Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Godogs247]

yes

 

[Godogs247]

I think Lever is going to go very High saw him do the wwarm up as well moves like cameran

 

[kaistar]

Can someone explain to me I don't get the hype on lever? Hasn't played this season in an interview said he isn't the most talented guy. He is a key back and in today's game I wouldn't use a top 10 pick on a key defender?

 

[Doggone]

Lever probably showed a stack last year,I saw a couple of games and he had a real presence. Off the ground shows a real maturity and there are defenders and then defenders, he's very good.

Tom lamb is the one I cannot for the life of me understand the perceived value people put on him.

Right now yes I see him in under 18 as being unfulfilled "talent ". To me it looks like he satisfied that's he's to be drafted rather than seeing the real opportunity of having a career built on hard work. Having said all that like most 17/18 year olds he will mature and hopefully realise a little of what is in his gene pool.

 

[Knightmare]

That is about the same range his brother Tom went at, do you rate then similarly as athletes and on underage performances?

I see Oscar as a slightly but only slightly more advanced player. Similar games overall but Oscar is the slightly stronger and more dominant 1v1 player. Tom perhaps a fraction quicker but I'd imagine pretty similar athletically at the same stage.

Now that clubs 9 to 18 are settled, how about putting your phantom draft in correct order, or do you want to do the whole comp after the finals?

I'll attempt to find the time later in the week.

Knight if collingwood get Moore with our second round pick who would get with our 1st round? I would think out of
Laverde Pickett Mckenzie durdin what do you think?

I like a lot of lads first round. Assuming McCartin, Petracca, Wright, Durdin and Brayshaw are all gone which is a highly probable outcome. McKenzie with those five gone would be my pick.

I'm just not getting my hopes up that Moore slides into the second round, as ordinary as his production has been throughout the season.

Can someone explain to me I don't get the hype on lever? Hasn't played this season in an interview said he isn't the most talented guy. He is a key back and in today's game I wouldn't use a top 10 pick on a key defender?

I'd be willing to use a top 10 pick on Lever. Really quality guy - you don't captain Vic Metro as an underager without being a top, top quality leader and worker. Production terrific and what you'd expect of a top pick - even as an underager by position. He also has a terrifically well rounded game. Not super tall but he has the ability to rebound, get stops and beat his guy. Moves well, strong. Not out of the question he goes in the top few.

Lever probably showed a stack last year,I saw a couple of games and he had a real presence. Off the ground shows a real maturity and there are defenders and then defenders, he's very good.

Tom lamb is the one I cannot for the life of me understand the perceived value people put on him.

Right now yes I see him in under 18 as being unfulfilled "talent ". To me it looks like he satisfied that's he's to be drafted rather than seeing the real opportunity of having a career built on hard work. Having said all that like most 17/18 year olds he will mature and hopefully realise a little of what is in his gene pool.

Lamb I'm not huge on. Really annoyed I'll have to watch Dandenong again and not get the chance to see Menadue dominate again next week for Western with his sidestep and explosive pace.

Lamb has talent but it's incomplete talent. Not super strong/one grab overhead. Not a reliable kick. Doesn't always play with the intent he needs to. Doesn't run to the right places defensively. He is someone I'd be inclined to just let another club pick than take the shot on myself. Let someone else get suckered into using a first or second round pick on him.

 

[tenderwarrior]

Hi Knightmare,

This year is a draft of plenty of tall talent, last year was known for it's midfield talent. How would you rate the likes of Petracca, Heeney, Bradshaw and Weller this year compared to the likes of Kelly, Aish, Crouch, Sheed and Dunstan last year? What order would you have them in?

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare,

This year is a draft of plenty of tall talent, last year was known for it's midfield talent. How would you rate the likes of Petracca, Heeney, Bradshaw and Weller this year compared to the likes of Kelly, Aish, Crouch, Sheed and Dunstan last year? What order would you have them in?

