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Geelong's 2004 Draft Thread

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Alas trade week has passed us and the 2004 National Draft beckons. We currently hold pick 32, pick 48, pick 64, and pick 80. I only expect to see the first 3 being used to satisfy draft rules.

Any thoughts as to who we should pick?

To start things off, what do fellow Geelong BF posters think of the following youngsters?

Thomas Redden

Details:
Club: Sacred Heart/Glenelg
DOB: 18 June 1987 Hgt: 190cm Wgt: 74kg
Position: Key Position/Onballer
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
National Draft Camp 2004

Strengths: Thomas could be one of the surprises of the draft, getting a draft camp invite despite not playing for SA in the carnival. He has spent most of the year playing school football for Sacred Heart where he has been a star.

Redden is a tall midfielder with the ability to play in a number of key positions, in a similar mould to former schoolmate Andrew Mackie. He was given an exemption into this year's draft so there is plenty of scope for improvement. He has good pace, good skills and his versatility will make him very attractive to most clubs.

Weaknesses: Almost unproven at the elite level, clubs are really taking a gamble on selecting Redden.

Footydraft.com comment: Every year Sacred Heart seem to produce a player from left-field, and Redden looks like it for 2004. Players of his versatility are gold for any AFL recruiter and this should see Thomas selected.

I say: The similarities between Redden and Mackie are quite amazing by the sounds of it. The prospect of drafting another Mackie-like player intrigues me. For all our abundance of flankers, which it appears Redden will become with his body size, I don't think Wells could do no worse than take a punt on a player with our first draft pick.

Chris Gooley

Details:
Club: Melbourne Grammar/Sandringham
DOB: 4 March 1986 Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 84kg
Position: Full Forward
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2004: 8 games, 17 goals, 13.8 PPG

Strengths: Chris Gooley is a tall forward who has spent most of the year playing school football for Melbourne Grammar with his twin Sam. Chris is a perfect size for a future key position player, has good balance and a touch of class about him.

He is a good set shot for goal and can take some fantastic grabs. He is usually pretty good with his attack on the footy and 2nd efforts.

Weaknesses: can struggle to read the flight of the ball as well as he should up forward, and he can two-grab a lot of marks. Also struggles with body on body marking contests. Had OP over the past 18 months.

Footydraft.com comment: Bit of a gamble given he didn't play much TAC Cup football or in the carnival. However Chris has had good form in the TAC Cup when he has played and has the right build to develop into a key forward.

I say: Would add to our list of project talls, but his strengths look to far outweigh his weaknesses. Our other young talls all have some sort of major issue about them; for example McCarthy has the size but not the kicking skills, Lonergan looks a good kick and a decent mark but his body isn't ready. Gooley looks to have a decent body size for a kid his age, and by the sounds of things his marking and kicking skills are also fairly good. The reading of play is a minor concern, whilst I'm confident his body on body work can be fixed after a couple of seasons hitting the weights.

Eddie Betts

Details:
Club: Templestowe/Calder
DOB: 26 November 1986 Hgt: 170cm Wgt: 72kg
Position: Forward Pocket/Back Pocket
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
Victoria Metro 2003, 2004
All Australian 2003
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2003: 17 games, 36 goals, 14.1 PPG
2004:

Strengths: Eddie is a livewire pocket rocket who was originally from Kalgoolie. He was recruited to the Calder Cannons on the advice of Phil Krakouer, and also played junior footy in SA at Malee Park, where his cousins Harry Miller, Graham Johncock and the Burgoynes came from.

Betts is super quick and elusive, and his front and square ability is just sensational. Is capable of kicking the freak goals every week, as well as dishing off with his exceptionally quick hands. Reads the play well and can kick on the left.

Weaknesses: Obviously his size. Betts is tiny and to get drafted when you are 5'6 you have to be exceptional - even then you can still get overlooked. Whether Eddie has the body to handle the rigours of AFL football is the big question. Specialst forward pockets also tend to get overlooked by most clubs. Injuries also affected him in 2004.

