Draft Expert PMBangers' (and ‘friends’) 2022 Draft Board

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Not sure there'll be many differing thoughts tbh, Oakleigh were comprehensive in the win and the midfield dominance reflects in my views/ notes. I wasn't as impressed with Dammersmith as I expect most others were, the 3 goals were good and obviously impactful but didn't notice him outside of those passages which I don't think cuts the mustard, especially as an overager. Ashcroft was a bit weird, watching the game live I expected he would've had maybe 12 touches, he just didn't seem to find the space he usually gets when he had it, mostly due to Oakleigh's tackling pressure but with his athleticism there wasn't a reason he shouldn't have adjusted. My notes will be on rookiemecentral tomorrow regardless, doubt there'll be any surprises for the ones that caught the eye.


I've been talking up Curry and Lawrence for months smh
I must have had them in the next years draft class by accident.

So whadda ya reckon, 4 or 5 brownlows and a couple Norm Smiths between them?
 

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I must have had them in the next years draft class by accident.

So whadda ya reckon, 4 or 5 brownlows and a couple Norm Smiths between them?
Between them? Individually or we'll have to be given a couple of Top 5 Picks!
 
If you could compare Waldlaw to a current AFL player who would that be? Every chance we will have the number 1 pick again.
It's hard to say because of how well he does everything, as a midfielder the only criticism I've been able to give and not feel like I'm being too harsh with is his kicking over distance, but on Sunday it was pretty near perfect because he mostly only went for short/ medium kicks, even under pressure he was hitting them well. Pretty much never gets taken to ground in tackles, superb work in close with his hands, athletic, string defensive workrate.
If I had to make one now, I'd say a young Selwood type, but even that's not convincing
 
Anyone seen much of Brayden George?

Kicked 5 on the weekend and I hear he has the rare combination of speed/power/endurance/size.
Gotta watch Murray v Gippy tonight, but the power and speed is accurate, pretty dead eye from set shots as well. From last year i wanted to see if he had more avenues to goal rather than just marking so will be looking for that personally
 
Wardlaw is very strong, if he was 6ft2 he'd be unstoppable just about. But strength to weight in this class, he is the number 1 kid there. There's elements of Selwood and Oliver in his game and can jump as well. You'd want him in the trenches anyday.
 
Wardlaw is very strong, if he was 6ft2 he'd be unstoppable just about. But strength to weight in this class, he is the number 1 kid there. There's elements of Selwood and Oliver in his game and can jump as well. You'd want him in the trenches anyday.

Matt Rowell’s a short midfield bull, so there’s precedent for pick 1 there.
 
Any way to download the Nab League games? Short of screen recording each stream that is...
Not that I'm aware of, if you can find an Android Emulator for your PC it makes the replays a little easier to stomach
 

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Round 1 Notes

Notes on every game from Rookieme central, for simplicity here are my notes for Dandenong v Eastern and Sandringham v Oakleigh

By: Declan Reeve

Dandenong Stingrays:

#2 Mitch Szybkowski

The AFL Academy member just seemed to do everything right for a big bodied midfielder. He kept his hands free in congestion and was lethal with his quick hands in close, often taking contact to really draw in opponents and then release out to a runner who had plenty of space to work with. Szybkowski showed off his speed when in space or to burst free from congestion, managing to burn opponents well and then deliver forward, generally by hand. At times, it felt like Szybkowski didn’t trust his kicking with how often he looked to move the ball by hand, even when clear in space, but he slowly grew into it to show off some neat kicks later in the piece.

#4 Jaxon Binns

Binns played mostly on the wing, where he used the space he had to show off his leg speed well as he drove the ball forward with his run and carry, then executing well placed kicks with really good penetration to teammates leading for him. Binns was one of the main men heading forward for Dandenong throughout the game, damaging the opposition with each kick as he seemed to lace every single one out for his teammates, or put it into dangerous spots around the goal square. Binns was later paid back for his efforts, taking an impressive contested mark in the goalsquare for a major.

#9 Ned Moodie

Very much the definition of taking your chances, Moodie led the game for goals, slotting five-straight from eight disposals. Showing off some impressive forward craft, Moodie didn’t necessarily burn opponents with speed on the lead, but outsmarted them to be in the right spot at the right time to receive the ball. He got a couple of his goals from earning free kicks around the 50, reacted well to rushed kicks to get marks for set shots for a couple of others, and held his space superbly out of a contest to receive a handball and slot his fifth.

