Draft

[LongBombFromOutside50]

For our first two picks, I think we should definitely look at taking two midfielders. I'm fairly certain we will take Surjan as well as another midfielder, possibly McLean or Dunn (if still available), both of whom are very good in close and well-equipped for AFL footy. And although I haven't seen him play, I wouldn't discount Burges either.

This is what several people have had to say about Burges:

DOB: May 15, 1986
185cm, 80kg:

"Is very bottom age, nice build which will fill out, and can play much taller than his 185cm.

Extremely versatile and is equally at home on a small quick, a medium strong, or a much taller opponent. Seems best suited to midfield but equally at home onball in defence or up forward.

Really attacks the ball, gets his own ball, has a very big leap, great pace and is a thumping kick." - Colin Wisbey


"He is like a Koutoufides or Pavlich, is quick and a good size, almost like a complete footballer.

Callum is very exciting and can play anywhere, we have played him at centre half forward, wing and in the ruck at times this season.

He is incredibly hard at the ball, is a great overhead mark, kicks beautifully and is very fast.

This is Callum’s third year in the first eighteen side as he started playing when he was in year ten." - Hale 1st XV111 coach, Sean Henderson


Speaking of which, let me know if any of you are prepared to help represent Freo in the Bigfooty Phantom Draft, to be held on November 17. We can discuss who we should select in this thread and communicate via MSN at the time of the draft.

 

[ThePope]

Should we start by ranking the key prospects...

ie midfielders
Ray>Surjan>McLean>Dunn>Burgess>Bosustow>Richardson

KPPs
Bradley>Moody>Johnson>Spencer>Spaanderman>Pettigrew>Hall>C Jones

This is just by reading what others have said, I haven't seen much of any of the players myself.

Looking at the draft camp West Aussies, where does Brett Jones fit, or Paul Duffield?

Is Daniel Chidlow still a chance? Bruce Greatwich got the rover's spot in the Colts team of the Year and best colts player for EP... is he a chance? Brendan Jones got the RR spot, Nick Sas the centre. As we are after inside midfielders, are any of these guys smokies? Do we look at Brett LeCras as a more ready made player, rather than a 2-3 year project? Justin King, Dean Trewhella, Ryan Atkinson all did well in the Jack Clarke Medal

http://www.eastperthfc.com.au/season2003/news/coltsteamofyear.htm

has pics as well as just the names of the Team of the Year.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

I think the types of players we should really be focusing on are midfielders and key position players. We have enough young, flanker/pocket type players already in our best 22, which was proven by the fact that T.Lo couldn't crack our 22 for most of the year and Koops was traded without heavily disrupting team structure. At this stage, it doesn't look like we will be using our fourth rounder, although that may change.

This is how I would rank the Midfielders from WA who are worthy of, and likely to come under consideration with one of our first or second round picks, if available:

1. Farren Ray (Peel)
2. Jacob Surjan (Sth Frem)
3. Callum Burges (West Perth) - haven't seen him play, only going by reports.

WA Key Position Players/Ruckmen:

1. Michael Johnson (Perth)
2. Matthew Spencer (Swan Dist)
3. Brent Hall (Sth Frem)
4. Michael Pettigrew (West Perth)
5. Chad Jones (Claremont)

WA Half Back Flankers/Back Pockets:

1. Paul Richardson (Swan Dist)
2. Brett Jones (Claremont)

WA Utilities:

1. Kepler Bradley (West Perth)
2. Matthew Moody (Sth Frem)

Interstate Key Position Players:

1. Troy Chaplin (Ballarat, Vic)
2. Billy Morrison (Nth Hobart, Tas) - haven't seen him play and have no idea where he may go, but was tipped to be a top five selection at the beginning of this year before his shoulder injury and apparently kicked 9 goals on senior debut for Nth Hobart at age 14!
3. Fergus Watts (Sandringham, Vic)
4. Will Gayfer (Murray, Vic)
5. Ben Clifton (Calder, Vic)

Interstate Midfielders: (with a specific focus on inside midfielders)

1. Adam Cooney (West Adel, SA)
2. Colin Sylvia (Bendigo, Vic)
3. Ryley Dunn (Murray, Vic)
4. Brock McLean (Calder, Vic)


Realistically, I'd be happy for us to use our two first round picks on Surjan and McLean/Dunn, with the hope that the Eagles will use pick 11 on an interstate key position player.

