Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[borderbarry]

I notice the Victorian full forwards from the weekend games are not listed in your draft. No love for them?

 

[Knightmare]

Just updated my power rankings on page one and they're going to continue changing over the coming weeks.

I notice the Victorian full forwards from the weekend games are not listed in your draft. No love for them?

Josh Schache I assume you are referring to. He is draft eligible next year. A strong first round chance and if next years draft was held tomorrow would be a top 10 selection.

Reece McKenzie the other guy I'm assuming you're talking about is a big unit. 196cm, 100kg. Can take a strong contested grab. His production despite his physical size advantage has been lean so he's not going early draft and is a borderline selection at best.

 

[manny100]

Hi KM, Petracca was in the best in the Champs game on the weekend. He seems to be playing more mid now. Is he likely to fly up the rankings if he keeps his form up or are the 'knocks' on his game likely to cap his draft range in the 20s'. Who does he play like as a mid, eg, Wines, Viney, Tyson etc. How does his 'mid' role pace compare to the others.

 

[Chris25]

Two weeks ago, Connor Blakely wasn't in your top 70. And now he is top 10? Was it just off the back of his game against SA that you didn't see? Or some sort of inside word? I do love a good scoop.

 

[tamba]

Just updated my power rankings on page one and they're going to continue changing over the coming weeks.



Josh Schache I assume you are referring to. He is draft eligible next year. A strong first round chance and if next years draft was held tomorrow would be a top 10 selection.

Reece McKenzie the other guy I'm assuming you're talking about is a big unit. 196cm, 100kg. Can take a strong contested grab. His production despite his physical size advantage has been lean so he's not going early draft and is a borderline selection at best.

Please get hold of the other interstate teams game tapes ,
you seem SO BIAS towards the Victorian players whom you see all the time in the TAC .
Others (from interstate WA & SA) play in their local 1st grade competition and are top players and are rated in their competitions, but for some reason or another you don't rate them because you haven't seen them play , so your phantom draft is on how you and your mates feel and is not true to the full set up.
By you own admission you didn't make the trip to SA v VC.
Why because you thought VC would give them a lesson? If SA kicked straight the lesson would be on the other foot.

 

[tamba]

Two weeks ago, Connor Blakely wasn't in your top 70. And now he is top 10? Was it just off the back of his game against SA that you didn't see? Or some sort of inside word? I do love a good scoop.

I'm interested in the answer to this as well,

A Hail Mary inclusion or draft pick ?

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM, Petracca was in the best in the Champs game on the weekend. He seems to be playing more mid now. Is he likely to fly up the rankings if he keeps his form up or are the 'knocks' on his game likely to cap his draft range in the 20s'. Who does he play like as a mid, eg, Wines, Viney, Tyson etc. How does his 'mid' role pace compare to the others.

Petracca has relatively moved up by rankings but I'm not prepared to call him the next Wines or the next anyone as a midfielder.

He had a strong performance this round but I want to see more of it through the midfield.

His draft range is still pretty open as he's still more a forward than a midfielder. The second half of the season and the success he has through the midfield will better determine his eventual draft position.

Two weeks ago, Connor Blakely wasn't in your top 70. And now he is top 10? Was it just off the back of his game against SA that you didn't see? Or some sort of inside word? I do love a good scoop.

Hadn't seen Blakely until a few weeks ago. Have since got tape of one of his senior WAFL games and liked what I've seen.

You should know by now my power rankings is an indication of where I rate the talent in the draft and is not a reflection of where they'll eventually get selected.

Please get hold of the other interstate teams game tapes ,
you seem SO BIAS towards the Victorian players whom you see all the time in the TAC .
Others (from interstate WA & SA) play in their local 1st grade competition and are top players and are rated in their competitions, but for some reason or another you don't rate them because you haven't seen them play , so your phantom draft is on how you and your mates feel and is not true to the full set up.
By you own admission you didn't make the trip to SA v VC.
Why because you thought VC would give them a lesson? If SA kicked straight the lesson would be on the other foot.

I've mostly seen the Victorians play to this point and at this time each year Victorians always feature more prominently.

It balances out over the year as you'll see from my past drafts when I've gone through all the u18 champs game tapes and have seen more SANFL and WAFL senior game tapes.

 

[TheLastEmperor]

McCartin being talked about more and more as the #1 pick. Are you feeling the same KM or still confident at this early stage Wright will be the first picked?