#13 Finn Emile-Brennan

Playing out of the backline, Brennan provided plenty of spark with his aggressive ball use and confidence with ball in hand, taking on opponents and showing brilliant composure when under pressure. Emile-Brennan won some impressive ground level balls and spun out of tackles immediately, keeping his hands free to deliver to runners. The real highlight of Emile-Brennan’s game was some of his kicking, whilst some attempted long kicks went astray, his kicking at short-medium distances was superb, getting penetration on the ball to have it move quickly to his target, but having them delivered just softly enough so the kick wasn’t difficult to hold.

#16 Henry Hustwaite

As complete of a game as you can ask for from a tall defender, Hustwaite was simply faultless in his defensive craft. His positioning, marking and composure with the ball were superb through the game, taking a couple of intercept marks and using it well on the rebound. Hustwaite’s work at ground level was impressive, winning it like he was a smaller player and holding his composure through traffic while keeping his hands free to ensure he could fire off a handball, he was never rushed despite being in the thick of things at times.

#44 Jai Culley

A returning over-ager for the Stingrays, Culley immediately made it obvious that he’s enjoyed a lot of improvement over the break. Previously a player that looked far more comfortable on the outside, Culley imposed himself on the contest well, winning the contested ball and bursting away to deliver it well to teammates via hand or foot. It was impressive how well he managed to use it despite being in the thick of the contest so often. Culley managed to impact the scoreboard as well, taking his chances when he won it inside 50 to kick three goals straight in a complete performance.

Eastern Ranges:

#1 Kai Windsor

It’s almost unbelievable to see that Windsor won it 12 times given his impact on the contest, particularly early on where he was one of the main drivers for his side from the midfield. Windsor used his speed to his advantage to break free from congestion and deliver well forward. Windsor arguably looked his best when stationed inside 50 and acting as a link-up player, managing to get separation from opponents well using his speed, and then his agility to avoid tackles, managing to break a few that most players would’ve been taken to ground in.

#3 Joshua Bennetts

Stationed mostly as a half forward through the clash, Bennetts really damaged with his use by foot through the contest, managing to hit off some brilliant kicks even when not in a great position to do so. He was often under pressure when he won it, but always managed to get just enough time to balance himself and kick well, either straight to or in front of a teammate.

#5 Nick Watson

Despite being one for the 2023 draft, Watson played a game that we’ve come to expect of the bottom age star. Utilising all aspects of his athleticism, Watson caused headaches in the forward 50 with his forward craft and ability to get away from opposition, whether through a lead or simply evading them with ball in hand. Watson’s consistent efforts with leads and attempts to win the ball saw him rewarded with four goals, missing two gettable set shots as well, and have the most influence on the contest from an Eastern point of view. Watson pushed into the midfield in the final term and managed to continue impressing with his speed and agility allowing him to burn opponents, giving him time to steady before disposing of the ball.

#18 Lewis Hayes

With well developed positioning and a strong mark, it’s no surprise that Hayes was one that had a good game with his intercepting. Whilst lightly built currently, Hayes uses his body well to get in front of marking contests when one-on-one and catches the eye with how he drifts in front of others to take grabs. Hayes was solid with his ball use, letting out a few long bombs that easily travelled 50 meters, but also measuring his disposal well with some safe kicks when the time called for it.

#26 Matthew Aldous

Whilst not always rewarded for his leading efforts, Aldous consistently provided as an option out of the forward line for his teammates with hard and repeated leading efforts. Aldous has a good leap which aided him in a few marking contests, and agility which saw him pull off a couple of impressive candy sells heading inside 50. Aldous demonstrated that he’s a good shot for goal too, taking the most of his opportunities to convert, but often looking to pass it off when there were teammates in better positions.

By: Declan Reeve

Sandringham Dragons:

#3 Will Ashcroft

One of the early-season pick one contenders and a Brisbane father-son candidate, Ashcroft came into the game with a lot of eyes on him and some high expectations. Early on, Ashcroft struggled to get into the game as Oakleigh’s midfield physically dominated the contest, but he adapted and started working into the game as it drew on. Renowned for his ball use, Ashcroft sometimes struggled with his kicking under pressure but had a few moments in space where he hit some good passes going forward, however his handballing was always on point regardless of the situation.

