Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[Knightmare]

Just looking at the stats and he was in the best in 13 of 20 games this season. I can also see that his ineffective kicks is quite high. Which is unfortunate as I played a bit of junior footy with him and his disposal was always really good. Might have something to do with added pressure/higher intensity at TAC level? Who knows. Hopefully he gets rookied at least.

Urban has always dominated as a junior so there may also be a thought towards limited scope to develop.

But with regards to his footskills he just lacks that polish of some of the better players. Inside can look pressured. Outside he is not damaging and can at times also miss some targets he should routinely hit.

My feel is he can become a good state leaguer given his contested ball winning ability and ability to find the ball around the ground but that is largely where I see his ceiling at this point.

Urban seems to have a big following on bigfooty and is probably I can only assume known for his junior success. Bradley Walsh in WA is a similar story though perhaps the slightly better of the two.

 

[Shaneprice97]

I hope someone gives Manson a go on the rookie list.

 

[Knightmare]

I hope someone gives Manson a go on the rookie list.

Just as a football fan I agree with you. Really hope to see Manson given a shot. He is a terrific talent.

 

[Morningmare]

Km how much do you take into account testing at the combine in terms of drafting boys

 

[Knightmare]

Km how much do you take into account testing at the combine in terms of drafting boys

Clubs put stock into the combine. I couldn't be less interested.

You can run a 2.75sec 20m and not be able to apply that pace in game. When that's the case you may as well only run 20m over 3sec. A guy may have an 80cm standing vertical and have no ability to take marks overhead, so generally I see the value of the testing as being overstated.

I personally use the testing to help explain the things that I see in game. That's the extent of the value of the testing in my mind.

 

[SaintsSeptember]

Clubs put stock into the combine. I couldn't be less interested.

You can run a 2.75sec 20m and not be able to apply that pace in game. When that's the case you may as well only run 20m over 3sec. A guy may have an 80cm standing vertical and have no ability to take marks overhead, so generally I see the value of the testing as being overstated.

I personally use the testing to help explain the things that I see in game. That's the extent of the value of the testing in my mind.

I guess if its used in the right context its useful. For example you have your eye on two speedy mids, but you aren't sure which. The combine results could help tip the balance.
I agree with you though, that recruiters really should look at actual football first and foremost.

 

[Lyyynnnchy]

Knightmare, what do you think about Nakia Cockatoo?

 

[blueiris]

Do you know who the father/son were who got nominated today are and where you see them drafted?

 

[eagle eyed]

Hey KM, I know this is a little off topic, but do you still think Sam Day is tracking in line with your initial expectations?

 

[fitzbane Lions]

See I think due to his dad's condition, pick 4 may come into play more as i have heard a whisper this afternoon that he will sit out and wait until his contract ends to be with his dad. now if that did happen. massive loss for footy.

Beams isnt a free agent till end of 2016 - just uncontracted at the end of next season - so effectively (unless you win the wooden spoon next year) you will still have to offer something to get him.

Personally i think Beams is worth more than pick 4. but we may have to accept this UNLESS Gold Coast come on board and offer up their first pick and 1 of their quality kids - wouldnt mind pick 7/8+ a prestia(probably a reach), lonergan, McKenzie, or even a Day, Lynch or Dixon. Omeara would be a dream but just wont happen.

that would force Brisbane to up their ante and offer their pick 4 as well as a quality kid i.e. Maise/Aish.

 

[fitzbane Lions]

Scott Clayton's son.

Do you know who the father/son were who got nominated today are and where you see them drafted?[/QUOTE

 

[fitzbane Lions]

Not going to get done as Clark has picked Gee long as his preferred.

I'd prefer to have Mitch Clark for Harry O]

 

[paul scholes]

Question without notice
Might be jumping the gun here, but looks like the dogs might have a stack of picks in this years draft, and just wondering the depth of this years crop?
Thanks in advancr

 

[eaglespremiers]

Clubs put stock into the combine. I couldn't be less interested.