Footydraft.com comment: Eddie is one of the hardest players to classify in the entire draft pool. I love the way he plays and his ability mean it would be a travesty if he wasn't at least given an opportunity on an AFL list. However, I think clubs will be just too wary of his small stature, and a rookie list is a more likely option at this stage.

I say: I've watched Betts play a number of times now, and he genuinly excites me as a player. Size would be an issue, but I'd hate to see us pass up on him with one of our late picks in the draft after seeing Davey slip through our fingers last year.

Matthew Egan

Details:
Club: Oak Park/Geelopng (VFL)
DOB: 7 October 1983 Hgt: 194cm Wgt: 98kg
Position: Full Back
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
Full Back in VFL Team of the Year 2004

Strengths: Egan had an excellent season in defence for the Geelong VFL side, and was rewarded with Full Back in the VFL team of the year. Matthew has a background in tennis, but handled some of the best goalkickers in the VFL very well this year.

He is disciplined, very strong one-on-one and usually makes good decisions.

Weaknesses: Tends to be more of a negating player rather than creating a lot out of defence. Not much scope for improvement.

Footydraft.com comment: Clubs that are looking for a ready made defender late in the draft could do a lot worse than Egan. Geelong VFL coach Ron Watt is a big fan of his, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Cats take him with their final selection.

I say: Many here would be familiar with Egan already, as he has been discussed around before. Would add depth and cover for our defensive key position stocks, and IMO is deserving of a spot on our list after a good year in the VFL.
 
GeeCat , 2 cat supporters thinking along the same lines
Interesting bunch
Ive read a bit about Gooley/'s. They seem a quality pair.Be good to get both of them but doubtful this is possible
Redden=Mackie is about right. I have to say It took a fair while for Mackie to win me over but he is quality and will be good for us , so we coul do worse
Can't say Im convinced on Betts, just a personal preference.No doubt got a stack of tricks
Considering my preference for us to pick up a tall defender, Id be disappointed if we dont grab Eagn if there at our late picks.
 
Turbocat said:
Ive read a bit about Gooley/'s. They seem a quality pair.Be good to get both of them but doubtful this is possible

Both sound like they could be solid players at both ends of the ground.

Turbocat said:
Redden=Mackie is about right. I have to say It took a fair while for Mackie to win me over but he is quality and will be good for us , so we coul do worse

It really is intriguing the similarities between the two. Given we don't hold a high pick, I wouldn't mind us taking a punt on a player like Redden. We can afford to wait for results and if he turns out to be similar to Mackie we've got ourselves a player.

Turbocat said:
Can't say Im convinced on Betts, just a personal preference.No doubt got a stack of tricks

Each to their own, but I'd like to at least see him be given consideration by Wells and co.
 

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Lynden Dunn
Details:
Club: Mooney Valley/Calder
DOB: 14 May 1987 Hgt: 192cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Full Forward/Full Back
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2004: 21 games, 26 goals, 11.4 PPG

Strengths: Dunn is a versatile key position player who has been used in a variety of positions by Calder during the year. He is still very young and was granted an exemption to be eligible for the 2004 draft.

Dunn moves well, has a good leap and can take some good contested grabs. He can be very dangerous up forward as he tends to find space well but is also fairly strong in a one-on-one contest. Finished in the top 5 in the beep test at draft camp.

Weaknesses: When playing forward Dunn misses a lot of easy shots for goal, his conversion rate is below 50%. Can be sucked in by an opponent as he enjoys the verbal stuff.

Footydraft.com comment: Given he is so young might be worth a punt very late in the draft rather than having to pay a higher price next year. Potential to be a good key position player but will need time and good coaching.

I liked the look of dunn any thoughts on him?
 
Tweak Talent said:
Lynden Dunn
Details:
Club: Mooney Valley/Calder
DOB: 14 May 1987 Hgt: 192cm Wgt: 90kg
Position: Full Forward/Full Back
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2004: 21 games, 26 goals, 11.4 PPG

Strengths: Dunn is a versatile key position player who has been used in a variety of positions by Calder during the year. He is still very young and was granted an exemption to be eligible for the 2004 draft.

