Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2014 Phantom Draft

[strauchnyy]

KM, we all know Lever has a very good attacking game, but does he also shut down opponents? can he take the best or second best forward and shut them down whilst he also attacks (like Harry Taylor/Scarlett) or does he play more of a flanker role like Sam Fisher where defence comes second?

 

[Stylo]

Reece McKenzie may even slide through to pick 36.



My top 60 at present is as follows:

-- Best few on list quality --

1. Christian Petracca (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

2. Angus Brayshaw (VIC – Mid)

3. Isaac Heeney (Syd – Academy - NSW – Mid)

4. Darcy Moore (Coll - F/S – VIC – KPF/KPD)

5. Patrick McCartin (VIC - KPF)

-- High level difference makers --

6. Peter Wright (VIC - KPF/Ruck)

7. Connon Blakely (WA – Mid)

8. Jayden Laverde (VIC – Util)

9. Kyle Langford (VIC – Util)

10. Jarrod Pickett (WA – Mid/Fwd)

11. Hugh Goddard (VIC – KPD/KPF)

12. Jake Lever (VIC – KPD)

13. Caleb Marchbank (VIC – KPD)

14. Lachlan Weller (QLD – Util)

15. Liam Duggan (VIC – Util)

16. Jack Steele (GWS - Academy - NSW – Mid/Fwd)

17. Jordan De Goey (VIC –Mid/Fwd)

18. Dean Gore (SA – Mid/Fwd)

19. Sam Durdin (SA – KPD/KPF)

20. Reece McKenzie (VIC – KPF)

21. Peter Bampton (SA – Mid)

-- Capable contributors --

22. Paul Ahern (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

23. Billy Stretch (Melb – F/S - SA – Mid)

24. Jarrod Garlett (WA –Mid)

25. Nakia Cockatoo (NT – Util)

26. Connor Menadue (VIC – Mid/Def)

27. Oscar McDonald (VIC – KPD)

28. Toby McLean (VIC – Fwd/Mid)

29. Alex Neal-Bullen (SA – Mid)

30. Corey Ellis (VIC – Util)

31. Josh Glenn (SA – Util)

32. Caleb Daniel (SA – Mid/Fwd)

33. Daniel McKenzie (VIC – Def/Mid)

34. Liam Dawson (Bris – Academy - QLD – Util)

35. Brayden Maynard (VIC – Util)

36. Tom Lamb (VIC – Util)

37. Harris Andrews (Bris – Academy - QLD – KPD/KPF)

38. Jeremy Finlayson (GWS – Academy – NSW – KPD/KPF)

39.Jack Hiscox (Syd – Academy - NSW – Util)

40. Daniel Howe (VIC – Util)

41. Edward Vickers-Willis (VIC – Util)

42. Damien Cavka (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

43. Clem Smith (WA - Util)

--Best of the rest--

44. Brett Eddy (SA – KPF)

45.Brenden Abbott (WA – Util)

46. Nathan Drummond (VIC –Mid/Def)

47. Aidan Anderson (WA – Fwd)

48. Billy Evans (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

49. Zaine Cordy (WBD – F/S - VIC – KPD)

50. Hugh Beasley (VIC – KPD)

51. Jaden McGrath (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

52.Jayden Short (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

53. Touk Miller (VIC – Mid/Fwd)

54. Cory Gregson (SA –Mid/Fwd)

55. Tyler Keitel (WA – KPF/KPD)

56.Tom Read (SA – Ruck/KPF)

57.Teia Miles (VIC – Mid/Def)

58. Alec Waterman (WCE – F/S - WA - Mid)

59.Taylor Grace (VIC – Mid/Def)

60. Josh McGuinness (TAS – Def)

That's a big jump for Blakely, what's the reason for that? I'm starting to warm to him for the Tigers at 12. Ahead of some others anyway.

 

[Knightmare]

Sorry Knightmare, I meant top 50 or so across the last 3 drafts. Similar to a question (which generated it's own thread) asked in previous seasons.

Apologies. Half asleep after a big week.

I'll get up a top 50 for 2010-2014 to include this year. A five year sample size is always more fun than three.

