National Draft - #8

[conVINCEd]

The National Draft might be nearly two months away, but it is critical to our rebuilding process. (Despite what AFC officials might have said publicly, we do need to rebuild. Some of you, (mainly jc) need to understand this).

Our first pick is obviously #8, and we are hopeful of getting Angus Monfries. Unfortunately for us, Collingwood, who have pick #7 are after a midfielder as well, and apparently don't rate Eckermann higher than a second rounder pick. So it looks like they may take Monfries.

I know some on here think that we should take Eckermann if Monfries isn't available, but I disagree. We DESPERATELY need inside midfielders, even if we get Thompson, and Eckermann is more of an outside midfielder, although not exclusively ala Nick Stevens.

IMHO, we should take Jordan Lewis with #8, if Monfries is already gone.

Lewis is very similar to Beau Waters - strong, aggressive, left-footed inside midfielder. For those of you who watched the Footy Show last week, he was the player from the Geelong Falcons who scored the miraculous goal from the boundary line on his left.

I was aware of Lewis before this, and was originally hopeful of taking him with the Eagle's #12 if that is what we got for Stenglein. Obviously AFC officials are positive we will not accept this, so hopefully we will get Thompson in return for Stinger.

If we had Thompson and Monfries/Lewis plus Reilly, Johncock and Schuback as our future midfield, it doesn't look too bad. Change Monfries/Lewis to Eckermann, and I think we are still badly short of inside mids. When we had, arguably, the best midfield in the game, we had Sugar Johnson, Bickley and Stinger at the bottom of packs. We have lost all of them and so far, replaced them with nothing. This, IMHO, is the year to do it.

Thoughts?

 

[snakebite01]

Eckermann is a midfielder who finds the footy. He is very small and so could be the rover that we never really have had at the AFC. Another upside to Eckermann is that he is underage, won AA U/18 honours, was SA's MVP. IMO he could go top 3 next year all things being equal. I'd prefer to take someone who is going to be one of the top draft picks next year underage at a higher price, even if it takes a year longer to develop him than say Monfries.

Still, would be happy with either, I just see more upside in getting Eckermann.

 

[Jars458]

Eckermann is a midfielder who finds the footy. He is very small and so could be the rover that we never really have had at the AFC. Another upside to Eckermann is that he is underage, won AA U/18 honours, was SA's MVP. IMO he could go top 3 next year all things being equal. I'd prefer to take someone who is going to be one of the top draft picks next year underage at a higher price, even if it takes a year longer to develop him than say Monfries.

Still, would be happy with either, I just see more upside in getting Eckermann.

Trevena has talked up Danny Meyer and Pyrce ahead of Eckermann which is interesting.

If Monfries has gone and Wood is still there we perhaps need to take Wood

given that the draft is so even after about pick 5 we should still get a good pick with our second pick

I would prefer if we somehow got a third pick in the top 20 through trading.

 

[snakebite01]

Trevena has talked up Danny Meyer and Pyrce ahead of Eckermann which is interesting.

If Monfries has gone and Wood is still there we perhaps need to take Wood

given that the draft is so even after about pick 5 we should still get a good pick with our second pick

I would prefer if we somehow got a third pick in the top 20 through trading.

Yeah I read that too. I think it's probably due to his age and height. It would be good if Eckermann slipped to our second pick but I doubt it. Meyer is classy, would love to get him with a second pick, got a great football brain and sublime skills and thats what we need to start looking for, rather than athletes.

I'm starting to come around on Wood. We really do need to do something about our ruck stocks sooner rather than later and considering ruckmen take longer to develop than midfielders, maybe we need to go with Wood this year with #8 and midfielders with the others, then stock up on midfielders next year.

Yeah, we really do need to trade for another high pick.

 

[Port01]

I would prefer if we somehow got a third pick in the top 20 through trading.

Don't you have to get the second one first?

 

[crowsarethebest]

The National Draft might be nearly two months away, but it is critical to our rebuilding process. (Despite what AFC officials might have said publicly, we do need to rebuild. Some of you, (mainly jc) need to understand this).

Our first pick is obviously #8, and we are hopeful of getting Angus Monfries. Unfortunately for us, Collingwood, who have pick #7 are after a midfielder as well, and apparently don't rate Eckermann higher than a second rounder pick. So it looks like they may take Monfries.

