed but we should keep debate/serious melts/analyses to another thread.
7. Participation is not compulsory however please be aware of the warning below

WARNING! Anybody who in time to come, with the benefit of hindsight claims that West Coast royally screwed this draft up but cannot quote from this thread how it was obvious to all and sundry may be subjecting themselves to ridicule and even legal ramifications once dark sharks lawyer has finished dividing up his assets!


I'll kick start this


13- J Brander -neutral- my first preference is Z Bailey. The other player I would consider at this pick is L Fogarty. This would be a decision with needs in mind while west coast have selected what they deemed the best available talent. I will admit that it's not a bad decision to grab a jk replacement at this time and Brander looks the goods. I choose Bailey.


21- O Allen -neutral- would have chosen T Kelly (first preference for this pick) or L Fogarty. I doubt that Allen will be anything other than a third tall. We already have Darling and Waterman and hence he is surplus to our needs. Picking 2 Talls at this point doesnt help our midfield. Tim Kelly was a must at this pick as we knew pre draft that geelong and north were keen with picks 22-24. I choose T Kelly


26- Liam Ryan- happy enough even though many on this board considered him a reach. My only other option would have been Spargo as his defensive pressure would be better. Ryan is exciting with tonnes of X factor so I'll stick with him at pick 26


32- Ainsworth -neutral- happy we actually picked a mid at this point. Ainsworth is a reasonable pick considering what we picked before him. Worpel would have been more ready to go but Ainsworth possibly has more upside. Happy to back this pick in. Many would chose constable here, however I have my reservations on him.


38- petruccelle-neutral- the only thing that concerns me is that his development may take too long for him to be effective while jk and nic are still at their peak. He could be anything from a star to a bust. For this reason id be tempted to go with J Worpel at this pick. What the heck I'll go with petruccelle!


68- brayshaw-super happy- brayshaw is exactly who I'd have chosen at this pick. Will be a very handy player for us


Pick 77- don't mind that we passed. suspect we wanted to rookie garlet as it took us ages to pass but got pipped by the blues. I would consider Banfield here but am happy to pass and grab 3 rookies.

Rookies:
Absolutely nailed the rookies! Burrows is my tip to be a gun, however Olango and England also look super impressive! Wouldn't change a thing.

To summerise, my draft, based on what I think are needs are as follows: Bailey, Kelly, Ryan, Ainsworth, Petruccelle, brayshaw, Burrows, Olango, England. Many of main draft players should make an immediate impact at WAFL level at the very least. Kelly and Ryan almost certainly straight into the 22

Overall comment:
Was extremely disappointed during and immediately post draft (except for Brayshaw) Initially I would I Would have swapped our draft for what geelong got despite their picks being worse than ours. I thought to myself "We bought into this draft to fix the midfield and grab some mature agers to try and snag a premiership. Realistically brander, Allen and petruccelle won't be best 22 for a few years which leaves Ryan and brayshaw. Even hawthorns draft might impact more next year. Not super happy with it but I guess we'll see how we go with time. My main concern is that we may be forced to pick more KPPs due to best availability in the 2018 draft." However now that I've had a few days to think about it I realise that this draft has been fantastic. It should provide us with a number of good players going into the future. Overall I'm happy and excited for the year ahead. My tip for the players we might regret passing on are Z Bailey, L Fogarty, T Kelly, and Spargo. I do think the club has done well to pick those talls. It would seem the rebuild is well and truly underway.

 

[CM9000]

Pick 13: Jarrod Brander - I'm neutral on this, think we should've taken Higgins here (or Allen to ensure we got Kelly).

Pick 21: Oscar Allen - Tim Kelly was a must here. He was one who fitted our needs best and would've played round one - terrible pick.

Pick 26: Liam Ryan - While others might be melting I don't really care. The only ones at this point who stood out to me were Worpel and Constable, and we could've had those with later picks anyway. Too early though.

Pick 32: Brayden Ainsworth - I don't really mind this pick tbh. Was a massive reach and we missed out on Constable, but I'm not too fussed.

Pick 37: Jake Petrucelle - Potentially the next Ash Smith imo, not too bad but would've rather picked Worpel here.

Pick 68: Hamish Brayshaw - Perfect pick, nothing wrong with this.

Overall, I think it should've gone like this:
1. Jack Higgins
2. Tim Kelly
3. Oscar Allen
4. James Worpel/Charlie Constable
5. Brayden Ainsworth/Liam Ryan

So we basically missed out on Worpel, Kelly, Constable and Higgins - if we picked just 2 of them, the draft would've looked a whole lot better.

