Draft Watcher Knightmare's 2018 AFL Draft Almanac

[philthy05]

That Frederick looks really good


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Some good tools but burns ball by foot and hand. Project player I expect we will take rookie and will take a fair while to develop.

 

[Cleric]

Rankine is a temptation but I wonder how he will go in the contest of afl. He has the party tricks for sure.

Has been playing against men in the SANFL since he was 16 years old.

 

[Turbocat]

Has been playing against men in the SANFL since he was 16 years old.

Sanfl is not quite afl.. He is a magic player he i some sort of Ackermanis Riolli blend

 

[mattyc75]

Rankine is the most talented kid to come through the draft in years.

I thought lukosious was?

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[Cleric]

Sanfl is not quite afl.. He is a magic player he i some sort of Ackermanis Riolli blend

To play at that level at that age shows AFL wont be a problem for him. He would have played this year if he was on an AFL list. Could have even got games last year.

 

[Cleric]

I thought lukosious was?

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If Lukosious had the skill and tricks of Rankine at his size, he would the GOAT.

 

[Turbocat]

To play at that level at that age shows AFL wont be a problem for him. He would have played this year if he was on an AFL list. Could have even got games last year.

Well..no doubt we will see.. outstanding talent.

 

[LemmingMaster]

Hey knightmare.... pies likely now to have pick 10 or later at years end. Still think RC-D or Curtis Taylor are sound choices in that range?

The Pies currently have pick 17 not 10 and I doubt either player will be around by that stage.

 

[LemmingMaster]

If Lukosious had the skill and tricks of Rankine at his size, he would the GOAT.

I think Lukosious is a better kick and maybe makes better decisions.
Rankine is just a pure freak with the ball in hand. Not sure he has the same football IQ of Lukosious.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey knightmare.... pies likely now to have pick 10 or later at years end. Still think RC-D or Curtis Taylor are sound choices in that range?

I like both around those choices and they could both be there when the Pies are picking.

If Lukosious had the skill and tricks of Rankine at his size, he would the GOAT.

Rankine is more flash, Lukosius is more - 'that's something I haven't seen before for a KPP'.

Would love to have Rankine, but Lukosius any day of the week is my choice.

If I've got picks two and three, I'm moving up to pick one for Lukosius if he's not expected to be there at my selection.

 

[whiskeytown]

The Pies currently have pick 17 not 10 and I doubt either player will be around by that stage.

I'm not optimistic the pies end up with pick 17. And what I said was pick 10 onwards as I think anything can happen here for them considering their injuries

 

[Cobbler]

Hi Knightmare, I check into this thread like an addict. Love speculating on kids and future potential.

Could you please give the punters a sneak peak at a phantom draft top 5 or 10 just for my own Fremantle selfish reasons.

No need for reasons just a taster!

 

[GoGrows]

Lukosius a bit too uncontested for mine. Yes he'll run around on his own taking 10 uncontested marks a game. He wont have the influence on games that i think Rankine will. I'm seeing more Justin Westhoff in Lukosius than Nick Riewoldt. Rankine wont have elite production but his impact per touch will be off the charts.

 

[Bearded Clam]

Lukosius a bit too uncontested for mine. Yes he'll run around on his own taking 10 uncontested marks a game. He wont have the influence on games that i think Rankine will. I'm seeing more Justin Westhoff in Lukosius than Nick Riewoldt. Rankine wont have elite production but his impact per touch will be off the charts.

Obviously haven’t been watching too many of his sanfl games then... he’s taking great contested grabs in every game against grown men!.. give him two or three preseasons to bulk up a bit and build further strength and he’ll be unstoppable.... and hopefully traded back to SA and playing for the club he grew up supporting ..

 

[Knightmare]

Hi Knightmare, I check into this thread like an addict. Love speculating on kids and future potential.

Could you please give the punters a sneak peak at a phantom draft top 5 or 10 just for my own Fremantle selfish reasons.

No need for reasons just a taster!

There seems to be a generally accepted top 8 at the moment in club circles.

Taking no consideration into club needs/who would have the pick at years end. The rough feel at the moment is:
1. Lukosius
2. Walsh
3. M.King
4. B.King
5. Blakey
6. T.Thomas
7. B.Smith
8. Rankine

Lukosius a bit too uncontested for mine. Yes he'll run around on his own taking 10 uncontested marks a game. He wont have the influence on games that i think Rankine will. I'm seeing more Justin Westhoff in Lukosius than Nick Riewoldt. Rankine wont have elite production but his impact per touch will be off the charts.

I know what you're thinking about Lukosius being uncontested. He gets so high up the ground taking leadup marks and his marks i50 are often from creating separation and getting it on the lead. With his elite endurance though, I don't see this as problematic. He'll rack it up whether it's contested or uncontested.

