Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[ThaiBarmats]

Hi Knightmare. Just wondering if you rate Lloyd Perris. Possible MFC are keen on him with a late pick.

 

[Chris25]

It wouldn't be with a late pick. If there is any truth to that HUN article and Perris is somehow convinced to enter the draft (and why would he?) then Sydney would just draft him with their first round pick before Melbourne could strike with their second - with the sole intention of sticking it up Roos.

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare. Just wondering if you rate Lloyd Perris. Possible MFC are keen on him with a late pick.

I rate Lloyd Perris as an early 2nd round selection. I'd encourage any club to bid a 2nd round selection to get him and ensure Sydney are required to spend a 2nd round selection on him because I very strongly feel he has what it takes to make the grade and become an excellent footballer.

A late pick as Chris25 identified won't be enough to make it happen.

Bid a 2nd rounder and perhaps that puts you in the mix but even then Sydney will match and use their 2nd rounder to secure him.

 

[Chris25]

Just on that, Perris is one of the last (if not the last) NSW Scholarship holder. So, he doesn't come under the new Academy bidding rules.

 

[Yoda_]

Hoping that Alik Magin get's another chance.

Has been very, very good this year and was duly rewarded as the VFL coaches player of the year.

 

[Wizard17]

Kane Lambert has had a good year in the VFL, I rate him as having a good chance of going in the Nationals as a mature ager, how do you rate him KM?

 

[Knightmare]

Hoping that Alik Magin get's another chance.

Has been very, very good this year and was duly rewarded as the VFL coaches player of the year.

He's had a strong season. Just in that completely uncompetitive Bendigo Gold team it's difficult to evaluate with little support around him.

I'd like to see another season from him on a more competitive team to get a better feel for what realistically he's going to produce on a team. But it's been a strong season and he's exceeded any expectations I think anyone would have had so he may have if anyone has been watching caught someones eye in that midfield role I certainly didn't know he could play coming into the season.

Kane Lambert has had a good year in the VFL, I rate him as having a good chance of going in the Nationals as a mature ager, how do you rate him KM?

He may be a chance after his strong season as you identified but I see him as more of a rookie being that smaller mid. He has certainly been spoken about by a number of people so that's usually a good sign. And he's certainly had a strong year for the Northern Blues.

Right now I have Lobb, Thorp, N.Gordon and C.Cain as those most likely to go in the national draft. There could be another 2-3 depending on how clubs evaluate the rest.

 

[ThaiBarmats]

Thanks for reply guys.

"22. Lloyd Perris (NSW – Mid - Sydney)
23. Zac Jones (VIC – Def/Mid)"

Think MFC does require pure mids.
However, it appears unlikely we can draft both players above.
More likely 2nd rounder will still be for Z Jones.

 

[Yoda_]

He's had a strong season. Just in that completely uncompetitive Bendigo Gold team it's difficult to evaluate with little support around him.

I'd like to see another season from him on a more competitive team to get a better feel for what realistically he's going to produce on a team. But it's been a strong season and he's exceeded any expectations I think anyone would have had so he may have if anyone has been watching caught someones eye in that midfield role I certainly didn't know he could play coming into the season.

With what he did in the games I managed to see him in, he was very, very good. The game versus Port Melbourne, he was simply sensational. 36 possessions to go with his goal and 13 handball receives.

He was always slight, even when he was delisted (70 odd kg). his form has shown, and reconfirmed that he can play. Id be staggered if he weren't given another shot, even as a rookie.

 

[thetradesman]

KM Lewis sounds like the player we need, any chance of slipping to pick 11?

 

[Knightmare]

KM Lewis sounds like the player we need, any chance of slipping to pick 11?

Entirely possible he's available but no guarantee.

He'll go somewhere in the 5-15 range on draft day.

 

[thetradesman]

Entirely possible he's available but no guarantee.

He'll go somewhere in the 5-15 range on draft day.

