Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[Matman23]

Just wondering thoughts on Sam Gray from Port Magpies. Finished 2nd in the Magarey Medal in the SANFL yet the likes of O'Hara, Amarto, Suckling and Gordan are always mentioned before him. He was out standing this season and I think AFL clubs would have taken notice. His biggest concern is his height but like we seen with Zorko, size doesn't always matter.

 

[ash84]

KM, so u see the first round picks changing much with the eagles and pies swapping picks?

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM,
Watched Darcy Byrne-Jones' highlights was impressed by his speed and kicking skills. Obviously tested really well at the Combine and with Brisbane having a history of picking up players that stood out at the combine (Brad Harvey beep test, Elliot yeo agility) thoughts on him getting to the lions ?

Cheers

He's one a number of clubs are liking mid draft so don't think Brisbane will have it their own way with Byrne-Jones.

Brisbane I find do like those who test well and those who particularly dominate the endurance testing.

You've just lost Elliot Yeo, Drummond retired a little while back. Docherty is on the way out probably to Carlton so there is a position for him and I can imagine he would be a chance and one of those high on Brisbane's draft board in the 3rd round if there.

 

[Knightmare]

Just wondering thoughts on Sam Gray from Port Magpies. Finished 2nd in the Magarey Medal in the SANFL yet the likes of O'Hara, Amarto, Suckling and Gordan are always mentioned before him. He was out standing this season and I think AFL clubs would have taken notice. His biggest concern is his height but like we seen with Zorko, size doesn't always matter.

Zorko has shown it can be done by a small.

Smalls aren't something clubs go out seeking but when they like a small enough they'll take the chance as Port Adelaide showed last year with Kane Mitchell even as a small with limited skills.
Was Gray invited to the state screenings?
If not then I'd agree that, that was an oversight by clubs. I can name a lot of players on team lists who would not get a game ahead of Gray.

KM, so u see the first round picks changing much with the eagles and pies swapping picks?

Not a whole lot.

Sheed will slide moving many of the others up a pick but otherwise not much other movement will come as a result of it.

 

[Untouchables22]

Hi KM,

Thanks for putting in the effort yet again.

For Adelaide's first pick at 23, I'd really like to see an outside user, maybe Battersby or Impey. Who do you think would be a better fit? I worry that if Battersby is more of a backhalf player, we might be too short with him, brown and laird.

At #46 I'd love to see a Ruckman picked up whether it's a number 1 type, or a versatile Ruck/Forward.
Darcy Cameron or Ben Brown are both around that mark in your Mock. How do you compare the two?
I really worry about our ruck depth if Jacobs goes down. Graham is mud. McKernan is just too short to be a number 1, and Jenkins really struggles in the ruck.

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM,

Thanks for putting in the effort yet again.

For Adelaide's first pick at 23, I'd really like to see an outside user, maybe Battersby or Impey. Who do you think would be a better fit? I worry that if Battersby is more of a backhalf player, we might be too short with him, brown and laird.

At #46 I'd love to see a Ruckman picked up whether it's a number 1 type, or a versatile Ruck/Forward.
Darcy Cameron or Ben Brown are both around that mark in your Mock. How do you compare the two?
I really worry about our ruck depth if Jacobs goes down. Graham is mud. McKernan is just too short to be a number 1, and Jenkins really struggles in the ruck.

Battersby is the better of the two.

Can play some midfield also but he's someone you have more in there as a ball user.

That said Adelaide not unlike Collingwood have a lot of sub 180cm guys on the list. Adelaide don't have an aversion to going small and will probably continue picking small if the right guys continue to be available but my guess or expectation is Adelaide would lean towards going taller if the right option is there.

This may be a Dunstan/Dumont with quite possibly one of the two available. A KPP wouldn't shock me with that selection either as there is overlap with the smalls at both end with Betts now in that front half.

On the rucks it depends on how immediate you are looking.
Mark Seaby is the best immediate ruckman if you want someone who can step in and be a quality no.1 ruckman.
Brown is more a natural, tall key forward who can play some ruck as required but you don't draft him to be a ruckman. It's not his game. As a no.2 ruckman he'd be a better choice than Cameron.
Then Darcy Cameron is more a ruckman and a no.1 ruckman. Can play some forward and do it well but will take more time seeing as he's not a mature choice as Brown is.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Knightmare say if all the word is correct and Essendon land picks 26 and 37 who do u see us taking?? Would love Dunstan and Dewanye Wilson

Would love jake kolodjashnij as a possible rookie also

 

[Colin D'Cops]

Am not Knighta, but IMO, Dunstan likely first round draft pick. Wilson a possibility at those picks though.

Jake Kolo is likely to get picked up in the ND from all reports, had a cracking finals series in TAS Seniors.

