Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2011 Mock Draft

[footyplayer123]

speaking about gippy power boys, who are the most likely? luke thompson any chance? use to go to school wiith him at lowanna college

 

[Knightmare]

what about john butchers brother seems to be doing well for giggy

Is in good form. Rookie chance if continues to improve. Worth noting is that Danny is not a KPP.

speaking about gippy power boys, who are the most likely? luke thompson any chance? use to go to school wiith him at lowanna college

Sam Docherty
Clay Smith
Josh Tynan
Jordan Staley
Shaun Wyatt
Hayden Hector

Are the most likely Gippy boys at this stage.

Haven't seen enough of Thompson to be honest to give you an idea of his chances.

 

[gotassieboys]

Interested to know your thoughts on how many genuine full forwards are in the mix for the coming draft/rookie. Julian Dobosz kicked 4 goals for North Hobart seniors on Saturday. Granted the opposition was ordinary. However his form has been nothing but consistent this year. I would imagine he would be 1-2 years from playing AFL if he was picked up. After only 30 games of Aussie Rules would a club take the punt?

 

[Knightmare]

Interested to know your thoughts on how many genuine full forwards are in the mix for the coming draft/rookie. Julian Dobosz kicked 4 goals for North Hobart seniors on Saturday. Granted the opposition was ordinary. However his form has been nothing but consistent this year. I would imagine he would be 1-2 years from playing AFL if he was picked up. After only 30 games of Aussie Rules would a club take the punt?

Probably no more than 3-4 pure full forwards will go in the national draft.
There are a number of KPFs, but many of them are probably better at CHF.

Dobosz is a quality talent and I think with limited Full Forward options in this draft he will firm to be a 1st rounder, even if that is around pick 20.
Really good talent with great athleticism and his ability to read the ball in the air is just that much better than anyone else which is what makes him stand out.
I think any of: St Kilda, Fremantle, WCE, Geelong and Carlton if they didn't have Buckley as their 1st round F/S selection amongst a couple of others will be looking at him very closely in the 1st round.

 

[Flawed Genius]

I would've thought Frost was a decent CHF chance.

 

[footyfan97]

any chance of hal hunter being picked up knightmare?

 

[Knightmare]

I would've thought Frost was a decent CHF chance.

Probably moving down my rankings somewhat after showing a bit early during the champs. Looks like a 2nd round choice at this stage.

Will be interesting to see whether clubs take him ahead or behind of: Paine, Tomlinson, Gordon, McInness, Bussey who are amongst that possible 2nd round and beyond KPP group.

any chance of hal hunter being picked up knightmare?

Don't have him going in my draft but possible rookie choice. Has a very mature body,

 

[footyfan97]

Probably moving down my rankings somewhat after showing a bit early during the champs. Looks like a 2nd round choice at this stage.

Will be interesting to see whether clubs take him ahead or behind of: Paine, Tomlinson, Gordon, McInness, Bussey who are amongst that possible 2nd round and beyond KPP group.



Don't have him going in my draft but possible rookie choice. Has a very mature body,

just out of interest, why do clubs tend to prefer lighter and less developed players compared to mature and devloped bodies when it comes to draft time?

 

[gotassieboys]

Wondering your thoughts on those boys who play senior football in the State Leagues (WAFL, SANFL,TFL etc) and are having an impact in their respective teams.

While I know TFL isn't VFL standard, it does give the boys the opportunity to play against bigger bodies.

I sometimes think that while there are great young players in the TAC & APS competition, many may appear better than they actually are due to competing against boys only.

My thoughts are that with an expanded draft combine that possibly 6-8 lads from Tassie are in with a chance to be invited. All these kids if they finish off the 2011 season also have a good chance to get drafted.

Really interested if you could do a critique (know it's difficult interstate) on the boys from the Mariners that are creating interest on the big island!

The reason I ask this is that injuries and form can dramatically alter those considered hot early season, to those post championship and later in the season.

 

[Balony_pony16]

Knight...thoughts on darren Pfeiffer getting re-drafted? He is turning alot of heads playing under Bassett at the Redlegs...still pretty young

Any takers in a "skinny draft"?

 

[Knightmare]

just out of interest, why do clubs tend to prefer lighter and less developed players compared to mature and devloped bodies when it comes to draft time?

Being physically mature is not a bad thing. But if physically mature super early then sometimes it can be considered that there is little physical development remaining. It really has to be a case by case annalysis and it is only really by knowing whether a kid stopped growing as a 15 year old that you can find out these types of things.

Tom Hawkins would be a good example of why size isn't everything. As a kid he dominated because he was significantly bigger and stronger than everyone else. But unlike others who have gone on and had serious success at the next level, size was the standout attribute he had, rather than standout marking ability or something else that would be something that would allow him to dominate against men.