Thanks mate.

 

[JPod_31]

Hey KM. Can you tell me who have Geelong talked to and what picks do they have after our loss? C2B

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM. Can you tell me who have Geelong talked to and what picks do they have after our loss? C2B

It could change if Collingwood lose Dale Thomas as one example or if another name player leaves as a free agent but pick 15 at this stage is that selection.

Geelong are rumoured to have interest in Blake Acres and he may be on that shortlist for the selection. Darcy Gardiner if available as a key defender would be another logical selection.

 

[JPod_31]

It could change if Collingwood lose Dale Thomas as one example or if another name player leaves as a free agent but pick 15 at this stage is that selection.

Geelong are rumoured to have interest in Blake Acres and he may be on that shortlist for the selection. Darcy Gardiner if available as a key defender would be another logical selection.

Thanks Mate

 

[Thurlow2Mackie]

Any word on which clubs are interested in Brady Grey? Got a feeling his draft stocks are about to rise a little bit. The most exciting player in today's GF by a fair margin, would probably have been named for the Baldock Medal if Burnie won. Recruiters tend to take notice of that kind of performance.

 

[PepeSilvia]

Hey Knightmare, what is Guy Dickson's pace and general skills like? Could he possibly be a mid-small shutdown defender?

Who would the best small shutdown defender be outside of the top 30?

 

[thetradesman]

Km any chance of Ben Ross getting picked up?

 

[WaverleyWiz]

Hey KM.
Any news on who Hawks are keenest on in the draft?

 

[Knightmare]

Any word on which clubs are interested in Brady Grey? Got a feeling his draft stocks are about to rise a little bit. The most exciting player in today's GF by a fair margin, would probably have been named for the Baldock Medal if Burnie won. Recruiters tend to take notice of that kind of performance.

Haven't heard anything yet.

Hey Knightmare, what is Guy Dickson's pace and general skills like? Could he possibly be a mid-small shutdown defender?

Who would the best small shutdown defender be outside of the top 30?

Guy Dickson is an interesting one and I enjoy talking about him because others don't.

Zac Jones if he slides outside that top 30 would be the guy without question.

Assuming Jones doesn't slide Guy Dickson would be that next guy on my list as that specific type. He's got good closing speed but with ball in hand isn't a threat to break the lines. By foot he hits his targets but won't do major damage and I'd only describe him as an average kick.

Km any chance of Ben Ross getting picked up?

He may as a situational selection in a similar way to Sam Dwyer last year where he is clearly that class above and just needs a chance and until that happens you just have to keep plugging away. He showed some good versatility over the second half of the season in that back half which may have intrigued a team perhaps as a rookie.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM.
Any news on who Hawks are keenest on in the draft?

Playing off for a grand final and hoping for draft news already?

No players linked to Hawthorn just yet but my suspicion given the evenness of that top 20 is that Hawthorn will take the best available which most likely will be a midfielder.

 

[WaverleyWiz]

Playing off for a grand final and hoping for draft news already?

No players linked to Hawthorn just yet but my suspicion given the evenness of that top 20 is that Hawthorn will take the best available which most likely will be a midfielder.

I know I know....I've always been very interested in the draft though KM.

Keep up the good work

 

[DJ75]

Playing off for a grand final and hoping for draft news already?

No players linked to Hawthorn just yet but my suspicion given the evenness of that top 20 is that Hawthorn will take the best available which most likely will be a midfielder.

My understanding is that the Hawks are very keen on Mitch Harvey. They have been talking with him for more than 12 months and it wouldn't surprise if they nabbed him with their first pick.

 

[Scodog10]

I just wanted to pick your brain away from the confines of the pies board Knight.

First off out of personal interest is there an athletic freak ruckman ala Ryder and Natanui in the later stages of this draft? I certainly don't believe we could nab someone as talented as those two, but I'd settle for a Clarke or Vardy.