I know some on here think that we should take Eckermann if Monfries isn't available, but I disagree. We DESPERATELY need inside midfielders, even if we get Thompson, and Eckermann is more of an outside midfielder, although not exclusively ala Nick Stevens.

IMHO, we should take Jordan Lewis with #8, if Monfries is already gone.

Lewis is very similar to Beau Waters - strong, aggressive, left-footed inside midfielder. For those of you who watched the Footy Show last week, he was the player from the Geelong Falcons who scored the miraculous goal from the boundary line on his left.

I was aware of Lewis before this, and was originally hopeful of taking him with the Eagle's #12 if that is what we got for Stenglein. Obviously AFC officials are positive we will not accept this, so hopefully we will get Thompson in return for Stinger.

If we had Thompson and Monfries/Lewis plus Reilly, Johncock and Schuback as our future midfield, it doesn't look too bad. Change Monfries/Lewis to Eckermann, and I think we are still badly short of inside mids. When we had, arguably, the best midfield in the game, we had Sugar Johnson, Bickley and Stinger at the bottom of packs. We have lost all of them and so far, replaced them with nothing. This, IMHO, is the year to do it.

Thoughts?

I agree lewis is a freak, i saw the footy show last week>

 

[Lozza71]

Danny Meyer is someone who I have seen a bit off and will be watching for on draft day. IMO this kid will go on and do well at AFL level. he has shown me things that leave me without any doubt he will be a star.

I just hope that the AFC does not go for a small midfielder again. I agree that #8 should go for either Lewis or Monfries.

Enough of these small midfielders that get pushed of the ball too easily. Skipworth, Gags, Bode, Ladhams etc while some can play we need bigger bodies in the middle to replace the Roo's & Goodies in the next few years.

 

[Jars458]

Don't you have to get the second one first?

Ordinarily yes, but not under my new revolutionary numbering system!

 

[drakeyv2]

Danny Meyer is someone who I have seen a bit off and will be watching for on draft day. IMO this kid will go on and do well at AFL level. he has shown me things that leave me without any doubt he will be a star.

I just hope that the AFC does not go for a small midfielder again. I agree that #8 should go for either Lewis or Monfries.

Enough of these small midfielders that get pushed of the ball too easily. Skipworth, Gags, Bode, Ladhams etc while some can play we need bigger bodies in the middle to replace the Roo's & Goodies in the next few years.

I have only seen a little bit of Monfries & none of the others, so I can not say which individuals we should get.

I can only echo the thoughts of the others here in that we desperately need "inside" midfielders with strong bodies who can hold their position over the ball.

 

[mymansyd]

I have only seen a little bit of Monfries & none of the others, so I can not say which individuals we should get.

I can only echo the thoughts of the others here in that we desperately need "inside" midfielders with strong bodies who can hold their position over the ball.

My thoughts exactly. I'm pretty certain Crows will go Monfries or Eckerman at 8.

Hopefully, there will still be some real quality by the time we get to pick 24, as it doesn't seem that we'll be getting any other picks higher than that, via trades.

 

[baaaallllll]

We should have done what Melbourne did last year and tanked more games when we knew that we were not going to make the finals. But I guess that does not breed a winning culture down at the club.

Adelaide should have told Monfries to perform badly at the draft camp and tell everyone he has dodgy knees or something so that Adelaide had a better chance of picking him up.

 

[conVINCEd]

Hopefully, there will still be some real quality by the time we get to pick 24, as it doesn't seem that we'll be getting any other picks higher than that, via trades.

I agree totally. Unfortunately, Cwaig doesn't seem to like trading so it doesn't look like he has the guts to do what is needed on the trade table, which is a ********ing disgrace IMHO.

I agree with Lozza, in that I think we need big-bodied midfielders, and especially ones that are aggressive. Lewis fits the bill perfectly, he is similar to Waters in size as well - Lewis is currently 187cm and 85kg and only turned 18 in April, so I would imagine he would be an absolute machine after a couple of AFL Pre-Seasons. I understand Eckermann has huge upside considering his age, but he is small, and I'd rather have a physical weapon that a mosquito.

 

[Stiffy_18]

If people think Eckermann is outsie midfielder then thay are greatly mistaken. He is an inside midfielder who is a bit on the short side but he is taller than both Peter Bell and Byron Schammer.

