I think I've read enough phanton draft predictions for one season but reading all the ways different people rank the draft I thought I'd do a similar list of my thoughts on our team.
I base my rankings on how important the player is, experience, injury issues and simply how good he is anyhow here's my list.
# 1 Aaron Sandilands
These days our most important player when he's on we're hard to beat, when he's not there until recently we couldnt win without him, hopefully stays fit for the coming season.
# 2 Mathew Pavlich
The best player the club has produced, lost his influence a bit last yr but still won the b&f which perhaps wasnt all deserved but even if he didnt win it he was gonna come top 3. If he kicks 60+ goals next yr then I think he is again our #1 player.
#3 David Mundy
Has developed into our most important mid atm but this may soon be challenged. A very good player inside and outside player and I hope his best footy is yet to come, had amazing form with injuried til last yr.
# 4 Luke McPharlin
Our number 1 KPD and should have got AA this yr. So important to our team tho has been a bit injury prone over his career.
#5 Nathan Fyfe
Outstanding 2011 and could very well be the next Hird and if he keeps developing like he did last yr he will probly be better. Can still work on his disposal at times and now has some shoulder injuries that hopefully dont hinder him but should be our best player in a couple of yrs.
#6 Stephen Hill
Only 3 seasons in and he already gets the best tag from the opposition. When free can win a game off his own boot but needs to work on his consistency and contested ball winning but really if we have the others in there doing the grunt work the ball should be given to this kid and let him rip.
# 7 Greg Broughton
Very underated outside of Freo he was very good this yr and proved he can go in to the middle and really play, however I think his best position is in the backline.
# 8 Hayden Ballantyne
Love the little guy. Has such great tackling and can inspire the whole team. Is injury prone and I feel he needs to kick more goals but that will come if he can stay on the park more consistantly.
IMO those guys pretty much pick themselves it gets a bit difficult after this point experience has played a big part in how I rate the rest of them here so there are probly a few selections that mite annoy a few but I dont think you can really rate a player too highly off 20 games but here we go.
# 9 Paul Duffield
Ok he had a s*** 2011 when we really needed him to stand up but with Hayden gone he becomes a very important player and hopefully can get back to his best. His run out of the backline and his disposal is very good but really needs to step up in 2011.
# 10 Michael Barlow
If he hadnt gotten injured he would be right up there with the other young guns but whether or not he can come back is still a bit unproven tho there were some good signs at the end of 2011 but still hasnt played enough footy to be proven fingers crossed for 2012.
# 11 Nick Suban
I like this kid but he is a bit injury prone. Great kick coming out of the backline and hopefully can show that he can move into the midfield as well next yr.
# 12 Adam McPhee
Does some terrible stuff at times but is as tough as they come and can play almost every position on the ground. Has a lot of experience, not usually injury prone and I think he will again play an important role with the new coach.
# 13 Chris Mayne
A lot of people bag him out for his 2011 efforts but to me that is exactly what we need from him. 20-30 goals and a shedload of tackles in the forward 50 but should definitely work on his goal kicking. He will never be a superstar but we need him to be consistent every week.
# 14 Matt De Boer
Just what every team needs a battering ram and excellent leadership skills. His disposal at times is terrible but he makes up for it by keeping the opposition honest. He again wont be a superstar but we need him on the park for at least 20 games nxt yr.
# 15 Michael Johnson
I know this will piss a lot of people off because the guy below has a lot more heart but this guy has been good in the past but was very underwelming in 2011. On talent this bloke should be up there with the teams top players but he just seems to lack any sense of urgency on the field. I dont really see him as KPP despite his height and hope he is used as a third tall and given a licence to run. At his best will be very helpful to our team.
# 16 Alex Silvani
All the heart in the world and I really rate the bloke but cant really put him higher than this cos he has only played 24 games and not really of the quality that Barlow has showed. Some people tried to say he was in AA form but I dont really but into that he was very solid tho and look forward to seeing more of him if he can stay injury free.
# 17 Garrick Ibbotson
This guy could be placed higher but for some reason he really annoys me. Has a lot of talent and sometimes uses it but also consistently makes the worst decision of the match. I think he needs to add another string to his bow and either become a better stopper or more of a midfielder.
# 18 Zac Clarke
Breakout 2011 and along with Griffen we finally found a way to win without Sandi. He's absolutely fantastic for a bloke his size around the ground tho he does need to work on his ruckwork a bit but competition between him and Griffen will be a good thing for the team.
# 19 Jonathon Griffen
Has more experience than Clarke so based on some of my selections this should put him above however in the end I've probly only seen him play in about 10 games so I put him here. A better ruckman than Clarke and really should have had more opportunities last yr before Sandi went down. I'm hoping Lyon gives him a bit more of a chance at the selection table nxt season. Along with Clarke has turned the ruck position into our strength.
