Overall Draft Thoughts?

[cannons]

Is it just me that isn't bothered about us not picking Atley?

I mean, last year everyone had Panos going between 10-20, and he didn't get a look in until the rookie draft. Sometimes kids just aren't as good as they're made out to be on Bigfooty. We weren't the only team to pass on Atley, so surely there is a reason, or perhaps even a series of reasons, which explain his slight slide down the order.

At this point, I'm happy to trust the judgement of those who scout talent for a living.

 

[Demon Revival]

Blease and Strauss are really important to our future hopes IMO. We need both to become very good players. Now we have lost Bruce, Strauss has to step up and become a regular in our best 22. He's a beautiful kick and generally makes the right decisions. From what I've seen of him, he does struggle in a 1 on 1, which Bruce excelled in. So improvement in that part of his game is crucial.

Blease is a classic half back flanker/wingman. Exactly what we need right now. Gold Coast really threw him a bone, and in a way I'm a little surprised he has stayed with us. The extra money and opportunity would have been very tempting. But, he's stuck with us and i think it will pay off for both parties. He should break into the 22 next season, and should become that running linebreaker we are craving for across the wing.

Having had a couple of days to think about this draft, I still would have loved Atley, but can totally understand what the club were thinking recruiting who they did. It would have taken some balls to pass on Atley, but we have all bases covered now in regards to structure. The next 2-3 years is all about continued development and continued improvement. Well done to the FD for sticking to there plan. Let's sit back, enjoy the ride, and hope to god it all pays off in the end...

Hey CD, where did you hear this???

 

[OPETH]

Is it just me that isn't bothered about us not picking Atley?

If viney wasn't coming next year, I'd be a lot shittier than I already am. As mentioned, blease should come in be a more than serviceable also praying tapscott gets his body right. So there's 3 untried mids we can add to the mix??? Still would've been nice.........

 

[OPETH]

Am quickly being sold on Howe tho

 

[Stylus]

Is it just me that isn't bothered about us not picking Atley?

I mean, last year everyone had Panos going between 10-20, and he didn't get a look in until the rookie draft. Sometimes kids just aren't as good as they're made out to be on Bigfooty. We weren't the only team to pass on Atley, so surely there is a reason, or perhaps even a series of reasons, which explain his slight slide down the order.

At this point, I'm happy to trust the judgement of those who scout talent for a living.

Couldn't agree more. Some of these posts are ridiculous. Honestly, none of us know anything about these draftees outside of BF.

Fact is, Atley was drafted where he was rated by recruiters. No sooner, no later. Reminds me of Frawley at pick 12. Don't remember many people being stoked about that pick either.

 

[The Dr]

Couldn't agree more. Some of these posts are ridiculous. Honestly, none of us know anything about these draftees outside of BF.

Fact is, Atley was drafted where he was rated by recruiters. No sooner, no later. Reminds me of Frawley at pick 12. Don't remember many people being stoked about that pick either.

Some of us do watch a bit of junior footy though. I've seen Atley play at least 5 games in the flesh, and have watched a fair bit of the Murray Bushrangers the past few years. I'd have Atley the equal, or at least extremely close, to the talent and potential of Ziebell and Sidebottom from previous seasons.

But then again - the footy dept obviously knows much much more than me and all of us mugs, that's a given. I trust them. But I'll also say I've got huge confidence in Atley making it as an A-grade midfielder.

 

[Andy_Mac]

I'm starting to really warm to our selections. Bailey and BP have really targeted some specific types that suit the new rules and our game plan. Players that have more than one position that have good foot skills and endurance.

Cook, as BP he said in his interveiw on mfc.com.au a club came up to us and said they were going to take him a few picks later. Ditto for Howe in Baileys interview. If we wanted them we had to take them were we did. And i get the feeling we've been looking at Cook for quite long time.

Tom McDonald I think is a really interesting prospect, and along with the Fitz gives us that forward/2nd ruck option that will be critical.

I also read some where Howe jumped 100cm at state screaning... Wow

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

Is it just me that isn't bothered about us not picking Atley?

I mean, last year everyone had Panos going between 10-20, and he didn't get a look in until the rookie draft. Sometimes kids just aren't as good as they're made out to be on Bigfooty. We weren't the only team to pass on Atley, so surely there is a reason, or perhaps even a series of reasons, which explain his slight slide down the order.

At this point, I'm happy to trust the judgement of those who scout talent for a living.

It's understandable not to be concerned about our picks but I wouldn't be putting Panos in the discussions. A tall forward who was All Australian who had a poor second half of the year and had questionable pace, sound familar?

 

[Andy_Mac]

It's understandable not to be concerned about our picks but I wouldn't be putting Panos in the discussions. A tall forward who was All Australian who had a poor second half of the year and had questionable pace, sound familar?

