Mojo's Moronic Draft Thread

[mojo31]

Here is my draft thread.

It is for the top 20 players. Not taking into account team needs and who they would pick.
Just the top 20 players based on how I believe they will end up in 5 years.
Not who is the best player now.

It is not a mock draft.

It is based on the U18 championship games I saw live and the tapes I watched a number of times afterwards. Some tapes of a few SANFL games and WAFL games and the TAC games I was able to see this year.
Then doing some reading and speaking to a few more knowledgable people than myself.



1) Marc Murphy –

pure midfielder


complete midfielder. Leadership. Played his best football at the Championships 2 years in a row. Very agile and pretty quick but most importantly football quick. Very good tackler. Best clearance player in the draft. Good handballer and does not fumble. Kicking is good but could be a little better. Good around goals. Used to getting tagged. Carried a bit of a leg injury towards the end of the season and into draft camp where he did not complete all the tests.
2.98 speed for the 20m and good testing in the agility. Blitzed when skill work was done. Very level headed and has the desire and attitude that will succeed at AFL level.

2) Shannon Hurn -

HBF/Midfielder


96 kgs. 188cms. 3.04 for 20m and decent beep test.
Leadership. I stood near the huddle and heard him speak to the players (he was captain of SA) in one of the U18 games.
A real leader of men.
Michael Voss like in that regard.

Cricket every year and no football pre season EVER.
Oestitus pubis on top of that this year means no running and no training all year. Just rest and some swimming and ball work.
So give him 2 pre seasons and 3 or 4 kgs off his body and harden it right up and hopefully his agility improves.
Straight line speed is fine when up and going but movement from side to side and changing direction is poor.

Beautiful skills and a huge kick. Very good overhead mark. Will need a good player in the air to match up on him in the AFL which will be of benefit to him to break a tag if needed.

- Against

will he ever fully recover from OP?
Carey had it for the last 5 years and could not overcome it.

Hodge had it before being drafted and after 4 years still cant do all the training needed and has to be watched. Hodge cant play midfield all day because of it.

Will he actually get quicker or stay the same and other players go way past him when they are the size he is.

The way the game is going pace is getting more and more important.

Will he be a midfielder? or just a hbf with great skills.

Cameron Ling? Big body. Leadership. Toughness. Runs all day. Contested ball winner. Run with players. But a much much better kick. Champion if Hurn does become Ling + 60m kicking skills.
or another Geelong player?
Josh Hunt. Big body. Slow. Geelong give him the ball all the time. Magnificent low passes and distance.
Has to be hidden on slow players and Harley/Scarlett cover for him. Not fit enough/good enough to be a midfielder.

so which is it going to be?
Ling + Stewart Dew kicking skills.
or Josh Hunt.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

3) Patrick Ryder –

Aboriginal ruck. Smooth mover who covers the ground very well. Bottom aged and still growing and filling out. 196 cms and 89 kgs indicates he will be a monster when finished. Good mark and reader of the play. Best ruckman at the Carnival who was able to handle much taller opponents pretty easily. Good leap and reach. On the few times I have seen some WAFL tapes when he played a kick behind play he reacted well in defense and did not look lost at all. When he went forward he provided a good target and led well and at the right time.
Rucked in the seniors in the WAFL against grown men and also handled that well. Does not seem to rack up huge stats at any level or appear to try and physically dominate even at Colts level. Just a fantastic athlete who may not be a true key position player. Having said all that he is very very young (younger than Xavier Ellis who everyone keeps saying is so bottom aged) and with another few cms might well be a first ruck in the AFL. At the moment would be a decent back up in the ruck and a tall 3rd marking forward. A bit of risk picking him on potential and a bit of hope but think it is reasonable realistic. Would like a bit of more urgency and intensity at times.


4) Andrew Swallow –

breakaway pace from the stoppages is what comes to mind first. Can win the ball in a pack/congested situation as well as anyone in the draft apart from Marc Murphy. Then uses his pace to run away from others. The kicking action is the problem. From what I have seen on a few WAFL tapes and at the U18s it is not as bad as it looks but still needs to be a lot better. Moved up a lot since last year when he was overlooked in the draft. Played senior football for East Fremantle in the WAFL and got a lot of the ball. Captained WA in the championships. Gets 30 plus each week when playing Colts in WA and has that rare mix of toughness and speed that makes him tempting. Very skinny but likes the contest and will improve massively when he fills out. Top aged and will need the gym to improve physically as it is unlikely to happen much with natural growth. Have him higher than others as I think he can play down back and be very good as well as become a tagger if his kicking does not improve as much as needed.

