ESPN articles
Knightmare
Brownlow Medallist
- Sep 22, 2010
- 19,533
- 19,542
- AFL Club
- Collingwood
- Other Teams
- Chicago Bulls
- Banned
- #1
ESPN articles:
Phantom Drafts:
22/10/2021: AFL 2 round phantom draft:
23/11/2021: My 2021 AFL phantom draft. Every pick. Every bid:
AFL Trade/Free Agency Content:
1/10/2021: Free agency, trades, draft: Every AFL club's list needs ahead of 2022 and who they should targeting:
15/10/2021: AFL Trade Period Wrap (all club trades reviewed and all teams graded):
15/10/2021: ESPN AFL Round Table: Which team won the trade free agency period? Who was the bargain pickup? Jake, Matt and I give our takes:
AFL Draft Power Rankings:
2/4/2021: April AFL Draft Power Rankings:
4/5/2021: May AFL Draft Power Rankings:
8/6/2021: June AFL Draft Power Rankings:
5/7/2021: July AFL Draft Power Rankings:
2/8/2021: August AFL Draft Power Rankings:
6/9/2021: September AFL Draft Power Rankings:
4/10/2021: October AFL Draft Power Rankings:
19/11/2021 November AFL Draft Power Rankings:
AFL Mid-season Draft:
19/5/2021: AFL Mid-Season Draft Power Rankings:
31/5/2021: AFL Mid-Season Draft. How every club can fill their most pressing list need:
3/6/2021: AFL Mid-Season Draft review. The biggest surprises, best selections, plug-and-play options and hard luck stories:
AFL Season Previews:
10/3/2021 - AAMI Community Series Wrap. Covering best first year players, breakout players and rebound season:
AFL Draft Previews/Reviews:
24/3/2021 - The biggest 2021 AFL Draft questions answered:
28/7/2021: AFL Draft state of play. The top picks, draft bolters, father-son, Academy and NGA prospects you should be watching out for:
28/10/2021: The real No. 1 draft pick - Nick Daicos vs. Jason Horne-Francis:
4/11/2021: Geelong's mature age drafting masterclass - why other clubs should use their blueprint:
11/11/2021: The evolution of key position players in the AFL and why all the top 200cm+ prospects are all key position players rather than ruckmen:
17/11/2021: 10 burning AFL Draft questions:
25/11/2021: My first round 2021 AFL draft review including detailed pick and player thoughts as well as who I would have selected with each pick if I were the selector:
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...draft-************-espn-reviewing-first-round
26/11/2021: AFL Draft 2021 - Every club's draft haul rated and graded:
29/11/2021 My top-10 for 2022:
ESPN Podcast involvements:
4/5/2021: ESPN AFL Podcast. First involvement for season 2021 including an approx 15min draft segment:
31/5/2021: Second ESPN podcast appearance for 2021. Covering tomorrow's AFL Mid-Season draft.
15/10/2021: Trade and free agency review; draft preview with Chris Doerre
23/11/2021: Final ESPN AFL Draft podcast of the year:
Quick early phantom yesterday afternoons podcast:
1. NM = Horne-Francis
2. WBD = Darcy
3. Coll = Daicos (will this remain the same for my final phantom)
4. GWS = Callaghan
5. GC = Andrew
For my final phantom draft. Stay tuned.
AFL Draft Weekly Wraps:
7/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Josh Rentsch:
14/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Nick Daicos:
21/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Josh Gibcus:
28/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on GWS Giants Academy member Josh Fahey:
5/5/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Matthew Roberts:
12/5/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Hugh Jackson:
26/5/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on mid-season draft prospect Jackson Callow:
2/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on powerful mid/fwd Hugh Stagg:
9/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Adelaide NGA Isaiah Dudley:
16/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Sam Frost
:
23/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Finn Callaghan:
30/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Sam Darcy (Vic Metro v Country u18 trial notes):
7/7/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Connor MacDonald:
14/7/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Melbourne Next-Generation Academy prospect Mac Andrew:
21/7/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Blake Schlensog, the best key position player outside the AFL and the solution to your club's key position woes:
4/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Josh Clarke:
11/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Jason Horne:
18/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Arlo Draper:
25/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Sam Skinner
:
1/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on classy 192cm midfielder Matthew Johnson, the top performers from SA v WA, reaction to Jason Horne-Francis' performance and a Nick Daicos update:
8/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Jordan Lukac:
15/9/2021: AFL Draft Weekly Wrap with a focus Bailey Rogers:
22/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on this year's premier outside mid Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera:
29/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap: a detailed look at Jason Horne-Francis' performance of the year and a focus on draft smokie Arthur Jones:
6/10/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on speedster Ronald Fejo Jr:
13/10/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Angus Sheldrick:
AFL Draft Combine:
18/10/2021: AFL Draft Combine wrap - the standouts, surprises and how to interpret it all:
Phantom Drafts:
22/10/2021: AFL 2 round phantom draft:
1. North Melbourne - Jason Horne-Francis
2. Collingwood - Nick Daicos (Collingwood father-son) - bid matched
3. Western Bulldogs - Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs father-son) - bid matched
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...**********-espn-early-two-round-phantom-draft
23/11/2021: My 2021 AFL phantom draft. Every pick. Every bid:
1. North Melbourne - Jason Horne-Francis
Height, Weight: 185cm, 81kg
Profile: What separates Horne-Francis from the rest of the pool is his application and influence defensively, with his aggression, pressure, tackling, second and third efforts and run back in support elite even by AFL standards. He also plays a high impact per possession game, wins the ball at full speed through the midfield and causes headaches up forward aerially, when the ball hits the deck and when isolated one-on-one.