In terms of influence, I happen to disagree. I feel Lukosius' impact per possession for a tall my be the greatest we have ever seen from a KPP.

I might need to create a highlight reel video of some of Lukosius' kicks and how they generate offence and what the eventual outcome becomes. He can take a mark in the back pocket short from a kickout and he can blast it cm perfect 55m and find an open target at the back of the centre square - finding a player you didn't evne know was open. And that kick can see you get you going end to end. And he'll do it time and again. His vision and precision kicking - particularly over long distance is special and reminds me a lot of the way Ben Reid was kicking the pill in 2011 for those who were paying close attention that season.

I agree Rankine's impact per possession is big time and among the very best in this draft, maybe the best. But Lukosius is one of those in that conversation who is right there with him, and maybe even higher impact per possession with what he can do with his kicks. It's special.

 

[Cleric]

There seems to be a generally accepted top 8 at the moment in club circles.

Taking no consideration into club needs/who would have the pick at years end. The rough feel at the moment is:
1. Lukosius
2. Walsh
3. M.King
4. B.King
5. Blakey
6. T.Thomas
7. B.Smith
8. Rankine



I know what you're thinking about Lukosius being uncontested. He gets so high up the ground taking leadup marks and his marks i50 are often from creating separation and getting it on the lead. With his elite endurance though, I don't see this as problematic. He'll rack it up whether it's contested or uncontested.

In terms of influence, I happen to disagree. I feel Lukosius' impact per possession for a tall my be the greatest we have ever seen from a KPP.

I might need to create a highlight reel video of some of Lukosius' kicks and how they generate offence and what the eventual outcome becomes. He can take a mark in the back pocket short from a kickout and he can blast it cm perfect 55m and find an open target at the back of the centre square - finding a player you didn't evne know was open. And that kick can see you get you going end to end. And he'll do it time and again. His vision and precision kicking - particularly over long distance is special and reminds me a lot of the way Ben Reid was kicking the pill in 2011 for those who were paying close attention that season.

I agree Rankine's impact per possession is big time and among the very best in this draft, maybe the best. But Lukosius is one of those in that conversation who is right there with him, and maybe even higher impact per possession with what he can do with his kicks. It's special.

Have you listened to the road to the draft podcast with Hamish O from Adelaide? Was talking about Thomas (called him triple T) and said they have followed him for years due to his Tasmanian contacts and rates him a top 10 pick, also said they will place bids to keep clubs honest. So I could see the Crows bidding on Thomas with our first pick.

 

[Knightmare]

Have you listened to the road to the draft podcast with Hamish O from Adelaide? Was talking about Thomas (called him triple T) and said they have followed him for years due to his Tasmanian contacts and rates him a top 10 pick, also said they will place bids to keep clubs honest. So I could see the Crows bidding on Thomas with our first pick.

Can't say I've tuned into any podcasts.

T.Thomas has been on the draft radar for a number of years now - two years ago starring for Tasmania and looking like their best prospect even then.

The expectation is a bid will come inside the first 8, maybe first 5 for Thomas.

 

[briztoon]

Can't say I've tuned into any podcasts.

T.Thomas has been on the draft radar for a number of years now - two years ago starring for Tasmania and looking like their best prospect even then.

The expectation is a bid will come inside the first 8, maybe first 5 for Thomas.

They mentioned they've followed him since he was 12.

 

[Dee bee]

Hey KM who do you rate as the best Left footer/s in the Draft? Are there many?

 

[M Malice]

Hi Knightmare , we all know you are a huge wrap for Lukosius and have praised is field kicking massively.

Would he be the best field kick (any position) you have seen come through the draft? and if not who would be? Wouldn't mind a top 5-10 best field kicks you have seen in regards to pre draft performance.

 

[Turbocat]

There seems to be a generally accepted top 8 at the moment in club circles.

Taking no consideration into club needs/who would have the pick at years end. The rough feel at the moment is:
1. Lukosius
2. Walsh
3. M.King
4. B.King
5. Blakey
6. T.Thomas
7. B.Smith
8. Rankine



I know what you're thinking about Lukosius being uncontested. He gets so high up the ground taking leadup marks and his marks i50 are often from creating separation and getting it on the lead. With his elite endurance though, I don't see this as problematic. He'll rack it up whether it's contested or uncontested.

In terms of influence, I happen to disagree. I feel Lukosius' impact per possession for a tall my be the greatest we have ever seen from a KPP.