5) Xavier Ellis –

reads the play well. Lets his opponent lead him to the ball to often for mine. Pretty good kicking skills and has some distance. Sets play up from down back. Anyone who reads his stats from the TAC has to remember they include those kick outs as well (40 poss are really 20). Very tall and very skinny especially in his legs. Will need 2 and maybe 3 pre seasons to be ready. Young for the draft so could fill out naturally. Worry about him as a midfielder with his style of play. Perhaps just end up as a very attacking back flanker or a wing. Does he avoid the contest because he is so light or is it because of his skills to use the ball on the outside. Or is it because he is just not that way inclined.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

6) Beau Dowler –

as good a mark as anyone in the draft. Grown to 195. Beautiful kick. Deadly shot for goal. Good mover. 3.04 for the 20m puts him in front of the other top KPP for speed. Can take a contested mark. Lacks a bit of mongrel. Great in the air but not so good once the ball hits the ground. Very skinny build and might need 2 or 3 pre seasons to build up. Is that going to rob him of some pace when he is 15 kgs heavier?
I think he can play either key forward position. Is a bit of a mark and kick player at this stage which lends itself to FF. However his running ability and good tank will allow him to develop into a CHF with improved efforts once the ball hits the ground. Very good person from all reports I just would have liked him to kick on after the U18s a little more. The injury should not hold him back to much and will take time to be ready anyway as he is very skinny. Just watching the tape of the first game in the U18s again where he took a few really strong marks sticks in my mind and maybe have him a lttle higher than others.


7) Josh Kennedy –

top aged. Physically mature already. Slow off the mark. Good mover once up and going. Good kick and mark. A nice bit of agro about him. A bit injury prone and now needing a full shoulder reco. Plays a bit like a Barry Hall with that sort of intensity. I feel that he is the surest bet of any of the tall players but also has the least scope for physical improvement. I am very concerned with his pace over the first few steps and I do not see him as being able to play down back with that limitation. Dominates a little in the Colts because of his size and not sure his style of play will flourish once he is matched up on players as strong as he is. Been on a big weights program for East Fremantle and how much of that and his advanced aged is making him look better than he will be when everyone else catches up.


8) Marcus Drum

– very professional player. Organised and reads the play very well. Tall and long arms. Looks like Fiora in stature. Very dedicated player who leaves no stone unturned to prepare and make himself into the best player he can. 3.00 flat for the 20m says his pace is good. Top aged and unlikely to grow much more and is 190cms already. Skinny build and a bit in between a KPP and a flanker. Very good mark. Good kicking skills. Extremely good TAC stats. Played a bit of midfield towards the end of the season and did ok.
Uses his body well in marking contests and beats bigger opponents regularly.
Takes contested marks.
Will he be able to play KPP? or even midfield is the question.
At the moment will be a fine half back flanker who will zone off and still be able to do well 1 on 1. Then take off and provide an option going forward.

9) Mitch Clark-

huge reputation. He knew a long time ago that he would be drafted and he was hot property. Not sure if that is the reason he has not developed as he should have. Rumoured to have had a back injury this year so not sure how bad it is and how much it has limited him. Fantastic build for AFL that when he fills out will be very imposing. 198cms already and very quick and agile for that size. 90 odd kilos and wont take very long to be AFL ready if he does the work. Good mark on the lead when he chooses to do it and not play for behind and try to reach over the top (like Gehrig does). Good kick for goal. At the start of the year was playing seniors in the WAFL and touted as the top pick coming into the carnival. Then had a poor one where he refused to chase and gave away silly free kicks. Perhaps is was things he might have been able to get away with in senior football or just that he was injured or even he really did not have to prove himself like others did. Likes to party with his mates in WA and does not train hard. His coach in the WAFL has not been very glowing with his comments over his commitment. The question is will he be another Andrew McDougall or a Lance Franklin/Pavlich type who had poor carnivals but it was overlooked and they will blossom once they are onto an AFL list.
Mitch Clark on ability is the best player in the draft.


I will put some others up later.

 

[Salaryman]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Thanks Mojo, these are most informative and useful for those of us who don't get to see TAC, SANFL, WAFL or state carnival games.