2. Western Bulldogs - Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs father-son) - bid matched
Height, Weight: 205cm, 93kg
Profile: In a draft lacking in the way of premier talls, Darcy is the standard of excellence with his long arms and reach, one grab contested marking, attack on the ball aerially, one-touch ground level skills and his speed and agility for someone his height. Given his rapid rate of improvement and mix of rare attributes, he is one of this draft's highest upside choices for the long term.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...-full-afl-phantom-draft-every-club-every-pick
AFL Trade/Free Agency Content:
1/10/2021: Free agency, trades, draft: Every AFL club's list needs ahead of 2022 and who they should targeting:
Geelong's point of difference through the draft for a long time now has been their mature age talent ID - headlined by the selections of Tim Kellyand Tom Stewart in recent times. Geelong no doubt has paid attention to the state leagues again this year, and Leek Alleer in the SANFL is the ultimate replacement for the retiring Lachie Henderson. Geelong may need to move up a few spots in the draft if they want to ensure Alleer is theirs, but with all the picks they hold and the evenness of the draft, that should be easily achieved.PLAYERCARDSTART11Tim Kelly
- Age
- 29
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 83kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 23.6
- 5star
- K
- 13.5
- 5star
- HB
- 10.1
- 5star
- M
- 3.4
- 3star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- CL
- 4.9
- 5star
- D
- 19.9
- 5star
- K
- 12.3
- 5star
- HB
- 7.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 4.7
- 5star
- CL
- 3.6
- 4star
- D
- 21.6
- 5star
- K
- 10.4
- 4star
- HB
- 11.2
- 5star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 3.8
- 5star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Every AFL club's list needs ahead of 2022
With eyes firmly turning to the AFL free agency, trade, and draft periods, ESPN expert Chris Doerre has analysed every club's list needs ahead of a massive offseason.
www.espn.com.au
15/10/2021: AFL Trade Period Wrap (all club trades reviewed and all teams graded):
Not well utilised under David Teaguefor Carlton, Sam Petrevski-SetonPLAYERCARDSTARTDavid Teague
- Age
- 42
- Ht
- 186cm
- Wt
- 90kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 9.6
- 2star
- K
- 6.2
- 2star
- HB
- 3.4
- 3star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 2.4
- 4star
No current season stats available
- D
- 5.0
- 1star
- K
- 3.2
- 2star
- HB
- 1.8
- 2star
- M
- 2.2
- 3star
- T
- 1.0
- 3star
PLAYERCARDENDis a bargain get for just pick 52. Playing his best football through the midfield previously for the Blues and struggling with how much he has been thrown around the field in recent years, Petrevski-Seton will add excitement to the Eagles midfield and should, with a permanent midfield role, re-establish himself as a best-22 player.PLAYERCARDSTART10Sam Petrevski-seton
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 182cm
- Wt
- 81kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 16.2
- 4star
- K
- 9.7
- 4star
- HB
- 6.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 4.2
- 5star
- G
- 0.3
- 3star
- D
- 14.4
- 3star
- K
- 9.5
- 4star
- HB
- 4.9
- 3star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 2.0
- 3star
- G
- 0.0
- 1star
- D
- 13.4
- 4star
- K
- 10.0
- 4star
- HB
- 3.4
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 5.0
- 5star
- G
- 0.4
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
Analysing every club's trade and free agency dealings
With the AFL free agency and trade period now over, and the draft just around the corner, ESPN expert Chris Doerre has analysed every club's dealings and delivered his individual grades.
www.espn.com.au
15/10/2021: ESPN AFL Round Table: Which team won the trade free agency period? Who was the bargain pickup? Jake, Matt and I give our takes:
How would you improve the trade and free agency period?
Chris Doerre: A mid-season window to trade players and picks would give clubs the opportunity to fill needs and allow them to use mid-season draft picks for the best available talent. Similarly, during the National Draft each year, being able to trade players would give clubs an opportunity for greater flexibility and ability to be creative in how they go about improving their lists.
Round Table: Which team won the trade free agency period?