Cook is hardly slow. Interestingly Lynch the other bloke we were looking at was slow. In fact slowest test at the draft camp.

Atley went at 17 cause that's what he was worth, Bombers could have been said to be reaching at 8. Besides Atley is hardly perfect. Has questionable disposal which is one of our key selection criteria's.

If we took Atley LS, who would you have taken at 33?

 

[Spirit of 39]

It's understandable not to be concerned about our picks but I wouldn't be putting Panos in the discussions. A tall forward who was All Australian who had a poor second half of the year and had questionable pace, sound familar?

Stinga, it must suck being someone who always looks on the negative side of a situation. Now you might say you are just being a realist. But being a supporter of a club implies that you support that club, and look to happier times. Lighten up.

 

[bing181]

I also read some where Howe jumped 100cm at state screaning... Wow

102 cm ...

 

[whelan=legend]

Cook reminds me of Butcher.

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

Couldn't agree more. Some of these posts are ridiculous. Honestly, none of us know anything about these draftees outside of BF.

Fact is, Atley was drafted where he was rated by recruiters. No sooner, no later. Reminds me of Frawley at pick 12. Don't remember many people being stoked about that pick either.

It's not about being recruiting experts, it's more about knowing what happens when they get it wrong.

Cameron had 10 years and couldn't have stuffed the club up anymore up if he tried, now he's at Richmond trying to plot there demise I would be very afraid if I was a Richmond supporter with him on the front table.

Cameron shows me that there is no accountability for recruiters until it's too late and I am certain that we can't afford another Cameron.

I might not know a lot about recruiting but what I do know is the problems we faced during this year and they were Watts struggled in a key position due to lack of strength, can't see how Cook helps out with that. The only thing I see Cook doing is causing the same problems we have with Bate and Dunn, both are basically fighting for the 1 position and both have been erratic because of it.

The other is the half back position which was a big reason why I bagged Rivers for the first half of the year and had concerns about Bruce's ability off half back when used there when not in a negating role. We didn't look to strengthen that weakness at all.

Atley was going at 8 if Heppell didn't slip and with the exception of the Gold Coast who are starting from scratch and us every other team picked similar half backs in Brodie Smith, Smedts and Jacobs before Atley got picked. I would of thought that any of them would be more suitable than Cook IMO.

On Frawley I can guarantee that I was happy with Frawley, have a look on Demonland. I definately thought that we needed a player that could play on talls and smalls which was a player we didn't have since the late Broadbridge.

If I'm proven wrong I'll be the first to put my hand up and say I was wrong and admit that Prendergast is a genius but I really have a bad feeling about this one.

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

Stinga, it must suck being someone who always looks on the negative side of a situation. Now you might say you are just being a realist. But being a supporter of a club implies that you support that club, and look to happier times. Lighten up.

Once they give me the team I want, a flag or both then I'll lighten up.

 

[Canary]

Once they give me the team I want

Does this exist?

 

[cannons]

I might not know a lot about recruiting but what I do know is the problems we faced during this year and they were Watts struggled in a key position due to lack of strength, can't see how Cook helps out with that. The only thing I see Cook doing is causing the same problems we have with Bate and Dunn, both are basically fighting for the 1 position and both have been erratic because of it.

The other is the half back position which was a big reason why I bagged Rivers for the first half of the year and had concerns about Bruce's ability off half back when used there when not in a negating role. We didn't look to strengthen that weakness at all.

Just to highlight these two parts of your post, in relation to the first bit, Watts was always going to struggle early due to a lack of strength. The club knew this when they drafted him, but thought his potential was so high that it was worth waiting a while for him to develop. Moreover, you don't just draft a strong forward because a developing forward has not yet developed, you just have to be patient and wait for him to get up to a more ideal playing weight, and that is something Watts will definitely achieve within the next year or two.

Also, you talked about Frawley, he was certainly no world beater early on in his career either.

On your second point, we already have young kids developing who are capable of filling the HB void, namely Strauss and Blease. Further to that, Grimes can play in that position for now as well. To me, getting a KPF was a more pressing need, and the club has attempted to address that before anything else.

Could add more, but getting tired, so will stop now

 

[LITTLE STINGA]

Cook is hardly slow. Interestingly Lynch the other bloke we were looking at was slow. In fact slowest test at the draft camp.

Atley went at 17 cause that's what he was worth, Bombers could have been said to be reaching at 8. Besides Atley is hardly perfect. Has questionable disposal which is one of our key selection criteria's.

If we took Atley LS, who would you have taken at 33?

Lynch is bigger and stronger so I would take that but I wouldn't be totally sold on him.

