Phantom Draft eth-dog's 2025 Phantom

[Keystone agony]

Good athletically but poor defensively, poor kicking, only really plays midfield and not that good around the contest

Is that really true around the contest his numbers may suggest not that bad, only going off RM

But avg 10 CP and 4 Clearance - Champs

Only 2 games registered for 2025 CTL

But avg 14 CPs and 7.5 clearances

 

[PMBangers]

Is that really true around the contest his numbers may suggest not that bad, only going off RM

But avg 10 CP and 4 Clearance - Champs

Only 2 games registered for 2025 CTL

But avg 14 CPs and 7.5 clearances

Around contest involves spread and use by hand in tight for me

 

[Keystone agony]

Around contest involves spread and use by hand in tight for me

Isnt spread different to contest

When coaches speak of contest work its contest work, CPs, clearance, tackles, hands inside yes i agree comes under that, but certainly not spread

Around 'ground' fair enough or spread

 

[eth-dog]

Nice write up!!

I agree with Dyson Sharp as the Tigers first pick. Would be rapt if we can get him.

Unsure about Sam Grlj. I know he is a runner but I would prefer a runner with good kicking skills. Are his kicking skills good or better?

As for Robey, also very unsure on him. I think a lot of people have jumped on board after his 4 goals in the GF. I had a look at the highlights of that game and I noticed that his goals were largely gifted to him. I know he still kicked them but I didn't see a match winner or even a creator of play and goals. Just my opinion and I really don't watch the kids play so uneducated with my view.

I see you guys taking one of them and Grlj. In fact, some are reporting that you'll probably take Grlj immediately after the bids ahead of Sharp/Robey.

So to screw up GCS's plans to get top players cheaply, WCE really needs to bid on Uwland at pick 1 rather than 2, and Richmond to bid on Patterson before Annable, but then Brisbane get their kid a little cheaper.

WCE will get Duursma anyway, so will they flex and show the stronger clubs that they are serious, or will they let the northern academies continue to get top players without ever needing top picks.

Next year the bidding rules change so it'll be harder for them to get top players cheaply but the latest stuff seems to indicate no bids from West Coast

I'd be pretty annoyed if the Dee's took Schubert. We're already the most inaccurate team in the league and you've got us taking a guy who is probably the worst kick for goal in the entire draft. Shudders. It's going to be Matt Jefferson all over again.

I see Jefferson playing key defence in the near future.

Good job mate.
But I cant see Hawks passing on Lindsay. Best available.

Lindsay is an interesting one. He suits your game style but I see your midfield (inside and out) as a bigger need, Lindsay less so. In any case I've changed my mind and think you'll take Greeves there anyway.

Geez I hope you're wrong with Jack Dalton, the last thing we need at the Crows is an undersized 177cm midfielder with iffy disposal.
Surely we'd take one of Riley Onley an identified need a big bodied mid with decent burst speed or Talor Byrne a small pressure forward with a damaging left boot another identified need if still on the board. Hopefully with our 3rd pick we'd pick up a speculative tall KPP like Liam Hetherton or a KPP/Ruck Sam Ainsworth if available.

The later in the draft the less I know, but Onley is a decent chance

Meh swadling is not a real need for the Lions expect them to draft Bridge and Prindable

Wouldn't you want them to get through to Cat B? Only reason I put Waller in is because I expect him to attract a bid (and was too lazy to do the extra writing for him, Addinsall and Murray)

Kye Fincher stiff, need my man Tom Blamires in there too

Blamires I think will be RD.

if blues end up with Dean and Dovaston I'll be stoked

Shit, I better change that.

Why is Riley Onley considered a late pick? To me he has several highly draftable attributes that should see him taken much higher than he’s seemingly rated.

I'm going off rankings by people who've watched it far more carefully than I, so what PMBangers said.

Nice work.
Just on Hibbins-Hargreaves, he seems a bit lower in your phantom than where most have him. I've liked some of his work this year. What do you think is holding him back?

Not a criticism, genuinely curious.

