Preview Draft Pick #18

[Canyouhearthedrums]

If turns up and contributes from day 1, then the draft will have been as close to perfect as you'll find.

 

[The Old Dark Navy's]

I would have thought Laidler and Davies would be our next HBF types.

Key forward options:

Henderson
Mitchell
Waite
O'hAilpin
Casboult

Will play 3 of these or 2 and a resting ruck, along with a 2 small forwards and a mid sized forward. Competitions for spots will be on, but if we play 2-3 of these guys, they leaves 2-3 for depth, and that is vital if we get injuries.

Key defender options:

Jamison
Bower
Watson
McCarthy
Austin

It's a pretty good balance as we would generally use 2 of these defenders in the back 6, along with a smaller tall, such as White or McInnes or Thornton, 2 mid sized players like Russell, Armfield or Davies and a small like Joseph. When Watson or McCarthy are ready to come in, then Bower will take the smaller tall role. We are incrementally improved across the backline.

 

[thylacine60]

If turns up and contributes from day 1, then the draft will have been as close to perfect as you'll find.

That's the spirit, Charlie Watts!

 

[Blueboys7]

Wow, that certainly makes our list look a whole lot better doesn't it? We have filled some holes but now I feel we need to add something to the midfielder...funny that!

I would love to add Sewell in the rookie draft as depth in the midfield and possible best 22 player if he is up to it.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

We have filled some holes.

Well if what we had was the little boy with his finger in the dyke then we just pulled the finger out and drove two Mack trucks into that little hole to block it up.

 

[Salaryman]

Can Splendini and the usual suspects please give us a few of their thoughts about how we went.

The more I think about it, the more I would have liked to added someone with leg speed or a HBF. 3 Talls in our first 3 picks seems overkill - a CHB wasn't our only weakness.

Duigan is quick and powerful and can play off hb.....i suspect mitchell was too good to pass up even though some others might have been around the mark...bold to go this tall but could prove a winner.....time will tell

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

Had you heard much about Duigan before the Draft?

 

[Salaryman]

Seen him for norwood a number of times

 

[Canyouhearthedrums]

Am interested to see him play. Will be a great story if he makes it.

 

[IheartCarrots]

Do you think Hawthorn regret taking Buddy Franklin? Geelong regret taking Steve Johnson?

Ye, he has some issues. So did Yarran. So did Garlett.

Can't always play it safe. Fev had 100 chances and kept throwing them away, Darling has had zero opportunity to prove either way. Darling has shown he has the talent that is required and at the end of the day the best PR comes from a team winning games. Potential PR windfall really should be taking the backseat compared to what they offer onfield when determining who we draft unless in extreme circumstance, considering that we are in the business of winning games.

If it backfires, we take a PR hit (It can't be any worse than what we've been through - yet we're still standing and amongst the best in the league when it comes to sponsorship revenue) and we cut him. If he shows a bit in his time with us we'll still manage to get a decent trade out of a team stupid enough to think they can get his head on straight (ie. Brisbane with Fev). We are talking about a guy who on talent is a top 5 pick in this draft, who at 16 years of age was mixing it with senior footballers at state level. It is worth the risk.

In regards to where he plays, the club will decide where he is best suited.

I guess 16 clubs didn't agree with you?

Image is everything when it comes to gaining and retaining sponsors and members. Why do you think St Kilda cut Lovett even though they knew it would cost them half a million? The same reason we offered up Fev for trade or Brisbane suspended him from club activities. It gives the impression you are doing something about the problem.

Until it happens again. And again. Then you have people questioning the entire culture of the club and THAT is when you start to pay the price. If you had 43 Andrew Swallows on your list, then sure, Darling would have been worth the risk. But we don't and with the coverage and reception our players misdeeds have recieved in the media in the past few years, why take the risk?