Official 2009 Draft Thread - as it happens

[Dez!]

I'm happy with that draft, added plenty of skillful midfielders, a giant lump of a ruckman and a KPF prospect.

Surprised at some of the selections but still very happy.

 

[WattsGoodForYou]

Yep 4 out of 5 so far, although I'm actually hoping for Panos at #50 now.

Well looks like you get the signed picture, lol. Just PM me your details LOL.

Was not expecting Jack Fitz or Jizzpants to be drafted, but I will take that. Another 2 Jack's , Fitzy looks like he will take a long time judging on his weight to height. Some unexpected stuff.

 

[Supermercado]

My favourite part of the night was Voss interviewed on SEN about Matt Maguire

"I know what it's like when I got my rod out"

WIN

 

[Andy_Mac]

Panos didn't even get picked up.

AA Full forward gets no love

 

[CM Sean]

You know Andy Mac... i didn't even notice that!
Talk about shocking...

ohh and BTW, was very happy with our draft day.
unexpted things happened but, overall it was good.

Especially loved pick 18 when we called out: Luke...(Ball????) .... TAPPSCOTT! LOL. Scared the shit outta the maggies I reckon.

 

[Sin City]

Congrats on the draft guys, landing Tapscott at 18 could be a steal. All the best.

 

[D Man]

Gysberts at 11 was a shock. Like most I was expecting us to go tall at 11 but I think Fitzpatrick could be a steal at #50. I doubt he'll play as a ruckmen, he'll primarily play as a big monster deep in the forward line. Maybe Talia and Black may not have worked that well with Watts, considering that they play similar roles. They all are good at playing up the ground but could struggle as a big forward target deep in the forward line.

If Fitzpatrick can bulk up there's no reason why he won't play a crucial role in our forward line. Watts can run up the the ground. Tapscott, Bate and Jurrah can play as medium forwards, and Maric, Wonaeamirri and Jetta can crumb. I think it could work well.

So welcome Gysberts. As long as you are better than McLean I won't complain.

 

[Fairtex09]

So welcome Gysberts. As long as you are better than McLean I won't complain.



should't be to difficult.

 

[Wonaeamirri33]

If Fitzpatrick can bulk up there's no reason why he won't play a crucial role in our forward line.

Yeah, mostly around the goal square I'd say.

Incidentally, I've got a feeling the Russky will be going forward a lot next year the way things are shaping up...

 

[Supermercado]

 

[Goobernutty]

In the words of Yello:

Ooooohhh Yeah.

 

[DemonJim]

An awesome sight!

 

[saj_21]

Like most was very suprised not to see a tall at 11 or 18. However you quite often only get quality mids in the first 2 rounds and its not un common to get kids who turn out to be quality talls in the later rounds. Fitzpatrick could be an examlpe of this nly time will tell.

Scully and Trengove were obvious.
Gysberts i was doing my phantom draft had him around 20-30, is very very good user of the footy avg 23 touches over the u18 carnival.
Tappscott, Kevin Sheehan likened him to a paul chapman type HFF/mid, mature body and could allow Sylvia more time in the middle.
Gawn at 34 was good, we got our man, a big kid who make take a little to time settle in.
Fitzpatrick, no.1 at the draft camp for repeat sprints not bad for a 201 cm ruckmen/KPF. I think we will groom him as a KPF Llong term.

Since the 2007 draft we have drafted kids who can do 1 thing very well, dispose of the ball efficienly by hand and foot. It starte of with morton, grimes and maric, continued with Blease and Struass and we have capped of with Scully, Trengove, Gysberts and Tappscott.

Pelchen from Hawthorn took the same line with the hawks 4-5 years ago, and look at Geelong how they can throw the footy around gather 450+ possies with such great efficiency. Not to mention they won 2 flags with only mooney, N.Ablett and Hawkins as there KPF's.

 

[Deestroy]

A review I read about the Melbourne function indicated we were tossing up between Gawn and Fitzpatrick for pick 18 as we thought Tapscott would be gone. If that is the case to get all 3 is fantastic. Hopefully at least one of the big guys pays off.

 

[melbournemartin]

I do take that with a grain of salt though. We come out almost every year and say that we were tossing up between two players for one pick and then ended up getting both.

We apparently were close to taking Grimes at #4 and taking Petterd at #12 (or wherever Frawley was taken)

They must really rate Gysberts highly if they thought Tapscott would be gone by 18. Why not take Tapscott at 11 and Gysberts at 18 just to be safe? It's hard to imagine Gysberts going between then.

