Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2016 Draft Almanac

[philthy05]

Great work knightmare.

Thanks for your reply regarding my questions in the other thread. Will watch mcluggage with interest in the champs. I think he is something we need. Simpkin also as I don't rate the footskills or cleanliness of skills of someone like Neade and Simpkin can play his role while building to a wing /hff role I feel. How do you rate parffit to Neade?

Who across a variety of positions who would you say are the best field kicks in this draft?

Battle has been touted as a key forward , are there any other key forwards you think could be good afl key forwards? Anyone you are watching and hoping they emerge as the year goes on?

I normally follow the draft prospects from sa as they make appearances in the sanfl league or reserves as is usually common. I haven't really seen anyone's name pop up yet as playing seniors. Who are the sa prospects this year you like ? Scharenberg , graham ? Any one else I should watch out for ?

Also I remember you were somewhat a fan of Aaron young as a prospect , how have you seen his play this year up forward? Uncontracted at the moment so I'm hoping if he seeks a return to vic teams value him highly and give up a decent pick. Where is broom head at ? Not playing at pies? Seems a player who doesn't have any weapons to make him stand out.

Cheers Knightmare, will watch for your mock on ESPN. Sorry about the bombardment of questions.

 

[Turbocat]

Knightmare

KM , great to have some input still on here from you and will certainly read read your articles... congrats on your new role.

Im interested in Witherden , seems a fairly wide rang of opinion on him , so look forward to your article on him... query on his speed , did he play in the champs last year what were his stats .. tried looking for vision but perhaps there is little or none.

 

[Ben Drever]

Knightmare Brett Anderson has Bowes at number 1 in his rankings ATM.
Your thoughts? Can you see it staying that way?
How do you rate Bowes?

 

[scanlon]

its early but where do you think Josh Battle goes? top 10?

 

[Soups]

Think it's time we picked up some KPP Knighter. Sounds like a midfielders draft but who should we be looking at around our pick?

 

[Chizm]

KM, Josh Battle appears to be the best key forward prospect this year and I was just wondering if you thought that this was the case? Also, if not him, who are the other top key forwards in this years crop? Its obviously early, but just wanted to gauge your thoughts at this early stage. Cheers!

 

[Knightmare]

Great work knightmare.

Thanks for your reply regarding my questions in the other thread. Will watch mcluggage with interest in the champs. I think he is something we need. Simpkin also as I don't rate the footskills or cleanliness of skills of someone like Neade and Simpkin can play his role while building to a wing /hff role I feel. How do you rate parffit to Neade?

Who across a variety of positions who would you say are the best field kicks in this draft?

Battle has been touted as a key forward , are there any other key forwards you think could be good afl key forwards? Anyone you are watching and hoping they emerge as the year goes on?

I normally follow the draft prospects from sa as they make appearances in the sanfl league or reserves as is usually common. I haven't really seen anyone's name pop up yet as playing seniors. Who are the sa prospects this year you like ? Scharenberg , graham ? Any one else I should watch out for ?

Also I remember you were somewhat a fan of Aaron young as a prospect , how have you seen his play this year up forward? Uncontracted at the moment so I'm hoping if he seeks a return to vic teams value him highly and give up a decent pick. Where is broom head at ? Not playing at pies? Seems a player who doesn't have any weapons to make him stand out.

Cheers Knightmare, will watch for your mock on ESPN. Sorry about the bombardment of questions.

Always happy to answer the questions of yourself and others. The discussion is half the fun.

Simpkin unfortunately will miss the u18 championships and maybe the season, so you'll probably need to get some footage of him or some of the games he has played in previously to get to see him. But he like McCluggage is a terrific talent.

Parfitt is more a midfielder at this stage. Stronger contested ball winner than Neade which is the major difference and brings the heat with his tackling. Footskills can be unreliable.

Simpkin and Petrevski-Seton are for me the two best field kicks over a variety of positions. Petrevski-Seton has the versatility to play mid (out/in), hbf, hff etc and has the pace and ability to take on the game but is excellent on both sides.

Battle is the main guy and he has top 10 chances. If he was taller than 192cm he would definitely be inside my top 10 today. My next top ranked key forward is an Academy player. Otherwise I'm not loving the key forwards this year. There are a few others who have been talked about, but I have been far from convinced by their performances.

