Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2013 phantom draft

[Knightmare]

I'll just stick to what can be objectively analysed from my position, and that's actual performances not hearsay and a 19 year old kid posting photos online. Clubs can bother themselves with interviews and his character. Plenty of players have straightened up in an AFL environment, and I could see a team like North backing themselves in to help him.

Looking at Murray Newman's struggles I wouldn't be so certain. Garlett is in another category for talent but as people they are one and the same from what I've gathered.

Hi KM, just wondering if to think anyone would be interested in Brendan Goss from Old Xavs, seems to be dominating this year with 70 goals us far.

Has some athleticism, can move, has strong hands and hits the scoreboard.

You never know with those guys who are slightly older. I'd just like to see him play against some better competition first before knowing how serious he is about his footy.

 

[deedog2]

Has some athleticism, can move, has strong hands and hits the scoreboard.

You never know with those guys who are slightly older. I'd just like to see him play against some better competition first before knowing how serious he is about his footy.

Cheers!

 

[Rockford]

Looking at Murray Newman's struggles I wouldn't be so certain. Garlett is in another category for talent but as people they are one and the same from what I've gathered.

I don't really have an opinion about Garlett either way, but are his issues significantly different than the perceived problems with Darling that saw him drop in his draft?

 

[Kaboodleer]

I don't really have an opinion about Garlett either way, but are his issues significantly different than the perceived problems with Darling that saw him drop in his draft?

Keeping in mind everything I know is rumor/innuendo I would say yes - they are significantly different.

With Darling his major indiscretions were getting kicked off a school camp for sneaking into a girls tent and sustaining quite a severe injury from being king hit in Northbridge. The impression I got was basically that he was a bit of a lad, a bit cheeky and I'm sure was strutting around Northbridge in a way that obviously riled someone up. Nothing that really suggested he was a bad person though and there was never any question about his work ethic. It's also worth keeping in mind that not all of Darlings drop was due to attitude - I have to think a fair bit of it was his size made him a bit of a tweener and recruiters doubted his ability to play as a KPF.

Garlett on the other hand seems to have more severe problems - (again keep in mind I'm reading between the lines here). There seem to be questions of substance abuse, work ethic and character. Basically you get the feeling people just don't see him as a nice person and so in addition to the risk in terms of wasting his talent there's also the potential for him to cause problems within the playing group due to personality.

Now whether that is true or not who knows. I hope it's all rumor and he gets drafted and does well next year. As has been mentioned before though the fact that he is soo talented and not one club even rookied him (i.e. basically no risk) is seriously worrying.

 

[Knightmare]

I don't really have an opinion about Garlett either way, but are his issues significantly different than the perceived problems with Darling that saw him drop in his draft?

Kaboodleer has it and answered the question eloquently.

Read his response because my thoughts mirror my thoughts.

 

[Crokettandtubbs]

Knightmare, I am wondering if you have heard anything about Tom Shanahan of East Perth. There are a few rumors starting to circulate that a few Eastern states clubs are taking a good look at him.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare, I am wondering if you have heard anything about Tom Shanahan of East Perth. There are a few rumors starting to circulate that a few Eastern states clubs are taking a good look at him.

Haven't seen him play to comment on his game but looking at his numbers you might be right.

 

[WAFLfan1969]

Knightmare any thoughts on tall from Perrh Demons - Sam Garstone

 

[phill5158]

Hi I've seen fr the Adelaide crows two picks you have Darcy Cameron and William macginness do you rate these two as not bad pickups considering the draft penalties

 

[Megaman123]

Any chance of Nathan Freeman getting through to geelongs pick?

 

[checkpoints]

Knightmare, who do you think is the Kade Simpson of this year's draft?

 

[george2]

Hey knightmare I just wanted to get your thoughts on nik Robertson. Do you think he would be available at our 2nd round pick? Also what position do you see him settling into in the big leagues?

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare any thoughts on tall from Perrh Demons - Sam Garstone

Garstone is a middle of the road key forward. He's closed the season reasonably well but there are other forwards who are more dominant who will go first. He's a reasonable leading forward but he's not much of a marking presence or contested marking threat and lacks that one edge to suggest he'll become dominant.

