Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Knightmare]

Knights after Brisbane Lions big win yesterday
we could finish as high 15th and if Melbourne do get a high Compo for Chip Frawley means we could have pick 5 who would be available in this Draft range we could look at would Wright still be available or do you think we would go midfield

The top four picks look like:
Saints
Giants
Lions
Demons

Then again as we've found out this week anything can happen so we'll have to wait and see for a final outcome.

With Brisbane at pick 3 and McCartin and Petracca presumably going picks 1/2 Wright is in my view the pick and I imagine probably that third on most draft boards. He's a strong list fit for Brisbane and in my view the best in the draft so personally I'd be jumping at the chance to get him.

Brisbane may still look to a midfielder - say Brayshaw at 3 given Hammelmann surely will be nominated as a further key forward but given Leuenberger's injuries, no Longer, West average at best, S.Martin almost always injured and nearing the end - as good as his late season form has been Wright is in my view the ideal addition as a potential franchise key forward who can play through the ruck some and as a guy who should be taken in addition to Hammelmann.

The midfield would still be deficient and the footskills from the team as a unit also is lacking, both areas will be less bad with Rich back and perhaps some smart late/rookie draft picks would help. Billy Evans as one example if he can be had late/rookie could be a good long term piece to build with as a midfielder. Caleb Daniel through the midfield as a rookie probably also helps both finding the ball but also using it. A Viojo-Rainbow similarly late/rookie as a good kicking defender is another appropriate fit.

But no matter the direction Brisbane will need a few seasons of building I imagine to make up ground and move up the ladder.

Hey Knightmare

might be an idea to start one of the opening comments with what your club needs section. Seemingly repetitive questions get asked over, and over, and over and over, and over and over and.. yeah, you get the point.

Just food for thought old mate

I'm considering a number of things Yoda and it's a good suggestion.

I'm considering a complete re-jig with my bios - making it most specific (strengths/weaknesses/where they can/can't improve among other things).

Will also if I get the chance do a needs assessment for the various clubs.

It all comes down to how much time I have.

 

[Yoda_]

I'm considering a number of things Yoda and it's a good suggestion.

I'm considering a complete re-jig with my bios - making it most specific (strengths/weaknesses/where they can/can't improve among other things).

Will also if I get the chance do a needs assessment for the various clubs.

It all comes down to how much time I have.

Would hate to be in your position, answering essentially the same questions over, and over, and over again.

 

[Demon 16]

Hey Knightmare,

Are there any key position players that you could see Melbourne taking, should Petracca and/or Brayshaw not be available?

I know you're a 'best available' philosophist, but if say Wright was available, could you see us taking him ahead of say, Brayshaw?

 

[Knightmare]

Hey Knightmare,

Are there any key position players that you could see Melbourne taking, should Petracca and/or Brayshaw not be available?

I know you're a 'best available' philosophist, but if say Wright was available, could you see us taking him ahead of say, Brayshaw?

There is no reason Melbourne should be passing on Wright in my view if there.

He could be the best key forward or best ruckman. He's a logical fit alongside Hogan and could if required play ruck minutes. So I wouldn't be saying no to Wright.

Wright or Brayshaw? It just depends on who Melbourne like more and who is deemed a better list fit. But for me Wright.

Outside of Wright the other tall with a sneaky chance for Melbourne is Lever who could fit anywhere in the first round and has a less clear range. It's not out of the question he could go earlier than anticipated but it depends on whether Melbourne are one of the clubs who rate Lever higher rather than lower.

 

[Yoda_]

Melbourne would be silly to overlook Wright IMHO.

A forward (behind Hogan) who can play ruck minutes (behind Gawn &/or Spencer).

They have a developing midfield already with a handful of returning players for 2015 will see them rise up soon enough IMHO.

 

[Yoda_]

Rumour has it that Reece McKenzie (that kid who kicked 10 the other week) kicked 16 for Marcellin yesterday.

Maybe time to rethink where he sits

 

[Demon 16]

Melbourne would be silly to overlook Wright IMHO.

A forward (behind Hogan) who can play ruck minutes (behind Gawn &/or Spencer).

They have a developing midfield already with a handful of returning players for 2015 will see them rise up soon enough IMHO.

Chances of us having picks 2 and 3 behind St Kilda are getting stronger.

I'd be pretty happy with Petracca and Wright, but I do see us trying to trade one of those picks if it was to go that way.

 

[Knightmare]

Rumour has it that Reece McKenzie (that kid who kicked 10 the other week) kicked 16 for Marcellin yesterday.

Maybe time to rethink where he sits

He's got some traits. Good height, good size frame and can leap and take some big contested grabs. But I'm not sold on him.

It's a nice step in the right direction kicking 16 at Marcellin if true but I'm waiting for more dominant performances at TAC Cup level.
His production has in the most part been mild at best other than that 10 goal game against a weak Eastern Ranges. I'm still waiting for him to replicate that performance at least at TAC Cup level and against a stronger team closer to full strength. Other than that one big game he's hardly averaging a goal a game which isn't nearly enough for a key forward with such a size advantage at TAC level.

With key forwards it's about taking guys who project as elite by position and McKenzie while his traits keep you watching and generate intrigue he needs the production to compliment those traits before he finds his way onto my draft board.

On his draft position, he could go as early as the second round but given he's only done it in one game against a weak team he could just as easily be a rookie pick or go undrafted if he doesn't have further strong games late season. Just so many good talls this year that I wouldn't be betting on anything until he proves to us he can produce more consistently.