The SA boys this year are unimpressive. I have only three SA boys inside my top 30 at the moment and you've named two of them. Sweet, Slimming and Ladhams are some others who I'd consider draftable from SA. Others will no doubt announce themselves over the course of the season. But the lack of top end talent isn't ideal.

Aaron Young is someone I was open to Collingwood targeting last year as he is a genuine contested ball winner (despite his lean body) and has an overall ok game, and he has started the season well for Port. I wouldn't offer Broomhead in a trade for Young though. Broomhead is too talented and too necessary for Collingwood as the clubs best kick into the forward half and one of the clubs speedier forwards. Broomhead missed time during the preseason and has been playing in the VFL to ensure his body is fine and fit enough for AFL play. For me Broomhead is a clear best 22 player and if he can get healthy and stay health he has the scope to become a best 10 player on the clubs list. Maybe Tyson Goldsack who Port Adelaide were making an aggressive play for a few years back for might be someone I'd be willing to offer in a trade for Young, if I was Collingwood list manager in a player for player swap.

Knightmare

KM , great to have some input still on here from you and will certainly read read your articles... congrats on your new role.

Im interested in Witherden , seems a fairly wide rang of opinion on him , so look forward to your article on him... query on his speed , did he play in the champs last year what were his stats .. tried looking for vision but perhaps there is little or none.

Witherden's pace I haven't had a massive issue with in the games I've seen of him. I don't know what his speed testing is like, but in the games I've seen he has a few times shown a willingness to run and carry at the appropriate times. In saying that though his big weapon is his kick.

Knightmare Brett Anderson has Bowes at number 1 in his rankings ATM.
Your thoughts? Can you see it staying that way?
How do you rate Bowes?

View attachment 242031 View attachment 242032

*As an update re. my power rankings. I've submitted them to ESPN and they'll be up early week.

Anderson is a good judge having Bowes at number one.

I had Bowes at number one a few weeks ago. I've moved a few others from Div 1 states ahead of he and a few of the other Div 2/Academy players. That may change next power rankings update though because Bowes is really a terrific talent with among the better games in this draft.

its early but where do you think Josh Battle goes? top 10?

Battle is a definite top 10 chance and his first two tac cup games this season were terrific and top 10 quality performances. My only slight hesitation is that he is only 192cm. He is currently my top rated key forward on performance though.

Think it's time we picked up some KPP Knighter. Sounds like a midfielders draft but who should we be looking at around our pick?

With Collingwood having traded their first round selection to GWS. Key forward options won't be great with the clubs first pick in the second round.

A key defender might be possible. Perhaps Jack Scrimshaw if he develops into more of a key defender this season (at this stage though I liken him more to a Grant Birchall as a tall back flanker). Josh Rotham if he falls down the draft order and again if we think he is best suited as a key defender is another leading option. Or maybe someone else develops over the course of the season who at this stage isn't such a prominent name.

One interesting idea, going full fantasy scenarios is if Travis Cloke isn't enjoying his footy with Collingwood and decides at seasons end he wants to go somewhere where he is out of the media spotlight, I could see GWS making a strong play as they did for Heath Shaw and if they get Cloke they could pretty easily offer a Patton or Tomlinson +, or maybe one of them could be acquirable in some other trade scenario.

KM, Josh Battle appears to be the best key forward prospect this year and I was just wondering if you thought that this was the case? Also, if not him, who are the other top key forwards in this years crop? Its obviously early, but just wanted to gauge your thoughts at this early stage. Cheers!

I'm going with Battle at this stage as my top ranked key forward. There is one if not two GWS Academy key forwards red hot on his trail though. One of whom I'll talk about in my upcoming power rankings.

Coming into the season I thought Strnadica might be the first key forward selected given his height (199cm) and ability showed last year. He just hasn't produced the numbers I expect for a key forward and a few others have passed him by.

Key with key forwards coming from the juniors is performance. If they can't find the footy in the juniors (eg. Sam Day) that's not likely to change at AFL level. But then those star junior forwards for the most part tend to translate pretty well. So it's always assessing the combination of performance, improvement and points of difference (relating to attributes).

 

[coniglio_number1]

KM

Do you see darcy Cameron getting drafted this year? How does he rate to the rest of the KPP stocks?

Also Tom young has been dominating NEAFL, any chance he gets a lifeline?

