Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[Patty_Moz]

Hey Knightmare (and Chris25 if your reading) did Conlon come back from his knee injury?

Can you give us any idea about how he has been going?

 

[Jordie_tackles]

What happened to Tupangupi from last years draft? the small forward from Gippsland? is he making any impact at the next level? ie VFL? thanks

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Tiipungwuti? Now playing VFL footy for Essendon.

His stats are here. Doesn't look like he's having a major impact, however I haven't seen 1 full VFL match this year so wouldn't know.

 

[Back2Back9798]

Hey KM
Championships are over, Premiership season coming to a thrilling end.
I just want your analysis on three players for me!
TOM BOYD. And. James Aish. And Luke McDonald
What can we expect in these players first season? How far can these guys go as AFL players? Can they be genuine top class players? What are your thoughts

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare (and Chris25 if your reading) did Conlon come back from his knee injury?

Can you give us any idea about how he has been going?

He's training. Just probably not yet ready for match play.

If drafted without knowing for certain I'd say he has the opportunity to be ready for preseason training.

What happened to Tupangupi from last years draft? the small forward from Gippsland? is he making any impact at the next level? ie VFL? thanks

Tipungwuti is playing VFL this year. Not looking out of place down back and could play forward just as easily. He was unlucky last year but as a small forward/defender is someone who could still be worth a rookie spot and despite being a short one and having a stronger build I've been encouraged by his continued development.

Hey KM
Championships are over, Premiership season coming to a thrilling end.
I just want your analysis on three players for me!
TOM BOYD. And. James Aish. And Luke McDonald
What can we expect in these players first season? How far can these guys go as AFL players? Can they be genuine top class players? What are your thoughts

Boyd I expect will debut and play a stretch of games. Perhaps even become a regular in season one. He is good enough to play 15 games in season one but he's not going to do a Jeremy Cameron and dominate right away for a forward and will take till probably roughly season three before we really see him out and out dominate games frequently.
Boyd if drafted by a club who can develop their own talent can become another Cloke as that best case scenario. If not then he still has the opportunity to become a top 10 key forward in the competition assuming he stays healthy.

Aish can play every game in season one if healthy and can have an impact right away. He's not going to do a Jaeger, he's not in that category but he could be good for 15 disposals per game on a wing or back flank.
Aish I'd rate as a smaller, early career Enright as more that wingman or back flanker. I'm not expecting him to become a franchise player but he can become a top five player for a team.

McDonald if healthy can also play every game. Probably good for roughly 15 disposals per game off a back flank but an extremely damaging 15.
McDonald I'd rate as a stronger McKenzie. Not a freaky with that same league best kick but still excellent and can be a weapon for a team. As with Aish can become a top 5 player for a team probably starting as a back flanker and hopefully developing into more a midfielder with time.

 

[Roobound]

Also, have you herd of a guy for next years draft named Rhys Mathieson. If so, what pick would he be?

This guy has X Factor, in fact l thought he won it 2 years ago

 

[Dan12]

Guy Dickson (Oakleigh Chargers) is someone who could fit that profile. He can do a Jeremy Howe up forward and leap tall buildings but down back has played a very disciplined game this season and has done his job every week playing mostly on talls and beating them all but can also play smaller.

Zac Jones (brother of Nathan) is another dour hard nosed defender who could play a role for you.

Both if drafted have the opportunity to find a role for a team.


There are some rebounding back flankers to look at also. As mature agers you could do worse than look at George Hampson and Brayden O'Hara. Josh Glenn is another dynamo rebounder. Isaiah Miller and Tom Langdon as tall rebounding defenders with some class are both also excellent choices.
James Battersby is probably one of the more expensive back flankers and will require a 2nd rounder if you want him but as a ball user he's one of the most precise in this draft as the highest efficiency kick from the u18 champs.

Is Scott Sherlock another who fits that profile and could be on the radar of clubs?

 

[Patty_Moz]

He's training. Just probably not yet ready for match play.

If drafted without knowing for certain I'd say he has the opportunity to be ready for preseason training.