#5 Lachlan Benton

The over-ager looked improved from his 2021 output from the start. Not necessarily having a strength advantage over his opponents, Benton still managed to win a lot of the ball in tight and use it effectively to get the Dragons going forward. An aspect of Benton’s game that looks to have improved dramatically is his scoreboard impact, managing three goals while playing through the midfield.

#8 Hugo Hall-Kahan

Despite not kicking a major for the game, Hall-Kahan looked like Sandringham’s most dangerous forward for most of the contest, regularly able to get free on the lead or end up in the right spot, making it difficult for the Oakleigh defenders to keep him quiet. Whilst he played deep for a lot of the game, Hall-Kahan arguably looked most impressive when playing as high half-forward, able to win the ball up the ground and use it well by foot heading inside 50, setting up a goal in the second term with a well placed kick to the top of the goalsquare.

#9 Archie Roberts

One of a few bottom-agers to take to the field, Roberts was arguably the most impactful of the lot out of defensive 50, with his run and carry game creating plenty of drive for the Dragons. Sporting a playing style not too dissimilar from former Dragon Josh Sinn, and a look to match, Roberts led the game for rebounds and he worked tirelessly to assist his teammates in contests and get the ball out. Roberts was aggressive with his ball use, not afraid to hit targets centrally from the backline or go for a switch kick not many others would attempt.

#16 Harry Sheezel

The Academy member didn’t quite have the four quarter impact he would’ve liked, but Sheezel was undeniably exciting when up and about through the game. Like most of his teammates, early on Sheezel found it tough to get involved as Oakleigh had most of the play, but Sheezel showed solid workrate to get up the ground and start impacting in defensive 50 with pressure acts and managing to win the ball. Sheezel found a bit of his forward 50 groove in the last quarter, taking some nice marks by reading the ball better than opponents over the back of contests and earning a free kick right in front of goal, only converting for one major from three set shots.

#28 Ryley Sanders

The Tasmanian bottom-aged Academy member, boarding at Melbourne Grammar, was arguably the best performed midfielder from Sandringham for the day, making his impact felt through stoppages and showcasing high-level composure under pressure. Sanders’ cleanliness by hand and ability to draw opponents saw him release handballs to runners that had plenty of space to continue running into, and when runners weren’t there he showed off the same composure by foot. Sanders worked hard to get to the right spots all game, trying to be in a position to get hands out of a contest or be a switch option for his side.

#29 Max Ramsden

Up against quite a formidable Oakleigh Chargers ruck division, Ramsden may not have won all his ruck contests, but his follow up work at ground level and one grab pick ups in the wet impressed throughout the game. Ramsden had a few moments where he beat opposing midfielders in foot races for a ball, collected it and then kicked forward well to a leading teammate.

Oakleigh Chargers

#1
Elijah Tsatas

Starting the game on the wing, the pick one contender played his role well superbly with his ability to hold space and time his runs to receive handballs or sweep up on loose balls out of contests. This ability saw him used as a forward handball option a few times heading inside 50, where he was able to quickly assess his options ahead and kick well for his forwards to easily lead into and take on the chest. Tsatas also managed to impact centre stoppages despite starting on the wing, with one particular play where he bolted in at full speed, winning the ball as it spilled over the top of the contest, powering away and bombing long to the top of the goalsquare. It wasn’t all outside work for Tsatas though, taking his opportunities in the centre square to show his capabilities in winning contested footy, using it well under pressure and his athletic tricks which let him get away from congestion, or around opponents, almost too easily.

#2 Blake Drury

Traditionally playing almost full-time in midfield, Drury spent quite a bit of time up forward against the Dragons and did not disappoint when up there. Drury ended the day with three goals, but could’ve had plenty more had he held his composure a little better at times. Drury worked hard all game to win the ball in the thick of things, or to be in the right spots to get it out of a contest, constantly around the ball when in the midfield and constantly at the feet of packs up forward. Whilst Drury did well to get shots away inside 50, there were times where he would’ve been better served passing off to teammates in better spots, however the efforts were impressive regardless.