I might need to create a highlight reel video of some of Lukosius' kicks and how they generate offence and what the eventual outcome becomes. He can take a mark in the back pocket short from a kickout and he can blast it cm perfect 55m and find an open target at the back of the centre square - finding a player you didn't evne know was open. And that kick can see you get you going end to end. And he'll do it time and again. His vision and precision kicking - particularly over long distance is special and reminds me a lot of the way Ben Reid was kicking the pill in 2011 for those who were paying close attention that season.

I agree Rankine's impact per possession is big time and among the very best in this draft, maybe the best. But Lukosius is one of those in that conversation who is right there with him, and maybe even higher impact per possession with what he can do with his kicks. It's special.

Thomas before Rankine...? is that just on football.. they were inferring that Rankine had issue on Fox.

Was Impressed BScott for the Allies ..good vision..like OHallaran for VicM nice touch on his kick ..Munn for SA showed a bit.. big mitts ... I look forward to seeing where these guys sit post champs..

but can you tell me a bit more about Rendell? I really had not seen him before .. Brisbane attached.. More of a ruck than forward?

 

[kaistar]

Hey knight,
As I’ve mentioned before I played against bailey smith my whole junior caree, multiple times each year and actually tagged him in under 16s grand final. Most interesting things about him that many wouldn’t even know is that I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but one on one deep forward, he’ll win it every time. Not that I am anything compared to his competition these days, but I witnessed that first hand. And though he is so persistent and hard working, he’s well aware of how good he is and will let you know about it if you get in his face. That game I actually handled him quite well in the first half in the middle and he didn’t get much of it. So then early in the third he lined up at full forward and went on our full back and kicked 6 to lead them to victory. From what you’ve seen, do you reckon he’ll be able to be that modern day, gun midfielder that can rest forward and hit the scoreboard? I’ve known bailey for years and he’s an absolute beauty. I think the closest comparison for him would be lachie Whitfield. Can’t wait to see him next year.
Funnily enough also tagged James Rowbottom back in under 14s. Were still quite young back then. He wasn’t a freak athlete or talk but he was just a natural footballer whose class was evident every time he got the footy. Thought he disappeared for a few years though so was surprised to see him on draft boards this year but I think he could be a good AFL midfielder, maybe in the mold of something close to Brad crouch. How highly do you rate him amongst the elite midfielders this year?
Cheers.

 

[Knightmare]

Hey KM who do you rate as the best Left footer/s in the Draft? Are there many?

The good kicks this year are right footers mostly. Top of mind, the left footer who really uses it well is Buku Khamis WBD Academy .

Hi Knightmare , we all know you are a huge wrap for Lukosius and have praised is field kicking massively.

Would he be the best field kick (any position) you have seen come through the draft? and if not who would be? Wouldn't mind a top 5-10 best field kicks you have seen in regards to pre draft performance.

Pre-draft there are four who really stand out.

Josh Toy is the best kick for a junior I've seen and his kicking is the closest thing to Nathan Buckley I've seen from a kicking perspective. He had that 60-65m penetration and would time and time again lace out hit his targets. He was a special kick and unfortunately due to heart issues has not achieved the greatness he appeared destined to reach.

Trent McKenzie would be that number two. Having that 70-75m penetration and being able to unload on goal from distance or to a target and hit the mark was just ridiculous. He was even then on occasions prone to overcooking some of his shorter kicks, but mostly pretty good short/medium with his long distance stuff beyond 60m like we'd never seen.

Jack Lukosius would be that number three on my list. Having that penetration out to 60m and being able to cm perfect place his passes to the advantage side/where he wants his teammate to lead, it's perfection. He can at times be casual with some of his passes which is the only knock, but it's that vision/precision kicking over distance combination that makes him so lethal.

Matthew Fuller - out of his depth in his time for Western Bulldogs but he's another with that length of kick up to 65m and precision placement of kicking where he did it to a flat out special level.

My fifth player is another prospect from this years draft - Mason Fletcher (Essendon f/s). He kicks like his father. Can kick it 60-65m and has the precision on his kicks. Would be in the conversation with Lukosius for the best kick in this draft and is probably the guy you'd trust most with kickouts outside of probably Toy - having that precision of kick placement over any distance while still being able to roost it long and accurate.

--
Outside of these, there are several high level decision makers who in traffic do some incredible things and use it to a higher level than many of these. That would be another category entirely - with a lot of those types elite kicks on the move or under pressure, but when there is a man on the mark often don't have the vision to spot out a target. Rankine and Hill are great examples of this in this years draft. After a mark or free kick, they'll go back over the mark and often you'll see them just go long down the line and struggle to find a target, but you put them under pressure and they'll remain composed and hit their targets with ease.

 

[Knightmare]

Thomas before Rankine...? is that just on football.. they were inferring that Rankine had issue on Fox.