Cheers KM

 

[JDC!]

What happened to Tupangupi from last years draft? the small forward from Gippsland? is he making any impact at the next level? ie VFL? thanks

Tiipungwuti? Now playing VFL footy for Essendon.

His stats are here. Doesn't look like he's having a major impact, however I haven't seen 1 full VFL match this year so wouldn't know.

Tipungwuti is playing VFL this year. Not looking out of place down back and could play forward just as easily. He was unlucky last year but as a small forward/defender is someone who could still be worth a rookie spot and despite being a short one and having a stronger build I've been encouraged by his continued development.

Tipungwuti is one of the most skilled players I have played with. I played a nationals game with him where I thought he had a big impact on the match. Looking at the stats afterwards he didn't get a kick but had 11 handballs or something like that. It showed that he doesn't need much of the ball to be damaging.

I wrote up a bit of a profile about him and other NT prospects.

The 20-year-old stands at only 174cm but he is arguably the most talented player that has come through the Northern Territory U18s over the past couple of years. Tipungwuti made the move to Melbourne from the Tiwi Islands three years ago and has played TAC Cup with Gippsland Power. He had a great season with NTFL club Tiwi Bombers as a 16-year-old but has not played much football with Tiwi as he usually opts to stay in Melbourne and do pre-season with his club. He is a classy footballer with clean hands and exquisite skills. Tipungwuti has played with Essendon in the VFL this season and has featured in the best players on a couple of occasions. Size and fitness concerns are the only issues on whether or not Tipungwuti makes it at the top level.

http://madmondayshow.com/2013/08/18/2013-nt-draft-prospects/

 

[Zach Package]

i've seen all of tippa's past month at vfl level.

His first step is as explosive as cyril rioli. in terms of a bag of tricks, he is that good. fitness and height are an issue, but i'd be elated if we drafted him

 

[roos_fanatic08]

Is Scott Sherlock another who fits that profile and could be on the radar of clubs?

I'd have him ahead of O'Hara and Hampson personally. Elite speed, good decision making and his defensive effort and lockdown capabilities are severely underrated. Height is really the only issue.

 

[Knightmare]

Is Scott Sherlock another who fits that profile and could be on the radar of clubs?

Scott Sherlock does fit that profile and could be an option.

Plays good two way ball as roos_fanatic mentioned.

As long as you can get over him being 173cm he's a very good rookie option for a club.

 

[Jordie_tackles]

Thanks JDC and Knightmare and Collin D Chops.

I always thought someone would bite on him last year, i think the Dees need a small forward and not just with Davey retiring ect, we have Barry but that is it atm and i like the sound of Tipungwuti last year.

Would not be disappointed if we took a punt on him this year either

 

[Back2Back9798]

Do you have an up to date phantom draft? Would love to see an updated one

 

[Rockford]

Boyd I expect will debut and play a stretch of games. Perhaps even become a regular in season one...

Aish can play every game in season one if healthy and can have an impact right away...

McDonald if healthy can also play every game. Probably good for roughly 15 disposals per game off a back flank but an extremely damaging 15...

What about other highly rated rookies that'll play next season? Guys like Martin, Scharenberg and Billings?

 

[DeeWong6996]

If you were in a position to take a bit of a risk, say to unearth a potential a grader, who would be the second midfielder taken after Aish?

 

[Sammy101]

Knightmare, just wondering you think are guys who are relatively unknown who could be a surprise come draft day e.g. mitch wilkins last year

 

[igloo dweller]

hi KM.
are there any bob murphy types about this year? swingman flankers with a bit of poise and pizzaz? we may have drafted one last year in mcrae (a seriously tantalising prospect) - but would love to have another similar sort of player. the sort of player that jinks and dinks around an opponent and half kicks one off the outside of his shoe to an unmarked teammate 35m away (that no-one else in the stadium even knew was there).

we hear a lot about 'explosive' and 'contested ball magnet' and 'powerful' and 'outside runner' - but murphy's doesn't fit into a category. his trait & gift is that he sees and plays the game a bit differently to others - and it makes him extremely hard to match up on and super fun to watch.

