Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[hollywood23]

Been watching Cockatoo at the combine and he is a class above. Think he may have just shot into the top 20 over the past week. Killed the kicking test when all the others were spraying them, and his speed is elite. Would be delighted if Essendon used pick 19/20 on him.

 

[banana_bus]

What are Ahmed Saads chances of getting drafted guys?

 

[theflea]

Been watching Cockatoo at the combine and he is a class above. Think he may have just shot into the top 20 over the past week. Killed the kicking test when all the others were spraying them, and his speed is elite. Would be delighted if Essendon used pick 19/20 on him.

If the tigers used pick 11 is that too high? At the end of the day if a player is good does it matter?

 

[Cori]

Hoping the dogs can snag Cockatoo with one of the dud picks we receive for Tutt or Jones.

 

[Rancid Trogs]

Hey KM,

In regards to Jake Long, Paige Cardona wrote:

''At 190cms and just 72 kilograms, Long is a rangy midfielder, blessed with speed, poise and a strong marking ability akin to Scott Pendlebury.''

Do you have any knowledge on him? I know he's hardly been sighted over the last 18 - 24 months but was hoping you had some knowledge.

Cheers

 

[McRobie]

KM, Terry Wallace has Mills as the no1 ranked player in next years draft, do you see it this way as well?

 

[Sunny_]

Who are the rookie options, KM? The Suns have said they're committing to mature age rookies to increase depth for 2015.

 

[Knightmare]

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?

I imagine all the other ruckmen are considered to be more rookie selections. No standouts other than Wright - who is better as a forward anyway.

Marvin Baynham as an American ruckman I feel is a real shot as a category B rookie given his strong testing results.

If Essendon want someone immediate which I presume is the case that's not happening in this draft. Trading is the only way to go to adequately replace Ryder.

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

Both could go anywhere and will be in different places on different draft boards.

Lamb as one example I see as a third round quality prospect and others rate him a first round selection, some as high as top 10.

Cockatoo similarly given his talent but lack of exposure is another. I value him as a 20-30 quality pick but where he lands is also very open and unconfirmed until we hear some strong rumours of just how interested clubs are. He could be a late first rounder, he could be a late pick. I imagine he'll be somewhere more around the 2nd/3rd round mark.

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?

I imagine Fremantle will go for more immediate players. Pavlich, Sandilands, McPharlin. They're all 30+ and nearing the end. Forget the long term chances of the club, why not take one last shot while you've still got them?

I think the strong play Fremantle made for Frawley is a revealing sign of the win now direction the club are looking. Those first few picks may well get moved for all we know.

If no major trade week movement I'd be recommending going tall given the strength and depth of tall options in this draft and Fremantle's relatively unexciting group of talls coming through.

Been watching Cockatoo at the combine and he is a class above. Think he may have just shot into the top 20 over the past week. Killed the kicking test when all the others were spraying them, and his speed is elite. Would be delighted if Essendon used pick 19/20 on him.

I expect he has lots of clubs excited also. Will be interesting to see where he goes.

What are Ahmed Saads chances of getting drafted guys?

It's a real unknown given he hasn't played this year. Not out of the question that he gets another shot but yet to hear anything solid on the interest of clubs in him at this point.

Hoping the dogs can snag Cockatoo with one of the dud picks we receive for Tutt or Jones.

It might take a second round selection to secure him. Increasing likely it will take a higher rather than lower pick to get Cockatoo.

Hey KM,

In regards to Jake Long, Paige Cardona wrote:

''At 190cms and just 72 kilograms, Long is a rangy midfielder, blessed with speed, poise and a strong marking ability akin to Scott Pendlebury.''

Do you have any knowledge on him? I know he's hardly been sighted over the last 18 - 24 months but was hoping you had some knowledge.

Cheers

Has only played the two TAC Cup games and one VFL game. Numbers uninspiring but have not seen any of his games live as far as I'm away.

He isn't in the mix for selection to my knowledge.

KM, Terry Wallace has Mills as the no1 ranked player in next years draft, do you see it this way as well?

I would agree with Terry that Mills is the top pick of next years group if I was to put forward my power rankings for you today. Mills is terrific and better evan than Heeney. Sydney are on a winner again thanks to the academy.

Same story with Brisbane with Keays who is a top five quality pick and is by far and away the best Queenslander since Beams.

 

[Knightmare]

Who are the rookie options, KM? The Suns have said they're committing to mature age rookies to increase depth for 2015.

Josh Glenn is probably the most interesting of the mature agers and has some versatility. Very well performed in the SANFL.

If looking mature age watch out for Matthew Panos as a big bodied midfielder (eg Dog) - can also play key forward/key defence. Excellent skillset. Not a midfielder's engine or that most elite accumulation but he is the classic big body.

Sam Baulderstone as a mature ruck as a guy those years older while not immediate could be a consideration.

Brett Eddy is the best key forward outside the AFL and while GC don't need him he would be another of the more appealing mature agers this year.

Chris Cain as a VFL mature ager has long been the best in the VFL and should be a consideration as a versatile, well rounded player.

Michael Hartley (ex Collingwood) as a key defender could be a consideration as probably the best key defender outside the AFL.

Mitch McGovern (brother of Jeremy) could be another consideration.

Shane Yarran is a talented forward who could be a consideration.

Blaine Boekhorst in the WAFL as a mid could be a further consideration.

Haiden Schloithe (ex Fremantle) as a mid/fwd can play and may be a further consideration.

There are a few others, no real standouts but as rookies. If GC don't rate the depth late and can't find other ways to bring in experience then sure.