Our AFL experts debate the burning questions following the 2021 trade and free agency periods, such as which team 'won', and what the biggest surprise was.
www.espn.com.au
AFL Draft Power Rankings:
2/4/2021: April AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Jason Horne
2. Matthew Roberts
3. Matthew Johnson
AFL Draft Power Rankings: Another Daicos on the way
ESPN.com.au's AFL draft expert Chris Doerre has revealed his first Power Rankings for 2021, with a son of a Collingwood legend cracking the top 5.
www.espn.com.au
4/5/2021: May AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Jason Horne
2. Nick Daicos
3. Tyler Sonsie
AFL Draft Power Rankings: Horne, Daicos duke it out for No. 1 spot
ESPN.com.au's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of May, with Jason Horne and Nick Daicos rising to the top.
www.espn.com.au
8/6/2021: June AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Nick Daicos
2. Jason Horne
3. Tyler Sonsie
AFL Draft Power Rankings: Daicos pulling away from chasing pack
ESPN.com.au's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of June, with young Nick Daicos beginning to put a gap on his rivals.
www.espn.com.au
5/7/2021: July AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - Father-Son)
2. Jason Horne
3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - Father-Son)
AFL Draft Power Rankings: Daicos, Horne and Darcy duke it out for top billing
ESPN.com.au's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of July, with young gun Nick Daicos continuing to reign supreme.
www.espn.com.au
2/8/2021: August AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - father-son)
2. Jason Horne
3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - father-son)
AFL Draft Power Rankings: Young talls catapult into top 10 calculations
ESPN.com.au's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of August, with a versatile Calder Cannon and a leading WAFL prospect catapulting into top 10 calculations.
www.espn.com.au
6/9/2021: September AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - father-son)
2. Jason Horne-Francis
3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - father-son)
AFL Draft Power Rankings: Two father-sons in the top 3
ESPN.com.au's expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of September, with Josh Daicos, Jason Horne-Francis, and Sam Darcy forming a clear 'top three', but there's movement further down the list.
www.espn.com.au
4/10/2021: October AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Jason Horne-Francis
2. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - father-son)
3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - father-son)
AFL Draft Power Rankings: New No. 1 emerges as we close in on draft
ESPN.com.au's expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of October and we have a new player at the top.
www.espn.com.au
19/11/2021 November AFL Draft Power Rankings:
1. Jason Horne-Francis
2. Nick Daicos (Collingwood - father-son)
3. Sam Darcy (Western Bulldogs - father-son)
AFL Draft Power Rankings: No. 1 player locked in, bolters make their moves
ESPN.com.au's expert Chris Doerre has revealed his AFL Draft Power Rankings for the month of November with South Australian prospect Jason Horne-Francis firming as North Melbourne's first ever No. 1 selection.
www.espn.com.au
AFL Mid-season Draft:
19/5/2021: AFL Mid-Season Draft Power Rankings:
1. Jacob Edwards
2. Jackson Callow
3. Bailey Lambert
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...htmare-mid-season-draft-top-10-power-rankings
31/5/2021: AFL Mid-Season Draft. How every club can fill their most pressing list need:
North Melbourne
Likely number of picks: 2
Greatest list need: Young stars
Who should they pick: North Melbourne are in need of young stars and there is no better way of finding them through the draft than adding the best available talent. Consensus number one selection Jacob Edwards has nominated for the mid-season draft and should be joining North Melbourne as the first player selected. Had he entered the national draft, Edwards may have featured inside the first round. Edwards is a late bloomer, switching his attention from basketball and has made meaningful strides physically over the past 12 months, looming as an athletic type who can play both as a key forward and through the ruck.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...y-afl-club-needs-do-2021-mid-season-afl-draft
3/6/2021: AFL Mid-Season Draft review. The biggest surprises, best selections, plug-and-play options and hard luck stories:
THE BIGGEST SURPRISES
Hawthorn had been heavily linked in the leadup to competitive ruckman Ned Moyle given the club's limited ruck youth and how strong Moyle's play had been. A Hawthorn supporter, Moyle would have loved to have been selected by the Hawks, but Jai Newcombe ultimately was Hawthorn's choice. Having been playing as a midfielder for Box Hill in the VFL, ball winning bull Newcombe attracted more attention than Hawthorn would have liked in the leadup to the mid-season draft. A portion of this attention around Newcombe came due to the chatter around his unusual choice to nominate to be taken in the Mid-Season Draft under 'other terms' which led to plenty of speculation in the leadup to the draft that Hawthorn had their eyes on Newcombe and may have had interest in taking him with their second-round selection. With the cat out of the bag and with several other clubs interested in Newcombe in the first round, Hawthorn were forced to select him with their first pick, ultimately prioritising their midfield over their long-term ruck needs.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...aft-analysis-how-every-club-fared-draft-table
AFL Season Previews:
10/3/2021 - AAMI Community Series Wrap. Covering best first year players, breakout players and rebound season:
Adelaide
Most impactful draftee: Looking likely to earn Round 1 selection and have an immediate impact as a crumbing forward, James Rowe was the SANFL's leading goal kicker in 2020. He failed to kick a goal against Port Adelaide but did register three behinds and looked lively enough at ground level to suggest he could play in the first round of the season.