1. Jeremy Cameron
2. Jonathan Patton
3. Thomas Boyd
4. Thomas Lynch
5. Jaeger O'Meara
6. Oliver Wines
7. Adam Treloar
8. Marcus Bontempelli
9. Brad Crouch
10. Dyson Heppell
11. Christian Petracca
12. Angus Brayshaw
13. Joe Daniher
14. Tom Liberatore
15. Luke Parker
16. David Swallow
17. Isaac Heeney
18. Chad Wingard
19. Jackson Macrae
20. Darcy Moore
21. Brodie Grundy
22. Harley Bennell
23. Dylan Shiel
24. Jesse Hogan
25. Patrick McCartin
26. Tom Nicholls
27. Jarrod Witts
28. Scott Lycett
29. Dion Prestia
30. Tim Broomhead
31. Brodie Smith
32. Martin Gleeson
33. James Aish
34. Luke McDonald
35. Kade Kolodjashnij
36. Jack Billings
37. Dom Tyson
38. Jared Polec
39. Brandon Ellis
40. Matthew Scharenberg
41. Jack Martin
42. Josh Kelly
43. Stephen Coniglio
44. Lachie Whitfield
45. Peter Wright
46. Charlie Dixon
47. Rory Thompson
48. Adam Tomlinson
49. Blake Acres
50. Connor Blakely


I'm sure someone will let me know if I've missed some guys.

 

[Knightmare]

KM, we all know Lever has a very good attacking game, but does he also shut down opponents? can he take the best or second best forward and shut them down whilst he also attacks (like Harry Taylor/Scarlett) or does he play more of a flanker role like Sam Fisher where defence comes second?

Lever can shutdown and beat his opponent and seems to have the right competitive instincts to play key defence. He's reasonably strong 1v1, competitive in the air and closing speed ok. He has a good offense/defence balance as someone who does both well. Maybe at AFL level against taller guys who are much bigger or those freak athletes maybe that changes but as an underager he performed well beating his guy most weeks.

That's a big jump for Blakely, what's the reason for that? I'm starting to warm to him for the Tigers at 12. Ahead of some others anyway.

I favour his performance to many of the others. Well performed at WAFL League level. Numbers are terrific - disposals, contested possessions, tackles, clearances, disposal efficiency. I also like his balance as someone who just keeps his feet.

Blakely's rise is more through my lack of optimism in some of the other early draft options but I really strongly feel he will be a safe but strong get for a club wanting a midfielder first round.

 

[HARKER]

Only one of the best talents in Menzel

 

[maddog37]

Jake Stringer.

 

[blueiris]

Apologies. Half asleep after a big week.

I'll get up a top 50 for 2010-2014 to include this year. A five year sample size is always more fun than three.

1. Jeremy Cameron
2. Jonathan Patton
3. Thomas Boyd
4. Thomas Lynch
5. Jaeger O'Meara
6. Oliver Wines
7. Adam Treloar
8. Marcus Bontempelli
9. Brad Crouch
10. Dyson Heppell
11. Christian Petracca
12. Angus Brayshaw
13. Joe Daniher
14. Tom Liberatore
15. Luke Parker
16. David Swallow
17. Isaac Heeney
18. Chad Wingard
19. Jackson Macrae
20. Darcy Moore
21. Brodie Grundy
22. Harley Bennell
23. Dylan Shiel
24. Jesse Hogan
25. Patrick McCartin
26. Tom Nicholls
27. Jarrod Witts
28. Scott Lycett
29. Dion Prestia
30. Tim Broomhead
31. Brodie Smith
32. Martin Gleeson
33. James Aish
34. Luke McDonald
35. Kade Kolodjashnij
36. Jack Billings
37. Dom Tyson
38. Jared Polec
39. Brandon Ellis
40. Matthew Scharenberg
41. Jack Martin
42. Josh Kelly
43. Stephen Coniglio
44. Lachie Whitfield
45. Peter Wright
46. Charlie Dixon
47. Rory Thompson
48. Adam Tomlinson
49. Blake Acres
50. Connor Blakely


I'm sure someone will let me know if I've missed some guys.

What do you have against Lewis (Sqizzy) Taylor

 

[maxrm]

What do you have against Lewis (Sqizzy) Taylor

Nothing wrong with Taylor but that's a pretty hard group to crack. Purely from a West Coast perspective no Gaff or Darling who are both superior to Taylor. And you could even make an argument for McGovern, Yeo and Sheed although I'm not surprised they weren't included.