Dunn moves well, has a good leap and can take some good contested grabs. He can be very dangerous up forward as he tends to find space well but is also fairly strong in a one-on-one contest. Finished in the top 5 in the beep test at draft camp.

Weaknesses: When playing forward Dunn misses a lot of easy shots for goal, his conversion rate is below 50%. Can be sucked in by an opponent as he enjoys the verbal stuff.

Footydraft.com comment: Given he is so young might be worth a punt very late in the draft rather than having to pay a higher price next year. Potential to be a good key position player but will need time and good coaching.

I liked the look of dunn any thoughts on him?

Watched him in the TAC GF, needless to say wasn't actually too impressed. Moved alright for a big fella, but his kicking really needs work on.

Worth only a late draft pick if anything.
 
GeeCat , looks like your thread is going to be the main one for the 04 draft , I thought Id dump my other post in here:

Fantastic that we have landed Ottens.Just like the old days , when we were the club that appealed to the non city types we were the right club for big Brad.For us, he is excactly the type of player we need but it must now change what our "needs" are come draft time.
I would have been hoping to land a talented tall, either Ruckman or KeyPosition. With Ottens we now 2 legit rucks, Blake is a work in progress and Loats and Chambers making up the numbers.Ottens also will give guys like Lonergan and Playfair more time to mature as possible key forwards. The area I still think we are weak in is backline.
Scarlett and Harley, are coming into their prime, but even players in their prime can have injuries and usuually and the wrong time.
Our first pick now is 32 and I feel that we would still have a top chance of getting a quality backline tall, as most clubs will concentrate on the forwards and rucks, there might be a player who was picked to go earlier fall through
Not sure who this might be ,but some names and comments on FootyDraft that might be of interest
Thomas Murphy, FootyDraftPick18
Centre Half Back in TAC Cup Team of the Year 2004
Murphy is a sound kick and a very good mark, uses his body well.Murphy is a mobile key position player who can play either end of the ground. The thing that stands out is his agility - he moves really well for his size and never looks awkward on a footy field.
Benet Copping,FDP22
Copping is a skinny centre-half back who has shown glimpses of promise without really dominating a game at any stage. He is a very good reader of the play
Adam Hartlett,FDP27
Hartlett is an agressive key position player who can play either end of the ground, although I think he may be more suited as a forward. He has a huge leap on him and good pace enabling him to lead well or rebound out of defence.
Beau Wilkes,FDP28
Wilkes is a key position player who spent most of his time in defence for the carnival but played up forward in the WAFL
Chad Gibson,FDP29
Gibson is a big-bodied tall who loves to crash and bash and impose himself on the contest. He was the 2nd ruckman for SA at the Carnival, and took on the job with relish, throwing himself about and taking some good marks around the ground. He is really, really hard at the man and ball, and is very strong overhead.

===

If we could get a young CHB ,from one of the above(Murphy would be my pick but its unlikely that he will fall to 32) and depending if we have to re draft any of our delists , pick up chunky on-baller to replace Beemer and then use the last one on Eagn.
The on-ballers might be guys like
Jarred Moore
Centre in TAC Cup team of the Year 2004
Moore is a barrel-chested centreman who works incredibly hard in close and is a very smart footballer. He is brilliant in close, and his disposal by hand is sensational. Is prepared to take a hit to get the footy, is very strong in the hips and his hands are very clean.
Ed Clarke
New South Wales 2003, 2004
MVP on New South Wales 2004
All Australian 2004
Clarke is a powerful centreman who is 91kg of muscle. He is one of the best performed players in underage football this year, having dominated in the under 18 carnival, gathering 10 Morrish Medal votes in 4 games, then winning the MVP in Allies v Victoria game.He is a freak at the stoppages, just constantly wins the ball out of the centre and pumps it forward. He is also extremely dangerous in front of goal, kicking 6 in the final carnival match. Is a long kick and has clean hands. Also a good leader and strong in the hips and tackles very hard

either of these guys would go some way to replace Moloney.
 
All I can say is take a punt. If the punt fails who cares we haven't lost anything. If we pick up a gem then we have a decent player that could be the difference between runners up and preimers in a couple of years (e.g. 2006).