 

[Knightmare]

McCartin being talked about more and more as the #1 pick. Are you feeling the same KM or still confident at this early stage Wright will be the first picked?

Depends who is picking.

Brisbane wanting a key forward may go McCartin.

It's up to the club with the no.1 overall selection to determine who goes no.1.

I still like Wright myself though and he would by my choice if I had the pick.

 

[TheLastEmperor]

Depends who is picking.

Brisbane wanting a key forward may go McCartin.

It's up to the club with the no.1 overall selection to determine who goes no.1.

I still like Wright myself though and he would by my choice if I had the pick.

Looking at the draw it's looking likely Brisbane find themselves out of the bottom two, at least. My money is on GWS owning #1 again and St Kilda #2. If that's the case who would you have those two clubs choosing with their respective picks?

 

[Knightmare]

Looking at the draw it's looking likely Brisbane find themselves out of the bottom two, at least. My money is on GWS owning #1 again and St Kilda #2. If that's the case who would you have those two clubs choosing with their respective picks?

Brisbane and the media usually have some idea may be leaning towards McCartin.

If GWS are pick 1 and Saints pick 2 I expect GWS take Wright and Saints probably McCartin given the lack of a star young key forward.

 

[TheLastEmperor]

What about my mob?!

We need talent across the park but if I had to prioritise I'd say; Key forward followed by outside-pacy mid and finally key defender. Ruck, small/medium defenders/forwards and inside mids at the bottom of our shopping list. Pretty much what Richo said on SEN the other day.

 

[Dav1d]

What about my mob?!

We need talent across the park but if I had to prioritise I'd say; Key forward followed by outside-pacy mid and finally key defender. Ruck, small/medium defenders/forwards and inside mids at the bottom of our shopping list. Pretty much what Richo said on SEN the other day.

Durdin Can play as a KPP at either end or maybe Goddard who can do the same

 

[TheLastEmperor]

Durdin Can play as a KPP at either end or maybe Goddard who can do the same

You just want McCartin and Wright to slide, don't you?

 

[Dav1d]

You just want McCartin and Wright to slide, don't you?

yup, one to the first pick
then the other to the second pick but seriously, if you want someone that is versatile I'd probably be hoping for Durdin/Goddard

each club rates the talent differently, so as much as I'd love to get Wright or McCartin; the recruiter might feel as if they'd be limited at what they could accomplish at AFL level; to be honest, who I really want is Viojo-Rainbow, can't pass up on a name like that

 

[TheLastEmperor]

yup, one to the first pick
then the other to the second pick but seriously, if you want someone that is versatile I'd probably be hoping for Durdin/Goddard

each club rates the talent differently, so as much as I'd love to get Wright or McCartin; the recruiter might feel as if they'd be limited at what they could accomplish at AFL level; to be honest, who I really want is Viojo-Rainbow, can't pass up on a name like that

Strong name IMO.

I only saw a snippet of Durdin in the Foxtel Cup the other week. I must say, he didn't impress. He looks seriously underdeveloped in a Jarred Grant kind've way. Given it was his first game back from injury and he was well underdone. Just something NQR with him. Looks a long-term project.

Personally, I want a power forward, not a player who has an undefined role that requires long-term developing. I think the St Kilda fans need a quick fix and something to get excited about. McCartin looks like the read-to-go power forward we crave.

Wright is just a seriously ugly looking mofo, not sure if I could bare seeing that scone every week in a Saints jumper. Looks more suited to a team with a history of ugly players such as Geelong, IMO. 203cm version of Cameron Ling?

 

[Dav1d]

Strong name IMO.

I only saw a snippet of Durdin in the Foxtel Cup the other week. I must say, he didn't impress. He looks seriously underdeveloped in a Jarred Grant kind've way. Given it was his first game back from injury and he was well underdone. Just something NQR with him. Looks a long-term project.

Personally, I want a power forward, not a player who has an undefined role that requires long-term developing. I think the St Kilda fans need a quick fix and something to get excited about. McCartin looks like the read-to-go power forward we crave.

Wright is just a seriously ugly looking mofo, not sure if I could bare seeing that scone every week in a Saints jumper. Looks more suited to a team with a history of ugly players such as Geelong, IMO. 203cm version of Cameron Ling?