 

[Jukes]

Hey knightmare,

Great read as always. Curious to know your thoughts on Yeo. Noticed you didn't rate him highly in his draft year. Do you feel he has improved in areas you were concerned about? Is he worth pick 28 in this draft?

 

[Snake Charmer]

@Kightmare Tom Cutler any chance to get drafted??

 

[Matty411]

Getting closer to the draft KM, has your opinion on who the Blues will take changed?

You have Carlton down to grab Sheed at 13 but my sources say Eagles grab him at 11 if he's still on the board. Who do you see us taking instead? Would love one of Freeman, Salem, Crouch or Dunstan.

Like Hourigan at 33 - plays a bit like Jack Darling.

Reckon Blues should take Thorp at 51 if he's there and also rookie Joel Tippett failing this.

Any word on who's keen on JT?

 

[Matty411]

Would much rather we get a top mid in this - a midfielders draft. Stock up on young KPF's next year. I'd rather a Crouch/Freeman etc and Hourigan then a Thorp/Tippett as opposed to McCarthy then... Cripps? at 33.

 

[Matty411]

McCarthy could go top 10 anyway and then there's nothing so you probably will go mids but jeez when do you actually bring in a tall forward? My sister is a Blues supporter and every year it's the same thing, when are we going to get some support for Waite?

I reckon we grab Thorp tbh - then next year (already noted to be better for talls) we use the first rounder for a tall. Would rather we try to snare Josh Bruce with 32 or worst case go Gardiner at 13 to free up Henderson. 2014 may see us snare a tall forward proper via FA... hopefully.

Just think McCarthy/Marsh etc are reaching a bit. Last time we reached for a pick was Bootsma...

 

[POKsPies252]

Hi KM

What are the chances of the Pies grabbing Aish/Scharenberg at pick 6 and Bontempelli at pick 10??
One of Aish or Scharenberg should slip to 6 with Gold Coast keen on KK. As for Bontmepelli u have him at 2 in your phantom draft but have also heard that Giants are keen on Kelly as well. Brisbane may have a look at him but might also pick up someone like Lennon. Also heard that the Dees are keen on Freeman at pick 9.

Its unlikely to happen but would be excited to see it happen

 

[Ford Fairlane]

Knightmare time for another draft order reshuffle

 

[Knightmare]

Come on Knighty, update pick 6 (still says WC) and give us your best mail for the Pies at that pick

Will update this weekend.

My mail is Aish in the unusual scenario he slides. If not there Bontempelli.

Knightmare say if all the word is correct and Essendon land picks 26 and 37 who do u see us taking?? Would love Dunstan and Dewanye Wilson

Would love jake kolodjashnij as a possible rookie also

Dunstan probably isn't available at 26, though it's plausible.

Dwayne Wilson may be there.

Hey knightmare,

Great read as always. Curious to know your thoughts on Yeo. Noticed you didn't rate him highly in his draft year. Do you feel he has improved in areas you were concerned about? Is he worth pick 28 in this draft?

Yeo is not one I rated all that highly in his draft year. I had mostly seen a small sample of his games and his weaker performances that year which didn't help with my projection.

I think he is worth pick 28 in this draft with his value somewhere around pick 25 this year.

He's light bodied and has some 1v1 issues. Also by foot by position isn't as good as he could be. Once he gets that two way game right though he has the opportunity to make the grade with the athleticism, rebounding and ability at ground level excellent.

@Kightmare Tom Cutler any chance to get drafted??

Cutler is a chance to get drafted. Just not a lock despite the hype coming into the season so like most others this year Cutler will have to wait until his name gets read out on draft day to find out for certain.

Getting closer to the draft KM, has your opinion on who the Blues will take changed?

You have Carlton down to grab Sheed at 13 but my sources say Eagles grab him at 11 if he's still on the board. Who do you see us taking instead? Would love one of Freeman, Salem, Crouch or Dunstan.

Like Hourigan at 33 - plays a bit like Jack Darling.

Reckon Blues should take Thorp at 51 if he's there and also rookie Joel Tippett failing this.

Any word on who's keen on JT?

In my next update I'll have Sheed at 11 to West Coast and someone else available at that Carlton selection.

It may be Cameron McCarthy. It may be a midfielder if a notable slides. I'll sleep on it and have someone different in there next update and see how the change in picks may change the order.

Crouch and Dunstan probably are available. Either would be strong gets. Just whether the interest is there. That is the question. Crouch would be an excellent get and an excellent fit so he'd be my recommendation.

Thorp may be a consideration but he's not a no.1 option in a front half so I like him as a fit for others. But it wouldn't be a selection that would surprise me.

Joel Tippett should be there as a rookie. Freak athlete at that height but as a mature ager who has been delisted twise I can't see anyone paying for him.

