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

[PMBangers]

Do you think Sean Darcy really exhibited those "essentials" you refer to in his draft year. I don't think he is Sean Darcy at all but I do disagree a lot with your assessment that the mainly ruck and not that much else is going the way of the dodo. the bombers, swans, Richmond, Freo, Gold Coast, ect ect would suggest that your assessment doesn't quite fit. They all and other clubs have ruckman that do essentially nothing forward or back of centre playing in those positions. Everyone wants a ruckman who goes forward or back and is very difficult to match up on but almost none of them actually have them IMHO and Richmond won 3 flags with a ruck who literally did nothing else playing forward or back. Taking marks behind the ball whilst rucking is something completely different than I assume what you have been suggesting.

Did you not read the part where I complimented his actual ruck craft and ability to mark around the ground?

Clubs want different things from different roles, there's clearly still a place currently for guys that only ruck as evidenced by those teams listed. Tbh I agree with most of what you're saying, I don't think rucks that can rest forward are worth the money they get paid, but I also think if you want a stoppage specialist ruck it's better to trade one in that's already shown they can do it at AFL level. With Madden specifically, even for this I'd be hesitant to pick him over others available this year given he relies heavily on body contact to win hitouts and that's less likely to fly at AFL level, Hudson O'Keeffe would be my pick for it

 

[Smythe]

Did you not read the part where I complimented his actual ruck craft and ability to mark around the ground?

Clubs want different things from different roles, there's clearly still a place currently for guys that only ruck as evidenced by those teams listed. Tbh I agree with most of what you're saying, I don't think rucks that can rest forward are worth the money they get paid, but I also think if you want a stoppage specialist ruck it's better to trade one in that's already shown they can do it at AFL level. With Madden specifically, even for this I'd be hesitant to pick him over others available this year given he relies heavily on body contact to win hitouts and that's less likely to fly at AFL level, Hudson O'Keeffe would be my pick for it

Clubs may even opt for 1 pure ruck with 1 dual position ruck in games from now on in with 5 on the bench most likely to get voted in. Hence the Grundy Gawn, nank and rich wanting to keep soldo, it’s for that purpose Exactly. Most, if not all clubs will play 2 rucks, and they will be mostly 1 pure ruck and a dual position ruck.

 

[TheAthlete]

Did you not read the part where I complimented his actual ruck craft and ability to mark around the ground?

Clubs want different things from different roles, there's clearly still a place currently for guys that only ruck as evidenced by those teams listed. Tbh I agree with most of what you're saying, I don't think rucks that can rest forward are worth the money they get paid, but I also think if you want a stoppage specialist ruck it's better to trade one in that's already shown they can do it at AFL level. With Madden specifically, even for this I'd be hesitant to pick him over others available this year given he relies heavily on body contact to win hitouts and that's less likely to fly at AFL level, Hudson O'Keeffe would be my pick for it

yeah in speaking to a few clubs I think they agree more with you than me on him but he just screams unfashionable but gets it done vibes to me. He is scary competitive and will make grown men in the AFL nervous. 204 so more than big enough but I have now idea on his tank so that my be the major issue from a draft perspective. However if he has a reasonable tank then I think he could be a player. I mean there are some absolute donkeys who stay on AFL lists just cause they're tall. I would much prefer to rookie someone like this than yet another run of the mill mid who obviously has so many holes they can't get drafted.

All of this is subject to his testing because if he has terrible endurance which is hard to tell from the minimum amounts I have seen him he is no chance. One other thing he actually showed some forward craft in the two or three times I watched him as well albeit very limited. Anyway rant over and love your work PM!!

 

[PMBangers]

yeah in speaking to a few clubs I think they agree more with you than me on him but he just screams unfashionable but gets it done vibes to me. He is scary competitive and will make grown men in the AFL nervous. 204 so more than big enough but I have now idea on his tank so that my be the major issue from a draft perspective. However if he has a reasonable tank then I think he could be a player. I mean there are some absolute donkeys who stay on AFL lists just cause they're tall. I would much prefer to rookie someone like this than yet another run of the mill mid who obviously has so many holes they can't get drafted.

All of this is subject to his testing because if he has terrible endurance which is hard to tell from the minimum amounts I have seen him he is no chance. One other thing he actually showed some forward craft in the two or three times I watched him as well albeit very limited. Anyway rant over and love your work PM!!

You can watch his games and gather where his endurance base is at, it's not great but it's certainly not the absolute worst of the ruck crop this year, and there's more room for development there given he'll undoubtedly be losing some kilo's at the next level, didn't end up doing the 2km run because of a foot fracture.

And yes I agree, there are some genuine potatoes with legs on AFL lists only because of their height, hell Tom Campbell even gets actively sought out by clubs for it

 

[Nickers]

PMBangers it seems like it’ll be a Tsatas/Humphrey/Ginbey/Phillipou decision for the Dons.