# 20 Anthony Morabito
Some parts of what I've seen were absolutely amazing and in the future he should be right at the top but coming off such an injury its hard to place him higher than others cos I havent seen him for so long. Fingers crossed he has no interuptions in the preseason.
# 21 Nick Lower
Really liked what this guy did last yr and is what we miss a bit in a hard footballer, who finds the footy and also has good disposal. Is a little slow but more than makes up for that in contested football, definitely in our best 22 atm.
# 22 Anthoni Grover
The old workhorse. I rate what this guy has done over the yrs for our club. He is approaching the end but I think atm he still holds a position in out best 22 and is definitely a good depth player another 15+ games next yr should be a good way to finish off a solid career.
# 23 Keplar Bradley
What can I say? Really doesnt look like a footballer but I like what he did last yr and seemed to get dropped by Harvey on a few occassions despite being our own goalkicking option. By not getting M Clark I'm hoping Lyon gives Kep some faith and lets him start the season at FF cos I think he can be as good a goalkicker as Clark.
# 24 Dylan Roberton
This is really where this kid sits. He is outside our 22 atm and had a bad 2011, but who didnt. Hopefully he can put on a bit of weight that he needs and I'm hoping that he forces his way into the 22 next yr cos I think over time he will be handy.
# 25 Tendai Mzungu
Won the Beacon award for our best first yr player and I think he deserved it. It super fit and can play a variety of roles which is important, kicking can be poor at times but hopefully he can continue his development and be a handy player next season.
# 26 Ryan Crowley
I would put this guy lower but in the end he has played over 100 games now and this makes him the most proven of what is left. I read the other day that it looks like he has lost weight which is exactly what he needed to do and hopefully he gets some pace back. If he doesnt I think the game will be much too fast for him next yr but if he does I think he can add to his game tally.
# 27 Jesse Crichton
I wanted to put this guy higher and in the future I think he will be but he's only played 13 games and tho he has showed some things in patches he still has a fair few things he has to work on. I'm hoping he gets a shot at the small lockdown defender that we desperately need but to do that I think he needs to put on some more weight over the preseason.
# 28 Jayden Pitt
I wouldnt say his first yr was outstanding but he did enough to give me encouragement he was good early but really faded as the season wore on. Its a bit early but he reminds me a bit of Dal Santo, he lacks that real raw pace but does have really good disposal by foot. He needs to bulk up seriously and I think he has to win his spot back through form in the preseason and WAFL but I'm hoping we get to see more of him in 2012.
# 29 Michael Walters
I wanted to put this guy last after reading yesterday that he has come back to the club out of shape however he is talented and has shown glimpses at AFL level. I really hope that the knocks on him yesterday were exaggerated but it wouldnt surprise me that he hasnt done the work over his break. Hopefully Lyon can get the best from this kid but I'm not holding my breathe.
# 30 Josh Mellington
Really liked what I saw of this kid both in the AFL but more in the WAFL last yr. He has a hardness about him that I think may see him challenging Mayne for his spot in the coming yrs but also has a bit more goalsense. Must work on his conversion rate to really be a force in the AFL.
# 31 Jay Van Berlo
Has shown some glimpses but in the end this season will either make or break him. With the superdraft on the horizon JVB really needs to do something to save his spot for next yr. Has some serious flaws in his game particularly his disposal but I think also another contender for that small lockdown defender role so we'll see what happens.
# 32 Viv Mitchie
On what I saw in the preseason last yr I really wanted to put this guy higher but in the end seeing he hasnt played a game so he cant really be rated. I'm hoping by the end of this yr he is up there in the best 22 cos there is something about him I really like.
# 33 Jack Anthony
I was a big advocate of getting this guy to the club and he's done nothing but disappoint me. Some may say he wasnt given much of a chance by Harvey but in the end he was hardly setting the WAFL alight and his games at AFL level, with one exception, were very ordinary. Some want to see him play back but I dont I think his position is FF and thats what we need so do some work and get in some goal kicking form.
# 34 Peter Faulks
Pretty far from AFL standard atm IMO. A mature aged recruit but hardly had any impact last season and there are rumours that he is struggling to run laps at preseason. Has to do something this season or he will be the first one cut at seasons end. Quite injury prone.
#35 Gavin Roberts
Supposed to be rated pretty highly but I cant rate what I havent seen. He is very injury prone and struggled even at WAFL reserves level last yr.
I think thats it if I've missed anyone out lemme know. I'm interested in comments and opinions but also hoping others would make their own lists to see the differences in player ratings just thought it would be something different to talk about apart from the draft.