 

[DIG]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

My only criticism is you should've titled your thread better...

Nothing moronic about that, good analysis.

Seems from this and others that most of the top group have some sort of question mark over them. Murphy looks a given that he'll be our 1. Our no 4 pick will be interesting and much analysed as we look back on this draft in years to come.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

10) Cleve Hughes

CHF.

Good pace off the mark. Had a pretty good carnival and was named CHF in the All Australian Team.
Played cricket as a junior and really applied himself to football this year and improved out of sight. Works hard to present and seems to do it all day on the games I have seen him. Very good kick. Not quite in the Dowler class but still very good.
Does not seem to take a lot of pack type marks but more out on the lead with good safe hands. Does not seem to use his body a lot.

Top aged. Will be 19 in January. Very skinny still and will need to camp out in an AFL gym for a couple of years to be ready to go.

Sort of lacks something for mine. Not sure what but maybe some urgency and intensity in his game. Just a good solid KPP prospect who could really blossom but at this stage is a little bit behind the other top KPP in this draft and being older than all of them will not help. I put him behind Clark and in reality is not in the same league as him for talent but makes up for it with a superior work ethic and better attitude.



11) Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls

HBF/Wing

blistering pace. Good height and can take a mark. Skinny and needs to build up a lot. Great running off half back and taking a bounce and breaking up play. Not sure if he will be a midfielder or just a very attacking half back flank but with his skills and pace and reach will star at that position. Maybe move to the wing as he fills out. Aboriginal player who has flair. A few liken him to Peter Burgoyne and I would agree with the similarity in the way he moves.
2.85 for the 20m and 7.97 for the agility test means he has breakaway pace and elusiveness.

Was able to break into the seniors in the WAFL even with his light frame.

Will really need to be nused through his first few years as with a history of shoulder problems and his light frame could be a huge candidate for reinjuring them if exposed to soon.

I think in time he could be a very good AFL wing with some more development in his body and maintaining that speed.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

12) Travis Varcoe

wing

Hard to make a judgment on him. He missed the carnival due to a bad injury on his left foot. Then sat out the rest of the year in the SANFL and is only just recovering now so really cant look at draft camp results either for a guide to how he is recovering.
Very bottom aged and close to the youngest player in the draft.

After talking to someone who watched him all last year have put him at lower than others.
Has really fantastic pace and change of direction and footwork to run around people. Very good kicking skills and has a reasonable complete style of game and will not shirk the defensive side either. Tackles and runs down players.

Started the season playing senior football in the seniors for Central Districts in the SANFL (just like Shannon Hurn). It’s a very strong side and shows how highly rated he was by them even being so young and light.
Injured his foot in the 2nd game and been out since.

The only risk is how his foot recovers. If it does 100% and he develops fully will be a bargain.


13) Ben McKinley

HFF

The forgotten man of the draft is Ben. Not big enough to play KPP and not athletic enough to play midfield according to some. But can he play?
Just like Marcus Drum he does not fit the profile that people want so he slips down the order and is overlooked.
He really can do the freak things and does them more than anyone else I saw in the TAC this year.
Did not test very well at draft camp for his 20m and endurance testing so slipped further down.

When I have seen him play he seems reasonable quick with the ball in play and reacts quicker than others. Really goes hard at the ball and throws himself in.
Takes a huge mark for his size of just over 6 foot. Is a bit of a predator around goals and knows where they are at all times.

Dominated in the TAC and his form just got better and better after the U18 Championships.

Just a very good footballer who will play half forward flank and link up play and kick goals. A shorter and slighlt slower version of Andrew Embley is how I project him being as well as the standard Russel Robertson comparison.

 

[OZBomb]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Cleve Hughes reminds me a lot of Fergus Watts. That's not good at this stage.

I'm not sold on Ellis at all.

I'd agree on that top four. Some really vaild comments amongst all of them, Good work Mojo.

I still think Nathan Jones is going to be a really good AFL player, better than a lot of people are predicting.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Cleve Hughes reminds me a lot of Fergus Watts. That's not good at this stage.

I'm not sold on Ellis at all.

I'd agree on that top four. Some really vaild comments amongst all of them, Good work Mojo.

I still think Nathan Jones is going to be a really good AFL player, better than a lot of people are predicting.

Hughes and the Watts comparison is a good one.