I think we should use at least one of our second round picks on a key position player, and if one of Morrison or Chaplin is available at 19 we should definitely take him; however with the scarcity of big men in this years draft, that is highly unlikely.

If Moody is still available at 19 I think we should definitely take him and hope one of Johnson, Gayfer, Spencer or Pettigrew (in that order) will be available at 27.

If Moody goes in the first round, I wouldn't mind if we drafted two of Johnson, Gayfer, Spencer or Pettigrew with our second round picks, or perhaps Burges with 19 and one of Johnson, Gayfer, Spencer or Pettigrew with 27. Bear in mind Johnson is a Freo supporter and will have a strong passion to play with us.

Also, what if Black is delisted by the Saints and eligible to enter the National Draft? Do we use our second round pick on him or use our fourth rounder with the hope that no interstate club would be interested in a bloke unprepared to play for them?

What are your thoughts on the matter? (particulary sabre and FreoDocker who are also representing Freo in Bigfooty's Phantom Draft, to be held on Monday, November 17 at 5pm WST)

 

[YAKUZA]

Dont be surprised to see Smarty read out Burges' name at pick 10.

 

[dasler]

Originally posted by YAKUZA
Dont be surprised to see Smarty read out Burges' name at pick 10.

Yakuza I'm extremely interested in the opinions on Burges. I asked around abit about him and first hand to some Hale boys and they said he was average to ok at best. I didn't get one report of an "he's an awesome player" etc etc. This is where my reservations lie with him because i must admit Burges is an unknown quantity to me, but I haven't heard anything special about him yet to justify top 20 draft pick.

 

[Freo Shark]

This Callum Burgess sounds like he'll be a star a 'baby pav' .

Maybe we need to grab him as our #10 pick as insurance for when Pav goes home. Which we all know will happen sometime maybe this time around.

Ray wont be around at 10 and we can go for a McLean or Surjan at 12. Pick 19 is not far beyond 12 either so we have the flexibility to take Burgess at 10

 

[pav_is_god]

Originally posted by Freo Shark
Maybe we need to grab him as our #10 pick as insurance for when Pav goes home. Which we all know will happen sometime maybe this time around.

la la la...can't hear you...la la la...not gonna happen (hopefully) ...la la la!!!

 

[Kenny_01]

I doubt Pav will be going anywhere.

 

[fitzmantle]

I doubt Pav will be going anywhere.

Dont know about that Kenny, I reckon Hollywoods a calling Pav after those stunning real estate ads.

 

[pav_is_god]

Originally posted by fitzmantle
Dont know about that Kenny, I reckon Hollywoods a calling Pav after those stunning real estate ads.

and remember "don't drive tired"!!!

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

McLean or Surjan?

From what I've seen (and read) of Surjan, and from what I've read and seen (in the TAC Cup GF and National U/18 Carnival) of McLean, I am unsure as to which one we should take with our first pick. Surjan is the local boy and has superior pace and skill, but McLean is a ball magnet, is as tough as they come and could be the end of our in-and-under woes in the midfield. I think he is also more versatile, with the ability to provide a marking option up forward.

It is possible that neither will be available by pick 10 and it is likely that WC will select the other one with pick 12. My ideal outcome of the draft would be for us to select McLean and Surjan with our two first rounders, Moody with 19 and Johnson or even Spencer with 27. It's unlikely, but still possible I guess.

 

[Kenny_01]

On the actual draft, I think we're a shot of snapping up Ray, McLean and Surjan. I don't think anyone will pick up Ray with the first 9 picks, and I don't think Surjan will go until the 2nd round.

