Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2011 Mock Draft

[Chris25]

But yeah, any other options you like for small forwards? Here or interstate?

I would probably stay away from SA if you were looking for a small forward. Not a lot happening over here. No Puopolo type mature aged player either. I don't mind Dean Terlich (ex-Sydney rookie) but he is more that defensive small/medium type not really a crumbing small.

Then you have a couple of younger guys like Lachie Neale and Matt Goldsworthy who could be decent depth, but not really all that spectacular.

I like Luke Wilson, and I've had him in my mock draft for a while now. Would be a rookie selection, but lots to work with. Potentially the best small from SA this year, plenty of speed.

My pick though would be Liam Corrie - although technically he isn't an SA kid anymore. Super talented player, who was eligible to be drafted last year but ended up spending most of the season out injured - wouldn't have played more than five games last year. Despite that, Richmond had him come over prior to the rookie draft. Believe he was the youngest player to make a league debut for South Adelaide a few years back too, but moved up to the NT this year. Anyway, really talented player but also quite defensively minded, has a big leap on him too.

Next year is looking like the year for SA smalls though - Ben Kennedy, Sam Mayes and Josh Simpson.

Also, Peter Persinos is a really nice prospect. Only 170cm but excellent goal sense and has played league football for Norwood. I think he is one for next year, but he has also been around the underaged scene for SA and Norwood for a while now, so he might be eligible this year. Although I would have expected more talk (or at least a state screening invite) if he were eligible...

 

[Raymann]

Any other prospects you like? I was thinking Zorko could be a Jarryd Blair type. Nuggety little FP type who loves to tackle, probably a better tackler and maybe slightly better skills, wouldn't mind him as a rookie option as a small forward.

But yeah, any other options you like for small forwards? Here or interstate?

Darren Minchington - Dandenong Stingrays. i have been pumping him up for a couple of months. Has been added to State screening. i was hoping for more during the finals, but think he will still get picked up. Good option for StKilda or Western Bulldogs.

 

[PooMonkey]

Isn't Mellbourne committed to taking Viney as a father son this season?

 

[DANGERZONE123]

Hey Knight, when is DraftCentral gunna be up and running again, it's been down for ages.

 

[Knightmare]

Any other prospects you like? I was thinking Zorko could be a Jarryd Blair type. Nuggety little FP type who loves to tackle, probably a better tackler and maybe slightly better skills, wouldn't mind him as a rookie option as a small forward.

But yeah, any other options you like for small forwards? Here or interstate?

The likes of Devon Smith, Clay Smith and Taylor Adams can play well up forward of those smalls likely to feature in the main draft.

Marley Williams is a really powerful type. Though probably more of a forward flanker.

As a pure small forward the only one this year I really like is Haiden Schlothe. Real Mark LeCras type and just looks so dangerous with ball in hand. Knows where the goals are as well as anyone in this years draft. Does need to develop that opposite boot if he wants to make it at AFL level as a forward and also defensively could improve. But is very draftable and one I'd like Collingwood to have a crack at late/rookie.

?

For half this year we were playing one out forward, and at times had to put our #1 ruck into the backline, we were that low on numbers.

On top of that we've lost Slattery (tallish defender) Neagle (tallish forward) Daniher (tallish swingman) and Williams (munchkin de facto target forward) - and a total of one midfielder.

Talls mightn't be the top priority but there will be at least a couple in there.

Still have Ariel Steinberg as a forward also - is undersized but think he could step in if necessary. Then David Hille plays some forward - and probably has to with Bellchambers developing then Ryder ahead of him. Gumbleton is solid depth at worst. So for mine you have sufficient depth to support Carlisle/Hurley. Then with Daniher next year - who looks a star I don't think Essendon are in a terrible position re. KPFs.

But certainly if there is a KPP or two who appeal to Ess I see no reason why you wouldn't draft them. Would think key defender would be more of a priority given depth is probably less good down there.

Isn't Mellbourne committed to taking Viney as a father son this season?

Not this year but the year after.
Will be a beauty. Inside mid who isn't big, but he goes hard at the footy and really attacks it with a level of aggression few juniors have.
Real class act and cert 1st rounder for Mel.

Hey Knight, when is DraftCentral gunna be up and running again, it's been down for ages.

It was not my site.
Was owned by Ben - Geelong fan from Tasmania.
Got me on board but has since been hired by a VFL club as a Tasmanian talent advisor and has since shut down the site.