Clubs really look for standout attributes other than just size (because size can be taught/ put on with time) such as penetrating kicking, equal ability on both feet, standout burst speed or other standout attributes that few other players have or make you stand out from others. Because size is allot easier to develop than some other areas.

Wondering your thoughts on those boys who play senior football in the State Leagues (WAFL, SANFL,TFL etc) and are having an impact in their respective teams.

While I know TFL isn't VFL standard, it does give the boys the opportunity to play against bigger bodies.

I sometimes think that while there are great young players in the TAC & APS competition, many may appear better than they actually are due to competing against boys only.

My thoughts are that with an expanded draft combine that possibly 6-8 lads from Tassie are in with a chance to be invited. All these kids if they finish off the 2011 season also have a good chance to get drafted.

Really interested if you could do a critique (know it's difficult interstate) on the boys from the Mariners that are creating interest on the big island!

The reason I ask this is that injuries and form can dramatically alter those considered hot early season, to those post championship and later in the season.

There are always standouts.

Greatest impact to this point is Luke Blackwell from Swan Districts - WA. Taken his game to the next level and if he contiues to show improvement might just find himself on an AFL list once again.

Brayden O'Hara has got allot of hype out of SA.

Tom Sunberg is a really handy utility for Collingwood VFL - left footer who could easily slot onto a HBF, Wing or HFF or just play wherever you need him.

Oliver Tate and Tyson Thomas have been two others who have stood out in the VFL.

Dayne Zorko looks like he could be worth a shot up in QLD. On the short side but the guy can play, whether in the mid up forward or down back.

As a smokie I put Lewis Fasolo - brother of Collingwood's Alex from the WAFL in. Has looked pretty good and could get an opportunity.



Playing against mature bodies certainly can help. And often we see it with some of the WA boys in particular coming through and having that strong immediate impact because they are used to playing against the bigger bodies.

Of the Tasmanians I think are draft possibilities: Julian Dobosz, Brody Mihocek, Jimmy Webster, John Mckenzie, Henry Schade and Ben Brown.
Could easily be another 2-4 looked at.


I look at late season form - particularly the way they perform in finals is a big one. The late season form shows they way they have progressed during the season, but the finals form is particularly interesting because there is a serious correlation between finals performances at lower levels and finals performances at AFL level. Players who can play big when they need to tend to often take that ability to the next level. So if I want to win a grand final I want to take the kids who can stand out in these big games and find that next level.

Sometimes injury can be really harsh on draft positions and often knock some really good players out of the draft. I sometimes mark down players down because of injury but I don't like saying someone shouldn't be drafted because of a season ending injury - Ben Brown would be a good example. Last year would have absolutely taken him. Knowing other clubs didn't want him in the national draft I would have happily taken him as a rookie last year and have been patient.
I'd do the same with Brett Eddy - Collingwood VFL. Take him as a rookie, give him time to recover. Because in both cases the talent is there and as a young player there is still plenty of time, even more so as a tall.

Knight...thoughts on darren Pfeiffer getting re-drafted? He is turning alot of heads playing under Bassett at the Redlegs...still pretty young

Any takers in a "skinny draft"?

Don't know allot about his form but there will as always be chances for those who stand out at state levels to make a statement.

Of the state leagues I tend to follow the VFL + WAFL most closely but there have certainly been a few calls that there are a couple in the SANFL who could be worth a shot this year.

Is in the right age group so I see no reason if he has a strong finals series not to be amongst the possibilities.

 

[borrat]

whats your opinion on nick maric????

 

[Knightmare]

whats your opinion on nick maric????

Have him going as a late-rookie. Handy forward pocket for those looking for one. Good kick and is that clever forward pocket with a bit of pace.

 

[footyfan97]

knightmare, you mentioned earlier that you watch some aps footy. names such as salpek and fricot are being tossed up on the school football forum now as potential draftees. have you seen much of these two play and what are your thoughts on their draft chances?

 

[WALL-e]

Salopek is very small

 

[gotassieboys]

Heard Kevin Sheahan state today on television that the 120 invite letters will go out Australia wide to those boys going to the Draft Combime.

Just wondering when these results will become public knowledge.

Looking forward to seeing the results, as this should firm up the likely draftees.

 

[ravarma]

Knightmare, Do you think Jackson Paine can have a career in the AFL as a midfielder? He predominatly plays midfield for school and Sandy. And what are your thoughts on Fletcher Roberts from Sandringham Dragons?

 

[Knightmare]

knightmare, you mentioned earlier that you watch some aps footy. names such as salpek and fricot are being tossed up on the school football forum now as potential draftees. have you seen much of these two play and what are your thoughts on their draft chances?

Jason Salopek has been a consistant standout for St Kevins. WALL-e is right, he on the short side. Have him at around 175cm.
Would be interested to see how he goes for Dandenong Stingrays once APS commitments complete. If he can take his game to TAC Cup level and continue to perform then he might be a chance. Good skill set.

