Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Knightmare]

Hey KM, any rumours about who the tigers are interviewing and so on?

No strong rumours on Richmond, not that there have been strong rumours on many clubs.

I can see Richmond falling in love with Sam Durdin, but given Richmond's strong past couple of months I don't see him quite being available at Richmond's pick.

Lever, Marchbank, Pickett, Ahern and Laverde are some others I see Richmond looking at. R.McKenzie is a good one and someone else who Richmond would be smart to consider.

 

[bmaurizio]

Hi KM the Baggers may end up with pick 5. I'm hoping Durdin will be available at our pick.
What are thoughts your on the possible outcome ?
Thanks

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM the Baggers may end up with pick 5. I'm hoping Durdin will be available at our pick.
What are thoughts your on the possible outcome ?
Thanks

It's most likely at this stage whichever of Durdin or Brayshaw is available at 5. For a third option Reece McKenzie has the ability to rise up some draft boards given his strong late season form and improvement.

 

[zorbadunde]

Hey KM long time no talk. Just wanted to know if Blake Hardwick is eligible for this years draft? Also I have had a keen eye on him since he was a young junior but Joshua Iacobaccio made his long awaited return from injury yesterday for the Knights. Even being off for 10 weeks still took most kick outs with polish and held his man to 1 goal. Is he a rookie change anywhere? Reminds me of Marley Williams with much better skills.

 

[Yoda_]

I know he won't be a key forward at the next level but gee Aaron Wilson's (Dandenong Stingrays) season is impressive.

Can you tell us a little bit more about him and where he sits in draft calculations KnightmarE?

 

[redandblack]

Sam Durdin was reasonable yesterday and seems to be moving much better now. I have no doubt his wrist injury has adversely affected him for most of this season.

Along with a bad day for his team, Jess Watchman struggled against the bigger bodies at SANFL League level.

 

[bmaurizio]

It's most likely at this stage whichever of Durdin or Brayshaw is available at 5. For a third option Reece McKenzie has the ability to rise up some draft boards given his strong late season form and improvement.

Thanks KM appreciate your good work.
I'd be very happy with either of the options you suggested as both areas need addressing . However do you think that pick 5 is well invested in Mckenzie?
He be a favorite and good feel story for certain being Warrens lad but just not so confident, can you gives more insights into his potential. Thanks again keep up the great work.
Ciao

 

[Bailey01]

Are we a chance of getting Lachie Weller? After Gold Coasts pick?

 

[XU1-ROO]

Hi Km. Enjoy your work. Wonder if you had a idea who the Kangaroos are after. I'm thinking an outside type like Harvey and Wells. Thanks.

 

[Rowie6]

Any chance of Tom Lamb lasting till the Hawks 1st pick if we don't trade it KM?

 

[Masto]

Dean Gore has come in a lot. What made you suddenly a big fan?

I don't think Tyler Keitel will make it past the Eagles 2nd round pick - and I doubt he makes it that far. He has too much talent.

 

[eth-dog]

Hey Knighter, what do you think about Essendon drafting Dan Connors? Averaging 3 goals/game at VFL level and would be an ideal Winderlich replacement.

 

[12Chill]

Hey Knighter, what do you think about Essendon drafting Dan Connors? Averaging 3 goals/game at VFL level and would be an ideal Winderlich replacement.

Is this a new Dan Connors or is this former Richmond player Daniel Connors?

 

[eth-dog]

Is this a new Dan Connors or is this former Richmond player Daniel Connors?

Same one. He's been awesome in the VFL this season

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM long time no talk. Just wanted to know if Blake Hardwick is eligible for this years draft? Also I have had a keen eye on him since he was a young junior but Joshua Iacobaccio made his long awaited return from injury yesterday for the Knights. Even being off for 10 weeks still took most kick outs with polish and held his man to 1 goal. Is he a rookie change anywhere? Reminds me of Marley Williams with much better skills.

Hardwick is eligible next year. A Feb 97 boy.

Iacobaccio has been back since the start of the month. He wasn't invited to the national combine or state screening so unlikely to get drafted. He isn't nearly as tall as Marley Williams as a mid 170cm guy so I'm not convinced I'd be comparing him to Williams.

I know he won't be a key forward at the next level but gee Aaron Wilson's (Dandenong Stingrays) season is impressive.

Can you tell us a little bit more about him and where he sits in draft calculations KnightmarE?

Wilson was invited to the state screenings so he could as a rookie be considered. Had a good one v Geelong Falcons with four goals.

Wilson is a strong marking medium forward who particularly good in the air but also capable on the lead and 1v1. Long but at times inconsistent kick. From game to game is inconsistent and doesn't find a whole lot of the footy but also has had his better games.