Some good mids this year also. It's not a super deep draft and there aren't any super high end stars but there are some really draftable guys.
Petracca, Heeney, Brayshaw, Pickett, Laverde, Menadue, Garlett, Bampton, Blakely, Gore and Neal-Bullen. McLean can play some mid, as can Duggan, Weller, De Goey, Nelson and Maynard. Miller and Gregson as sub 180cm mids also can play.

Of the mids of 2013 and 2014 I'd back in without spending too much time on the order (also including those mutli positional types who can play midfield:
1. Bontempelli
2. Petracca
3. Aish
4. McDonald
5. Billings
6. Heeney
7. Brayshaw
8. Kolodjashnij
9. Scharenberg
10. Dunstan
11. Pickett
12. Laverde
13. Menadue
14. Kelly
15. Z.Merrett
16. Z.Jones
17. L.Taylor
18. Acres
19. Salem
20. Freeman

 

[Zach Package]

Lamb I'm not huge on. Really annoyed I'll have to watch Dandenong again and not get the chance to see Menadue dominate again next week for Western with his sidestep and explosive pace.

Did you go on sunday Knighter?

Was listening to the game on the radio and the commentators were an enormous wrap for his pace and the fact he set up so many of the Jets scores off half back.

He's a rake, but i'm very high on him

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: 19/09/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Explosive type with versatility.

Knightmare can you tell me about this kid.
He's a lovely size but very skinny.
What's his inside game like ?
How quick is he ?
Footskill's ?

My worry with the skinny types, do they like hitting the weights ?
If they don't show enthusiasm for the weight room, don't draft don't want Pitt/Notte type,
that wont do the gym work want a Fyfe type that loves the gym and that is prepared to do
the work to get bigger.

 

[Knightmare]

Did you go on sunday Knighter?

Was listening to the game on the radio and the commentators were an enormous wrap for his pace and the fact he set up so many of the Jets scores off half back.

He's a rake, but i'm very high on him

Was at the games Saturday and Sunday.

Menadue had a career game on the weekend. Was the absolute standout and looked like a top pick the way he went.

The sidestep, the explosion. He demonstrated it just about every time he got his hands on the footy. Then some of his lace out passes to inside 50 targets. He is a first round talent. No question.

He's Jon O'Rourke without the price tag.

 

[mattyc75]

Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: 19/09/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Explosive type with versatility.

Knightmare can you tell me about this kid.
He's a lovely size but very skinny.
What's his inside game like ?
How quick is he ?
Footskill's ?

My worry with the skinny types, do they like hitting the weights ?
If they don't show enthusiasm for the weight room, don't draft don't want Pitt/Notte type,
that wont do the gym work want a Fyfe type that loves the gym and that is prepared to do
the work to get bigger.

haha was just going to ask about him.apart from the built like a rake bit he sounds like what the eagles need

 

[Knightmare]

Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Fwd)
Height: 188cm, Weight: 69kg, DOB: 19/09/1996
Recruited from: Western Jets
Range: 15-rookie
Profile: Explosive type with versatility.

Knightmare can you tell me about this kid.
He's a lovely size but very skinny.
What's his inside game like ?
How quick is he ?
Footskills ?

Will have to get a bio up and Menadue will be one of my next ones when I get the chance.

His inside game is good and I see him as an onballer if he puts on enough size. Can read the ruck taps. Wins some of his own footy. He isn't a super high volume ball winner but when he has the footy, he makes something happen. One of his clearances was exceptional finding a 45m target from one of his clearances lace out. That's the type of thing he can do for you.

Menadue is one of the few quickest in the draft. After Pickett, Menadue is for me in game that next most explosive with ball in hand. In addition to that his sidestep is rare, other than Laverde, Menadue in this draft is the only other guy who has special sidestepping ability and uses that sidestep to get around guys and just accelerate. His pace and sidestep makes him a very high impact player.

Footskills are excellent. Efficient ball user but damaging. Hits targets over short, meidum and long range. Excellent vision. Excellent placement on his kicks to target. Excellent decision maker. Hits his forward 50 targets. Can finish within range from goal. Complete package by foot.