 

[Knightmare]

KM

Do you see darcy Cameron getting drafted this year? How does he rate to the rest of the KPP stocks?

Also Tom young has been dominating NEAFL, any chance he gets a lifeline?

Again this year I like Darcy Cameron as a choice potentially as a relief ruckman through the rookie draft. Four goals again on the weekend (second week in a row) from a 204cm guy. Being able to offer good tapwork and good scoreboard impact. He is someone who if a club needs someone who can offer specifically what Cameron offers, they could do worse with Cameron something of a Sam Grimley equivalent in the WAFL but a few years younger and a few cm taller.

Tom Young has always been productive with his issue constantly that his disposal and decision making ability has been suspect. Until he drastically improves in those areas I'd look at Young as against the odds to get selected.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

My annual "Subbed" post is here.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Also Knightmare, haven't checked yet but is your 2015 thread getting locked yet?

 

[Knightmare]

Also Knightmare, haven't checked yet but is your 2015 thread getting locked yet?

If people continue commenting in this thread and keep this up the top of the phantom draft thread list then it may not matter as this will be the first thread people will likely see anyway, even if people aren't looking at the year.

People tend to enjoy going back and review and commenting on old phantom draft attempts and asking what I think now, or make various comments on draft ratings (positive or negative). So I won't request for my 2015 thread to be locked. But that's up to the discretion of the mods if they think it becomes a distraction at any stage or whatever their reasons may be.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

If people continue commenting in this thread and keep this up the top of the phantom draft thread list then it may not matter as this will be the first thread people will likely see anyway, even if people aren't looking at the year.

People tend to enjoy going back and review and commenting on old phantom draft attempts and asking what I think now, or make various comments on draft ratings (positive or negative). So I won't request for my 2015 thread to be locked. But that's up to the discretion of the mods if they think it becomes a distraction at any stage or whatever their reasons may be.

Ahk fair enough.

 

[avishka5]

Knightmare who are some genuine crumbing forwards that might be available for the eagles in the is years draft? Most eagles fans would agree that we lack a nippy small forward and/ or a genuine inside/outside midfielder with a bit of leg speed.

Also do you think we can land jake waterman as a third or 4th rounder?

 

[SizeMatters]

Could Bowes really be the number 1 pick? Scheer was touted as the better of the two iirc? Glad the Suns are starting to produce academy players after the investments they have made into the Gold Coast region. How do you think the QLD squad will go this season compared to previous years. I know Allison and Rolls will most likely get highish bids on them. Good year for QLD footy it seems.

 

[JAMES_B_101]

Where do you see Allison settling in the AFL position wise? Has a great weapon with his thumping kick and is a handy height. Also what kind of player is Kobe Mutch?

 

[SizeMatters]

Where do you see Allison settling in the AFL position wise? Has a great weapon with his thumping kick and is a handy height. Also what kind of player is Kobe Mutch?

I see Allison as a better Bont. (May or may not be biased)

 

[KissKiss]

I see Allison as a better Bont. (May or may not be biased)

Worse Bont SM. Clearly not even worth a third round bid

 

[JAMES_B_101]

I see Allison as a better Bont. (May or may not be biased)

A lot of what Bont does well goes unnoticed, mainly his defensive work (especially last season) in the midfield. His ability with both feet, clearing his arms in tackles to handball into space, things like that. It's hard to really compare anyone to him in that sense. I get the feeling that Allison's work will be a lot more noticeable. The bont is a lovely long kick an has lovely skills but Allison has something extra by foot. Daniel Rich will be a very happy man once Allison arrives.

 

[TerryWallet]

A lot of what Bont does well goes unnoticed, mainly his defensive work (especially last season) in the midfield. His ability with both feet, clearing his arms in tackles to handball into space, things like that. It's hard to really compare anyone to him in that sense. I get the feeling that Allison's work will be a lot more noticeable. The bont is a lovely long kick an has lovely skills but Allison has something extra by foot. Daniel Rich will be a very happy man once Allison arrives.

I don't think anything Bont does goes unnoticed by people who know their footy.

The guy is genuine A Grade. Already a star, and shortly to be a superstar.

I have never laid eyes on Allison yet, but anyone saying he is "a better Bont" is obviously either being facetious or is a living breathing fruitcake.