Purely based on best available, who are you taking and why? Cheers

 

[PMBangers]

PMBangers it seems like it’ll be a Tsatas/Humphrey/Ginbey/Phillipou decision for the Dons.

Purely based on best available, who are you taking and why? Cheers

Of the lot there I have Tsatas highest on my board, he's well rounded as a prospect with the only limitations imo being his defensive work and ability to display his burst from the inside, but the latter concern there I think is easy enough to cover up when paired with a stronger contested ball winner like a Hobbs in the long term. He'd almost instantly become Essendon's most exciting midfielder imo, but with how poor your current midfield group is defensively it might not work out well to add another player that's rather underwhelming in that area IF the recruitment team rates all those players as similiar levels of talent, but to me Tsatas is a clear step above the others and I'd be taking him anyway.

More realistically though, I reckon Humphrey will be the one that ends up at the Dons as someone that could emulate a Jake Stringer type of role, splitting his time as a midfielder and forward target. There's naturally concerns on his conversion in front of goal, which definitely needs some work, but his addition would give your forward half a harder edge with his tackling game and another avenue to goal with his contested marking

 

[PMBangers]

Have had some spare time this week and ran out of footage of the current draft crop to rewatch (updated top 40 on page 1 btw) so thought I'd consolidate my 2023 notes and form a rankings. A lot's been said already about next years crop being better, but it's a massive cliche in footy that always gets pulled out, this time last year Harry Lemmey had people foaming at the mouth for the 2022 draft, so a lot changes, so please don't get shitty if some of these names drop off completely xx.

I won't straight up say better or worse for next years draft, but I will say I'm more excited for it than I was for this year, as it stands there aren't as many top end pure midfielders but as you can see from the positions there's a few with the potential to push in and make a name for themselves in the centre square. There's a lot of genuine X Factor amongst the top end though, guys like Reid, Duursma and Watson are already well known for it from pages like baselinefooty, but Lorenz, Delean, Moir, Caddy, Frangalas and Tholstrup are just as capable of doing some remarkable things, with some of those just missing out in Lual, Rogers, Callinan and McAuliffe also having that trait

 

[pushintheback]

View attachment 1545527
Have had some spare time this week and ran out of footage of the current draft crop to rewatch (updated top 40 on page 1 btw) so thought I'd consolidate my 2023 notes and form a rankings. A lot's been said already about next years crop being better, but it's a massive cliche in footy that always gets pulled out, this time last year Harry Lemmey had people foaming at the mouth for the 2022 draft, so a lot changes, so please don't get shitty if some of these names drop off completely xx.

I won't straight up say better or worse for next years draft, but I will say I'm more excited for it than I was for this year, as it stands there aren't as many top end pure midfielders but as you can see from the positions there's a few with the potential to push in and make a name for themselves in the centre square. There's a lot of genuine X Factor amongst the top end though, guys like Reid, Duursma and Watson are already well known for it from pages like baselinefooty, but Lorenz, Delean, Moir, Caddy, Frangalas and Tholstrup are just as capable of doing some remarkable things, with some of those just missing out in Lual, Rogers, Callinan and McAuliffe also having that trait

I've been watching pathways footy for a very long time and I love the 2023 draft group. There is always debate who should or shouldn't be in the top 20, but what this shows is incredible depth. Yes some will drop out of the top 20, but for this 20 you can be reasonably confident they will all land on an AFL list in 2023. The thing that stands out for me is what's to come. PMBangers nailed when you said "there aren't as many top end pure midfielders" but a lot of this is due to them not having the opportunity in 2022, so the upside is huge IMO and I reckon we will see more midfield minutes into the likes of Roberts, Frangalas, Philactides (my boy), Moir, even Tholstrup. If H. Reid was in the 2022 draft he'd be in the top 3 without a doubt. I also think many of this top 20 would fair well in going top 20 in the 2022 draft. This 20 has it all, speed, height, power, skill, defenders, fwds...everything! I think it could be the next 2001 super draft. Time will tell.

 

[new_blue]

What’s the knocks on Darcy Jones…besides his height? Are there concerns with his tank or work rate, defensive side, etc?

I’ve only seen snippets but it looks like he has some really upside - being fast, agile, attacks the ball and takes the game on, good user, has footy IQ and looks to make things happen.

 

[Orange crush]

I'm glad you asked my dearest SuperAnus

I am planning on releasing an NFT line for only my biggest supporters, however will not be sharing the planned images from fears of them being stolen. I'm also planning to move to OnlyFans if this brave new venture sees me removed from the site, I think there's an untapped market there for Draft Followers.

And no, Bastyy will continue to remain the boards village idiot

SuperAnus .... comedy gold

 

[PMBangers]

What’s the knocks on Darcy Jones…besides his height? Are there concerns with his tank or work rate, defensive side, etc?

I’ve only seen snippets but it looks like he has some really upside - being fast, agile, attacks the ball and takes the game on, good user, has footy IQ and looks to make things happen.