#3 Jack O’Sullivan

The Under 17’s Vic Country representative played an impressive game, splitting his time between the forward line and midfield. Not letting his shorter stature limit him in marking contests or in the thick of things, O’Sullivan used his evasiveness to his advantage more than a few times to keep the ball free in traffic and come out the other side to deliver the ball to a teammate. O’Sullivan was composed with the footy and solid with his delivery, even able to hit targets by foot when in the middle of a pack, his use going forward created a few opportunities for Oakleigh. O’Sullivan’s courage to go back with the flight of the ball also stood out, at one stage taking an intercept mark whilst an opponent jumped in to him trying to win the same ball.

#4 Matthew Jefferson

Whilst the wet conditions meant it wasn’t best day to be a marking tall forward, Jefferson impressed with his work at ground level for a tall player, showing his cleanliness below his knees at speed and quick hands to set up a goal at one stage. Jefferson should good reaction time as well as he managed to intercept an attempted switch kick in his forward 50, spoiling the ball for a teammate to run onto and score. Despite the conditions, Jefferson still showed off some of his aerial talent, taking a contested mark right on the point line to slot a goal for his efforts.

#5 George Wardlaw

With conditions being a contested players dream, it’s no surprise that Wardlaw took the opportunity to show off his traits and push his case as an early pick one favourite. Simply put, Wardlaw was unmatchable for the game as he did as he pleased through the midfield, even managing to impact up forward with the opening goal of the match. All the things that you want from an inside midfielder; quick and precise hands in close, courage, contested work, tackling, were what Wardlaw was showing through the game. If Wardlaw wasn’t winning the ball himself, he was working hard to shepherd for teammates or be an option for the handball, where he would follow up with good use by foot even under pressure. Wardlaw’s use by foot looked improved from last season, particularly when out in space where he was confident in hitting inside 45 kicks or going for switches.

#7 Angus Curry

Another of Oakleigh’s deep on-ball brigade, whilst Curry didn’t accumulate as much of the ball as many of his teammates, he still managed to catch the eye with some impressive bursts from congestion and attack on the ball. Where Curry stood out the most amongst his teammates was his defensive work in tight, laying some bone crunching tackles when opponents thought they were out clear of him and creating repeat stoppages.

#15 Nathan Philactides

The 2023 prospect played in the backline for the game, and whilst he didn’t win as much of the footy as some others, he was arguably the most impactful from back there when he did. With a high level athletics background, it’s unsurprising to see that Philactides backs his speed against any opponent, rarely getting chased down as he streamed out of the backline with the ball. He didn’t have the blinkers on all day though, assessing his options well and knowing when to use the balls safely when it was required, often looking for isolated teammates when disposing of it.

#18 Jed Rule

The over-ager, who is on Box Hill’s VFL list, picked up where he left off from 2021, demonstrating his read of the ball and clean ball use out of the back half, Rule led the game for marks as he managed to get free of his opponents and intercept with ease. Rule seemed to lead well from the back, often looked for by teammates to get the ball to so he could move out safely.

#33 Alwyn Davey Jnr.

Whilst the Essendon father-son prospect didn’t win a whole heap of the footy, he truly made every touch count with some superb ball use. Splitting his time between the forward line and midfield, Davey impacted mostly early on in the contest, using his speed and agility to break free from congestion when he won the ball, but never taking too long with it as he was able to make his decisions quickly and execute well even under pressure. Davey’s defensive efforts were also solid, laying some bumps that hurt opponents to secure the ball for himself or his teammates.

#38 Riley Voulanas

Voulanas demonstrated his natural forward craft well through the day, taking the opportunities he had to demonstrate his speed and agility through traffic, often collecting the ball cleanly at ground level even under pressure. Whilst he didn’t have an accurate day in front of goal, Voulanas did well to get the ball to dangerous spots even when in a position where he shouldn’t have been able to.
 
I love this. Are u game enough to have a crack at the 2023 top 20
Don't think I know 20 players for next year yet lmao, let's just go with

1. Nick Watson

And I'll quit while I'm ahead
 
More seriously though I generally like to waot until each comp has played at least 4 rounds before I start considering that sort of stuff, however Watson is sitting at number 1 from last year's work, with a nice group with the likes of Curtin, Delean, Duursma, Reid, Patton next off the ranks. Roberts, Philacitides, Moir have impressed early this year as well of course, I expect Moir will be in most peoples top 5's by seasons end
 

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