Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Knightmare]

It will be terrifying if Gold Coasts Weller & Duggan; so many classy mids as it is

I'd love the Bulldogs to grab Pickett as well at this point, haven't got a young player outside of VIC for a while(with the exception of the mature ager Fuller)

Gold Coast have the luxury and have shown the continued willingness to go for guys with real talent - footskills and/or pace specifically and I see no reason to see them stop this method of recruiting with the way the game is going so suiting these types who can do either/or/both.

Any decent rucks this year? Boy do we need one.

That Sam Jacobs guy is going very well.

It's a year where you could rookie a ruckman but they're all projects and none will be year one ready. No standout this year.

Better would be trading for a ruckman at the bottom of an opposition list if looking for some depth. An Adelaide favourite of the past Jon Griffen could be an example of a guy who could be looked at for depth as someone who could play behind Jacobs and fill in if/when required. Gold Coast would trade Daniel Gorringe I'd imagine if he can attract a first round selection as Hickey did. If looking for someone who can play alongside Jacobs I'd make an offer for GWS' Jon Giles. With Mumford, Cameron, Patton and Boyd they're too tall and hardly have room for the whole group to play together and I'd imagine one of Boyd or Patton could relieve Mumford for those relief minutes.

So there are options but unless you want a rookie ruckman it's guys on opposition team lists for mine.

 

[Jars458]

Gold Coast have the luxury and have shown the continued willingness to go for guys with real talent - footskills and/or pace specifically and I see no reason to see them stop this method of recruiting with the way the game is going so suiting these types who can do either/or/both.



That Sam Jacobs guy is going very well.

It's a year where you could rookie a ruckman but they're all projects and none will be year one ready. No standout this year.

Better would be trading for a ruckman at the bottom of an opposition list if looking for some depth. An Adelaide favourite of the past Jon Griffen could be an example of a guy who could be looked at for depth as someone who could play behind Jacobs and fill in if/when required. Gold Coast would trade Daniel Gorringe I'd imagine if he can attract a first round selection as Hickey did. If looking for someone who can play alongside Jacobs I'd make an offer for GWS' Jon Giles. With Mumford, Cameron, Patton and Boyd they're too tall and hardly have room for the whole group to play together and I'd imagine one of Boyd or Patton could relieve Mumford for those relief minutes.

So there are options but unless you want a rookie ruckman it's guys on opposition team lists for mine.

Thanks, I really think we need to develop one. Giles has been considered and rejected by the club in the past. Any chance of getting Lycett?

 

[Knightmare]

Thanks, I really think we need to develop one. Giles has been considered and rejected by the club in the past. Any chance of getting Lycett?

It will be interesting to see if WCE would give up Lycett. It's possible, Sinclair is also there for depth. But with Naitanui's injuries these past couple of seasons I'd retain him in their situation. He looks like he'll become capable as a lead ruckman if Naitanui is injured but he's also shown that he is capable as a forward in the WAFL so he could be a good investment. I'd certainly take a shot at him if he was available for the right price. Just expect to spend a first round selection - it's the currency clubs will request for any young ruckman for a deal to even be considered.

 

[Yoda_]

Thoughts on Stingrays young gun Rourke Fischer Knightmare?

Just having a squiz at the Rays line up for todays game. Lamb on a wing, Lonie across half forward, Harnett back on the ball.

Who would you suggest is the more likely Rays at this stage? Notice you've got Capiron as the best option in your first two rounds.

 

[Turbocat]

Knightmare
With Calise at Ess having a few issues , and Ess not having early picks..I wonder if they will be tempted to shop him.
How do you think he compares to the talls in this draft ? If he entered the draft , what pick would he go at.

 

[Demonheart]

Hey Knightmare, hypothetical query for you.

West Coast ends up with pick 5 and the team who has pick 4 puts a bid in for Waterman with that pick.

West Coast then need to decide whether they want Waterman or take one of Wright/Durdin/Goddard/McCartin.

What do you think they will do?

 

[Knightmare]

Thoughts on Stingrays young gun Rourke Fischer Knightmare?

Just having a squiz at the Rays line up for todays game. Lamb on a wing, Lonie across half forward, Harnett back on the ball.

Who would you suggest is the more likely Rays at this stage? Notice you've got Capiron as the best option in your first two rounds.

Fischer isn't someone I've noticed in past games but looking at his stats he put in a strong showing v Bendigo.

Lamb, Capiron, Lonie and Harnett are the draft chances. Lamb is definitely the top talent and a first round and probable top 10 picks, he's an absolute freak talent wherever you play him. The others still have to earn their way onto AFL lists with Capiron the more intriguing of the others if he can have a good run with injury.

Knightmare
With Calise at Ess having a few issues , and Ess not having early picks..I wonder if they will be tempted to shop him.
How do you think he compares to the talls in this draft ? If he entered the draft , what pick would he go at.