Players lacking height easily get overlooked at the draft and selectors seem to go for the players with more upside/scope. Ray looked awesome in the U18 Carnival (especially the last game) but I think there are still question marks over him. Schammer blitzed in the carnival the year before but didn't get taken until #13. I think if we wanted all 3 of them, we could get them. I wouldn't mind getting Moody in the 2nd round as well.

As for the phantom draft, personally I'd go for McLean DJ_BJ.

 

[LongBombFromOutside50]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
On the actual draft, I think we're a shot of snapping up Ray, McLean and Surjan. I don't think anyone will pick up Ray with the first 9 picks, and I don't think Surjan will go until the 2nd round.

Oh, I would love that! I guess it is realistically possible with the limited number of key position players in the draft who may be taken much earlier than expected by clubs in need.

IMO, McLean would be the perfect addition to our side. I really hope he is available with pick 10 in the actual draft. I doubt we'd be able to get Moody if we somehow managed to get those three though.

As for the phantom draft, personally I'd go for McLean DJ_BJ.

PM me with your MSN details if you want to be a part of it Kenny.

 

[FreoDocker]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
On the actual draft, I think we're a shot of snapping up Ray, McLean and Surjan. I don't think anyone will pick up Ray with the first 9 picks, and I don't think Surjan will go until the 2nd round.

Players lacking height easily get overlooked at the draft and selectors seem to go for the players with more upside/scope. Ray looked awesome in the U18 Carnival (especially the last game) but I think there are still question marks over him. Schammer blitzed in the carnival the year before but didn't get taken until #13. I think if we wanted all 3 of them, we could get them. I wouldn't mind getting Moody in the 2nd round as well.

As for the phantom draft, personally I'd go for McLean DJ_BJ.

Now that I've looked at a few other phantom drafts, there is a real possibility that ray could be around at pick 10. As I've said in other posts I'd be really keen for us to pick up Surjan and I have a bad feeling that if he is still available at 11, the Eagles will pick him up. While I know that McLean would be a good player in the near future, I would be more inclined to pick up some of the local talent on offer.

1 - Because there is less chance of them going home after a few years.
2 - The WA talent in the draft is pretty decent this year, we could set ourselves up with blokes like Surjan and Moody.

 

[The Mission Man]

After being drafted to it, which interstate club would you be eager to go home from - the one languishing on the bottom, with a National Party voter as a coach, or the one knocking on top four with arguably the best young prospects in the country?

Homesickness would be a bit more acute in the former case, wouldn't you think?

The odd case of Des Headlandism aside, professional sportspeople are eager to make a career with a successful side. Where that side is tends to be neither here nor there.

We couldn't keep them before because we were mud.

And I'll hate it if young Johnson gets taken by those perverts from the football-related company marketing as WCE.

 

[Freo Hitman]

Freo's 1st pick will be used on a very well not talked about person in the name of Embley. The WCE have tried well to hide him , The West Australian know about him and choose not to talk about him but at the end of the day guys , I think his name is Michael , Michael Embley , brother of Andrew will be a a Fremantle Player in 2004 & beyond.
& Beleive me he is very , very good , Young Embley is twice the player as Old Embley

 

[Streaker]

This is how I would like the Eagles to pick

#11 Callum Burges
#20 Michael Johnson
#26 Ben Cosgriff

FH I doubt Embley will be taken in the draft but might be rookie listed.

And Johnson also had this to say

“It doesn’t really matter if I play for Fremantle or West Coast, but just to stay home would be great,” he said. “I am very close to my family. I know the place, and it would be easier to live here and be with my family and friends.”

 

[FreoDocker]

All things going our way I'd be looking to pick up:
#10 - Brock Mclean
#12 - Jacob Surjan
#19 - Matt Moody
#27 - Michael Pettigrew
#43 - Brett Peake

 

[YAKUZA]

Originally posted by Freo Hitman
Freo's 1st pick will be used on a very well not talked about person in the name of Embley. The WCE have tried well to hide him , The West Australian know about him and choose not to talk about him but at the end of the day guys , I think his name is Michael , Michael Embley , brother of Andrew will be a a Fremantle Player in 2004 & beyond.
& Beleive me he is very , very good , Young Embley is twice the player as Old Embley

Whatever your on Hitman get off it before your brain completely disintegrates. By this time next Saturday you'll see how ridiculous your post is.