Will add my 2012 draft onto bigfooty some time over the Christmas break to generate some early discussion.

Just had it on DraftCentral at the time as a unique feature since there wasn't really anything else like it on the net. But will be on it's way to bigfooty soon enough.

 

[Slattery_20]

So for mine you have sufficient depth to support Carlisle/Hurley. Then with Daniher next year - who looks a star I don't think Essendon are in a terrible position re. KPFs.

This is going to sound harsher than I intend, but frankly I think that's a pretty shallow way to look at it

Surely you look to at least maintain depth, and after the 5 who'll probably be regulars (Hurley Carlisle Hooker Pears Fletch) and the 2 or 3 (Gumby, Steinberg) who they'd like to push through.... there's currently... Davis.
And that's it.
Considering Fletcher is 88, Hille's nearing 30, and Hooker and Pears haven't been seen on the same field for 2 years, that's a fair amount of risk.

Midfield isn't great either, but at least there's depth and prospects (kids like Ross, Browne & blokes like Prismall playing 2s most weeks).

Love your work on the prospects, just don't think that's a realistic way to look at our needs.

 

[Hawkinspired]

Knightmare, from memory you picked issac smith for hawks last year which was on the money. Why do you think that Hawks will waste their first rounder on another project ruckman when they already have 6 listed ruckman? Also Hawthorn have decided not to nominate Tom Curran via F/S.

 

[The Bomb]

Knightmare or Chris25 just talking on the Gunston trade thread and was wondering where you would put him in this draft, surely his price would not be around Greene, Grigg, Hoskin Elliott, Adams ect
just wondering where you think he would go.

Thanks if you can help me out.

 

[Snoop Dog]

I like Luke Wilson, and I've had him in my mock draft for a while now. Would be a rookie selection, but lots to work with. Potentially the best small from SA this year, plenty of speed.

My pick though would be Liam Corrie - although technically he isn't an SA kid anymore. Super talented player, who was eligible to be drafted last year but ended up spending most of the season out injured - wouldn't have played more than five games last year. Despite that, Richmond had him come over prior to the rookie draft. Believe he was the youngest player to make a league debut for South Adelaide a few years back too, but moved up to the NT this year. Anyway, really talented player but also quite defensively minded, has a big leap on him too.

Also, Peter Persinos is a really nice prospect. ..

Yeah i think Luke is a talent as well.
Liam Corrie is one of my favs that I was pushing earlier this year but doubt he will eb drafted after last few months.
Persinos can play and along with a few other SA juniors am surprised his names hasnt come up

 

[Chris25]

Yeah, shame about Corrie. After his injury problems, heading up to the NT seemed like a good idea for a fresh start. Maybe next year.

Also, do you know if Persinos is eligible this year? I'm assuming he is, but the lack of talk is making me doubt that.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare, from memory you picked issac smith for hawks last year which was on the money. Why do you think that Hawks will waste their first rounder on another project ruckman when they already have 6 listed ruckman? Also Hawthorn have decided not to nominate Tom Curran via F/S.

More a value pick than anything.

Personally don't rate Hawthorn's ruck division even if the depth is there and think someone of the quality of Bolger might be worth looking at since your list is in pretty reasonable condition.

But will still be shuffling my selections around and chances are in a month I have Hawthorn taking someone completely different. So don't read too much into it at this stage.

Surprising re. Curran if true. Is there an article you could link me in to?
Think he would be a fairly good fit as that bigger key defender.
Possibly Hawthorn thought they might get pushed into using their 1st rounder if they nominated him. I do regard him more as someone who should go somewhere between your 1st round + 2nd round selection in terms of quality.

Knightmare or Chris25 just talking on the Gunston trade thread and was wondering where you would put him in this draft, surely his price would not be around Greene, Grigg, Hoskin Elliott, Adams ect
just wondering where you think he would go.

Thanks if you can help me out.

For Gunston might be worth a pick in the teens somewhere. Somewhere around pick 15 might be an appropriate price to pay for him.

Think Richmond or the Western Bull Dogs might show some interest and be open to trading their 1st rounders.

 

[Yoda_]

What are your thoughts on Darren Minchington?

Finished the year in the rays and doing well..

 

[Hawkinspired]

More a value pick than anything.

Personally don't rate Hawthorn's ruck division even if the depth is there and think someone of the quality of Bolger might be worth looking at since your list is in pretty reasonable condition.