Just out of curiousity, if for example Adelaide get both Scott Thompson and Corey Enright through the trade period who are both tallish inside midfielders, would you still go for someone like Monfires or Lewis with pick 8???? I wouldn't. If this was the case then I would either take Wood or Eckermann who is still inside but has pace and a long penetrating kick.

We can specualte all we like BUT we can't really say anything with much authority as we would in a weeks time after 2 pm.

I think on these boards we are getting a bit carried away with wanting midfielders. I am not denying that we need to stock up on the midfield BUT we also are just as desperate for a ruckman. If come pick #8 there is a ruckman and a midfielder that are considered of equal ability surely we should go for the ruckman.

It will depend on what happens in the trade week BUT in all honesty I wouldn't be disappointed if we got Wood with our 1st pick

 

[snakebite01]

I agree totally. Unfortunately, Cwaig doesn't seem to like trading so it doesn't look like he has the guts to do what is needed on the trade table, which is a ********ing disgrace IMHO.

I agree with Lozza, in that I think we need big-bodied midfielders, and especially ones that are aggressive. Lewis fits the bill perfectly, he is similar to Waters in size as well - Lewis is currently 187cm and 85kg and only turned 18 in April, so I would imagine he would be an absolute machine after a couple of AFL Pre-Seasons. I understand Eckermann has huge upside considering his age, but he is small, and I'd rather have a physical weapon that a mosquito.

We still need a mix of both. If we get Thompson he'll be a "taller" midfielder. What's promising about Eckermann is that he can go in and get the ball but has blisteringpace and good foot skills and so can play both roles.

 

[tztommo]

we should go for the best available pick. i hae seen a bit of monfries and eckermann and both look to have to goods. monfries seems to pick up a few possesions for sturt. also eckermann gets in the best a fair few times so he certantly picks up the ball enough.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Looks like Adelaide is keen on Monfries

Griffen fancied as top pick
9:46:46 PM Thu 30 September, 2004
Matt Burgan in Canberra
Sportal
South Australian under-18 coach Darren Trevena believes exciting South Adelaide midfielder Ryan Griffen has the ability to be the first player selected in this year's National Bank's AFL Draft.

Trevena - who coached the Northern Territory to its first under-18 title in 2002 and who has since succeeded in lifting South Australia's fortunes at the championships - said Griffen was right in the mix to claim the number one mantle in 2004.

"The big one is Griffen this year, and I'd like to see him be around the same mark like (Western Bulldogs Adam) Cooney at number one, which would be great to back up again with South Australia being the number one draft pick, two years in succession," Trevena told Sportal.



"It'll be interesting to see whether he goes one, two or three."

Trevena also suggested beanpole ruckman Cameron Wood and midfielders Angus Monfries and Danny Meyer were set to be first-round selections at this year's draft.

"The next one that will come in is Cameron Wood, who has great skills for a big guy and is 203cm and got a love of footy and is a pretty happy fella, so I think he'll come in around the top six," Trevena said.

"I think (Angus) Monfires will come around Adelaide. I know Adelaide is pretty keen on him. He has a super work ethic. He's got a big engine. He's got a great footy brain and I know that's what'll sell him over the line.

"Meyer has great potential. But we haven't seen enough about him yet. He's a bit like Gavin Wanganeen - he's got some great evasive skills and he also knows his distance in shooting for goal. He's lively in the forward half and has a great vertical leap as well."

Trevena nominated Sturt's Danyle Pearce as one player to keep an eye on, particularly after he blitzed in the agility and sprint tests at the National Bank's AFL Draft Camp on Thursday.

"He's broken two records at the camp and he ran a (level) 14 in a beep-test. He's a guy that probably didn't have the best of carnivals (this year), but has played well at SANFL level in the seniors and has really thrown his name up in the testing procedures, so I'll be interested to see how that reflects on where he goes and if he gets a chance."

With a number of other South Australia's at the camp and set for the state-based screening, Trevena said he was delighted the Croweaters were well represented in the talent pool in 2004.

"This year we've had 15 players come to the draft camp, 14 from the academy, which is a huge bonus for South Australia itself," Trevena said.

 

[drakeyv2]

we should go for the best available pick.

Very good point. We have got into trouble before trying to draft what we think we need rather than the best player available.

 

[baaaallllll]

If the breaking news on the main board is true and a Melbourne club has been found guilty of salary cap breaches (fingers crossed it is Collingwood) then it will give us a better chance of picking up someone decent.