I give this a C-. I'm bitterly disappointed over missing Kelly, but I'm still looking forward to what Ryan and Allen can accomplish in the Wings.

Alternatively, if I had to summarise the draft with one word, it would be "meh".

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Pick 13- Brander.

Positive. Relatively pleased both on a best available and needs basis. If you've watched a lot of East Perth you know that apart from Midfield depth at stages the biggest weakness was a lack of a genuine forward target. Lamb wasn't that Target and Waterman is undersized.

Pick 21- Allen

Positive. Ultimately we could have gone for Kelly here and it will be interesting to watch that comparison. Risk reward with Allen is high, can play as a high half forward. Can he play as a midfielder? he certainly moves well enough and has super clean ball handling. We don't have any need for him as a forward and we've clearly taken him on a best available basis.

Pick 26- Ryan

Negative. We need midfielders and with Petruccelle at 38 we've kind of doubled up here. Could have got Ryan at 32 or maybe even 38. After we lost Kelly to Geelong we ended up going for extra time and clearly reached for someone we wanted. Should have put a bid on Naish.

Pick 32- Ainsworth

Negative. Isn't without his merits, he's a prolific ball winner and clean in congestion. Compares favorably to someone like Zac Bailey though given their relative draft positions. Should have gone Hayden or Worpel, both of whom have athletic aspects to their games that he doesn't.

Pick 38- Petruccelle.

Neutral. On a talent basis he's been right up there all through the discussions of those with elite attributes and represents solid value here. Need to develop and make use of his talent.

Pick 68- Brayshaw

Positive. Fits a need, is good value at his low selection. Love the fact he's been drafted and is in WA with his extremely talented brother.

Pick 77 - Positive. There wasn't anything worth listing with a senior pick. Annoyed we lost Jones to Fremantle.

Happy we've not selected any backs (apart from Brander, who is probably going to be developed as a forward). We've not really addressed our midfield problem, Ainsworth is a foot solider that doesn't fix our lack of quality and dynamic midfielders and Brayshaw is more speculative than you'd like. Have to look to 2018 draft and our previous draftees for our midfield depth.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

13. Brander: Neutral. I probably would've taken Oscar Allen here but Brander makes sense as he's actually KP size. Can't say I looked into him too much pre-draft but he looks good.

21. Allen: Positive. I would've taken him at 13 so getting him at 21 is awesome. I don't buy that he's going to end up a mid though and I'm hoping Brander ends up a forward so it's a little awkward in that context. If I took Allen at 13, I would've taken Tim Kelly here.

26. Ryan: Neutral. I read all the rumours about his attitude and I'm concerned. I probably would've taken Nathan Murphy here.

32. Ainsworth: Negative. I thought he was in the mix for a later draft pick. I would've taken Constable, I think.

38. Pettrucelle: Positive. I thought he was likely to go in the early to mid 20's. I'm pretty sure I would've picked him here. Maybe Garner... but probably Pettrucelle.

68. Brayshaw: Positive. I'm interested in him but I would've taken Schumacher.


So I would've gone:
Allen
Kelly
Murphy
Constable
Pettruclle
Schumacher

 

[eagles rule]

Happy with the picks taken ..

 

[Eaglespur]

Allen to be our next gun mid

 

[Reminiscence]

I'm high on Brander and Ainsworth.
Hard to look past Brander's aerial brilliance, and Ainsworth really improved throughout the year.

Bradshaw is an interesting one; contested beast so no qualms there.

Ryan/Allen/Pettrucelle I'm relatively neutral, but glad we took Allen with 21 instead of 13.

 

[Ishmael_]

Interesting draft, I like that we got Allen for 21 instead of him teaching at 13.

Ryan and Rioli in the forward 50 is exciting. Diversifying our forward lineup will hopefully capitalise on our gun big forwards.

Not really related to us, but I like having the Brayshaw boys back in WA. Smart drafting by both clubs imo.

 

[bombard]

13. Brander: Neutral. I'm not especially sure he fills a need long-term, but I don't hate it. Personally I'd have opted for Higgins who appears to have plenty of footy smarts.

21. Allen: Very positive. We got a slider here and I think the only reason people are looking sideways at this pick is because we didn't have a bona fide mid in the preceding pick. Would have picked Allen.