 

[Knightmare]

What about other highly rated rookies that'll play next season? Guys like Martin, Scharenberg and Billings?

Martin can be another Harley Bennell quality talent but with more ability in the air. He has the opportunity to be the best in this draft with pretty much everything with only the body a work in progress as a still very thin footballer. He can play round one and will play most if not all games in year one.

Scharenberg can become something similar to a Birchall as that tall back flanker who can use it well. He'll be good from year one.

Billings I see as a Jim Bartel or a Nick Dal Santo. All class. Will play from season one. Will start his career forward but I wouldn't be surprised to see him develop into a midfielder with a few years in the system.

If you were in a position to take a bit of a risk, say to unearth a potential a grader, who would be the second midfielder taken after Aish?

I'd take Bontempelli of all the midfielders this year. Tall midfielders with his well rounded game never come around. He's quick. Can take a mark. Finds it inside and outside the contest. Kicks goals. He's got a late year birthday and is improving from week to week as quick as anyone in this draft class.
I'd pick him at no.2 overall and ahead of Aish.

Knightmare, just wondering you think are guys who are relatively unknown who could be a surprise come draft day e.g. mitch wilkins last year

Josh Glenn and Ben Sokol have hardly been spoken about and are both excellent.

Harrison Green is another who hasn't been spoken about and should also get drafted.

hi KM.
are there any bob murphy types about this year? swingman flankers with a bit of poise and pizzaz? we may have drafted one last year in mcrae (a seriously tantalising prospect) - but would love to have another similar sort of player. the sort of player that jinks and dinks around an opponent and half kicks one off the outside of his shoe to an unmarked teammate 35m away (that no-one else in the stadium even knew was there).

we hear a lot about 'explosive' and 'contested ball magnet' and 'powerful' and 'outside runner' - but murphy's doesn't fit into a category. his trait & gift is that he sees and plays the game a bit differently to others - and it makes him extremely hard to match up on and super fun to watch.

George Hampson from the WAFL fits this category perfectly. Can play anywhere (fwd/mid/back)and is just all class. Best of all no one else is talking about him so he can probably be had late/rookie. One to keep an eye out for.

 

[smashbox gill]

I'd take Bontempelli of all the midfielders this year. Tall midfielders with his well rounded game never come around. He's quick. Can take a mark. Finds it inside and outside the contest. Kicks goals. He's got a late year birthday and is improving from week to week as quick as anyone in this draft class.
I'd pick him at no.2 overall and ahead of Aish.

I thought u thought Freeman was going to end up the most complete mid from this draft?

 

[Knightmare]

I thought u thought Freeman was going to end up the most complete mid from this draft?

For a period there I had Freeman as the highest rated midfielder. I like Freeman because he can win his own footy but then is an elite kick for an inside mid and has incredible explosiveness.

I'd still take Bontempelli first now of those mids and while no one in the footy world will agree with me at this point I'd go as far as to say that he is that clear no.2 selection prospect this year after Boyd (even though I acknowledge that he probably won't go top 5 on draft day). Bontempelli has improved out of sight and has so much improvement left with that upward trend in my view to continue for some time yet which is frighting with a tall midfielder who already has such a complete game and is producing to such a high level.
He's the in form Victorian draft prospect at the moment. That's for sure.
If I was drafting for Melbourne or St Kilda at picks 2 or 3 he'd be my pick and my pick ahead of the generally more popular: Aish, Scharenberg, Billings and Kelly.

 

[Sammy101]

Knightmare, Im a huge Norwood FC fan and were wondering how some of our boys were looking for this years draft. Obviously guys like Aish and Dumont are near centainties but what are your thoughts on Fantasia (already played league football for someone listed at 65kg), Josh Pitson and Dylan Auciello (been talked up a bit recently). Also what are your thoughts on some of the guys who missed out last year, how have they developed and are they chances again e.g dematteis, baldasso, Luccon, c.bower. and finally early thoughts on bampton and m.bower. thanks

 

[Masto]

I noticed your top 5 now looks a lot like the recent phantom draft posted on the AFL website? Also...