I am a bit concerned that Ellis might fall and we take him at 4. I dont mind letting players develop but after Walker/Russell I would prefer we took Hurn if he is there or others over Ellis.

 

[OZBomb]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Hughes and the Watts comparison is a good one.

I am a bit concerned that Ellis might fall and we take him at 4. I dont mind letting players develop but after Walker/Russell I would prefer we took Hurn if he is there or others over Ellis.

There's a possibility Ellis might be better in the long run, but Hurn is a pretty sure thing beyond the OP.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

14) Austin Lucy

KPP Back

Very big key defender already at almost 90kgs and 193cms.
Tested very well at draft camp.

Top 10 in the 20m and in the vertical jump. Says he has real pace and the leap to compete and spoil down back. However on the few times I have seen him I have seen a player who is slow over the first few steps and can get caught out with that. Once he is up and going he is fast and has very good top line speed. I would compare him to Luke Livingston who also tested very well at draft camp in the sprints and has also good sepeed after the furst few steps but struggles over the first few.

His use of the ball is not as good as it could be. Just seems to kick it as hard as he can and that’s pretty far with a booming right foot kick.

Wont have a problem with being able to compete at AFL level with his size already but might be better suited to CHB with his lack of speed off the mark.
Might develop as a hard running defender if he can use the ball better.
Agility test at draft camp was down and might indicate a problem going forward as he gets even bigger. Opponents turning him around and exploiting that.


15) Darren Pfeiffer

Midfielder/HBF

I see him as a defensive type midfielder in the AFL. Very hard player who competes very well in the clinches. Close to the best tackler in the draft. Good overall package with goodish speed and agility and a good mark to go with the best vertical jump at draft camp.
Plays a hard running style of game which is well suited to the AFL. Not a zoning player when down back who racks up the easy stats but a good 1 on 1 player who will run hard to create an option when rebounding.

Disposal is pretty good but sometimes his decisions and poise could be a little better.

Named best player for SA in the U18s and managed to play senior football in the SA.

Would really improve our side and would be a dream he is available at 20.
Accountable hard tackling quality midfielders are exactly what we need who possess decent pace and skills.




so far then my top 20 is

1) Murphy
2) Hurn
3) Ryder
4) Swallow
5) Ellis
6) Dowler
7) Kennedy
8) Drum
9) Clark
10) Hughes
11) Oakley-Nicholls
12) Varcoe
13) McKinley
14) Lucy
15) Pfeiffer

 

[Pivot]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Would like to see guys like Jones, Drum, Lucy and McKinley given a chance early. All footballers that will be better at AFL level than some think. Application and a footy brain go a long way.

That Jones already has a big body, is 177cm and not super-quick shouldnt worry people that much. The thing about Jones is he can run all day, is very strong, a good in & under player, has good skills, and can read the play well. Extremely important attributes that sometimes are forgotten when better athletes are on offer.

At the Blues we have some good players who work very hard like Wiggins, Bannister, Livingston and Prendergast but do they have a good footy brain? IMO no. Combine there determination and application with an understanding of the game and how & when to position yourself and the ability to get the footy often, then they would be excellent players.

Skills can be aquired over time, footy instincts/brain are hard to teach.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

16) Nathan Jones

Midfielder

Running machine. Short (177cms) and very solid body. Has a triathlon background and only just gave it up this year. Is therefore advanced on a lot of others due to his superb fitness.
Runs a 10min 30 for the 3km and also a 15.7 beep test. Was not able to replicate those at draft camp as he had gastro.
Was only able to run a 3.15 for the 20m and that is a concern for a player of his size.
Build like the proverbial brick outhouse and puts his head down and behind up and burrows in. Runs over the top of the smaller midfielders in the TAC. Also runs to receive numerous handballs with his elite aerobic running ability.
His use of the ball could be better. His kicking has plenty of depth but is not always reliable.

