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List Mgmt. Mid Season Draft 2025 - Wed 28th May

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He will be a Pie Tomorrow McMahon a Bomber
GOT May wrong Pies didn't have the pick early enough. The Bombers took the combination too see they found something Scott can possibly see something in them. Essendon used their 4 picks I Would have no issue paying them small rookie wage we couldn't dare to use any funds that may go in the pocket of social events, themselves can't have that
 
One of the things I love about the midseason draft is that it gives 'mature' age players the opportunity to get onto an AFL list that they probably wouldn't get at the end of the year.

Persistence and hard work from players like Flynn and McMahon finally gives them that reward. That clip when Flynn got his named called out was bloody brilliant, just pure emotion.

I've always maintained that there's hidden gold in the state leagues with players who've matured at a later age, or who's game continues to improve each year. You get them for a bargain basement price AND you know they're gonna work bloody hard now they've got that opportunity....look no further than our own Cooper and the work he put in over summer to give himself every possible chance.
never understood the recruiters' fixation with 17yo kids fresh out of school.... and often private school boys at that!

There's always been plenty of 'mature' talent in the State leagues - and likely even in lower leagues (to a lesser extent) - that get over looked time and time again.

It's a raffle whether the kids truly come on in the big league.... even for top 10 draft picks....
 
never understood the recruiters' fixation with 17yo kids fresh out of school.... and often private school boys at that!

There's always been plenty of 'mature' talent in the State leagues - and likely even in lower leagues (to a lesser extent) - that get over looked time and time again.

It's a raffle whether the kids truly come on in the big league.... even for top 10 draft picks....
Agreed.

But across all teams they probably nail more than they miss when drafting top 20 players.

Not sure if the info would be out there but it would be interesting to know how many of the top 10 or 20 draftees end up out of the AFL within 5 years after being drafted.
 

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One of the things I love about the midseason draft is that it gives 'mature' age players the opportunity to get onto an AFL list that they probably wouldn't get at the end of the year.

Persistence and hard work from players like Flynn and McMahon finally gives them that reward. That clip when Flynn got his named called out was bloody brilliant, just pure emotion.

I've always maintained that there's hidden gold in the state leagues with players who've matured at a later age, or who's game continues to improve each year. You get them for a bargain basement price AND you know they're gonna work bloody hard now they've got that opportunity....look no further than our own Cooper and the work he put in over summer to give himself every possible chance.

100% agree with this BH. Guys mature later and some are totally different to what they were at 18, 19. The young fella McCarthy that went to WC wasn't that keen on football, loved basketball and cricket. He was playing at Highett in Div 2 and the fitness coach has ties to Richmond in the VFL and told him to do a preseason there. Nek minute, # 1 pick.

I feel there are a number of gems in the lower leagues, just need to dig.
 
Think it’s about 60 percent . Private school boys especially from the Elite schools are considered safer from a behaviour point of view and if the family unit is together even better . There is a kid in Qld that is getting big numbers in possessions and goals (even taking screamers) that is being ignored as he is considered a loose unit
Yeah thats interesting and probably not too unbelievable.

Youd always lose some to injuries and so forth but based purely on skills/ability to play well and contribute to a teams performance could be a different story?

The 'loose units' can be exceptional talent too - fev 🤦‍♂️
 
One of the things I love about the midseason draft is that it gives 'mature' age players the opportunity to get onto an AFL list that they probably wouldn't get at the end of the year.

Persistence and hard work from players like Flynn and McMahon finally gives them that reward. That clip when Flynn got his named called out was bloody brilliant, just pure emotion.

I've always maintained that there's hidden gold in the state leagues with players who've matured at a later age, or who's game continues to improve each year. You get them for a bargain basement price AND you know they're gonna work bloody hard now they've got that opportunity....look no further than our own Cooper and the work he put in over summer to give himself every possible chance.
It was obviously brought in to allow replacement for long term injuries but clubs naturally gravitated to "getting ahead of the draft". Perhaps the success of recent mature age recruits in the ND has caused a refocus?
I think only two "over-agers" were taken last night
 

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Agreed.

But across all teams they probably nail more than they miss when drafting top 20 players.

Not sure if the info would be out there but it would be interesting to know how many of the top 10 or 20 draftees end up out of the AFL within 5 years after being drafted.

They'd generally last longer, but I'd be hesitant to draw a direct correlation with them being "better" or more certain prospects than mature agers. When a club has invested as valuable a resource as a top 10 or 20 pick into a kid, they're generally going to afford them more time than someone who only cost them a 4th rounder or rookie pick. It's not necessarily logical - the further you get from the original draft, the less the pick used should matter and the body of work, progress and individual potential for further development should take precedence. But for those first 5 years, list managers would be very hesitant to outright delist a player.
 
Agreed.

But across all teams they probably nail more than they miss when drafting top 20 players.

Not sure if the info would be out there but it would be interesting to know how many of the top 10 or 20 draftees end up out of the AFL within 5 years after being drafted.
It was covered in an article/infographic I linked last week image-18.png IMG_20250516_103728.jpg
 
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Interestingly, I like the Young pickup. Why interestingly, well, i didnt care about the White/Evans/Ben C pickups.

I think I like it because of three things; there is a role for him to grow into with E Hollands being out. Success can be about that the fact that there is opportunity. We need his skillset and right now. I even think there is a role there for him even if E Hollands returns.

Secondly, watching the highlights i didnt get carried away that this was his best highlights, more i just wanted to see some things that I consider fundamentals. Nice kick, nice shape to kick, nice mark. Strength in his legs. Confident personality.

Lastly, the knock may be that he only hits 15 disposals in the VFL which is a level down on AFL. It's the only concern for me and his tank size. For possessions, i think Carlton can do with dropping a few inside 50s but have better inside 50s so less concerned with that side of things. We need quality not quantity added to the team. We already have quantity in abundance.

Could this be an indicator that Finn was our target. Just kidding.
 
I am keeping an eye on the 3 Brisbane took in the MSD last year.
Luke Beecken (flank/wing), Darcy Craven (small fwd) and Will McLachlan (half forward who has debut in seniors). McLachlan unlikely to be squeezed out but the other two let's see.
However they're all on the rookie list so not making room for NGA as you mentioned.
Check out Craven's Round 4 VFL highlights against Collingwood. The kid doesn't miss a target and so smart with ball in hand. Plus hits the scoreboard regularly
 

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