26. Ryan: Negative by virtue of value. Constable here was a no-brainer for me.

32. Ainsworth: Neutral. I think we could have waited to 38 and I'd have been quite happy. I actually quite liked the look of Ballard and would have entertained him here. Worpel also would have been in my thinking.

38. Pettrucelle: Neutral. I don't have a problem with this pick per se, but - working on the assumption I had made the previous picks - I'd have felt okay about developing a ruck via Ben Miller. Maybe, maybe I could have lived with Ryan here.

68. Brayshaw: Great pick. Brayshaw.

Overall:

- Higgins
- Allen
- Constable
- Ballard
- Miller
- Brayshaw

 

[Cuzz09]

Is Brayshaw from WA? Seemed like his mum was crying tears of "shit hes going to wa" not tears of happiness

On SM-G925I using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[2006_Eagles]

Interesting draft, I like that we got Allen for 21 instead of him teaching at 13.

Ryan and Rioli in the forward 50 is exciting. Diversifying our forward lineup will hopefully capitalise on our gun big forwards.

Not really related to us, but I like having the Brayshaw boys back in WA. Smart drafting by both clubs imo.

13. Brander: Neutral. I probably would've taken Oscar Allen here but Brander makes sense as he's actually KP size. Can't say I looked into him too much pre-draft but he looks good.

21. Allen: Positive. I would've taken him at 13 so getting him at 21 is awesome. I don't buy that he's going to end up a mid though and I'm hoping Brander ends up a forward so it's a little awkward in that context. If I took Allen at 13, I would've taken Tim Kelly here.

26. Ryan: Neutral. I read all the rumours about his attitude and I'm concerned. I probably would've taken Nathan Murphy here.

32. Ainsworth: Negative. I thought he was in the mix for a later draft pick. I would've taken Constable, I think.

38. Pettrucelle: Positive. I thought he was likely to go in the early to mid 20's. I'm pretty sure I would've picked him here. Maybe Garner... but probably Pettrucelle.

68. Brayshaw: Positive. I'm interested in him but I would've taken Schumacher.


So I would've gone:
Allen
Kelly
Murphy
Constable
Pettruclle
Schumacher

I don't understand the logic of saying Allen at 13 sux but at 21 is teh awesome! The net result is the same

What changes is the opportunity cost of (not) being able to pick someone else at that spot, i.e.

Brander and Allen v Allen and Kelly

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

I don't understand the logic of saying Allen at 13 sux but at 21 is teh awesome! The net result is the same

What changes is the opportunity cost of (not) being able to pick someone else at that spot, i.e.

Brander and Allen v Allen and Kelly

I don't think Allen would've sucked at 13. I would've selected him there if it was up to me.

 

[2006_Eagles]

I don't think Allen would've sucked at 13. I would've selected him there if it was up to me.

You said getting him at 21 was awesome, but was it more or less awesome than taking Allen at 13 and Kelly at 21?

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Ainsworth isn’t a negative lads. I’m on board now.

 

[Jimmy_the_Gent]

You said getting him at 21 was awesome, but was it more or less awesome than taking Allen at 13 and Kelly at 21?

More awesome.

Brander > Kelly

I thought that before the draft.

 

[2006_Eagles]

More awesome.

Brander > Kelly

I thought that before the draft.

Well yeah most rated Brander higher and they really aren't similar players. Just sux we couldn't add Kelly to the haul

 

[MrKK]

Pick 13-Brander:
Negative. Higgins was the obvious choice here and picking a tall leaves us with a possible shit dilemma with our next pick if another tall slides.

Pick 21-Allen
Neutral. I'd have taken Allen too, but that's after taking Higgins at 13. As played, I'd have picked Constable.

Pick 26-Ryan
Negative. Diabolical reach here - look at how Higgins and Miers slid and it's obvious we could have used 37 and possibly even higher to get the same player, plus the SNAFU not to rookie him last year. I'd have picked Constable (again!)

Pick 32-Ainsworth
Neutral. Meh, it's only not a negative because he's a midfielder but I'd have taken Stoddart here (based on having Higgins, Allen and Constable already). As played, I can't believe we passed on Constable again!!

Pick 38-Petruccelle.
Negative. I don't rate this kid at all apart from his pace and hope he's not as soft as I fear he is. I'd have taken Miller. As played, I'd have picked Worpel.

