Mega Thread Official Draft thread.

[longytap]

http://dreamteamtalk.com/2012/10/16/dt-talk-2013-offseason-special-edition/
The DT talk boys interviewed lonergan earlier this year, if interested?

 

[HereIam86]

Suns keen on Josh Simpson
http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/151058/default.aspx
But whether he takes the fancy of Gold Coast with its first pick is another question, with speculation the club has its eye on West Australian midfielder Josh Simpson.

 

[Sunny_]

Surely since we picked up Martin we'd pass? I realize Simpson is a talent, but we need inside midfielders.

 

[supernova_]

Surely since we picked up Martin we'd pass? I realize Simpson is a talent, but we need inside midfielders.

You need to look at the history of Claytons recruitment with the bulldogs. During the mid 00's they were regarded as one of the fastest sides going around, it kind of feels like he is building a similar type team for a while now.

He built the Lions list in the 90s that accomplished the 3peat, went to the Bulldogs and was responsible for the likes of Gillbee, Giansiracusa, Murphy, Hargrave

 

[Sunny_]

All true. Just need to have faith that they know what they're doing. They haven't led us astray so far, that's for sure.

 

[Sunny_]

I must admit, upon further thought, a midfield with Martin, Bennell and Simpson would be pretty hard to lock down for the opposition. And that's not even throwing in the likes of McKenzie and Shaw.

 

[WrongUn]

Maybe the plan is to simply pick up the best available mid at 13, no matter the type, and draft an experienced inside midfielder in the PSD with our newly available senior spot. Instant impact to our list.

 

[Sunny_]

Maybe the plan is to simply pick up the best available mid at 13, no matter the type, and draft an experienced inside midfielder in the PSD with our newly available senior spot. Instant impact to our list.

Quite possibly. Some recruiters go best available talent up to a certain point, unless you're in some dire need.

Horsley, Rischitelli, Swallow, Prestia, Hunt, Ablett and maybe even Jaeger for a small period of time can all play as an inside mid for us in 2013. You could also throw in Weller, Brennan or Stanley if we were in serious trouble.

Just hope that they can all stay fit and in form to get it out to our running midfielders. Otherwise we'll field a side like we did against the Pies, where our inside mids were Hunt and Stanley. Not enough talent there to win it.

 

[Sunny_]

Just to follow on from what WrongUn was saying.

Chris over on the D&T board said something very similar when I expressed some concern over Simpson. He replied with:

I wouldn't have a problem with it, despite it not really filling a need. He would be the best talent available, quite easily too. I floated the idea of the Bulldogs taking him at #6 the other day, and it does sound like at one stage Clayton did rate him at #2. So to get him at pick 12 would be more than a nice surprise.

I've always been a believer in being able to find inside workhorses late in the piece, or as mature aged picks. Guys like Byrne, Heavyside and McKay have all had injury issues this year which may see them drop to the rookie draft, but they could be that player for the Suns. Alternatively, bigger body midfielders like Harrison Marsh and Sam Lowrie may be available when they pick in the third round, so too Dean Kent.

I still think Nick Vlastuin would be the great for the Suns, but stocking up on pure talent and getting role players later on isn't the worst plan ever.

 

[Iva Bigun]

Getting guys from Tassie, WA or SA is our goal and it is a smart one. Much less go home factor and only 2 teams to have to fend off not 10 vic teams

 

[Sunny_]

Verdict's in! Emma Quayle believes that we'll be keen on Simpson, Lonergan or Plowman if he's still there. Corr an outside chance.

Both Plowman and Corr are KPD prospects. Plowman likely won't be there, so it seems between Simpson or Lonergan.

PS. Sorry to Emma if she reads it. I know she hates it when BigFooty quote her tweets. Of course, this isn't rock solid stuff and still predicting into the future, but since she has an idea on who we've interviewed, it's the best we can get until closer to draft day.

 

[TheSunGod]

I would be wrapped if we nabbed Simpson. He's one of the top three in my wish-list. I've followed footy for a long time and just love how this kid moves - he is all class. Good size for a mid and very damaging disposal. As has been mentioned above the go-home factor wouldn't be as bad as with a Vic kid, and the more WA boys we get the more comfortable they'll all feel playing together on the Goldy - it will be like home in WA.

I think our need for inside mids has been overstated somewhat. We have plenty who can play inside, they just have to get better at it and we need to be able to keep them on the park. You don't have to have the build of a bulldozer to play inside, if your hands, skills, reading of the play and reflexes are better than your opponents. A player like Simpson can also go outside. That is the midfield I want to see us grow. The more inside / outside mids we have the more we keep the opposition guessing. Add Simpson to Swallow, O'Meara, Prestia, Bennell, Sexton, and Martin - WOW!!! Watching this lot run amok will have the crowds streaming through the gates. Check Simpson's highlights - speed, skill, x-factor, very good decision-maker - this kid can do it all. The more I think about it, I'd be happier with him than Vlastuin or Stringer because of the go-home factor alone.

 

[Sunny_]

Simpson is more of an outside type, isn't he TheSunGod? Perhaps Chris25 can also shed some more light on him for us.

Is he capable of playing inside? Just obviously not that bash-crash type inside like Lonergan. More a smarts inside type. Sort of how Harley gets his touches around the coal face.

From what I understand about Simpson, is that he rarely gets large numbers of disposals, but when he gets it he's very damaging. Similar to Jetta in that regard.

 

[TheSunGod]

Simpson is more of an outside type, isn't he TheSunGod?

