Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[coniglio_number1]

And the club has stated they want McCarthy to become a defender just like Ben Reid did

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Wow arnt teams allowed to have depth talls? Developing talls? Basically I see some excellent smalls falling to lower picks despite being a grade talent

You're allowed to have them, but they're allowed to feel like their talent is being wasted playing for your reserves side and leave to another team.

 

[Manic Magpie]

For those of us who believed that the drafting of Darcy Moore would herald the arrival of the true messiah at Collingwood you sure know how to deflate the dreams and hopes of supporters.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

KM, you have Carlton at 9th so depending on FA's we have pick 9. I think we will be in that pick 8-13 range, so what TYPE of key forwards will go in this area? This Wright sounds very good but obviously he's going to go to high.

With the possibility of Gibbs or Walker leaving via FA, I think it's almost certain we'd get a mid first round comp for one of them. Is the KP depth that deep to go 2 talls in a row or do you think we'd take another mid?

While I'm here I might ask you what you think of Patrick Cripps? From highlights and articles I'm very pleased but I obviously don't follow the draft like you do.

Cheers

 

[Knightmare]

For those of us who believed that the drafting of Darcy Moore would herald the arrival of the true messiah at Collingwood you sure know how to deflate the dreams and hopes of supporters.

Sadly when you go and watch as many games as I have of Moore it's hard not to get a strong feel for where he's at.

The media have gone crazy with promoting Moore after his u16 championships but nothing he's done since has. Much of this is due to injury but if you're taking the field you still want to see something and we haven't seen in either in the TAC or APS footy.
I'm hoping for a big preseason but I'm not at all convinced he's someone you'd spend an early selection on.

KM, you have Carlton at 9th so depending on FA's we have pick 9. I think we will be in that pick 8-13 range, so what TYPE of key forwards will go in this area? This Wright sounds very good but obviously he's going to go to high.

With the possibility of Gibbs or Walker leaving via FA, I think it's almost certain we'd get a mid first round comp for one of them. Is the KP depth that deep to go 2 talls in a row or do you think we'd take another mid?

While I'm here I might ask you what you think of Patrick Cripps? From highlights and articles I'm very pleased but I obviously don't follow the draft like you do.

Cheers

Wright and McCartin if they both stay healthy and clubs aren't concerned about their injury/health concerns respectively should go higher. Goddard likely also goes higher due to reputation and perceived potential.
Sam Durdin also has his fans and may not be available.

A Jesse Watchman may be a solid choice if one of those others generally higher rated aren't available.

The KPP depth is relatively speaking so strong that there will likely be several clubs who use those first two selections on talls.

Patrick Cripps is an interesting choice early. I liked others more but he's not a bad selection, he's just more someone you take due to potential rather than what he's doing now which is the risk involved. There are much better immediate players taken later - Crouch/Dunstan and Acres as midfielders are your year one ready inside mids. But Cripps as such a big body with some height as a later bloomer and not reliant on his big body to win his own footy is someone with the potential to with time develop and someone who naturally intrigues as a result of this combination of factors.
Don't expect immediate results but if he keeps his head down he has the opportunity and talent to become an asset through that midfield with time.

 

[offshore]

Goddard will struggle to go top 5, Peter Wright a clear 1 IMO with McCartin next.

I think you are on the money. The hype and spin though will be full on from the usual sources regardless of form.

 

[INSANE]

I think you are on the money. The hype and spin though will be full on from the usual sources regardless of form.

Jay Clark, Callum Twomey are the two biggest cheerleaders who go embarrassingly over the top.

 

[Chris25]

The KPP depth is relatively speaking so strong that there will likely be several clubs who use those first two selections on talls.

I think one of the reasons that the KPPs seem so strong next year, is that teams were lacking in that department this year - which means more underaged kids got a chance to shine. It's not necessarily that the talent is head and shoulders above previous years, just that they've had more exposure so far. Usually it's the underage midfielders who get game time. So it will be interesting to see whether they progress or not.

Durdin, McCartin and Wright are the only three I would have as legitimate top 10 picks at this stage. Goddard and Watchman are more comparable with a Mitch Harvey for mine, while I wont even guess where Spurling could go given Darcy Cameron was completely overlooked. Lever, Bower and Lamb all look good but are on the shorter side and don't play that true KPP game at this stage.

It's looking much more promising than this year, but 2014 is not necessarily a new golden era for KPPs quite yet.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Is it too early to tell accurately how good this draft will be?

 

[Knightmare]

Is it too early to tell accurately how good this draft will be?

Better than we've seen in recent years but only average to slight above average.

I don't think my evaluation will change a whole lot from that.

2015 while I'm not so familiar with the talent to be available then is being speculated by some as a stronger draft but still some time until I get a better feel for that draft.

 

[tigs2010]

I think one of the reasons that the KPPs seem so strong next year, is that teams were lacking in that department this year - which means more underaged kids got a chance to shine. It's not necessarily that the talent is head and shoulders above previous years, just that they've had more exposure so far. Usually it's the underage midfielders who get game time. So it will be interesting to see whether they progress or not.

Durdin, McCartin and Wright are the only three I would have as legitimate top 10 picks at this stage. Goddard and Watchman are more comparable with a Mitch Harvey for mine, while I wont even guess where Spurling could go given Darcy Cameron was completely overlooked. Lever, Bower and Lamb all look good but are on the shorter side and don't play that true KPP game at this stage.

It's looking much more promising than this year, but 2014 is not necessarily a new golden era for KPPs quite yet.

