Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Chris25]

Jake Johansen at 171cm 63kg hasn't convinced me yet. I'd like to see him play more forward and see how he goes as a crumber. That's about the only role I'd say height or lack there of doesn't matter.

Johansen played all of last year in the seniors for Port Adelaide, and kicked a goal a game as a small forward. Not bad for a 16/17 year old. Considering that, I think the most important thing is for him to play the year in the midfield and show he can compete with the best in there too. He has already proved himself as a small forward.

 

[RossFC]

Dont worry about this kids size he's a gun and would love to see him at Freo

Would you liken him to L.Neale?

 

[eastfreo75]

Johansen played all of last year in the seniors for Port Adelaide, and kicked a goal a game as a small forward. Not bad for a 16/17 year old. Considering that, I think the most important thing is for him to play the year in the midfield and show he can compete with the best in there too. He has already proved himself as a small forward.

Is he lightning quick?

 

[Chris25]

Is he lightning quick?

He runs a sub 3 second 20m. Not lightning quick, but probably would have placed top 15 at the draft combine last year. So, pretty good. He's a Brent Harvey type player, although obviously not at that level.

 

[Skippos]

Connor Blakely is a very good player either mid or back and should definitely be drafted also keeping an eye on Hardesty.

Unfortunately we didn’t get to see the best of both Winton & Walsh yesterday against S.A. as they were both injured (Corky’s) early 1st quarter, Winton didn’t return to the field however Walsh returned under constraint only to play forward, hopefully both will be right for the game against V.M. on Saturday as W.A. will need all their best players available to beat such a big powerful side.

I'm pretty sure Winton made it back?

 

[Knightmare]

Just out of curiosity KM did you see the game yesterday?

While I'm here - thoughts on Garlett? Looked a real package to me yesterday, was wondering where you rate him etc

Would love to have been there but only attend the games in Vic in person - not like anyone is paying for me to travel interstate to see these games.

Will over the coming days read some game reviews and with some luck get a copy of the game tape.

Hearing good things about the way Garlett performed. Still yet to see him play live. What did you like about Garlett's game?

 

[TheLastEmperor]

Kighta, a bit of talk that McCartin is being favoured over Wright. Do you see the gap closing between the two or Wright still the clear #1?

 

[Skippos]

Would love to have been there but only attend the games in Vic in person - not like anyone is paying for me to travel interstate to see these games.

Will over the coming days read some game reviews and with some luck get a copy of the game tape.

Hearing good things about the way Garlett performed. Still yet to see him play live. What did you like about Garlett's game?

Just was so composed and precise. Whenever he was in the centre WA looked so much better. Drilled several perfect kicks over long distances nailing targets in the forward half; seemed to really have a good kick and also had some really good run and carry, pace and seemed to be in the right spots often. I thought he was probably one of their best. Was the first i'd seen of him though so it could have just been a one off good game. I'd be interested to see how he tracked though as he really did look good.

I guess the best way to describe how he played is not dissimilar to everything I've read from the blokes on here about Pickett. Seemed as if Garlett played how Pickett was meant to

Will be interested to see what you think of him when they make the trip over to Victoria, then.

 

[Knightmare]

Kighta, a bit of talk that McCartin is being favoured over Wright. Do you see the gap closing between the two or Wright still the clear #1?

A few others like McCartin so it will be interesting to see whether he goes no.1 overall.

Wright is my choice though. Unless some medical testing suggests Wright's back is no good he'll remain ahead of McCartin in my power rankings.

 

[bone2468]

Any idea who fremantle will most likely pick up with their first pick?

 

[Draft Buster]

Would you liken him to L.Neale?

Yeah similar just needs to bulk up some more. On what I sore of him in the 16’s championships and again now he is a ball magnet and was very unlucky not to make the AIS. Everyone is talking about big body/tall mids but the best thing about our game is it doesn’t matter how tall you are just look at Sam Mitchell, L. Neal, B. Harvey for example, so long as you have a good footy brain and the skill you can make it at this level, we need these type of players in all clubs.

 

[Swansujelly]

Mills had 30+ over the weekend and is a swans acadamy, what are your early thoughts of him for next year? Real early thoughts.