Thanks KM appreciate your good work.
I'd be very happy with either of the options you suggested as both areas need addressing . However do you think that pick 5 is well invested in Mckenzie?
He be a favorite and good feel story for certain being Warrens lad but just not so confident, can you gives more insights into his potential. Thanks again keep up the great work.
Ciao

I wouldn't have a problem with taking McKenzie with a top 5 pick if I had one.

McKenzie is a genuine go to guy and power forward. Probably doesn't go that high but he's the closest thing to Travis Cloke in this draft as that dominant power mark and goal forward. I'd love for the Pies to have a shot at him and I'm still deciding whether I'd take McKenzie or Moore first. McKenzie is the more powerful and better performed and the stronger mark of the two so I can't help but today lean towards him.

For my detailed McKenzie bio see page one.

Are we a chance of getting Lachie Weller? After Gold Coasts pick?

Weller is a definite chance to be taken by Gold Coast. They're very familiar with him and has certainly been connected to them. It's possible he slips past Gold Coast but it's up in the air at the moment. Can't say I have information that they will/won't take him so until then I'd have him in calculations as a possible for all picks inside the top 20.

Hi Km. Enjoy your work. Wonder if you had a idea who the Kangaroos are after. I'm thinking an outside type like Harvey and Wells. Thanks.

A big is also possible in the first round if the club like one but otherwise I tend to agree it will be a mostly outside theme.

Paul Ahern is one I imagine North Melbourne will strongly consider. Laverde if available. Pickett in the surprising scenario he slides. Garlett not entirely out of the question with North's pick the very top end range that he could be considered.

If looking big Reece McKenzie as a power forward I feel would be a great choice as a go to guy late first round and is a fair chance of being available.

Any chance of Tom Lamb lasting till the Hawks 1st pick if we don't trade it KM?

Not out of the question that he's available. Could plausibly slide into the second round.

His intensity in game and want hasn't always been there so I'm not certain every club would be completely love what they've seen.

Not sure Hawthorn would take him first round. While an improving kick he isn't up to the clubs usual standards by foot. I imagine Hawthorn would want some genuine key position size guys with few options at present on that list. A Marchbank if he slides would I imagine really appeal to Hawthorn. Lever in the surprising scenario he slides. Goddard perhaps. McKenzie as a big forward if there. They'd all be better alternatives in my view.

Dean Gore has come in a lot. What made you suddenly a big fan?

I don't think Tyler Keitel will make it past the Eagles 2nd round pick - and I doubt he makes it that far. He has too much talent.

I like SA's midfielders. Gore for me is the pick of their group and I've liked all through the u18 champs and I'm enjoying what he's doing in the SANFL league. He's a strong, powerful body and wins the contested footy. Well performed for his age and has the senior footy behind him. But he also moves really well and can use the footy. He isn't restricted to playing midfield and can split his minutes between the midfield and front half. Not too many things I don't like. He's a genuine first round choice for me, just more likely going second or third round. I'd say the same for Neal-Bullen and Bampton who also have the performance behind them. Both look like they'll be really good pros and along with Gore in my view can play season one and hold their own if given the opportunity.

Keitel has looked good the past two weeks. I'm intrigued as to where he'll land on the back of those two big games.

Hey Knighter, what do you think about Essendon drafting Dan Connors? Averaging 3 goals/game at VFL level and would be an ideal Winderlich replacement.

Equal leader in the VFL for goalkicking. Just not finding all that much of it - though he has in the past. It's more I just wouldn't want that guy at my club. You'd really want to do the personality profiling and be convinced he has developed the professionalism required. A club could look at him as a rookie but I can't say I'm convinced.

If looking for a Winderlich replacement I like WA's Aidan Anderson. If ok going a little different for more a marking small Toby McLean I also really like and would take before I would Connors.

 

[HawkintheTuarts]

Looking at the recent drafts (08-12), where would you place this crop of draftees in comparison? I'd assume (my rambling opinion) in ranking them that 2010 stands out, with 2008 next, with 2009 the worst of the five and the other two somewhere in between.

 

[MooreTreloar]

Hey KN, do you think Mitch Thorp has a chance of being re-drafted this year?

 

[Knightmare]

Looking at the recent drafts (08-12), where would you place this crop of draftees in comparison? I'd assume (my rambling opinion) in ranking them that 2010 stands out, with 2008 next, with 2009 the worst of the five and the other two somewhere in between.

They're all much of a muchness. But with their different dynamics. The different dynamic this year is the sheer depth of really good talls (forward and back). The other different dynamic is there is no obvious 'star' or franchise player in this draft.

