Pie 4 Life's Draft Picks and why!!!

[Pie 4 Life]

Pick 2 - Xavier Ellis:

Marc Murphy is unluikely to be available so we need a fast, good skillful midfielder. Ellis was named in the backpocket of the Under 18's All-Australian Team. Could be a great starting point in re-youthing or whatever you call it, the midfield. I have no doubt that if Murphy goes, we should go for Ellis. We need midfielders most of all and he's up their with the best of them. Hopefully he can develop into an Adam Cooney type player with the legspeed and evasive skills.


Pick 5- Andrew Swallow:

I believe that with our top 2 picks, we should select midfielders and therefore I rate Swallow as the next best behind Muphy and Ellis. Named in the centre of the Under 18's All-Australian Team, is a genuine speedster and ball getter. Apparently only fault is that he sometimes makes skill errors, which can be fixed with training and is a tough in-and-under midfielder which makes him even worthier of Pick 5. You know you've got a good player when, a hard speeder comes in sight. I say nab him wit Pick 5.


Pick 21- Alan Toovey:

We need a reasonably-sized backman and I think Toovey fits the bill. Got good pace and a tough player which could mould into the Jimmy Clement type, playing on both tall and short opponents. Didn't get picked last year but should be a good pick this year in a weaker draft. An excellant mark - always important for defenders. He was played out of position in the WAFL, playing at full-back when really he should be a half-back flanker or even a spare man in defence. A great pick-up for Pick 21.


Pick 37- Todd Grima:

If he's still available, a full-forward with his goal-kicking ability would not go astray. He's very mobile with a strong mark and a big kick. Could be the next Anthony Rocca in a couple of years and would help free up the ruck division with the CLokes helping out instead of down forward. IMO, he would be a steal for Pick 37 and is well worth a look down the track with a bit of work, could become a star. I definetly like his style.


Pick 53- Matthew Laidlaw:

A good overhead mark for his height of 186cm, got great pace andd has good decision making. Can play any smaller position and should be worth a look.


What are your thoughts???

 

[T-Clo]

Haven't really heard much about swallow, sounds alright though ...all australian center with speed i reckon we will get X EL with pick 2...he reminds me of robert murphy at his age.

 

[harry 0]

Pick 2 - Xavier Ellis:

Marc Murphy is unluikely to be available so we need a fast, good skillful midfielder. Ellis was named in the backpocket of the Under 18's All-Australian Team. Could be a great starting point in re-youthing or whatever you call it, the midfield. I have no doubt that if Murphy goes, we should go for Ellis. We need midfielders most of all and he's up their with the best of them. Hopefully he can develop into an Adam Cooney type player with the legspeed and evasive skills.


Pick 5- Andrew Swallow:

I believe that with our top 2 picks, we should select midfielders and therefore I rate Swallow as the next best behind Muphy and Ellis. Named in the centre of the Under 18's All-Australian Team, is a genuine speedster and ball getter. Apparently only fault is that he sometimes makes skill errors, which can be fixed with training and is a tough in-and-under midfielder which makes him even worthier of Pick 5. You know you've got a good player when, a hard speeder comes in sight. I say nab him wit Pick 5.


Pick 21- Alan Toovey:

We need a reasonably-sized backman and I think Toovey fits the bill. Got good pace and a tough player which could mould into the Jimmy Clement type, playing on both tall and short opponents. Didn't get picked last year but should be a good pick this year in a weaker draft. An excellant mark - always important for defenders. He was played out of position in the WAFL, playing at full-back when really he should be a half-back flanker or even a spare man in defence. A great pick-up for Pick 21.




What are your thoughts???

Trade R Cole for #23 (Essendon)
Trade R Lonie for #27 (Bulldogs)
Trade S Woewodin + #27 for Ryley Dunn
Trade T Lockyer for #26 (Fremantle) + Daniel Gilmore
Trade B Shaw for M Rischitelli

Pick#2 – X Ellis/S Hurn
Pick#5 – J.Kennedy/P.Ryder/M.Clark
Pick#21 – M.Spangher/S Gilbert/A Lucy
Pick#23 – T.Varcoe/R.Douglas/A.Swallow/S.Elliott/D Thomas
Pick#26 – J.Oakley-Nicholls/B Muston/J Bode/S.Isles
Pick#37 – C.Dempsey/S.Lonergan/G.Grant/R.Jackson/S.Higgins

Gains – 3 young (20,21&23yo) fringe midfielders from other clubs to bolster midfield deficiencies
Use pick#2 for best available midfielder
Use pick#5 for best available key position player
Use pick#21 for best available tall defender
Use picks #23,#26 and #37 for best available young midfielders.

 

[FIGJAM]

I like your thinking harry0. Just hope the recruiters can do something vaguely resembling it!

 

[Pie 4 Life]

harry0, I don't think Swallow will last to Pick 23.

