List Mgmt. Draft Watch 2015

[earlsta]

OK, point taken. I guess I still think in terms of old-time position nomenclature. I think Smith is a flanker, and I'm very happy with him on HB flank or wing, running through the centre to take the handballs from the 50m set-shot men, for example. However, I wouldn't class him as a get down and dirty Brad-Crouch type midfielder, following the rucks around, grovelling for his own ball, and getting more concussions.

I agree, I think he'll play more on the Wing in 2016 and be a more damaging version of Gaff & that's saying something.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

I agree with most of this, rather than Hodgy, but I agree with his sentiment about Smith. Many of you have been calling for him to go into the midfield, but he certainly played a lot better when he was at half back. He is all-Australian HB standard, but this doesn't necessarily transfer into the midfield. It's rather curious, since he doesn't actually defend well one-on-one, but his other attributes still make him an AA-standard HB.

Don't mess with what works!

If smith can't transition into the middle as well as we hope for then we have a massive issue next season

I'm expecting him to light it up in there and not just sitting out on the wing either

Would love to see smith, sloane and B crouch as our starting mid rotation at some point during the season , reckon that's a great mix and an A grade starting midfield with Jacobs

 

[Stiffy_18]

I've got everything crossed for Francis at 9. A ready made player who can contribute from round 1 and will develop into a ripping player in 2-3 years time. I genuinely see him in the Goddard/Hodge (albeit probably not as tough) and to lesser extent early career Pavlich where he could literally play anywhere. I still think long term he could develop into a top line midfielder.

Local lad too. A lot to like about the kid for us. Even if he plays in the back half all his AFL life, Talia-Lever-Francis trio is brutal.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

I've got everything crossed for Francis at 9. A ready made player who can contribute from round 1 and will develop into a ripping player in 2-3 years time. I genuinely see him in the Goddard/Hodge (albeit probably not as tough) and to lesser extent early career Pavlich where he could literally play anywhere. I still think long term he could develop into a top line midfielder.

Local lad too. A lot to like about the kid for us. Even if he plays in the back half all his AFL life, Talia-Lever-Francis trio is brutal.

I'm starting to get excited re this as well, hope it comes to fruition....would be a nice little bonus on draft night

Talia, lever, Francis , brown and laird .....there's the pieces of a 10 yr elite defence ......we can definitely carry Hartigan or another workmanlike tall defender in that mix

 

[Dan2352]

Would be very happy with Francis at 9 but if he is gone... the same with Curnow - looks like a superstar in the making from the highlights...

Would still be stoked to get Burton... I think he has the potential to be a superstar... and with a year or 2 in the SANFL working on his tank may turn into an elite Mid/Forward... (Backing Birdman and fitness team to get him in ripping condition quickly)

13 is a rafle... wouldnt be unhappy with Collins, Mackay or Milera (or Burton if either Curnow or Francis slide to 9)

God its nice to finally be struggling to chose again... rather than having to try and unearth a hidden gem

 

[Archie87]

Is there any intel that suggests there is even a remote chance of Francis sliding to our pick or is it hope more than anything?

 

[hey shorty]

Is there any intel that suggests there is even a remote chance of Francis sliding to our pick or is it hope more than anything?

Going by talent he probably won't be but theres a small chance he slides due to the teams above us having different needs.

 

[grundog49]

Disagree. Same as last year pretty much besides Francis who can play tall and small. Be like having Goddard on the back flank instead of say VB.

True but he's more of a Gibson 3rd tall in my POV. I love his kicking though. Better than most on our team.

 

[conVINCEd]

Stiffy_18 said Cal Twomey mentioned that Francis could slide to us in the Road to the Draft podcast.

 

[Bicks]

I'm just not seeing it, Francis still available at our pick would surely indicate teams above us are definitely not taking best available and he just doesn't come across as the type of lad that would be a "flight" risk.......surely Essendon would be all over him with Goddard coming to the end of his best football......and by all reports he's a mad Bombers barracker which they will have noted in their interview no doubt.

 

[Hang_Time]

Is Burton a KPF though? It doesn't sound like it. All the comparisons are to Gunston. Not I am a fan of how Gunston plays (still not over the way he walked out on the club) but as good a player as Gunston is, he is not a KPF. Especially not the one that does some relief duties in the ruck.

The only player that can be considered as a long term replacement for Jenkins (in terms of role and type of player) that is on our list is Dear. From draft and players that might be at our pick, it's Harry McKay.

People believe that there will be a return of the back up ruckman with the extinction of the substitute but forget that the rotations have reduced significantly which means that there is simply no room for a back up ruckman who can't play in another position. Replacement for Jenkins needs to be someone who can also pinch hit in the ruck to give the #1 ruckman a bit of a relief. At 191/192cm Burton is not that player.