Wright and McCartin can be go to guys but aren't best player on a list dominant. Petracca is a dominant goalkicking midfielder but he is more Dustin Martin than Dangerfield and more a top few guy than a top one guy.

Understand these dynamics and that's about all you need to know about this draft.

Of the 2008-2014 drafts I tend to most like the 2008 draft (assuming you don't include the prelisted, zone, mini-draft or any other types outside of those actually picked in the national, preseason and rookie drafts).

Hey KN, do you think Mitch Thorp has a chance of being re-drafted this year?

Thorp was overlooked last year after a strong year so unlikely he gets a shot this year.

 

[tenderwarrior]

Knightmare, I would be interested in your opinion on just how good are the talls in this draft compared to years gone by? This draft doesn't seem to have the stand out key Forwards like Patton, Daniher, Hogan or Boyd like previous years, so i was wondering how you think this year's crop firstly compare to them, and secondly where would you rate the likes of McCarthy, Jaksch, Shaw and Apeness if they were in this draft year?

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare, I would be interested in your opinion on just how good are the talls in this draft compared to years gone by? This draft doesn't seem to have the stand out key Forwards like Patton, Daniher, Hogan or Boyd like previous years, so i was wondering how you think this year's crop firstly compare to them, and secondly where would you rate the likes of McCarthy, Jaksch, Shaw and Apeness if they were in this draft year?

There is no Patton/Boyd in this draft and no top 1-8 level key forwards in the game but there could be a number of 9-20 type key forwards in the game and some guys you can still really build around.

Wright is a similar level talent to Daniher. McCartin plays deeper than Hogan but is a similar level talent. McKenzie, Moore and Durdin are is better than McCarthy, Jaksch, Shaw and Apeness and are not far behind Wright and McCartin.

 

[HawkintheTuarts]

They're all much of a muchness. But with their different dynamics. The different dynamic this year is the sheer depth of really good talls (forward and back). The other different dynamic is there is no obvious 'star' or franchise player in this draft.

Wright and McCartin can be go to guys but aren't best player on a list dominant. Petracca is a dominant goalkicking midfielder but he is more Dustin Martin than Dangerfield and more a top few guy than a top one guy.

Understand these dynamics and that's about all you need to know about this draft.

Of the 2008-2014 drafts I tend to most like the 2008 draft (assuming you don't include the prelisted, zone, mini-draft or any other types outside of those actually picked in the national, preseason and rookie drafts).

Thanks, I guess trying to get a general feel of the scope of this draft in terms of quality. I think 2010 was better but like 2008, it was quite a deep draft and a lot of good players came out of it. So just trying to get a handle on this draft crop. From the looks it it goes about as deep in good talent (about Rd2) as recent drafts.

 

[Godogs247]

Good? Yes.
Best? No.



Baulderstone is a favourite of mine but I see him more as a rookie. Really like the rapid development and commitment to his football and body he's shown these past few seasons. Skilled and finds the footy.

Nathan Krakouer I'm not as high on but you're not the only SA person to bring him up.

I can see Port being active again at the trade table having had some good recent success there. But if Port keep those picks I can see some inside types as the most likely with Port lacking a few really good onballers to compliment the outside ball movement and run.

Dean Gore if available would be a strong choice in the second round.

A Touk Miller or Cory Gregson third round could be some other good value gets.

Best kick is Rainbow but his a 75% guy

 

[Crippa16]

Hey KM
How highly do you rate Tom Wilkinson from the Sandringham Dragons ? Do you think that he could be a late draft gem ?
From what I have heard he is a line breaking midfielder with good skills. Is this right ?
Thanks

 

[Domtysonmyhero]

Hey knight mare,
I was just wondering who you feel will be able to make the greatest difference next year in afl during there first season? Thanks!

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM
How highly do you rate Tom Wilkinson from the Sandringham Dragons ? Do you think that he could be a late draft gem ?
From what I have heard he is a line breaking midfielder with good skills. Is this right ?
Thanks

Invited to the state screenings so in with a chance but won't be high on all draft boards.

Wilkinson is a hard running outside type and is more an endurance specialist with the positional range to play wing/forward flank/back flank. Lacks some consistency by foot which showed during the u18 champs but for Sandy he has felt while he has performed well a touch underutilised playing too much forward and not enough up the field where he can really find the footy in bunches.

Given his endurance it's possible he intrigues a club late/rookie draft but at this point there are some others I favour.

Hey knight mare,
I was just wondering who you feel will be able to make the greatest difference next year in afl during there first season? Thanks!

I'd back in Angus Brayshaw and Christian Petracca in season one to be the immediate players.