Or is he capable of playing inside? Just obviously not that bash-crash type inside like Lonergan. More a smarts inside type. Sort of how Harley gets his touches around the coal face.

From what I understand about Simpson, is that he rarely gets large numbers of disposals, but when he gets it he's very damaging. Similar to Jetta in that regard.

Yeah that's how I see him Sunny from reports and those video highlights. Harley reminds me of "Neo in The Matrix" how he just seems to have so much more time in there and you can almost see him deciding who he'll give the pill to before and during the act of getting his hands on the ball ("Here, Gaz can have the red pill). He won't be required to play inside for us anyways - you want players like him and Harley receiving it because they are pinpoint with their disposal and hurt the opposition. I think that is a greater problem for us - we can get the ball out but it is our first kick or handball once we get it out of congestion that we often execute poorly - commentators picked up on this in a number of games this year. IF we get this right and go more direct at goal, we are going to become a very dangerous side. Would love to see him line up on a wing or HFF. You're right in that the only knock I've heard against him is that he doesn't get enough of it, but when you're that damaging with your disposal you don't need to get a lot of it to impact on a match - I reckon that is what would appeal to Scotty Clayton - some of those kicks into his forwards were beautiful to watch. He's also dual-sided. We need more of that to give our forwards a chance. Oh and pace like he possesses doesn't go astray either and that is another knock on Vlastuin and Stringer post-leg injury.

 

[Sunny_]

Definitely agree that we wouldn't want to use him as an inside. Players like he and Harley are far more valuable when given room to gallop.

It's just that if all our inside mids get injured again, we may have to use them in that position from time to time. Obviously not as likely though, with Horsley now AFL ready and Broughton on board.

 

[TheSunGod]

Definitely agree that we wouldn't want to use him as an inside. Players like he and Harley are far more valuable when given room to gallop.

It's just that if all our inside mids get injured again, we may have to use them in that position from time to time. Obviously not as likely though, with Horsley now AFL ready and Broughton on board.

Yeah Horsley really impressed me last year when he was thrown on the ball - He's a mature enough footballer to not panic when he gets it but to hold onto the ball until he identifies the best option, he has reliable disposal, a damaging kick and he's built like a rock but low to the ground so he doesn't get knocked off the ball easily. Also we'll hopefully get a fit Rischa back this year and I personally think Brennan plays inside very well when he's on - let's hope he can get his act together next year. He frustrates me because he's so talented yet still so inconsistent. In his defence though he's been a victim of his own versatility.

 

[juzzo]

I must admit, upon further thought, a midfield with Martin, Bennell and Simpson would be pretty hard to lock down for the opposition. And that's not even throwing in the likes of McKenzie and Shaw.

Looks good on paper but won't stand up in finals imo. You need contested ball winners with only a sprinkling of outside players.

 

[Chris25]

In Gold Coast terms, Simpson is more like Matera than Bennell.

Doubt he'll ever be a huge factor in the contested side of the game, unlike Bennell who is a freak and can seemingly throw an arm into the contest and come out with the ball - all while already running towards goal. Like a Jetta, Simpson should be able to use his speed and positioning to be involved in the clearance side of the game though.

As Sunny would know from my draft, I rate Simpson very highly. I think his main critics are probably basing it on nothing more than his stats page. At 13, he'd be a bargain. Just load up on inside players later on the in the draft, and as rookies. Take a few risks with those selections, and it could pay off big.

 

[Dammit]

Looks good on paper but won't stand up in finals imo. You need contested ball winners with only a sprinkling of outside players.

Carlton will debunk that theory this year.

 

[Dammit]

Also Simpson is a recruiters dream. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go top ten.

 

[juzzo]

Hey guys, a number of you including myself were surprised you weren't picking up Andrew Boston. I did a bit of digging whilst doing my mock draft and I think I've discovered why.

35.6 Priority Zone Selections – Queensland and NT
(a) At a date and time nominated by the General Manager – Football
Operations prior to the each of the 2010, 2011 and 2012 National
Drafts, GCFC may nominate up to five Players who:
(i) have been resident in Queensland for a continuous period of
three years immediately prior to that date;
(ii) have not previously been on the List of a Club; and
(iii) who have nominated for the National Draft.

So you only have access to 5 over the 3 years.

• In 2010 you didn't use any.
• In 2011 you on-traded Yagmoor and Zorko plus drafted Sexton and Allen.
• In 2012 you drafted Cameron.

So you've actually used up your 5 already.

 

[juzzo]

But wait, isn't he a Suns Academy player. Therefore:

37.4 Listing of Club Academy Player
37.4.1 Players Eligible
Subject to Rule 37.4.4, a Club may include a Club Academy Player
on its Primary List if he has been domiciled in the Club’s Academy
Region for a period of 5 continuous years immediately prior to
attaining draft eligibility age, unless otherwise approved by the AFL.

It then goes on to say the player faces a father/son style bidding process. Maybe the Academy isn't allowed to be used yet? Now I'm confused.

 

[Sunny_]

Academy selections can be used from next year.

 

[Sunny_]

Also, first time I've heard Simpson be compared to Matera. If Simpson has the poise, decision making and skills to pull off plays like Matera, then I certainly wouldn't be against that recruitment. Fish is the ultimate decision maker. I've loved his move to the midfield this year.

 

[Sunny_]

Apparently we've given permission to 2 players to train with us. Confirmed by Keane on Twitter just moments ago.

Hopefully who they are is released soon.

EDIT: Scratch that. Confirmed to be Derell Acrey and Quin Porter, the US athletes. Guess we already knew that.