Nothing to lose, all to gain.
 
Comments from www.FootyDraft.com

National Draft

Delist: Daniel Foster, David Spriggs, David Loats, Will Slade, Cameron Thurley. Promoted: Shannon Byrnes.

Foster and Spriggs are confirmed delistings. Loats seems vunerable as does Slade, Rahilly and Thurley. I would delisting five players instead of the mandatory four. With Shannon Byrnes promotion that leaves four National Draft Selections.


32: Justin Sherman (Tasmania)
26 January 1987, 187cm, 83kg

Sherman is a medium sized midfielder with solid skills and a good ability to find the footy. There is nothing spectacular about his style of play, but he does a lot of things well and tends to make good decisions on the field.

He has good pace and likes to carry the footy, but can also win it in close at stoppages when required. Is a good size, long kick and likes to drift forward and kick a goal. Kicked 4 goals for the Allies against the combined TAC Cup side. Not super quick but quick enough.

Been solid rather than outstanding might deter some clubs. Kicking is usually good but can occasionally miss the mark.

Sherman looks like a solid player who will add to the midfield depth of the side who selects him.

48: Andrew Gilham (Port Adelaide AFL)
6 August 1986, 189cm, 89kg

The brother of Port's Stephen, Andrew is a medium-sized defender who can also pinch hit up forward. He is a tremendous reader of the play down back, disciplined and a good grab, even one-handed.

Gilham can also good forward and be impressive as he is quick on the lead and has sticky hands. He is a long kick and also a natural leader, likes to talk it up on the field.

An in-between height of not tall enough for key position but too tall for midfield might concern some clubs. Not a huge possessions winner.

Has impressed me with his clever play and versatility during the year and is well worth selecting later in the draft, possibly as a 3rd or 4th defender.

64: Pat Garner (Queensland)
16 March 1987, 193cm, 77kg

Another of the raw Queensland talls, Garner is a mobile key position player who is tremendous overhead and has a thumping kick on him.

He is capable of playing either end of the ground, although he was used in defence for the carnival. He was the designated kickout player, and tended to go very long. He is also surprisingly quick for his size.

Still very raw and has a lot to learn. Skinny and can be bumped out of marking contests, although he is still a good mark. Drifts in and out of the game.

Speculative selection with an eye to the future.

80: Ed Clarke (New South Wales)
11 June 1986, 178cm, 91kg

Clarke is a powerful centreman who is 91kg of muscle. He is one of the best performed players in underage football this year, having dominated in the under 18 carnival, gathering 10 Morrish Medal votes in 4 games, then winning the MVP in Allies v Victoria game.

He is a freak at the stoppages, just constantly wins the ball out of the centre and pumps it forward. He is also extremely dangerous in front of goal, kicking 6 in the final carnival match. Is a long kick and has clean hands. Also a good leader and strong in the hips. Tackles very hard.

Clarke's body strength compared to the other kids at this level gives him a massive advantage. Probably has little scope for improvement and lacks pace. Can get the blinkers in front of goal.

What to do? What to do? This guy is a man playing in a kids comp, but boy can he play. His body shape is all wrong and for every Sam Mitchell there is a David Kellett or Daniel Elstone who hasn't made it. Definitely worth a rookie list at the VERY least, but I think clubs will be too wary to draft him.

Preseason Draft

No selection. Nothing likely to be around unless we could miracously secure another key player which is near on impossible with our position.

Rookie Draft

Delist: Jeff Smith, James Allan. Promote: Shannon Byrnes

The delistings and promotions for the Rookie List have been finalising. Luke Buckland has been retained leaving Geelong three Rookie Draft selections.


12: Seamus Young (Bendigo Pioneers)
22 January 1986, 186cm, 74kg

Seamus is a medium sized forward with good pace and a great leap. He is quick on the lead but can jump right over a pack's head with his spring heels.

Can kick a freakish goal and takes good marks around the ground. Could be a good size for a 3rd forward if he fills out a bit.

Looks promising but doesn't get enough of the footy or have enough influence on the contest. Decision making with disposal can let him down at times.

