Our First 5 picks...

[rfctigerarmy]

According to www.footydraft.com our first 5 picks are going to be;

Brett Deledio

Details:
Club: Kyabram/Murray
DOB: 18 April 1987 Hgt: 188cm Wgt: 80kg
Position: Onballer/Forward
Natural Foot: Right

Honours:
Kevin Sheehan Medal 2003 (best player in Division 1 of the Under 16's Carnival)
AIS/AFL Academy 2003
Victoria Country 2004
All Australian 2004
Forward Pocket in TAC Cup Team of the Year 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2003: 7 games, 7 goals, 18.3 PPG
2004: 11 games, 21 goals, 23.9 PPG

Strengths: Deledio is a brilliant midfielder and forward who looks destined to be an AFL star. He is what I would call the complete package. He is an amazing mark for his size, creative at the stoppages, a booming kick on either side and has fantastic goal sense. He has the rare ability to turn a game with his sublime skills and inspirational marks.

Brett can play in the centre and will win a lot of clearances, but is also very capable of holding down a spot in the forward line. He has the ability to kick up to 60 metres on his right foot and is pretty capable on his left. His pace is extremely good, and he has good endurance as well. From all reports Deledio has a good head on his shoulders and is a natural leader, captaining Australia in the International Rules series this year. Brett is also pretty good defensively.

Weaknesses: Very few really. Can struggle to shake a hard tag, and can play in fits and starts rather than dominating an entire match.

Footydraft.com comment: This kid looks to be an absolute star in the making. Has all the tools, is versatile and just looks a class above. Will surely be selected in the top 3 picks.

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Lance Franklin

Details:
Club: Dowerin/Perth
DOB: 30 January 1987 Hgt: 193cm Wgt: 88kg
Position: Centre Half Forward
Natural Foot: Left

Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy 2003
Western Australia 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

2004 WAFL Stats:
Colts: 3 games, 2 goals, 19.0 PPG
Reserves: 1 game, 1 goal, 17.0 PPG
Seniors: 1 game, 1 goal, 8.0 PPG

Strengths: Franklin has the type of body recruiters dream about. Tall, slim but incredibly athletic and mobile, 'Buddy' has the aerobic capacity and pace to play on a wing but the height to play as a centre-half forward. He can tear games apart with his strong marking, long kicking and goals.

Has dominated at schoolboy level in Perth and played WAFL seniors during the year. He was a class above in trial match between WA Under 18's and WA Country. Can make the hard look easy with his raw ability. Has tremendous scope for improvement as well.

Weaknesses: Although the tools are clearly there, I’m not sold yet. Question mark over his temperament, particularly when things aren't running his way. Very left-sided. Body language can be poor at times, and he can be undisciplined. Comes from a close family, which might concern some Victorian clubs.

Footydraft.com comment: It’s a risk taking him, but probably a justified one given the the possibilities. Could be the next big thing in the competition, but could also disappoint. Tough one.

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Ruory Kirkby

Details:
Club: Echuca/Bendigo
DOB: 2 April 1986 Hgt: 192cm Wgt: 81kg
Position: Centre Half Forward/Centre Half Back
Natural Foot: Left

Honours:
Victoria Country 2004
All Australian 2004
Back Pocket in TAC Cup Team of the Year 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2004: 10 games, 1 goal, 12.1 PPG

Strengths: Kirkby has been one of the surprise packets of 2004, going from his local side Echuca in April to All-Australian selection in July. He is a very slight key position player who has done well at centre-half back and centre-half forward. Ruory has exceptional foot skills for a big man, can nail targets very well. Is a good mark and usually a good set shot, and can also kick goals on the run.

He really stepped up at the Carnival, doing a good job in defence on Ryan Willits and excelling at centre-half forward in the other two matches.

Weaknesses: Kirkby still needs to add a lot of weight to his frame before he can play AFL. There might be a question mark over whether his carnival was just a flash in the pan, and he still needs to work on his ability below his knees.

Footydraft.com comment: Bit of a gamble taking him this early based on a few good months, but lack of quality key position from here on makes it worthwhile.

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Alan Toovey

Details:
Club: Aquinas/Claremont
DOB: 23 March 1987 Hgt: 188cm Wgt: 80kg
Position: Derfender
Natural Foot: Left

Honours:
AIS/AFL Academy 2003
Western Australia 2004
All Australian 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

2004 WAFL Stats:
Colts: 6 games, 0 goals, 14.0 PPG

Strengths: Toovey is a very young and composed defender who played well for WA in the recent carnival. Although not super tall for a key position defender, Toovey reads the play very well, is an excellent mark and usually makes good decisions.