I base my rankings on how important the player is, experience, injury issues and simply how good he is anyhow here's my list.
# 1 Aaron Sandilands
These days our most important player when he's on we're hard to beat, when he's not there until recently we couldnt win without him, hopefully stays fit for the coming season.
# 2 Mathew Pavlich
The best player the club has produced, lost his influence a bit last yr but still won the b&f which perhaps wasnt all deserved but even if he didnt win it he was gonna come top 3. If he kicks 60+ goals next yr then I think he is again our #1 player.
#3 David Mundy
Has developed into our most important mid atm but this may soon be challenged. A very good player inside and outside player and I hope his best footy is yet to come, had amazing form with injuried til last yr.
# 4 Luke McPharlin
Our number 1 KPD and should have got AA this yr. So important to our team tho has been a bit injury prone over his career.
#5 Nathan Fyfe
Outstanding 2011 and could very well be the next Hird and if he keeps developing like he did last yr he will probly be better. Can still work on his disposal at times and now has some shoulder injuries that hopefully dont hinder him but should be our best player in a couple of yrs.
#6 Stephen Hill
Only 3 seasons in and he already gets the best tag from the opposition. When free can win a game off his own boot but needs to work on his consistency and contested ball winning but really if we have the others in there doing the grunt work the ball should be given to this kid and let him rip.
# 7 Greg Broughton
Very underated outside of Freo he was very good this yr and proved he can go in to the middle and really play, however I think his best position is in the backline.
# 8 Hayden Ballantyne
Love the little guy. Has such great tackling and can inspire the whole team. Is injury prone and I feel he needs to kick more goals but that will come if he can stay on the park more consistantly.
IMO those guys pretty much pick themselves it gets a bit difficult after this point experience has played a big part in how I rate the rest of them here so there are probly a few selections that mite annoy a few but I dont think you can really rate a player too highly off 20 games but here we go.
# 9 Paul Duffield
Ok he had a s*** 2011 when we really needed him to stand up but with Hayden gone he becomes a very important player and hopefully can get back to his best. His run out of the backline and his disposal is very good but really needs to step up in 2011.
# 10 Michael Barlow
If he hadnt gotten injured he would be right up there with the other young guns but whether or not he can come back is still a bit unproven tho there were some good signs at the end of 2011 but still hasnt played enough footy to be proven fingers crossed for 2012.
# 11 Nick Suban
I like this kid but he is a bit injury prone. Great kick coming out of the backline and hopefully can show that he can move into the midfield as well next yr.
# 12 Adam McPhee
Does some terrible stuff at times but is as tough as they come and can play almost every position on the ground. Has a lot of experience, not usually injury prone and I think he will again play an important role with the new coach.
# 13 Chris Mayne
A lot of people bag him out for his 2011 efforts but to me that is exactly what we need from him. 20-30 goals and a shedload of tackles in the forward 50 but should definitely work on his goal kicking. He will never be a superstar but we need him to be consistent every week.
# 14 Matt De Boer
Just what every team needs a battering ram and excellent leadership skills. His disposal at times is terrible but he makes up for it by keeping the opposition honest. He again wont be a superstar but we need him on the park for at least 20 games nxt yr.
# 15 Michael Johnson
I know this will piss a lot of people off because the guy below has a lot more heart but this guy has been good in the past but was very underwelming in 2011. On talent this bloke should be up there with the teams top players but he just seems to lack any sense of urgency on the field. I dont really see him as KPP despite his height and hope he is used as a third tall and given a licence to run. At his best will be very helpful to our team.
# 16 Alex Silvani
All the heart in the world and I really rate the bloke but cant really put him higher than this cos he has only played 24 games and not really of the quality that Barlow has showed. Some people tried to say he was in AA form but I dont really but into that he was very solid tho and look forward to seeing more of him if he can stay injury free.
# 17 Garrick Ibbotson
This guy could be placed higher but for some reason he really annoys me. Has a lot of talent and sometimes uses it but also consistently makes the worst decision of the match. I think he needs to add another string to his bow and either become a better stopper or more of a midfielder.
# 18 Zac Clarke
Breakout 2011 and along with Griffen we finally found a way to win without Sandi. He's absolutely fantastic for a bloke his size around the ground tho he does need to work on his ruckwork a bit but competition between him and Griffen will be a good thing for the team.
# 19 Jonathon Griffen
Has more experience than Clarke so based on some of my selections this should put him above however in the end I've probly only seen him play in about 10 games so I put him here. A better ruckman than Clarke and really should have had more opportunities last yr before Sandi went down. I'm hoping Lyon gives him a bit more of a chance at the selection table nxt season. Along with Clarke has turned the ruck position into our strength.