Breakout contender: Jordon Butts performed strongly as a key defender against Port Adelaide. An effective ball reader and intercept marker, expect a push from Butts to establish himself as a part of Adelaide's best 22.
Rebound season: After a disappointing 2020, Taylor Walker appeared to move a lot better during his preseason clash against Port Adelaide. Walker kicked three goals and was clearly Adelaide's best forward 50m target. Expect him to play a better brand of football this season.
Every AFL club's best draftee and breakout prospects
With preseason all wrapped up and eyes locked on Round 1, it's time for ESPN's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre to assess each club's draftees, breakout contenders and returning stars for 2021.
www.espn.com.au
AFL Draft Previews/Reviews:
24/3/2021 - The biggest 2021 AFL Draft questions answered:
ESPN's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre is back to answer all the burning draft questions ahead of 2021, including who the standout prospects are, when the state leagues and junior competitions begin and the impact 2020 has had on this crop of players.
[B]How much of an impact are fundi... talent pool and compromising future drafts.
Draft questions answered: Top prospects, unluckiest players and 2020's impact
ESPN's AFL Draft expert Chris Doerre is back to answer all the burning draft questions ahead of 2021, including who the standout prospects are, when state leagues and junior competitions begin and the impact 2020 has had on the draft crop.
www.espn.com.au
28/7/2021: AFL Draft state of play. The top picks, draft bolters, father-son, Academy and NGA prospects you should be watching out for:
The pick one contenders
At this point in time there are two top contenders and one outside chance.
Collingwood father-son prospect Nick Daicos has starred so far this season and is one of the favourites to feature first overall.
The second contender for the top pick is South Australian midfielder Jason Horne.
The outside chance is Western Bulldogs father-son prospect and son of Luke, Sam Darcy.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ghtmare-draft-state-play-everything-need-know
28/10/2021: The real No. 1 draft pick - Nick Daicos vs. Jason Horne-Francis:
While Daicos statistically has achieved numbers never seen before in the junior ranks, the way Horne-Francis exerts his defensively through chasing, pressuring and putting his body on the line is like no top end prospect before him.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...mber-one-pick-jason-horne-francis-nick-daicos
4/11/2021: Geelong's mature age drafting masterclass - why other clubs should use their blueprint:
The disparity between what clubs are doing and what they should be doing can be easily illustrated by comparing how few mature age selections have been taken inside the top 15 with how few high-quality mature agers have been selected outside the top 15 in the past 20 years. Over this period, only over-agers Lewis Jetta (pick 14 in 2009) and Nick Haynes(pick 7 in 2011) were among the first 15 selected in their draft years.PLAYERCARDSTART19Nick Haynes
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 192cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 16.4
- 4star
- K
- 11.4
- 4star
- HB
- 4.9
- 4star
- M
- 6.2
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- MG
- 326.8
- 4star
- D
- 17.4
- 4star
- K
- 13.9
- 5star
- HB
- 3.5
- 2star
- M
- 8.0
- 5star
- T
- 1.5
- 2star
- MG
- 326.8
- 5star
- D
- 7.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 3.4
- 3star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...-geelong-cats-defied-father-years-no-accident
11/11/2021: The evolution of key position players in the AFL and why all the top 200cm+ prospects are all key position players rather than ruckmen:
Arguably the most significant change in the talent coming through the junior talent pathways over the past 10 years is the appearance and play of those 200cm or taller. The most talented of these are no longer being developed as ruckmen, but instead as key forwards and in some cases key defenders. Among the competition's premier 200cm or taller key position players, Harris Andrews, Darcy MoorePLAYERCARDSTART31Harris Andrews
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 202cm
- Wt
- 98kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 12.8
- 3star
- K
- 7.4
- 3star
- HB
- 5.4
- 4star
- M
- 5.6
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- MG
- 151.7
- 2star
- D
- 17.0
- 4star
- K
- 9.0
- 4star
- HB
- 8.0
- 4star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 2.0
- 3star
- D
- 9.8
- 3star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 4.8
- 4star
- M
- 3.4
- 4star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- MG
- 94.0
- 2star
PLAYERCARDEND, Harry McKayPLAYERCARDSTART30Darcy Moore
- Age
- 28
- Ht
- 203cm
- Wt
- 100kg
- Pos.
