Official 2011 Draft Day Thread

[irel]

My absolute preference for our picks this afternoon.

8. Kersten
12. Yeo
30. Mascitti
47 Leever

 

[matwt73]

i was originally saying Tomlinson and greene but we would have to take longer if he was still there at 8.

I've gone off Longer now, but I still want Tomlinson, and even if 8 is a bit of a reach it would only be by a position or two , I think we really need that big body KPP

 

[cotter101]

http://www.sheppnews.com.au/sport_1249673.aspx

Now he appears set to be picked up in tonight’s national draft, with some touting him a potential second round pick.
Brisbane, the home of another Benalla product Tom Rockliff, visited Downie at his Benalla home earlier this week.

 

[jackess]

Apparently this was in the local paper.

Sounds dangerous.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Subbed.

 

[PTizzle]

Haven't seen much of Haynes sadly.

Docherty is the one I want most, apart from that I trust the recruiters. Would just take best available at 8.

 

[Dynawhite]

Personally I am not so high on Greene. Not because I don't rate him as a player I just have high hopes for the likes of Josh Green and Harwood.

Definitely agree with this, I think Green showed a lot of promise this year and a lot of effort.

 

[jackess]

What I'd like:

8 - Tomlinson
12 - Docherty
30 - Grigg
47 - Downie

I think that's the balance 2 smalls, a KP and a ruck.

 

[whatboutbob]

Must admit I'm feeling a bit detached about the draft because the players I rate are either unlikely to be available (WHE) or IMO don't really match our more pressing needs (Greene, Longer).

While going best available is great, with the number of holes in our list it seems somewhat wasteful to pick up players who aren't a pretty close match to our needs.

I'm assuming though that once the names are called out I'll come around pretty quickly to thinking they suit us perfectly and will all be future guns.

IHWT.

As it stands, my guess is those names will be:

Greene, Docherty, Downie and...Dobosz (assuming Schade's long gone)

Also, the Lions have just posted an interesting background piece with Hadley on the '08 and '10 drafts.

 

[Gibbo_88]

Must admit I'm feeling a bit detached about the draft because the players I rate are either unlikely to be available (WHE) or IMO don't really match our more pressing needs (Greene, Longer).

While going best available is great, with the number of holes in our list it seems somewhat wasteful to pick up players who aren't a pretty close match to our needs.

I'm assuming though that once the names are called out I'll come around pretty quickly to thinking they suit us perfectly and will all be future guns.

IHWT.

As it stands, my guess is those names will be:

Greene, Docherty, Downie and...Dobosz (assuming Schade's long gone)

Also, the Lions have just posted an interesting background piece with Hadley on the '08 and '10 drafts.

I'm pretty against us drafting Longer but if his names called out I'm sure I will quickly turn around and say how we're lucky he slid and that it's even better then when Rich slid to 7

IHWT

It's interesting to read that they rated Karnezis and Redden very highly a long way out from the draft and got a bit of 'luck' with players getting injured/sick.

 

[dane000]

Here's hoping we pass on the next Lachie Henderson and pickup Haynes as reported

 

[irel]

Moneyball draft picks http://video.heraldsun.com.au/2170081528/The-Moneyball-draft-picks
Lachlan Fairley and Damien Mascitti

 

[cmt26]

Must admit I'm feeling a bit detached about the draft because the players I rate are either unlikely to be available (WHE) or IMO don't really match our more pressing needs (Greene, longer)

I disagree that a player like Longer is not a pressing need for us.

Look at the injuries we had last season, and look at Leue's injury history. We currently have two ruckman on the list, one is an A grader, the other will retire in another 1-2 seasons. Make no mistake, the ruck position is one we do need more depth in. Take into account that It takes ruckman more time to develop into Regular AFL players as well. Would we prefer to spend that pick on a KPP instead, most likely yes, but in Longer, we have a player who has been rated a top 5 pick all season long, is a quality prospect (arguably better than any KPP that would be available in this draft anyway). Longer had also shown that he can hit the scoreboard when down forward. That makes for an awesome combination with Leuey in 4-5 years time as our midfield develops.

If I was in Hadley's shoes I would definitely be looking to grab him, if available.

As for not taking Greene, owing to already having Green & Harwood as inside mids on our list, I feel that Greene has much higher potential and the ability to become an A grader, whilst I feel Green & Harwood do not. I think they will become serviceable, but not the star clearance machines that we need.

These are just my thoughts, I trust Hadley and think we are in a great spot with this draft to grab the players we want/need. Greene & Tomlinson/Longer would be great additions to our current squad IMO.

 

[Caiphus]

Isn't Haynes similar to Lester who we got last year?