You can run a 2.75sec 20m and not be able to apply that pace in game. When that's the case you may as well only run 20m over 3sec. A guy may have an 80cm standing vertical and have no ability to take marks overhead, so generally I see the value of the testing as being overstated.

I personally use the testing to help explain the things that I see in game. That's the extent of the value of the testing in my mind.

Thinking about this today looking at the records for the 20m sprint and repeat sprint held by Joel Wilkerson (who is no longer on a list).
Testing can show who is an athlete but not who is a footballer.

 

[theflea]

KM would taking Nakia Cockatoo at pick 11 for us be a reach? What should he be pick at ie what round? Thanks

 

[eaglespremiers]

KM would taking Nakia Cockatoo at pick 11 for us be a reach? What should he be pick at ie what round? Thanks

That seems very early.
He hasn't had much exposed form this year.

 

[PostPaolo]

Hey KM,

I saw that one of the US boys Evan Bruinsma topped the Running vertical jump. Just curious if you know anything about him and whether their are clubs interested in recruiting?

 

[Knightmare]

I guess if its used in the right context its useful. For example you have your eye on two speedy mids, but you aren't sure which. The combine results could help tip the balance.
I agree with you though, that recruiters really should look at actual football first and foremost.

I know many that would use the testing to tip the balance but I'd still be referring to what I see in game and not let the testing cloud my decision making.

With speed one guy may test slightly better but the other guy may have the smarts and experience as an example hitting a contest at speed and enough speed to head out the other side with the ball. I'd again put speed if that's what you're looking for, be looking at how they apply their speed in game and who applies their speed in game in the most impactful way, most often.

Knightmare, what do you think about Nakia Cockatoo?

He's good. Love his pace and ability to use that pace in game impactfully. If available mid draft I feel he could be a good choice for a club.

Do you know who the father/son were who got nominated today are and where you see them drafted?

Someone might be able to confirm but I believe:
Darcy Moore, Billy Stretch, Josh Clayton, Zaine Cordy and Alec Waterman are the father son nominations.

Foster not nominated and don't believe Dear nominated either.

Hey KM, I know this is a little off topic, but do you still think Sam Day is tracking in line with your initial expectations?

I expected Day to be much better than he is and since then I've learnt a less about the importance of junior production in addition to having the right mix of traits by position to achieve success.

Day has a great mix of traits as a nice height/size/athlete with strong hands overhead and a good long kick. The issue has always been and remains that he isn't a volume goalkicker or a super high production player by position. It's more something in hindsight now understanding what I now understand that his development makes sense as a capable but not dominant key position player.

Question without notice
Might be jumping the gun here, but looks like the dogs might have a stack of picks in this years draft, and just wondering the depth of this years crop?
Thanks in advancr

It's not a bad year for the Dogs to have draft picks, particularly first round or even better top 10 picks given the strong, strong depth of key position players available this year. A below average year if you want mids or non key position players.

The dynamic is the top end is even. The top 10 is where you want a pick if you want a key position player. The top 20 is fairly even. Top 30 is good as it is most years. After 30, maybe 40 it's pretty even through to 80.

 

[Knightmare]

Thinking about this today looking at the records for the 20m sprint and repeat sprint held by Joel Wilkerson (who is no longer on a list).
Testing can show who is an athlete but not who is a footballer.

You are right in that sense and Joel Wilkinson is that most prominent example. Speed, endurance. Also his benchpress for a mid sizer is phenomenal and among the best in the competition - including key position players which is staggering. Caolan Mooney at Collingwood is another who struggled offensively to use his pace in game, he just felt tentative with ball in hand and like Wilkinson particularly offensively struggled to fully utilise his pace in game.

Just overall as I wouldn't use testing positively I wouldn't negatively either. If they're not using their pace in game then it's for me not relevant whether they can run or not.

