I was PMing
dayton about this and would be interesting if members here posted how they would like the draft to unfold. So ill answer a few of these quoted posts below with what Im looking for in this draft. (Take note, this is just personal opinion. I am no export nor claiming to be, so play nice). Encourage others to similarly list their planned draft
14 - Outside Mid Type:
- Has to be Weller IF he's available, absolutely love the look of this kid. Just has it all, and especially the pace/elite kicking combo.
- If not then I am more than happy to jump the gun on Menadue at 14. No, I am not jumping on the "bandwagon," this kid just reaks of Brodie Smith to me and Sando has always said he'd pretty much give his left nut for another Brodie (but wouldn't we all). Elite acceleration AND top end speed, elite kicking skills AND kicking technique which should hold him in good stead. Good endurance base too (top 10 in 3km time trial), jaw dropping side step, has the x-factor/game changing ability as reported by many and is also very strong overhead for someone his size. 188cm is a handy size to have for someone with his skillset, only further boosts his versatility. Weaknesses so far? Inconsistency and size are his biggest two atm, but how easily both of these could be fixed with a little added bulk on his frame and a decent pre-season under his belt. This kid just has too many tools at his disposal that we are both crying out for and could work with.
- Would be happy with Gartlett also, think people here are a little harsh on him. Reckon he looks a very good outside mid prospect but if we decide to reach for an outside mid, would much rather it be Menadue.
Happy to also take Goddard here at this pick if the club chooses to do so. The only reason I haven't is that I see a host of other capable talls available at our later picks, enabling us to choose and elite outside mid with our first pick.
STAY AWAY: Personally, I really dont like the looks of Ahern/Duggan. Seem to have good skill sets, but are poor decision makers in imo and are lacking in the top end speed category. Also not impressed by Marchbank
35 - KPP: Oscar MacDonald
- Huge wraps on this kid's defensive game so it's hard to see why he is not off the board earlier. If he can already shut down the elite forwards in his age group then he is well and truly on the right track. Has become a bit of a BF favourite around here and another "bandwagon" pick so to speak, but there are 2 things that stand out to me here, 1) his work ethic and mindset is supposedly miles ahead of most and I think this should hold him in good stead and 2) he has shown the ability to go forward at times.
- Other options here? Like the look Keitel if he also slides as a KPP. THis stage of the draft is already getting hard, considering how much the top 20 picks are changing around on a weekly basis. Knightmare has us taking Maynard here..... YUCK. If we decide to go tall in the first round, Voijo-Rainbow is a decent prospect at this pick and something we are looking for in terms of skillset. I think Dean Gore has something to work with also. He is raw, but the potential is certainly there.
STAY AWAY: Wigg/Cavka types. Cavka excels in endurance, but lacks pace. Big no no. Already have too many Wigg types on our list, Crows supposedly aren't into him either. Still way too early to take a Glenn type as well IMO.
43 - KPP: Keenan Ramsey
- It is no secret that our club is seriously lacking in some promising KPPs at this point in time, especially KPDs. I reckon this guy would well and truly be the best available KPP at this stage of the draft with the only knock on him being his one eye situation. Expert scouts have said that this seems to prove no problem for him, and that it actually makes him use his head more than most. As a result of this, he has great vision and asses a larger portion of the playing field when looking for options. Agile for his size and a good user of the ball too by all reports. Like MacDonald, has shown that he can be a threat when played forward at times. Would be absolutely stoked if we could wrap up 2 promising KPPs in Ramsey and Macdonald. Like I have said, great 1v1 defenders with a good enough rebounding ability and also the capacity to play forward, provides us with some great prospects to work with and hopefully plug some holes in our list.
Knightmare has us taking Ramsey here, and this is literally the ONLY pick I actually agree with him on, apart from Goddard at 14 who I wouldnt be disappointed with either. Paige has us taking Goodyear, a good "all round midfielder"... YUCK also. Have so many of those on our list as it is. Other options around this mark? Your guess is as good as mine. Ramsey just sticks our like a sore thumb at this stage for me, and also prevents port from taking him at 57 before our pick at 59 (No, this pick isnt purely to get back at port. I rate him and honestly cant see him sliding to 57, but if he's there I would bet on Port selecting him).
59 - The Renowned Caleb Daniel
I am choosing to select him for 1 reason really. The chances of pick 59 turning into an AFL standard player this late in the draft are very slim.... As a complete package, Daniel is said to have greater skills than almost the whole draft pool, it is just his height that seriously lets him down. So, why not select the player with the far superior skills this late in the draft. It really isn't that much of a gamble already having 3 earlier picks in the draft and plus, he just seems way too good to pass up, or allow through to the rookie draft and miss out on. It is highly unlikely, but what if he has a late growth spurt and hits 171ish cm? Could very well have the next Brent Harvey on our hands, it is more than worth the punt.