The problem for me is that he's not that Stringer/Langford/Henry size of medium forward, and he's a bit too hot and cold from my viewing.

Agreed, after bringing in Mihocek and having Kentfield, Heath, JVR, Johnson, Fritsch etc., and maybe Jefferson in the reserves, Melbourne's needs maybe a developing back and a small forward. Sick of developing Forwards only for them to fall over, prefer to buy a FF in the next couple of years. Lindsay and Dovaston for mine, may be a backman with 33, although the draft cupboard is reasonably bare for big Backs, so I go for Latrelle Pickett. With White and Sinemma coming in, that rounds our Melbourne's Picks, 5 in total.
Great work on your Phantom Draft Eth-Dog, a good read, Cheers.

I think Johnson is pretty much a VFL player and Jefferson probably plays back next year.

I'd want him at our second pick if available.

Personally, with who was available, I'd be all in on a Farrow/NHH combo with our selections. A double hit of dynamic class.

I'd be shocked if you didn't draft Greeves at your second if available, given you tried to get him into your academy and your need to add to your midfield.

 

[nineteen eighty]

I see you guys taking one of them and Grlj. In fact, some are reporting that you'll probably take Grlj immediately after the bids ahead of Sharp/Robey.

.....

Given we have Smillie in the wings, possibly Robey and Grlj (we need the run).

How do you see Smillie compared to Dyson Sharp?

 

[pileitinho]

Onley I think does go higher than some project, because of the measurables (height/speed etc). He is certainly ragged in some areas but his inside game is not a complete wash, he has some good attributes there. He had a decent season. This draft pool is not that deep so you can easily see a team picking him over more complete players because of those positive physical traits and seeing where they can take those.

 

[eth-dog]

Given we have Smillie in the wings, possibly Robey and Grlj (we need the run).

How do you see Smillie compared to Dyson Sharp?

Haven't seen a lot but just feel like you need to bolster your young midfield and that Sharp fills that more than Robey

 

[Smythe]

Haven't seen a lot but just feel like you need to bolster your young midfield and that Sharp fills that more than Robey

He says with fingers crossed

 

[briztoon]

I believe Robey is a red hot chance to go pick 2 to West Coast.

As for Brisbane’s needs beyond Annable, list needs are tall key defender to succeed Andrews, developing ruck and pressure small forward.

I quite like the idea of drafting Taj Murray and moving him down back.

 

[eth-dog]

I believe Robey is a red hot chance to go pick 2 to West Coast.

As for Brisbane’s needs beyond Annable, list needs are tall key defender to succeed Andrews, developing ruck and pressure small forward.

I quite like the idea of drafting Taj Murray and moving him down back.

I'm guessing you see Smith more as a forward then. Key defender is hard, you could conceivably try to trade ahead for Curtin (as I can see him being a good KPD) but you'd be hamstringing yourself if a bid for Waller comes before the matching price is zero. Pressure small should be relatively easy to find tbf.

 

[Obeanie1]

As always, I'll be trying to do a "true" phantom draft with bid matches incorporated. I'm no expert, I'm mostly using guys like eDPS, PMBangers and others as reference. I will not be doing live trading, even though I expect a few to happen (Carlton will almost certainly trade up, and I expect points farming from Gold Coast and Brisbane). Anyway, here goes nothing.

Round 1:

Pick 1, West Coast: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power, 193 cm, Inside Midfielder/Half Back). Duursma is the number 1 pick with a bullet and only a trade up from Essendon will stop West Coast from taking him here. His cleanliness below his knees and overall athleticism are two big reasons why he'll go pick 1 IMO.

Pick 2, Gold Coast: Zeke Uwland (Burleigh, 180 cm, Utility). West Coast bid with pick 2, Gold Coast match the 2233 points with picks 15, 18 and 24 moves back to pick 43 (197 points). If West Coast don't bid on Uwland then there's something wrong. He can play anywhere to a very high standard and being injured all year is really why he isn't rated pick 1.

Pick 3, West Coast: Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons, 201 cm, Ruck/Key Forward). Easily the best KPP in the draft, CDT may well be West Coast's preferance if they do split their pick 1 or 2 into 2 picks, the big ruck/forward a high level talent and one in an area of need.