 

[Freo Hitman]

Originally posted by YAKUZA
Whatever your on Hitman get off it before your brain completely disintegrates. By this time next Saturday you'll see how ridiculous your post is.

We shall see.......
His career will probably mirror Luke McPharlin so far

 

[YAKUZA]

Originally posted by Freo Hitman
We shall see.......
His career will probably mirror Luke McPharlin so far

At the risk of sounding like Pauline Hanson, Please Explain!

 

[funky_monk]

Originally posted by Kenny_01
On the actual draft, I think we're a shot of snapping up Ray, McLean and Surjan. I don't think anyone will pick up Ray with the first 9 picks, and I don't think Surjan will go until the 2nd round.

Players lacking height easily get overlooked at the draft and selectors seem to go for the players with more upside/scope. Ray looked awesome in the U18 Carnival (especially the last game) but I think there are still question marks over him. Schammer blitzed in the carnival the year before but didn't get taken until #13. I think if we wanted all 3 of them, we could get them. I wouldn't mind getting Moody in the 2nd round as well.

As for the phantom draft, personally I'd go for McLean DJ_BJ.

From all that I have read and heard I think Ray will be gone (pick 4 to the Bullies) and McLean will be also (pick 6 Essendon - after midfielders, or pick 9 Roos).

Moody is seen as a first rounder, but we might snag him wit pick 19.

Surjan should last long enough for us to get him but his height is a concern (Schammer and Surjan in the same centre line would leave our midfield very, very short).

So who do I think we'll take..? Waters was the pick from todays Sunday Times. But I really don't know. Riley Dunn might be still around and he would fit nicely.

 

[dasler]

Originally posted by funky_monk
From all that I have read and heard I think Ray will be gone (pick 4 to the Bullies) and McLean will be also (pick 6 Essendon - after midfielders, or pick 9 Roos).

Moody is seen as a first rounder, but we might snag him wit pick 19.

Surjan should last long enough for us to get him but his height is a concern (Schammer and Surjan in the same centre line would leave our midfield very, very short).

So who do I think we'll take..? Waters was the pick from todays Sunday Times. But I really don't know. Riley Dunn might be still around and he would fit nicely.

Schammer's running power combats his height, Surjan plays alot taller than what he is at 180cm, assuming Fremantle draft him.

I only think about the height of a player when we go to KPP stocks.

 

[funky_monk]

Originally posted by dasler
Schammer's running power combats his height, Surjan plays alot taller than what he is at 180cm, assuming Fremantle draft him.

I only think about the height of a player when we go to KPP stocks.

Fair enough. Dasler, what do you think of Waters? If Moody and Surjan were gone by pick 19 would he be a good pick up at 19 (better than Spencer and Johnson?)?

Found an article on the debarcle that is the AFL website about Waters too...

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=draft&spg=display&articleid=125993

Sounds a good type physically and mentally.

 

[dasler]

Originally posted by funky_monk
Fair enough. Dasler, what do you think of Waters? If Moody and Surjan were gone by pick 19 would he be a good pick up at 19 (better than Spencer and Johnson?)?

Found an article on the debarcle that is the AFL website about Waters too...

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=draft&spg=display&articleid=125993

Sounds a good type physically and mentally.

Waters is a very good player, but then again most of them are to be invited to the draft camp. Gotta look at what Fremantle's current needs are? Do they need a medium sized defender running off the HBF? If the answer is yes then Waters is a prime candidate. Will run it out of the backline and hit you lace up everytime.

At pick 19 I'd be more inclined to take Johnson, as he is a smooth mover and extremely agile for a bigman. Spencer closely follows after that simply because when he gets the ball he has to go back and take his kick rather than move it on quickly. That's simply why I prefer Johnson, he moves it on and keeps the ball flowing, however Spencer is extremely strong 1 on 1.