With those athlete, not footballer types just watching their games should tell you this generally anyway.

KM would taking Nakia Cockatoo at pick 11 for us be a reach? What should he be pick at ie what round? Thanks

The chances are strong that Cockatoo is available in the second round so it would be unnecessary to spend such a high selection on him. He is a terrific talent but don't think he is the 11th best in this draft.

Hey KM,

I saw that one of the US boys Evan Bruinsma topped the Running vertical jump. Just curious if you know anything about him and whether their are clubs interested in recruiting?

Evan is 6'8/203cm. I believe he played small forward with some power forward minutes in college basketball for Detroit Titans. 97kg and a springy athlete but not a powerhouse as a thinner built guy with a weakish upper body.

Are clubs interested? I don't have any specific club names but I imagine he would be a consideration with his testing results sure to intrigue.

Marvin Baynham also seems to be a consideration taking out the standing vertical record as a more powerful athlete.

 

[x_les_x]

There are some but they're not overly impressive. That and clubs today are more interested in taking established ruckmen out of the hands of other clubs.

This year there is Brayden Preuss from QLD who is an overager. Not a standout ruckman but looks good pushing back taking intercept marks.

Tom Reed is an average ruckman but can push forward and take a mark.

Rowan Marshall can find a bit of the ball around the ground but not a dominant tap ruckman.

Marc Pittonet is a pretty good tap ruckman but around the ground is poor.

Sam Baulderstone as a mature ager has been a good improver over the years, losing a stack of weight. Can find the footy and use it well but not a dominant tap ruckman or followup ruckman.

Mark Kovacevic is a pretty good tap ruckman and can take some strong marks around the ground.

Darcy Cameron as an overager got some games at WAFL League level and competed ok before playing the second half of the season at Reserves level.

Sam Tagliabue is probably the more interesting of the VFL ruckmen but I'd have him behind Baulderstone.

Cameron Loersch as an overager had a strong season up forward but only played colts in WA. Has also played some ruck in the past. But just being that year older and only playing colts, it's ideal progress.

There will be a few ruckmen taken but they are or should be rookie picks if taken.

Oh I see well than regarding gorringe and Ryder both may be coming to port and as yu said we're pinching ready made rucks.

Through these revelations ports first and second round will most likely be gone. Is there anyone of value who can slide to pick 54 and further?

 

[Knightmare]

Oh I see well than regarding gorringe and Ryder both may be coming to port and as yu said we're pinching ready made rucks.

Through these revelations ports first and second round will most likely be gone. Is there anyone of value who can slide to pick 54 and further?

There are always players who slide through to the later parts of the draft and represent value.

At that range one example of someone who could slide through to the third round for Port Adelaide is Dean Gore. Love his game and feel he is a first round quality midfielder so get someone like him and you're doing well.

Nakia Cockatoo who is the flavour of the week given his performance the other week may be another who could be available.

Toby McLean as a small marking forward I feel late draft would represent strong value. Very well performed and hasn't received much attention.

As talls if Reece McKenzie or Oscar McDonald slide they both would represent strong value.

There will either be a slider or someone who isn't rated as highly as they should be available late in any case I'm sure.

 

[Old Campaigner]

Hey KM,
Emma Quayle just did a piece on the rucks in the draft, obviously Peter Wright will go pretty early but do you know how the others at the combine are rated? Are there any you think Essendon might be interested in?

And just a general question about recruiting, is there a metric clubs use to measure 'coach-ability' of players and is that something that is regarded as important?

 

[grundog49]

Km is this just me, or the wildcards in this draft a nakia cockatoo and tom lamb

 

[grundog49]

Km is this just me, or the wildcards in this draft a nakia cockatoo and tom lamb

 

[bloke_]

Do you think Fremantle might go tall again with our first few picks? We did last year so would it be concerning for our midfield depth if we missed out on two drafts of midfielders?

Also is there any chance Pickett drops to our first pick?