- Def
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 11.1
- 3star
- K
- 7.0
- 3star
- HB
- 4.1
- 3star
- M
- 4.8
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- MG
- 169.1
- 3star
- D
- 13.9
- 3star
- K
- 7.3
- 3star
- HB
- 6.6
- 4star
- M
- 4.9
- 5star
- T
- 0.7
- 1star
- MG
- 182.0
- 3star
- D
- 6.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.2
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 3star
- M
- 2.6
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- MG
- 87.4
- 2star
PLAYERCARDEND, Charlie DixonPLAYERCARDSTART10Harry Mckay
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 200cm
- Wt
- 106kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 9.9
- 3star
- K
- 7.5
- 3star
- HB
- 2.4
- 2star
- M
- 5.5
- 5star
- T
- 1.6
- 4star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 6.6
- 1star
- K
- 4.6
- 2star
- HB
- 2.0
- 1star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 1.4
- 2star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 8.8
- 3star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 2.0
- 2star
- M
- 4.4
- 4star
- T
- 0.8
- 3star
- G
- 2.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND, Joe Daniher, Max KingPLAYERCARDSTART22Charlie Dixon
- Age
- 33
- Ht
- 200cm
- Wt
- 110kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 11.7
- 3star
- K
- 6.9
- 3star
- HB
- 4.7
- 3star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- G
- 1.6
- 5star
- D
- 10.5
- 3star
- K
- 7.0
- 3star
- HB
- 3.5
- 2star
- M
- 5.0
- 5star
- T
- 1.5
- 2star
- G
- 2.5
- 5star
- D
- 8.2
- 2star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 3.8
- 3star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- G
- 0.8
- 4star
PLAYERCARDENDand Ben KingPLAYERCARDSTART12Max King
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 202cm
- Wt
- 100kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 7.3
- 2star
- K
- 4.7
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 2star
- M
- 2.7
- 3star
- T
- 0.7
- 3star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 7.3
- 2star
- K
- 4.7
- 2star
- HB
- 2.6
- 2star
- M
- 2.7
- 3star
- T
- 0.7
- 1star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
- D
- 8.0
- 2star
- K
- 5.2
- 2star
- HB
- 2.8
- 3star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 0.6
- 3star
- G
- 1.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDENDare all among the competition's absolute elite. During the 2020 draft, the trend continued with Riley Thilthorpe, Nik Cox and Zach Reid drafted early and each showing signs that they may join the elite bracket in the future.PLAYERCARDSTART34Ben King
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 202cm
- Wt
- 98kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 7.2
- 2star
- K
- 5.0
- 2star
- HB
- 2.2
- 2star
- M
- 3.5
- 4star
- T
- 0.5
- 3star
- G
- 1.3
- 5star
- D
- 7.5
- 2star
- K
- 5.6
- 2star
- HB
- 1.9
- 1star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 0.3
- 1star
- G
- 1.5
- 5star
- D
- 6.8
- 2star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 2.4
- 3star
- M
- 3.2
- 4star
- T
- 0.2
- 3star
- G
- 1.0
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...**********-evolution-key-position-players-afl
17/11/2021: 10 burning AFL Draft questions:
Holding picks 1, 20, 42 and 47 inside the top 50, there wouldn't be a club in the competition that wouldn't switch their draft hand with North Melbourne's. Richmond also have one of the most appealing draft hands, holding picks 7, 15, 26, 27 and 28 inside the top 30. With their concentration of picks inside the top 30, with good talent ID, Richmond should be able to add several quality young pieces this year.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...aft-************-10-questions-ahead-afl-draft
25/11/2021: My first round 2021 AFL draft review including detailed pick and player thoughts as well as who I would have selected with each pick if I were the selector:
Pick 1, North Melbourne: Jason Horne-Francis
Doerre's Power Rankings: 1
Doerre says: Horne-Francis will greatly complement North Melbourne's list. They've added an influential difference maker who, both through the midfield and up forward, can change the complexion of games with his relentless pressure, tackling and how he imposes himself on games. Often winning the ball on the move at speed and proving difficult to contain aerially, one-on-one and at ground level inside 50, Horne-Francis is worthy of the pick one tag. Given North Melbourne's current strength and depth in the midfield, we can expect to see Horne-Francis to start his career across half-forward with some moments through the midfield and closer to goal as favourable matchups arise in games. A Round 1 debut is the expectation.
If I was North Melbourne list manager: No trade offer would sway me at this point. Jason Horne-Francis is the right pick as the best prospect in the draft. The addition of the. explosive South Australian from a marketing perspective will generate excitement, but as one of those players who influences winning in such a diverse number of ways, it's equally important of a play for North Melbourne's long term list build.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...draft-************-espn-reviewing-first-round
26/11/2021: AFL Draft 2021 - Every club's draft haul rated and graded:
Adelaide
Picks: 6, 36, 44
Players drafted: Josh Rachele, Jake Soligo, Zac Taylor
Grade: ?