He has a good turn of pace and will be disciplined when sticking to his man.

Weaknesses: Would need to grow another few centimetres to play key position at AFL level and would take time to develop.

Footydraft.com comment: Has good credentials and will add to the defensive stocks of the team he is drafted to.

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Jordan Lewis

Details:
Club: Warrnambool/Geelong
DOB: 24 April 1986 Hgt: 187cm Wgt: 85kg
Position: Onballer
Natural Foot: Left

Honours:
Victoria Country 2004
All Austrlian 2004
Rover in TAC Cup Team of the Year 2004
National Draft Camp 2004

TAC Stats:
2003: 16 games, 3 goals, 19.1 PPG
2004: 16 games, 16 goals, 30.9 PPG

Strengths: Lewis a strong onballer who has had a sensational season in the TAC Cup, averaging over 30 possessions a game, including 85 in two weeks just before the carnival. He is a good size for AFL and very strong in the hips, and his disposal is very good by foot.

Jordan loves a goal and is capable of kicking some freakish snaps. He is also very physical and can dish out some great bumps. His bump on Fabian Deluca in the National Carnival was an absolute belter. He is a very good mark as well.

Weaknesses: Not super quick, although he does cover a lot of territory and there have been questions about his work ethic, although he has improved in this area.

Footydraft.com comment: I like this kid, he has the runs on the board and is very hard at it.

 

[jezza]

Interesting, definitely a feeling that we need to strengthen key defensive positions with those extra picks. No ruckman in there which is a worry. Wood, Deluca and Meeson all go inside the top ten, I'm sure that's why we were hoping to get in there.

 

[mellowyellow]

4 of the 5 listed are natural left footers.

I hope they are not as one dimensional as countless others on our list have been.

 

[jezza]

Good point mellow, we always seem to have more lefties than anyone else. Any midfielders we select must be able to kick with both.

 

[Colonel]

Have seen and heard about this kid called Matthew Bate, I reckon he might be worth a crack at around 12 or 16, think he could be a star and is very versatile for his size. Also reckon Ryan Jackson should be seriously considered?
would be interested to hear what Weaver and others think on the matter.

 

[hoshmen1985]

Bring on Deleidio I'm a big fan. I'm just hoping we dont draft too many inter state players, b/c they'll get homesick, and want to go back. I hope they dont though. I'm hoping Buddy Franklin is up for draft at pick 4 would be a good pick up. Seen him play, has a bit of skill. All in all, we'll do well in the draft. Lets hope Greg gets it right like he did at North. He got Carey i spose?

 

[Tambo]

not overly keen on franklin... would prefer tambling! but would he (tambling) drop to no:4??? where does the footydraft say he'll be taken at? franklin may however be great as we do need to fill more key position players. im sure the club will choose the best avaliable! bring on the draft!

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

too many left footers for Wallace's way of thinking so I feel those last few names wont be in tiger jumpers and I wouldnt be suprised if we went for someone else other than Franklin too.

 

[hoshmen1985]

too many left footers for Wallace's way of thinking so I feel those last few names wont be in tiger jumpers and I wouldnt be suprised if we went for someone else other than Franklin too.

What do u think of Roughhead?

 

[Punt_Road_Roar]

Another left footer but I'd take him over Franklin.


And you just gotta admit the name Roughhead and Richmond has to make one smile

 

[Hammerfire]

We should take Wood at pick 4 in the draft, best ruckmen on offer by far and is the youngest on offer, so more scope for improvement.

I would like us to pick this way:

1. Deledio - Versatile Midfielder/Forward (Question mark over whether he can play as an inside midfielder)
4. Wood - Ruckmen
12. Lewis - Onballer/Inside Midfielder (Little bit of a query how high he could go though)

It's going to be pretty hard to know who'll be available at 16 & 20.

Pick 16 should probably be used on the best KPP available though.


It has been said a number of times there are 3 "class" ruckmen in this draft, Wood, Messon and Deluca.

We definetly need to get one, and it's no guarantee that any of them will be available by pick 16.

Wood will NOT get past pick 7
Deluca will probably be drafted by Carlton at 9 to join his brother
Messon could go anytime in between picks 7-15.

The only team in the top 10 who won't get a ruckmen is Collingwood, who have enough and will want the fastest midfielder available.

And it is doubtful they will pick Lewis because he isn't the fastest guy around.

So basically it is Wood vs Franklin for pick 4, and hands down i would take Wood over Franklin.

 

[hoshmen1985]

Another left footer but I'd take him over Franklin.