Height and general size really, he's actually dropped weight during the season! Currently he's 9kg lighter than Caleb Daniel who gets thrown around a bit around the footy, so there's a bit of work to do in regards to adding some muscle, and then any of my other concerns relate to that as well; what position he plays, how his contested game suffers.

But there's really nothing about his athleticism or footy skills that you can question, so I still think he'll get picked up, and likely go higher than where I rank him, because the mix of athleticism and craft is just tantalising and clubs will be backing themselves to find a role for him at the next level.

 

[RedmanWasHere]

PMBangers.

While you're updating your 2022 rankings and getting your first top 20 for 2023 out of the way, top 20 for 2024 please.

Thank you.

 

[PMBangers]

PMBangers.

While you're updating your 2022 rankings and getting your first top 20 for 2023 out of the way, top 20 for 2024 please.

Thank you.

I'll get back to you in 12 months

 

[RedmanWasHere]

I'll get back to you in 12 months

DAMNIT!

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Or at least a top 10 please.

 

[PMBangers]

Or at least a top 10 please.

eDPS your expertise is needed

 

[RedmanWasHere]

Currently he's 9kg lighter than Caleb Daniel who gets thrown around a bit around the footy,

Yet he was able to upend Max Gawn.

 

[weltschmerz]

Yet he was able to upend Max Gawn.

Caleb’s super strong for his size, has real muscle to him, but his lack of weight means other guys can also yeet him.

 

[JGreezy]

View attachment 1545527
Have had some spare time this week and ran out of footage of the current draft crop to rewatch (updated top 40 on page 1 btw) so thought I'd consolidate my 2023 notes and form a rankings. A lot's been said already about next years crop being better, but it's a massive cliche in footy that always gets pulled out, this time last year Harry Lemmey had people foaming at the mouth for the 2022 draft, so a lot changes, so please don't get shitty if some of these names drop off completely xx.

I won't straight up say better or worse for next years draft, but I will say I'm more excited for it than I was for this year, as it stands there aren't as many top end pure midfielders but as you can see from the positions there's a few with the potential to push in and make a name for themselves in the centre square. There's a lot of genuine X Factor amongst the top end though, guys like Reid, Duursma and Watson are already well known for it from pages like baselinefooty, but Lorenz, Delean, Moir, Caddy, Frangalas and Tholstrup are just as capable of doing some remarkable things, with some of those just missing out in Lual, Rogers, Callinan and McAuliffe also having that trait

Archer Reid to North just seems like its destined.

 

[eDPS]

eDPS your expertise is needed

 

[flipper83]

Height and general size really, he's actually dropped weight during the season! Currently he's 9kg lighter than Caleb Daniel who gets thrown around a bit around the footy, so there's a bit of work to do in regards to adding some muscle, and then any of my other concerns relate to that as well; what position he plays, how his contested game suffers.

But there's really nothing about his athleticism or footy skills that you can question, so I still think he'll get picked up, and likely go higher than where I rank him, because the mix of athleticism and craft is just tantalising and clubs will be backing themselves to find a role for him at the next level.

You mean this guy?

 

[pushintheback]

Height and general size really, he's actually dropped weight during the season! Currently he's 9kg lighter than Caleb Daniel who gets thrown around a bit around the footy, so there's a bit of work to do in regards to adding some muscle, and then any of my other concerns relate to that as well; what position he plays, how his contested game suffers.

But there's really nothing about his athleticism or footy skills that you can question, so I still think he'll get picked up, and likely go higher than where I rank him, because the mix of athleticism and craft is just tantalising and clubs will be backing themselves to find a role for him at the next level.

I really like Darcy Jones. He showed a lot in the champs. While he maybe small, he has a lot of nice traits. Hes, quick, drives his legs out of the contest and uses the ball really well at speed. TBH I think at speed he's the best user in the draft pool. He reminds me a lot of Walters from Freo. Jones will be a reliable player at AFL level for a long time.

 

[GWS Goose]

Not all my work is simply "they'll get drafted", that part of all this I'm rather mediocre at, identifying strengths and weaknesses of prospects is a better way to go about it imo

But to answer the question, I don't think so personally, his best chance imo is as a Cat B with GWS. With athleticism and an ability to move around the ground effectively, as well as impact in other positions, increasingly important for rucks, Madden doesn't really hit any of those well enough, but if all clubs want is a guy to can outbody opponents in ruck contests and take contested marks behind play, he's a good option

He was invited to the national combine (I think) there is some interest somewhere

 

[PMBangers]

He was invited to the national combine (I think) there is some interest somewhere

Plenty get invited to the National combine without getting picked up, it's a nice start but means pretty little in the grand scheme of the draft

 

[mattyc75]

You mean this guy?

Geez gawn took a massive dive there lucky he didnt injure himself , jumped up with his hands ready for the free kick[emoji1787]

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