The grand final in the TAC where he dominated seems to have him more highly rated than I have him. I just feel that he is not a very creative player and although not top aged is physical developed at mid 80 kilos and with his hard triathlon training is like a 2nd year drafted player with his fitness.
So is in front of others due to that but in a few years when they catch up he will not be in my opinion.
Then he will be left with a 177cm player with no real speed who runs all day but is against taller and quicker players who are just as fit.
Is a very good clearance player which is what he needs to excel at in the AFL


17) Dale Thomas

HFF/Midfielder

A hard player to judge. Very quick (2.93 for 20m) and likes to run and carry the ball and break open play. However his kicking is not so good. Can do some really fantastic things as well as look a bit ordinary at times.
Good around goals. Like Nathan Jones he had a very good GF in the TAC and it can put him a little higher in peoples ratings since it was the last game seen.
Spectacular type of player. I feel he will be a forward pocket and not an AFL midfielder. Did not test well for the 3km or beep test and does not seem to have the tank as is a burst player at this stage.
Not overly big but likes to go for his marks. Small frame and will need to really fill out. If he can develop the endurance and put his head over the ball even more and his kicking really improves then he will be a very good get.
To many ifs for mine to take early. Some people will rate his X-Factor higher than me and have him much higher.

 

[Blue70]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

16) Nathan Jones

Midfielder

Running machine. Short (177cms) and very solid body. Has a triathlon background and only just gave it up this year. Is therefore advanced on a lot of others due to his superb fitness.
Runs a 10min 30 for the 3km and also a 15.7 beep test. Was not able to replicate those at draft camp as he had gastro.
Was only able to run a 3.15 for the 20m and that is a concern for a player of his size.
Build like the proverbial brick outhouse and puts his head down and behind up and burrows in. Runs over the top of the smaller midfielders in the TAC. Also runs to receive numerous handballs with his elite aerobic running ability.
His use of the ball could be better. His kicking has plenty of depth but is not always reliable.

The grand final in the TAC where he dominated seems to have him more highly rated than I have him. I just feel that he is not a very creative player and although not top aged is physical developed at mid 80 kilos and with his hard triathlon training is like a 2nd year drafted player with his fitness.
So is in front of others due to that but in a few years when they catch up he will not be in my opinion.
Then he will be left with a 177cm player with no real speed who runs all day but is against taller and quicker players who are just as fit.
Is a very good clearance player which is what he needs to excel at in the AFL


17) Dale Thomas

HFF/Midfielder

A hard player to judge. Very quick (2.93 for 20m) and likes to run and carry the ball and break open play. However his kicking is not so good. Can do some really fantastic things as well as look a bit ordinary at times.
Good around goals. Like Nathan Jones he had a very good GF in the TAC and it can put him a little higher in peoples ratings since it was the last game seen.
Spectacular type of player. I feel he will be a forward pocket and not an AFL midfielder. Did not test well for the 3km or beep test and does not seem to have the tank as is a burst player at this stage.
Not overly big but likes to go for his marks. Small frame and will need to really fill out. If he can develop the endurance and put his head over the ball even more and his kicking really improves then he will be a very good get.
To many ifs for mine to take early. Some people will rate his X-Factor higher than me and have him much higher.

Good Stuff Mogo31 - this is better reading than Inside Footy... It's the most detailed summary I have seen of Marc Murphy which is great as he is locked in for pick 1..... Can you comment on his shoulder injury and how it will affect his pre-season?

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Good information Mojo31 and it's always good to read another educated opinion.

14)Austin Lucy

KPP Back

Very big key defender already at almost 90kgs and 193cms.
Tested very well at draft camp.

Top 10 in the 20m and in the vertical jump. Says he has real pace and the leap to compete and spoil down back. However on the few times I have seen him I have seen a player who is slow over the first few steps and can get caught out with that. Once he is up and going he is fast and has very good top line speed. I would compare him to Luke Livingston who also tested very well at draft camp in the sprints and has also good speed after the furst few steps but struggles over the first few.

His use of the ball is not as good as it could be. Just seems to kick it as hard as he can and that’s pretty far with a booming right foot kick.

Wont have a problem with being able to compete at AFL level with his size already but might be better suited to CHB with his lack of speed off the mark.
Might develop as a hard running defender if he can use the ball better.
Agility test at draft camp was down and might indicate a problem going forward as he gets even bigger.Opponents turning him around and exploiting that.

The comparison of Lucy to Livingston is an interesting one and it will be interesting to see if he is the player that falls this year.

I'm still hoping for Hurn to be there at four but Ryder then Kennedy would be my preferences going on reports.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

18) Scott Pendlebury

Utility

Potential is the first thing that comes to mind with him. A tall flanker type who is still young.
Devoted himself to football this year after previously being a basketballer and holding a scholarship with the AIS.
Really improved after the U18 Championships and got better and better as the season went on.
I am expecting this trend to continue after really only playing football full time this year.