Pick 4, Brisbane: Daniel Annable (Redland, 183 cm, IM). Richmond bid with pick 4, Brisbane match the 1766 points with picks 17, 22, 42 and 50 moves to 52 (39 points). Annable is arguably the best "pure" midfielder in the draft and I see that as a need for the Tigers so they'll make Brisbane pay his worth here.

Pick 5, Gold Coast: Dylan Patterson (Palm Beach Currumbin, 183 cm, HB). Richmond bid with pick 5, Gold Coast match with picks 25, 26, 33 and 41 moves back to pick 46 (137 points). Patterson is the best half back in the draft and is in another area of need for the Tigers so I see him getting a bid here, it's up for debate whether Gold Coast match or not but I think if he escapes the top 4 he'll be a Sun.

Pick 6, Richmond: Dyson Sharp (Central Districts, 188 cm, IM). Probably the best inside mid of the open draft, Sharp is a pig in the middle, just wants to win everything, and is a monster in the clearances which with the Annable bid you can see why I think Richmond will take Sharp here.

Pick 7, Richmond: Sam Grlj (Oakleigh Chargers, 182 cm, HB). Grlj impressed the Tigers when he played VFL for them , and is seen as a 50/50 prospect as whether they take him here or potentially trade lower and take him there, but for the purposes of this I'm not gonna predict a trade.

Pick 8, Essendon: Sullivan Robey (Eastern Ranges, 193 cm, Midfielder/Forward). I think either Robey or Sharp will go to Richmond and the other to Essendon. Robey rocketed up the rankings with an incredible finals series, expect him to be a top 10 pick and a star as a mid/forward or the reverse.

Pick 9, Essendon: Xavier Taylor (ER, 192 cm, Medium Defender). I'm half expecting a trade up from Carlton here to get ahead of a Harry Dean bid, but this guy is perfect for Essendon as that medium intercept defender with only the injury prone Jordan Ridley on the list in this role.

Pick 10, Carlton: Harry Dean (Murray Bushrangers, 194 cm, Key Defender). Melbourne bid pick 10, Carlton match the bid with picks 12 and 14 losing 8 points worth of value to 1016. As I said earlier, I expect Carlton to trade up but I can see a world where they sit tight and just cop the bid with their pick a couple later and use 14 to draft someone else. Dean is the best key defender in the draft, something I see Melbourne needing hence the bid.

Pick 11, Melbourne: Aiden Schubert (CD, 198 cm, Key Forward). The need for the Dees is pretty easy to see, KPP's at either end. Schubert looks like the best pure key forward in the draft, and one thing Melbourne could definitely use here.

Pick 12, Melbourne: Sam Cumming (CD, 183 cm, M/F). Cumming I can see starting as a small forward and working his way into the midfield, kid will be perfect for this role IMO.

Pick 13, Hawthorn: Harley Barker (Sturt, 187 cm, Outside Midfielder). Hard to pick here for the Hawks, they clearly need midfielders but this particular draft isn't filled with the high quality inside mids, so choosing to go with one who has really good outside run here.

Pick 14, Carlton: Lachy Dovaston (ER, 177 cm, SF). Dovaston is probably the most electric small forward of the draft, I think Carlton will pounce on him with whatever their first pick is if they trade up as it is a clear area of need and that's why I can see them just absorbing a Harry Dean bid with their earlier pick.

Pick 15, Greater Western Sydney: Josh Lindsay (Geelong Falcons, 183 cm, HB). Lindsay is one of the better half backs of the draft, I can see him going anywhere between Richmond and here but I can't see the Giants passing up on him if available, a lovely kick of the football.

Pick 16, West Coast: Jacob Farrow (West Perth, 188 cm, MD). Farrow I see as the second best intercept defender of the draft and could honestly be a top 10 pick but like Lindsay I can't see him lasting beyond West Coast who need, well, everything, but an intercept defender is on the list.

