Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[Knightmare]

key knightmare, whats the depth of talent like over the next 3 years.

i heard an interview with one of the WAFC officials stating that junior numbers are at a low between the 14-17 age group but they are not worried as the younger juniors below that are at a high and need extra teams/comps put on

This year is a solid draft and it's a year as with many years where it depends on what you want to get out of it. Good year for midfielders, particularly outside mids but not a year to find a ruckman or small defenders at this point.

Next year has some nice top end talent with Goddard/Moore among others showing plenty but at this stage I'm not sensing great depth.

Beyond next years draft I don't have the knowledge at this point but the information provided in the interview may well be right.

Knightmare .. looks like Aish might be out for a while after doing his knee (badly hyperextending it against the North Adelaide) ... i wonder how this will affect his draft ranking

If you're the best player in the draft unless you do your ACL it's probably not doing anything to your draft position.

Lachie Plowman last year missed the majority of the season and still went no.3 overall which in my view is higher than he probably should have finished. So injury for those absolute top end draft picks is not going to change much with their form more exposed through years of being on the radar of all the clubs.

It's more those lower end, will they/won't they type selections who it can really hurt the draft stocks of if they are to miss an extended stretch of games because after those first few, it's very much open to interpretation.

 

[JRoo]

Round 1:
#4 Melbourne – Josh Kelly (VIC – Mid)
Height: 181cm, Weight: 71kg, DOB: 12/02/1995
Recruited from: Sandringham Dragons
Style: Andrew Gaff
Player comparison:
Range: 2-10
Profile: Kelly really stands out from the crowd with his really elite outside running midfielder who will go all day and in the past has tested off the charts in the beep test, 3k time trial and repeat sprints. Not only does Kelly have that elite outside running game but his skill set is also exquisite and is just that really precise user of the footy with his footskills in particular impressive just using the ball very efficiently hitting the intended target every time. Kelly will likely always be that outside receiver, but a real substance outside type who will find plenty of the footy and use it well.


#8 North Melbourne – Luke McDonald (VIC – Util) F/S
Height: 187cm, Weight: 77kg, DOB: 09/02/1995
Recruited from: Oakleigh Chargers
Style: Brendon Goddard (Better kick)
Player comparison: Trent McKenzie (Better two way game)
Range: 1st round
Profile: McDonald is a really elite kick of the footy and can roost it 60m easily and hit his intended target and get it there in a hurry with his low penetrating kicks. He can hit targets over any distance consistently and usually elects to go for the more damaging option which he can pull off no problem. McDonald has some real versatility to his game with the range to play down back, midfield or as a forward as required but likely starts his career out of the back half as a playmaker off a back flank. Luke is also an outstanding athlete with genuine linebreaking ability on him. Not only is McDonald gifted offensively but he has shown that he can also stay with a man showing a good 1v1 game, good ability at ground level and ability to stay with a leading player allowing him to also play a more accountable role at times as required. Inside game can improve but North Melbourne have a real weapon in McDonald and I expect he will prove a real bargain through F/S.

Jes if only Josh Kelly's old man had played a few more games at North and we would have cleaned up in the draft this year with the F/S picks.

 

[doggies ftw]

Hey guys just curious if anyone knows anything about Josh Wallis? He is another F/S target next year (along with Zaine Cordy, the brothers of Mitch and Ayce, we just keep pumping em out )

Those two were pretty highly rated young'uns IIRC, just curious to know if they have kept it up or not.

 

[Schtinker]

With Meyrick Buchanan deciding to return to football, where do you see him going.

What round will Alec Waterman go to the Eagles as a Father - Son

 

[Chris25]

With Meyrick Buchanan deciding to return to football, where do you see him going.

I hope Buchanan is a better decision maker on the field than he is off.

Impossible to say where he will go though, not until he actually starts playing again. He was considered a possible second round pick a couple of years ago, playing as a small forward with a decent ability at finding the ball. Purely speculation, but unless he absolutely stinks it up or can't even break into the Falcons team, I could see a team taking a chance on him with one of their last picks in the National Draft.