Hi I've seen fr the Adelaide crows two picks you have Darcy Cameron and William macginness do you rate these two as not bad pickups considering the draft penalties

Darcy Cameron is the better of the ruck prospects this year. He's a good long term piece and may be an option depending on Adelaide evaluate those alternative path rookies to be progressing.
Maginness is a solid midfield option late draft and has the proven performance behind him which is what Adelaide typically look for.
You're not going to find too many inspired selections late but if you can find a role player or someone who with a few years look like they will develop into something then relatively speaking you've done ok.

Any chance of Nathan Freeman getting through to geelongs pick?

Freeman may be available at Geelong's selection. My guess is that he goes earlier though.

My tip at this point. I'm hearing some rumblings around Geelong having some interest in Blake Acres. He's been exceptional when healthy but has been hidden away with injuries at in-opportune times. One to watch for from a Geelong perspective anyway.

Knightmare, who do you think is the Kade Simpson of this year's draft?

Probably James Aish.

Hey knightmare I just wanted to get your thoughts on nik Robertson. Do you think he would be available at our 2nd round pick? Also what position do you see him settling into in the big leagues?

It's a tough one with Robertson having only played those first couple of weeks then going out for the season with injury.

I see him as a 2nd rounder. May have gone 1st rounder if he was available for the season or close to it but as a productive tall I can't see him sliding too far.

While he hasn't played much as a forward I wouldn't mind seeing it early on with an eventual move to the midfield as that end goal and where he hopefully gets with a few years in the system.

 

[texdog]

Thoughts on Fraser Fort from Geelong?

 

[JAMES_B_101]

Do you know much about Ed Morris from Gippsland Power?? seems to be doing alright, maybe a chance to get picked up?

 

[Rockford]

Just another thought, last season you had 10 guys in your potential A-graders section of the power rankings. This season there's just 5... are there any guys who are threatening to push their way into your A-graders category?

 

[WaverleyWiz]

Hey KM,
You mentioned that there are murmourings of Geelong being keen on Blake Acres. Any idea who the Hawks look keenest on at this stage?
Was hoping for one of Acres, Kolodjashnij, Freeman or Sheed.
Who do you feel would be best case scenario for the Hawks?

Cheers

 

[Knightmare]

Thoughts on Fraser Fort from Geelong?

Can get drafted but probably late draft/rookie. He's not dominant but can play either end reasonably well and may with some time find a role down back in a good program.

Do you know much about Ed Morris from Gippsland Power?? seems to be doing alright, maybe a chance to get picked up?

Morris is on the improve and has put together a strong 2nd half to the season. That's what clubs look for. He's in with a chance.

 

[Knightmare]

Just another thought, last season you had 10 guys in your potential A-graders section of the power rankings. This season there's just 5... are there any guys who are threatening to push their way into your A-graders category?

With age I'm becoming less easy to please. I'd rather put the guys I clearly see as A-graders in that top category and I'd only say that about that top 5 at this point.

1-2 from that next 10 I'd give a chance to become A-graders but I wouldn't be prepaired to say that with certainty at this point. Perhaps if someone goes to a club with a particularly strong development system that can elevate them to that next bracket.

Hey KM,
You mentioned that there are murmourings of Geelong being keen on Blake Acres. Any idea who the Hawks look keenest on at this stage?
Was hoping for one of Acres, Kolodjashnij, Freeman or Sheed.
Who do you feel would be best case scenario for the Hawks?

Cheers

No clarity at this point. Picking so late in the 1st round it's unusual to hear strong rumours about a club being very keen on someone. My guess is just best available.

Kade Kolodjashnij is one I get the sense Hawthorn like but I expect he'll go top 10.
A Sheed or Dunstan if they slide would be logical selections and probably the type of thing I'd expect from Hawthorn early.
Later in the draft watch out for Luke Reynolds if still available at that 2nd round selection and Mitch Honeychurch later in the draft. I haven't heard anything but they just feel like Hawthorn style selections.

 

[Calcium Man]

No clarity at this point. Picking so late in the 1st round it's unusual to hear strong rumours about a club being very keen on someone. My guess is just best available.

Kade Kolodjashnij is one I get the sense Hawthorn like but I expect he'll go top 10.
A Sheed or Dunstan if they slide would be logical selections and probably the type of thing I'd expect from Hawthorn early.
Later in the draft watch out for Luke Reynolds if still available at that 2nd round selection and Mitch Honeychurch later in the draft. I haven't heard anything but they just feel like Hawthorn style selections.