Is very evasive and may lend itself to being a wing at AFL level. Good the big hands that handle the ball well in traffic and ‘dancing feet’ which make him able to find space when there appears to not be any. Good kicking skills on his left foot and seems a good decision maker. Not really a contested possession and clearance player at this atge but may develop.
Good testing overall at draft camp and nothing is holding him back if he applies himself fully. Considered a little bit lazy as things come easy to him and this is a bit of a worry going forward.


19) Paul Bower

CHB

Really like him. Good build for KPP and a good height and size already which will lend itself to a fearsome unit when he fills out even more.
A very attacking style of defender who loves a run of the half back line. Nice pace and agility and not afraid to back it in.
A modern style defender and something we really lack from our defenders at the moment.
Will need to develop to be able to play man on man against some of the giants. .
Is more of a tall HBF at the moment who has the size and build to potentially be a KPP back in a few years. Just depends if clubs want to use his strengths of running power and agility to run off the half back line or try and convert him into a ‘gorilla’.


20) Beau Muston

HFF/Wing

Top aged player. Highly rated before doing his knee and sitting out the rest of the year.

A bit of a ball magnet in the TAC before getting injured who also kicked goals. Likely his best position is around goals or at least forward of the centre where he is a real opportunist. Tall and very lanky type who takes a good mark.
Did not play TAC last year or at any of the Carnivals obviously so it is hard to say where his quality sits. Is top aged as mentioned and still very skinny and might have problems putting on weight. That coupled with a knee reco means he is a big risk.
However has plenty of talent and pace and hopefully the speed is still there after the operation and rehab.
Really smooth mover and a very good field kick and for goal.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Good information Mojo31 and it's always good to read another educated opinion.

The comparison of Lucy to Livingston is an interesting one and it will be interesting to see if he is the player that falls this year.

I'm still hoping for Hurn to be there at four but Ryder then Kennedy would be my preferences going on reports.

Just comparing Livo to Lucy in terms of a tall doing really well at draft camp testing and being considered very quick. Livo was the same as Lucy in the sprint testing and has sufferef because he is slow over the first few steps like Lucy can be a little. Livo does not seem to read the play and react very well and is not really 6 foot 4 either. Had to put on a lot of kgs and has slowed down and his agility is pretty poor.
Still when at full speed he is quick just like Lucy is.

However Lucy is taller and can kick and will not have to build up as much as Livo has. So in reality all I am saying is that Lucy will have to watch his weight and agility as he gets older and he might be better suited to CHB over FB with his slightly slower first few steps.

 

[OZBomb]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

I may well be Robinson Crusoe here, but I think you can eventually turn Grant Birchall into a really good Full Back.

He reads the ball really well off the half back flank and gets a lot of possessions for someone 194, or so, cm. Good speed, but most importantly the reaction time is good and the first steps are quick. Bret Thornton was a mid-fielder in his early days also and he's turned out to be a hell of a player.

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Just comparing Livo to Lucy in terms of a tall doing really well at draft camp testing and being considered very quick. Livo was the same as Lucy in the sprint testing and has sufferef because he is slow over the first few steps like Lucy can be a little. Livo does not seem to read the play and react very well and is not really 6 foot 4 either. Had to put on a lot of kgs and has slowed down and his agility is pretty poor.
Still when at full speed he is quick just like Lucy is.

However Lucy is taller and can kick and will not have to build up as much as Livo has. So in reality all I am saying is that Lucy will have to watch his weight and agility as he gets older and he might be better suited to CHB over FB with his slightly slower first few steps.

So there may be next to no chance of getting Lucy given how valuable KPPs are.

How do you rate Higgins compared to Bower and Pendlebury as bottom age players?

Another educated watcher mentioned Ben Taggart as a possible KPP if we want one at pick 36.

Have you also seen any of his games?

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

So there may be next to no chance of getting Lucy given how valuable KPPs are.

How do you rate Higgins compared to Bower and Pendlebury as bottom age players?

Another educated watcher mentioned Ben Taggart as a possible KPP if we want one at pick 36.

Have you also seen any of his games?

Shaun Higgins

Bottom aged like you said. A decent size for a midfielder and he certainally racks up the stats. Does not really have much pace and was a little bit quicker before having so many knee problems.
Had many knee problems in previous years and then had shoulder and calf problems this year.
Not sure how is body is going to hold up to being an AFL midfielder as he is pretty light now.