The pace, sidestep and footskills are his points of difference and he uses all three terrifically in game.

In my updated power rankings I'm moving Menadue to somewhere around 12-15. Would love him second round if looking for an injection of more pace and skill.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Will have to get a bio up and Menadue will be one of my next ones when I get the chance.

His inside game is good and I see him as an onballer if he puts on enough size. Can read the ruck taps. Wins some of his own footy. He isn't a super high volume ball winner but when he has the footy, he makes something happen. One of his clearances was exceptional finding a 45m target from one of his clearances lace out. That's the type of thing he can do for you.

Menadue is one of the few quickest in the draft. After Pickett, Menadue is for me in game that next most explosive with ball in hand. In addition to that his sidestep is rare, other than Laverde, Menadue in this draft is the only other guy who has special sidestepping ability and uses that sidestep to get around guys and just accelerate. His pace and sidestep makes him a very high impact player.

Footskills are excellent. Efficient ball user but damaging. Hits targets over short, meidum and long range. Excellent vision. Excellent placement on his kicks to target. Excellent decision maker. Hits his forward 50 targets. Can finish within range from goal. Complete package by foot.

The pace, sidestep and footskills are his points of difference and he uses all three terrifically in game.

In my updated power rankings I'm moving Menadue to somewhere around 12-15. Would love him second round if looking for an injection of more pace and skill.

Cheers Knightmare.

He is starting to excite me for our pick 10
Laverde and Pickett are the others I like for our pick.
Pickett worries me though, doesn't get a lot of it and no defensive side,
I think I get blindsided by his offensive side which WCE desperately need.
Laverde has nice size, good skills seems a more reliable type, also like his overhead ability,
seems like one of those mid's that could go forward and cause problem for oppo teams.

 

[kaistar]

Knight from last years draft who do your rate long term out better out of scharenberg and aish? Did the pies make the right choice? And also Salem freeman which one?

 

[x_les_x]

Hey Knightmare, not trying to be rude or anything but are you thinking of updating your draft soon? Also no love for caleb Daniel?

 

[Knightmare]

Cheers Knightmare.

He is starting to excite me for our pick 10
Laverde and Pickett are the others I like for our pick.
Pickett worries me though, doesn't get a lot of it and no defensive side,
I think I get blindsided by his offensive side which WCE desperately need.
Laverde has nice size, good skills seems a more reliable type, also like his overhead ability,
seems like one of those mid's that could go forward and cause problem for oppo teams.

It's a tough call but all should be under consideration. My reservation with Menadue is he hasn't found the volume of ball I'd like, as consistently as I like. He has been thrown around some and has played back in that early portion of the season and through the u18 champs but through the midfield is where he excites me if he can keep that pace while putting on size he can really be special and a genuine gamechanger.

Laverde like Menadue is a terrific talent. So versatile. Also has that incredible sidestep and acceleration (though not as much as Menadue). Much stronger 1v1 and does have the strength overhead. Good ball use and can also do damage (though again perhaps not quite as much as Menadue).

They're both guys as with Pickett who could give WCE a very different edge.

I slightly prefer Pickett to the pair of Western Jets. I agree completely with you on his defensive game but just his ability just about every time he gets it to take on the game and break the lines and do something. I just like it and he has the better numbers and has done it against the slightly better competition.

But any of the three could become the best in the draft. All have real special talent.

 

[Knightmare]

Knight from last years draft who do your rate long term out better out of scharenberg and aish? Did the pies make the right choice? And also Salem freeman which one?

I slightly preferred Aish at the time of the draft to Scharenberg and still do today. Scharenberg I still feel will be very good though.

Freeman is more talented than Salem and if health isn't an issue I'd back at Collingwood to develop into the better player to Salem. Salem is more a piece to a really good team. Freeman if he establishes himself as a midfielder has real gamechanging ability. But could go either way. Salem will start out better but Freeman with time if things go right can become really good.