I wouldn't think so. Essendon hardly have the depth to allow for him to be moved, particularly with the lack of depth in key forwards. He's had two poor weeks. That doesn't get you traded. He's a young key position player who has shown real improvement with every season and has proven that he has AFL talent. He can play both ends well and even competed pretty well through the ruck for a few weeks there and could even prove a no.2 ruck option. So he gives you plenty of options.

In Essendon's situation I'd not only retain Carlisle but also make a move for a ready to play big bodied key forward - Geelong's Josh Walker for example to provide more of a goalkicking target as Essendon are struggling for a go to target with Daniher and Carlisle still light guys who can get outbodied and could probably do with a bigger guy to take some pressure of them.

If Carlisle was in this draft he could be worth somewhere around pick 5/6. You'd certainly take Wright and Durdin before Carlisle. Probably McCartin first also as a more dominant forward. Moore and Goddard could be of similar value and guys you'd take around the same position depending on how they go over the rest of the season.

Hey Knightmare, hypothetical query for you.

West Coast ends up with pick 5 and the team who has pick 4 puts a bid in for Waterman with that pick.

West Coast then need to decide whether they want Waterman or take one of Wright/Durdin/Goddard/McCartin.

What do you think they will do?

I don't think West Coast will be that bad.

It would be a call you'd have to think about and Waterman is one of the two really top line midfielders in this draft at this point which is more of a need than another tall but in saying that I'd probably go tall. Quality talls are so hard to find and when the tall is the better talent relative to the small which I'd say at this point I'd go for the leftover tall.

 

[Turbocat]

Thanks for your reply

 

[footyfan97]

interested to see you didn't include touk miller in your mock draft at this stage knightmare. has had a really strong start
to the season with big numbers, just wondering what your reasoning was

 

[Knightmare]

interested to see you didn't include touk miller in your mock draft at this stage knightmare. has had a really strong start
to the season with big numbers, just wondering what your reasoning was

Miller features in my power rankings. He'll eventually have a bio - probably next time I find the time to complete a major update and add another round.

He's going well. One of the more dominant mids in the tac cup. He's winning plenty of his own ball. Tackling well and even hitting the scoreboard this season. He's even using it better by foot which is a positive sign and he's someone I'll consider moving up my rankings with continued improvement.

Just at 177cm I'm not counting on him featuring in the first round and second round he's no lock either with clubs generally preferring taller mids. But mid - late draft you'd think he's in the mix.

 

[Chris25]

Some interesting player comparisons there.

I wont start on the South Australians, because we all know I'll never shut up about them. But the one that stands out to me is Kyle Langford and Marcus Bontempelli. I can see the reasoning - tall, flankers, late season birthdays. But similar birthdays is the where I see the comparison really ending. Even though Bontempelli hadn't fully filled out last year, he was still much stronger than Langford and had shown much more ability in the midfield. I haven't seen much to suggest that Langford has a contested side to his game, unlike Marcus who projected well as a genuine midfielder - and that was the key reason for his early selection.

I'm a big fan of Langford, but I see him more as a Hayden Crozier (best case) or Louis Herbert (worst case). A flanker who will always be on the skinny side, but is an unusually good mark for someone his size.

 

[Yoda_]

Fischer isn't someone I've noticed in past games but looking at his stats he put in a strong showing v Bendigo.

Lamb, Capiron, Lonie and Harnett are the draft chances. Lamb is definitely the top talent and a first round and probable top 10 picks, he's an absolute freak talent wherever you play him. The others still have to earn their way onto AFL lists with Capiron the more intriguing of the others if he can have a good run with injury.

Fischer isnt eligible till next year though

 

[Knightmare]

Some interesting player comparisons there.

I wont start on the South Australians, because we all know I'll never shut up about them. But the one that stands out to me is Kyle Langford and Marcus Bontempelli. I can see the reasoning - tall, flankers, late season birthdays. But similar birthdays is the where I see the comparison really ending. Even though Bontempelli hadn't fully filled out last year, he was still much stronger than Langford and had shown much more ability in the midfield. I haven't seen much to suggest that Langford has a contested side to his game, unlike Marcus who projected well as a genuine midfielder - and that was the key reason for his early selection.

I'm a big fan of Langford, but I see him more as a Hayden Crozier (best case) or Louis Herbert (worst case). A flanker who will always be on the skinny side, but is an unusually good mark for someone his size.

Langford does have some Herbert and his big days aren't unlike the big days of Herbert when he used to absolutely go off as a forward in 2012 before becoming more consistent up the field.

I get the feeling Langford similarly up the field can have greater success up the field. He's a light body sure, but when you can do damage as Langford can off so few touches he's got my attention anyway based on what he's done so far this season.

He's probably more a second rounder at this point but this early on it's more fun to provoke discussion.

Fischer isnt eligible till next year though

Fischer is listed with a D.O.B. of 20 Aug 1996 in the TAC Cup record so assuming that's correct and he's eligible this year.

 

[Yoda_]

Langford does have some Herbert and his big days aren't unlike the big days of Herbert when he used to absolutely go off as a forward in 2012 before becoming more consistent up the field.