Rationale: Adelaide have added to their mosquito fleet of midfielders and gone from small to smaller, with all three of the club's picks t least 180cm tall. Rachele is one of the few in this draft with genuine capacity to impact games both as a forward and midfielder. Soligo is a buzzy midfielder with speed and someone who tackles aggressively, while Taylor is one of this draft's bargains as a skilful, speedy, high production midfielder. The Crows' trade of their 2022 third round pick to secure the pick that would draft Taylor was well worth it and recognition of the incredible value Taylor represents. While this draft doesn't perfectly help Adelaide's list balance, the quality of players drafted is very strong given where they were picked up.
AFL Draft 2021 - Every club's draft haul rated
ESPN's AFL draft expert Chris Doerre analyses each team's performance at the 2021 AFL Draft and grades how each team fared.
www.espn.com.au
29/11/2021 My top-10 for 2022:
Will Ashcroft
A Brisbane father-son prospect and the son of Marcus, Will is the early front-runner for the No. 1 pick in 2022. With a ridiculous 33 disposals, 20 contested possessions, 12 clearances, nine inside 50s and two goals for Vic Metro during their Under-17 Championships match against Vic Country, Ashcroft showed he is the complete package. He's not only a first possession winner at stoppages, but displays quick hands, agility and evasion in traffic. Ashcroft hurts teams with his kicks to targets inside 50m and with the ease with which he can hit the scoreboard.
Who are the early top 10 players for the 2022 AFL Draft?
The 2021 AFL Draft might have only just wrapped up, but that hasn't stopped our draft expert Chris Doerre looking ahead to next year to try and uncover the next class of stars.
www.espn.com.au
ESPN Podcast involvements:
4/5/2021: ESPN AFL Podcast. First involvement for season 2021 including an approx 15min draft segment:
This week on the podcast, the team discuss how the COVID curveballs came at a lucky time for the AFL, analyse the first half of the year for this week's bye teams, and talk most improved players, while we also debate which Josh Kennedy has had the better career and more!
@ESPNFootyPod | Linktree
Join ESPN's Matt Walsh and Jake Michaels as they discuss the AFL's hot topics.
linktr.ee
31/5/2021: Second ESPN podcast appearance for 2021. Covering tomorrow's AFL Mid-Season draft.
This week on the podcast, ESPN's AFL draft expert Chris Doerre joins the teams to give us an insight into how this year's draft crop is shaping up. Christian Joly From Champion Data runs us through the players who are always under pressure (and who is best at dealing with it), and the team talk the worst guernseys of all time, how to fix Collingwood, and play another round of 'justified hype or hyperbole' with some interesting results.
@ESPNFootyPod | Linktree
Join ESPN's Matt Walsh and Jake Michaels as they discuss the AFL's hot topics.
linktr.ee
15/10/2021: Trade and free agency review; draft preview with Chris Doerre
In a special offseason episode of the podcast, ESPN's draft expert Chris Doerre joins the team to review the free agency and trade period, while the team also throws forward to the draft, set to be held next month.
First round phantom draft included:
1. North Melbourne - Jason Horne-Francis
2. Collingwood - Nick Daicos (matching GWS bid)
@ESPNFootyPod | Linktree
Join ESPN's Matt Walsh and Jake Michaels as they discuss the AFL's hot topics.
linktr.ee
23/11/2021: Final ESPN AFL Draft podcast of the year:
Quick early phantom yesterday afternoons podcast:
1. NM = Horne-Francis
2. WBD = Darcy
3. Coll = Daicos (will this remain the same for my final phantom)
4. GWS = Callaghan
5. GC = Andrew
@ESPNFootyPod | Linktree
Join ESPN's Matt Walsh and Jake Michaels as they discuss the AFL's hot topics.
linktr.ee
For my final phantom draft. Stay tuned.