James Tsitas I'm assuming is JT? Unclear who takes him and no strong rumours linking him to clubs that are publically known at this stage anyway.

Would much rather we get a top mid in this - a midfielders draft. Stock up on young KPF's next year. I'd rather a Crouch/Freeman etc and Hourigan then a Thorp/Tippett as opposed to McCarthy then... Cripps? at 33.

Crouch and Cripps would be a solid outcome for Carlton.

Hi KM

What are the chances of the Pies grabbing Aish/Scharenberg at pick 6 and Bontempelli at pick 10??
One of Aish or Scharenberg should slip to 6 with Gold Coast keen on KK. As for Bontmepelli u have him at 2 in your phantom draft but have also heard that Giants are keen on Kelly as well. Brisbane may have a look at him but might also pick up someone like Lennon. Also heard that the Dees are keen on Freeman at pick 9.

Its unlikely to happen but would be excited to see it happen

Aish can't be counted on being available. It's still a wish and hope as with Grundy that he's available and if he is then and only then should he really be spoken about as a likely pick at 6.

Scharenberg probably is available. Collingwood seem to like Aish/Bontempelli more though from what I can gather.

Brisbane are still unclear so probably until then a best available (perhaps Scharenberg) given all those back flankers lost with Docherty and Yeo gone from early enough picks.

Dees like Freeman and Salem.

Kolodjashnij will be considered by both the Dogs and GC.

Lennon is not a certainty to be there at 10 but if I had to predict he'll be there and probably Collingwood's selection.

 

[Stamos]

Hi Knightmare,
wondering if anyone would have Hodge/Chapman/Selwood type personality and leadership who could be around at #13 or #32?
Carlton are seriously lacking this.

 

[Tex Appeal]

Hi Knightmare,
wondering if anyone would have Hodge/Chapman/Selwood type personality and leadership who could be around at #13 or #32?
Carlton are seriously lacking this.

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare,
wondering if anyone would have Hodge/Chapman/Selwood type personality and leadership who could be around at #13 or #32?
Carlton are seriously lacking this.

Luke Dunstan is someone who can provide leadership. He'll go somewhere around pick 20 so it's up to Carlton to take him earlier than other clubs are perhaps prepaired to.

He'll win the contested footy. Distribute well by hand. And lead from the front. He captained SA and is one of the most highly regarded this year for his leadership.

Lloyd Perris would be the other I rate highly for leadership but Sydney got lucky getting him as a rookie thanks to their scholarship scheme.

Mitch Thorp as a mature ager is one who has captained and coached his club so he would be another logical one to bring up in this conversation.

Just that rare hardness of Hodge/Selwood that you're thinking of isn't so obvious in this draft.

 

[Tex Appeal]

KM who are your 2013 Draft sliders? i.e. Who's in the running for the Brodie Grundy Award?

 

[maverick001]

I wish they would hold the draft next week. The 4 week trade period (including the lead up week where many proposed deals were mooted) and the 4 week wait between trade period and draft make it so drawn out, and I just want to know who we get now
I know holding the draft this early would be impractical though due to exams in Victoria

 

[Kenno27]

KM who are your 2013 Draft sliders? i.e. Who's in the running for the Brodie Grundy Award?

James Aish.

 

[Snake Charmer]

KM who are your 2013 Draft sliders? i.e. Who's in the running for the Brodie Grundy Award?

Dunstan. Cannot believe he will not go top 10!

 

[Wild Bill]

A great read as always - is your draft order who you believe are the best players in order or who you think each team will take?

I think GWS will take Boyd and Kelly,
Saints - Billings
Dogs - Aish
Suns - KK.

Bontempelli, McCarthy, McDonald, Scharenberg and Salem making up the top 10.

 

[aussierulesrules]

Knightmare what is your opinion on the McEvoy & pick 21 for Savage & picks 18 & 19 trade?

Good for Hawthorn.

Would I have done the trade in St Kilda's position?
No.
McEvoy is clearly the best player involved in the deal and a pick is only a chance to find someone who may be good in a relatively weak draft. I would have requested more or stuck with McEvoy who is while not perfect is still better than a developing Hickey and someone who for a developing list can help from a leadership perspective post Riewoldt/Hayes when there is little to nothing left and no one who can help aid that youth develop leaving a Melbourne type situation where the team will be too young and without direction to step out of that constant rebuilding cycle.

What about now that the trade period is over?

Given that we most likely wouldn't have used picks 41 and 59 in the draft (as we're only likely to have 3 live picks), we effectively traded McEvoy for Longer, Savage, Bruce and upgrades on picks 24 and 25 to 18 and 19.

OUT: McEvoy (and picks 41 and 59)
IN: Longer, Savage, Bruce, upgrade of 24 to 19 and upgrade of 25 to 18.