 

[Dan87]

Hi KM, Lewis Melican for Geelong Falcons. KPD. Do you have any notes on the young man?

 

[foj1]

Adam saad Coburg elite speed and agility penetrating left foot kick
Adam Marcon hard at it midfielder
Peter Faulks been around twice but ok key back
Kane lambert midfield accumulator
Merryk Buchanan skilful small forward
Darcy daniher played local footy and body held out well
Alastair kefford played decent vfl footy forward
Some Victorians with a bit of age

Josh Glenn is probably the most interesting of the mature agers and has some versatility. Very well performed in the SANFL.

If looking mature age watch out for Matthew Panos as a big bodied midfielder (eg Dog) - can also play key forward/key defence. Excellent skillset. Not a midfielder's engine or that most elite accumulation but he is the classic big body.

Sam Baulderstone as a mature ruck as a guy those years older while not immediate could be a consideration.

Brett Eddy is the best key forward outside the AFL and while GC don't need him he would be another of the more appealing mature agers this year.

Chris Cain as a VFL mature ager has long been the best in the VFL and should be a consideration as a versatile, well rounded player.

Michael Hartley (ex Collingwood) as a key defender could be a consideration as probably the best key defender outside the AFL.

Mitch McGovern (brother of Jeremy) could be another consideration.

Shane Yarran is a talented forward who could be a consideration.

Blaine Boekhorst in the WAFL as a mid could be a further consideration.

Haiden Schloithe (ex Fremantle) as a mid/fwd can play and may be a further consideration.

There are a few others, no real standouts but as rookies. If GC don't rate the depth late and can't find other ways to bring in experience then sure.

 

[Knightmare]

Hi KM, Lewis Melican for Geelong Falcons. KPD. Do you have any notes on the young man?

Sydney interested apparently but no other clubs have expressed any interest.

Good shutdown defender and a generally low flash role player who has mostly been the third defender behind Goddard and Cordy in that Geelong Falcons back half. Had a solid last month and a bit to the season and is an improving player.

He is someone in most games I haven't noted - due to his shutdown style of game.

I tend to prefer other key defenders in this draft class deep with talls but it will be interesting to see if Sydney look to rookie Melican.

 

[alex4445]

KM where do you see Dunkley ranked? Rules will be changed next year but still think we will probably get both he and Mills but will cost more than 2 picks.

 

[Knightmare]

KM where do you see Dunkley ranked? Rules will be changed next year but still think we will probably get both he and Mills but will cost more than 2 picks.

Top 10 and a case for top 5 next year can be made with Dunkley.

 

[BlueMaster1]

KM Shane Rogers said in trade radio carlton to look for a ruck in late of the national draft or rookie just wondering who would be a ruckman for carlton ?

 

[SugarCoat]

Knightmare,
Food for thought.
McCartin, Wright, Brayshaw & Petracca are the clear top 4 in the pure draft.
Heeney & Moore who go to Sydney/Collingwood round out the top 6 players.
Heeney is close to the best mid in it and Moore with his finals finish is nearly at the level of the two big forwards. On a talent and versatility scale, he has both covered. His leadership is very impressive too.
Picks 6/7 to about Pick 14/15 in this draft are very even.
You could throw a blanket over them, no possible standout like the top 6.
Watch Adelaide's recruiter Hamish Ogilive discuss this at 4.57 in this video as confirmation.
http://www.afl.com.au/video/2014-10-02/combine-wrap-day-four

 

[themightydoggies]

If the dogs trade up for 2-3 what ever Melb get, who would they go for maccartin or wright?

 

[Son_Of_God29]

Cockatoo sounds like a Stephen Wells pick @ 14 do you think he will still be on the board at 14 Knightmare ?

 

[Glenny83]

Cockatoo sounds like a Stephen Wells pick @ 14 do you think he will still be on the board at 14 Knightmare ?

He definitely will be. Cockatoo is the buzz this week but recruiters have done their diligence and have a number of players who have proven CONSISTANTLY, they deserve to be picked before him. In saying that, he could be picked up more realisticly 25-35.

 

[Over the Fence]

He definitely will be. Cockatoo is the buzz this week but recruiters have done their diligence and have a number of players who have proven CONSISTANTLY, they deserve to be picked before him. In saying that, he could be picked up more realisticly 25-35.

These forums are littered with people that are narrow sighted (probably give the votes to best player in last quarter), Cockatoo was a standout last year in NZ as Level 1 AIS player, the clubs know their ability and is ranked through U16, U17 & U18, not just the National Champs. Cockatoo is a better player than Weller, Duggan etc IMO.

 

[Mofra]

If the dogs trade up for 2-3 what ever Melb get, who would they go for maccartin or wright?

Wright. We're all over him.

 

[manny100]

If the dogs trade up for 2-3 what ever Melb get, who would they go for maccartin or wright?

Reported on AFL trade radio that WB rejected a Dees advance for Dalhaus. Probably connected to pick 2.

 

[Balony_pony16]

I hear Hammelmann hasn't been nominated by the lions with the academy picks. Whats your thoughts on this knight...is there a chance he will slide into the rookie draft?

 

[dlanod]

Reported on AFL trade radio that WB rejected a Dees advance for Dalhaus. Probably connected to pick 2.

The website had a write-up - Melbourne raised him in talks about the proposed pick 5 for pick 2 trade and were knocked back.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

The website had a write-up - Melbourne raised him in talks about the proposed pick 5 for pick 2 trade and were knocked back.

I'd imagine they were knocked back very quickly as well.