Pace and his leap means he'll be in calculations for a late draft pick but a rookie list is a more likely option.

28: Renwick Watts (Geelong Falcons)
9 August 1986, 190cm, 91kg

Watts is a tall forward of West Indian origin with bucketloads of natural ability. He moves well for his size, knows where the goals are and has a big leap on him. When on song he is hard to contain.

Very undisciplined and gives away a lot of free kicks. Goes missing for long periods of a game and has suffered injuries.

The basics are there but Renwick would require a lot of hard work and some very good coaching to make it as an AFL player. A club might gamble on him for a rookie list.

44: Luke Molan (Melbourne)

Worth a punt either with our last Rookie selection. I'd really like to give the kid a shot. From Camperdown and the Geelong Falcons.

DRAFTING AND TRADING SUMMARY

The Cats effectively traded their 6th choice midfielder, Brent Moloney, and their first round selection (16) in the National Draft for talented Richmond Ruckman/Forward Brad Ottens who is likely to strengthen Geelong's forward line substantially. If the Cats can persuade Ben Graham to stay at the club, instead of pursuing a lucrative NFL career in America, Geelong could be a ligitimate AFL Premeirship contender in 2005 on this transaction alone.

Despite the promotion of Shannon Byrnes to the Senior list the loss of David Spriggs and Brent Moloney leave the Geelong midfield a bit lighter on for depth. Corey Enright should be on the field alot more than in 2004 and young gun Kane Tenace should improve that bit more. The selection of Ed Clarke at 80 may seem high but recruiters in this draft are saying the picks out of the top 10 are all very even and clubs will take the player that best suits their needs as the difference in quality of players is insignificant. With Garner, Gilham and Sherman secured, Geelong should activeley pursue another midfielder with Selection 80 and Ed Clarke would be a likely replacement for Brent Moloney.

Garner is my smokey for the Draft and I believe picking him up with Selection 64 with be a huge win. Gilham at 48 adds depth to our defence while Sherman at 32 adds more to our midfield. He is a depth player suited to a club like Geelong.

Geelong's forward line seems to have alot of players that are very similar and perhaps a spark up forward in Seamus Young could add a bit more variety to the Geelong forward structure. He is that athlete that the Geelong forward line doesn't have. Picking up Young with the first selection in the Rookie Draft would seem appropriate as he is likely to be snapped up late in the National Draft or early in the Rookie Draft. Young should even be considered with National Draft Selection 80 if Ed Clarke is not available.

Renwick Watts and Luke Molan are both smokeys that are worth a punt. We have nothing to lose by giving them a go and both hail from Victoria's Western Districts. If Molan gets fit he could be anything - the problem is getting him fit but its worth a punt. In comparing him to Egan, Egan is probably better at the moment but Molan's upside is miles better than Egans. Watts is raw but has all the assets and will take a fair bit of work but its worth it if he can become a player.
 
i wouldn't mind picking up clarke but i think pick 32 is way to high and he would surely be around for our 2nd or even 3rd pick
 
When Nathan Ablett nominates can we pick him up under father and son or do we have to wait until pick 32 and hope he is still there? :confused:

C'MON THE MIGHTY CATS LETS GET IT ON!
 

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What sort of player(s) would we be looking at drafting this year?

Defenders, small forwards, a ruckman? We have a heap of midfielders and even small forwards are well covered, especially with Byrnes being promoted and Thurley still on the list.

Considering they are all late picks will we pick up one or two players and wait for the pre-season draft as we have done the past few years, and done well out of it, mind you with Beemer and Koula.
 
Catman said:
What sort of player(s) would we be looking at drafting this year?

Defenders, small forwards, a ruckman? We have a heap of midfielders and even small forwards are well covered, especially with Byrnes being promoted and Thurley still on the list.

Considering they are all late picks will we pick up one or two players and wait for the pre-season draft as we have done the past few years, and done well out of it, mind you with Beemer and Koula.

I'm pretty much of the opinion the club should go for the best talent available considering the position of our first pick.