But will still be shuffling my selections around and chances are in a month I have Hawthorn taking someone completely different. So don't read too much into it at this stage.

Surprising re. Curran if true. Is there an article you could link me in to?
Think he would be a fairly good fit as that bigger key defender.
Possibly Hawthorn thought they might get pushed into using their 1st rounder if they nominated him. I do regard him more as someone who should go somewhere between your 1st round + 2nd round selection in terms of quality.

Whilst i agree to an extent about Hawthorns ruck stocks, an 80kg eighteen year old ruckman will take years to develop. Luke Lowden is nearing 100kg and will push for his first game next year as a 21 year old. It remains to be seen what position Sam Grimely (199cm) will play but he is another young prospect. I'm not saying don't take another ruckman on the list, but not with the first round pick.

I suspect your right about Curran being pushed into the 1st round. If we are not prepared to take Curran with our first round pick, who is an excellent prospect, says to me that we obviously have something lined up with our first pick, where be it traded on or used for someone that can play next year.

Don't have any articles on Curran but take it as fact.

 

[JasRulz63]

With Curran, couldn't Hawthorn wait until the F/S bidding is over, and just let the club that bid on him (assuming they do) take him, since they don't have to match it if they don't want to. Interesting that they'd decide not to chase him at all, maybe they think he could sneak through to their second round pick?

 

[Knightmare]

What are your thoughts on Darren Minchington?

Finished the year in the rays and doing well..

Think he is very draft relevant and one well worth discussing. Like his game.

Can play forward or as a mid.

Kicking very good and has some hurt factor. Speed not bad. But can also play inside and win the hard ball. Tackles and does those little things.

Worth checking out some footage of him when it comes out. Think he could be a good choice in either draft.

I suspect your right about Curran being pushed into the 1st round. If we are not prepared to take Curran with our first round pick, who is an excellent prospect, says to me that we obviously have something lined up with our first pick, where be it traded on or used for someone that can play next year.

Don't have any articles on Curran but take it as fact.

Just looked online and sources are suggesting he isn't inside Hawthorns top 45 prospects - and only going to use 2 draft selections - 1 on rookie upgrade.

Interesting.

Might need to for my next update give the Hawthorn selections some more thought.

With Curran, couldn't Hawthorn wait until the F/S bidding is over, and just let the club that bid on him (assuming they do) take him, since they don't have to match it if they don't want to. Interesting that they'd decide not to chase him at all, maybe they think he could sneak through to their second round pick?

As mentioned above unlikely Hawthorn select him at all. At this stage looks likely that they only have the two "live selections" with the rookie upgrade as the 3rd selection.

Doesn't even look like a consideration right now interestingly.

Open market Curran goes.

 

[davo99]

Hey Knightmare big supportor of Claremont in the wafl who out of our team will be picked up? Guys like Blackwell, Tom Lee, Kane Mitchell any others and where do you think they will go in the draft. All Ive heard is Wilkes will be at GWS next year

 

[Fin ice Smuggler]

This is going to sound harsher than I intend, but frankly I think that's a pretty shallow way to look at it

Surely you look to at least maintain depth, and after the 5 who'll probably be regulars (Hurley Carlisle Hooker Pears Fletch) and the 2 or 3 (Gumby, Steinberg) who they'd like to push through.... there's currently... Davis.
And that's it.
Considering Fletcher is 88, Hille's nearing 30, and Hooker and Pears haven't been seen on the same field for 2 years, that's a fair amount of risk.

Midfield isn't great either, but at least there's depth and prospects (kids like Ross, Browne & blokes like Prismall playing 2s most weeks).

Love your work on the prospects, just don't think that's a realistic way to look at our needs.

Dont agree with this, I think Knightmare is spot on, we have enough KPP prospects. Hooker and Pears just need a full pre season, We have Bell to replace Hille and Jenkins looked ok for Bendigo to suggest he could play as a back up ruck.

Maybe if we build up a bigger midfield brigade the KPP wont have to run so much which I think is having an effect on soft tissue/stress related injuries.

All the top 4 sides had great midfields. Thats where the game is right now, and if we lose a Hocking or Watson our stocks look paper thin.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare big supportor of Claremont in the wafl who out of our team will be picked up? Guys like Blackwell, Tom Lee, Kane Mitchell any others and where do you think they will go in the draft. All Ive heard is Wilkes will be at GWS next year

No locks.

As you mention Wilkes is someone GWS are considering.

Of the others I'd like for Lee to get a shot through the rookie draft.