#12 Collingwood – Marcus Bontempelli (VIC – Mid/Def)

Keep dreaming buddy. No chance he makes it as far as Collingwood.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare, Im a huge Norwood FC fan and were wondering how some of our boys were looking for this years draft. Obviously guys like Aish and Dumont are near centainties but what are your thoughts on Fantasia (already played league football for someone listed at 65kg), Josh Pitson and Dylan Auciello (been talked up a bit recently). Also what are your thoughts on some of the guys who missed out last year, how have they developed and are they chances again e.g dematteis, baldasso, Luccon, c.bower. and finally early thoughts on bampton and m.bower. thanks

Fantasia is one of the more natural crumbing forwards this year. Has some pace. Has performed well against better competition. Not tall but as a crumbing forward you don't always need to be to have success. He's in with a chance to win a position on a rookie list.

Pitson has some real talent and he's a guy where you want the ball in his hands. He can break the lines with that pace he has but what I really like is his composure with ball in hand, just dodges and gets around guys so easily and has some sensational footwork, you just can't touch him. I'd have no problem giving him a go as a rookie.

Dylan Auciello I haven't watched closely/noticed to be able to comment.

With so many who missed out last year in the mix again this year and probably better performed I'm not expecting Dematteis, Baldasso, Luccon or C.Bower to get drafted. But it only takes one club.

Bampton looks a strong draft chance next year. Has a strong body. Finds the footy and has excellent endurance. In what will be a lean midfield class next year he's one who has the opportunity to get drafted next season.

M.Bower is another who next season will have the opportunity to get drafted but I haven't payed enough attention to him to have a feel for where he may stand at this point.

I noticed your top 5 now looks a lot like the recent phantom draft posted on the AFL website? Also...

#12 Collingwood – Marcus Bontempelli (VIC – Mid/Def)

Keep dreaming buddy. No chance he makes it as far as Collingwood.

Bontempelli is rising quickly isnt he? AFL.com have finally moved him into their top 20 but they still only rate him at 14 in taking a quick look through their phantom so I wouldn't think my having Bontempelli at pick 12 is unrealistic.

In saying that I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go earlier and in my next update whenever I get around to it I have him moving up in my draft to West Coast's selection. I agree with you that he's better than has been suggested and that he will go higher than they're expecting.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Fantasia is one of the more natural crumbing forwards this year. Has some pace. Has performed well against better competition. Not tall but as a crumbing forward you don't always need to be to have success. He's in with a chance to win a position on a rookie list.

Pitson has some real talent and he's a guy where you want the ball in his hands. He can break the lines with that pace he has but what I really like is his composure with ball in hand, just dodges and gets around guys so easily and has some sensational footwork, you just can't touch him. I'd have no problem giving him a go as a rookie.

Dylan Auciello I haven't watched closely/noticed to be able to comment.

With so many who missed out last year in the mix again this year and probably better performed I'm not expecting Dematteis, Baldasso, Luccon or C.Bower to get drafted. But it only takes one club.

Bampton looks a strong draft chance next year. Has a strong body. Finds the footy and has excellent endurance. In what will be a lean midfield class next year he's one who has the opportunity to get drafted next season.

M.Bower is another who next season will have the opportunity to get drafted but I haven't payed enough attention to him to have a feel for where he may stand at this point.



Bontempelli is rising quickly isnt he? AFL.com have finally moved him into their top 20 but they still only rate him at 14 in taking a quick look through their phantom so I wouldn't think my having Bontempelli at pick 12 is unrealistic.

In saying that I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him go earlier and in my next update whenever I get around to it I have him moving up in my draft to West Coast's selection. I agree with you that he's better than has been suggested and that he will go higher than they're expecting.

I have been saying for a while I think he is WCE first selection in the draft, he is everything we need at the moment.
Plus Rohan O'brien has been in constant contact with him and his family, to get him used to the idea he might be heading west.