Can kick a goal and looks like an ideal forward pocket and as he develops and gets stronger should move into the midfield.

Pretty decent skills who accumulates his stats. Really nothing stands out for me here and I worry about his body being able to stay together.

Not really a great clearance player. Just pretty good at everything and not very athletic on top of that to go with being a 6 footer.


Ben Taggart

Very top aged and will be 19 in January, so in reality he is 1 year older than most others to be considered. A good height at 192 but still pretty skinny. Plays more as a half back flanker. Another one of the East Fremantle boys. Not sure what they are doing over there but might be able to field there own AFL team soon!!
I would look at him for a rookie spot. He is not really KPP and with him being nearly 19 now will struggle to develop as one. Got a bit of the Gilhams from Port about him and maybe see him as a third tall defender who might develop into something more but unlikely.
Kicking is not so good either.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Good Stuff Mogo31 - this is better reading than Inside Footy... It's the most detailed summary I have seen of Marc Murphy which is great as he is locked in for pick 1..... Can you comment on his shoulder injury and how it will affect his pre-season?

No problem with the shoulder. Will not need surgery. Just a slight nerve problem from what I was told (like having a bit of a dead arm) and just needs to rest it.
Taken a buffeting this year as he was targetted and tagged hard. Will not hit the weights until after Christmas on the upper body but no problem doing the running and ball work.

For anybody who has not heard yet Muston has gone in for more surgery on his knee and will be out for another 6 months. Not a knee reco this time though.

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Shaun Higgins

Bottom aged like you said. A decent size for a midfielder and he certainally racks up the stats. Does not really have much pace and was a little bit quicker before having so many knee problems.
Had many knee problems in previous years and then had shoulder and calf problems this year.
Not sure how is body is going to hold up to being an AFL midfielder as he is pretty light now.

Can kick a goal and looks like an ideal forward pocket and as he develops and gets stronger should move into the midfield.

Pretty decent skills who accumulates his stats. Really nothing stands out for me here and I worry about his body being able to stay together.

Not really a great clearance player. Just pretty good at everything and not very athletic on top of that to go with being a 6 footer.

If the club has the same opinion then I hope pick 20 is out of Bower or Pendlebury.

I would look at him for a rookie spot. He is not really KPP and with him being nearly 19 now will struggle to develop as one. Got a bit of the Gilhams from Port about him and maybe see him as a third tall defender who might develop into something more but unlikely.
Kicking is not so good either.

I like the sound of 79Vintage's rookie selections on the phantom rookie draft of Carlile and Simpkin.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

I would prefer Bower and Pendlebury to Higgins at this stage at pick 20.

Would not take Taggart with our 2 rookie players but that is the only place he would be considered as pick 36 is far to high for him.

He is a tall defender and we need them but just not good enough at this stage. Unlikely to develop enough to be either.

 

[Silvagnis]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Interesting observations on Higgins, however, would you say that Higgins is more likely to make it than Pendlebury?

I still remember Adam Chatfield as the 188 centimetre player we drafted who was the quickest at draft camp a few years back.I'm not comparing Chatfield's football ability to Pendlebury's but it sounds like Dejá Vu and I want a footballer at 20.

 

[mojo31]

Re: Another moronic draft thread

Interesting observations on Higgins, however, would you say that Higgins is more likely to make it than Pendlebury?

I still remember Adam Chatfield as the 188 centimetre player we drafted who was the quickest at draft camp a few years back.I'm not comparing Chatfield's football ability to Pendlebury's but it sounds like Dejá Vu and I want a footballer at 20.

Higgins and Jones are more likely to make it then Pendlebury but is the old arguement about upside and physical improvement etc.

Pendlebury like I said has only really had this year where he put football first and foregone basketball.
Had a good year in the TAC and averaged 23 poss a game 5 marks and 5 tackles.

Is young and 188cms and might have a bit left in him. Got the big hands and is an athletic package who tested well at draft camp but it is his form in TAC and the way he plays more so than a beep test that has him rated.

Higgins is also bottom aged but at 183 cms if he grows a little it does not change where he will play.
Pendlebury at 188 could almost be a tall defender or up forward with a little bit of growth.

All hypotheticals but think Pendlebury is a footballer who has some 'freak' about him and should keep improving more after leaving basketball.

Higgins has less scope to improve but is slightly more of a sure thing.