KM, if you were the West Coast recruiter who would you be looking at with #11?
My personal preference (excluding those who will almost certainly be gone) would be;
1) Pickett (Likely to be gone)
2) Weller (Likely to be gone)
3) Duggan (potential to be gone but should be available)
4) Cockatoo (likely to be available)
5) Langford (I expect he'll be taken top 10)
6) Blakely (likely to be available)
7) Durdin (potential to be available but WC looking to draft a mid)
8) Ahern (Good chance to be gone, personally don't rate him as highly as many)
9) De Goey (likely to be available, although IMO not worth #11)

Thoughts?

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Apologies. Half asleep after a big week.

I'll get up a top 50 for 2010-2014 to include this year. A five year sample size is always more fun than three.

1. Jeremy Cameron
2. Jonathan Patton
3. Thomas Boyd
4. Thomas Lynch
5. Jaeger O'Meara
6. Oliver Wines
7. Adam Treloar
8. Marcus Bontempelli
9. Brad Crouch
10. Dyson Heppell
11. Christian Petracca
12. Angus Brayshaw
13. Joe Daniher
14. Tom Liberatore
15. Luke Parker
16. David Swallow
17. Isaac Heeney
18. Chad Wingard
19. Jackson Macrae
20. Darcy Moore
21. Brodie Grundy
22. Harley Bennell
23. Dylan Shiel
24. Jesse Hogan
25. Patrick McCartin
26. Tom Nicholls
27. Jarrod Witts
28. Scott Lycett
29. Dion Prestia
30. Tim Broomhead
31. Brodie Smith
32. Martin Gleeson
33. James Aish
34. Luke McDonald
35. Kade Kolodjashnij
36. Jack Billings
37. Dom Tyson
38. Jared Polec
39. Brandon Ellis
40. Matthew Scharenberg
41. Jack Martin
42. Josh Kelly
43. Stephen Coniglio
44. Lachie Whitfield
45. Peter Wright
46. Charlie Dixon
47. Rory Thompson
48. Adam Tomlinson
49. Blake Acres
50. Connor Blakely


I'm sure someone will let me know if I've missed some guys.

Where would you rate Jimmy Toumpas in relation to those guys, injuries aside? And how about Christian Salem/Tom McDonald?

 

[Knightmare]

Where would you rate Jimmy Toumpas in relation to those guys, injuries aside? And how about Christian Salem/Tom McDonald?

Top 100 for all three, but not in those next few. Still early. Things can change.

Jake Stringer.

Maybe. But conditional on him becoming a midfielder. If he remains a forward he wouldn't bet on him becoming top 50.

What do you have against Lewis (Sqizzy) Taylor

Not many of those smalls after those first few seasons experience meaningful development. Brent Harvey is the exception and Ben McGlynn all of a sudden this year had an out of the box season but that's usual to see happen and I'm conscious of that as good as his immediate impact has been, it's a projection of who will have the best careers.

Nothing wrong with Taylor but that's a pretty hard group to crack. Purely from a West Coast perspective no Gaff or Darling who are both superior to Taylor. And you could even make an argument for McGovern, Yeo and Sheed although I'm not surprised they weren't included.

KM, if you were the West Coast recruiter who would you be looking at with #11?
My personal preference (excluding those who will almost certainly be gone) would be;
1) Pickett (Likely to be gone)
2) Weller (Likely to be gone)
3) Duggan (potential to be gone but should be available)
4) Cockatoo (likely to be available)
5) Langford (I expect he'll be taken top 10)
6) Blakely (likely to be available)
7) Durdin (potential to be available but WC looking to draft a mid)
8) Ahern (Good chance to be gone, personally don't rate him as highly as many)
9) De Goey (likely to be available, although IMO not worth #11)

Thoughts?

I like Blakely and I think he's the best of the lot of those you mention. I Blakely is a terrific midfielder. I think he is the best of all those guys you mention. In fact I like Blakely's game so much that I'd be open to Collingwood taking him at 5. Low risk given the performances he has on the board and I expect he becomes the fourth best midfielder in this draft after Petracca, Brayshaw and Heeney.