 

[TA87]

"The source" would look to get your facts right first. Can assure you this is a long way off the mark. Was speaking with his old man at east freo game, George had problems with his shoulder after a knock earlier last year, he had a cleanout on that in january this year and also an op on his nose in december to fix his breathing after being attacked by a gang a few years back. Was unable to train properly until early Feb while club was trying to get him to run around a long time before that when he physically could not. He seemed quite angry at how the club had dealt with it, anything away from this is here say and factually incorrect. With limited pre season, his body looks to be right and is showing that in his performances in a weak subi side, definately worth a punt at the next level and can play anywhere.

Hey George.

 

[Mofra]

Hey guys just curious if anyone knows anything about Josh Wallis? He is another F/S target next year (along with Zaine Cordy, the brothers of Mitch and Ayce, we just keep pumping em out )

Not as committed as his older brother, not sure he wants it enough.

Libba's younger brother is one to watchout for in a couple of years' time. Dominating his comp apparently.

 

[doggies ftw]

Not as committed as his older brother, not sure he wants it enough.

Libba's younger brother is one to watchout for in a couple of years' time. Dominating his comp apparently.

Ahh that sucks, he was pretty good as a 15/16 year old IIRC.

 

[Defacto]

Hey George.

hey source

 

[Defacto]

"The source" would look to get your facts right first. Can assure you this is a long way off the mark. Was speaking with his old man at east freo game, George had problems with his shoulder after a knock earlier last year, he had a cleanout on that in january this year and also an op on his nose in december to fix his breathing after being attacked by a gang a few years back. Was unable to train properly until early Feb while club was trying to get him to run around a long time before that when he physically could not. He seemed quite angry at how the club had dealt with it, anything away from this is here say and factually incorrect. With limited pre season, his body looks to be right and is showing that in his performances in a weak subi side, definately worth a punt at the next level and can play anywhere.

hey fatanticcj has he had issues with his knee? he didnt play opening round from memory and when i saw him play against east perth he looked to be favoring one leg a bit. was still very impressive for i think his first game back

the thing i like about george since i first saw him in that wafl final against west perth, is that he reminds me of a mix between lenny hayes and montagna. can play half forward, wing and in the midfield

i would love the saints to clean out some of the dead wood on our rookie list and throw a rookie list spot at him and cockie

 

[Knightmare]

With Meyrick Buchanan deciding to return to football, where do you see him going.

What round will Alec Waterman go to the Eagles as a Father - Son

Buchanan needs to play first before we know where he's at. He's not getting drafted until he dominates but has was highly rated in his draft year so if he can play some strong football he can't be entirely discounted.

Waterman is another year away. Can go within the first two rounds in 2014.

Hey guys just curious if anyone knows anything about Josh Wallis? He is another F/S target next year (along with Zaine Cordy, the brothers of Mitch and Ayce, we just keep pumping em out )

Those two were pretty highly rated young'uns IIRC, just curious to know if they have kept it up or not.

Wallis still yet to see.

Zaine Cordy is coming along nicely though. Playing some good footy down back as a key defender for the Falcons early season.

 

[doggies ftw]

Buchanan needs to play first before we know where he's at. He's not getting drafted until he dominates but has was highly rated in his draft year so if he can play some strong football he can't be entirely discounted.

Waterman is another year away. Can go within the first two rounds in 2014.



Wallis still yet to see.

Zaine Cordy is coming along nicely though. Playing some good footy down back as a key defender for the Falcons early season.

Thanks mate, yeah Zaine sounds like he could be pretty handy to us!

 

[swansfan51]

Hi Knightmare, what are your thoughts on Lloyd Perris and Jack Hiscox? Hiscox from what I've seen is an excellent athlete while Perris is more of a natural footballer

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare, what are your thoughts on Lloyd Perris and Jack Hiscox? Hiscox from what I've seen is an excellent athlete while Perris is more of a natural footballer

Perris is quality and you only ever hear good things about him and about his professionalism. I have only seen a couple of his games but both times I've been very impressed with his play through the midfield. Has impressive endurance and a real hardness to him. If not linked to Sydney I'd take him late 1st round.