You're probably going to have to do a full post on the rumblings you hear from all clubs

Have you heard anything from Tigerland? Vlastuin and Ellis (and adams) seemed to be doing the rounds well before the last couple of drafts.

Going by our recent drafting history i'd say Sheed and Dunstan would be highly considered given they are good characters and leaders. There is also a bit of whispers we really like Salem.

 

[typewriter]

You're probably going to have to do a full post on the rumblings you hear from all clubs

Have you heard anything from Tigerland? Vlastuin and Ellis (and adams) seemed to be doing the rounds well before the last couple of drafts.

Going by our recent drafting history i'd say Sheed and Dunstan would be highly considered given they are good characters and leaders. There is also a bit of whispers we really like Salem.

From the reports I'm getting, 1 of the major reasons Sheed seems to be slipping down the order is his pace. The other might be the fact he may be difficult to get along with. Just whispers I'm hearing!

 

[La Vache]

Knightmare,

I see Heatherley has played the last three matches at Sandy. Was second in the bests in a flogging and last week 6th.

He probably still hasn't played enough to form a solid opinion on his worth in a draft of experienced footballers but are you aware of any improvement he's showing with that continuity?

Thanks

 

[dlanod]

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.

Would Whitfield's year at GWS be a reasonable comparison for your expectations?

 

[Richo83]

I think Kolodjashnij reminds me of Birchall. Both from Tasmania, both skinny flankers are good kicks, but struggle with the contested aspect of football. Both provide good run off half back, aren't that great one on one (Birchall has improved on this admittedly) and both have a raking left foot. Birchall is a little taller, but doesn't really play key position. I think Kade will have a similar career to Birchall.

 

[Knightmare]

You're probably going to have to do a full post on the rumblings you hear from all clubs

Have you heard anything from Tigerland? Vlastuin and Ellis (and adams) seemed to be doing the rounds well before the last couple of drafts.

Going by our recent drafting history i'd say Sheed and Dunstan would be highly considered given they are good characters and leaders. There is also a bit of whispers we really like Salem.

Closer to the draft I'm sure more rumours will be floating around.

On Salem to Richmond I have heard a few Richmond fans on bigfooty talk about Salem being connected with Richmond last year and being high on the power rankings. He's got a hardness to him and is an accurate kick to target so he fits the Richmond profile and may well be that eventual pick. Whether it's locked in remains to be seen with more footy still to be played.

Knightmare,

I see Heatherley has played the last three matches at Sandy. Was second in the bests in a flogging and last week 6th.

He probably still hasn't played enough to form a solid opinion on his worth in a draft of experienced footballers but are you aware of any improvement he's showing with that continuity?

Thanks

I watched plenty of Heatherley last year and have seen bits of him since his return this season. His form is trending upwards and he's going ok down back.
The improvement he is starting to show is an increased willingness to leave his direct opponent and take the intercept mark when the opportunity is there. We saw glimspes of that in that latter portion of last season and he has continued his growth in that area of his game since coming back.

Having sat out the season he hasn't made a huge step up but he's still worth drafting in Hawthorn's situation as a rookie.

Would Whitfield's year at GWS be a reasonable comparison for your expectations?

Whitfield is more productive. He's got such a high motor as a 16+ beep guy and will accumulate like crazy.

Aish might have similar success to Nick Vlastuin as a first year player. They play a different brand of footy with Aish a more classy and damaging user of the footy and has more pace but his production will be roughly in that Vlastuin range and could play a similar role, albeit in a different style.

I think Kolodjashnij reminds me of Birchall. Both from Tasmania, both skinny flankers are good kicks, but struggle with the contested aspect of football. Both provide good run off half back, aren't that great one on one (Birchall has improved on this admittedly) and both have a raking left foot. Birchall is a little taller, but doesn't really play key position. I think Kade will have a similar career to Birchall.

Birchall has been a popular comparison for Kolodjashnij. He is largely a slightly less tall Birchall without that same 1v1 game. But he's got the opportunitiy to develop into a very good footballer in his own right as that tallish, high production type who can do some damage.