 

[Stiffy_18]

If the breaking news on the main board is true and a Melbourne club has been found guilty of salary cap breaches (fingers crossed it is Collingwood) then it will give us a better chance of picking up someone decent.

Doesn't necessarily mean that they will lose the pick though. Depends how bad the breaches are but generally clubs get a financial fine and keep draft picks. Carlton got punished because the breaches were extremely severe.

 

[SAbella]

If the breaking news on the main board is true and a Melbourne club has been found guilty of salary cap breaches (fingers crossed it is Collingwood) then it will give us a better chance of picking up someone decent.

Don't know how true this claim is-SEN has reported that no club is being investigated-don't really know what to believe, time will tell no doubt.

 

[baaaallllll]

If the breaking news on the main board is true and a Melbourne club has been found guilty of salary cap breaches (fingers crossed it is Collingwood) then it will give us a better chance of picking up someone decent.

Sorry I was just getting excited , should have added a 'hopefully' somewhere in there.

 

[crowsarethebest]

In the main board a richmond fan got this report off a richmond official. And it says they'll be crazy not takin tambling at pick 1 and it said that they'll be hesitent gettin deledio at number 1

 

[Bockchoy67]

Obviously, both trade week and this year's draft are extremely improtant in terms of our future, especially in the midfield.

With the signing of Cameron Bruce, I am even more confident that we will obtain the services of Scott Thompson.

But what of the draft? What if Monfries is already gone?

I see people naming Cameron Wood as perhaps the best alternative. So, will Wood replace Riccuito when he retires? Will he replace McLeod? How about Edwards? Goodwin? The list goes on and on...

Getting an in and under midfielder, with pace and clean disposal and with a good work ethic is the exact type of player we need to potentially fill the holes of our older midifled brigade once they retire. If there is no Monfries, then I see no other reason to not take Eckermann.

He may be small, but so are the likes of McLeod and Edwards. I've heard people say he can deliver to the extent of those two players named.

 

[Bockchoy67]

In the main board a richmond fan got this report off a richmond official. And it says they'll be crazy not takin tambling at pick 1 and it said that they'll be hesitent gettin deledio at number 1

I feel the only thing Brett has got against him is the fact that while he dominates games, he hasn't got an set position. While this does increase his versatility, some clubs may worry that he is yet to find a role which will suit him at AFL level. It's a very minor issue, but it does leave clubs hesitant.

That and the fact he tend to fade at times, thus playing in bursts. Very, very, very good bursts, I might add.

 

[Stiffy_18]

Obviously, both trade week and this year's draft are extremely improtant in terms of our future, especially in the midfield.

With the signing of Cameron Bruce, I am even more confident that we will obtain the services of Scott Thompson.

But what of the draft? What if Monfries is already gone?

I see people naming Cameron Wood as perhaps the best alternative. So, will Wood replace Riccuito when he retires? Will he replace McLeod? How about Edwards? Goodwin? The list goes on and on...

Getting an in and under midfielder, with pace and clean disposal and with a good work ethic is the exact type of player we need to potentially fill the holes of our older midifled brigade once they retire. If there is no Monfries, then I see no other reason to not take Eckermann.

He may be small, but so are the likes of McLeod and Edwards. I've heard people say he can deliver to the extent of those two players named.

I listened to Kevin Sheenan (sp???) on the radio today and he said there is about 3 or 4 ruckman who will go in the first round and are genuine prospects as best as they have been. He also said there is a few very good KPP who will also go first round. When you think about it a lot of talls are expected to go in the first round which means you are very likely to get a good midfielder with pick 24. Wasn't Coughlan pick 25

You say will Wood replace Roo, Goody, McLeod or Edwards but then who will replace Clarke or Biglands?????? Huddo might be good but he is 26 next year.

Like it or not a ruckman is JUST as important as a midfielder and since ruckman are MUCH harder to find that a midfielder then you would be nuts to overlook him if he is available.

Now I agree that midfield is in a need of major rebuilding BUT we cannot ignore our need to rebuild the ruck.

Again I ask what if for example we get Thompson and say Enright with in the trade week and still keep picks #8 and #24. If Woods was available at pick 8 (and many good judges day he is a top 6 pick) surely you would have to pick him up. Chances are you can still get a very good midfield prospect with pick 24 but picking up a quality ruckman with that pick is very unlikely.

Our list doesn't only need to be boosted in midfield. We need boosting all over the place.