 

[lionshine]

Hey KM thoughts on the following midfield prospects: Hugh McCluggage, Jonty Scharenberg, Sam Powell-Pepper, Will Brodie, Jordan Gallucci and Andrew McGrath?

 

[george2]

Hey knightmare who is your early favourite for the number 1 pick?

 

[Zach Package]

Battle is the main guy and he has top 10 chances. If he was taller than 192cm he would definitely be inside my top 10 today. My next top ranked key forward is an Academy player.

Interesting to hear that, partly because I don't think it's much of an issue, and could even work in his favour in some ways, and partly because someone shorter and a wee bit more mobile than another 2 metre type suit us really well.

He's really big through the torso as well which I think will help him compensate a bit, he'll end up with one hell of a rig on him by the time he's 23-24.

 

[Knightmare]

And the long awaited draft rankings and profiles are up: http://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/15439491/may

The general idea of it was to offer solid early insight on my top 10 rated prospects and something briefer for the next 20 for my first update.

Enjoy.

 

[Knightmare]

Knightmare who are some genuine crumbing forwards that might be available for the eagles in the is years draft? Most eagles fans would agree that we lack a nippy small forward and/ or a genuine inside/outside midfielder with a bit of leg speed.

Also do you think we can land jake waterman as a third or 4th rounder?

No clear standout crumber at this stage. Ben Ainsworth is the best small forward, but he is more a marking small, though can also crumb reasonably well.

Sam Fowler and Daniel Allsop are two in Victoria showing early talent and could be possible rookie considerations. Will continue watching for crumbers as the season progresses.

For your inside/outside midfielder with leg speed McCluggage is the guy offering precisely that.

Waterman's draft position is unclear at this stage. I look at him more as a probably 2nd/3rd round selection at this stage. 4th round is also possible. He looks like a national draft selection though. Just needs to clean up his work by foot.

Could Bowes really be the number 1 pick? Scheer was touted as the better of the two iirc? Glad the Suns are starting to produce academy players after the investments they have made into the Gold Coast region. How do you think the QLD squad will go this season compared to previous years. I know Allison and Rolls will most likely get highish bids on them. Good year for QLD footy it seems.

Bowes could be the number one selection. He has the talent. Scheer is also in that conversation and a special talent in his own right.

As per my link in my previous post and on page one to my draft power rankings and profiles I rate both Bowes and Scheer top 6 in my person rankings and I give both strong chances of moving up given their combination of attributes which in both cases are highly AFL compatible (see article for more on this).

It's a mighty strong year for QLD and NSW footy. Bowes, Scheer and Allison are genuine first round selections and all have top 10 chances. Rolls also is excellent and may be a second round selection.

Then from NSW (all GWS academy) Macreadie looks like a top 10 choice. Setterfield and Perryman are genuine first round selections. Todd Marshall also has strong first round chances. Kobe Mutch is very draftable. And there are probably another three or four from just the GWS Academy alone who look draftable.

Where do you see Allison settling in the AFL position wise? Has a great weapon with his thumping kick and is a handy height. Also what kind of player is Kobe Mutch?

As per my profiles in my power rankings piece for ESPN, Allison I've made comment has terrific ability but his best position to me is unclear. You can throw him anywhere and he can have an impact. Best position? Who knows. If he adds 20kg to his frame maybe an onballer? For now probably more as a back flanker or wingman to utilise his kicking ability.

Hey KM thoughts on the following midfield prospects: Hugh McCluggage, Jonty Scharenberg, Sam Powell-Pepper, Will Brodie, Jordan Gallucci and Andrew McGrath?

For the most detail on my views on each my article will be the best place to look. McCluggage, Scharenberg, Powell-Pepper and Brodie I rate inside my top 10 power rankings today. Next update perhaps Scharenberg moves back closer to 15 and some of the others may move back a few positions also. But rate them all. McGrath I've liked the play of and have just snuck into my top 30. Gallucci I liked the look of last year but this year I've found his impact in the games I've watched to be lacking, so he is someone I rate closer to 40 at the moment if I was to extend my draft board.

Hey knightmare who is your early favourite for the number 1 pick?

Will Brodie probably is the most likely at this stage on the back of his performances for AIS v the two VFL sides with his best on ground performances in each. Sam Petrevski-Seton also I have right with him, with his talent better again, but production not as consistent. Then there are several academy boys in Bowes, Macraedie and Scheer who also can contend for that top pick.