# 20 Anthony Morabito
Some parts of what I've seen were absolutely amazing and in the future he should be right at the top but coming off such an injury its hard to place him higher than others cos I havent seen him for so long. Fingers crossed he has no interuptions in the preseason.
# 21 Nick Lower
Really liked what this guy did last yr and is what we miss a bit in a hard footballer, who finds the footy and also has good disposal. Is a little slow but more than makes up for that in contested football, definitely in our best 22 atm.
# 22 Anthoni Grover
The old workhorse. I rate what this guy has done over the yrs for our club. He is approaching the end but I think atm he still holds a position in out best 22 and is definitely a good depth player another 15+ games next yr should be a good way to finish off a solid career.
# 23 Keplar Bradley
What can I say? Really doesnt look like a footballer but I like what he did last yr and seemed to get dropped by Harvey on a few occassions despite being our own goalkicking option. By not getting M Clark I'm hoping Lyon gives Kep some faith and lets him start the season at FF cos I think he can be as good a goalkicker as Clark.
# 24 Dylan Roberton
This is really where this kid sits. He is outside our 22 atm and had a bad 2011, but who didnt. Hopefully he can put on a bit of weight that he needs and I'm hoping that he forces his way into the 22 next yr cos I think over time he will be handy.
# 25 Tendai Mzungu
Won the Beacon award for our best first yr player and I think he deserved it. It super fit and can play a variety of roles which is important, kicking can be poor at times but hopefully he can continue his development and be a handy player next season.
# 26 Ryan Crowley
I would put this guy lower but in the end he has played over 100 games now and this makes him the most proven of what is left. I read the other day that it looks like he has lost weight which is exactly what he needed to do and hopefully he gets some pace back. If he doesnt I think the game will be much too fast for him next yr but if he does I think he can add to his game tally.
# 27 Jesse Crichton
I wanted to put this guy higher and in the future I think he will be but he's only played 13 games and tho he has showed some things in patches he still has a fair few things he has to work on. I'm hoping he gets a shot at the small lockdown defender that we desperately need but to do that I think he needs to put on some more weight over the preseason.
# 28 Jayden Pitt
I wouldnt say his first yr was outstanding but he did enough to give me encouragement he was good early but really faded as the season wore on. Its a bit early but he reminds me a bit of Dal Santo, he lacks that real raw pace but does have really good disposal by foot. He needs to bulk up seriously and I think he has to win his spot back through form in the preseason and WAFL but I'm hoping we get to see more of him in 2012.
# 29 Michael Walters
I wanted to put this guy last after reading yesterday that he has come back to the club out of shape however he is talented and has shown glimpses at AFL level. I really hope that the knocks on him yesterday were exaggerated but it wouldnt surprise me that he hasnt done the work over his break. Hopefully Lyon can get the best from this kid but I'm not holding my breathe.
# 30 Josh Mellington
Really liked what I saw of this kid both in the AFL but more in the WAFL last yr. He has a hardness about him that I think may see him challenging Mayne for his spot in the coming yrs but also has a bit more goalsense. Must work on his conversion rate to really be a force in the AFL.
# 31 Jay Van Berlo
Has shown some glimpses but in the end this season will either make or break him. With the superdraft on the horizon JVB really needs to do something to save his spot for next yr. Has some serious flaws in his game particularly his disposal but I think also another contender for that small lockdown defender role so we'll see what happens.
# 32 Viv Mitchie
On what I saw in the preseason last yr I really wanted to put this guy higher but in the end seeing he hasnt played a game so he cant really be rated. I'm hoping by the end of this yr he is up there in the best 22 cos there is something about him I really like.
# 33 Jack Anthony
I was a big advocate of getting this guy to the club and he's done nothing but disappoint me. Some may say he wasnt given much of a chance by Harvey but in the end he was hardly setting the WAFL alight and his games at AFL level, with one exception, were very ordinary. Some want to see him play back but I dont I think his position is FF and thats what we need so do some work and get in some goal kicking form.
# 34 Peter Faulks
Pretty far from AFL standard atm IMO. A mature aged recruit but hardly had any impact last season and there are rumours that he is struggling to run laps at preseason. Has to do something this season or he will be the first one cut at seasons end. Quite injury prone.
#35 Gavin Roberts
Supposed to be rated pretty highly but I cant rate what I havent seen. He is very injury prone and struggled even at WAFL reserves level last yr.
I think thats it if I've missed anyone out lemme know. I'm interested in comments and opinions but also hoping others would make their own lists to see the differences in player ratings just thought it would be something different to talk about apart from the draft.