WCE might like more pace but I just think Blakely is a really good midfielder and would be a terrific compliment/eventual replacement for Priddis.

 

[I am Jack]

Nothing wrong with Taylor but that's a pretty hard group to crack. Purely from a West Coast perspective no Gaff or Darling who are both superior to Taylor.

Lewis Taylor would run rings around Gaff.
Based on what I've seen of Lewis Taylor, I'd say he is 10 times the footballer of either Gaff or Darling.
Darling is a powerful ATHLETE, and Gaff is a smooth moving seagul.

 

[nottenthagain]

Hi Knightmare,

You've probably been asked already but the Swans will go in with one live pick - no 37. I think we have 3 or 4 spots (small forward, CHB, back flank, ruck) on our squad where we're short on depth which makes this pick pretty important. What type of player do you think we're after and who's a solid get at that pick?

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare,

You've probably been asked already but the Swans will go in with one live pick - no 37. I think we have 3 or 4 spots (small forward, CHB, back flank, ruck) on our squad where we're short on depth which makes this pick pretty important. What type of player do you think we're after and who's a solid get at that pick?

A key defender would make sense for Sydney if they like someone. Maybe an Oscar McDonald plausibly.

If Sydney are ok with a Michael Hartley in the rookie draft then perhaps a back flanker or small forward if Sydney like the value. Maybe someone with pace or damaging footskills.

The ruck options are poor at 37 and not worth exploring there, and given Nankervis was taken last year another young ruckman will not help so that wouldn't be a consideration for me in Sydney's situation.

 

[ArdentEagle]

Lewis Taylor would run rings around Gaff.
Based on what I've seen of Lewis Taylor, I'd say he is 10 times the footballer of either Gaff or Darling.
Darling is a powerful ATHLETE, and Gaff is a smooth moving seagul.

I was a big wrap for Taylor before he was drafted and I still rate him highly but Gaff has a far higher ceiling.
He's just starting to come on, nowhere near his full potential yet and I think he'll surprise a lot of people.

Darling is a bloody good player however I agree his tyres can get pumped a little too much by our fan base mostly.

10 times the footballer of either...Well.

 

[Defacto]

knightmare i love your mock drafts, but no josh deluca is a serious injustice

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

If the Swans take Oscar McDonald that'll be the second younger brother of a Demon they've drafted in two years. Better be prepared to lose them both

 

[nottenthagain]

A key defender would make sense for Sydney if they like someone. Maybe an Oscar McDonald plausibly.

If Sydney are ok with a Michael Hartley in the rookie draft then perhaps a back flanker or small forward if Sydney like the value. Maybe someone with pace or damaging footskills.

The ruck options are poor at 37 and not worth exploring there, and given Nankervis was taken last year another young ruckman will not help so that wouldn't be a consideration for me in Sydney's situation.

Cheers. I have my fingers crossed on McDonald but expect he won't be there at 37... and if he isn't I'd be happy enough to take Hartley on as a rookie. I see Hugh Beasley or Caleb Daniel being of interest for specific reasons but it's a raffle really.

Agree with your view on rucks in this draft but it's a massive age gap from Pyke to Nankervis/Naismith, crucial Pyke can stay fit if we don't address it.

With only 1 live pick we've zero flexibility and I really wish we'd been aggressive and traded into a stronger position.

Anyway, thanks for your quick response

 

[nottenthagain]

If the Swans take Oscar McDonald that'll be the second younger brother of a Demon they've drafted in two years. Better be prepared to lose them both

Might work the other way, the brothers might re locate to Sydney?

 

[Knightmare]

knightmare i love your mock drafts, but no josh deluca is a serious injustice

Deluca has done well to receive regular WAFL League games but footskills can let him down. Probably not for me, but doesn't mean a club won't take him.

Cheers. I have my fingers crossed on McDonald but expect he won't be there at 37... and if he isn't I'd be happy enough to take Hartley on as a rookie. I see Hugh Beasley or Caleb Daniel being of interest for specific reasons but it's a raffle really.

Agree with your view on rucks in this draft but it's a massive age gap from Pyke to Nankervis/Naismith, crucial Pyke can stay fit if we don't address it.