Pick 68-Brayshaw
Positive. I'd have done exactly the same

Pick 77- Pass
Positive. My first thought was Schloite but like the idea of passing and hoping to pick up the same player in the rookie draft without a 2-year contract commitment. It's a shame Garlett got taken afterwards but we weren't to know that.

Overall grade: D-
The Brander pick just ****ed everything up as there were still decent talls left all through the draft (Miller at 63 to the premiers FFS) and we missed the chance to get a genuine quality midfielder in the first round. The huge reach for Ryan was the icing on the cake. And Moore being passed 1000 times and then taken 1 pick before us was the ****ing cherry on top.
The OP said it best - Geelong had one less pick, started after our first 2 and I'd still rather their draftees.

My picks:
13 Higgins
21 Allen
26 Constable
32 Stoddart
38 Miller
68 Brayshaw
77 pass

 

[Carbine Chaos]

^^^

You’ll look like a goose when Brander is an elite tall, m8. Back the lad in, good selection for the future.

Could have taken Miller later, but he’ll be nowhere in Brander’s ballpark, so glad they went best available.

 

[Tom_Thumb]

I just want to say this, in 3 years time I will be proven right when I say we screwed another draft year up. We are the perennial screw ups when it comes to recognizing talent in any way shape or form....I doubt whether Vozzo even knows a footballer from a netballer these days.

 

[getgaff]

Pick 13 - Jarrod Brander

Initially I was filthy with this pick considering that there was some midfield and small forward talent (Higgins) available. Saw it as a Rohan TAC Cup special.

With hindsight I can see why we went for a tall like Brander who can go both ways but still would've much preferred a midfielder or small forward.

Pick 21 - Oscar Allen

Pre draft I was very keen on Allen here. After the Brander pick and seeing Starcevich go I was more interested in a midfielder but I'll back the club in on Oscar, same as Brander, fingers/ legs/ toes everything crossed we can make an inside bull mid out of him or Waterman.

To than lose Kelly to Geelong made the anger boil again.

Pick 26 - Liam Ryan

Was never as big on Ryan as some others because I'm not sure how well he goes at AFL level. Defensive pressure needs a big change.

Way to early, especially when we had no mids at this stage and lost BS and TK. Needed a Worpel or Constable here

Pick 32- Brayden Ainsworth

I was pleased to see Ainsworth drafted. We've got mutual mates through both being Esperance boys. Love his work in the clearances and his improvement over 12 months since he moved to Perth has been substantial. Knows how to find the ball. I'll give it a tick

Pick 38- Jack Petruccelle

Outside pace is great but we needed inside grunt again. Again overlooking Worpel, have to think the Club may have seen him as a possible "flight risk" given he would be leaving a large family network behind in Geelong. Still if only a short term player before he requested a trade back to Victoria it would be worth it.

Pick 68 - Hamish Brayshaw

Nailed this pick. Really glad to get Hamish on board here.

Pick 77- PASS

Meh. Could have been Bailey Banfield. Hopefully we see hardened mids and a ruck in the rookie draft.


Overall comment:

Not happy

Think we shat the bed on Brander with 13, reached way too much and didn't go a midfielder which is where we needed to improve our list.
Allen pick would have sat a lot better with me if pick 13 was a midfielder or Higgins. Still OK but need to make a mid out of him.
Ryan pick concerns me the most.
Ainsworth is OK because his a mid, and comes as a clearance specalist which is a list need.
Petrucelle is a bit uncertain. Pace is great but needs some time in the gym
Brayshaw is a great finish to a draft that didn't meet expectation for me.


Think out of the 18 clubs we'd rate in the bottom teams for overall draft.

Didn't go hard enough at what our list needs are and the four second rounds picks weren't wasted entirely because we brought 3 WA guys in but at the same token we missed Kelly and bypassed Worpel altogether their.

 

[the harry]

Could have got Ryan as a rookie last year instead of Petrie.....

 

[Carbine Chaos]

I just want to say this, in 3 years time I will be proven right when I say we screwed another draft year up. We are the perennial screw ups when it comes to recognizing talent in any way shape or form....I doubt whether Vozzo even knows a footballer from a netballer these days.

Will you still be an Eagles fan in 3 years?

 

[Carbine Chaos]

Could have got Ryan as a rookie last year instead of Petrie.....

Take that back, now.

 

[the harry]

Take that back, now.

It wasn't possible?

This is the least knowledge of had of our draftees in years. Can we claim to have won the draft yet?

 

[Oneiros]

A West Coast recruiter with a 2nd round pick is like a mule with a spinning wheel...