 

[bren_gc]

Trade R Cole for #23 (Essendon)
Trade R Lonie for #27 (Bulldogs)
Trade S Woewodin + #27 for Ryley Dunn
Trade T Lockyer for #26 (Fremantle) + Daniel Gilmore
Trade B Shaw for M Rischitelli

Pick#2 – X Ellis/S Hurn
Pick#5 – J.Kennedy/P.Ryder/M.Clark
Pick#21 – M.Spangher/S Gilbert/A Lucy
Pick#23 – T.Varcoe/R.Douglas/A.Swallow/S.Elliott/D Thomas
Pick#26 – J.Oakley-Nicholls/B Muston/J Bode/S.Isles
Pick#37 – C.Dempsey/S.Lonergan/G.Grant/R.Jackson/S.Higgins

Gains – 3 young (20,21&23yo) fringe midfielders from other clubs to bolster midfield deficiencies
Use pick#2 for best available midfielder
Use pick#5 for best available key position player
Use pick#21 for best available tall defender
Use picks #23,#26 and #37 for best available young midfielders.

Sounds very good. Highly doubtfull of most of those trade coming off though!

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Swallow's kicking is horrendous from what I've seen (albeit that's not all too much, so there's a margin of error), not just slightly erratic.

 

[Presti_is_god]

I hope Varcoe or Jones lasts to our 2nd rounder. I would rahter us take best available @ pick#5 and Ellis with #2.

 

[Coin_Toss]

I hope Collingwood draft Nathan Jones with Pick#5. I think he can step up and make an impact in the AFL straight away.

Obviously, we would get Xavier Ellis with Pick#2.

 

[Lonie_from_50]

Good report P4L

 

[Pie 4 Life]

Good report P4L

Thanks LF50.

What do you reckon as possibilities for picks?

Personally I reckon Jones isn't high enough for Pick 5. Maybe 2nd rounder but not Pick 5.

 

[pieman1]

Swallow and Nathan Jones won't be considered with pick 5. More than likely it will be a KPP player as that is where the value is with that pick. Swallow and Jones are rated mid first round to early second round. Courtney Dempsey is rated to low, he'll go somewhere in the second round. Recruiters love Beau Muston, he tore his knee up mid year and still might go late first round. A 6 foot 2 jet off a half back flank, would be delighted to get him with pick 21.

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

Thanks LF50.

What do you reckon as possibilities for picks?

Personally I reckon Jones isn't high enough for Pick 5. Maybe 2nd rounder but not Pick 5.

Have you seen him play?

I've seen him 3-4 times, and I've been vastly, vastly more impressed than I have been with Swallow, or indeed, most of the midfielders from this draft.

 

[pieman1]

I like Jones as a player and I've seen him play about a dozen times. He's hard enough but his disposal is a concern, I think the phrase the Wiz would use is he has no hurt factor, kind of like Cheesy, an accumulator but doesn't do much with them. Also note that he has a big engine and half way through the third quarter in TAC games the intensity drops off and kids get tired, Jones doesn't and thats why he is able to finish off games. I'd be happy to see him in black and white stripes but for a second rounder and not pick 5.

 

[harry 0]

I like Jones as a player and I've seen him play about a dozen times. He's hard enough but his disposal is a concern, I think the phrase the Wiz would use is he has no hurt factor, kind of like Cheesy, an accumulator but doesn't do much with them. Also note that he has a big engine and half way through the third quarter in TAC games the intensity drops off and kids get tired, Jones doesn't and thats why he is able to finish off games. I'd be happy to see him in black and white stripes but for a second rounder and not pick 5.

Totally agree. While 2 high class mids with #2 and #5 would be great, there is no point taking a guy at #5 who is only worth #15. Take a Josh Kennedy who looks a top class CHF/CHB prospect, and hopefully we can still get plenty of midfielders with our later picks and our PSD selection and trades.

 

[Lensen]

Trade R Cole for #23 (Essendon)
Trade R Lonie for #27 (Bulldogs)
Trade S Woewodin + #27 for Ryley Dunn
Trade T Lockyer for #26 (Fremantle) + Daniel Gilmore
Trade B Shaw for M Rischitelli

Pick#2 – X Ellis/S Hurn
Pick#5 – J.Kennedy/P.Ryder/M.Clark
Pick#21 – M.Spangher/S Gilbert/A Lucy
Pick#23 – T.Varcoe/R.Douglas/A.Swallow/S.Elliott/D Thomas
Pick#26 – J.Oakley-Nicholls/B Muston/J Bode/S.Isles
Pick#37 – C.Dempsey/S.Lonergan/G.Grant/R.Jackson/S.Higgins

Gains – 3 young (20,21&23yo) fringe midfielders from other clubs to bolster midfield deficiencies
Use pick#2 for best available midfielder
Use pick#5 for best available key position player
Use pick#21 for best available tall defender
Use picks #23,#26 and #37 for best available young midfielders.