 

[bmaurizio]

Hi Knightmare If the Baggers finish up with pick 5 /7 which way do you see us going. We desperately need a quality tall , do think that there may still one available ? Or do we land a quality min?
Ciao

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare If the Baggers finish up with pick 5 /7 which way do you see us going. We desperately need a quality tall , do think that there may still one available ? Or do we land a quality min?
Ciao

Durdin may be a chance for the Blues. More likely to be there at 5 than he will be at 7. Goddard along with Lever and Marchbank as key defenders all chances as talls in that range.

Brayshaw if he slides through would be a great get. An Ahern or Laverde if they rise could be other considerations as mid/forwards in that range.

 

[bmaurizio]

Durdin may be a chance for the Blues. More likely to be there at 5 than he will be at 7. Goddard along with Lever and Marchbank as key defenders all chances as talls in that range.

Brayshaw if he slides through would be a great get. An Ahern or Laverde if they rise could be other considerations as mid/forwards in that range.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts it's appreciated. I 'd love Durdin and if we slip further Lever would be good too.
Hoping that somehow we mange to get it right.
Ciao

 

[TwentyNine]

Any particular reason why Lachie Weller has slipped so far down the order KM?

 

[bmaurizio]

Knightmare Tony Lamb seems to have dropped too lately. Ranked a potential top 10 pick not long ago any reasons for the change? not mentioned as often now. I was hoping the Blues would have a close look at him.
Thanks

 

[grundog49]

Knightmare what is your opinion on Jake Johanson and Alex Neal-Bullen? Both are playing well at SANFL senior level and I rate them very highly personally, meawhile everyone is rating them very lowly.

 

[Mofra]

Does anyone have an update on Jake Lever's progress?
By all accounts he's grown 2cm this year.

 

[Bulldogsnm1]

Hey Knightmare,

Have you seen anything of Jeremy Finlayson, saw him first time on Saturday playing for NSW/ACT. Terrific height and quite mobile.

Is he in the mix at all?

 

[God Save Max King]

Does anyone have an update on Jake Lever's progress?
By all accounts he's grown 2cm this year.

He's up to 194cm, but will not play this year but I'm confident he will kill it at the combine.

 

[Knightmare]

Any particular reason why Lachie Weller has slipped so far down the order KM?

It's less Weller not performing as it is others are showing they can really play strong footy.

Knightmare Tony Lamb seems to have dropped too lately. Ranked a potential top 10 pick not long ago any reasons for the change? not mentioned as often now. I was hoping the Blues would have a close look at him.
Thanks

I've never been top 10 high on Lamb. Others have and may still rate him that high for all I know.

Lamb has ability but too much is missing. Footskills inconsistent. Effort/intensity inconsistent. Marking ability inconsistent. Not yet a contested ball winner. He's a guy with his talent I'd be considering second round but first round I'd recommend clubs pass on him.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare what is your opinion on Jake Johanson and Alex Neal-Bullen? Both are playing well at SANFL senior level and I rate them very highly personally, meawhile everyone is rating them very lowly.

Johansen hasn't left me convinced. A small with poor footskills as good as he is at finding the footy he's not someone who appeals to me.

Neal-Bullen is a good one and is in my top 25 power rankings and at 32 in my phantom at this stage. Probably hasn't been spoken about as much as he probably should. Some little bits he needs to clean up - footskills, decision making, needs to lower his eyes more and can find more outside ball but he's an elite inside ball winner, has some good pace and can at times do some real damage with his disposal by hand and foot. So he's definitely very draftable and a late 1st-2nd round prospect in my mind.

Does anyone have an update on Jake Lever's progress?
By all accounts he's grown 2cm this year.

He's still listed at 192cm in the TAC record so he's 192cm until AFL.com late season release the updated heights.

Hey Knightmare,

Have you seen anything of Jeremy Finlayson, saw him first time on Saturday playing for NSW/ACT. Terrific height and quite mobile.

Is he in the mix at all?

Finlayson is promising.

And I also like what Harris Andrews from QLD has shown.

I'd be open to nominating either as rookies.

Finlayson is quick and good on the lead. Has some power to him. Long kick. Has ability both close to goal and up the ground. Good size and seems to be putting size on well. He's got something and as a project is a guy who can improve.

 

[TwentyNine]

It's less Weller not performing as it is others are showing they can really play strong footy.

Sounds like someone will be getting a bargain.

 

[ROYAL EAGLE]

Where do you see WCE finishing up ?

Cant see us winning another game apart from the Melbourne home game.
And that will be 50/50 game as we be putting players out to get ready for preseason.

I think we will finish 6th maybe even 5th last, with Richmond Carlton and maybe the Bulldogs jumping over us.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Sounds like someone will be getting a bargain.

Wouldn't mind StKilda collecting the set.

 

[InTheWings]

Knightmare, Waterman was not invited to the combine. Will this effect his ranking? Could you see West Coast picking him up as a forth rounder?

Otherwise I find it interesting that not enough teams are interested in him for a combine invite.

 

[fronkalicious]

Km

Seems like a reasonably clear picture of dalrymples drafting philosophy is becoming evident:

1. Must be able to win contests
2. Must be versatile and able to play in multiple positions
3. Must be of high character
4. Must be footy smart
5. Take long term best available based on upside and regardless of injury or exposed form.
6. Take Victorians whenever possible.

Seems like more traditional assets (ie speed) aren't as high on his list of priorities and neither is team needs.

That being the case, who do you think fits the criteria at pick 6 if the 3 talls and petraca/Brayshaw are off the board?

 

[HeavyPop]

KM any thoughts on Jordan Harper from Belconnen? Seems to have been dominating the NEAFL, could he be a chance of a late rookie pick?