Atley was definately going to Essendon at 8. Hackers hacked into their website showing this, it's on Big Footy and in the newspapers. McDonald and Viney had questionable disposal and they were great for our club.

33 really doesn't bother me, just really surprised in this day and age an unknown smokey can be this high in the draft. He just has to play 1 game and everybody will probably be calling Prendergast a genius for picking this guy up from nowhere. I definately expect a return from pick 12 though.

 

[Rudeurrection]

Couldn't agree anymore with Stinga over this page.

IMO, not yours or the clubs genius recruiters (who by the way have had four top five picks to work with in the last 3 years), Cook has failure written all over him.

Like Stinga, if I'm proven wrong ill say be the first to admit it.

 

[cannons]

Couldn't agree anymore with Stinga over this page.

IMO, not yours or the clubs genius recruiters (who by the way have had four top five picks to work with in the last 3 years), Cook has failure written all over him.

Like Stinga, if I'm proven wrong ill say be the first to admit it.

Whilst I recognise that you've been careful to stress that it's your opinion, it's one I disagree with, simply because I find it hard to suggest that a first rounder, especially one who was the AA CHF for his age group, can have failure written all over him.

I mean, pace and size (which will improve with development) aside, he has everything one could want in a KPF. He kicks well with both feet, is mobile and athletic, leads well, is intelligent and can take a contested grab.

He probably wasn't the player I hoped that we would draft either, if I'm honest, but I still think he has what it takes to be a very good player, and further to that, he should fit in well to the athletic and dyamic forward line that Bailey is trying to develop as well.

Keep in mind, all of the above is just my opinion on the subject.

 

[RandB]

Atley was definately going to Essendon at 8. Hackers hacked into their website showing this, it's on Big Footy and in the newspapers. McDonald and Viney had questionable disposal and they were great for our club.

But he didn't lol

Apparently Cook was likely to be taken around 16, 17 so would those clubs have stuffed up as well ie North taking Cook over Atley?

 

[Dez!]

Atley was definately going to Essendon at 8. Hackers hacked into their website showing this, it's on Big Footy and in the newspapers. McDonald and Viney had questionable disposal and they were great for our club.

That was Richmond and Conca.

 

[Demon 16]

It's understandable not to be concerned about our picks but I wouldn't be putting Panos in the discussions. A tall forward who was All Australian who had a poor second half of the year and had questionable pace, sound familar?

Good point but Cook has a whole lot more tricks in his bag than Panos.

To be fair though I reckon Atley was a steal at 17 - he only got that low because of clubs picking for needs this year.

 

[cannons]

It's understandable not to be concerned about our picks but I wouldn't be putting Panos in the discussions. A tall forward who was All Australian who had a poor second half of the year and had questionable pace, sound familar?

Missed this post for some reason.....

Anyway, Panos is really nothing like Cook. He's a fairly average athlete and was already reasonably well-built as a U18 player. Moreover, Cook is much better at ground level and can offer more around the ground with his precise field kicking and mobility.

On face value, it might seem like a decent comparison due to the underage AA forward factor, but in reality, it really isn't, as Cook is far more talented - that's why he went at 12 and Panos had to wait until the rookie draft.

 

[DemonBlood]

Why is everyone judging on Cook.. He's 18 and tall forwards need around 3-4 years to develop their bodies and pick up the pace of the game ect.. Let the kid be, we were all stoked about Watts? He was that skinny when he came to play too. IMO Big strong body Full Forwards are probably gonna be on the fade with all these changes to interchange and subs. It was a smart pick rather then pick pretty much a banger in Darling. Melbourne needed to go tall and didn't worry about Atley because we have 3-4 genuine good players still in the brinks ie: Blease, Tapscott and Gysberts(28 disposals v Geelong and 26 in the following week) and most likely Jack Viney next year.. so missing Atley wasn't at any dissapointment at all. Too many people want the flashy midfielders who can start from the get go, let Cook develop in 2-3 years time then judge.

 

[Hannabal]

It's not about being recruiting experts, it's more about knowing what happens when they get it wrong.

Cameron had 10 years and couldn't have stuffed the club up anymore up if he tried, now he's at Richmond trying to plot there demise I would be very afraid if I was a Richmond supporter with him on the front table.

Cameron shows me that there is no accountability for recruiters until it's too late and I am certain that we can't afford another Cameron.

I'm not a Craig Cameron apologist, in fact I've had disagreements with him both publicly and privately, but let's have a bit of perspective when analysing his drafts. He had a terrible 2001, but when one goes through many of the years in which he was recruiting they were shocking drafts. I've done the exercise.

Also, take a look at our much vaunted backline:

Bartram Frawley Rivers/Warnock
Grimes Garland Morton/Bail/J Mac


I wonder how many were recruited by Craig ?