With only 1 live pick we've zero flexibility and I really wish we'd been aggressive and traded into a stronger position.

Anyway, thanks for your quick response

Hugh Beasley is definitely another option an alternative to Hartley. Beasley probably is but not is certainly available as a rookie.

If Sydney are really desperate for ruck help Mark Seaby could always come back as a rookie if agreeable. As depth that's about as good as can be done as a stop-gap.

Nankervis I like but rewards won't be for at least another year.

 

[I am Jack]

Might work the other way, the brothers might re locate to Sydney?

Nath Jones out of contract at the end of next year.
We may as well start the rumor, things been a bit slow around here.

 

[Dan87]

Deluca has done well to receive regular WAFL League games but footskills can let him down. Probably not for me, but doesn't mean a club won't take him.



Hugh Beasley is definitely another option an alternative to Hartley. Beasley probably is but not is certainly available as a rookie.

If Sydney are really desperate for ruck help Mark Seaby could always come back as a rookie if agreeable. As depth that's about as good as can be done as a stop-gap.

Nankervis I like but rewards won't be for at least another year.

Nathan Drummond looks a type I can see getting his name called at 37 for Sydney. Fits longmires brief for utilities with real speed.

 

[fronkalicious]

Stringer coming from so far back and already showing he can rip games apart against top 8 teams. His power and acceleration were all back in the latter part of the season. Most on the dogs board would have him ahead of Macrae and Libba, let alone guys like Lycett, Witts, Broomhead (???) and Gleeson.

 

[fronkalicious]

Apologies. Half asleep after a big week.

I'll get up a top 50 for 2010-2014 to include this year. A five year sample size is always more fun than three.

1. Jeremy Cameron
2. Jonathan Patton
3. Thomas Boyd
4. Thomas Lynch
5. Jaeger O'Meara
6. Oliver Wines
7. Adam Treloar
8. Marcus Bontempelli
9. Brad Crouch
10. Dyson Heppell
11. Christian Petracca
12. Angus Brayshaw
13. Joe Daniher
14. Tom Liberatore
15. Luke Parker
16. David Swallow
17. Isaac Heeney
18. Chad Wingard
19. Jackson Macrae
20. Darcy Moore
21. Brodie Grundy
22. Harley Bennell
23. Dylan Shiel
24. Jesse Hogan
25. Patrick McCartin
26. Tom Nicholls
27. Jarrod Witts
28. Scott Lycett
29. Dion Prestia
30. Tim Broomhead
31. Brodie Smith
32. Martin Gleeson
33. James Aish
34. Luke McDonald
35. Kade Kolodjashnij
36. Jack Billings
37. Dom Tyson
38. Jared Polec
39. Brandon Ellis
40. Matthew Scharenberg
41. Jack Martin
42. Josh Kelly
43. Stephen Coniglio
44. Lachie Whitfield
45. Peter Wright
46. Charlie Dixon
47. Rory Thompson
48. Adam Tomlinson
49. Blake Acres
50. Connor Blakely


I'm sure someone will let me know if I've missed some guys.

Not a WHE fan?? And you still think patton comes in at 2 with his knees???

 

[Knightmare]

Stringer coming from so far back and already showing he can rip games apart against top 8 teams. His power and acceleration were all back in the latter part of the season. Most on the dogs board would have him ahead of Macrae and Libba, let alone guys like Lycett, Witts, Broomhead (???) and Gleeson.

Lycett, Witts, Broomhead and Gleeson are guys I'm strong on and are some I project to become absolute monsters over the next few seasons. Don't sleep on any of them. The scope to develop is significant.

With Stringer while the scoreboard impact late season was strong, until he is a 20+ disposal a game midfielder I probably won't quite have him in my 50.

Not a WHE fan?? And you still think patton comes in at 2 with his knees???

I still like what Patton offers long term and I don't see the knees affecting his game a great deal if he gets back healthy - just with his movement it is less explosive based with the intriguing aspect more the small steps he makes for an extreme big to change direction suddenly. Patton is interchangable with Boyd but I'll for now give him the points given he is the more advanced of the two.

Hoskin-Elliott is good but probably not top 50 good. Bradley Hill I'd have ahead of him.

 

[MightyDons4]

Devon Smith?