Agree mostly with the talls. Though I think Goddard will go more around the McCarthy range. Spurling should go but what's he 199cm? He should grow seems he's 17yo but if he doesn't then he's no certainty.

Of the others, I think Lever will still go high as a medium defender who can play taller when needed. He's just too good to pass up. Bower should go at some point as a medium. Probably not high though. Lamb I'm not sure on at this stage.

Durdin will stay underrated until you pump him up. You're competing with Twomey who will be pumping the bejezus out of Goddard/Wright/McCartin.

 

[Masto]

And the club has stated they want McCarthy to become a defender just like Ben Reid did

Sucks for McCarthy. Its a real shame that he was drafted by GWS.

 

[Andre the Giant]

Sucks for McCarthy. Its a real shame that he was drafted by GWS.

Not necessarily.

He is still such a raw player and will need a couple of years in development regardless. With us he will have the opportunity to develop the defensive part of his game which shows a lot of promise as he has a tremendous attitude. He will also have more chances of playing senior footy.

People go on about our forward line but he is a unique player and can make his mark even there if he develops the right way. Many believe we will sacrifice one of our big 3 at some point so opportunities will still be there.

If in 2 years it is not working he can try somewhere else but from what I've seen I like this kid and think he can do very well for us.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Sucks for McCarthy. Its a real shame that he was drafted by GWS.

Yeah. Imagine how unfortunate it would be if as an 18 year old he was drafted to a club with a strong development program and turned into an AA key backman and won multiple premierships. Can only imagine being that unlucky.

 

[coniglio_number1]

I really don't understand the hate at us taking McCarthy. Freo could've taken mason shaw, Shane kersten, Tom lee, jack darling and Fraser mccinnes. U missed a kpp, big deal as next year looks like it's going to solve every clubs kpp issues. Also means that quite a few talented smalls will drop down the draft order

 

[Andre the Giant]

I really don't understand the hate at us taking McCarthy. Freo could've taken mason shaw, Shane kersten, Tom lee, jack darling and Fraser mccinnes. U missed a kpp, big deal as next year looks like it's going to solve every clubs kpp issues. Also means that quite a few talented smalls will drop down the draft order

Just a good dose of jealousy and hypocracy mate. A bunch of clubs could have taken him before us and frankly we can take whoever we like.

Nobody here knows where our internal list review is at and where our coaches see our players ability/potential. As stated McCarthy is raw and relatively new to the game (at least concentrating on it as cricket was his first love).

He will probably thrive in an environment where there is less pressure and expectation on him early doors.

 

[SydneyPhilly]

Hey Knight, where would you rate Isaac Heeney this year, and where could you see him falling?

 

[manny100]

GWS and GC will continue to trade as they need to meet their targets over time for the age spread of their lists. Not to mention free agency when they get there - what a problem that would be if they had not let go of players on the way. The need to spread age was one factor GC had in mind when trading into the mini drafts - and they did very nicely.
Getting the top/best mid this year and at that same time further adjusting the list age profile was a no brainer for GWS giving up pick 9 and Tyson for pick 2 and 20.
McCARTHY was a wise pick up and who knows he might end up a very good player forward or back. Plus he may be insurance in case one of the 'big 3' forwards want out. If he shows a bit in the next few years and wants out GWS should do ok in a trade. Good bigs usually get more than good smalls.
So all in all I look at McCarthy as a wise investment for GWS.

 

[Russell2Gibbs]

Mitch Thorp.

Not such a strong year yet of those draft eligable next year but in saying that I'm sure some will come through a really surprise.
If I had to pick Mitch Hibberd of next years crop is the more intriguing at this point but no one from Tasmania has won me over yet.

Lachie Weller >>>>>>>>>>>> Mitch Thorp

 

[Knightmare]

On GWS and McCarthy they've made some relatively worse selections. Naturally given GWS' surplus of key forwards it's a surprise but not necessarily a poor selection with his scope to develop excellent. It's nice to see GWS moving their recruiting team out of Victoria is the one observation few have noted.

Hey Knight, where would you rate Isaac Heeney this year, and where could you see him falling?

Inside my top 30 at this point. Has the opportunity to go first round but being a div 2 boy his draft position is a touch less clear and probably pushes him into more the second round at this point. One of the better performed mids to this point. Lots of substance to his game which I like and suggests his game has the opportunity to convert to AFL level.

 

[Simba Moyo]

How would you rate Lions Academy kids Dawson & Hammelman if they were in the 2013 draft KM?

 

[Knightmare]

How would you rate Lions Academy kids Dawson & Hammelman if they were in the 2013 draft KM?

Highly. Both are second round quality talents at this point though I would have said the same of Tickner and Conway last year with their underage years also exceedingly promising.

Hammelmann perhaps more speculative is a quality key position prospect who has shown some nice signs without being the complete product as is mostly the case with talls at this stage and Dawson has already shown plenty with his play through the u18 champs last year so signs very good at this point for the both of them.

 

[Wild Bill]

Hey KM - do you know much about Jake Long - could he end up a 1st or 2nd round selction.

 

[Yoda_]

Hey KM - do you know much about Jake Long - could he end up a 1st or 2nd round selction.

Still not in his top 50 of which he updated on Thursday. So at this stage, no.

 

[Yoda_]

Knightmare

I think you should seriously consider putting a section in that first post about Jake Long and update it throughout the year. Your going to get very sick of being asked about him several hundred times before the draft.