Fricot is an interesting one. Haven't heard him in drafting discussions much but I have found him to be a very interesting prospect and also has been another standout for St Kevins. Think he is very draftable, but don't know where he might sit.

Heard Kevin Sheahan state today on television that the 120 invite letters will go out Australia wide to those boys going to the Draft Combime.

Just wondering when these results will become public knowledge.

Looking forward to seeing the results, as this should firm up the likely draftees.

Should be posted on afl.com soon enough hopefully.

Knightmare, Do you think Jackson Paine can have a career in the AFL as a midfielder? He predominatly plays midfield for school and Sandy. And what are your thoughts on Fletcher Roberts from Sandringham Dragons?

Paine is an interesting one because the Sandy Dragons have enough forward options which forces him into the midfield.
It might come down to who drafts him and what they need him to play at the time because he can play both pretty well.
At this stage I like him more as a forward, but with the ever increasing height of midfielders I see no reason why Paine can't become a rotation midfielder either.

Fletcher Roberts is a great size but still needs to develop allot physically.
On the improve which is the thing you want to look for in a KPP/ruck prospect like Roberts. Rookie chance if improvement continues.

 

[footyfan97]

agree that it will be interesting to see what happens at draft time with fricot and salopek knightmare.

From what i have heard Fricot made the U15 schoolboys state team and then was cut from the Eastern ranges at U16 level. if true it is hard to believe.

 

[DANGERZONE123]

Was just watching over the WA v SA game again on my IQ and took note that Pickering mentioned that the croweaters play an heavy kicking style type of game. That made me think of Hawthorn's style of play then the type of amazing kickers in their side (the majority being left footed).

Is it just me, or does the majority of the SA midfielders in this draft (and the one coming ie. Kennedy, May, Simpson, have amazing left foot kicks or are right footed but more than capable left foot kicks. I'm talking Wingard, Grigg, McKenzie, Forster, Waldhunter. It is quite an amazing coincidence that this circumstance would occur don't you think Knightmare??

 

[blueiris]

Who are the standout Ingidinous players in this years darft I really hope Brisbane drafts one this year can you give me some names too lookout for

 

[gotassieboys]

Just wondering if there was a list with the best 10 tall key position defenders in the draft.

 

[Knightmare]

Was just watching over the WA v SA game again on my IQ and took note that Pickering mentioned that the croweaters play an heavy kicking style type of game. That made me think of Hawthorn's style of play then the type of amazing kickers in their side (the majority being left footed).

Is it just me, or does the majority of the SA midfielders in this draft (and the one coming ie. Kennedy, May, Simpson, have amazing left foot kicks or are right footed but more than capable left foot kicks. I'm talking Wingard, Grigg, McKenzie, Forster, Waldhunter. It is quite an amazing coincidence that this circumstance would occur don't you think Knightmare??

Interesting one, and you're right. They have some fantastic kicks in their side. Particularly this year.

Last year they had Polec. Tapscott the year before. It can't be a fluke they all have fantastic kicks on them.

Would be interested to know how they are achieving the results they are achieving by foot.

Who are the standout Ingidinous players in this years darft I really hope Brisbane drafts one this year can you give me some names too lookout for

[FONT=&quot]
Not the quality Indiginous of previous years unfortunately. Will be some lower end ones. Raikiwasa is one likely to be looked at. [/FONT]

Just wondering if there was a list with the best 10 tall key position defenders in the draft.

I know you are asking for Backs more specifically but outside of Dobosz I think really any of the others if asked could play down even if I do list as forwards.

My list of KPPs (top 10 - not including Patton):
Elton (More of a forward, but could play back)
Talia (KPD)
Dobosz (KPF only)
Lockyer (Undersized but has shown good as KPD/KPF)
Frost (Versatile KPP. Maybe better as a forward but could play back)
S.Gordon (KPF who could play some back)
Paine (See him primarily as a KPF but can play midfield or even back if necessary)
McInness (KPD primarily who could play forward)
Tomlinson (KPP - either, slightly undersized but not bad)
Bussey (KPF primarily but has versatility to go back or even ruck if necessary)

Outside of these the rest are more late-rookie prospects for mine.
So might be looking at the likes of: Andrew Bosley, Piva Wright (undersized), Xavier Richards, Henry Schade as other KPD options.

 

[lotum]

Blueiris 4 standouts come to mind Indigenous players to watch come draft time are Wingard, Yagmoor,Anderson and Sumner although Anderson is already on GWS pre list.

 

[DANGERZONE123]

Blueiris 4 standouts come to mind Indigenous players to watch come draft time are Wingard, Yagmoor,Anderson and Sumner although Anderson is already on GWS pre list.

I think Wingard is only half or a quarter Aboriginal. Stills counts though.