Or the Bulldogs? but fair enough on Durdin, how about Goddard? the recruiters would have seen plenty more of Durdin though and may think he has a bigger scope for improvement

I personally just wonder if Wright and McCartin are dominating at their level because of their sheer size and how they'd go at making the transition, they'll probably all take some time though

 

[TheLastEmperor]

Or the Bulldogs? but fair enough on Durdin, how about Goddard? the recruiters would have seen plenty more of Durdin though and may think he has a bigger scope for improvement

I personally just wonder if Wright and McCartin are dominating at their level because of their sheer size and how they'd go at making the transition, they'll probably all take some time though

I stress, St Kilda supporters need something to get excited about, not at the risk of choosing a man-child that doesn't have much scope for improvement. I suspect Wright and McCartin are not in that category. But, like all 18 year old prospects they will require development but in a team not challenging for finals they will get immediate opportunity, being physically ready, unlike Durdin, who looked like a kid verse men in the Foxtel Cup.

I don't mind what I've seen of Goddard but I think #1 priority for the StK FC is a powerful body coming out of the goal square, not an athletically gifted 'third tall' such as Goddard.

 

[ManOfClay]

Wright is just a seriously ugly looking mofo, not sure if I could bare seeing that scone every week in a Saints jumper. Looks more suited to a team with a history of ugly players such as Geelong, IMO. 203cm version of Cameron Ling?

Reminds me of a European soccer club which didn't take a gap-toothed skinny brazilian kid named Ronaldinho because of his lack of marketability.

Ronaldinho eventually makes it to Europe and becomes one of the world's best players and, at one stage, the face of a Nike campaign.

 

[nottenthagain]

it pains me to say this but i think GWS might just end up with pick 1 again now that brisbane beat carlton and faces the doggies and gws after that

It baffles me.... I know they're young but how can you accumulate that many early draft picks and still not show improvement. I know it might sound rich coming from a Sydney fan but we had much bigger retention (go home factor) issues when we were getting high picks each year back in the old days.

I'm not trying to sound vindictive but I struggle to see how you can't develop that many high picks into a valuable team... even in the short amount of time they've had in the comp.

 

[dlanod]

Wright is just a seriously ugly looking mofo, not sure if I could bare seeing that scone every week in a Saints jumper. Looks more suited to a team with a history of ugly players such as Geelong, IMO. 203cm version of Cameron Ling?

This is the team of Gehrig, Milne, Koschitzke and Goddard.

Though to be fair you've culled them all over the years.

 

[Punchy Demons]

Hey KM, I hear that Billy Stretch played a decent game vs Vic Country on the weekend.

Can you or anyone else give me a run down on young Stretch's game on the weekend & what he does well & what he needs to improve.

Is a 3rd rnd pick what he'll cost us as FS?

Thanks in advance

 

[Punchy Demons]

While I'm at it KM, have you seen Jake Lovett? If so, what are your thoughts on him & his strengths/weaknesses?

I'm pretty sure he is Brett's son & it's my understanding he is eligible for the 2015 draft. Is this correct?

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM, I hear that Billy Stretch played a decent game vs Vic Country on the weekend.

Can you or anyone else give me a run down on young Stretch's game on the weekend & what he does well & what he needs to improve.

Is a 3rd rnd pick what he'll cost us as FS?

Thanks in advance

Stretch is going well. Using his pace, finding the footy and using it well. He's doing what he does and displaying his strengths.

He'll need to improve the contested side of his game and I'd like to see him become stronger overhead as he has in the games I've seen anyway dropped a few marks he probably should have taken.

But he's tracking well. Will either cost Melbourne a 2nd / 3rd round selection if the draft was tomorrow. No guarantee a club late first round doesn't bid on Stretch so exactly which selection whether 2nd / 3rd round is still up in the air.

While I'm at it KM, have you seen Jake Lovett? If so, what are your thoughts on him & his strengths/weaknesses?

I'm pretty sure he is Brett's son & it's my understanding he is eligible for the 2015 draft. Is this correct?

Lovett is eligible next year. He's for his age a strong bodied midfielder. Has only played the two TAC Cup games to this point so he's still establishing himself at the level at this point but he should be a regular next year so we'll see more of him either in the back end of this year and if not then certainly next year.

 

[bone2468]

at this point in time, who would be the best choice for Fremantle with their first selection if Pickett/Smith are long gone?