And you just gotta admit the name Roughhead and Richmond has to make one smile

lol dont have many of them going around, will fit in well with fleming

 

[Weaver]

I'd go ...

1. Deledio
4. Roughead
12. Ryan Jackson
16. John Meesan
20. KP player
26. Paul Richardson / Dale May
52. KP Player

There are a LOT of 2nd tier key position players this year. Lots of Ray Hall calibre types who will be handy but not great. That KP player around pick 20 will be the important pick. Fingers crossed we ace that one and that will go a long long way to setting us up.

Willits, Grundy, Toovey, Copping, Murphy, Kirkby, Bate, Hartlett, Delmenico, Gibson, Limbach, Newton, McLeay, Pattison, C.Gooley, Wells, Pattison will all be in the mix somewhere between 10 and 50 depending on which club like which player. We could easily get 2 ... bloody tough to separate them all and figure which are the 2 we should hope for.

Of them all I am a Grundy fan. He is not as exciting as some of the other but can play FB and CHF, and is a fairly conventional 'simple' footballer. I could certainly seeing him falling to 20 if cards fall our way and would take him ahead of that big clutch that I listed.

That said watch Terry Wallace draft five 60kg wingmen

 

[Tiger_Of_Old]

#1-Deledio[without hesitation]
#4-Franklin[looking fwd to when Judd comes out of contract .on a more serious note he,s the better of the Kpp,s].
#12-Eckerman[if this kid is still available.get him]
#16-R.Jackson[Dont know much of apart from whats written at Footydraft.com and seing that weaver selected him.]
#20-Maric[With the arrival of Simmonds we can alternate Simmonds + Maric]
#36-J.Moore[could be anything and a good gamble at 36].


cheers!

 

[Hammerfire]

I think we should get 3 ruckmen in the drafts, national+rookie.

A top class ruckmen, a ruckmen who is a competent KPP, or vica verse and a project player ruckmen for the rookie list, or as a late draft pick.

At this stage we have 8 picks including the priority pick, and with Hilton sure to be delisted and a couple of other players on the edge, we could have up to 10 picks.

(Note: Dragacevic's delisting doesn't give us a draft pick because he started this year on the rookie list.)

I think Pick 1 should be Deledio, versatile midfielder/forward etc.

Pick 4 should be used on height, a Ruckmen or KPP.

So basically its out of Wood, Franklin and Roughead.

This is assuming that Hawks and Dogs take Griffen and Tambling, which they probably will.

Franklin was question marks all over him, too many if's but's and maybe's with him.

So it's down to Wood and Roughead.

I really like Wood, very young (18 in March '05) so basically a bottom age player like Deledio, learned from one of the best in Shaun Rehn, has massive scope for improvement, a great tap ruckmen and is a strong mark, so that opens up the possibility of him dropping back into the 50 where he would be hard to man up against at 203-205cm.

Roughead has his claims aswell, is also on the youngish side of the draft (18 in Jan '05) and can play CHF and CHB competently, a true KPP.

His a great grab and kick, but isn't there a big query over his ability to jump??

If we pick either Wood or Roughead i'll be happy, but will be dissapointed if we take Franklin.

The main reason why i think we should make ruckmen a priority, is because Stafford has 1 year left in him, 2 at the most, Simmonds will last 5 year MAX, but will probably be a permanent forward for the last year or 2 of his career.

Hall is a back-up/relief ruckmen at best, and Schultz+Archibald have KPP written all over them.

We already have a couple of KPP kids coming through, although Schultz is probably 1-2 years ahead of Archibald.

That being said, we will need a replacement for Richo in a few years time.

Pick 12 should be used on an INSIDE midfielder/onballer.

Lewis would be a popular pick among Richmond supporters, his hardness at the ball and opposition is what makes him great, Richmond definetly need a player like him, even though we could get away with taking him at 16, i say swoop on him ASAP.

Picks 16 & 20 should be used to add depth to our KPP stocks, a priority would be a capable/proven defender with some height.

If we go with Roughead at 4, use one of picks 16 & 20 on another inside midfielder.

After that is just basically seeing whos available.

So basically this is how i'd use our 1st 5 picks:
1. Deledio
4. Wood
12. Lewis/Inside Midfielder
16. KPP that can play as a defender
20. Jackson??/Inside Midfielder

The thing with Jackson is, he could fly right under the radar, and make it to 36.

On the other hand, he could go as high as 10.

Being bottom age, and the fact that he looked promising before his injury, he is probably worth a go at 20, and maybe even at 12 if Lewis get's picked up before then.