Hiscox I haven't seen play live but from what I understand he is a high motor forward who can push up the ground and find a fair bit of the footy.

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Not a fan of Ben Cavarra, Knightmare?

Finds the footy with ease, is running at 76%DE this year (while that doesn't mean anything it at least shows he can hit targets and for an in-an-under kind of player who can find space almost like a Tarkyn Lockyer and similar height I'd love to see him drafted.

Height is a serious question mark and doesn't have the penetration of other players but has a lot of good attributes IMO.

Thoughts?

 

[Knightmare]

Not a fan of Ben Cavarra, Knightmare?

Finds the footy with ease, is running at 76%DE this year (while that doesn't mean anything it at least shows he can hit targets and for an in-an-under kind of player who can find space almost like a Tarkyn Lockyer and similar height I'd love to see him drafted.

Height is a serious question mark and doesn't have the penetration of other players but has a lot of good attributes IMO.

Thoughts?

Cavarra is certainly that top midfielder for the Ranges.

It's often difficult to place those smaller mids (Cavarra 173cm, 69kg). Some really good comments about his game.

Finds plenty of it, excellent inside and uses it well and is playing good footy which is what you look for.

But being small and not super damaging. There are just so many of these types going around the TAC and these lower level competitions that clubs are just not going to pay a premium unless they have something the next guy doesn't.

Cavarra is not going to go high draft but late/rookie may be a chance if he continues to dominate certainly for a team.

 

[SydneyPhilly]

Knight, with the U/18 carnival starting soon, who do you see as the teams to beat in Div 1 and Div 2 and why?

Do you think the NSW boys are up to snuff?

 

[hammmmmmish45]

Thoughts on Jason Cooke knightmare?

 

[Knightmare]

Knight, with the U/18 carnival starting soon, who do you see as the teams to beat in Div 1 and Div 2 and why?

Do you think the NSW boys are up to snuff?

SA is my tip for Div 1 with Metro and Country in the mix.

QLD will be hard to beat in Div 2 with Tasmania always a chance.

NSW will be competitive but not expecting them to take out the Div 2 title.

Thoughts on Jason Cooke knightmare?

Cooke has talent but probably hasn't shown as much as hoped.

Has lined up mostly forward so far this season and just feels wasted there with his best from what I've seen more up the ground.

Very draftable though and in the 2nd/3rd round looks like a strong option if he can put together some strong footy.

 

[Knightmare]

What team would Zac Webster suit knightmare ?

I could see a Melbourne looking at Webster somewhere around the 3rd round. Western Bulldogs also around that same range as another club looking for another outside type may look at him. Brisbane also love their Tasmanians so they are another team who may like what they see.
Any numbers of teams could have him in their consider piles at this stage.

 

[Knightmare]

How do the afl set the picks to the teams (if you understand that)

Reverse ladder order.

Pick 1 = 18th.
Pick 2 = 17th.
Pick 3 = 16th.

And so on.

 

[Ads734]

Hi KM i was wondering your opinion on two topics if the mini draft had not occurred last year which one of the two would you choose
Boyd or Jesse hogan
and Aish or Jack Martin

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM i was wondering your opinion on two topics if the mini draft had not occurred last year which one of the two would you choose
Boyd or Jesse hogan
and Aish or Jack Martin

I'd go with Hogan and Martin if they were all to be selected in the draft at the end of the year.

Martin has absolutely exploded this year for Gold Coast and now is looking like he may become that most dominant player from this draft, thanks not only due to his own talent but being in an AFL program already has really advanced his game this year.

Hogan in a close one over Boyd, I'd be very happy with either but I feel Hogan has a more complete game and again for being in an AFL program that year early really has that leg up. I also would back his impact to be the more immediate of the two with his body so advanced for his age.

 

[BlueMaster1]

Reserved for round 2:

When are you doing the rest

 

[Defacto]

hey chris whats the talent like in the first round, will there be a significant drop off in the first round. i am thinking about if we try and acquire prestia from gold coast, then we'd have to part we say pick 6, but we might be able to get an early 2nd rounder or potentially their first rounder back in return