 

[george2]

Hey Knightmare, what are your thoughts on the Dockers taking Clem Smith with their first pick? I would love to get him t Freo. I think he could make a great dashing defender who really hits the contests hard. He may well be a little on the short side for a defender and could become exposed at the next level but I think its worth the chance.

 

[HereIam86]

So you think the suns will pass on local Lachlan Weller

 

[Knightmare]

Any idea who fremantle will most likely pick up with their first pick?

With Fremantle presumably finishing top 4 even the day before the draft it's unlikely we know who Fremantle will take but it's more likely those couple of weeks before the media will be connecting names to clubs. Until then it's mixing and matching best availables with needs and hoping you get it right for as many clubs as possible along the way.

Mills had 30+ over the weekend and is a swans acadamy, what are your early thoughts of him for next year? Real early thoughts.

Yet to see Mills play. He's not Heeney but the early talk is he's the best of the NSW boys eligible next year.

Hey Knightmare, what are your thoughts on the Dockers taking Clem Smith with their first pick? I would love to get him t Freo. I think he could make a great dashing defender who really hits the contests hard. He may well be a little on the short side for a defender and could become exposed at the next level but I think its worth the chance.

Late first round is around the position I'd be willing to consider Clem Smith. He's someone who can play a role and provide a unique spark with his hardness and pace. Has some potential positional range so he's someone who could be flicked around until a role can be found.

There is still room for small crumbers in our game and Smith plays taller than his height so finding a role down back for a team is possible.

 

[Knightmare]

So you think the suns will pass on local Lachlan Weller

Gold Coast may take Weller. They may pass. He may not even be available.

Weller initially is from Tasmania which some Queensland followers might find interesting.

Having a local guy available doesn't mean he'll definitely be the pick.

It's not like all the Queenslanders in the competition play for either Gold Coast or Brisbane.

The draft doesn't work like that and Weller isn't part of the Gold Coast or Brisbane academy to be so certainly drafted by one of those clubs.

I expect Gold Coast to be open minded and take the best guy available unless they identify a specific need they wish to fill with their first round selection.

 

[bone2468]

who do you think fremantle would rather pick (Jarrod Pickett/Clem Smith)

 

[Knightmare]

who do you think fremantle would rather pick (Jarrod Pickett/Clem Smith)

Pickett is the better player. All teams should want him more.

Clem Smith can be a role player for a team. Pickett can be a difference maker. Pickett takes on the game and breaks the lines at every opportunity and has no fear with ball in hand. He just goes. Not many teams have guys like that, particularly with the way the game is opening up with the new age rule interpretations and less stoppages with the umpires there to keep the play going.

 

[bone2468]

Pickett is the better player. All teams should want him more.

Clem Smith can be a role player for a team. Pickett can be a difference maker. Pickett takes on the game and breaks the lines at every opportunity and has no fear with ball in hand. He just goes. Not many teams have guys like that, particularly with the way the game is opening up with the new age rule interpretations and less stoppages with the umpires there to keep the play going.

Gathering by what u think on pickett he will be long gone before fremantles first pick?

 

[Knightmare]

Gathering by what u think on pickett he will be long gone before fremantles first pick?

That's my expectation at this stage. Yes.

 

[bone2468]

That's my expectation at this stage. Yes.

crossing my fingers we land him then..... is he a comparison of Jakey Neade?

 

[Knightmare]

crossing my fingers we land him then..... is he a comparison of Jakey Neade?

Pickett is more Lewis Jetta as that linebreaking outside type.

 

[bone2468]

Pickett is more Lewis Jetta as that linebreaking outside type.

we definatly need him then

 

[mixed emotions]

KM A few clubs sniffed around Howe from the Bushies and as an overage he has been in their best 3 in every game he has played this season. Do you rate him, will he play for Vic country this weekend, is he a draft option

 

[swansRgunBRUH!]

Knightmare i know this is coming out of no where but can you tell me anything about sydney swans f/s Jacksony Kelly? if youve seen the rams play he is number 34, ive heard he's like his dad paul. Apparently one of his drills is running at a brickwall at flat out pace from 50 metres and then goes back, and does it again! Please reply if you can.