AFL Draft Weekly Wraps:
7/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Josh Rentsch:
Key forward Josh Rentsch provided a strong focal point up forward for Greater Western Victoria in their 23-point win against Geelong Falcons.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...-josh-rentsch-charlie-dixon-forward-impresses
14/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Nick Daicos:
Playing in a distinctively lively, clean, smart and stylish yet arrogant manor, Nick Daicos for the second successive week starred, consolidating his status as a likely top-5 draft choice and one of Victoria's best.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...rap-nick-daicos-consolidates-top-five-billing
21/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Josh Gibcus:
After earning AFL Academy squad selection during the week, Josh Gibcus confirmed his status as one of this year's premier key defenders, patrolling the airways for Greater Western Victoria in their 11-point win against Murray.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...next-nick-haynes-josh-gibcus-stars-nab-league
28/4/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on GWS Giants Academy member Josh Fahey:
Winning the MCC President's Medal, Fahey, the Greater Western Sydney Academy product took the bulk of the kickouts for the AFL Academy and impressed on his left foot with his penetration and precision kicking.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...josh-fahey-cannon-20-impresses-vfl-opposition
5/5/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Matthew Roberts:
With one of the dominant displays so far this season in the junior ranks, Matthew Roberts solidified his top-10 draft billing for South Adelaide in their 56-point win against Norwood with 34 disposals, eight marks, nine tackles, eight clearances, 10 inside-50s and three goals.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...fty-firms-top-10-pick-mid-season-draft-update
12/5/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Hugh Jackson:
With a season-high 41 disposals, nine marks and eight clearances for North Adelaide's Under 18s in an entertaining draw against Woodville-West Torrens, Hugh Jackson is the early favourite to follow in the footsteps of Tom Powell to win the SANFL's Under-18 MVP.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...are-weekly-wrap-tyler-sonsie-firms-top-5-pick
26/5/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on mid-season draft prospect Jackson Callow:
Winning best-on-ground honours in Norwood's 48-point win against Adelaide, 18-year-old Jackson Callow played like a man among boys in the SANFL and may be the first key forward taken in this year's mid-season draft.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ckson-callow-frame-mid-season-draft-selection
2/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on powerful mid/fwd Hugh Stagg:
Starring for Glenelg's U/18s in their four-point loss to West Adelaide on the weekend, mid-forward prospect Hugh Stagg put on an exhibition of strength and power - showcasing his ability to absorb and break tackles, and remain standing and dispose of the ball with bodies hanging off of him.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...owerful-midfielder-gives-quinton-narkle-vibes
9/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Adelaide NGA Isaiah Dudley:
It's a rare day when the standout player is on the losing side of a 98-point blowout, but that was the case for 168cm midfielder and Adelaide Next-Generation Academy prospect Isaiah Dudley.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...re-weekly-wrap-isaiah-dudley-next-dayne-zorko
16/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Sam Frost
PLAYERCARDSTART
8
Sam Frost
- Age
- 30
- Ht
- 194cm
- Wt
- 94kg
- Pos.
- Def
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 12.4
- 3star
- K
- 7.1
- 3star
- HB
- 5.2
- 4star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 1.9
- 4star
- MG
- 191.6
- 3star
- D
- 10.5
- 3star
- K
- 6.3
- 3star
- HB
- 4.3
- 3star
- M
- 4.0
- 4star
- T
- 1.5
- 2star
- MG
- 191.6
- 3star
- D
- 11.2
- 3star
- K
- 6.0
- 3star
- HB
- 5.2
- 4star
- M
- 3.6
- 4star
- T
- 1.4
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
Not to be confused with the current Hawthorn key defender, this week's player in focus is 18-year-old Sam Frost who starred in GWS' 78-point NAB League win over the Northern Territory.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...rap-dashing-half-back-sam-frost-impresses-gws
23/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Finn Callaghan:
Displaying freakish evasion through traffic, Callaghan amassed 31 disposals, 10 contested possessions, seven inside 50s, and four score assists. What was striking with Callaghan was whenever he had ball in hand, there was an immediate sense he was going to make something happen.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ielder-enhances-top-10-chances-finn-callaghan
30/6/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Sam Darcy (Vic Metro v Country u18 trial notes):
With the most dominant display so far this season in the junior ranks, Western Bulldogs father-son prospect Sam Darcy (son of Luke) wowed watchers for Vic Metro in Trial Match 2 against Vic Country. The performance instantly elevated him into the No. 1 pick conversation.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...er-son-prospect-sam-darcy-dominates-vic-metro
7/7/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Connor MacDonald:
What was special about MacDonald's performance was how clean he was at ground level, everything he did in close was one-touch in cold slippery conditions on Saturday night.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...r-macdonald-turning-heads-dandenong-stingrays
14/7/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Melbourne Next-Generation Academy prospect Mac Andrew:
It was such a commanding performance that the Demons should not expect to be able to match bids for Andrew, as this year any bid inside the top 20 for NGA prospects cannot be matched.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ct-mac-andrew-launches-first-round-contention
21/7/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Blake Schlensog, the best key position player outside the AFL and the solution to your club's key position woes:
The best key position player outside the AFL has emerged and looms as both a plug and play piece and a long-term answer. A former Geelong Category B rookie, Blake Schlensog was unlucky to be delisted at the conclusion of the 2020 season, following rapid improvement in his two-year stint with the Cats.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ake-schlensog-looms-elite-key-position-player
4/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Josh Clarke:
The driving force for the Eastern Ranges in their 27-point win against Dandenong, Josh Clarke was the most damaging player afield with both his kicking and running difference-making.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...-ranges-josh-clarke-damaging-rebound-defender
11/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Jason Horne:
There has never been a footballer past or present who is as special defensively as he is at winning centre bounce ground balls at high speed as pick one contender and consensus first live selection in this year's draft Jason Horne.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...rne-stuns-again-sanfl-south-adelaide-panthers
18/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Arlo Draper:
What impressed recruiters most though was his kicking, vision and decision making. After taking marks on the wing, Draper more than once located and hit targets by foot in the corridor with precision. He also later in the game showed on the move the composure to take his time, lower his eyes and find the leading inside 50m target.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...weekly-wrap-hobbs-does-top-10-chances-no-harm
25/8/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Sam Skinner
PLAYERCARDSTART
31
Sam Skinner
- Age
- 26
- Ht
- 197cm
- Wt
- 99kg
- Pos.