We have o'brian that will prove more than competent as a back up ruckman I think the ruckman/forward came into vogue with the 3 man interchange. You are misjudging Burtons talent he may also grow another cm or 2 and if he turns midfielder will be pick of the draft.

 

[Hang_Time]

Just get Milera in the tricolours

No thanks

 

[Hang_Time]

And in your team who does the back up ruckwork smart ass since according to you Burton would be a replacement for Jenkins?!

Seriously, did you not follow O,Brian last season he was unlucky to not make his debut as a first year ruckman which is unheard of. He will be a star..

 

[Stiffy_18]

We have o'brian that will prove more than competent as a back up ruckman I think the ruckman/forward came into vogue with the 3 man interchange. You are misjudging Burtons talent he may also grow another cm or 2 and if he turns midfielder will be pick of the draft.

Seriously, did you not follow O,Brian last season he was unlucky to not make his debut as a first year ruckman which is unheard of. He will be a star..

Is it really difficult to understand that the days of traditional back up ruckman are gone.

Sure they disappeared with the 3 man interchange and a sub rule BUT there was an insane amount od rotations that teams could have. That got eventually capped, then it got more capped.

So now we get 5 man interchange back but the rotation caps at an all time low. The end result is that players must either be able to play majority of the game and/or they need to be able to play multiple positions. Unless ROB all of a sudden can play magically play most of his game time as a key forward, he is not going to be spending 80% of the game on the bench and 20% on the ground.

removing the sub rule does NOT bring back the second ruckman in the game because the number of rotations have decreased significantly. Teams will not be playing 2 full time ruckman. The back up must be able to play as a key forward. The game has changed and it will continue to change.

 

[grundog49]

Seriously, did you not follow O,Brian last season he was unlucky to not make his debut as a first year ruckman which is unheard of. He will be a star..

Inconsistant disposal

 

[Danger in Texas]

Can Burton be developed into a midfielder? It's something that he is aiming for (ala Fyfe). If we do take a punt on him at 13, I would try and develop him into a midfielder who can play forward. If he can do that he would be a very difficult match up just like Fyfe.

It's sounding like he's a better potential forward than mid, so I probably wouldn't take that risk of turning him into the next Fyfe.

God I want Francis so much.

 

[lunacy]

If we draft Burton, it may be to develop as a midfielder. He played as a mid his whole junior career up until his growth spurt and playing league for North at 16 put him forward. Having just recruited a 21 yr old Menzel, Lynch only 25 and Betts playing tall, we don't really need him as a forward.

Unless of course they want to develop him as a Dunstall/Modra type full forward. Lot of flexibility with him, I'd be really excited to draft someone with his talent.

However once Betts retires, Menzel could go back to playing as a small/medium crumbling forward and Burton play as a lead up forward similar to Lynch in addition to 2 genuine talls. Or one of Burton or Menzel play midfield.

Either way Betts won't be around forever and Burton could take a year or 2 before he's ready anyway.

Would anyone in hindsight say no to Stringer regardless of list needs? Obviously his leg needs to be ok.

 

[Hang_Time]

Inconsistant disposal

First year player..

 

[MRB37]

First year player..

He did get better as the year progressed. His kicking for goal in the pre-season where he was spraying then OOTF and later in the year where he was striking it much better was good to see.

 

[Bicks]

First year player..

Over Aged 1st year player that did have VFL exposure...

 

[Pugsley]

Why?

I'm irritating myself.

 

[Jeffcrowe]

Seriously, did you not follow O,Brian last season he was unlucky to not make his debut as a first year ruckman which is unheard of. He will be a star..

Wonder if ROB is still growing

Now listed at 201, if he gets to 203 it will be handy

 

[spenze]

Lets Rookie Majak.

We can category b him when he is released

 

[Mego Red]

I'm just not seeing it, Francis still available at our pick would surely indicate teams above us are definitely not taking best available and he just doesn't come across as the type of lad that would be a "flight" risk.......surely Essendon would be all over him with Goddard coming to the end of his best football......and by all reports he's a mad Bombers barracker which they will have noted in their interview no doubt.

Look - I agree.

Except that every year a top line SA player slides, due to VIC sides subconsciously prioritizing players they saw more often at the end of the year.

Melbourne will certainly take a mid and a tall. Essendon could too, though you'd think they'll take a tall and Francis. Carlton could take him at eight, too.

Not likely, but not impossible ...

 

[Mego Red]

We can category b him when he is released

What?