Was Impressed BScott for the Allies ..good vision..like OHallaran for VicM nice touch on his kick ..Munn for SA showed a bit.. big mitts ... I look forward to seeing where these guys sit post champs..

but can you tell me a bit more about Rendell? I really had not seen him before .. Brisbane attached.. More of a ruck than forward?

For the record, Rankine I view as clearly better than Thomas. I don't feel they should be in the same conversation.

With that said, a lot of recruiters still view Thomas a top 3 prospect. He's still high on a lot of draft boards. Much higher than I would be willing to place him.

Scott runs all day and is a reliable ball user but I find to be for the most part low impact per possession.

O'Halloran on the other hand is incredibly high impact - whether he's running or kicking. He really opens games up.

Rendell is a solid key forward who can relieve through the ruck. He's been pretty quiet for Vic Metro and other than a 4 goal haul v Calder I wouldn't have thought has done enough to get chosen. Will want a strong back end of the season/finals series.

Hey knight,
As I’ve mentioned before I played against bailey smith my whole junior caree, multiple times each year and actually tagged him in under 16s grand final. Most interesting things about him that many wouldn’t even know is that I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but one on one deep forward, he’ll win it every time. Not that I am anything compared to his competition these days, but I witnessed that first hand. And though he is so persistent and hard working, he’s well aware of how good he is and will let you know about it if you get in his face. That game I actually handled him quite well in the first half in the middle and he didn’t get much of it. So then early in the third he lined up at full forward and went on our full back and kicked 6 to lead them to victory. From what you’ve seen, do you reckon he’ll be able to be that modern day, gun midfielder that can rest forward and hit the scoreboard? I’ve known bailey for years and he’s an absolute beauty. I think the closest comparison for him would be lachie Whitfield. Can’t wait to see him next year.
Funnily enough also tagged James Rowbottom back in under 14s. Were still quite young back then. He wasn’t a freak athlete or talk but he was just a natural footballer whose class was evident every time he got the footy. Thought he disappeared for a few years though so was surprised to see him on draft boards this year but I think he could be a good AFL midfielder, maybe in the mold of something close to Brad crouch. How highly do you rate him amongst the elite midfielders this year?
Cheers.

I haven't seen much of Smith going deep and winning those 1v1s. He showed a momentary glimpse in one of the games where he went forward and drew a free, but it wasn't enough of a sample to go off. If that's something he can start to show for Sandringham, he's only for mine creating separation in the best midfielder discussion.

Smith looks set to feature inside the top 10, and is viewed as one of the top handful of mids.

My personal view is, Smith is this years standout midfielder. Ahead of the more highly touted Sam Walsh.

I know with Smith he can play back, having proven himself as a back-flanker throughout 2017 and using it well out of defence. So he has that string in his bow. If he can win his 1v1s and take marks i50, then he can have success at the next level doing that. I just need to see more of it to really assess how well he can do that.

As for Rowbottom, he's one I consider to be in the second round mix. He isn't one of this years elite mids, but he's capable and can rack it up in his own right.

 

[kaistar]

For the record, Rankine I view as clearly better than Thomas. I don't feel they should be in the same conversation.

With that said, a lot of recruiters still view Thomas a top 3 prospect. He's still high on a lot of draft boards. Much higher than I would be willing to place him.

Scott runs all day and is a reliable ball user but I find to be for the most part low impact per possession.

O'Halloran on the other hand is incredibly high impact - whether he's running or kicking. He really opens games up.

Rendell is a solid key forward who can relieve through the ruck. He's been pretty quiet for Vic Metro and other than a 4 goal haul v Calder I wouldn't have thought has done enough to get chosen. Will want a strong back end of the season/finals series.



I haven't seen much of Smith going deep and winning those 1v1s. He showed a momentary glimpse in one of the games where he went forward and drew a free, but it wasn't enough of a sample to go off. If that's something he can start to show for Sandringham, he's only for mine creating separation in the best midfielder discussion.

Smith looks set to feature inside the top 10, and is viewed as one of the top handful of mids.

My personal view is, Smith is this years standout midfielder. Ahead of the more highly touted Sam Walsh.

I know with Smith he can play back, having proven himself as a back-flanker throughout 2017 and using it well out of defence. So he has that string in his bow. If he can win his 1v1s and take marks i50, then he can have success at the next level doing that. I just need to see more of it to really assess how well he can do that.

As for Rowbottom, he's one I consider to be in the second round mix. He isn't one of this years elite mids, but he's capable and can rack it up in his own right.

Cheers knight.
Just wanted to see your thoughts on some of the top prospects for next year.
Is Finn Macginess a top prospect in your eyes?
Have you seen much of Corey watts or Jackson Voss to see whether they are Draftable next year?