If we pick up Sam Gilbert I will be very, very annoyed. Although it will be kind of cool to have a player that I've toweled up (once) in the past on our list, he's really quite awful and I'd hate to pick him up.

 

[Presti_is_god]

Do not like Jones @ 5. His size is his main asset to the way he palys and that is eliminated at AFL level. His disposal aint fabulous and he is not quick. I would rather take a KPP capable of playing as an attacking CHB. If we can secure a mid to high 1st rounder then that would be perfect and allow us to take a 2nd quality mid.

 

[Lockyer24]

Pick 5 I dont mind if we just take the best player available....no point picking up a good-average midfielder if we have to overlook a potential gun KPP (Clarke, Kennedy)

We're gunna have plenty of time to rebuild, lets just get the best talent out there

 

[schmendy]

I don't understand this obsession with ellis. All the evidence is that the main ingredient of a topline midfield apart from skill is strength and willingness to put your head over the ball.

As far as I can determine all that Ellis has shown is that he is a soft outside player, no more skilled than Ryan Lonie or Sam Power and softer than del santo ever was.

For mine, Jones, Hurn and Swallow:- tough and willing to go in and get it.

 

[Fitzy]

I don't understand this obsession with ellis. All the evidence is that the main ingredient of a topline midfield apart from skill is strength and willingness to put your head over the ball.

As far as I can determine all that Ellis has shown is that he is a soft outside player, no more skilled than Ryan Lonie or Sam Power and softer than del santo ever was.

For mine, Jones, Hurn and Swallow:- tough and willing to go in and get it.

I am with you, i fail to see what all the fuss is with Ellis he is skilled yes but has a very light frame and is an outside player who at best will not pay senior footy before 2007.
It seems to me that we are going to take him purely on the basis that he would be a potential no#1 next year.

 

[Gedstar]

Trade R Cole for #23 (Essendon)
Trade R Lonie for #27 (Bulldogs)
Trade S Woewodin + #27 for Ryley Dunn
Trade T Lockyer for #26 (Fremantle) + Daniel Gilmore
Trade B Shaw for M Rischitelli

Pick#2 – X Ellis/S Hurn
Pick#5 – J.Kennedy/P.Ryder/M.Clark
Pick#21 – M.Spangher/S Gilbert/A Lucy
Pick#23 – T.Varcoe/R.Douglas/A.Swallow/S.Elliott/D Thomas
Pick#26 – J.Oakley-Nicholls/B Muston/J Bode/S.Isles
Pick#37 – C.Dempsey/S.Lonergan/G.Grant/R.Jackson/S.Higgins

Gains – 3 young (20,21&23yo) fringe midfielders from other clubs to bolster midfield deficiencies
Use pick#2 for best available midfielder
Use pick#5 for best available key position player
Use pick#21 for best available tall defender
Use picks #23,#26 and #37 for best available young midfielders.

I realise trade bait is a necessity, but it makes me a little nervous when a name such as Lockyer could be on the way out. From where I sit footballers who can actually kick a ball properly at our club are few and far between, as are some decent skills coaches for that matter.

We've all seen these past two seasons how predictable our side is with no regular big men in the side (Rocca & Fraser) or midfeilders (Buckley) who can allow us to direct play on our terms. Apart from a desparate need for midfeilders, players that can kick either side of the body would be nice.

Woewoeful, Obree, Johnson, Licuria, Lonie, Tarrant and even Didak cant kick with their right foot. I'm certainly not saying get rid of them all, but how about some F#$#in balance. I'm tired of seeing our players WHEEL around onto their supposed preffered side allowing opposition teams time to cover players down field. Some of these blokes cant even kick properly on their favoured sides. I'm yet to see any improvement in kicking style with Tarrant who has obvious flaws. And now he probably doesnt have any confidence in his kicking either.

If some of your comments regarding potential draft picks are any indication re: disposal - God help us.

 

[Dundalis]

Why are people saying Jones and Swallow with the 5th pick? Surely there is a good chance of Hurn being available then? If he isn't that means one of the top KPP will be available, either Kennedy or Ryder.

 

[wookie]

what about clarke??? had big raps on him before the season but struggled this year... why???

 

[Vinnie Vegas]

As far as I can determine all that Ellis has shown is that he is a soft outside player, no more skilled than Ryan Lonie or Sam Power and softer than del santo ever was.

You couldn't be more wrong about this. Ellis is not in the least bit soft.

He's is skinny, and weak int he body, yes, but I have NEVER seen him refuse to enter a contest. He throws his body around with sometimes irresponsible and reckless abandon.

I've been watching him and thought to myself "Be careful son, throwing yourself around with that frame, you'll hurt yourself!"

He is not soft, he's just skinny.

Some people have this thing that outside players must be as soft as butter, and when they know a guy is outside, choose to focus on that about him.