 

[Deestroy]

Having read further reports it seems it was Gawn we wanted at 18 then Fitzpatrick at 34. Tough decision on which to take when 34 came around. While I usually agree with you on the 'everyone's happy thing', the fact Chris Connelly was saying these things as the draft was happening and predicting our next picks would indicate there's some truth there.

Apparently we were interested in Melksham, Lucas and Gysberts at 11 and in the end Gysberts got the nod over Lucas with Melksham gone at 10. Was likened by BP to Joel Corey.

Also worth noting is that we didn't rate any key forwards other than Butcher as worth a 1st rounder.

 

[Fairtex09]

I do take that with a grain of salt though. We come out almost every year and say that we were tossing up between two players for one pick and then ended up getting both.

We apparently were close to taking Grimes at #4 and taking Petterd at #12 (or wherever Frawley was taken)

They must really rate Gysberts highly if they thought Tapscott would be gone by 18. Why not take Tapscott at 11 and Gysberts at 18 just to be safe? It's hard to imagine Gysberts going between then.

Does it matter? It's done now....we selected both, they are both apart of the MFC. Thats it done!

 

[The Professor]

They must really rate Gysberts highly if they thought Tapscott would be gone by 18. Why not take Tapscott at 11 and Gysberts at 18 just to be safe? It's hard to imagine Gysberts going between then.

Sydney and Geelong were keen to pick him up Gysbert at 14 and 17 and the decision was made for the more accomplished midfielder then a HF in Tapscott.

Lucas would've been b4 Tapscott. Touch and go with Lucas. Gysbert kicking got him over the line.

 

[demooney]

excuse my ignorance but im recently converted afl supporter over the last couple of seasons living in sydney we dont get much info but i decided to support melbourne why couldnt we get rid of another lesser player on our roster and pick up panos with our last pick instead of passing on it wasnt he all australian at the u/18 champs wouldn he be worth the gamble .

 

[master bate]

excuse my ignorance but im recently converted afl supporter over the last couple of seasons living in sydney we dont get much info but i decided to support melbourne why couldnt we get rid of another lesser player on our roster and pick up panos with our last pick instead of passing on it wasnt he all australian at the u/18 champs wouldn he be worth the gamble .

Well I'm not an expert but I'll try and explain the general consensus. Firstly it is list not roster, but thats just for educations sake!

Now certainly we could have delisted another of our players - Bartram and Cheney were among the last to sign on for this year, they would have been prime candidates. But we've obviously decided to stick by them ahead of the 66th pick in this years draft. It's not the strongest draft so you don't want to be making too many picks late in the draft.

To answer why wasn't Panos picked is a difficult question. The simple answer is that recruiters are specialised professionals who have good success rates in identifying which players can go from junior level (even the top junior level like AA U18 full forward in Panos) to senior level. One thing you need is athleticism, no matter how good you are if you can't run fast enough, for long enough or jump high enough you won't be any good. There must be some deficiency in Panos' game or in his attitude that has ranked him outside the top 70 or however many were drafted yesterday.

I'd say he is a near certainty to be picked by someone in either the pre-season draft (PSD) or the rookie draft which are coming up soon. Unfortunately at this stage we don't have any 'live' picks in either draft. We are committed to Joel Macdonald in the PSD and to delisted demons John Meesen and Michael Newton in the rookie draft.

Luckily we have Jack Watts and Liam Jurrah to provide us with some highlights up forward, but may have to get lucky with Miller or Newton improving dramatically or with the guy we took at pick 50 yesterday - Jack Fitzpatrick - who is a 200cm ruckmen/forward but will take time.

 

[Demon Revival]

Having read further reports it seems it was Gawn we wanted at 18 then Fitzpatrick at 34. Tough decision on which to take when 34 came around. While I usually agree with you on the 'everyone's happy thing', the fact Chris Connelly was saying these things as the draft was happening and predicting our next picks would indicate there's some truth there.

Apparently we were interested in Melksham, Lucas and Gysberts at 11 and in the end Gysberts got the nod over Lucas with Melksham gone at 10. Was likened by BP to Joel Corey.

Also worth noting is that we didn't rate any key forwards other than Butcher as worth a 1st rounder.

What was he doing there spreaking??????????

 

[Deestroy]

Don't know what you're talking about

 

[demooney]

thanx master bate cleared things up for me sheers

 

[demooney]

cheers even lol

 

[Demon Revival]

Don't know what you're talking about

Well done, except (ol)...