 

[Bobby Beecroft]

As for not taking Greene, owing to already having Green & Harwood as inside mids on our list, I feel that Greene has much higher potential and the ability to become an A grader, whilst I feel Green & Harwood do not. I think they will become serviceable, but not the star clearance machines that we need.

Agreed we may have hopes for Harwood, but will he ever become an A Grader? Perhaps our recruiters rate Greene as an A Grader.

As Crispy Creme stated last week, lots of people getting caught up in but we need this & that. Lets be honest we need everything!!

The guys will pick best available for 8 & 12 based on there own independent rankings. Picks 30 & 47 maybe where specific needs comes into play, eg. Green in 2010 or a KPP.

 

[whatboutbob]

I disagree that a player like Longer is not a pressing need for us.

I need no convincing that we need more rucks, but IMO pick 8 is over-paying for a 80/20 ruck/fwd given our current list needs elsewhere, especially when injury is the only way he'll see a game. As I've implied, IMO drafting for redundancy when you have obvious holes just seems wasteful. If he was a quality 60/40 ruck/fwd, then sure - he has an obvious role in the side, even with Leuie fit and firing.

I'm much more in the "pick the rucks later" camp, with two exceptions. Those exceptions are 1) if they're exceptional quality (eg Leuie, Kreuzer) or 2) you're succession planning. Longer IMO, while very good, is not exceptional. I think the reason he's been rated top 5 most of the year is because people assumed GWS would take the best ruck available (which he obviously is by a considerable margin). As for succession planning, Leuie's 23, so there's no need yet to lock in an A-grade replacement yet.

 

[dane000]

Fyfe/Cale Morton is a more apt comparison

 

[Quigley]

Isn't Haynes similar to Lester who we got last year?

Less of a key position even then Lester more like Karnezis if you want to make a comparison to last year's crop.

 

[crispy creme]

It appears to me that the emergence of Downie has thrown our choices wide open. Three weeks ago I think our recruiters would have been reasonably comfortable in thinking that he would be available at 47 - now I'm not quite sure. It appears our hand may be forced at 30. Of course if we take Longer that would change everything - not that I'm suggesting that will be the case. If we go two mf at 8 and 12 I would be guessing they'll be Greene and D. Smith. If Smith gone, then Docherty would be my next in line. Personally I would be taking Tomlinson and Docherty but luckily I don't have to make those decisions and get scrutinized by BF posters for the next 5-10 years!

 

[jackess]

Yeah I've got a feeling the club will take either Bolger or Downie at 30 if they don't take Longer. The Crows and Essendon have picks between 30 and 47 and may be after rucks so I doubt either one will be there at 47.

 

[dlanod]

It appears to me that the emergence of Downie has thrown our choices wide open. Three weeks ago I think our recruiters would have been reasonably comfortable in thinking that he would be available at 47 - now I'm not quite sure. It appears our hand may be forced at 30. Of course if we take Longer that would change everything - not that I'm suggesting that will be the case. If we go two mf at 8 and 12 I would be guessing they'll be Greene and D. Smith. If Smith gone, then Docherty would be my next in line. Personally I would be taking Tomlinson and Docherty but luckily I don't have to make those decisions and get scrutinized by BF posters for the next 5-10 years!

I like the sound of all that.

 

[dlanod]

BTW, an interesting article from the Lions' website on how they've approached their selections over the last few years - http://www.lions.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/5085/newsid/126429/default.aspx.

 

[chopperduck]

Personally I am not so high on Greene. Not because I don't rate him as a player I just have high hopes for the likes of Josh Green and Harwood. Both are clearance specialists and I would like us to instead concentrate on getting some pace or quality into our side. I rate Docherty ahead of Buntine and coming off half back he would be a great addition I am thinking as would Sumner.

I initially thought of this, but I figure we simply cant afford to assume these players will make it. Also, if you can round their outside game or they have another trait like good marking or goal sense you can play these players at HF, HB and the wings. Helps giving flexibility in match ups come game day as well.

Players that are hard and can win their own ball are gold to have around the ground. I've only seen 1:30 of Greene, but I love his quick hands, his reading of taps, and his strength in a contest, he doesn't get tackled easy and finds space. Can't wait for tonight.

 

[Swanny10]

Know nothing much about Downie other than what I've read but to me he sounds like a Tippett style player. That is a giant who is very athletic.

Will obviously be viewed as a Ruck but if he has good hands and visiom (bball background) could develop into that ruck/forward type everyone wants. Or even a pure FF perhaps.

 

[chopperduck]

Downie at 30 looks likely just because of the lack of Ruck options. Doesn't worry me if we take a ruck at 30 or 47, however, if we miss Tomlinson and need to take downie at 30, 47 for a KPP will be pushing it.