Hey Knightmare, not trying to be rude or anything but are you thinking of updating your draft soon? Also no love for caleb Daniel?

Will update my draft later this week and either this week/next week continue adding more profiles.

Caleb Daniel has a chance to get drafted but probably more as a rookie if he gets a shot. Hardly a lock. I like his game and hope he gets drafted. Would I pick him? Personally no. SANFL league production good and in those last two or three games of the u18 champs was a standout which are all ticks. Terrific kick/decision maker and has excellent vision. Can find the footy but he won't find that so easy to do at the next level. Upside questionable - what's he going to do to improve? Not slow but lacks pace for an extreme small. Would love him playing for my VFL team but not AFL team. Will be interesting to see what AFL clubs think.

 

[Domtysonmyhero]

I was looking at who were the best performers in the championships in terms of disposals and I was wondering weigh or you think these players will be drafted if drafted at all.
Tim jones
Keays, Benjamin
And Abraham ankers

 

[Knightmare]

I was looking at who were the best performers in the championships in terms of disposals and I was wondering weigh or you think these players will be drafted if drafted at all.
Tim jones

Jones did have the best numbers for the champs per game but he also did it against Div 2 sides which takes the gloss off it. That and having a disposal efficiency of less than 60% despite averaging more handballs than he did kicks.

Jones has been invited to the state combine. Possible draftee but he is more in the mix than likely to be selected. For me he lacks that point of difference to separate him from the other draftees and I assume my opinion on Jones is in the most part shared.

 

[SafeAsMilk]

Some good mids this year also. It's not a super deep draft and there aren't any super high end stars but there are some really draftable guys.
Petracca, Heeney, Brayshaw, Pickett, Laverde, Menadue, Garlett, Bampton, Blakely, Gore and Neal-Bullen. McLean can play some mid, as can Duggan, Weller, De Goey, Nelson and Maynard. Miller and Gregson as sub 180cm mids also can play.

Of the mids of 2013 and 2014 I'd back in without spending too much time on the order (also including those mutli positional types who can play midfield:
1. Bontempelli
2. Petracca
3. Aish
4. McDonald
5. Billings
6. Heeney
7. Brayshaw
8. Kolodjashnij
9. Scharenberg
10. Dunstan
11. Pickett
12. Laverde
13. Menadue
14. Kelly
15. Z.Merrett
16. Z.Jones
17. L.Taylor
18. Acres
19. Salem
20. Freeman

Do you think the Blues made the wrong call on Cripps?

 

[tenderwarrior]

Was at the games Saturday and Sunday.

Menadue had a career game on the weekend. Was the absolute standout and looked like a top pick the way he went.

The sidestep, the explosion. He demonstrated it just about every time he got his hands on the footy. Then some of his lace out passes to inside 50 targets. He is a first round talent. No question.

He's Jon O'Rourke without the price tag.

Knightmare, what are the similarities with O'Rourke? in watching GWS I haven't been able to work out what special talents landed him top 3 in the draft. Where would be compare to the midfield talent on offer this year Pick wise? top 5? Top 10? Cheers

 

[Tutty]

Knightmare You mention the likes of Tim Jones, as a possible draftee. What are your thoughts on somebody like Mat Hanson? He didn't play with Jones in the Div 2 Comp, but he is a teammate of Jones at the Western Storm. In my eyes has more to offer then Jones (no offence to Tim he is a great bloke and player), or any other player currently in the TSL. Tested very well at the Tassie combine according to reports.

 

[themightydoggies]

what kpf will the dogs be looking at pick 5??

 

[Dav1d]

what kpf will the dogs be looking at pick 5??

Click on the first page and see

 

[12Chill]

I was looking at who were the best performers in the championships in terms of disposals and I was wondering weigh or you think these players will be drafted if drafted at all.
Tim jones
Keays, Benjamin
And Abraham ankers

Ben Keays is for next years draft and is a part of Brisbane's Academy.