I get the feeling Langford similarly up the field can have greater success up the field. He's a light body sure, but when you can do damage as Langford can off so few touches he's got my attention anyway based on what he's done so far this season.

He's probably more a second rounder at this point but this early on it's more fun to provoke discussion.



Fischer is listed with a D.O.B. of 20 Aug 1996 in the TAC Cup record so assuming that's correct he's eligable this year.

Was always under the impression he was eligible that half a year later than Alex Harnett. Mustn't be if your sure

 

[Yoda_]

Fischer isn't someone I've noticed in past games but looking at his stats he put in a strong showing v Bendigo.

Lamb, Capiron, Lonie and Harnett are the draft chances. Lamb is definitely the top talent and a first round and probable top 10 picks, he's an absolute freak talent wherever you play him. The others still have to earn their way onto AFL lists with Capiron the more intriguing of the others if he can have a good run with injury.

The other one I really like the look of is Jack Lonie. Small, high production midfielder/forward who just thrives on getting control for his side. Loves a goal and his tackling and pressure is top notch.

 

[Knightmare]

Was always under the impression he was eligible that half a year later than Alex Harnett. Mustn't be if your sure

The TAC Cup records can be downloaded here: http://www.foxsportspulse.com/assoc_page.cgi?c=1-3020-0-0-0&sID=59337

It lists all D.O.B. and measurements of all TAC Cup listed players. For TAC Cup it's the best resource to go by.

 

[Knightmare]

The other one I really like the look of is Jack Lonie. Small, high production midfielder/forward who just thrives on getting control for his side. Loves a goal and his tackling and pressure is top notch.

Lonie can play. Unfortunately he doesn't have the height of Ryan and Nathan but he's got talent.

He played a good game v Geelong Falcons the other week and has his big games where he can do some big damage. But he also lacks consistency and sometimes lacks consistency in his disposal - both he'll need to improve on if he wants to find his way onto an AFL list next year.

 

[sunsofanarchy]

Who's the best (field) kick of the draft this year you think?

 

[Yoda_]

Lonie can play. Unfortunately he doesn't have the height of Ryan and Nathan but he's got talent.

He played a good game v Geelong Falcons the other week and has his big games where he can do some big damage. But he also lacks consistency and sometimes lacks consistency in his disposal - both he'll need to improve on if he wants to find his way onto an AFL list next year.

Jack had an outstanding 2013, surely underage performances are taken into account?

 

[Knightmare]

Who's the best (field) kick of the draft this year you think?

Garrett McDonagh with his penetration and hurt factor has impressed so far. He might be the pick of the bunch on just footskills.

Jack had an outstanding 2013, surely underage performances are taken into account?

His performances haven't dropped off.

He was one of the best Stingrays last seasons and a very good player by TAC Cup standards but that's different to being of AFL standard and of interest to AFL clubs.

He's only 174cm. When you're 174cm and inconsistent by foot and performance it's hard to get drafted unless a club is really looking for that type.

Personally for me I'd be looking for him to continue to improve and to dominate more consistently before adding him to my shortlist.

 

[justwatchin]

Heeney will definatley cost Sydney their first rnd pick he is very good, you will see that during the Nationals I am sure.

 

[Tank Girl]

No Tasmanians on your radar at all yet, KM??

 

[Knightmare]

Heeney will definatley cost Sydney their first rnd pick he is very good, you will see that during the Nationals I am sure.

Heeney and possibly Griffiths are both worth late first round/early second round selections. Good year of NSW talent and Heeney is the top guy from that group. With Heeney as part of the Swans academy with the system now working more like F/S as I understand it he's probably a second round pick assuming Sydney don't finish inside the top 4. I don't see a club inside the top 10 bidding and probably not anywhere inside the top 15 either.

No Tasmanians on your radar at all yet, KM??

I haven't seen the Tasmanian u18s just yet but will likely have a few names through the u18 champs for you. None from this years group caught my eye last year so those who get selected are likely to be more late draft selections unless someone has really developed out of their skin this past offseason.

 

[justwatchin]

Heeney and possibly Griffiths are both worth late first round/early second round selections. Good year of NSW talent and Heeney is the top guy from that group. With Heeney as part of the Swans academy with the system now working more like F/S as I understand it he's probably a second round pick assuming Sydney don't finish inside the top 4. I don't see a club inside the top 10 bidding and probably not anywhere inside the top 15 either.



I haven't seen the Tasmanian u18s just yet but will likely have a few names through the u18 champs for you. None from this years group caught my eye last year so those who get selected are likely to be more late draft selections unless someone has really developed out of their skin this past offseason.

I personally think that Heeney would be ranked inside the best 15 ATM, Griffiths has elite endurance and very good speed, but tends to turn the ball over too much under pressure.

 

[Dan87]

Thanks for the tip on Langford. Sounds like the sort of pick that would be exciting and what swans need. Will keep an eye out, don't think pick10 will be ours however, still love the sound of Clem Smith.

With Heeney, Dunkley, Perris, Hewett coming through Sydney can afford to recruit some more speed.

Swans won't pick a kid without speed.