Reason being I don't believe that Witts and Grundy compliment each other and in all likelihood we'll see Witts gone come the end of 2015. IMO the ideal set up is that of the WA teams with a dominant ruckman paired with an athetic backup. Plus having that player develop with Grundy would be great. It appears as if the club envisioned Gault in this role and keeping him on the list for the time being gives credence to that, but I'm having my doubts.

Secondly, who of Lennon and Bontempelli do you believe has greater scope for improvement on their inside game? They both need work, but I think this should be our go early to try and get a bit more height and skill through the midfield (Lennon and Seedsman off opposing wings appeals to me) unless the class of Sheed is still available.

Ultimately McCarthy or Marsh seem the one's Hine will go with after we cut Richmond and Hartley plus Gault on a knife's edge you'd prefer Boyd, but that's a pipe dream. The thought process behind it would be to try and get a bit more high end tall talent in early which we haven't done at the draft table, outside of Grundy, since 06. Plus Hine loves his WA kids to boot.

Cheers.

 

[Knightmare]

I just wanted to pick your brain away from the confines of the pies board Knight.

First off out of personal interest is there an athletic freak ruckman ala Ryder and Natanui in the later stages of this draft? I certainly don't believe we could nab someone as talented as those two, but I'd settle for a Clarke or Vardy.

Reason being I don't believe that Witts and Grundy compliment each other and in all likelihood we'll see Witts gone come the end of 2015. IMO the ideal set up is that of the WA teams with a dominant ruckman paired with an athetic backup. Plus having that player develop with Grundy would be great. It appears as if the club envisioned Gault in this role and keeping him on the list for the time being gives credence to that, but I'm having my doubts.

Secondly, who of Lennon and Bontempelli do you believe has greater scope for improvement on their inside game? They both need work, but I think this should be our go early to try and get a bit more height and skill through the midfield (Lennon and Seedsman off opposing wings appeals to me) unless the class of Sheed is still available.

Ultimately McCarthy or Marsh seem the one's Hine will go with after we cut Richmond and Hartley plus Gault on a knife's edge you'd prefer Boyd, but that's a pipe dream. The thought process behind it would be to try and get a bit more high end tall talent in early which we haven't done at the draft table, outside of Grundy, since 06. Plus Hine loves his WA kids to boot.

Cheers.

Cameron Conlon is that athletic fwd/ruck who may be available later than he should given he hasn't been available to play this year and his game as such will be harder to evaluate. But he could just as
easily go 2nd round.
If looking for a freak ruckman on the cheap I'd go the American recruit route and take one of them on as a rookie.

I agree with you on the Grundy/Witts partnership. Grundy is by far and away that clear no.1 ruckman in my mind as someone who will almost certainly develop into one of the premier ruckmen in the competition leaving Witts to that no.2 ruck position which at 208cm probably isn't ideal.

Gault I personally like in that no.2 ruck role playing mostly forward but he's been stuck down back and has had his injury issues and missed much of the preseason so he wasn't in a position to play his best footy this past year.

Bontempelli I feel of the two has the greater scope to develop that inside game. Both at this stage are more tall flankers but Bontempelli has more the feel of a late bloomer who has a better opportunity of developing that side to his game.

Lennon isn't as quick as Seedsman with Seedsman exceptionally quick.

My ideal wing combination while Collingwood probably look to use the Harry and C.Young combination next year, assuming H.Shaw is retained and not traded I'd look to him to play on the opposite wing to Harry and be allowed to be more of a free runner. Shaw takes on the game better than most and is one of the leading running bouncers and meters gained players per season and with his frustrations closer to the opposition goals I like the idea of giving him that greater freedom to accumulate but then also push forward or back as required with his ability to do both well.

Seedsman I'd stick to using off a back flank. His run and carry as that 80m player with the way he runs and kicks long I feel is more valuable in our back half. Defensively despite his lean build he's sound and able to hold his own so I'd stick to that role with him for now.