Pick 17, Western Bulldogs: Mitch Marsh (West Adelaide, 190 cm, Medium Forward). When you have a key forward combination of Naughton and Darcy, an athletic medium forward like Marsh who can have an immediate impact is exactly what the Dogs would want IMO, especially with a lack of strong key defenders in this draft.

Pick 18, Adelaide: Matthew LeRay (Central Districts, 188 cm, OM). LeRay is a good outside midfielder who can run all day and was a very good cricketer in his own right before choosing footy. He aspires for captaincy one day and I can see him playing wing for Adelaide for a long time.

Pick 19, Geelong: Oskar Taylor (ER, 183 cm, F/M). Taylor is a hard one to rank, he could go as high as 10 or as low as 25, but I see a bit of Gryan Miers in him and I think the Cats will try to bring that through.

Pick 20, Sydney: Lachlan Carmichael (Sydney Academy, 184 cm, HB). Fremantle bid with pick 20, Sydney match the 673 points with picks 27 and 28 moves back to pick 34 (365 points). Carmichael is an interesting one, he'll be fringe night 1 but I can see him coming into a bid around here for the Swans who can easily match

Pick 21, Fremantle: Jevan Phillipou (Woodville-West Torrens, 183 cm, F/M). Younger brother of Mattaes, Jevan is a tough one to place but I can see him going as high as pick 13 or as low as 25 or so but Freo probably jump on him here.

Pick 22, Essendon: Hunter Holmes (OC, 188 cm, OM). I see Essendon trading this as part of a deal with Carlton, Melbourne, Richmond or West Coast, but if it were live for Essendon I can see a hard working outside mid being the type they bring in.

Pick 23, Essendon: Adam Sweid (CC, 176 cm, M/F). Hawthorn bid with pick 23, Essendon match 569 points with picks 26 and 27 losing 8 points worth of value to 525. Hawks need midfielders and I can see them bidding on Sweid here to keep Essendon honest. The Dons will match their NGA product immediately and get him through to the club on night 1 of the draft.

Pick 24, Hawthorn: Oliver Greeves (ER, 191 cm, IM). Greeves was an early top 5 favourite but has slipped due to an average year, however he fits the Hawks needs very well and will be able to play round 1 for them if necessary.

Eagles defense is pretty well set and they have invested heavily in the past several years.

If they go Farrow it's hoping he follows Yeo into the midfield.

Brock, Young, H Edwards and Bazzo are taller intercept defenders.

Then they have Hough, Starcervich, Bo Allan and Ginbey as strong interceptors.

Baker, Duggan, Cole as mature defenders.

 

[Obeanie1]

Barker to the Hawks won't impact 2026 after coming back from an acl.

Missing out on Merrett and losing Worpel would they look for a player who could impact 2026 to some degree?

 

[eth-dog]

Eagles defense is pretty well set and they have invested heavily in the past several years.

If they go Farrow it's hoping he follows Yeo into the midfield.

Brock, Young, H Edwards and Bazzo are taller intercept defenders.

Then they have Hough, Starcervich, Bo Allan and Ginbey as strong interceptors.

Baker, Duggan, Cole as mature defenders.

Fair enough, I haven't done a deep dive on West Coast's list, though I thought Allan and Ginbey would be moving into the middle, hence Farrow

Barker to the Hawks won't impact 2026 after coming back from an acl.

Missing out on Merrett and losing Worpel would they look for a player who could impact 2026 to some degree?

Barker I feel is good for the Hawks long term, although I am probably going to change things around soon as I see them taking Greeves there instead now.

 

[Obeanie1]

Fair enough, I haven't done a deep dive on West Coast's list, though I thought Allan and Ginbey would be moving into the middle, hence Farrow

Barker I feel is good for the Hawks long term, although I am probably going to change things around soon as I see them taking Greeves there instead now.

Greeves to Hawks has been floated a fair bit by some long term draft watchers on the Eagles board. A couple with ex coaching u18 history from Melbourne.

They both agreed Greeves is a good fit for the Hawks. Especially personality wise.