Regarding the pre-season draft, it may very well depend who we end up delisting next week. I've heard Foster, Spriggs, Loats, Allan, and Smith have been given their orders thus far, and I'm yet to hear the status of Will Slade's future at the club. If Slade is that 4th person delisted, and our assumptions of him being redrafted are correct, we may end up using our 3 picks in the national draft (pick 32, and two late picks to secure Slade + Egan?) and all but rule out a pick in the pre-season.
 
i wouldn't mind geelong drafting jack juniper

Details:
Club: Sacred Heart/Glenelg
Hgt: 194cm Wgt: 88kg
Position: Centre Half Forward/Ruck
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
State Screening Camp 2004

Strengths: Juniper is one of the real unknown quantities of the draft and could loom as a real smoky come November 20. He has spent most of the year rucking for Sacred Heart in the SA schools league, although he can also play forward.

Jack is an exceptionally long kick and can boot goals from 50-60 metres out. He is a powerful athlete with a good leap and exceptional pace for his height. Reportedly ran rings around Benet Copping in a school match this year.

Weaknesses: Big questions over his commitment to football. Only did one training session with Glenelg before deciding not to continue, and had to be coaxed into nominating for the draft. Unproven at SANFL level or in the carnival.

Footydraft.com comment: Very hard to get a handle on where this kid will go, if at all. A lot depends on how much scouts saw of him at school level, and whether he is prepared to had a real crack at AFL. One of the more interesting stories in the 2004 draft pool.
 
Club: Sacred Heart/Glenelg

Isnt that where Mackie came from?

Sounds the type of player who who would fit in Geelong. Henry Playfair and Jack Juniper , fair dinkum .

If he put up his hand and said I want the Cats, he could be woth a late pick I guess, a long kicking tall might be needed soon if Benny go's punting
 

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That's one pick accounted for :D

Use 32 on a midfielder, still a good chance we will pick a decent one up, and use 64 on Egan, providing we don't have to redraft someone because of cap pressure.
 
I say now with the addition of two extra 'Talls" and maybe Egan late we go for a big bodied midfielder , the type that could replace Bemmer.
Jarred Moore or Clarke , are two I have mentioned before

Moore is a barrel-chested centreman who works incredibly hard in close and is a very smart footballer. He is brilliant in close, and his disposal by hand is sensational. Is prepared to take a hit to get the footy, is very strong in the hips and his hands are very clean.

Moore is prepared to use either foot and gathers a lot of possessions during a game. Pretty good mark for his size as well. His final game for Vic Metro was as dominant a performance as you will see, winning numerous clearances and hitting targets.

Clarke is a powerful centreman who is 91kg of muscle. He is one of the best performed players in underage football this year, having dominated in the under 18 carnival, gathering 10 Morrish Medal votes in 4 games, then winning the MVP in Allies v Victoria game.

He is a freak at the stoppages, just constantly wins the ball out of the centre and pumps it forward. He is also extremely dangerous in front of goal, kicking 6 in the final carnival match. Is a long kick and has clean hands. Also a good leader and strong in the hips. Tackles very hard.

Both these guys will most likely be there at 32, some think they will be there much later but I would be happy to use our pick on players such as these
Is there any better? Maybe if Lewis falls thru, Maybe Justin Sherman sort of looks like another Joel Corey type
 
I'm still convinced we should go for the best available talent with pick 32. If it's another tall, so be it, you can never have enough of them.

I would have thought Moloney would be considered a big-bodied outside running player moreso than a big-bodied inside centreman; hence if ever we were to look for a replacement for him, Moore wouldn't be it.

That being said, I don't see Moloney to be that great a loss in that we need to specifically draft to replace him.
 
Geecat , been down that track before , Best available is like pepetual motion , a term that is hypothetical. At P32 , the best available for us may not be the best available for another club, its more about best available, in ones estimate,within list balance requirements.Surley we now have enough young talls with the addition of Ottens (ruck/forward) NA, (tall).Yes take Loats off but but I think at last count our list had 13 or 14 defined as a tall , most of which are yet to prove themselves.
Moore may be more inside than Moloney but not a pure insider , more like a inside/outside guy who can kick goals out of the pack like GAJ.
 

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