- D/F
Career
Season
Last 5
- D
- 9.0
- 2star
- K
- 4.0
- 2star
- HB
- 5.0
- 4star
- M
- 1.0
- 1star
- T
- 3.0
- 5star
- MG
- 101.0
- 2star
No current season stats available
- D
- 9.0
- 3star
- K
- 4.0
- 2star
- HB
- 5.0
- 4star
- M
- 1.0
- 1star
- T
- 3.0
- 5star
- MG
- 101.0
- 2star
PLAYERCARDEND
Former Brisbane key position player Sam Skinner looks primed to earn another AFL opportunity. Continuing his strong vein of form with 22 disposals, 10 marks (two contested) and six rebound 50s for South Adelaide in their 13-point loss against Port Adelaide, Skinner has looked a new player since switching into defence. This follows games with 12 marks (four contested) and 11 marks (four contested) in the two weeks prior, proving he can be a plug-and-play piece for AFL sides.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...afl-defender-sam-skinner-starring-state-level
1/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on classy 192cm midfielder Matthew Johnson, the top performers from SA v WA, reaction to Jason Horne-Francis' performance and a Nick Daicos update:
Unusual for a tall midfielder, Johnson appears to think and move faster than others following the ball. He possesses not only a quick first step, but before he even wins or receives the ball, he appears to have already planned how he is going to move and what he's going to do.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...-impresses-wa-nick-daicos-jason-horne-francis
8/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Jordan Lukac:
Splitting his time between playing up forward and through the ruck, the athletic Jordan Lukac outleapt rival ruckmen regularly at centre bounces, while around the ground displayed a midfielder-like fluidity to his movement. At 196cm, he was also just as threatening forward of centre, creating separation on the lead and looking like a threat whenever he leapt for the ball or had front position one-on-one.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ruckman-jordan-lukac-shows-shades-paddy-ryder
15/9/2021: AFL Draft Weekly Wrap with a focus Bailey Rogers:
Earning back-to-back selection across half-back in the 2019 and 2020 WAFL Team of the Year, Bailey Rogers has taken his game up a gear this season and transformed into one of the competition's premier midfielders who can push forward. A Sandover Medal contender as one of the WAFL's best this season, Rogers is an AFL ready, 24-year-old who has not only been finding and winning plenty of the football, but also heavily influencing games.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...rap-bailey-rogers-star-west-plays-luke-parker
22/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on this year's premier outside mid Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera:
The premier outside player in this draft, Wanganeen-Milera has earned a reputation for his precision kicking and his diverse range of tricks with ball in hand. Possessing rare agility, Wanganeen-Milera displayed dancing feet, changed direction at will, speed around players and an ability to wrong foot them to give himself more time and space to dispose of the ball effectively.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...idfielder-nasiah-wanganeen-milera-catches-eye
29/9/2021: AFL Draft wrap: a detailed look at Jason Horne-Francis' performance of the year and a focus on draft smokie Arthur Jones:
In the individual performance of the season, pick one contender Jason Horne-Francis gave his all for South Adelaide in their SANFL League preliminary final against Glenelg. It's a game he announced himself to the football world and as a player to be feared.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ap-jason-horne-francis-turns-performance-year
6/10/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on speedster Ronald Fejo Jr:
Joining West Adelaide this year from Northern Territory, Ronald Fejo Jr has been a highlight reel in the Reserves. Taking part for the Allies (a team composed of talent from NSW/ACT, Queensland, Tasmanian and Northern Territory talent) in their clash with South Australia, Fejo wowed onlookers with his rare speed, agility and evasion.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...ghlight-reel-player-ronald-fejo-jr-nt-emerges
13/10/2021: AFL Draft wrap with a focus on Angus Sheldrick:
At 179cm and 88kg, Sheldrick is strong over the ball and routinely wins first possession, works hard around the ground to receive loose ball gets, possesses an explosive burst of speed, shrugs tackles and tackles with intent, plays a strong two-way game and hits the scoreboard.
https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_...p-angus-sheldrick-announces-western-australia
AFL Draft Combine:
18/10/2021: AFL Draft Combine wrap - the standouts, surprises and how to interpret it all:
It's easy to look at draft combine results and get excited about footballers if they're breaking records in particular tests. What clubs do, because they've been watching the players invited throughout the year, is put the results in context of what the footballer does in game to explain what they've been watching during the year.
AFL Draft Combine wrap - the standouts, surprises and how to interpret it all
This year, several draft combines were held around the country. Who stood out and performed the best? ESPN's Draft expert Chris Doerre runs his eye over all the action.
www.espn.com.au
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