 

[eth-dog]

Greeves to Hawks has been floated a fair bit by some long term draft watchers on the Eagles board. A couple with ex coaching u18 history from Melbourne.

They both agreed Greeves is a good fit for the Hawks. Especially personality wise.

I mean they spent a lot of time trying to get him part of their NGA, so there'll certainly be a lot of interest there.

 

[briztoon]

I'm guessing you see Smith more as a forward then. Key defender is hard, you could conceivably try to trade ahead for Curtin (as I can see him being a good KPD) but you'd be hamstringing yourself if a bid for Waller comes before the matching price is zero. Pressure small should be relatively easy to find tbf.

Smith is our third ruck, but we probably need a 4th to start developing as Darcy Fort replacement.

I believe it’s unlikely we’ll be too active in trying to trade up in this draft, as I believe we really need to preserve our future draft picks for our future academy kids.

 

[Keystone agony]

Barker to the Hawks won't impact 2026 after coming back from an acl.

Missing out on Merrett and losing Worpel would they look for a player who could impact 2026 to some degree?

There probably aint much there at pick 22 that could conceivably impact straight away

Latrelle pickett but last thing they need

 

[danster168]

I see you guys taking one of them and Grlj. In fact, some are reporting that you'll probably take Grlj immediately after the bids ahead of Sharp/Robey.

Next year the bidding rules change so it'll be harder for them to get top players cheaply but the latest stuff seems to indicate no bids from West Coast

I see Jefferson playing key defence in the near future.

Lindsay is an interesting one. He suits your game style but I see your midfield (inside and out) as a bigger need, Lindsay less so. In any case I've changed my mind and think you'll take Greeves there anyway.

The later in the draft the less I know, but Onley is a decent chance

Wouldn't you want them to get through to Cat B? Only reason I put Waller in is because I expect him to attract a bid (and was too lazy to do the extra writing for him, Addinsall and Murray)

Blamires I think will be RD.

Shit, I better change that.

I'm going off rankings by people who've watched it far more carefully than I, so what PMBangers said.

The problem for me is that he's not that Stringer/Langford/Henry size of medium forward, and he's a bit too hot and cold from my viewing.

I think Johnson is pretty much a VFL player and Jefferson probably plays back next year.

I'd be shocked if you didn't draft Greeves at your second if available, given you tried to get him into your academy and your need to add to your midfield.

jefferson has never and will never play as key back. i respectfully dont know where u pulled that from just coz he's tall. Hes a non competitor and skinny. theres no role for him anywhere on the field.

 

[Keystone agony]

jefferson has never and will never play as key back. i respectfully dont know where u pulled that from just coz he's tall. Hes a non competitor and skinny. theres no role for him anywhere on the field.

He was always going to take time, about as skinny as they get entering afl

Has been pretty solid af vfl, not putting a line through him right now, albeit watched very little of him, so hard to

Always give them a go down back before delisting them

 

[Aalpal]

I agree that Johnson is VFL only, but Jefferson has been tried in the backline and did not fare well. Thanks for your reply.

 

[Aalpal]

How does Kentfield do playing for Melbourne reserves? Is he getting close to an AFL game?

very close, should have played the last couple of AFL games but was held back to have a full pre-season this coming year.

 

[Aalpal]

He was always going to take time, about as skinny as they get entering afl

Has been pretty solid af vfl, not putting a line through him right now, albeit watched very little of him, so hard to

Always give them a go down back before delisting them

Been tried down back for a few VFL games early last year, was clueless, think he will be one of the first delisted at the conclusion of the 2026 season unless some miracles are performed by the new coaching setup, nah need Best on Ground miracle.

 

[Blackhawk42]

They both agreed Greeves is a good fit for the Hawks. Especially personality wise.

Good to know he's an absolute stand up human being, to put alongside guys like Dylan Moore, Will Day, Josh Ward, Josh Weddle, Massimo D'Ambrosio, Lloyd Meek, Karl Amon, Jarman Impey, Tom Barrass, Josh Battle etc etc etc

 

[GT619]

Farrow is winning me over big time

 

[Futbolista]

Farrow is winning me over big time

Why and why now?