Also Blackwell would have to be a chance after yet another very good season in the WAFL.

 

[Slattery_20]

Dont agree with this, I think Knightmare is spot on, we have enough KPP prospects. Hooker and Pears just need a full pre season, We have Bell to replace Hille and Jenkins looked ok for Bendigo to suggest he could play as a back up ruck.

Maybe if we build up a bigger midfield brigade the KPP wont have to run so much which I think is having an effect on soft tissue/stress related injuries.

All the top 4 sides had great midfields. Thats where the game is right now, and if we lose a Hocking or Watson our stocks look paper thin.

Are pick 50+ prospects in a weak draft are going to make a massive difference to our midfield in the short term?

IMHO anyone picked down there is going to be a bit of a project; and fact is we lack far more for depth/prospects in one area than another.

Cats have 18 over 190cm, Pies 19, Ess 13

The midfield's weak, but if we lose say 3 midfielders we're putting a Prismall/Winderlich/McVeigh in, not top liners but all have done jobs.
If we lose 3 talls it's Ryder to full-back, Myers to CHB, and Hille to full-forward, square pegs into round holes that also takes away from other areas.

Just don't be surprised when we pick up 2 or more talls this draft.

 

[Fin ice Smuggler]

Are pick 50+ prospects in a weak draft are going to make a massive difference to our midfield in the short term?

IMHO anyone picked down there is going to be a bit of a project; and fact is we lack far more for depth/prospects in one area than another.

Cats have 18 over 190cm, Pies 19, Ess 13

The midfield's weak, but if we lose say 3 midfielders we're putting a Prismall/Winderlich/McVeigh in, not top liners but all have done jobs.
If we lose 3 talls it's Ryder to full-back, Myers to CHB, and Hille to full-forward, square pegs into round holes that also takes away from other areas.

Just don't be surprised when we pick up 2 or more talls this draft.

Prismall, Winders and Dempsey all have serious knee injuries, I still go by the rule that it takes 12 months to get back on the park but another 12 months to regain form and confidence. Our best footy is played when we play fast, we can get to more contests and apply more defensive pressure, with 2 many talls in the team we become reactive.

I think if we take a project tall it will be in the rookie draft, we might take that guy on the NSW scholarship, not sure if Fields has come into F/S calculations for us.

But talls arent the problem. Carlton smashed us with small forwards and our forward line looked to big when we had Hurley, Crameri and the 3rd ruckman (when Hille, Ryder and Bell) played.

West Coast have good talls but didnt really look dangerous until Kerr and Gaff were in the mix.

 

[Slattery_20]

Please stop putting words into my mouth/post.

Of course talls aren't the problem per se but we will not go into a season with just 2 untried 19yo kids as the entire cover outside the 22.

We will actually have more than one pick, you know, and can use different picks on different problems.

And, still, the point about WCE is irrelevant unless someone of the class/maturity of Kerr/Gaff is going to be around at pick 37 & 55 odd. Unlikely.

By your logic, Carlton smashed us with small forwards so we should pick 4 or 5 small backs to stop them, since you can only attack one problem at once.

 

[JdSaints4life]

Richards was quite good for Sandy in the TAC Cup Grand Final last week, was very strong over head and kicked 2 nice goals before going to the backline where he was solid. Might be a shot to get into the National draft now....got injured late in the game so his second half he had little impact and game time...but could come into calculations late...thoughts?

 

[Fin ice Smuggler]

Please stop putting words into my mouth/post.

Of course talls aren't the problem per se but we will not go into a season with just 2 untried 19yo kids as the entire cover outside the 22.

We will actually have more than one pick, you know, and can use different picks on different problems.

And, still, the point about WCE is irrelevant unless someone of the class/maturity of Kerr/Gaff is going to be around at pick 37 & 55 odd. Unlikely.

By your logic, Carlton smashed us with small forwards so we should pick 4 or 5 small backs to stop them, since you can only attack one problem at once.

we'll move on mate, I aint putting words into anyones mouth I just think Knightmares assesment is reasonably accurate is all.

 

[Slattery_20]

we'll move on mate, I aint putting words into anyones mouth I just think Knightmares assesment is reasonably accurate is all.

We'll see.

 

[neddy36]

Also, do you know if Persinos is eligible this year? I'm assuming he is, but the lack of talk is making me doubt that.

Persinos is a 1993, so draft eligible this year. Super quick, saw him out-run Josh Simpson last week.